Which Leopold to Choose?

[Fusilier]

I'm just begining building up a mid to long range .308 rifle (400m to 1000m). The vast majority of shooting will likely be less than 300m due to the ranges I have access to but I plan to shoot out to at least 1000m (or at least have equipment capable of those ranges).

I've decided on a Leupold (really hard to beat a real lifetime warrantee) VX-III but now I can't decide on the power range. Any recommendations for/against/between the 4.5-14 and the 6.5-20? The dream scope would probably be a Mark 4 with a Mil Dot reticle but my budget doesn't stretch quite that far. I can affort a scope to around $800 or $900 (even $1,000 in a pinch) all up, tax in, shipped. A Mark 4, even a good used one, would likely be outside that range.

At the moment, my best bets are a V-III 4.5-14 or 6.5-20, with a 50mm objective preferred. Duplex reticle would be sufficient as long as the scope has target turrets. A 40mm objective scope would be acceptable to save some cash too.

Anyway, any comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[Hungry]

I love the Mark4 M1 series for these reasons:

I can read the turret numbers without my reading glasses.
In a hurry I can count the clicks (1/4" MOA) deliberately and not make mistakes.
ONE (only ONE screw) 3/32" allen key to undo the turret and adjust to appropriate setting
Undying faith in their repeatability since I can reset all my Mark4's back to the recorded 100m zero after returning from the National Sniper matches and know that my POI is dead nuts back ON !!
Always easy to re-sell should you need different reticles for your changing game down the road (might need a mildot for a field shoot in Newfie Scotia, one day)
Glass quality is always better than my 50 year old eyes
Fabulous for using as a spotting scope in a pinch (had to do this once) and I can still see the bullet swirl/trace when alongside a shooting sniper, side focus is the cat's pajamas.

I hope this helps you out during the decision process. Sure the Leupold Mark4's cost more money, but work a few more shifts, quit smoking or quit drinking for a year, and save up yer money. It's worth it in the end.

I love the duplex scope... all I ever need ! Until I attended a field shoot where I had to mil a bunch of unknown distance targets. They worked well.

I own BOTH the Mark4 M1 4.5 x 14 x 50mm (in duplex) and Mark4 M1 6.5 x 20 x 50mm (in USMC Mildot football shaped). Both scopes are great and without compromise. I selected them for the particular game(s) I shoot. I just had to work longer shifts loading chairlift at Blue Mountain last ski season, but it was worth the effort. Now I have all the glass I will ever need for our LR games.

The 4.5 x 14 x 50mm Mk4 M1 Duplex is what I use as a service rifle backup mounted on my M700 SPS LTR 9" twist .223. This rig is also my varmint (groundhogs and gophes) setup. I don't do much ranging (unknown distances) with this duplex scope so the cheaper reticle works for me. In Service Rifle, a simple reticle does the job. Unlike in Sniper matches, where the mildot is handy for the 400m mover (walking man) match when I place the next mildot from the center reticle at the center of the fig 11 moving left to right or right to left. Now depending on the wind/mirage, and my spotter's advice, I will play with that ONE mildot by favoring left or right on the fig 11.

You experienced sniper match shooters (NSCC and CFSAC) will know what I'm talking about regarding the employment of the mildot reticle at the 400m mover.

Now with my LR/T 6.5 x 20 x 50mm, I don't shoot the 800m Harassing Fire match past 16X since the afternoon mirage does goofy things to your sight picture. But according to my sniper logbook (you do keep notes, don't you all ?), I shoot the 300m Agony snap at 10X for the wider field and snap style appearance (left, center , right). I shoot the 400m Mover with a 12X setting since the reticle relationship and walking pace is 'dialed' in, I've discovered over the years of shooting this sniper match. Then at the 500m Snap match, I will shoot at 15x or 16x since the smaller fig 12c (reduced fig 12) needs the resolution. Besides, I have to spot my shot since the bullet will hit just below that target. The bullet falls a few inches whilst travelling to the backstop FROM contacting the fig 12c face.

Now about the 20X ability.... I will often hunt groundhogs with my .308 sniper rig. I have loaded up a bunch of Speer TNT 125gr loads. I truly enjoy setting the magnification to 20x while watching a 'sentry' groundhog stand up on 'watch'. Then I love focusing with the side focus knob while reciting my hunting mantra, "Heeeeere, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty...."

You know what happens next. I place the crosshairs so that the POI is dead center of the mass (maximum 'POP' factor) and let 'er go.... PIZZA !!


There.... does this help ?

Peace be to Journey

 

[open-sights]

Go see your local dealer/gunshop and talk to him, tell him what you want and what your range in price is. I know I know, this is not real good advice normally but with Canadian dollar adjustments and recent drop by Leupold in pricing - it might just be affordable to get that Mark 4 if your dealer is willing to work with you.

 

[Terry Perkins]

Get the 6.5-20x50 VXIII with the fine multi-x crosshair and target turrets. It's good for 200 to 1K. When shooting the 400 walking man, all the science in the world won't get you a perfect score. It is an art. Hungry knows.