LEUPOLD MARK 5HD 3.6-18x44 Alternative options

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Humblepie

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Looking for a precision scope used for both hunting and long range target.

The Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 seems like a good option.

Though the aggressive pricing of $3500 is a little prohibitive.

The issue is the rather steep Canadian tax on good equipment, and a poor exchange rate.

Is there any other scopes that are of similar quality, and performance, at a less expensive price point?

Thanks.
 
If you're looking at premium glass, expect to pay a premium price. The issue isn't really tax, since these scopes are well over $2k in the states too it's mostly exchange rate. Just keep in mind that by asking for a less expensive price point, you're likely going to get something that is slightly less quality, doesn't mean it's bad, but it might not track as well, have tactile clicks, or have as good of glass.

You could probably get a Gen 2 Vortex Razor for a little less, but it's considerably heavier so I doubt you'd want it for a hunting scope.
 
It depends what you want to prioritize. There aren't really any less expensive scopes that have the short footprint, mag range and low weight that the 3.6-18 Mk 5 does. I want to say that the NF NX8 2.5-20 is similar. It's a couple ounces heavier but otherwise similar in terms of quality, mag range and short footprint. It's also in the same price bracket.

The 4.5-18 Bushnell LRTS offers a similar mag range, close weight, nice glass (not as nice as the Mk5) and can be found at great deals but it isn't a "short" scope like the Mk5 or NX8.

Everything is a design compromise and you get what you pay for. Best thing to do is to make a list of what features draw you to the Mk 5 and put them in order of importance and then find a scope that satisfies most of your requirements.
 
I appreciate all the good info.

Optics is one of my weak areas, and something I need to bone up on. The options and sheer numbers of models is daunting to say the least.

I'm a little remote, making hands on a little more difficult as well.

I'll refine my query, as it's a bit vague.

Seems the Leupold Mark 4 was a great Optic, but is now discontinued. There are other options, as mentioned.

I have a few rifles that would benefit from scopes, and I prefer them for shot placement for hunting, vs iron sights.

Buying more than 1 Leupold high end would be cost prohibitive ATM.

What I'm looking for, would be a high end precision scope, suitable for mobility and hunting, but also at home on precision rifle. The 5HD 3.6-18x44 fits right in.

What I would also like, is a secondary optic, for other rifles. Something less costly, suitable as a backup. Or just lives on a 22LR precision rifle, as an example.

Compromise.... for a reduced price point, there will be some compromise. Fair enough.

What I can't compromise on:

- Shock sensitivity. Needs to survive 308 min shock loads.

- Function. Mil/Mil a must.

Is there anything in the $1000-$1300 area that work as a good backup and be reliable?
 
May I suggest the Primary Arms 3-18X50mm First Focal Plane Scope with ACSS HUD DMR Reticle. I was comparing a Leupold 3-10X40 Mark 4 last night to one and at low light I was quite surprised how well it performed. Not as good as the Mark 4 but very close! Major disparity was the edge to edge distortion and weight. Leupold is crystal clear edge to edge while the PA scope has some fish eye affect at the edge and an extra 5 ounces. PA scope is still fairly light weight for a illuminated ret, target turret, 50mm objective scope. However the Mark 4 is 3X the cost.....so? The PA ACSS ret. is a nicely thought out design....especially if you shoot .223, .308 or .300 win mag, the locking turrets are a Hugh! plus if you plan on hunting with the scope. Another good option is Athalon for a bit more $ or perhaps Sightron's tac series. Probably better glass then the PA but not the features for the price point. Honestly though....not much better for the $ then Leupold....plus there is Korth to factor in...you ever have an issue they are so helpful. Good luck.
 
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I'm running Steiner M series, both the 5X25 & the 3X15, in terms of value and quality, very pleased. I don't know if I would use there T series? however I"m not a big Leupold fan, and I think there is better out there, however that's just my opinion. I have some pretty good experience with Leupold's Mark 6 & 8 scopes, and right off the bat, the turrets aren't for me, the glass is excellent, if you are shooting using the reticle and not the turrets I would think you're fine. Just my $.02
 
In your price range I'd recommend either of the Bushnell LRTSs (3-12 or 4.5-18x44). They can be found between 1000-1300 (which is heavily discounted from msrp) from dealers in Canada with a quick google search. They are great FFP optics in mil/mil. They weigh about 2oz more than the 3.6-18 Mk5 and don't have as short a footprint but the glass and reticles are very good, the tracking and durability are great. I have extensive experience with them (3 of the 3-12 and 1 of the 4.5-18) on anything from .22s to .308 bolt guns and 6.5 Creed and .308 gas guns. I don't like them quite as much as the Mk5s I have on my match guns but they are a super solid optic, especially for the prices you can find them at now.
 
rugbydave said:
In your price range I'd recommend either of the Bushnell LRTSs (3-12 or 4.5-18x44). They can be found between 1000-1300 (which is heavily discounted from msrp) from dealers in Canada with a quick google search. They are great FFP optics in mil/mil. They weigh about 2oz more than the 3.6-18 Mk5 and don't have as short a footprint but the glass and reticles are very good, the tracking and durability are great. I have extensive experience with them (3 of the 3-12 and 1 of the 4.5-18) on anything from .22s to .308 bolt guns and 6.5 Creed and .308 gas guns. I don't like them quite as much as the Mk5s I have on my match guns but they are a super solid optic, especially for the prices you can find them at now.
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Would concur with this guy. Frontier has some illuminated 3-12 models coming in stock for 1100. These scopes set the bar for that price point with the combination of glass, durability, tracking and reticle.
 
Humblepie said:
I appreciate all the good info.

Optics is one of my weak areas, and something I need to bone up on. The options and sheer numbers of models is daunting to say the least.

I'm a little remote, making hands on a little more difficult as well.

I'll refine my query, as it's a bit vague.

Seems the Leupold Mark 4 was a great Optic, but is now discontinued. There are other options, as mentioned.

I have a few rifles that would benefit from scopes, and I prefer them for shot placement for hunting, vs iron sights.

Buying more than 1 Leupold high end would be cost prohibitive ATM.

What I'm looking for, would be a high end precision scope, suitable for mobility and hunting, but also at home on precision rifle. The 5HD 3.6-18x44 fits right in.

What I would also like, is a secondary optic, for other rifles. Something less costly, suitable as a backup. Or just lives on a 22LR precision rifle, as an example.

Compromise.... for a reduced price point, there will be some compromise. Fair enough.

What I can't compromise on:

- Shock sensitivity. Needs to survive 308 min shock loads.

- Function. Mil/Mil a must.

Is there anything in the $1000-$1300 area that work as a good backup and be reliable?
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"Shock Sensitivity" isn't a thing on quality scopes of any price point. A couple hundred dollar Leupold Freedom can withstand .50 Cal. A 308 Win is a very very low recoil round.
 
Optically, the Vortex PST gen II is on par with the mk5, unfortunately the 3-15 is quite a bit longer and heavier than the 3.6-18.

If you can live with 12x on the top end, Bushnell LRTS 3-12x44 is probably the way to go. They do make a 4.5-18, but it's a fair bit longer and doesn't have great FOV on the low end, and eyebox is a bit tight at 18x. Other than that, it's an awesome scope.
 
Hand Skills said:
Optically, the Vortex PST gen II is on par with the mk5, unfortunately the 3-15 is quite a bit longer and heavier than the 3.6-18.
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No the Vortex PST is NOT optically on par with the Mark 5. Not even close.

lwing said:
I bought a mark 6 3-18 for $2000 shipped, never mounted on the ee, pretty happy with it, can't imagine the mark 5 being that much better,
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The Mark 6 optical clarity is terrible compared to the Mark 5. Huge improvements were made to the internals making the Mark 5 better and more affordable.
 
Recce21 said:
No the Vortex PST is NOT optically on par with the Mark 5. Not even close.



The Mark 6 optical clarity is terrible compared to the Mark 5. Huge improvements were made to the internals making the Mark 5 better and more affordable.
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LOL. PST not even close. I said PST Gen ii bud. Maybe I had a bad example of a MK 5... Or you could be talking about the 5-25, and if that were the case I'd be inclined to agree with you.
 
Recce21 said:
No the Vortex PST is NOT optically on par with the Mark 5. Not even close.



The Mark 6 optical clarity is terrible compared to the Mark 5. Huge improvements were made to the internals making the Mark 5 better and more affordable.
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Any links to back this up, or just opinion, side by side? I'm curious, as I was told same glass, same as vx5 and vx6, same glass, believe it was from korth, can't remember. I have vx6 HD and Mark 6, both pretty good,
Just went and compared vx6hd to mark 6, maybe slight edge to vx6hd, everyone's definition of huge is different lol.
 
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lwing said:
Any links to back this up, or just opinion, side by side? I'm curious, as I was told same glass, same as vx5 and vx6, same glass, believe it was from korth, can't remember. I have vx6 HD and Mark 6, both pretty good,
Just went and compared vx6hd to mark 6, maybe slight edge to vx6hd, everyone's definition of huge is different lol.
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I used to work for Leupold and have seen not only the factory optical tests carried out, I have shot every model from the VX-1 to the Mark 4/5/6/8 in all kinds of different light and ranges out to 1 mile. I owned the Mark 6 3-18 TMR FFP Illuminated with all the bells and whistles and sold it as soon as the Mark 5 launched because the sight picture looked like staring through soup past 900 meters and was only really decent optically at 6-9 power at those ranges.
 
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