Rifle Scopes Looking for some firsthand experience with Leupold mk 5/Bushnell xrs

[Kline]

Hello,
I will start out by saying that my experience with high quality optics has been pretty limited to what we have in the military, so mainly leupold. I placed an order in for a new Leupold mk 5hd illuminated with the Tremor 3 reticle a while ago, but due to backorder it still has not been fullfilled. While waiting for the Leupold I have stumbled across the opportunity to trade a competition cz setup I have plus some cash for a Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS 4.5-30 also with a Tremor 3. This setup with the cash and price I am asking for my pistol would end up running me around 1400, so an estimate of a little over 600 savings from the Leupold. I figure this cash would be able to be put to good use for some other things I need such as a good tripod setup and some ammo/new dies and reloading supplies for 6.5. The optic is for a Tuebor actioned 6.5 Creedmoor with a proof stainless barrel, that I hope to use to get into the competition game when more time permits, but for now its just to train.

I am really hoping to tap into the experience and knowledge of all of you on this site, and get some first hand opinions on this and these optics in particular, but feel free to let it rip with other suggestions.

Thank you all in advance.
Tyler

 

[One1Bravo]

Hello,
I will start out by saying that my experience with high quality optics has been pretty limited to what we have in the military, so mainly leupold. I placed an order in for a new Leupold mk 5hd illuminated with the Tremor 3 reticle a while ago, but due to backorder it still has not been fullfilled. While waiting for the Leupold I have stumbled across the opportunity to trade a competition cz setup I have plus some cash for a Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS 4.5-30 also with a Tremor 3. This setup with the cash and price I am asking for my pistol would end up running me around 1400, so an estimate of a little over 600 savings from the Leupold. I figure this cash would be able to be put to good use for some other things I need such as a good tripod setup and some ammo/new dies and reloading supplies for 6.5. The optic is for a Tuebor actioned 6.5 Creedmoor with a proof stainless barrel, that I hope to use to get into the competition game when more time permits, but for now its just to train.

I am really hoping to tap into the experience and knowledge of all of you on this site, and get some first hand opinions on this and these optics in particular, but feel free to let it rip with other suggestions.

Thank you all in advance.
Tyler

I picked up an XRS II w/ H59 last week and my Mark 5HD w/59 came in yesterday. I planned on opening it up and doing a side by side comparison today. My mini me is home sick so not sure if I'll have time but I'll try to give you my opinion sometime today.

 

[beretta_man11]

I had the original XRS with a g2, I think. It was a nice scope, BUT, I'd push you towards getting the xrs2 since the glass is a little better, and I like the turrets more as well. They can be had for around the same money you are looking at having into the xrs you mentioned. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what is better between the xrs2 and the mk5, but I think you'd be happy with either one.

 

[Kline]

I picked up an XRS II w/ H59 last week and my Mark 5HD w/59 came in yesterday. I planned on opening it up and doing a side by side comparison today. My mini me is home sick so not sure if I'll have time but I'll try to give you my opinion sometime today.

That would be fantastic! Thank you in advance.

 

[Kline]

I had the original XRS with a g2, I think. It was a nice scope, BUT, I'd push you towards getting the xrs2 since the glass is a little better, and I like the turrets more as well. They can be had for around the same money you are looking at having into the xrs you mentioned. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what is better between the xrs2 and the mk5, but I think you'd be happy with either one.

Sorry, kind of new to Bushnell offerings, it is a xrs 2. Thanks for the reply.

 

[One1Bravo]

After only a few minutes with each...

Turrets: The win definitely goes to the Mark 5. They're both tactile and LOUD. The XRS are solid clicks with no mush but are very quiet. The XRS II however has the locking windage VS the capped on the Mark 5. That will be more of a preference.

Glass: I don't have much distance to compare them at home so keep that in mind. The Mark 5 is brighter by quite a bit to me. Both appear to be about as clear. The Mark 5 is also a lot easier to get behind than the XRS II.

Parallax knob: Smoother and firmer on the XRS II. The knob on the Mark 5 is the loosest and grittiest I've ever felt. Same goes for the magnification ring except on the Mark 5 it is not quite as loose or gritty as the parallax knob.

Without having spent any significant amount of time behind either I prefer the Mark 5. That may change. Please let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll do my best to answer
Something to note...the hash marks on the elevation knob of my Mark 5 don't line up. I need to see of there's a way to adjust the knob or if I'll have to send it back.

 

[ddavis]

After only a few minutes with each...

Turrets: The win definitely goes to the Mark 5. They're both tactile and LOUD. The XRS are solid clicks with no mush but are very quiet. The XRS II however has the locking windage VS the capped on the Mark 5. That will be more of a preference.

Glass: I don't have much distance to compare them at home so keep that in mind. The Mark 5 is brighter by quite a bit to me. Both appear to be about as clear. The Mark 5 is also a lot easier to get behind than the XRS II.

Parallax knob: Smoother and firmer on the XRS II. The knob on the Mark 5 is the loosest and grittiest I've ever felt. Same goes for the magnification ring except on the Mark 5 it is not quite as loose or gritty as the parallax knob.

Without having spent any significant amount of time behind either I prefer the Mark 5. That may change. Please let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll do my best to answer
Something to note...the hash marks on the elevation knob of my Mark 5 don't line up. I need to see of there's a way to adjust the knob or if I'll have to send it back.

Two things:

1. You can adjust the parallax on the Leupold. I'm at a loss for why other mfg's can't manage to do this. I can get it absolutely parallax free at 100 and set the knob for "100" and the other ranges are close enough. With almost every scope I've owned the parallax is a good ways off and you have to account for that.

2. I've only had the Mk5 for a few days now, but had a Mk6 for quite a while with similar features. I've found that when you reset your zero on the Mk5, it is difficult to get the hashes lined up perfectly at "0" because you are under some funky spring tension with the zero stop mechanism. What I did was to get my scope zeroed, set it to zero at the zero stop, and dial up 10 clicks (the actual number doesn't matter.) If it does not exactly line up with 1.0 mils, then loosen the set screws and get it perfectly lined up with 1.0 mils. Tighten screws back down and now it should be perfectly lined up with the hashes. Hope that makes sense. The idea is to not be fighting the zero stop button.

-Dan

 

[One1Bravo]

Two things:

1. You can adjust the parallax on the Leupold. I'm at a loss for why other mfg's can't manage to do this. I can get it absolutely parallax free at 100 and set the knob for "100" and the other ranges are close enough. With almost every scope I've owned the parallax is a good ways off and you have to account for that.

2. I've only had the Mk5 for a few days now, but had a Mk6 for quite a while with similar features. I've found that when you reset your zero on the Mk5, it is difficult to get the hashes lined up perfectly at "0" because you are under some funky spring tension with the zero stop mechanism. What I did was to get my scope zeroed, set it to zero at the zero stop, and dial up 10 clicks (the actual number doesn't matter.) If it does not exactly line up with 1.0 mils, then loosen the set screws and get it perfectly lined up with 1.0 mils. Tighten screws back down and now it should be perfectly lined up with the hashes. Hope that makes sense. The idea is to not be fighting the zero stop button.

-Dan

Thanks Dan, I'll give that a shot.

 

[ddavis]

Also, to the OP, I had an original XRS that was a good scope. No issues with the tracking, glass, etc and it got used hard in competitions. I later got a DMR2 that was a turd. The glass was awful. On par with a Primary Arms cheapo scope. Within a few months of use it just stopped dialing at a competition. When I sent it in, I asked them about the glass and they said it was in spec. Others don't have those issues so I think it comes down to the quality control being within a very wide range. I would definitely hold out for the Mk5. It should be a better scope in every way. By the way, Bushnell sent me a bill with my returned scope for their shipping cost. Last time I deal with them.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I have no experience behind the Leupold, but I have been running a pair fo XRS2s for over a year now. The XRS2 is probably my favorite riflescope I have ever been behind. Great glass, bomb-proof tracking (I've even dropped one on the elevation knob while attached to a 16# rifle by accident - and it was still dead on), reasonable weight, and a great reticle (G3).

By the way, Bushnell sent me a bill with my returned scope for their shipping cost. Last time I deal with them.

When did this happen? I'd be interested in hearing details of when and who you spoke with at Bushnell. That's definitely not in keeping with how Bushnell CS should be handling things. If you still have anything (email, etc) with a lab number, that would make it easier. Edit: We can take it to PMs if you prefer.

 

[ddavis]

I have no experience behind the Leupold, but I have been running a pair fo XRS2s for over a year now. The XRS2 is probably my favorite riflescope I have ever been behind. Great glass, bomb-proof tracking (I've even dropped one on the elevation knob while attached to a 16# rifle by accident - and it was still dead on), reasonable weight, and a great reticle (G3).



When did this happen? I'd be interested in hearing details of when and who you spoke with at Bushnell. That's definitely not in keeping with how Bushnell CS should be handling things. If you still have anything (email, etc) with a lab number, that would make it easier. Edit: We can take it to PMs if you prefer.

Let me see if I can find the receipt. Slim chance as I probably threw it away, but needless to say I did not pay it because I know that is not how it is supposed to work. I'll PM you if I can find it.

Also, my original XRS 1 was just like your experience. Nothing about it really stood out as being spectacular, but it just flat out worked and the glass was good enough that it never held me back. I trusted it and it had great features, which is why I didn't hesitate to try a DMR2.

-Dan

 

[One1Bravo]

Tried what you suggested Dan and it didn't work. When locked back in at zero it won't line up.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Let me see if I can find the receipt. Slim chance as I probably threw it away, but needless to say I did not pay it because I know that is not how it is supposed to work. I'll PM you if I can find it.

Also, my original XRS 1 was just like your experience. Nothing about it really stood out as being spectacular, but it just flat out worked and the glass was good enough that it never held me back. I trusted it and it had great features, which is why I didn't hesitate to try a DMR2.

-Dan

Assuming you submitted a support request online, you should have at least some email traffic somewhere that hopefully has a lab number associated with it. Look for that, too. If nothing else, PM me your real name (if you're OK with that) and a rough date range of when you talked to them. Either way, I can pass on your info to the folks I know at Bushnell and have them look into it.

 

[Kline]

After only a few minutes with each...

Turrets: The win definitely goes to the Mark 5. They're both tactile and LOUD. The XRS are solid clicks with no mush but are very quiet. The XRS II however has the locking windage VS the capped on the Mark 5. That will be more of a preference.

Glass: I don't have much distance to compare them at home so keep that in mind. The Mark 5 is brighter by quite a bit to me. Both appear to be about as clear. The Mark 5 is also a lot easier to get behind than the XRS II.

Parallax knob: Smoother and firmer on the XRS II. The knob on the Mark 5 is the loosest and grittiest I've ever felt. Same goes for the magnification ring except on the Mark 5 it is not quite as loose or gritty as the parallax knob.

Without having spent any significant amount of time behind either I prefer the Mark 5. That may change. Please let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll do my best to answer
Something to note...the hash marks on the elevation knob of my Mark 5 don't line up. I need to see of there's a way to adjust the knob or if I'll have to send it back.

Thank you so much for your initial review, please keep me posted on any other differences/preferences you notice as you spend more time with the mk5.

Also, to the OP, I had an original XRS that was a good scope. No issues with the tracking, glass, etc and it got used hard in competitions. I later got a DMR2 that was a turd. The glass was awful. On par with a Primary Arms cheapo scope. Within a few months of use it just stopped dialing at a competition. When I sent it in, I asked them about the glass and they said it was in spec. Others don't have those issues so I think it comes down to the quality control being within a very wide range. I would definitely hold out for the Mk5. It should be a better scope in every way. By the way, Bushnell sent me a bill with my returned scope for their shipping cost. Last time I deal with them.

I hope your incident is not the norm with regards to Bushnell, I have an hdmr on the way I bought from a member here. Thank you for your input.

I have no experience behind the Leupold, but I have been running a pair fo XRS2s for over a year now. The XRS2 is probably my favorite riflescope I have ever been behind. Great glass, bomb-proof tracking (I've even dropped one on the elevation knob while attached to a 16# rifle by accident - and it was still dead on), reasonable weight, and a great reticle (G3).



When did this happen? I'd be interested in hearing details of when and who you spoke with at Bushnell. That's definitely not in keeping with how Bushnell CS should be handling things. If you still have anything (email, etc) with a lab number, that would make it easier. Edit: We can take it to PMs if you prefer.

Thank you for your input, although it makes me even more at a loss for which one to go for hahah. The thing that makes me lean Bushnell, is I’m really only coming out of pocket 500 cash and the rest is in a trade, so that means the money I set aside for the leupold could be freed up for tripods other optics for other rifles etc...

 

[ddavis]

Tried what you suggested Dan and it didn't work. When locked back in at zero it won't line up.

Looks like you are having some other issue. I'd definitely send that in and let them deal with it. When I had a Mk6 (similar mechanism) I had them upgrade it from the B2 to C2 turrets and when I got it back I had an issue with the turret lock mechanism. They took care of it.

 

[One1Bravo]

Looks like you are having some other issue. I'd definitely send that in and let them deal with it. When I had a Mk6 (similar mechanism) I had them upgrade it from the B2 to C2 turrets and when I got it back I had an issue with the turret lock mechanism. They took care of it.

I submitted a 'contact us' form. Just waiting to hear back.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Thank you for your input, although it makes me even more at a loss for which one to go for hahah. The thing that makes me lean Bushnell, is I’m really only coming out of pocket 500 cash and the rest is in a trade, so that means the money I set aside for the leupold could be freed up for tripods other optics for other rifles etc...

COnsidering you're getting an XRS2in the deal, I'd go that route and walk away smiling. Put the money you saved into other components and upgrades and call it a day.

 

[Kline]

COnsidering you're getting an XRS2in the deal, I'd go that route and walk away smiling. Put the money you saved into other components and upgrades and call it a day.

That is probably what I will end up doing, thanks again