For 2024 Leupold has introduced the Mark 4HD. This is a new line of high-end, high-performance riflescopes geared towards tactical and precision rifle shooters. It is also offered at a more affordable price than similar scopes in its class, including their own Mark 5HD. Does it hit the mark? Did Han Solo shoot first? Yes. Read on to find out why.
The name could be confusing for long-time Leupold fans because the company used to have a “Mark 4” scope in their tactical lineup. However, this is not the same family of scopes. The new Mark 4HD has nothing in common with the previous Mark 4 tactical scopes.
The new line is called the Mark 4HD because of Leupold’s naming convention, which is based on the zoom ratio. The Mark 4HD has a 1:4 zoom system, meaning it has a 4X magnification range. This is easy to see when you look at the models available. As of this article, Leupold has introduced five models of Mark 4HD scopes: a 1-4.5x24mm, a 2.5-10x42mm, a 4.5-18x52mm, a 6-24x52mm and an 8-32x56mm. The HD stands for “high definition” and means it is using Leupold’s best glass and lens coatings to help reduce glare and maximize light transmission. The 1:4 zoom ratio is a good choice for hunting applications. It provides a wide field of view at the lower magnification but can zoom in enough for precision shots at extended practical ranges.
Leupold made a smart move using a tube diameter best suited to each model. The 1-4.5x24mm and the 2.5-10x42mm use 30mm tubes, while the other models use 34mm tubes. The scope’s main tube diameter has nothing to do with light transmission. Larger tubes offer greater range of windage and elevation adjustment. For scopes like the 1-4.5x24mm or the 2.5-10x42mm you aren’t likely needing to dial elevation adjustment for great distances, so using a 30mm main tube makes sense. The smaller tube diameter keeps these models lighter and more compact, which is in keeping with their designed purpose. The 4.5-18x52mm, 6-24x52mm and 8-32x56mm use 34mm tubes to maximize elevation and windage adjustment. Fortunately, 34mm tubes are quite common, so mounts and rings in almost every configuration are available.
Reticles are available on the first and second focal plane and calibrated for mil or MOA. There are multiple reticle styles to choose from for each type of reticle, with illuminated options being available as well.
Unlike some of the original Mark 4 scopes that had a Mil Dot reticle with MOA adjustments, all Mark 4HD elevation and windage adjustments match the reticle. If you have a mil reticle, you’re going to have mil adjustments. Scopes with MOA reticles will have MOA adjustments. Now, let’s never talk about the dark and confusing days of a mil reticle with MOA adjustment knobs ever again. The elevation adjustment knobs are a push-button, locking design so they don’t accidentally get bumped off their zeroed setting. The black turret locking button also serves as an indicator of how many revolutions you’ve turned the elevation knob. While on the first revolution the button protrudes from the knob. When starting the second revolution the button is flush with the knob. Upon starting the third revolution the button is recessed. This tells you what row of numbers on the dial you are using to account for your elevation adjustment. This is a fantastic feature. I have a mind like a steel sieve; there’s no way under any sort of competition or hunting pressure I could keep track of how many revolutions the elevation knob may have been dialed. The push-button indexing system solves this. Elevation can be dialed slightly lower than zero as well. Windage knobs are available with the push-button lock, or with a non-locking version covered by a threaded cap.
The Mark 4HD’s power selector works positively and smoothly. It comes with a throw lever, although, really, it’s a throw knob or could even be called a throw nubbin. Whatever. It works quite well as it is short, unobtrusive, yet provides a positive grip to quickly rotate the power selector as desired. This is the same throw nubbin, I mean throw lever, used on the Mark 5HD, and having used it in competitions and hunting, I can say it doesn’t hang up on things and is easy to use with cold, wet hands and with gloves.
A fast-focus eyepiece is standard on a scope in this class as is a side focus parallax knob. The focus parallax adjustment knob is large but not obnoxious, making it easy to adjust as needed. It also goes down to 25 yards, making this a candidate for precision .22 LRs and air guns.
Fortunately, I was able to borrow a Mark 4HD 6-24X52mm for a test drive. One of the first things I noticed taking it out of the box is that it’s light, much lighter than you might anticipate. This is important, particularly for hunters who are building a precision or long-range hunting setup. No one wants to lug extra weight up and down mountains. I mounted it on a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6mm Creedmoor and took it out to do some preliminary testing to run the adjustment knobs, try the other controls and look at the optical clarity.
Zeroing the setup was quick and simple. Both the elevation and windage adjustments tracked well. This rifle shoots quite accurately, so it was just a matter of shooting a group then making the necessary adjustment. Optically it looks great. While shooting at 1-inch target dots at 200 yards, not only was it quite easy to see the dots, but it was easy to see the lines and diamond inside the 1-inch target dot, as well as the crisp 1-inch lines on the target. Furthermore, I was able to spot my 6mm bullet holes in the target without any difficulty.
Using a Cerus Gear Scope Tracking & Load Validation Target, I shot a few variations of a box test with the scope both hot and cold. I couldn’t find any tracking issues outside the margin of error of the group size for this particular rifle. Admittedly, I couldn’t test the adjustments to their full extent, which is something I will do down the road with more time and a larger target board. That said, Leupold has been making these adjustments for a long time and I don’t anticipate any surprises.
A few minor gripes. It doesn’t come with flip-up scope caps or a sunshade. Sure, to hit the price something has to give, but it seems for scopes over $1,000 those items could find their way into the package. Also, it would be nice if their reticles were in .2 mil increments like most reticles rather than .25 mils.
Overall, I think the Mark 4HD hits where Leupold was aiming. With a price range of $999 up to about $1,600, this scope puts a fully capable, precision, tactical riflescope solidly under the $2,000 price point. No doubt this line of scopes is going to see a lot of use in a crossover role for competition and precision hunting rifles. Yes, the Mark 4HD is still a lot of money, but it has a lot to offer for the price, is made in the U.S., is fogproof, shockproof, waterproof and has Leupold's Lifetime Guarantee.
Technical Specifications
• Type: variable-power riflescope
• Magnification: 6X-24X (tested)
• Objective Lens Diameter: 52mm (tested)
• Eye Relief: 3.8" (6X) — 4" (24X)
• Field of View @ 100 Yards: 17.3 ft. (6X), 4.7 ft. (24X)
• Reticle: FFP PR3-mil (tested)
• Adjustments: .1 mil (per click); 36 mil (elevation range); 18 mil (windage range)
• Coatings: fully multi-coated; Leupold Professional-Grade Optical System
• Dimensions: 34mm tube diameter; 14.6" (length); 27.5 ozs. (weight)
• Construction: aluminum tube, HD glass
• Accessories: none
• MSRP: $1,499.99; leupold.com
