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Leupold Mark 4HD Riflescope: Full Review

Leupold have produced a great cost-effective alternative for your long-range needs. Here's a full review.

Leupold Mark 4HD Riflescope: Full Review
(Photo by Mark Fingar)

I haven’t been this excited about a new line of riflescopes in forever. I get pretty jazzed about flagship optics because they offer unparalleled capabilities. What gets me about the new Leupold Mark 4HD series is the amount of performance offered for the price. Starting at $999, Mark 4HD scopes represent what’s possible when an American company does all of its engineering and manufacturing in-­house. However, to understand what the new Mark 4HD models offer requires a short analysis of — and comparison to — the Mark 5 HD.

Mark 4HD VS. Mark 5HD

A quick glance at the Mark 4HD scopes may cause some confusion because they look similar to those in the Mark 5HD family. That assessment is more accurate than the price differences might indicate; the Mark 5HD line starts at $2,000. Ahead of this review, I obtained four of the new Mark 4HD scopes, three having near identical magnification ranges when compared to the Mark 5HD scopes. Optically, the new Mark 4HD scopes are identical to the Mark 5HD scopes, which is significant.

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The elevation turret on the LVPO Mark 4HD is exposed for quick range adjustments. Once zeroed, the windage turret is capped for protection. Multiple elevations dials are available. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

Leupold kept the optical performance high by using the same source for glass and similar coatings in both the Mark 4HD and Mark 5HD. Next, Leupold moved from a 5X erector assembly and a 35mm maintube, which appears in the 2-­10x30mm, 3.6-­18x44mm, 5-­25x56mm and 7-35x56mm scopes to a 4X erector assembly in the Mark 4HD line. Built on 30mm and 34mm maintubes, the Mark 4HD line currently includes the 1-4.5x24mm, 2.5-10x42mm, 4.5-18x52mm, 6-24x52mm and 8-32x56mm. By the numbers, these may not seem that different, but the 4X erector assembly is a lot easier to manufacture because the lenses inside the erector assembly don’t need to move as much. Leupold took that savings from streamlining its manufacturing to make the Mark 4HD more affordable.

There are optical advantages with a 4X erector assembly. Regardless of the scope manufacturer, wider magnification ranges make the light work more as it passes through the scope. The more a scope manipulates available light, the harder it is for the scope to maintain its optical quality potential. Light consists of numerous colors, each with its own wavelength, and each wavelength bends differently. Unless light bends to the same point at the same time, the image suffers. Moving from a 5X erector to a 4X erector — if everything else remains the same — yields better image quality. The 4X erector beats the 5X in this category for this reason.

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Battery life on the LVPO is preserved with Motion Sensor Technology (MST). Reticle illumination is automatically deactivated and reactiviates if a sensor detects movement. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

To keep optical performance and lower the price, Leupold also made the scopes slightly longer. Making a scope longer allowed engineers to bend light less aggressively. Again, being gentle on manipulating light is a key component to creating a scope with great image quality. The Mark 5HD scopes are shorter, bend light at greater angles, and require more lenses to correct the problems this approach creates. That said, if a shooter needs a shorter scope, the Mark 5HD is the way to go. Both scope lines offer similar levels of image quality, but the Mark 5HD scopes are almost always shorter than the Mark 4HD models.

Price-Point Issues

Riflescopes at the $1,000 to $1,600 price range are where customers expect to find premium features, even though this isn’t really where premium pricing starts. Manufacturers desperately want to give customers what they want (because that’s how they sell scopes and stay in business), so we enter the land of compromise. The price range of the Mark 4HD line is where it isn’t hard to find scopes with desirable reticles, good optical quality, exposed elevation turrets with zero-­stops, and side ­focus. The Mark 4 HD scopes possess all of these features at appropriate magnification levels. However, it’s details such as “off-­axis viewing,” “stray light management,” “tube thickness,” and “eye relief” that will come back to haunt you if you’re a consumer who isn’t doing homework. The Mark 4HD price point competes against mid-­grade Japanese production and high-­end Philippine production because scopes imported from these locations share similar features at similar pricing. Where Leupold has a significant advantage is that they maintain total control of its design and production of the Mark 4HD. The Mark 4HD suffers from none of those issues.

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A removable, low-profile throw lever found on all versions makes for quick magnification adjustments. A thread protector plug is included if you decide not to use it. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

Take any scope in this price range, mount it to a rifle, and then look through the scope and acquire a full field of view. Slight head movements to the left and right, or up and down, can often cause the image to blur before it disappears. Being able to see the reticle, even when not perfectly centered behind the scope, is called “off-­axis viewing.” (Unfortunately, this often gets lumped into the ambiguous term “eyebox.”) The Mark 4HD scopes all keep the image clear and sharp through the entire range of off-­axis viewing. This allows the shooter to be in a less-­than-­ideal shooting position and still shoot accurately; it’s a nice feature to have when shooting quickly from field positions. Mark 4HD scopes have this capability because Leupold engineers made it happen.

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The 2.5-10x42mm variant of the Mark 4HD has a fixed parallax, which is set at 150 yards by Leupold. There is no parallax turret on the left side of these scopes. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

Another area where Mark 4HD scopes are distinguished is with stray light management. Leupold has an optical engineer devoted exclusively to this task. I know of no other scope company that can make the same claim. Stray light management becomes important when the sun is low on the horizon, shining into the objective lens. It’s usually the time when your rifle is oriented towards a target and the sun is coming up or going down. Scopes in the Mark 4HD price range almost always struggle with stray light management because the image seen through the scope becomes hazy and sometimes washes out. It’s almost like looking into a bright white fog bank. The Mark 4HD excels at stray light management. It’s the only scope in this price range that I’ve seen do so.

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All Mark 4HD scopes feature an adjustable diopter around the ocular lens. It focuses the reticle as seen in the scope. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

Tube thickness is another area that haunts scopes of this price point. Since none of us are going to cut a scope in half to see how thick the walls are, the best indicator of tube thickness is the torque value for scope rings that come from the scope manufacturer. Leupold recommends 22 to ­25 inch-­pounds (in.-lbs.) of torque on ring screws to secure the Mark 4HD. Leupold can do this because they make the tube thick and know that scopes on hard-­recoiling rifles can move if not held tightly enough. I get nervous when I see scope manufacturers recommend 15 to 18 in.-lbs. for the scope rings. It tells me the tube isn’t thick and anything heavier than 18 in.-lbs. may deform the tube, damaging the scope. Scopes that are held lightly in rings are also more susceptible to point-­of-­impact (POI) shifts from incidental contact because a blow to the scope can cause it to shift in the rings. The tubes on the Mark 4HD models are thick enough to torque tightly, eliminating movement under recoil and reducing the probability of scope movement from incidental impact.

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The 2.5-10X models in the Mark 4HD family are built on a 30mm maintube, allowing for 85 MOA of elevation and windage adjustment. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

The final detail that Leupold got right (where many brands go wrong) is the eye relief. Most variable-­powered scopes have eye relief set at about 31/2 inches. Leupold increased the distance between the scope and the shooter’s eye to 3.8 to 4 inches. Leupold pays a small price for a slightly tighter field of view to do this, but doing so minimizes risk to the shooter when firing hard-­recoiling rifles or when shooting from unconventional field positions.

1-­4.5x24mm

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Leupold Mark 4HD 1-­4.5x24mm (Photo by Mark Fingar)

This low-power variable optic (LPVO) model is available with three different reticles, all in the second focal plane (SFP): FireDot BDC illuminated, FireDot TMR illuminated, and 
HPR-1. Two models are illuminated and feature Leupold’s FireDot fiber-optic system. The FireDot illumination system guarantees the dot will be visible in all lighting conditions. These scopes are ideal for use on hunting rifles where shots will likely be inside 400 yards. They’re also great for AR-­pattern rifles and carbines used for self-­defense, competition, training or range work. The exposed elevation turret allows precise shot placement to extended ranges, too, which is a feature not normally found at this magnification range.

2.5-­10x42mm

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Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-­10x42mm (Photo by Mark Fingar)

There are four models of this scope, two with illuminated reticles. Three scopes have first focal plane (FFP) reticles and one has an SFP reticle: PR1-MOA, TMR (Mk) illuminated FFP, TMR illuminated SFP, and the TMR (Mk). Parallax on all of these scopes is set at the factory for 150 yards. This magnification range and exposed elevation turret make the 2.5-­10X family of scopes ideal for dinging steel out to 1,000 yards. It’s also great for hunting at distance, so long as the shooter feels comfortable with the shot.

Recommended


4.5-­18x52mm

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Leupold Mark 4HD 4.5-­18x52mm (Photo by Mark Fingar)

There are four models in this magnification range, all of which are FFP. However, there are two mil-­based reticles and two MOA reticles with one of each being illuminated: PR1-MOA illuminated, FFP, PR1-MIL illuminated FFP, PR2-MIL FFP, PR2-MOA FFP. These scopes are going to be a great choice for competition shooters and hunters who prefer FFP reticles. If you increase the magnification, the reticle appears to grow with the image. The reticle subtension will remain true across the entire magnification range. All of these models have side-­focus turrets, too, and an exposed elevation turret. The windage turret is also exposed and can be locked.

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Leupold Mark 4HD scopes feature a zero stop for a quick return to the baseline. The elevation turret features three revolutions of adjustment. With each revolution, a protruding tactile indicator recedes into the top of the turret cap. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

6-­24x52mm & 8-­32x56mm

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Leupold Mark 4HD 6-­24x52mm. The 8-­32x52mm shares a similar profile and features. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

These two scopes each have three reticles, all FFP: PR2-MIL, PR2-MOA, and PR3-MIL. There are no illuminated reticles available because these scopes are aimed at competition and range use within the Mark 4HD price range.

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Though parallax distances are laser engraved to the parallax turret, the cap can be removed and zeroed for precise clarity at an exact distance. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

The Mark 4HD line exist because Leupold listened to its customers and took notes at the firing lines. Many expressed interest in Mark 5HD performance, but couldn’t afford those scopes, or they asked for a FFP version of the VX-­5HD. The Mark 4HD is so close to the Mark 5HD that it’s difficult for me to tell the difference. The Mark 4HD scopes are longer and have smaller magnification ranges across the entire family. If those penalties aren’t alarming, and the $800 to $1,000 savings sounds appealing, then adopt a Leupold Mark 4HD.

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Zero can be easily set with the Mark 4HD, and custom turret dials can be ordered to ballistically match the drop for a particular load. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

Leupold Mark 4HD 1-­4.5x24mm

  • Power: 1X-­4.5X
  • Objective: 24mm
  • Tube Diameter: 30mm
  • Elevation adjustment: .1 mil per click
  • Windage: .1 mil per click
  • Reticle: TMR-Illuminated (tested)
  • Length: 10.7 in.
  • Weight: 1 lb., 2 oz.
  • Eye Relief: 3.7 in. to 3.9in.
  • MSRP: $1,000
  • Manufacturer: Leupold, 800-­538-­7653, leupold.com

Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-­10x42mm

  • Power: 2.5X-­10X
  • Objective: 42mm
  • Tube Diameter: 30mm
  • Elevation adjustment: .1 mil per click
  • Windage: .1 mil per click
  • Reticle: TMR (tested)
  • Length: 12.5 in.
  • Weight: 1 lb., 5 oz.
  • Eye Relief: 3.6 in. to 3.9 in.
  • MSRP: $1,000
  • Manufacturer: Leupold, 800-­538-­7653, leupold.com

Leupold Mark 4HD 4.5-­18x52mm

  • Power: 4.5X-­18X
  • Objective: 52mm
  • Tube Diameter: 34mm
  • Elevation adjustment: .1 mil per click
  • Windage: .1 mil per click
  • Reticle: PR-­2 (tested)
  • Length: 14.6 in.
  • Weight: 1 lb., 12 oz.
  • Eye Relief: 3.6 in. to 3.9 in.
  • MSRP: $1,400
  • Manufacturer: Leupold, 800-­538-­7653, leupold.com

Leupold Mark 4HD 6-­24x52mm

  • Power: 6X-­24X
  • Objective: 56mm
  • Tube Diameter: 34mm
  • Elevation adjustment: .1 mil per click
  • Windage: .1 mil per click
  • Reticle: PR-­3 (tested)
  • Length: 14.6 in.
  • Weight: 1 lb., 12 oz.
  • Eye Relief: 3.8 in. to 4 in.
  • MSRP: $1,500
  • Manufacturer: Leupold, 800-­538-­7653, leupold.com

Leupold Mark 4HD 8-­32x52mm

  • Power: 8X-­32X
  • Objective: 56mm
  • Tube Diameter: 34mm
  • Elevation adjustment: .1 mil per click
  • Windage: .1 mil per click
  • Reticle: PR-­3 (tested)
  • Length: 15.6 in.
  • Weight: 1 lb., 14 oz.
  • Eye Relief: 3.9 in. to 4.2 in.
  • MSRP: $1,600
  • Manufacturer: Leupold, 800-­538-­7653, leupold.com



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