While we’ve featured a number of Leupold optics, today we’re taking an in-depth look at Leupold’s Mark 5HD 2-10×30.
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About the Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30
Our Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x has become one of our favorite scopes for long range precision. The Mark 5HD 2-10 is essentially the same scope, but with a more compact form-factor and lower magnification. This FFP optic has a 35mm tube.
While there are several variations, I opted for the model with the TMR reticle and 0.1 mil clicks. It has side focus, a zero lock/zero stop, pro-grade optical system, and weighs 24 ounces.
From 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 max out the performance of the latest long-range rifles and ammo.
What’s in the Box
This optic comes with flip open scope caps, a sunshade, a sticker, Allen wrench, button to replace the zoom lever if desired, and printed material.
Ultimate Reloader Optics Test Rig
We previously featured the Ultimate Reloader Optics Test Rig in our review of the Leupold VX 5HD 3-15×44.
This device was designed and built in house to measure actual optics performance using precision 100 yard targets (MIL, MOA) and camera positioning to sub -0.0005”. We can test tracking, zoom, parallax, and distortion, but do not currently have a way to capture optics image quality in a meaningful way.
To test tracking, we took the scope up, down, left and right 3.0 mil, noting where we landed on the target. Note that we didn’t start exactly on the center of the test target, so each photo is relative to the starting position. The scope tracked reliably and accurately.
Moving on to the magnification tests, we drew a rectangle the exact height of the target board at 2x magnification and compared this at each magnification.
While we tested at 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, and 10x, we pulled only a few screengrabs to show. On 6x magnification the target board is the height of three of the 2x size target boards stacked on top of another. At 10x, it is the height of five.
To test parallax, we start with the center of the scope scope and camera collinear. With the parallax set to the testing range (100 yards), we moved the scope left and right 0.050” to simulate varying head position.
We saw no shift, passing this test!
To test image distortion, we took one frame from the video and aligned it with a rectangle to see if there is any pincushion effect. All lines were parallel, indicating zero distortion.
Live Fire Testing
While we tested parallax at 100 yards on the optics test ring, it’s important to note I found the other distances marked on the side parallax to be quite accurate as well. I decided to mount this scope on our 308 Shorty build with Foundation Dominion Stock.
I decided to zero the gun at 50 yards with Hornady ammunition off a bench and moved to positional shooting at steel. I had zero issues seeing and engaging deer vital-sized targets offhand at 100 yards.
I also took the rifle to the Ridgeline to engage D-M targets from the Rock Chuck Olympics with a suppressor. With the short barrel and suppressor, this 2-10x felt right at home, definitely a step up from LPVO type scopes.
I also greatly appreciate the revolution counter. The button clicks into position at 0, is flush at one revolution, and retracts on the third rotation, so you can “feel” where your scope is at. The dials are also all incredibly legible and the zoom ring has a short lever that’s easy to operate.
Conclusion
The user interface on the Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30 is very familiar.
It is largely the same scope as its Mark 5HD 7-35x56mm counterpart. This scope passed all of our optics tests with flying colors and though time will tell, appears to have the same robust construction of other Leupold optics we’ve used and abused.
Get the Gear
Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10×30 – MSRP: $1,199
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Thanks,
Gavin Gear
