Rifle Scopes Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

[amauro1]

Hello, I'm in the market for a new scope for my ltr and I have narrowed it down to the leupold mark 4 with mark 4 rings and base.

My question is should I get the 4.5-14x50 or 6.5-20x50?

Will be shooting mostly target, and possibly some hunting.

Also is the illuminated mildly worth the extra $ ?

All replies are appreciated !!

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

Have both of them, love them both!!IMO the illum is not worth it, in the many years I've had it, I have REALLY needed/used it twice, both shots couldn't have been made without it, but both shots were not like some big deal either. The clarity and adjustment on the 4-14 are great, but the extra mag on the 6.5-20 is nice too. I dont think you will be disappointed with either.

 

[unreconstructed]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

For hunting use, I want 3-4x mag on the low end, so 6.5x is too much for me. Illum is worth it to me. It really helps in low light.

IMO, you can get a better scope for the price of the Mark 4

 

[amauro1]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

Thanks for your response, is the 4.5-14 any clearer then the 6.5-20?

 

[amauro1]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

What do you think is better in that price range?

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

Get a Nightforce with knobs that match the reticle

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TM700LTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do you think is better in that price range? </div></div>

Used NF or an Super sniper

 

[BCP]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

My 700 LTR has a 3-12 bushnell FFP on it. It's okay. I think the weaver 3-15 FFP is a better scope though. Both of them can be had for much less than 1k if you look around and have illum and matching reticule/knobs. The VORTEX PST is a nice sub 1k package too.

Mark 4 I like the M3 and M5 models but wouldn't pay retail for one. Not worth it imo.

If you can spend 1200-1400 there are a couple IOR 4-14 type scopes, one FFP and the other SFP that are both mil mil and illuminated. IOR glass is exceptional and if you've only used mid grade stuff it will surprise you greatly.

 

[PharmShooter]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

I own two Mark 4's and they are excellent scopes. Mine are both 8.5-25.

 

[amauro1]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

are they illuminated?

 

[amauro1]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

also, i forgot to ask about the turrets, whats the main difference between M1, M3, M5?

 

[unreconstructed]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TM700LTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">also, i forgot to ask about the turrets, whats the main difference between M1, M3, M5? </div></div>

M1 turret is 1/4 MOA
M2 turret is 1/2 MOA
M3 turret is 1 MOA
M5 turret is 1/10 mil

 

[unreconstructed]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

I just recommended the Weaver Tactical 3-15x FFP with EMDR reticle to a buddy of mine who got his first .308 bolt gun today.
I see them for $699

Here's a link to the scope on Weaver's site
http://www.weaveroptics.com/optics/tactical/

 

[07zx6r]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Unreconstructed</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For hunting use, I want 3-4x mag on the low end, so 6.5x is too much for me. Illum is worth it to me. It really helps in low light.

IMO, you can get a better scope for the price of the Mark 4 </div></div>

i agree with the low mag for hunting. i had a nikon 6-18 and even on the lowest power, it was a little difficult hunting with the limited field of view.

 

[kill_goose]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

I prefer high powers. I pretty much do everything on 18-20x, or wherever the scope on the rifle im shooting tops out at (I dont any extreme high power scopes, 24x or higher, so dont know how id feel about that high).

Hunting, targets, 100 yards or a grand, im on high for the most part.

Id go with the 6.5-20.

 

[reeljob]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

I really like my 6.5-20x50 but I believe my new PST is quickly becoming my favorite scope. My new Vortex is 6-24x50. Illumination is not a big deal for me, I have got along great without it. Quality glass is all thats needed in lowlight hunting situations nearly all the time. The only exception I have found is bear hunting over bait in Canada, bears seem to come in late and hard to see the recticle on a black bear near dark. I do love my Mark 4 but my matching turrets and recticle make getting the job done much easier. To early to tell now but as much as I hate to I may end up selling my Leupy to get another PST.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TM700LTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do you think is better in that price range? </div></div>

Used NF or an Super sniper </div></div>

+1 coming from a owner of all three

 

[frankythefly]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

I like both the Leupolds and the Vortex PST. If you have the extra coin the new Leupolds are mighty nice. I have the new 6.5x20X50 and it has everything that I look for in an optic, mechanical zero stop, 10 mil turrets, windage stops, and a marked range parallax knob. A actually like the 1-3 power ratios because to go from a 6.5 to 20 is just a tiny bit of movement with the zoom ring. That is one of my complaints about the premiers scopes, is that it takes forever to get the parallax set, and to switch from low to high powers. Will have to see how the new Lupy Mark6 3-18x44 which is the exact zoom range that I am looking for.

 

[amauro1]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

thanks alot for all your input, i was at a friends house earlier and he showed me a scope that he recently put on his LTR, it's a nikon buckmasters 6-18x40 that he got from Midway, I have to say that this scope is clear, bright and he had nothing but good things to say about it, at that price how could you go wrong? anyone have experience with it?

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

Never a buckmaster, but I do use a couple monarch gold’s and they are great dependable performers.

 

[amauro1]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

yea but im sure that nikon's dont come close to those mark 4's... durability speaking

 

[mdesign]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

IMO...For the money the Bushnell HDMR is a much better set-up. 3.5x21x50 with better reticle options, etc. Price is the same as a mark 4 but the glass and durability is better with the Bushnell. Talk to the folk at Rifles Only...they see a lot of different brands come through....the Bushnell accounts for itself real well against some very expensive glass.

 

[flynlow3]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

I have a mark 4 4.5-14x50 ER/T for sale. I dont have the post count to list things on this forum but it is on ebay.

The Leupold number is 65490. Optics planet sells it for $1599.00

I like the FFP the ER/T offers. Great for hunting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150739240084

That is the link to my ebay auction if you wish to see pictures.

 

[flynlow3]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

And I own all three...4.5-14, 6.5-20, and an 8.5-25. The clearity goes in that exact order.

The 4.5-14 is the clearest. There is a slight noticible difference in the 6.5-20 and the 8.5 is nice for really getting the magnification but the downside is the lack of clearity.

Hope that helps.

 

[Tengo1]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TM700LTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello, I'm in the market for a new scope for my ltr and I have narrowed it down to the leupold mark 4 with mark 4 rings and base.

My question is should I get the 4.5-14x50 or 6.5-20x50?

Will be shooting mostly target, and possibly some hunting.

Also is the illuminated mildly worth the extra $ ?

All replies are appreciated !! </div></div>

I have the 6.5-20X50 Mark 4 with M5 turrets and the TMR recticle. Its Mil/Mil, and the TMR reticle is AWESOME! What ever you do, get the TMR. I also declined to spend the extra cash on the illuminated model. I do alot of hunting at night, early morning hunting coyotes and have never had an issue seeing the reticle. On the reverse side, I've used my bro in laws scope with illumination, and it actually washed out my picture so I couldn't see the coyote.

On a side note, its funny that people will make a post asking an opinion about "Which Leupold" and the haters chime in with "Neither, Nightforce, Super Sniper, etc. etc." freakin' haters.

 

[Hi Speed]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

I have the first two. I like the 6.5-20X50 Ill. TMR better than NF 5.5-22X50 with NF TMR or whatever reticle. The TMR has a little void where the crosshairs intersect and it's very useful at LR. NF does not have this. The 4.5-14X50 is better for hunting but the 6.5-20X50 is my Fav. NF again is gargantuan and a bit bulkier.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tengo1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">On a side note, its funny that people will make a post asking an opinion about "Which Leupold" and the haters chime in with "Neither, Nightforce, Super Sniper, etc. etc." freakin' haters. </div></div>

You miss understood me, there is no hate here. The OP asked because they want to be an informed buyer. I responded and advised the OP that I have had experience with them and my opinion. Perhaps I was too brief with “+1 coming from a owner of all three”

So, I will go a little deeper.

I have had 6 different Mk4's ranging from the 2.5-8x through the 6.5-20x model, along with several NF NXS in 3.5-15's and SWFA SS 5-20's. Of the Mk4's, I still have three. If I were in the market to purchase a new Mk4 at today’s prices... in my opinion there are better buys out there in the new and used market with better features and glass quality. The Mk4 is a good scope just not a great scope at their price point.

YMMV

 

[unreconstructed]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mdesign</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IMO...For the money the Bushnell HDMR is a much better set-up. 3.5x21x50 with better reticle options, etc. Price is the same as a mark 4 but the glass and durability is better with the Bushnell. Talk to the folk at Rifles Only...they see a lot of different brands come through....the Bushnell accounts for itself real well against some very expensive glass. </div></div>

I agree, except the HDMR does not have illum. I really like having the illum for low light.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

Its not that people are "Leupold haters", there bud, its that Leupolds Mark 4 is 1980s technology. Better is out there for the same price point.

 

[BCP]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

Nikon are okay as affordable varmint hunting/plinker scopes. My varmint AR has a nikon buckmasters on it works just fine. I wouldn't put one on a bolt action target rifle though.

Like I said earlier if I were the OP I'd be looking at sub-1k options. Too many good ones out there to pass up.

 

[amauro1]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

any input on the bushnell elite 6500?

 

[SWFA]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

Of your choices I would go with the 4.5-14x, great all around power range and more versatile for hunting.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-Mark-4-LRT-Riflescopes-C124.aspx?s=Name ASC&p=1

Having an illuminated reticle in your scopes is like having a spare tire in your vehicle, you don't have to have one to operate either but they sure are nice when you need them. Since you mentioned hunting and most hunting is done at dusk and dawn, I would go illuminated.

I would also consider all options in regards to the other brands being mentioned. Our SS-HD 5-20x50 has a lot of features for the money.

Illuminated First Focal Plane Mil-Quad Reticle.

.10 Mil Adjustments with 30 Mils of Travel in a 30mm Tube.

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-Scopes-C1719.aspx

 

[goldeneagle76]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

depends on what you're hunting...6.5 might be a little too much power.

 

[rcdinaz]

Re: Which leupold mark 4 should I get?

First sorry to be a new guy resurrecting a thread but I am looking at the same question. I am really leaning hard at getting a MK4, ER/T M5, TMR 6.5-20. The one thing I did not see anyone mention was scope weight. I have NXS, PST, and Burris all are good scopes for their purpose. However, none of them have all the features I want in a 22oz scope, Zeiss and Leupold do. I had a midweight (~8lb) rifle built and it seems contradictory now to put a +2lb NXS, Razor, etc on the rifle. Leupold and Zeiss look to be a good fit and the new Weavers are close. Still have not made a final decision on which one.

Just my $0.02 and I would love feedback or guidance from the experts.