October 4th, 2024
9minute read
In todays article, Joe Kurtenbach reviews the Leupold Mark 4HD 1-4.5x24mm scope.
This LPVO rifle scope is the lowest magnification option in the refreshed Mark 4HD line.
Kurtenbach gets this optic on the range for a full evaluation of its capabilities.
This Leupold Mark 4HD is an exceptional low power variable optic (LPVO) that combines high quality with a very reasonable price point. Image: Carson McDaniel/Springfield Armory
The Mark 4HD scope was provided on loan to the author for this review.
Leupoldearned its position atop the sporting optic industry.
The company does it all.
Employing a 30mm tube and — as tested — an illuminated FireDot TMR reticle, the Mark 4HD 1-4.5x24mm is shown here on a SAINT Victor in Leupold’s Mark AR 30mm one-piece mount. Image: Carson McDaniel/Springfield Armory
Among U.S.-based riflescope manufacturers, Leupolds catalog is impressive for its length and breadth.
[For additional information on reticles, read our articleFirst Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane.]
New for 2024 is the Mark 4HD series, including the 1-4.524.
The Leupold Mark 4HD 1-4.5×24 is a rugged scope that offers variable, low power magnification that is often sought by AR-style rifle shooters. Image: Leupold
The first component, 1-4.5, is the magnification range.
The next number, 24mm, is the size of the front or objective lens.
For this scope, the objective lens is quite small, eschewing the typical bell shape of larger optics.
The Leupold Mark 4HD 1-4.5×24 rifle scope mounts easily to the Springfield Armory SAINT rifle. Image: Carson McDaniel/Springfield Armory
Within each of the scope configurations, Leupold also offers reticle options.
[Be sure to readWhat Is a LPVO Scope?for more information on these optics.]
The 1-4.5X Mark 4HD exemplifies these characteristics and ups the ante by offering Leupolds renowned durability and function.
The author appreciated that you can remove the zero stop cap to expose the “naked” turret, allowing you to easily make any needed adjustments. Image: Carson McDaniel/Springfield Armory
Overall, its a sleek, low-profile design.
Dialed up to 4.5X, the riflescope has plenty of magnification to match the performance of standard .223 Rem.
and 5.56 NATO cartridges.
The author liked the FireDot TMR illuminated reticle because at 1X it made the optic function like a red-dot reflex sight for close-in targets. Image: Leupold
The Mark 4HDs magnification range also offers some familiarity for vets like me.
For most of my time in uniform, my issued M4 was topped by a 4X fixed-power optic.
I had no issues during qualification hitting E-bang out silhouette targets from 25 to 300 meters with this set-up.
The author ran the Mark 4HD on a SAINT Victor 5.56mm for the testing phase of the review. Image: Author
Im confident the Leupold would have performed with even greater alacrity given its enhanced and fully adjustable magnification.
Unlike the rest of the line, the 1-4.5X Mark 4HD is only available in SFP configurations.
These tasks are not the primary domain of the LPVO.
The scope and rifle easily passed the “shooting the square” test with Federal Premium Gold Metal Match ammo loaded with a 77-gr. Sierra MatchKing bullets. Image: Author
Three reticle options are offered for the 1-4.5x24mm scopes: FireDot TMR; FireDot BDC; and HPR-1.
A TMR-equipped scope also includes an exposed tactical/target-style elevation turret with zero-stop for dialing .1-mil-per-click adjustments.
Lastly, the HPR-1 uses a reflex-style circle-dot reticle design.
This TMR-equipped scope includes a useful zero-stop button on the elevation turret. Note the removable, low-profile knurled throw lever on the zoom adjustment ring. Image: Carson McDaniel/Springfield Armory
Mounting the scope, I needed to remove the SAINTs flip-up rear sight.
I kept the dismounted sights with me in a small tool kit.
Dont worry, simply remove the zero-stop cap and make your adjustments using the naked turret.
That brings me to the second takeaway: Use the zero-stop!
Done correctly, the system ensures easy return to zero by simply spinning the turret back until it stops.
For testing, I wanted to validate the consistency and repeatability of the scopes windage and elevation adjustments.
To do this, I conducted a test often described as shooting the square.
The end result should be four, three-shot groups spaced equally like the corners of a square.
So, I was looking for about 12.5 cm/4.9 inches of separation between the squares corners.
I knew from previous tests that this ammunition was capable of sub-MOA groups in the Saint Victor rifle.
I was impressed with how smoothly the zoom adjustment ring functioned.
Finally, I highly recommend going with an illuminated reticle like the FireDot when possible.
A 1X, the optic functions just like a red-dot reflex sight.
And, with an MSRP of $999.99, the value is unmatched.
Go to forum thread
LeupoldMark 4HD 1-4.5x24 M5C3 SFP Illum.
FireDot TMR
SAINTVictor
FederalGold Medal Sierra MatchKing 223 Rem 77 gr.
