Leupold Mark 4 3-9x36mm MR/T M1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Leupold Mark 4 3-9x36mm MR/T M1

Posted: 9/20/2004 8:31:50 AM EDT

Has anyone played with the Leupold

?

I've been thinking about putting one on my Armalite M15A4 (20" HBAR) for general-purpose / plinking / targets, etc.

I've got a Leupold 1-5x20mm in quick-release mounts for 3-gun, but I keep wishing for more magnification when I take it camping and plink at smaller targets 200yds - 300yds. With the Armalite one-piece mount, I could swap back-and-forth quickly and easily.

Seems like this would be about ideal, but I haven't talked to anyone who's actually tried one.

Mike

Posted: 9/20/2004 9:17:19 AM EDT

[#1]

Hi michael_aos,

The Leupold MRT’s are a very good scope. I like them I have played with them and they are good quality. If you did good with the Leupold just one think to know is that there Illum. Models are glass reticles. Nightforce 2.5-10x24mm are nicer but more expensive.

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]
Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks for AR15 Board
Mike at CS Gunworks is...

Posted: 9/20/2004 9:23:15 AM EDT

[#2]

Is a glass reticule a "good thing" or a "bad thing"?

Mike

Posted: 9/20/2004 10:35:44 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Is a glass reticule a "good thing" or a "bad thing"?

Mike

It is a good thing!

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]
Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks for AR15 Board
Mike at CS Gunworks is...

Posted: 9/20/2004 10:41:57 AM EDT

[#4]

I have both. The MR/T is a very good scope. The NXS 2.5-10X is a significantly better scope. The extra $$ are worth it.

Posted: 9/20/2004 10:42:26 AM EDT

[#5]

I didn't really think I had any use for the illuminated reticle.

Think the glass reticles are worth the $105.80 more?

Mike

Posted: 9/20/2004 10:44:08 AM EDT

[#6]

Yes. in a nutshell.

Posted: 9/20/2004 10:46:12 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
I have both. The MR/T is a very good scope. The NXS 2.5-10X is a significantly better scope. The extra $$ are worth it.

The best price I've seen on the NXS 2.5-10x is $1063. The MR/T 3-9x36 M1 is on sale for $598, and the illuminated-reticle version is $703.80.

I might be able to slide $600 by my wife as a "birthday present to myself" but I don't think I can really go much higher.

Otherwise I could throw a riflescope I have laying around (3-9x32, 4-12x32, 4-12x40mm) on it and just wait until next year / a later date.

I just thought this MR/T was about "perfect".

Mike

Posted: 9/20/2004 11:57:39 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Quoted:
The MR/T 3-9x36 M1 is on sale for $598, and the illuminated-reticle version is $703.80.

Mike

Where are you finding these for $598????

I've been shopping for one for a long time now and $650 was the best I could find.

Posted: 9/20/2004 12:49:08 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The MR/T 3-9x36 M1 is on sale for $598, and the illuminated-reticle version is $703.80.

Mike

Where are you finding these for $598????

I've been shopping for one for a long time now and $650 was the best I could find.

+1 for the $598 price.

Posted: 9/20/2004 12:59:59 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

+1 for the $598 price.

It's a special-deal. That's why I'm so inclined to jump on it.

Otherwise I'd be putting off the purchase for a while.

Mike

Posted: 9/20/2004 1:09:04 PM EDT

[#11]

Care to elaborate??

Posted: 9/20/2004 3:56:04 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I have both. The MR/T is a very good scope. The NXS 2.5-10X is a significantly better scope. The extra $$ are worth it.

The best price I've seen on the NXS 2.5-10x is $1063. The MR/T 3-9x36 M1 is on sale for $598, and the illuminated-reticle version is $703.80.

I might be able to slide $600 by my wife as a "birthday present to myself" but I don't think I can really go much higher.

Otherwise I could throw a riflescope I have laying around (3-9x32, 4-12x32, 4-12x40mm) on it and just wait until next year / a later date.

I just thought this MR/T was about "perfect".

Mike

DAMN! Thats cheaper than what I can get from my Dist! If you dont jump on this your a FOOL

Bigant

Posted: 9/20/2004 4:20:41 PM EDT

[#13]

Great general purpose scope for the AR. I put one on my AR-10, and I love it. It replaced a Vari-X3, 2.5x8, whitch is pretty good also (I am going to put it on a 223 rifle). I got the M3 knobs, because the M1 knobs stick out to far. If you carry the rifle at the handguard/mag-well juncture, the M1 windage knob pokes at your wrist. I only wish they made the M3 version in .5 min. elivation.

Posted: 9/20/2004 8:39:40 PM EDT

[#14]

What's the real gain over something like these:

VX-II 3-9X 40mm Matte Dplx (Tactical w/ Target Knobs) LEU54070 -SPECIAL- $269
Vari-XIII 3.5-10X 40mm Matte Dplx (Tactical w/ Target Knobs) LEU45266 -SPECIAL-$379

Clearly at ~2x the price, the Mark IV tactical must be a whole lot better.

I know the "biggie" here is 30mm tube -vs- 1" tube, but is that the bulk of the difference?

I was thinking maybe the "tactical" designation was adding some $$$, but these are called "tactical" too.

Mike

Posted: 9/21/2004 8:49:44 PM EDT

[#15]

The

is only $288.90.

I realize it's only got a 1" tube, and is lacking the Index Matched Lens System.

Is the

really twice as good (for twice the price)?

Mike

Posted: 9/22/2004 5:32:26 AM EDT

[#16]

I was in your shoes about 2 weeks ago... I ended up with a PR 4.5-14x because it had a 30mm tube and other than the knobs, it actually appears to be the same construction as the MT/L series (where as the PR 1" tube scopes look to be of the old VX-III construction). I went this route because I wanted a higher-mag. scope for varments and long range...so the 4.5-14 was the ticket for me. That said, if I had to choose between the PR and MR/T in a 3-9x scope, I'd take the MR/T. YMMV.

Posted: 9/22/2004 6:54:14 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
The is only $288.90.

I realize it's only got a 1" tube, and is lacking the Index Matched Lens System.

Is the really twice as good (for twice the price)?

Mike

Eye relief may NOT allow mounting of the 3-9X40 PR on the receiver alone with proper cheek weld & eye relief, for my tastes anyway. The MR/T was developed for proper eye relief with the scope mounted on the receiver and a BUIS mounted behind it. You could probably use an ARMS extended Swan sleeve, or bridge across the barrel nut with an ARMS mount and mount the scope somewhat forward and get the same effect. YMMV, IMHO, IIRC and all other disclaimers apply also.

Posted: 9/22/2004 7:03:04 AM EDT

[#18]

The 3-9x40 PR says 4.3 (3x) - 3.2 (9x) eye relief.

The MR/T 3-9x36 is 3.7 (3x) - 3.0 (9x).

Mike

Posted: 9/22/2004 9:15:47 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Eye relief may NOT allow mounting of the 3-9X40 PR on the receiver alone with proper cheek weld & eye relief, for my tastes anyway.

Yep..true...if you use a standard 90 degree mount (standard rings that mount in a 90 degree orientation to the receiver). I used a 1-piece 30mm Armalite mount for my 4.5-14x40 PR. It's solid, simple, relatively inexpensive, and it pushes the scope forward just enough for me.

Posted: 9/22/2004 8:42:28 PM EDT

[#20]

I'd be using the Armalite 1pc mount.

Does the 30mm mount clear the "ring" that holds the "forearms" on?

The 4.5-14x40mm PR eye-relief is 4.4 (4.5x) 3.7 (14x).

I've got a 1.5-5x20mm with an eye-relief of 4.4 (1.5x) 3.6(5x) on it now.

I hadn't realize short eye-relief was a "good thing" in this instance.

Mike

Posted: 9/22/2004 9:46:55 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
I'd be using the Armalite 1pc mount.

Does the 30mm mount clear the "ring" that holds the "forearms" on?

The 4.5-14x40mm PR eye-relief is 4.4 (4.5x) 3.7 (14x).

I've got a 1.5-5x20mm with an eye-relief of 4.4 (1.5x) 3.6(5x) on it now.

I hadn't realize short eye-relief was a "good thing" in this instance.

Mike

Im almost positive that the PR's have Index Matched Lens....so if the Mounting system doesnt bother you then go for it....but if you want a optic that was designed specifically for the .223 or 5.56 then go with the MR/T

Bigant

Posted: 9/25/2004 6:44:51 AM EDT

[#22]

FYI:

I have a Briley Carbon fiber FF tube (2.25" outside diameter) on my rifle with a direct-mounted 30mm Armalite scope mount and Leupold Mark 4 PR 4.5-14x40. I have a full 7/16" between the bottom of my objective bell and the forend without scope caps...less obviously with the Butler Creek caps...but it still clears just fine...

Also, ~~yes the PR series have indexed lenses~~...edited to add: Based on a review of the literature, only the 3.5-10x and the 4.5-14x ones have indexed lenses...(thanks "michael_aos" for the heads-up!) That said, the 1" PR scopes (the lower magnification 2) don't impress me...but the 4.5-14 one does. Here's the specs:

Basic Info...

Specific .pdf press release

...and the "really specific" details

Posted: 9/26/2004 6:19:07 PM EDT

[#23]

The 3.5-10x40mm and 4.5-14x40mm PR scopes have index-matched lenses.

The 3-9x40mm PR scope doesn't.

Mike

Posted: 9/26/2004 6:44:55 PM EDT

[#24]

^ good catch. Thanks. Also, Mike at CSGunworks is THE man (IMHO) to go to for optics.... YMMV.

Posted: 9/27/2004 5:02:50 PM EDT

[#25]

I stuck a Burris 4-12x32 R/A scope in an Armalite 1pc 1" mount on the AR last night.

Played with it a little at 400yds this afternoon. It was really windy so I didn't get everything out of the session I was after, but I DID verify that 9x should be plenty. I could see my 6" auto-popper and 9" paper-plates well enough to hit them. Not that I could hit them very well in the wind, but at least I could see them. I couldn't even see the 6" plate with the 5x scope.

I'm starting to appreciate the whole "eye relief" thing. The 4-12x32 specs say 5" (4x) 3.75" (12x). I've got it mounted as far forward as I can and it still seems like it should be further forward.

So...

I either need to "extend" the scope rail (any suggestions? Armalite M15A4) for this 4-12x32 or go with the 3-9x36mm MR/T.

I really don't think I have a use for the "Illuminated Reticule" feature. What do I gain by having etched-glass reticles over the non-illuminated model? I'm trying to figure out why the etched-glass is worth $100 more.

Mike