Leupold Mark 5 3.6-18X44 Review ***Updated 2/9/20***

[CBECK61]

I'd love to see a tracking text for this scope that includes shooting. I've always used a standard sight in target that has a diamond in the middle and 4 on the outside. I'll zero the gun on a rifle that I know shoots well then shoot a group in the middle. Then make the 6MOA adjustment up and right shoot a 3 shot group while still aiming at the middle target (bubble level important) adjust 12 moa down, shoot another group, rinse and repeat until the all 5 diamonds have a 3 shot group put into them. I find cheap scopes might track well until they are under recoil. I've done this with a few VX5HDs that do well for a scope at a $900 price point so I assume the Mark 5 will do similar or better.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Just an update guys that I am in Oregon now shooting 7-35 Mark 5s with a group, and I am seeing 11 different scopes shooting hundreds of shots each with constant dialing and returning to zero. I will report back my observations to supplement the 3.6-18 review.

 

[@mainlandhunta]

Also Buying one of these scopes soon to go on top of a Bergara Ridgeback in 300 PRC for a comp gun,will most likely go the 5-25

 

[CGS55]

I love my mark 5. Super clear glass and tracks well. I’ve taken it out to 1000+ yards. It’s an amazing compact and light scope. I’ll be testing it on Idaho and Montana backcountry hunts this fall. So far I have every bit of confidence in it.

 

[Macthepunisher]

Ran mine last weekend, sitting atop a Mk12, Shooting after the sunset, still able to hit steel out to 530. pretty impressed for the pricepoint and weight

 

[xrangerx]

Any more thoughts?

 

[sportsmans challenge]

Went and verified my drops to 1235 sunday morning with 300 rum and the 3.5-18x44 and had no issues, has been good to me so far, will be taking it on a cow hunt this weekend

 

[xrangerx]

I’m stuck between this and the new NX8 2.5-20.

 

[Matt Cashell]

After shooting this scope on two rifles over the summer, I am 100% confident in the tracking. The optics are mostly excellent, especially in low light, where the Mark 5 is really great. The reliability and weight savings have me topping my rifle for my mountain goat hunt with this scope.

Here are measured weights of the Mark 5 vs. ATACR:

 

[WesternHntr]

I'll second the awesome tracking on the MK5's
I have a 5-25 and a 3.6-18, both were perfect to 50 MOA on tall target tests.
I shot a match with the 3.6-18 and really love the .2 moa dot on small distant targets.
I will say though, the 5-25 has a more forgiving eye box, and has even better clarity than the already excellent 3.6-18.

 

[LaHunter]

Matt,
Thanks for doing the review. Very good info in this thread. I have always used SFP scopes, I don't think I've ever looked through a FFP scope. I've been running Mark 4s for the past several years, but the Mark 5 has my attention. How is the reticle on the Mark5 3.6-18 (non illuminated) on the lowest power setting in very low light against a darker background? Any difficulty in picking up the reticle and getting on target quickly? My use would be hunting and target practice, as I don't shoot competitions.
Thanks

 

[rodney482]

Best place to buy?

 

[prwillard2]

has anyone compared the mk5 3.6-18 to the Premier Heritage Light tacitcal?

I'm looking for a mil, FFP optic, and have narrowed it down to these 2 optics.

 

[robby denning]

Best place to buy?

I think Matt still hunting, but call or PM Doug (@gr8fuldoug ) @Camera Land and see if he’s got them. Can’t imagine he’ll let anybody beat him if he does carry them


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Stache Attack]

This scope seems to carry on leupolds quality name and how it is set up really impresses me, size wise. Planning on upgrading scopes after season. I have a 22" proof barrel, winchester LA, HS precision carbon, 20moa rail... Ive been looking at the supershorts to save weight and so it doesnt look freaky if i have a sunshade on. 6.5cm, playing with the long range during the summer. What are peoples opinions on this vs the short 5-25 vudu? Keeping price, quality, reticle options, ring options, and overall company thoughts in perspective?

 

[Matt Cashell]

Matt,
Thanks for doing the review. Very good info in this thread. I have always used SFP scopes, I don't think I've ever looked through a FFP scope. I've been running Mark 4s for the past several years, but the Mark 5 has my attention. How is the reticle on the Mark5 3.6-18 (non illuminated) on the lowest power setting in very low light against a darker background? Any difficulty in picking up the reticle and getting on target quickly? My use would be hunting and target practice, as I don't shoot competitions.
Thanks

The reticle gets pretty small on the lowest powers. I feel like I can make it work in just about any lighting conditions, but I would definitely be more comfortable with a SFP reticle if I was using the scope a lot on the lowest powers.

I have used the scope on the three game animals so far (actually me daughter used it on one of those...). My kills were at 487 yards and 584 yards, so I had it turned all the way up. My daughter’s was at 315 yards and I had it at 12x to help her find the target easier. It is actually a nice feature of the FFP reticle to be able to use middle powers with a properly sub tended reticle in those situations.

 

[JonRush]

Definitely following!

 

[wardaddy22]

Awesome...My last two builds hold this scope and look forward to your review. So far I LOVE mine.

lol

 

[Kotaman]

lol

Glad I could make you "laugh". That is important to me. And I feel honored that your first post ever was an "lol" to me. Thanks.

As an "update" to my previous hilarious post, the two Mark 5's I have are doing fine. They are not a Nightforce, but they are fine so far. I've got a few hundred rounds through each dialing up and down and they are fine. "Love" is a strong word, so I will go with "Like".

 

[Trial153]

I think i am going to buy this scope for my father. I been bored so bought him a tikka compact in 308, just picked it up a wildcat composite stock for it and i want to send it out to have a break installed, barrel fluted, bolt fluted and cerakoted.

This with the firedot seems to be pretty user friendly for guy that is novice shooter/hunter and isnt going to be dialing much or at all.