TimeOut

Last year I posted my experience with a Leupold VX-R Patrol Firedot (  http://timeout.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-686/pi-6334238/ti-919823/s-0/t-timeout-timeout-forum-poww8-leupold-vx-r-patrol-firedot-spr-and-ims-30mm-mount/  , it has been a great optic for what it is and what I need it to do on my 5.56.  Usually I don't shoot AR's that much but have been using my AR308's more.  Since I can go longer range with the 7.62/.308 I wanted an optic with a bit more magnification.

The VX-R Patrol is 1.5-4X and I thought for my needs it would be great to get a 1X.  I looked at some of the 6X's and 8X's but the 8X's that I liked didn't have a true 1X.  I'm a big fan of US Optics and Leupold but considered Nightforce and Schmidt & Bender.  The level of glass in the highend scopes is amazing, if you haven't looked through high quality optics you don't know what you are missing.  

Based on what I wanted my custom M-25 semi auto, I picked up one of these:

A Leupold Mark 6!

The Mark 6 is a 1-6X with an illuminated reticle (you can choose a TMR-D, CMR 556, or CMR7.62).  Since I'm shooting .308 I got the CMR7.62.  Let's get this box open and take a look at what we get:

Leupold sticker, warranty card, and a guide on using the different reticles:

A nice new Leupold!

The Mark 6 is a FFP (Front Focal Plane). Since the reticle is illuminated it uses a common CR2032 battery

It's the same one found in my VX-R so I have plenty of extras to place in the grip storage compartment.

One of the biggest things you notice is how small the overall length of the scope is, it's just 10.3 inches!  It's also lightweight the scope is only 17 ounces:

A nice even matte black anodized 34mm scope body.  The Tactical line of Leupolds have the blacked out rings

On the left is the illumination dial.  IMO it's a clever design.  Most knobs will be sequential rotating with an increasing brightness.  On the Mark 6, in between the intensity settings is an off setting.  This way you don't have to crank all the way to the desired intensity, it's quick and gets you on target faster.  Wish they do this on the scopes I have!

he windage and elevation knobs are low profile turrets (Zero-Lock) that are in mils.  The glass is Leupold's Diamond Coat 2, not as great as a Shmidt & Bender but's it's very clear.  The eye box is tight compared to a comparable US Optics scope but the Leupold is so much more compact and lightweight.  Now I've mentioned weight a few times, that's because the AR308 platform is one heavy weapon!  If you benchrest or shoot off a bipod regularly at the range then weight may not be that big of a deal.  If you do the 3-gun or run a class it really helps.  

For a mount, I went with a 34mm Leupold Mark 6 IMS.  I have angled back up iron sights so I didn't need a quick detachable mount.  If I went QD, I would've went with a Brobo or GDI.   The IMS 6 was solid and mounted it up quickly.  

Here's a shot to compare a VX-R Patrol to the Mark 6:

Included with the scope is a set of flip up covers made by Butler Creek.  Leupold produces the Alumina Flip Back lens covers but it's not offered in the Mark 6 size.  Hopefully they offer it in the near future but the plastic ones work fine.

The biggest bonus to the Leupold Mark 6 is the true 1X.  Many use a magnified optic and then mount a micro red dot for the close in targets.  With this scope you can turn on the illuminated reticle and since it's FFP it can act like a MRD.  For 3-gunners, you can add a Throw Lever for quickly transitioning to the longer range targets.  

IMO, for what it does, it does it better than anything out there right now.  At the 2015 SHOT Show, Leupold introduced the D-EVO and LCO but it hasn't been released yet.  Will that dethrone the Mark 6?  Not sure but until I get my D-EVO, the Mark 6 is my go to scope for my mid range semi auto .308's!

-MW

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