Texas Hunting Forum

Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4

Posted By: Tactical Cowboy

Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/03/20 06:21 PM

Looking for a good hunting/target scope for my tikka 270 WSM. Local shops a VX5 3-15 with the cds turret and duplex reticle for $950. They also have a Mark 4 3-10x with the TMR reticle for $1000.

Which would you pick, or is there a better option for the same money?
Posted By: wp75169

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/03/20 07:11 PM

The VX-5 will have noticeably better glass. The Mark 4 might track better.

Is vx-5 cds the cds-zl2 or just cds? I definitely don’t trust the original cds version.
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/03/20 07:20 PM

I have the exact VX5. I can't offer a comparison but can vouch for the low light performance, ability to hold zero under rough hunting conditions, dependability of the CDS set up and great clarity through full range of magnification of the VX5-HD. It's a great hunting scope, and I need the 15x over the 10x. I have it on a 20" CTR in .308 and have put a lot of game on the ground with it. I use the CDS dial often.
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/03/20 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by wp75169
The VX-5 will have noticeably better glass. The Mark 4 might track better.

Is vx-5 cds the cds-zl2 or just cds? I definitely don’t trust the original cds version.

Because of zero stop? I have both, old and new. I hear ya'.
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/03/20 07:29 PM

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362173644?pid=936654

Check this out, Mark 4, $699.00. Is this what you're after?
Posted By: wp75169

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/03/20 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
Originally Posted by wp75169
The VX-5 will have noticeably better glass. The Mark 4 might track better.

Is vx-5 cds the cds-zl2 or just cds? I definitely don’t trust the original cds version.

Because of zero stop? I have both, old and new. I hear ya'.


Not just the zero stop. The new system has a different erector set up. Dual spring I believe vs single. Careful, I may have made that up, going on memory.
Posted By: scottfromdallas

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/03/20 08:52 PM




I've always been impressed with Trijicon optics. The new Credo 2.5-10x36 is in that price range.

https://www.scopelist.com/Trijicon-...on-Tree-30mm-Matte-Black-Riflescope.aspx

I recently bought a Primary Arms Gold series optic and it's very nice.

https://www.primaryarms.com/glx-4-16x50-ffp-rifle-scope-mil-dot-reticle
Posted By: Tactical Cowboy

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/03/20 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by wp75169
The VX-5 will have noticeably better glass. The Mark 4 might track better.

Is vx-5 cds the cds-zl2 or just cds? I definitely don’t trust the original cds version.


I don't know which cds version it is.

I took both s opes outside,and I liked the glass better on the VX5. I liked the turrets and reticle better on the mk4.
Posted By: Tactical Cowboy

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/03/20 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I have the exact VX5. I can't offer a comparison but can vouch for the low light performance, ability to hold zero under rough hunting conditions, dependability of the CDS set up and great clarity through full range of magnification of the VX5-HD. It's a great hunting scope, and I need the 15x over the 10x. I have it on a 20" CTR in .308 and have put a lot of game on the ground with it. I use the CDS dial often.


Thanks for the input. I highly doubt I shoot at an animal father than 300 yards, but I have never had a good scope.
Posted By: Roughneck913

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/04/20 02:13 AM

FWIW, Mk4's are discontinued I believe
Posted By: Brother in-law

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/04/20 02:19 AM

The glass will be better in the 5
Posted By: J.G.

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/04/20 03:44 AM

Asking the MK4 to shoot distance will work better.

Better turrets, better reticle. Is the glass bad? Not even a little bit.

Duplex reticle gives you little help in perfect elevation holds, and perfect wind holds. TMR reticle will allow you to put your bullet exactly where you want it, if you know how.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/04/20 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362173644?pid=936654

Check this out, Mark 4, $699.00. Is this what you're after?


Great deal !!!

I have this on, capped turrets, very repeatable but NO zero stop, I prefer a zero stop

[Linked Image]
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[Linked Image]
Posted By: TAB

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/05/20 01:31 AM

Them mark 4 at midway is hard to beat, I bought 2 of them last month, glass is nice and the tmr retical is spot on.
I zeroed them both in 2 shots a week ago Wednesday.

The basic reticals tha Leupold tend to offer in their higher end scopes are lacking in my opinion and the price they are asking I’d rather buy a night force Nx8 in either the 2-20 or the 4-32 because it’s far superior to Leupold.

Any scope out there under a grand doesn’t even come close to the mark 4 for $699 from midway. In terms of reliability and glass quality.
Posted By: kman2017

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/05/20 05:33 AM

I'll also give a 1 up to the MK4. Discontinued but under 1k for this scope is great. Bought one used because I couldn't find a new one and am very pleased. Also have a MK4 ERT in 6.5-20 and like it a lot.
Posted By: Gumbeaux

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/05/20 04:30 PM

I got the VX5 for ~$800 from a shop in Pennsylvania.
Posted By: 603Country

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/05/20 07:17 PM

I’m a real fan of the VX5 3-15 CDS. If the OP is mostly a hunter and is keeping shots inside 300 yards (or 400, or 500, for that matter), dialing the CDS will do everything he needs. If, however, he’s shooting long distance steel, the Mark IV would be a better choice.

If he gets the VX5, do get the firedot. It’s amazingly useful.
Posted By: Savage243

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 10/09/20 03:06 PM

I have to give the nod to my VX-5Hds over the MK4. I own both and really like the 5HD better. I have the Impact MOA reticle and I couldn't be happier for the money I spent on it. Low light performance is great and much better than the MK4.
Posted By: bholt

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 12/20/20 10:01 PM

I also have the VX5 like Country and of all the scopes I have it is by far the goodest. I have one on my 6.5 CM Tikka and am seriously thinking of buying another. and yes you want the fire dot.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 12/22/20 03:40 PM

He77 guess I need one too
Posted By: duckhunter175

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 12/22/20 04:41 PM

VX5HD all day- great glass, I've had 2x 5HDs and 2x6HDs that both tracked and rtz fine to and from 800--

Street price on a VX5HD is $750-850 depending on reticle and illumination. The CDS-ZL2 is a solid turret and easy to set up.
Posted By: Jsarmory

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 12/22/20 04:59 PM

I've got both. I'd give the nod to the VX5HD for sure. Both great scopes.
Posted By: Adchunts

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 12/22/20 08:40 PM

You guys are making me feel pretty good about the VX-5HD 3-15x44 CDS Firedot I have on order. Going on a new Tikka T3X Lite stainless 6.5 CM lefty.
Posted By: AZ_Hunter_2000

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 12/22/20 09:37 PM

Have a VX5HD on a T3K in 6.5 CM and also on a Savage Storm 110 in 6.5 CM. Also have a VX6HD on a T3X in 300 WM. No issues so far and they all get dialed relatively frequently.
Posted By: Tactical Cowboy

Re: Leupold VX-5HD vs Mark 4 - 12/22/20 11:56 PM

I ended up buying a xtr2 and traded into a vx3 tactical 4.5-14.... I do like the burris
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