Kahles K318i or Leupold Mark 5HD 3-18x

[General RE LEE]

I’m looking to top my Remington 700 Sendero 7mm STW with a reliable FFP scope for long distance.

I’ve owned Mark 5HDs before and they are solid. I’m eyeing the Kahles K318i because it’s got top end Swaro glass and supposed to be the cream of the crop for tracking accuracy.

Had anyone compared or owned both of these scopes? Is there a substantial value increase going with the Kahles considering new they are $1000 more than an illuminated reticle Mark 5HD.

 

[amassi]

In that price range there is a dozen other contenders you should be considering with better records than both the leupold and kahles.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[Pronghunter]

In that price range there is a dozen other contenders you should be considering with better records than both the leupold and kahles.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Can you elaborate on “better record” when referring to the Kahles?

 

[General RE LEE]

In that price range there is a dozen other contenders you should be considering with better records than both the leupold and kahles.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

I haven’t heard any negatives on the Kahles and seldom find anything negative about the Mark 5HD.

 

[General RE LEE]

Call me crazy but I don’t think Erik Cortina is going to shoot and win with Kahles unless they are solid.

 

[ChrisAU]

Biggest negative I routinely hear about Kahles is narrow FOV. I’d have a hard time buying one instead of an ATACR, but they are nice. I really want to like Mark5’s, I’ve had 3 or 4 of them. I hate the windage turret (albeit a small gripe), and their track record is definitely more questionable among scopes in the price range. Just tonight I opted for a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44 over another Mark5.

 

[Pronghunter]

Biggest negative I routinely hear about Kahles is narrow FOV. I’d have a hard time buying one instead of an ATACR, but they are nice. I really want to like Mark5’s, I’ve had 3 or 4 of them. I hate the windage turret (albeit a small gripe), and their track record is definitely more questionable among scopes in the price range. Just tonight I opted for a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44 over another Mark5.

I have 2 ATACR, couple of Kahles and a few Mark 5’s. I’ll agree the Kahles (both 318/525 have a narrower FOV, but I feel the Kahles is a nicer scope than the ATACR. And a few steps about the Mark 5HD. And I’ll definitely agree that even though I’ve yet to have an issue with any of the Mark 5’s, and there are thousands out there without issue, there’s that looming history of their tracking issues. Let me know on the Tenmile if you will. I’ve been considering one to do just that, replace the Mark 5HD’s but have no experience or hands on with any Trijicons. Be interesting to hear what your thoughts are compared to the Mark 5.

 

[Pronghunter]

General RE Lee. One option if you were worried about the narrower FOV would be to get the new Kahles DLR.

 

[General RE LEE]

General RE Lee. One option if you were worried about the narrower FOV would be to get the new Kahles DLR.

The DLR is in mils only I believe. I shoot MOA.

 

[amassi]

Call me crazy but I don’t think Erik Cortina is going to shoot and win with Kahles unless they are solid.

You're crazy
Sponsored and paid to use an optic hardly proves them to be "solid"
Look at the # of prs shooters using vortex


Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[General RE LEE]

You're crazy
Sponsored and paid to use an optic hardly proves them to be "solid"
Look at the # of prs shooters using vortex


Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Are you certain he is sponsored by them?

 

[amassi]

Have you owned k-series Kahles and had issues? What about Gen 2 & Gen 3 Razors - have you owned any and had problems?

I have a k318i, it's a great scope. Other than the parallax being on the elevation knob.
I like their msr reticle the most of the ffp mil hunting reticles I own. It's been gone since March 3rd for repair

I've owned gen 2 and 3 razors and an amg. All gone now
About the only scopes I haven't owned are zco, sb and March. I'm sure there's some niche brands I'm unaware of as well.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[amassi]

Are you certain he is sponsored by them?

I'm certain he didn't pay for that scope, won't lose a minute of sleep if it fails him and could give 2 wet shits about it being tough. He's an influencer with a monetized YouTube channel- his word is worth 1 click

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[General RE LEE]

I have a k318i, it's a great scope. Other than the parallax being on the elevation knob.
I like their msr reticle the most of the ffp mil hunting reticles I own. It's been gone since March 3rd for repair

I've owned gen 2 and 3 razors and an amg. All gone now
About the only scopes I haven't owned are zco, sb and March. I'm sure there's some niche brands I'm unaware of as well.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Gone since March for repair? That kinda makes the decision for me.

 

[amassi]

Gone since March for repair? That kinda makes the decision for me.

And- they won't be accepting repairs for 6 weeks, or DELIVERING repaired devices. I'm not excited

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[General RE LEE]

Mark 5HD or ATACR is more appealing.

 

[MidGAHunter]

Mark 5HD or ATACR is more appealing.

If you're set on MOA, you can get a demo ATACR 4-16x42 for a decent price (Eurooptic).

 

[Pronghunter]

Kahles repair hang up is only temporary. It’s not a forever thing. And to add, the failure rate or returned for service is extremely low. Very few ever need sent in. I’d take the very unlikely chance of having to send a Kahles in and wait a few months than take the considerable more likely chance of say a Vortex or Leupold failing. Especially in the field.

 

[amassi]

Kahles repair hang up is only temporary. It’s not a forever thing. And to add, the failure rate or returned for service is extremely low. Very few ever need sent in. I’d take the very unlikely chance of having to send a Kahles in and wait a few months than take the considerable more likely chance of say a Vortex or Leupold failing. Especially in the field.

OK if very few are ever sent in- why have they had mine for 4 months? They're talking about a 2023 return date, let's call it a year for simplicity sake- which other $3K optic will the mfg sit on for a year? no offer of a replacement or anything.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[HollaPeenyo22]

Biggest negative I routinely hear about Kahles is narrow FOV. I’d have a hard time buying one instead of an ATACR, but they are nice. I really want to like Mark5’s, I’ve had 3 or 4 of them. I hate the windage turret (albeit a small gripe), and their track record is definitely more questionable among scopes in the price range. Just tonight I opted for a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44 over another Mark5.

Very interested to hear your thoughts on that Tenmile when you get a chance. I'm looking hard at them.