The Leupold Mark 4 has easily been one of the most prolific military and law enforcement scopes available. While the flagship Mark 5HD scopes superseded that family, for years, professionals and serious shooters like myself asked when it would come back.
Thankfully, it did as the new Leupold Mark 4HD line of scopes. These build upon a strong pedigree, while also being up to date for modern shooters. For this instance, I want to discuss the Leupold Mark 4HD 4.5-18X52 M1C3 Side Focus FFP with the PR2-MOA reticle system. For my review, I chose to mount this scope on my Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker in .308 Winchester.
[Be sure to read Ian Kenney’s detailed explanation on how to mount a scope.]
The Mark 4HD 4.5-1852 M1C3 Side Focus FFP PR2-MOA from Leupold is designed for long-range shooting, hunting or tactical use. Key features include a 4.5-18X magnification range, 52 mm objective lens, side-focus parallax adjustment (down to 25 yards), first focal plane (FFP) PR2-MOA reticle, and M1C3 (ZeroLock) turrets for precise elevation and windage control.
Each Leupold Mark 4HD scope has a 34mm main tube and includes what Leupold calls the “professional-grade optical system,” featuring waterproof/fogproof/shockproof construction and a lifetime warranty. In short: this is a serious optic aimed at shooters who demand high-end performance rather than casual use.
Optical Performance
One of the standout aspects of this scope is the quality of the optics. If you are familiar with Leupold, they have always faetured great optical systems. The 52mm objective gathers a good amount of light, which helps when shooting in low-light conditions or when the target is in shadows.
This should be no surprise because Leupold has built a reputation which is unmatched for dusk to dawn light transmission. This performance could be attributed to the Twilight Max HD light management system, which improves light transmission and clarity.
Because the reticle is set in the first focal plane, unlike the original Mark 4 the subtensions remain consistent regardless of magnification. That’s a real advantage for hold-over and wind-age corrections.
While testing this optic on my Model 2020 Heatseaker chambered in .308 Winchester, I have found the reticle and image remains bright and sharp, regardless of the magnification. In regard to field of view, at 4.5X you get a broad enough view to engage closer targets, and at 18X you can see nearly 5ft of linear space.
In short, this scope’s optical clarity, brightness, reticle fidelity and versatility are all extremely good, if not better than most scopes in this category.
Turret and Mechanical Function
The M1C3 turrets (ZeroLock style) provide audible and tactile clicks for adjustments. When the turret is locked, there is no movement whatsoever. Even better than this, if it’s not locked, there is enough tension with the turret adjustment to not move, unless intentionally.
The zoom ring and focus mechanisms are well-built. The magnification ring felt slightly stiff at first (subjectively), but it loosened up with use. What’s nice with all the knobs or turrets is that, with gloves or colder weather, all of them had sufficient knurling or texture to move with ease. The turret feel and parallax/zoom ring all operate at a premium level, while just under the $1,500 price range.
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While using the scope on my Model 2020 Heatseeker, I found the turret and reticle system boringly consistent. I shot sub-MOA groups at 100 yards and moved the turret to test its tracking ability. I was confident at longer ranges and found my DOPE (acronym: Data of Previous Engagements) was consistent with the turret adjustment or reticle hold-over.
Reticle: PR2-MOA
The selected reticle, PR2-MOA, is designed with MOA hash marks (rather than MIL) for hold-over and windage. The open-center design keeps the target from being obscured. Because it’s FFP, you get consistent performance across magnifications. Also, for shooters accustomed to MIL hash marks, they have plenty of options for that. For me, I prefer MOA.
While testing the reticle at ranges out to 1,000 yards, I found the reticle subtensions accurate and easy to read. If I had one issue with the reticle, I would note that at 4.5X it’s rather fine and can be hard to distinguish against certain backgrounds. However, the reticle stands out against steel targets or animals easily.
What’s It For?
This scope is a great option for long-range precision shooters who demand durability, glass clarity and repeatability. It could be for hunters who need a scope that can manage both medium-range and extended-distance shots, while having all the tactical scope feel without the weight.
It could also be great for someone who wants to shoot NRL Hunter matches with their hunting rifle, doubling as a match rifle. Finally, the Mark 4HD 4.5-18 is perfect for tactical or professional applications where durability, light-gathering capabilities, eye relief, and precision matter.
[Catch Wayne van Zwoll’s article on scopes for deer hunting.]
Final Thoughts
Leupold has a reputation for ruggedness, and this scope continues that tradition. It is advertised as waterproof, fogproof and shockproof, and is backed by a lifetime guarantee. Materials feel premium and look premium, and the matte finish is robust with the machining around the turrets being very clean.
The Leupold Mark 4HD 4.5-18×52 M1C3 Side Focus FFP PR2-MOA is a high-end optic that lives up to its pedigree. It strikes an excellent balance of optical performance, precision and rugged construction.
If you’re building a precision rifle or a serious hunting rig where long-range capability matters, this scope will perform — and perform well.
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