Testing the Mark 5

[Kad000]

Yes I do for sure. The Mark 5 is super nice, it is just a little heavier than the VX6HD. I ended up going with the 3.6-18 for the season, and it's been great so far!!

Thank you for the input.

 

[Flyjunky]

Finding this post is very timely. I'm building a 6.5-284 and the last piece of the puzzle is the scope. I'm considering:
1. Mk5 3.6-18
2. NX8 4-32
3. Zeiss LRP 3-18

I'd really like to get the MK5 but the only thing holding me back is the question of durability. So much of the loss of zero and tracking that has plagued Leupold is constant on forums and its tough to decipher fact and fiction. Is Leupold still having a problem with the Mk5? In other words, is it isolated and just blown up by the internet or is Leupold still having some serious problems?

I'd choose the NX8 just for the reliability even though I don't think the glass is as nice or overall as nice of a scope.

The LRP, at least on paper, is looking very nice.

As far the conversation about objective, light gathering, etc.. There are more things to light gathering than just objective size. I'm a full time photographer and use lenses from $1,400 -$8000 on a daily basis for the last 13 years. Quality of glass and especially coatings have a huge impact on light transmission. Give me glass with a smaller objective but great glass and coatings any day over mediocre glass and a bigger objective.

So, do I risk a possible once in a lifetime shot to Leupold or go with the trusted track record of a NX8? Before I fully commit I'm going to wait on trusted reviews of the LRP.....it might be the cat's meow.

 

[huntnful]

I just drove my gun in a case across 3 states, beat the crap out of my 3.6-18 for 6 days on back country hunt, and then killed my best buck to date. And a bull elk. Then drove home and checked 200 yard zero and it’s still dead on. I also secure it to my pack with a very tight strap, right across the scope tube.

 

[Dreeko]

I will echo the same experiences with my MK5 5-25. It has been on the rifle for over 1000 rounds and I am still using my original zero from when the scope was mounted in 2018. It has made also made 3 trips from Montana to South Dakota in a drag bag style case riding in the back of my truck since mounting as well.

This particular rifle is mainly used for pinging steel at long range (out to 1500 yds) but has been used for some light hunting. The turrets have been used plenty and have given me zero issues. I have enough confidence in it that I am working towards purchasing a second one for my light weight hunting rifle.

 

[huntnful]

I will echo the same experiences with my MK5 5-25. It has been on the rifle for over 1000 rounds and I am still using my original zero from when the scope was mounted in 2018. It has made also made 3 trips from Montana to South Dakota in a drag bag style case riding in the back of my truck since mounting as well.

This particular rifle is mainly used for pinging steel at long range (out to 1500 yds) but has been used for some light hunting. The turrets have been used plenty and have given me zero issues. I have enough confidence in it that I am working towards purchasing a second one for my light weight hunting rifle.

I don’t think you’ll regret going for the 3.6-18 for your lightweight hunting rifle. Still still a great compact scope!

 

[Kceastsparks]

I just drove my gun in a case across 3 states, beat the crap out of my 3.6-18 for 6 days on back country hunt, and then killed my best buck to date. And a bull elk. Then drove home and checked 200 yard zero and it’s still dead on. I also secure it to my pack with a very tight strap, right across the scope tube.
View attachment 344455
View attachment 344456

Awesome deer and beautiful country!

 

[Dreeko]

I don’t think you’ll regret going for the 3.6-18 for your lightweight hunting rifle. Still still a great compact scope!

Do you have any pictures looking through the 3.6-18 similar to the ones you took through the 5-25? I've heard some reports of chromatic aberration on the smaller model but haven't ever had the chance to look through one.

 

[Flyjunky]

Do you have any pictures looking through the 3.6-18 similar to the ones you took through the 5-25? I've heard some reports of chromatic aberration on the smaller model but haven't ever had the chance to look through one.

I'd be curious on this as well. It would be interesting to set both scopes to something like 7, 12, and 18 to see how much difference that 56mm objective makes.

I really wish they would make the Mk5 in a 4-24 like the vx6hd.

 

[huntnful]

Do you have any pictures looking through the 3.6-18 similar to the ones you took through the 5-25? I've heard some reports of chromatic aberration on the smaller model but haven't ever had the chance to look through one.

I don’t at the moment. I’ll snag some if I think about it when I get home!

I'd be curious on this as well. It would be interesting to set both scopes to something like 7, 12, and 18 to see how much difference that 56mm objective makes.

I really wish they would make the Mk5 in a 4-24 like the vx6hd.

A 4-20X50mm would be so sweet

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Great buck. Country looks simple and easy. I’m not that lucky. Envious

 

[huntnful]

Great buck. Country looks simple and easy. I’m not that lucky. Envious

Thanks! He was definitely in the easiest terrain of the whole hunt. But I think no one had killed or seem him because you had to drop 1200' off the top to get a vantage into where he was living.

 

[iseebucks]

Been on a bit of a scope mission the last six months. Since its the off season, it's time to tinker haha. Just testing out new scopes basically.

I started with a VX6HD 4-24X52. Never did find anything wrong with it honestly. Great glass, tracked and RTZ perfect. Kind of a mushy turret though.

Then I went to ATACR 7-35X56. Everything was legit, except the weight (too top heavy on my light rifle) and the rotating eyepiece with magnification.

Then the 4-32X50 NX8. Good scope, but really not that great honestly. Other than durability, everything was fairly average. No wow factor at any feature.


So onto the Mark 5. 5-25X56 PR1 MOA. At just 1oz more than the NX8 I wanted to give it a shot. The VX6 had the best glass and eyebox out of the other 3 and I was hoping to gain that back as well as potential durability and a more crisp turret. Also been wanting to test out FFP for quick wind holds for mid range hunting.

Honestly, it really does check all the boxes for me so far. Crystal clear glass at all magnifications and easy to get behind. Generous eye box and a FULL scope image. No shadowing around the edges of the glass at all. Parallax is smooth and easy to get a crisp image. The turret is super crisp, much better than the VX6 and on par with the ATACR turret. So far RTZ has been great. I spin it several thousand clicks in between range sessions at home, and also at the range in between shots. I'm confident in it now. I really like the reticle. Basically similar to the NX8, which I liked. I didn't like the ATACR reticle. The VX6 TMOA was my favorite though. The POA is actually void of any crosshair, I liked that the most. It is a BIG scope, despite the 30oz weight. But it gathers a ton of light and maintains a great imagine even at 25X, I believe it needs to be that big to accomplish that. I believe I'll hunt with it this season and then get a 3.6-18X44 for this rifle, and put the 5-25 on my 300 Norma when it's finished. So far so good, I'm really liking the scope. Happy to answer any questions about it, or any of the above scopes also.
View attachment 322501

I am finally looking to buy the Mark 5 5-25X56, What kind of rings and what height are they in the setup you have pictured here?

 

[huntnful]

I am finally looking to buy the Mark 5 5-25X56, What kind of rings and what height are they in the setup you have pictured here?

Those are the Vortex Precision Match Rings in .095 height!