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Rifle Scopes Leica PRS 5-30×56 with PRB Reticle

You even let it sit next to the TT!

It is a very nice scope, but it is no Tangent Theta, nor should it be at $2k less. I am trying to bracket it with scopes that are a little more expensive and a little less, but honestly, it kinda depends on what I have on hand. The most direct competitor price-wise is Leupold Mark 5, which I happen to have here and like a lot.



ILya
 
Good stuff, thank you for doing this. Gotta day I’m a little let down if the Leupy is it’s closest competition...
 
It is a very nice scope, but it is no Tangent Theta, nor should it be at $2k less. I am trying to bracket it with scopes that are a little more expensive and a little less, but honestly, it kinda depends on what I have on hand. The most direct competitor price-wise is Leupold Mark 5, which I happen to have here and like a lot.



ILya

I think it's interesting that in the original presser and media photos, Austin Orgain is quoted and appears to have played some role in the design/development/testing. Yet the photos from his win at this weekends CCC PRS match, he's still shooting a Tangent Theta...
 
It is a very nice scope, but it is no Tangent Theta, nor should it be at $2k less. I am trying to bracket it with scopes that are a little more expensive and a little less, but honestly, it kinda depends on what I have on hand. The most direct competitor price-wise is Leupold Mark 5, which I happen to have here and like a lot.



ILya

So is it most comparable to the Mark 5 as far as the scope is concerned or just as far as price? I didn't understand what you meant by that.
 
I think it's interesting that in the original presser and media photos, Austin Orgain is quoted and appears to have played some role in the design/development/testing. Yet the photos from his win at this weekends CCC PRS match, he's still shooting a Tangent Theta...

If you could afford to buy Tangents would you use a free Bushnell just because it was free? Some things are worth paying for...
 
I think it's interesting that in the original presser and media photos, Austin Orgain is quoted and appears to have played some role in the design/development/testing. Yet the photos from his win at this weekends CCC PRS match, he's still shooting a Tangent Theta...

I was under an impression that Austin was sponsored by Leica. I do not know what the terms of the agreement are, but I know a few sponsored people who will shoot with Tangents when they think noone is looking. I have a TT 5-25x56 with Gen 3 XR, so I understand why.

ILya
 
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So is it most comparable to the Mark 5 as far as the scope is concerned or just as far as price? I didn't understand what you meant by that.

I am only talking about price for now. It is too early to have anything definite in terms of where the Leica PRS fits quality-wise.

It is exactly the same size as Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56 and elevation turret design is very similar to the locking turret on the latest Stryker and EOTech 5-25x50. Someone commented on that on one of my Instagram posts, so I went and looked.

I have no idea what to make out of that, to be honest. The optics look a little different from the Stryker I have and Leica has more FOV, so it is definitely not the same scope like I have seen insinuated. Maybe there is some shared mechanical DNA? I do not know. I asked.

So far, I like the scope and dislike the reticle. It is a tree reticle that makes me want to dial exclusively. It does have good turrets and they seem to track well, so that's not a bad thing per se.

ILya
 
I am only talking about price for now. It is too early to have anything definite in terms of where the Leica PRS fits quality-wise.

It is exactly the same size as Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56 and elevation turret design is very similar to the locking turret on the latest Stryker and EOTech 5-25x50. Someone commented on that on one of my Instagram posts, so I went and looked.

I have no idea what to make out of that, to be honest. The optics look a little different from the Stryker I have and Leica has more FOV, so it is definitely not the same scope like I have seen insinuated. Maybe there is some shared mechanical DNA? I do not know. I asked.

So far, I like the scope and dislike the reticle. It is a tree reticle that makes me want to dial exclusively. It does have good turrets and they seem to track well, so that's not a bad thing per se.

ILya

Is there noticeable CA?
 
I think it's interesting that in the original presser and media photos, Austin Orgain is quoted and appears to have played some role in the design/development/testing. Yet the photos from his win at this weekends CCC PRS match, he's still shooting a Tangent Theta...

You are correct, he was in fact running a TT this weekend.
 
So far, I like the scope and dislike the reticle. It is a tree reticle that makes me want to dial exclusively. It does have good turrets and they seem to track well, so that's not a bad thing per se.

ILya

The reticle is my problem with the scope, Otherwise it looks very interesting!
 
Anybody! I've seen them sell out on EO, and figured someone here is playing with one...
Looking very much forward to your review Ilya, I know it takes time.
Meanwhile, hoping for teasers from the membership during this lull.
I really think this could be my next rimfire match scope, but will probably have to see the reticle in person first.
 
New Jersey just closed all the rifle ranges and it sucks.I hope this is all behind us soon.
 
Is the PRB center circle growing on you at all Ilya, or not so much?

I first got into LR rifle stuff when I lived in NM, a great place to escape into BLM land...

Glad to hear tracking is on, how's the tooless turret mechanism working--feel solid or weak? All metal?

Thanks for the lock-down update!
 
Bump for this thread.
Someone anyone care to way in on glass?
Short version..........come on throw us a carrot!
Better then Vortex razor G2, Leupold Mark 5, Kahles K525i?
 
Is the PRB center circle growing on you at all Ilya, or not so much?

I first got into LR rifle stuff when I lived in NM, a great place to escape into BLM land...

Glad to hear tracking is on, how's the tooless turret mechanism working--feel solid or weak? All metal?

Thanks for the lock-down update!

The center circle is not my favourtite feature, but I can live with it.

The tree itself give me problems. The reticle is kinda weird in that there is a ton of different aming points and that is sorta nonintutive to me. I have been staring at it for over a month now and it is not growing on me one bit.

Primary aiming point is a circle, so you are aiming with an open spot. Not great for shooting gorups, but works fine on plates.
Wind holds if you dial elevation are various 0.2 mrad hashmarks on the primary stadia and we are all reasonably used to that.
Once you get below the primary, weird things start happening.
Odd mrad wind holds are a regular small crosshair or a dot depending on where your holdover is.
Even mrad wind holds are a small x or a dot depending on where your holdover is.
Half-mrad wind holds are a small floating vertical hashmark.
Some full mrad holds are small numbers, which is useful , but that ends up being one more aiming point.

When all is said and done you have six or seven different aiming points and if I need to hold between them I have to figure out where the middle is. I am always 0.1 to 0.2 mrad off with this reticle somehow.

Then there is a the lower portion of the tree that gets thicker once you are below 10 mrad of hold and has those weird striations going all the way out to the edges of the FOV every 10 mrad.

Aside from the fact that I do not understand why most of that tree below 10 mrad is there at all, making it thicker is simply counterproductive. I dial down when I do not have a particularly steady shooting position, so I really want the primary aiming point to stand out. Because the bottom portion of the tree is thicker and has those wings, it is quite distracting.

It is as if the reticle was designed by a committee in order to be different for the sake of being different.

I am sure some people will like it. Reticle are personal, but if I were buying one, I'd go with their Ballistic reticle

ILya
 
As I work on a proper review, here are some comments on the optics and mechanics.

The mechanical design is clearly related to the LOW made scopes like the 4.5-30x56 Delta Stryker and my best guess is that LOW makes a good number of mechanical parts for Leica.

I pressed Leica folks quite a bit on this to get the full story and they are saying that optical design is theirs, assembly is done by them in Germany and a good number of mechanics are sourced from Japan. That correlates to what I see, so I am inclined to believe that they simply took existing and proven to be reliable chassis from LOW, re-designed the optics and tweaked the turrets and some other mechanics. That is a pretty good way to get Leica optics to the market with a somewhat reasonable price tag.

Optical design clearly looks different with better FOV, depth of field and contrast than the native LOW design. I have a Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56 here that I like a lot, but side-by-side Leica is better optically. They eyepiece is definitely substantially different and I think it goes well beyond that.

Optomechanically, I like the scope quite a bit, so I will probably end up adding it to my list of recommendation when equipped with the Ballistic reticle. PRB reticle is not my thing as I described above.

ILya
 
Thanks Ilya for the insight on optical quality.

I've been looking to pick up another scope (PRS capable) that would deliver a little better optical quality then a Razor G2.
This looks like it may fit the bill well.
I'll take another look at the ballistic reticle before making a decision.
I don't have any real experience behind tree type reticle's so the PRB has some appeal to me at least from a simplicity stand point.
 
As I work on a proper review, here are some comments on the optics and mechanics.

The mechanical design is clearly related to the LOW made scopes like the 4.5-30x56 Delta Stryker and my best guess is that LOW makes a good number of mechanical parts for Leica.

I pressed Leica folks quite a bit on this to get the full story and they are saying that optical design is theirs, assembly is done by them in Germany and a good number of mechanics are sourced from Japan. That correlates to what I see, so I am inclined to believe that they simply took existing and proven to be reliable chassis from LOW, re-designed the optics and tweaked the turrets and some other mechanics. That is a pretty good way to get Leica optics to the market with a somewhat reasonable price tag.

Optical design clearly looks different with better FOV, depth of field and contrast than the native LOW design. I have a Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56 here that I like a lot, but side-by-side Leica is better optically. They eyepiece is definitely substantially different and I think it goes well beyond that.

Optomechanically, I like the scope quite a bit, so I will probably end up adding it to my list of recommendation when equipped with the Ballistic reticle. PRB reticle is not my thing as I described above.

ILya

Do you believe the optical quality is on par with Minox ZP5?
 
Do you believe the optical quality is on par with Minox ZP5?

Hard to say. Tangent is better than the Leica PRS, Kahles K525i is worse. I think optically it is in the same general ballpark as ATACR and Mark 5 although with a somewhat unique character.

It is very competitive in the under $3k market and more compact than most other options. I do not have Minox on hand to compare it with, but if I were to make a guess, I'd say ZP5 is a touch better in terms of optics.

ILya
 
Hard to say. Tangent is better than the Leica PRS, Kahles K525i is worse. I think optically it is in the same general ballpark as ATACR and Mark 5 although with a somewhat unique character.

It is very competitive in the under $3k market and more compact than most other options. I do not have Minox on hand to compare it with, but if I were to make a guess, I'd say ZP5 is a touch better in terms of optics.

ILya
thank you
 
Thanks for the review, just ordered from doug but with the simple L-4A reticle.
Mile High is getting my AI AX 6mm Creedmoor ready to ship and I will have him throw in a Spuhr mount.
Doug has given me good price on S&B when he was a Dealer and Leica M-E rangefinder last year.
Wish he was a March Dealer.
-Richard
 
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As soon as March has solid infrastructure in the USA so we can handle any issues that may arise in a quick efficient manner we will solidify our agreement with March and will be a stocking dealer
 
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I've not posted anything on this scope since I'm not as knowledgeable or experienced as most others on the Hide. I was hoping that ILya would have his review posted by now. But since there are a few members asking questions, I decided to put my foot in it... I've had the scope for just over 1 week.

I have the Leica PRS 5-30x56i with the Ballistic Reticle. Purchased the scope from @gr8fuldoug at Camera Land NY. Great to work with, free shipping and no sales tax for Texas... Bought the Spuhr mount from @Mile High Shooting, also very helpful, great to work with and free shipping. They checked to make sure that there were no know issues when using the Spuhr 4602 and the Leica PRS prior to taking the order.

The scope is mounted on a LMT MWS AR, 24" barrel, 6.5 Creedmoor, Spuhr 6 Mil mount. It's not the PRB reticle that most are interested in.

Leica PRS Ballistic reticle.
View attachment 7313851

If you have questions that are not addressed below, please let me know.

I'm no expert and have only used this scope and a Steiner T5Xi 5-25 SCR. So I don't have a lot to compare it to. The Steiner with the SCR reticle is very similar to the Ballistic reticle on the Leica.

One of the things I noticed was the width of the subtensions on center cross hair of the Leica is 0.04 Mils. Whereas the subtensions on center cross hair of the Steiner is 0.03 Mils. I prefer the thinner subtensions on the Steiner. It's not much thiner but can be noticed at maximum magnification.

Although subjective and with little to compare it to, the clarity of the glass on the Leica is very good. Colors are realistic and image is bright. I did not notice any CA. I've only been on the range in the midday sun, few clouds. The clarity and CA on the Leica PRS is better than that on my Steiner T5Xi.

We really need to hear what ILya has to say about this...

The turrets are solid and the detents are crisp/tactile, no mush or play. The magnification adjustment is smooth with good tension. Same goes for the parallax and illumination rings. All markings are clear and legible.

Setting zero on the elevation turret is toolless and easy. Simply flip up what Leica calls the locking toggle, turn counter clockwise to unscrew and pull out the locking toggle from the turret. The elevation turret can then be pulled off. Reposition the elevation turret, to 0, and press down to engage the turret. Then replace the locking toggle and turn clockwise to tighten. The zero on the windage turret is set using the same method.

Below is an image of the locking toggles flipped up.
View attachment 7313835

Elevation locking toggle removed.
View attachment 7313836

Elevation turret removed.
View attachment 7313837

Setting the zero stop is very easy and quick but does require the use of the supplied allen wrench. You can see the zero stop in the image above. It's on the upper brass piece.

Below is an image of from the Leica manual on setting the zero stop.
View attachment 7313838


The allen wrench is hidden under the windage locking toggle. Below is an image of the windage turret with the locking toggle removed to expose the allen wrench.
View attachment 7313839


Below are 2 pictures of the elevation locking toggle, removed.
View attachment 7313841

View attachment 7313842


Parallax was easy to set. The parallax ring only has numbers at 20 yards and 100, marks of varying width and length at other locations on the ring. When zeroing the scope at 100, the parallax ring matched up well. Adjusting the parallax at distances between 200 - 700 yards was not difficult.
View attachment 7313843

Illumination is good, but only just barely noticeable in bright midday Texas sun. The illumination ring can be turned fully in either direction, no stops, but detents for each on/off setting. There is an off setting between each of the brightness settings.

The diopter was very quick and easy to set. My eyes are old and I need reading glasses, so I had to dial a little positive on the diopter. The diopter does not have a locking ring.
View attachment 7313844


The Leica PRS 5-30x56i has a total of 32 Mils of elevation. After zeroing the scope for my rifle, LMT MWS 24" barrel 6.5 Creedmoor, with a 6 Mil Spuhr mount, I had 19.5 Mils of elevation to work with.

The elevation rotation indicator is an interesting design. As you rotate the elevation knob, the rotation indicator moves up and down, revealing the number of rotations. Below are 3 images.

Rotation indicator at zero elevation, for my rifle. Note that it is not flush with the top of the turret and the number 1 is exposed. This is due to the zero for my rifle being 12.5 Mils above the lowest possible elevation setting.
View attachment 7313845


Rotation indicator at beginning of the 2nd rotation, 10 Mils of elevation.
View attachment 7313846


Rotation indicator at 19.5 Mils of elevation. Maximum elevation for my rifle.
View attachment 7313847


Here's some technical data from Leica. It also come with lens caps, not listed below...

Battery is a Lithium 2032 coin cell.

View attachment 7313848

View attachment 7313849


I've been at the range 2 different times with this scope. Once to zero the scope at 100 yards and shoot at 200 yards. Another time to shoot from 200 - 700 yards.

I have not performed a tall target test/tracking test.

The scope was very easy to bore site at 25 yards and zero at 100 yards. The corrections that I needed to make were measured with the reticle and the amount of correction dialed on the turrets matched.

Here's one of the pictures I took while zeroing the rifle at 100 yards. Ammo used was Hornady American Gunner 140gr BTHP. LMT MWS 24" barrel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6 Mil Spuhr mount.
View attachment 7313850


At 200 yards, I dialed the amount of elevation indicated in the Hornady 4DOF ballistic app and made first round impact on a 3" steel target. I switched to a 2" steel target with frist round impact and then to a 1" steel target, all at 200 yards. I was able to hit the 1" target 1/2 of the time. I lost my 2" steel target after the rubber conveyer strap that it was hanging from broke.

When shooting from 200 - 700 yards, 8 MOA targets at 100 yard intervals, I was able make 1st round impacts on the targets when dialing the elevation indicated in the 4DOF app. Return to zero worked correctly. I did not have to dial any windage since the wind was at 12:00. That said, 8 MOA targets are pretty big...

I hope that this answer some of the questions that members may have about the Leica PRS 5-30x56i Ballistic Reticle.
Tono, fantastic job, I’ll be happy to read your reviews anytime. Very concise with pics to match. I love that Leica puts the hex wrench in the turret, the new Kahles offers the same. I’ve gone to the range before and have misplaced my Allen’s and can’t adjust anything - royal pain so I appreciate the attention to detail in these areas. Scope looks promising. I used to have an MWS with 20” barrel that I thought was long, your 24” must double as a pole vault 😆
 
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This is the first time I’ve seen this thread and anything about this scope. So yes, I live under a rock.

I would like to see this scope for myself side-by-side with the ATACR 7-35.
 
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Ok, I am looking for a new scope for nrl22. I'm torn between this and the zc527. Both have the adjustment and close focus I want and I don't hate the prb reticle but I do like the Zc527 mpct2 option better. Is the zc527 worth the extra 1k? Is it that much better? Especially now with the deal with a free spuhr mount I am really torn.
 
Go ZCO if you have the coin, you know you'll always wonder... I would! ZCO is a class above this scope.

I'm gonna wait on the Leica to mix the best of both their PRB and ballistic reticles. I really like the rest of the scope design, but I can't jump on these reticle designs. Really like the tooless zero shift turrets.

To me, the center circle in the PRB seems to wash out below 18x where I shoot most, at least in Ilya's video, and the Ballistic reticle is missing .2 mil elevation marks I want, and a tree, and center dot.
Good problems to mull over while riding out a pandemic in the first world.
But Leica, if you're listening, please nix that .01 thin line .1 diameter center hole and drop a .04 or .03 Dot in there, then unify all that schizo x + • stuff in the tree, then we're G2G! I really like the basic windage and elevation marks on the PRB otherwise.

Screams one customer into the void...
 
I guess my comment did sound a little presumptuous and could be misconstrued that Japanese optics were inferior to German, my point was that Leica is a German optics company and I'd like to see this scope stay with the company's tradition.

Leica is no more a German company than Honda is a Japanese company. Both are multinationals more than able to design and manufacture product to their respective highest standards anywhere they choose in the world.

Honda's most expensive car ever was designed mostly in the USA and is made exclusively in Marysville, Ohio for sale around the world. Definitely not within its "tradition".
 
Leica is no more a German company than Honda is a Japanese company. Both are multinationals more than able to design and manufacture product to their respective highest standards anywhere they choose in the world.

Honda's most expensive car ever was designed mostly in the USA and is made exclusively in Marysville, Ohio for sale around the world. Definitely not within its "tradition".
Already discussed on previous pages. I'm more of a nationalist than some but understand that many companies outsource to other countries while maintaining quality control. Seeing a Vortex AMG with "made in Antarctica" stamped on it may say nothing about the quality of the product, but would just rub me the wrong way, a big part of the appeal of the AMG line is that it is "Made in the USA".
 
Already discussed on previous pages. I'm more of a nationalist than some but understand that many companies outsource to other countries while maintaining quality control.

You don't get it. You don't get it at all.

Honda isn't outsourcing its vehicle manufacturing when it builds them somewhere outside of Japan. Honda is Honda, there, here, and everywhere. Same company, same training, same standards, same systems, same everything. Leica is the same way, and so are a shitload more companies.

Manufacturing is what I do for a living and that includes five years working alongside Honda as a supplier. You're not going to teach me anything about this.
 
You don't get it. You don't get it at all.

Honda isn't outsourcing its vehicle manufacturing when it builds them somewhere outside of Japan. Honda is Honda, there, here, and everywhere. Same company, same training, same standards, same systems, same everything. Leica is the same way, and so are a shitload more companies.

Manufacturing is what I do for a living and that includes five years working alongside Honda as a supplier. You're not going to teach me anything about this.
Sorry? Where did I ever tell you I wanted to "teach you" about anything? But I would disagree with you when you say the same "everything" because it is not the same people, meaning the people from the country where the product is made benefit. The reason I like Vortex and AMG is because it is Made here in the USA, which means US citizens were used in the manufacture and production of the product, it also means they sourced products here in the USA which means other USA business benefit from them and more US citizens benefit as a result. Using your scenario above, you're saying I shouldn't have any problem if Vortex builds an AMG plant in Timbuktu because it's still Vortex, here, there and everywhere, same company, same... and so forth, but the fact is they are employing people outside the United States to do so. I told you, I am somewhat of a nationalist, more so than I am a globalist and I like to see companies benefit their own communities/countries. Leica is traditionally a "German" company, so what I meant is it would be nice to see them keep it within their borders and have their own people working on the product. This is not a popular opinion in today's "global" economy and sometimes simply cannot be done and I understand that. I also own plenty of products that were made elsewhere, but am I not allowed to appreciate it when a company chooses to benefit their own community/country when they manufacture a product, like Vortex did with the AMG?
 
a little offtopic: it is not only about "nationality" factor, but people´s mind and work habit. If the exact one scope will be made in Japan, Germany / Austria or US, I have no problem to buy it, while being made in ******* (you can fill some countries from Eastern Europe or Asia for example), I would not ever buy them. Why? Because I know they do not do the work in the same quality and precision as western countries mentioned above. One example: HK MP5 and G3 made by Heckler Koch in DE vs. the same guns (made on the same tooling machines - loaned by HK) made by MKE or POF, do you think will give you the same quality? Hell no. Just my POV.
 
Leica loves the little read Dot!
It’s great advertising for them.
Leica fans, not so much.
This Leica M-E Digital in anthracite was 1 of 750 recently made and all sold out quickly.
Scope is the PRS with L4-a reticle.
Usually Leica introduces a camera with the Red dot and then later comes out with another model with either the Dot in black or no Dot.
We shall see!
FYI, pic taken with iPhone 11 Pro which I use more and more.
Leica M-E does not have 4K video which the Pro has.
 

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Awaiting delivery of AI AX 6mm Creedmoor next week to mount.
Other than that, typical Leica quality, matches my bionocs and 82mm spotting scope.
Post when mounted and shot.
 
How does it compare with zco?

In absolute terms, I think ZCO is a better scope. How they compare in terms of value for the money is hard to say.
In the time it was here, the Leica really grew on my, other than the reticle. The more I used the scope the less I liked the reticle. I sent it back to Leica, but I will re-visit a model with the Ballistic reticle in a month or two.

Optically, the scope was very good and while it will not make me sell my Tangents, it is going to compete well with pretty much everything this side of TT, ZCO, Minox and S&B. For $2700, I think it is very good and the fairly compact overall size is also a good thing.

The one I had tracked well. I'll check tracking again on the other one I will be looking at and I'll keep tabs on how these do as more of them get out.

I think Leica needs a more conventional tree reticle in addition to the Ballistic reticle. Maybe, I'll sketch one out for them if they are open to suggestions. It will be very interesting to see how the PRS reticle does for them. I despise it, but I also despise Horus designs and they do well, so I could simply be wrong about this one.

ILya
 
In absolute terms, I think ZCO is a better scope. How they compare in terms of value for the money is hard to say.
In the time it was here, the Leica really grew on my, other than the reticle. The more I used the scope the less I liked the reticle. I sent it back to Leica, but I will re-visit a model with the Ballistic reticle in a month or two.

Optically, the scope was very good and while it will not make me sell my Tangents, it is going to compete well with pretty much everything this side of TT, ZCO, Minox and S&B. For $2700, I think it is very good and the fairly compact overall size is also a good thing.

The one I had tracked well. I'll check tracking again on the other one I will be looking at and I'll keep tabs on how these do as more of them get out.

I think Leica needs a more conventional tree reticle in addition to the Ballistic reticle. Maybe, I'll sketch one out for them if they are open to suggestions. It will be very interesting to see how the PRS reticle does for them. I despise it, but I also despise Horus designs and they do well, so I could simply be wrong about this one.

ILya
You will create a better design than the PRB, not sure what Cal was thinking but that is just messy.