I've been trying out some of the Mark 4 models, since they're on sale. So far, I've given the 4-5-14x50, 6.5-20x50, and 8.5-25x50 models a go. Given the current prices, it was kinda hard to say no to 'em.

Yes, I know, the Mark 4 series is the "older" series. Well, my understanding is that they upgraded the glass on the newer-made Mark 4's. I can tell you the following from my recent experience with them.

The glass is nice. With the 8.5-25x50 set on max magnification (25x), I can see telephone poles at 200 yards clearly enough that if they had those metal plaques on them, I'd probably be able to read the writing on those plaques. This was at dusk. The exit pupil isn't the brightest at max magnification, of course, but that's true of any riflescope (physics and all). It is, though, enough that if you keep a decent cheek weld, you will have no trouble seeing the holes in the paper targets downrange. That's what I intended this riflescope for, paper punching at several hundred yards away, without having to walk all the way down the range to see how I did.

Naturally, the field of view is pretty narrow at 25x magnification, but again, that's laws of physics and common to all such riflescopes.

The 6.5-20x50 is likewise very clear, even at max magnification. This model also would be a good target riflescope. Like its higher-magnification sibling, the glass is pretty clear throughout the magnification range.

The 4.5-14x50 is what I would call the most utilitarian of the Mark 4's. The 14x magnification will get you out to banging steel at 1,000 yards, and the 4.5x setting is pretty good for deer hunting at closer ranges.

The tubes on all of the Mark 4's are 30mm. I'm using the EGW Keystone 30mm "Low" rings (0.850" height). This puts the objective lens right at about 2mm above the rifle's barrel, and that's with the included Butler Creek lens covers installed. Yep, they include lens covers, too.

The reticle is a 2nd focal plane. That means it's calibrated to be accurate at max magnification only. But reticles can be learned at shorter distances, too.

The knobs are, I believe, why these riflescopes are priced the way they are. See, Leupold made them with mil-dot reticles, but MOA knobs, because the US Army asked them to. Apparently the troops were accustomed to MOA elevation and windage knobs when these scopes were commissioned. Fortunately, the math is not at all hard to do in your head, and you get used to it pretty quickly, so for me, it's basically a non-issue. What I wanted was a well-built, made-in-USA, riflescope by a reputable company that honors its warranty. Leupold meets that.

Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone should get rid of their VX-1's, VX-2's, VX-Freedoms, VX-3's, Redfield Revolutions, and so on. I'm simply suggesting that if someone should desire a bit higher magnification, these Mark 4's are quite a good choice just on their merits, and they're a real bargain at present.

They just lowered the price of the 4.5-14x50 version down to $599. That's a deal for a scope like that.

My old and rugged Leupold still performs excellently. This seems a good price if you need a new scope.

CDF

They just got another discount. The 4.5-14x50 is now $499. The 8.5x25x50 is now $799. I've never seen them this discounted before.

Remember, these are the newer production versions that have the updated VX-3 (not "Vari-X III") glass.

OK, now the 8.5-25x50 is $699. The illuminated-reticle version is now $799. That's another $100 off.

The 4.5-14x50 remains at $499, with the illuminated reticle version at $599.

It's looking like Leupold and Midway really want to clear these out.