Opinions on Leupold Mk4 spotting scope

[copperking81]

Want to upgrade to a better spotting scope. Would like one with a reticle which seems to limits options. The Leupold Mk4 12-40x60 with TMR looks nice but curious what everyone's opinions are.

How does it perform out to 1000k yards spotting impacts / splash on steel targets?

Durability?

Principle use will be on the range but would see hunting use. Thoughts for that use case?

Other spotting scopes I should consider in the comparable price range?

Also considering the bigger 20-60x80 but if the smaller spotter will work more than fine at 1k yards (occasional shot at 1200), I'd go with that.

 

[germanlongbow]

I have one of the original 12-40 models. I has been used heavily over the past 20 years. No problems with image quality (bear in mind no reticle) or clarity. It has a lot of eye relief in such that none of my friends have ever complained of eye strain or inabilities to see targets. I only have $600 in mine and would have to replace it at new prices today. I cant speak for the reticle models except I wish I had one as well. Good luck. Scott

 

[copperking81]

I have one of the original 12-40 models. I has been used heavily over the past 20 years. No problems with image quality (bear in mind no reticle) or clarity. It has a lot of eye relief in such that none of my friends have ever complained of eye strain or inabilities to see targets. I only have $600 in mine and would have to replace it at new prices today. I cant speak for the reticle models except I wish I had one as well. Good luck. Scott

Thanks. Have you used it to spot impacts on steel targets? If so, how far out could you see impacts?

 

[germanlongbow]

Out to a mile depending on how bad mirage is.

 

[walley2960]

I had the 20-60, now I have the 12-40 with the mil dot reticle. It's a better fit in my opinion, my use sounds similar to yours.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Go for the gusto and make one last purchase with the Swarovski milling spotter. Leupold glass and functional quality can't even come close.

The Swarovski reticle is FFP so it works on any mag level, illuminated for day and night, and the reticle can be removed if you want to just use it as a regular spotter, then put back on t range objects again. Here's a link to the info. Don't forget to buy the eyepiece as well.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/4...vhY8gPBZCsHX2hhFjpm3c8UlHtjH2SbRoCdVcQAvD_BwE

 

[Eric Leonard]

I bought my Mk4 with TMR FFP reticle on ebay for 700$ and for the money would be hard to beat,,spotting 7mm hits on white steel at a mile is no problem,,and it is very light and compact for backpacking it in on hunts,,sure there are 3-5000$$ spotters that have better glass but its not like a scope where it has to hold zero,,

for poor folks like me a used MK 4 is a really good spotter,,

 

[Eric Leonard]

Leupold will put a FFP TMR reticle in the 12-40x60 Gold Ring for like 400$$,,at least thats what they quoted me,,I just sold mine and bought the used MK4

 

[loneranger04]

I have a Gold Ring 12-40 and usually upgrade my equipment until I have the best however I have found that this spotter works better than most. One thing that you’ll find spotting on steel is most scopes make you put your eye close to the eyepiece however the GR has a great eye relief which helps a lot with eye fatigue while spotting. For spotting bullet holes in paper there are better scopes but you’ll have to pay for them. The GR and the MK4 are tough and dependable and have never seen a need for more.

 

[micmac]

At present this is still the best mid price range spotter with reticle , altough glass is nothing to boast about and easily put to shame by typical spotters half the price , but there is no alternatives with FFP reticle better till you get to much more expensive German offerings.

 

[copperking81]

i picked one up and have been testing it out. So far, I'm pretty happy with it. I can see impacts out to 900 yards (furthest I can shoot on my range). Heat and humidity were through the roof too. And yes, very pricey...