Precision Shooter's Magazine

Optics are always welcome in tests because there are so many options it difficult to decide what to buy. There are literally dozens of choices for holographic sights. The two top contenders are generally thought to be EOTech and Aimpoint. Similar theory, different design and there are fans in both camps. Our favorite Army Msg sniper swears by Aimpoint so we decided to test the new Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic. Aimpoint put a lot of thought into this package. It comes with a factory installed QRP2 mount that co-witnesses with carbine back up sights and is also adjustable for low profile use. The QRP2 also has a torque limiting twist mounting knob so you can’t overtighten it and damage the mount or rail. Lens caps are included with a clear rear cap so you can still engage a target without opening the front cap. The single battery life is so good it’s rated for up to 3 years in the on position so you can just let it run 24/7 with no worries about it being dead. The battery compartment and adjustment covers are joined by t-shaped a rubber strap so the covers won’t get lost and and adjustments for windage and elevation are easy to use. It took us just a few minutes to zero in. Another nice feature out of the box is that it is night vision compatible with 6 brightness levels on the 2 moa dot. As it turns out the  Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic is an ideal partner for carbine applications such as on the AR15/M4 platform. Our motto is “Everything you need, nothing you don’t” and this optic provides exactly that. In fact I personally liked the test scope so much it’s staying on my rifle as my permanent optic. Spec Sheet (pdf). DJ

Every once in a while we find products that work great and in turn makes our job easier. Leupold’s Magnetic Bore Sighter is one terrific product. It’s easy to use even for novice, not an arm and a leg dollar wise and it’s paid for itself in wasted time and ammo at the range. Using the bore sighter is easy as pie. You simply flip the on switch on the side and stick it on the end of the barrel. When you look through your scope it presents an illuminated reticle pattern with a center cross hair and all you do is turn your windage and elevation knobs to center the crosshair. Yes, it’s that easy and it eliminates the need for multiple tools, plastic adaptors and the like. It’s work on anything just as it sits. We’ve had one here in the shop for 4 years and mounted countless scopes with it still on the original battery which seems like it will last forever. It’s also great at the range if you forget where your original zero is. Just pop it on the end of the barrel and reset your knobs. Bingo. Done. To us it’s an indispensable tool of the trade and one of the best pieces of kit we have had the pleasure to use. Nice carry case is included.

We have always liked Leupold Mark 4 scopes. In a gadget hungry shooting industry where lower volume “designer” scope makers have grabbed shooter’s attention with high priced optics Leupold seemed to be lagging behind with innovation. The facts have always contradicted this assumption however. While companies like Nightforce, Schmidt & Bender and others have been touting their products Leupold has always been quietly supplying the lions share of tactical scopes to the military, law enforcement and sport shooters. For the US Army, Marine Corp, Special Forces and foreign governments Leupold remains the de facto choice for tactical optics. More shooting matches have been won, more game bagged and insurgents capped using Leupold Optics than probably all other manufacturers combined. Leupold’s latest offerings are truly state of the art. The Mark 4 line has been upgraded to include new models, illumination, reticle systems, available large tubes and mil adjustments designed for the military which naturally benefit civilian shooters. The rugged new CQBSS for example has already been adopted by the Marine Corp for multi tasking missions including mounting on machine guns and the 34mm version of our test scope was chosen for the XM2010 sniper system.

We chose Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20X50 with the illuminated reticle (67975) 30mm scope to test the latest generation from Leupold’s tactical department. The scope has all the features we have come to rely on from Leupold with excellent fit and finish, compact design and relatively light weight for it’s capabilities.The TMR reticle is extremely easy to use with clearly defined .2 mil subtentions. Leupold’s illumination system has been upgraded with 15% brighter illumination and defined click stops for the adjustment knob. In the field this scope is truly a pleasure to use. The target image is clear and bright with no edge distortion or shadows even at maximum magnification with Leupold Index Matched Lens System. The TMR reticle picture is crisp making ranging a pleasure rather than a guess even out to our test distances up to 600 yards. We fired 200 rounds then removed the scope and remounted it back into the Leupold Tactical rings and didn’t need to re-zero. In box tests it performed flawlessly through multiple trials and once we set the knobs from the original zero it remained there without any need for further tinkering. As with everything else on the scope the ¼ MOA adjustments (70 MOA of windage and elevation) worked as advertised with tactile clicks from the windage and elevation knobs and smooth adjustment of parallax focus.

It may sound as though we love this scope because we did. Everybody got a crack at using it and the decision was unanimous. In a tactical long range scope that is built to take the rigors of combat and range alike there is little left to be desired of this scope. Another top notch scope from Leupold. 100 years plus in the optics industry and still innovating. Leupold’s engineering, manufacturing and execution combined with the best in the business warranty still make Leupold the standard by which all others are judged.

Leupold recently released it’s Generation III series of illuminated reticle scopes.  The improvements do away with the less than positive on/off positions on the illumination dial and provide a 15% increase in reticle brightness.  The Gen III illumination system provides positive click adjustments by allowing the user to select eight different brightness levels.  Each level is separated from the next by an off position. Clicks are definite between levels and a welcome upgrade.  We ran a Mark 4 3.5-10X40 TMR thru it’s paces at the range to test out the new features.  The adjustments to the illumination worked just as advertised and the reticle was as clear and precise in daylight as it was at sundown.   This Mark 4 performed impressively well with positive windage and elevation adjustments, plenty of eye relief and rugged construction. The Leupold lens system provided a bright, clear sight picture with no discernible coloration or edge distortion. We ran a box test at 100 yards and it passed with flying colors and after bore sighting in the shop gave a cold bore perfect bulls eye first time out with no further adjustments.  Leupold has a large and loyal customer base because they make a solid product at prices that won’t put you in the poor house. It’s no wonder Leupold is the #1 choice of shooting professionals, LE and the military by a mile.  At an average street price under $1,3oo and a warranty that is the absolute best in the business it’s still one of the best deals out there for a high quality tactical scope and of course it’s made right here in the USA. DJ

• Length (A) 13.5 in
• Tube Diameter (I) 30 mm
• Actual Magnification 9.5 (3.2)
• FOV @ 100 yds (ft) 11.0 (29.9)
• FOV @ 100 m (m) 3.7 (10.0)
• Eye Relief (in) 3.4 (4.7)
• Eye Relief (mm) 93 (119)
• Obj. Clear Aperture 1.6 in / 40 mm
• Weight 21.0 oz / 595 g
• Elevation Adj. Range (MOA) 65
• Windage Adj. Range (MOA) 65

Leupold’s latest venture in compact rifle scopes is directed at the boom in AR15 sales. The Mark AR series are designed specifically for the AR15 platform. Weighing in at only 12.5 ounces this 3-9×40 barely adds to lightweight nature of the AR. For this test we mounted it on a Stag model 3 with an Armalite one piece base.

This particular scope the model 67160 is supplied with Leupold’s Mil Dot reticle. All Mark AR scope include a BDC elevation knob for the 5.56/.223 round making range adjustments a snap in the field. After zeroing in the knobs can be reset to zero and provide positive tactile clicks. Once in the field you can use the mil dot reticle to get your range and dial in your shot quickly by spinning the knob to the correct range. The day of the test was cloudy and rainy and at 9am not the perfect shooting day. Even with the adverse conditions we had no problem finding our target due to the excellent light transmission. Leupold’s Multicoat 4® lens system transmits a bright clear picture with no edge distortion or coloring and plenty of eye relief. We were easily able to find our hits without the use of a spotting scope at 100 yards. We put about 100 rounds through the the gun and the scope never complained. It tracked on the money, returned to zero and was a pleasure to use. The Mark AR series is tested to the same performance standards as Leupold® Mark 4® optics so they should give a lifetime of trouble free service. Based on a street price under $400 we think this scope hits the mark.

* The ½-MOA T2 elevation adjustment includes a pre-engraved bullet drop compensation (BDC) dial to match the ballistics of most 55 grain .223 Remington/5.56mm NATO loads.
* If you have a specific load you’d like to have matched, the Leupold Custom Shop can create additional dials for a nominal fee.
* The Multicoat 4® lens system delivers superior brightness, clarity, and optimal contrast, even in low light.
* Available with MilDot reticle.
* Lockable, fast-focus eyepiece keeps your focus set.
* The power selector features aggressive knurling for easy adjustment, even with gloves.
* The tactile power indicator identifies your magnification with a touch.
* Durable matte black finish.
* Custom Shop serviceable – customize your Mark AR.
* Tested to the same performance standards as Leupold® Mark 4® optics.
* Rugged and absolutely waterproof in all conditions.

* Length (A) 12.4 in
* Tube Length (B) 5.6 in
* (C) 2.3 in
* (D) 2.2 in
* Eyepiece Length (E) 3.5 in
* Objective Diameter (G) 1.8 in
* Eyepiece Diameter (H) 1.6 in
* Tube Diameter (I) 1.0 in
* Actual Magnification 8.6 (3.3)
* FOV @ 100 yds (ft) 14.0 (32.3)
* FOV @ 100 m (m) 4.7 (10.8)
* Eye Relief (in) 3.7 (4.7)
* Eye Relief (mm) 94 (119)
* Obj. Clear Aperture 1.6 in / 41 mm
* Weight 12.5 oz / 354 g
* Elevation Adj. Range (MOA) 56
* Windage Adj. Range (MOA) 56