Leupold Mark 4 E/RT decision

[TRDFurgesson]

I'm trying to decide between these two for a new Savage 10 FCP-HS 308:

Leupold Mark 4 E/RT 6.5-20x 50mm FFP, M5 turrets, mil-dot reticle

or

Leupold Mark 4 E/RT 8.5-25x 50mm FFP, M5 turrets, mil-dot reticle

Which magnification should I get???

Thanks,
Bobby

[Hotolds442]

What will it be used for?

[TRDFurgesson]

Long range shooting out to 1200yds

[mespalin]

For that range I would opt for more magnification.

[TRDFurgesson]

For that range I would opt for more magnification.

More than 25x?

[mespalin]

I don't know about that, but between the two I would pick the 8-25. I have a vortex pst 6-24, and I use the 24 power quite a bit when out to 800+. Haven't shot over 1000 yet, but I sure like the additional power.

[TRDFurgesson]

Thanks

[1coolcat]

I can tell you I have a leapold mark 4 and a night force bench rest...if your shooting 1200yrds. Ditch the leapold mark 4 idea and save up your coin for a night force benchrest 32× or the 42× power..
I purchased the leapold first, but wanted the night force benchrest and couldn't afford it at the time. (Because I was inpatient and wanted it now). It might seem like alot of money to spend for a night force scope.. But when you shoulder the rifle you will have a smile on your face, instead of wrinkelsin your forehead.
Just my 2¢..

Oh I should add ..my eyes suck..I need a 20 power optic to shoot at 100 yrds accurately.. I like to see the bullet hole also..
I thought of getting lasics eye surgery just in my shooting eye..lol..how crazy is that for a gun nut..

[darkker]

This is pretty vague, so we need a lot more info.
I shoot to a mile with a 14X and a 15X scope, with them I can hold shots on a 55-gal drum lid. Is that tight enough for you? Are your eyes bad? Does CA cause you issues? Can you read mirage? Will you be using it for anything else?
8.5 is pretty useless for any form of quick hunting under about 200 yards, is that an issue?

I personally don't like how NF shows heat worse than many scopes, a Weaver I have shows a fair amount of CA, but it isn't a hinderance to me. Whether or not it will be to you, well that's up to you.
Most NF and typically those Leupy's don't have a lot of adjustment, so for the price paid they are a bit of a dissapointment to me. What you are shooting will play a big part in whether or not you need some form of canted rail.