I am looking for a recommendation for a scope sub $2500 for a M1A/M14 build that is a heavy barrel in a McMillan M3A. This is a “precision M1A” but not a precision rifle in the sense commonly used unless I get luck with the tolerance stackups. I am looking for something European, US, or Japanese that fits the rifle and kind of use a semi-auto can have. I like good dials and good illumination and FFP. Hopefully a reticle and illumination combo that works on low magnification and high magnification. It should also be robust. When I started thinking about this more than a few years ago I was looking towards something like the Steiner M5xi 3-15, but the world has moved on since then both on quality and prices.
- Thread starter slowjunk
- Start date
I looked at that scope, but when I read on this sight I saw many negatives regarding durability on Leupold scopes. Thanks for the suggestion.
Tag TonyBen
LOL.......... You are reading in all the wrong places.
That M14 platform eats scopes for breakfast.
Why ? Because, for lack of a better term, that weapon puts a reverse recoil on a scope. Kind of like a forward slap then a backwards slap.
Scopes that are not designed to handle that rapid reverse will not last long.
Go talk to these guys: https://www.m14forum.com/forums/
I am running two of them on gas guns, 556 & 6.8 with zero issues
The Army likes Leupold scopes just fine and the leupold mark 4 was used on the DMR. If you can jump out of an airplane with it, it's fairly rugged. I have Leupold Mark 4's on 3 of my M1A's.
I had never heard about the M14 eating scopes. I had heard about the FN SCAR being a scope eating monster. The FN SCAR in 7.62 replaced the M14 on some places and having the scope eating reputation show up after the M14 says a lot.
Regarding “reading in the wrong places” about Leupold I have been reading here on Snipershide. Most every scope related thread that include a mention of Leupold gets some shade. There are even threads on this issue which is a shame. I think all these vendors are making stuff now we wished we had 10 or 15 years ago. It is great they can keep making progress.
Rifle Scopes - whats wrong with leupold?
is it just me or does leupold have a bad rep around here? i know theyre a leader in hunting optics and ive heard they were slow to get on the ball with tactical stuff, but does that make their products bad? do the scopes not hold up to abuse? for the price point, are there better options out...
www.snipershide.com 
When you charge so much extra for illumination that doesn't rub the right way. When some of theirs are so expensive for what they are ( I think the mk8's) that's not good as well. They also made mismatched reticle and turrets once upon a time. I have one of those from when I didn't know better.I had never heard about the M14 eating scopes. I had heard about the FN SCAR being a scope eating monster. The FN SCAR in 7.62 replaced the M14 on some places and having the scope eating reputation show up after the M14 says a lot.
Regarding “reading in the wrong places” about Leupold I have been reading here on Snipershide. Most every scope related thread that include a mention of Leupold gets some shade. There are even threads on this issue which is a shame. I think all these vendors are making stuff now we wished we had 10 or 15 years ago. It is great they can keep making progress.
Rifle Scopes - whats wrong with leupold?
is it just me or does leupold have a bad rep around here? i know theyre a leader in hunting optics and ive heard they were slow to get on the ball with tactical stuff, but does that make their products bad? do the scopes not hold up to abuse? for the price point, are there better options out...
All that said Lowlight has said that the mk5 is a pretty good scope.
I read the review by Glassaholic about the Leupold Mark 5HD and it was very positive. It looks like a good scope. Another option that came up was a Burris XTRIII illuminated which I was told was very good and eve cheaper than the Leupold. The other contender seems to be the Nightforce 4-16x42 which had great reviews of the glass and the turrets.
Keep a few things in perspective.. The M14 platform is a "Battle Rifle". It has been used as a Sniper's Weapon in the past.
Attempt to match a Battle Optic to a Battle Rifle and a Sniper's Optic to a Sniper's Weapon.
Do some reading about Randy Shughart shooting an M14 with a broken stock after surviving a helicopter crash.
en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Attempt to match a Battle Optic to a Battle Rifle and a Sniper's Optic to a Sniper's Weapon.
Do some reading about Randy Shughart shooting an M14 with a broken stock after surviving a helicopter crash.
Randy Shughart - Wikipedia
M14 rifle - Wikipedia
Last edited:
Also be aware that the brass likely will hit your windage turret, and it will start to destroy it. That's why i have a Leupold HD 3 15 on mine now. They come with good turret covers, and it doesn't stick out that far. No more problems.
Not alot of love for Leupold on the hide. Alot i get expensive for illumination, don't like reticle choices, but durability not a problem in my experience.
I had an swfa 6x and then Leupold m3 with basset low mount. Both times brass would beat the shit out of windage turret and knock it loose after awhile.
Mark 5.... Site says Mark 6 is discontinued.
The 5 goes well with the 14 platform.
But again, what's the mission ?
Mark 5HD Rifle Scope | Leupold
Leupold's Mark 5HD riflescope delivers superior edge-to-edge clarity and extreme low-light performance, while the versatility of its multiple reticle options will give you an advantage at the range or in the field. With three revolutions of elevation adjustment, the Mark 5HD scope was built to...
www.leupold.com This old Mk4 2.5x8x36 has plenty of miles on my M1A and hasn't failed yet . I think A lot of the beating a scope apart is nothing but old wife's tale's or eBay optic's
True
www.leupold.com
True... That has been a issue for several years.
Counterfeit Warning
We’ve been making world-class optics that bear our family name for over 100 years. We honor that legacy every day as we design, machine and assemble…
www.leupold.com Excellent choice BTW.
I recall seeing an open box DEMO for $250 cheaper also at Cameraland.
$2249.99 plus shipping - guessing plus tax only if you live in NY.
"Nightforce Optics ATACR 4-16x42mm F1 - ZeroHold - .1 Mil-Radian - DigIllum - PTL - Mil-R ( OPEN BOX ) - Camera Land NY" https://cameralandny.com/shop/nightforce-optics-atacr-4-16x42mm-f1-zerohold-1-mil-radian-digillum-ptl-mil-r-open-box/1adfbcd0-48d6-013c-b162-00163ecd2826?variation=3575911&query=ATACR open bix
Here's a little cheaper and free shipping capped windage - if you prefer an Xmas tree reticle type reticle instead and Cameraland is out of stock on this particular model anyways. $2199.99 free shipping - they may or may not eat the tax though.
"Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42mm F1 Riflescope ZeroHold .1 Mil-Radian Capped Windage DigIllum 12 Mil PTL Mil-XT Like New Demo C615 For Sale | SHIPS FREE - EuroOptic.com" https://www.eurooptic.com/Nightforce-ATACR-4-16x42mm-F1-Riflescope-ZeroHold-Like-New-Demo-C615.aspx
IMHO DEMO or OPEN BOX or PRE-OWNED models shouldn't even have taxes added on to them since they aren't brand spanking new.
Last edited:
Nice picture. I certainly assume the statements about these scopes nocking themselves apart is not really any issue.
