Leupold 1.5-5x Illuminated

[Glockamole]

Anyone using one of these? Any experiences?

[eastern_hunter]

I use one on heavy dangerous game bolt rifles (.416 Rigby and .458 AR). Has withstood the recoil and is very, very fast in the field at short range. Took a Cape Buffalo at 20 yards with less than a heartbeat to find the target and pull the trigger.

The reticle is a bit odd (lighted dot in the center) and I do not find it good for shooting at distance ... but it is a GREAT scope for fast, close work for things that bite back or work near dark at medium range.

[Wink23]

I have the MK4 with SPR reticle and NV illumination. It works very well on my 16 inch 223 upper. I thought it would be too low of maginification for accurate shooting, but I have no issues on a 1 inch dot target at 100 yds keeping all inside. The NV illumination is nice since you can have just a small amount at dusk or dawn without a glaring bright crosshair to cover the target. Mine has been used on hogs, coyotes and bobcats with good results. I find the glass very clear also. even with all the good items listed, I did go to a 2.5-10 for my 18 inch 6.8 upper for more reach on deer and pigs in South TX.

[arteacher]

I have the crosshair illuminated. It is my favorite for night hogs.

[BIGD]

I have a VX-3 3.5-10X50. Great scope, only problem I've had is the battery will drain, if not removed.

[borderpatrol]

I never store batteries in my scopes, I'm afraid I'll go to use it only to discover it leaked acid all over and ruined the scope.

I have several of these scopes and consider it the best all around scope system on the market. It has the 30mm tube for a nice large window to look through. On low power, 1.5X and the power turned on you basically have an Aimpoint/EOTech. On high power and the power turned off you have a 5X scope for precise shots to at least 300 yards. When lighting is bad, or even non existent you have a point of reference to place a shot.

I suggest the German #4 reticle because the center of the crosshairs is a fine red dot when turned on. Virtually identical to a 2 minute Aimpoint

I haven't worn a battery down yet, mostly because I only install them when I'm going to actually shoot. I doubt battery life is very good, especially compared to an Aimpoint. Those are in a field of their own. It's probably not even as good as an EOTech. But you get two for the price of one with this scope. The VX-3 model can be had for around $550 if you shop for it. Rings will be another $100 to $200 . You wont have to flip a magnifier out of the way or carry the weight of two optics with this system.

Right now I have several of the Mark 4's w/SPR reticle. I'm going to complete my scope purchases with the VX-III/VX-3 German #4's. I actually think the #4 reticle would have been a better choice for my use from the beginning. You won't be sorry about buying these scopes. They are just about perfect for use on an AR.

[BWilson]

Can't trust Leu illum, get a Trijicon.................

[BillBond]

I have one and the only thing I do not like is the battery life.

[Jamesb74]

I have the MK4 1x5 on my race gun. So far it has survived a few comps and the Larue and is still going strong. I keep a extra battery on hand just in case. I like the reticule and in the Larue we had a late stage that had to be shot with Illum and it worked very well. That was after repeated blows off of crates, barriers, etc since I have had it.

Very crisp and clear. Rapid hits on the MGM plates out to 400+ with it.

[eastern_hunter]

I just remounted my 1.5-5x 30 mm tube Leupold on a 9 pound rifle in .376/.416 Steyr Improved built on an FN Mauser action. Is my approach for the general purpose dangerous game rifle for North America. Loaded with 350 gr Speer MagTips or 350 gr Barnes TSXs propelled by H335, the little beasty makes a big boom and a muzzle flash you can see in the full sun.

Has a very stout recoil ... but is accurate.

The rifle has custom mounts made with recoil shoulders to push on the Leupold QRW rings rather than just rely on the squeeze of the Leupy ring.

Scope is still going strong after living on a .416 Rigby making 5600 lb-ft or energy and a .458 AR (.375 RUM shortened and necked up to .458 caliber) making over 6000 lb-ft of energy. It has an A4 reticle that works well to 150 yards with very good selection of impact point. Is a good piggy scope and would be a great scope for leopard.

I too do not leave batteries in the scope ... as it eats them. Leupy could do a better job with the switch, but the rest of the scope is tough as can be.