Review: Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-10x Rifle Scope

By Alan M. Rice

Posted in
#Gear

In today’s review, Alan Rice reviews the Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-10x rifle scope. With Springfield Armory’s M1A rifle as the test platform, the Leupold proved why the company enjoys a great reputation. The scope was provided by the company to the author for this review.

Leupold and Stevens has been making precision equipment in America since the earliest days of the 20^th century. The company made its first rifle scope, the Plainsman, in 1946, and has kept improving ever since.

Real-world test of the Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x mounted on the author’s M1A rifle. Image: Harrison Rice

Those who do not fully understand things like mirage, range estimation and external ballistics might argue that a good shooter does not need the best equipment to hit the target. I disagree.

[Don’t miss Wayne van Zwoll’s Leupold history article for more information on the company.]

I’ve been a mid-range to long-range shooter for most of my adult life and I’ve used quite a few Leupold rifle scopes. The optical quality features have never been a disappointment. So, I was understandably excited when I was recently sent a Mark 4HD 2.5 -10 X42mm scope to test and review for The Armory Life.

The Details

This is an advanced optic in every sense. It can be used both as a tactical optic, or for recreational shooting or hunting. It seems that each year, high-quality, American-made optics become smaller, lighter and include more features than their predecessors — and the Mark 4HD is no exception.

The Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x is built for precision, with a solid construction that feels reliable in hand. Image: Leupold

I’ve owned a Mark 4, 3.5- 10 LR/T for at least 20 years. It is an excellent scope that I still use. (See the author’s “My Three Decade Journey with an M1A” article). As good as that scope is, the current Mark 4HD is lighter, shorter and has a wider magnification range.

The lowest magnification setting is 2.5X, and the scope is 1.5” shorter than the older Mark 4 I’ve been using. I mounted the new Mark 4HD onto my M1A; the shorter length and the ability to adjust down to 2.5X instead of 3.5X makes this scope even more versatile than its older brother. Both scopes have a maximum magnification of 10X.

Photo showing the Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x rifle scope securely mounted on an M1A rifle. The optic sits low and centered, demonstrating proper eye relief and alignment with the rifle’s action. The magnification ring, turrets, and throw lever are clearly visible, along with the scope’s robust mounting hardware. The combination of the Mark 4HD and M1A highlights the scope’s compatibility with classic semi-automatic rifles. This setup is ready for practical accuracy testing and field use. — The Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x mounted on an M1A rifle, ready for range work. The compact design leaves plenty of room for bolt manipulation and loading. Image: Harrison Rice

The illuminated reticle made a huge difference in target acquisition when shooting during early morning sunrise conditions as well as late afternoon sunsets. The high-quality optical glass allowed enough light transmission to be able to see the target when the illumination was turned off, but it took a bit longer to actually aim the rifle with the reticle turned off. (One should never shoot at a target that cannot be positively identified!)

An important feature of this reticle is its Motion Sensor Technology. This turns off the reticle after about five minutes of inactivity to help extend battery life. Nevertheless, it is good practice to turn off the optic if it will be stored for a long period of time or transported because the system detects any movement and the motion of a car, boat or airplane will keep the reticle “on.” My practice is to replace batteries in all illuminated reticles at least once per year. Changing the battery requires the use of a special tool that comes with the scope, and the optic uses the increasingly common CR2032 coin-type battery.

Detailed photo of the Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x scope, focusing on the integrated throw lever and adjustment turrets. The throw lever is attached to the magnification ring, making it easier to change zoom levels quickly during shooting. Windage and elevation turrets are clearly labeled, with distinct, tactile clicks for precise adjustments. The scope’s matte black finish and robust construction are visible. This image highlights practical features that make the Mark 4HD 1.5-10x user-friendly for both tactical and hunting applications. — The Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x features a built-in throw lever and easily accessible turrets. Quick adjustments are straightforward with this layout. Image: Harrison Rice

On an optic of this type, it is important to be able to quickly change magnification levels, and Leupold wisely included an integrated “throw lever” on the magnification ring.

Another very useful feature of the Mark 4 HD is the Zero Stop. Once the optic has been zeroed to the rifle, two small screws are loosened on the elevation turret so that the 0 mark is aligned with a vertical line on the scope body. The screws are then tightened. Elevation can be raised, but a small button must be depressed. The Zero Stop built into the elevation turret allows the shooter to always return the scope to a known “ZERO”. The windage turret allows a “zero” setting, but it is not a “stop.”

In Your Sights

Leupold offers a few different reticle choices. My scope is equipped with a Tactical Milling Reticle (TMR), which improves on the mil dot system by placing hash marks in one-half mil increments. It is an Illuminated first focal plane reticle, so range estimation can be done at all magnification levels.

Photo of the author seated at a shooting bench, making adjustments to the elevation turret on the Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x scope. The author’s hand is on the turret, showing how the controls are manipulated during use. The rifle is supported on a bench rest, and range gear is visible in the background. This image demonstrates real-world scope adjustments, such as zeroing or dialing for distance. The scene highlights the user-friendly nature of the Mark 4HD turrets and practical use during range sessions. — The author dials in the Mark 4HD 1.5-10x turrets for point-of-impact changes at the shooting bench. Easy-to-use controls simplify zeroing and shot corrections. Image: Harrison Rice

One Milliradian is equal to 3.6” at 100 yards, or 36” at 1,000 yards. If the marksman knows the approximate size of a fixed object, he can easily place the TMR reticle on the object and estimate the distance to the target. In order to properly use the system, the trajectory for the cartridge being used must be known.

On a first focal plane reticle, the reticle size and its hash marks increase and decrease with magnification changes. I find that the magnification ring needs to be set to at least 4x in order to be able to estimate distance to the target. Other shooters, with different eyes, may be able to use a lower setting.

Image showing the view through the Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x scope, with the Tactical Milling Reticle (TMR) in focus. The reticle displays hash marks in half-MIL increments, allowing precise range estimation and elevation adjustments. Illumination is active, making the reticle stand out against the target background. The first focal plane design means the reticle size changes with magnification adjustments. This photo illustrates how the Mark 4HD’s reticle supports both fast target acquisition and detailed shot correction. — The reticle features half-MIL hash marks for precise adjustments. This reticle is designed for fast target acquisition and accurate shooting at any distance. Image: Leupold

The Leupold Mark 4 HD provides almost 4” of eye relief. I found it easy to use the scope for aiming at all magnification levels. I did not experience any parallax or mirage on a sunny day. I used the scope at distances of 100 yards (seated at a bench) and prone at 200, 300 and 600 yards. Both the windage and elevation turrets have positive clicks. The value of each “click” is 1/10^th of a MIL. A “click” will move the point of impact a little less than 3/8^” at 100 yards.

In Practice

I zero .308 rifles at 300 yards. The Federal Gold Medal cartridge, loaded with a 168-gr., Center Strike Boat Tail Hollow Point bullet works well in my M1A. Federal says that cartridge has a muzzle velocity of 2,650 feet per second (fps). At that bullet weight and velocity, the projectile will drop about 6 feet between 300 and 600 yards. This means the scope’s elevation setting must be raised about 3.4 MILs to hit a target at 600 yards. While the M1A has a 21” barrel, Federal’s data comes from a 26” barrel. So, the bullet will be moving slower, and that is why I verify all ballistics calculations on a range and make a “dope card” for each specific rifle and ammunition combination.

Photo of the author at an outdoor shooting range, using the Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x scope mounted on a rifle, with a box of Federal Gold Medal Match .308 ammunition visible on the bench. The author is in the process of aiming or firing, testing how the optic performs with quality factory loads. Shooting gear, spent casings, and target stands are present in the background. The combination of the Leupold scope and Federal ammo highlights a typical setup for accuracy testing and ballistic verification. This image illustrates the hands-on process of evaluating rifle scope performance with controlled, reliable ammunition. — At the bench, the author pairs the Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x with Federal ammunition during live-fire testing. High-quality ammo selection helps quantify the scope’s performance on target. Image: Harrison Rice

Two good resources for learning how to use the mil system are the ballistics calculator on the Federal Cartridge website and the Mil Dot Master. Federal preloads the calculator with bullet weight, ballistic coefficient and muzzle velocity for all the ammunition they make. Handloaders will need to enter their data manually.

After that, whether using a factory load or a handload, the calculator makes it easy to figure out how much to adjust the elevation setting. It presents the data in MOA, mils and inches. Federal also offers the calculator as a free iPhone or Android app, which makes it easy to use on the range. I verify the adjustments before writing them on a dope card.

Photo taken from behind the author at an outdoor shooting range, showing the back of the author, the M1A rifle equipped with the Leupold Mark 4HD 1.5-10x scope in the foreground, and several paper or steel targets visible at varying distances downrange. The author is in a shooting position, focusing through the scope and preparing to fire. The rifle and optic are centered in the image, while range conditions and multiple target distances provide context for scope testing. The scene captures a realistic view of how the Mark 4HD is used for long-range precision shooting. This helps readers understand how the scope performs when engaging targets across different distances. — The author takes aim with the Mark 4HD 1.5-10x, lining up shots on far-off targets. Shooting in this position is a practical way to check the optic’s performance at distance. Image: Harrison Rice

The Mil Dot Master works like a slide rule. A shooter just needs to align the number of mils with the size of the target on the left side, and then the right side will display the distance to target. The slide is reversible, so the data can be read in yards or meters. The far-right side of the scale converts the bullet drop from inches to MILs so that the scope can be adjusted. It’s a simple tool to use; batteries and advanced math skills are not needed. However, the shooter does need to know their zero range and the external ballistic data for the cartridge they are shooting.

The Mil Dot system can seem daunting. But it is far easier than measuring and adjusting in MOA and inches. Tools like the Mil Dot Master helps take the mystery out of it.

Conclusion

The Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-10x42mm scope is a feature-rich optic that is an excellent choice for precision shooting. I like the included features, and I also enjoy using quality scopes from a company that has been in business for over a century and has produced rifle scopes for almost 80 years. Shooters can use Leupold products with confidence because they back their products with a Lifetime Guarantee. I know I can definitely trust it. MSRP is $1,199.

Editor’s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the “Go To Forum Thread” link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!