input for post-64 M70 .300 win mag hunting rifle (Leo Mark 5 mini review)

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

I got a little time behind the Mk5 at SHOT.

I was impressed. All the clarity and quality that you would expect, but the weight was surprisingly light for a scope that size.

I would go with a Mk5 3.6-18x44

Really great scope.

-Matt S.

Thanks Matt. I need to find someone that has a Mark 5 that I can look through and fiddle with. I've read the turrets feel and sound like "turning the Wheel of Fortune."

I'm starting to think that, at this price point, why not save a few hundred more and get a PMII? Though 99% of all scopes in this price range will be nice, I'm not going to fully take advantage of their features with a hunting rifle. Maybe I should scale back my expectations and look at midrange Vortex and low end Nightforce again. The SHV line of scopes is looking pretty good for my needs.

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

Update: I've himmed and hawed between the NF SHV 4-14x50 F1 and Leupold's Mark 5 3.6-18x44 for the past couple weeks. After reading a few reviews on snipershide, I put in the effort to find a Mark 5 to play with. I really liked the feel of the turrets, and the weight was suprisingly light. Luckly, I can get dealer pricing an most optics, so I pulled the trigger and bought a Mark 5. I'll post a mini review once I get it, mount it to my rifle, and spend some time behind it.

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

Update #2: i've put 100 rounds down range with Barnes' new LR-X 190gr copper solids. I'm sticking with factory ammo for now in case i lose my ammo when i travel, and because I don't have time to reload right now.

Anyway, I mounted the Mark 5 onto a 35mm 0 MOA Sphur (SP-5006) onto a NF 20 MOA base. I sighted in the rifle and confirmed it's zero at 100 yards. Zeroing the scope and adjusting the zero stop function on the elevation was very simple, but requires a small torx key. On another day I took the rifle out to 200, 300, and 400 yards. I generated ballistics data from JBM ballistics, and used that. The Mark 5 tracked beautifully. I didn't have a longer range, so i did the mildot box and elevation tracking test at 100 yards (found on snipershide). Again, flawless tracking.

Next, scope height. I intentionally bought a Spuhr with a 1.35" height because i was concerned that the bell of the scope would rub against the extended NF rail. As set up, the optic bell clears the rail with about 0.3" to spare. The base of the optic bell is 0.63" from the barrel. This doesn't sound too bad on paper, but i have a Monte Carlo McMillian stock that has a low hanging toe. I had to buy a slip on cheek riser (beartooth) to turn my new chin weld back into a proper cheek weld. I bring this up because the 35mm tube of the Mark 5 slightly raises the elevation of the eye box. I'm going to keep the set up i have because it's working, but i recommend that anyone with my setup go with the 1.18" scope ring height instead. If you have a full length optic rail, the 1.35" ring height is perfect.

Overall, i'm extremely happy with the Mark 5 3-18x44mm. It's a little overkill for a hunting scope, and the the total weight of the NF scope rail, Spuhr and Mark 5 made my light weight model 70 into a overweight lady in denial. But she shoots holes in holes, and the added weight definitely helps manage the recoil and stay on target. I'll be happy to answer questions anyone has.