Rifle Scopes Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

[Sako man]

OK, a question for all those who have experience with this sort of thing. I took out my AI308 with my new Leupold Mk4 M5 34mm bla bla... My horus dope on the kestrel told me 5 mils up at 630 yards. I dialed and things were dead nuts on. I pinged center on the ispc with my 175 smk. Fast-forward and at 940 yards my dope tells me dial 9.3 mils with my load 175smk going 2668fps. So I dial and things got strange, I was shooting very low. I actually had to dial 9.7-9.8 before things started to come together. So now my dope and gun were both arguing. Now I realize this could be a myriad of issues including the biggest variable (myself). That said I have been fretting over the fact that this may be one of those anecdotal leupold tracking issues??? I have a tracking test set up as soon as the sky permits but until then opinions warts and all appreciated.

Scope manufacture zealots, and crybabies will be ignored. Im not going after leupold just trying to figure out if its me or the equipment.

thanks for reading.

 

[8up]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

Was the horus trued? Just trying to see any other variable.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

I think your scope is ok but verify it when you have a chance. I ran some numbers through JBM but for a DA of about 1000 feet, 5 mils to 630 yds and 9.7 mils to 940 yards is about right for a 175 going 2668 fps. It could also be that your muzzle velocity is a bit slower than you think as well because that's happened a time or two before.

 

[Sako man]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 8up</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Was the horus trued? Just trying to see any other variable. </div></div>

As well as I know it was. I had my azimuth set and direction. It's pretty accurate when it gives me data if my input is correct.

 

[Sako man]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Trigger Monkey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think your scope is ok but verify it when you have a chance. I ran some numbers through JBM but for a DA of about 1000 feet, 5 mils to 630 yds and 9.7 mils to 940 yards is about right for a 175 going 2668 fps. It could also be that your muzzle velocity is a bit slower than you think as well because that's happened a time or two before. </div></div>

Humm, so you get 9.7. My velocity could have been slower as I got the MV data on a slightly warmer day. So perhaps a few feet per second lower in difference would make up for that discrepancy?

 

[m1ajunkie]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

Move back to 100yds and check the tracking in the knobs matches what you read in the reicle.

I just did this the other day but was only able to test 5 mils of travel due to target stand size. My new locking turret leupold was dead on when I measured and then dialed 1.5, 3, and 5 mils. This will solve the problem in a couple of rounds.

 

[Sako man]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m1ajunkie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Move back to 100yds and check the tracking in the knobs matches what you read in the reicle.

I just did this the other day but was only able to test 5 mils of travel due to target stand size. My new locking turret leupold was dead on when I measured and then dialed 1.5, 3, and 5 mils. This will solve the problem in a couple of rounds. </div></div>

Totally, a tracking test is in order. I got a long pice of cardboard and put vertical dots on it every 3.6 inches for ten mills at 100 yards. So perhaps I am doing something more elaborate and more likely to eat up ammo.

It just kinda sucks when you make a big purchase like that and have doubts in the decision or purchase.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

I'm thinking it's an ammo thing, JBM has always been pretty good to me and with a .308 a small velocity loss is going to show up at long range. I think I got your data to sync up at about 2660 fps and to need 9.4 mils at 940 yards it was saying the velocity had to be just north of 2700 fps.

 

[Sako man]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Trigger Monkey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm thinking it's an ammo thing, JBM has always been pretty good to me and with a .308 a small velocity loss is going to show up at long range. I think I got your data to sync up at about 2660 fps and to need 9.4 mils at 940 yards it was saying the velocity had to be just north of 2700 fps.

</div></div>

Ok, makes sense. I was dead on at 630 for sure. Hit within an inch or two of the center paint dot on the ispc several times. So either lower velocity or tracking issues would start to show after that. Perhaps more likely velocity issues.

 

[8up]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

I doubt it may be a scope tracking issue, but need to check just to be sure. Next time, if you could true the device at 940 to your shooting condition for that day, then check it at 630 yards. It will most likely still be on. What b.c. do you have in the kestrel?

 

[Sako man]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 8up</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I doubt it may be a scope tracking issue, but need to check just to be sure. Next time, if you could true the device at 940 to your shooting condition for that day, then check it at 630 yards. It will most likely still be on. What b.c. do you have in the kestrel? </div></div>

For 175 SMKs I have 496 BC. That was another thing I was thinking, is the BC really accurate? I shot 155 scenars for a while with Lapuas advertised BC, which was actually not accurate.

Just for giggles I put all my Kestrel data into iSnipe app for iPhone, iSnipe says 9.68 at 940 yards. So now I am possibly thinking it's a Kestrel data issue or ammo?

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

.496 is pretty much a corrected BC for the 175SMK, as the advertised BC from Sierra is actually .505.

If your scope and software are not trued and calibrated, meaning you didn't go through the process of testing the actual adjustments on paper across 100% of your scopes useable adjustment range, and you have matched up your actual drops with your computers predictions and then turned the computer to your rifle, then you cannot expect to right on.

Being right at 600 yards with a 308 is child's play, being off a bit at 940 yards because you haven't done any of the above is typical and to be expected.

These computers are mind readers, there are certain variables they cannot account for, as well as errors that exist through no fault of our own. You have to take the time and calibrate you system.

 

[Sako man]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.496 is pretty much a corrected BC for the 175SMK, as the advertised BC from Sierra is actually .505.

If your scope and software are not trued and calibrated, meaning you didn't go through the process of testing the actual adjustments on paper across 100% of your scopes useable adjustment range, and you have matched up your actual drops with your computers predictions and then turned the computer to your rifle, then you cannot expect to right on.

Being right at 600 yards with a 308 is child's play, being off a bit at 940 yards because you haven't done any of the above is typical and to be expected.

These computers are mind readers, there are certain variables they cannot account for, as well as errors that exist through no fault of our own. You have to take the time and calibrate you system. </div></div>

I most certainly appreciate all the feedback from the forum. I will assimilate and hash over all the great feedback. Your all solid group of enthusiasts and sportsmen.

Thank you and a merry christmas to all.

Tuber

 

[Sako man]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

Have since done a tracking test with my Leupold. It tracked well. So it's a good optic. Nice reticle, good glass, and tracks good.

Just an FYI

 

[m1ajunkie]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Huber Tuber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have since done a tracking test with my Leupold. It tracked well. So it's a good optic. Nice reticle, good glass, and tracks good.

Just an FYI </div></div>

Glad to hear all is well after your tracking test. I'm running the same scope with tmr reticle, and it has become my favorite optic. Mine tracked spot on through the 17 available mils I have, and ran awesome for me at the mammoth sniper challenge.

Very glad I gave leupold another look as this is more satisfying than my nf f1 so far.

 

[warbird2006]

Re: Leupold MK4 Locking Turrets 6.5-20x 34mm tracking?

I got Leupold Mk4 M5 30mm without the locking turrets. I wish I got the 34mm with the locking turrets, but it was almost a grand more..