Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35×56 Riflescope – A Technical Review
I’ve spent over 20 years in the optics business, and I evaluate every scope with a critical eye—especially ones marketed for precision. Recently, I took a close look at the Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35×56 PR2-MIL, and although I haven’t put it behind a rifle yet, my hands-on time with it told me a lot. From the moment I started inspecting it, I could tell this scope wasn’t just another high-magnification optic—it’s a serious contender in the world of precision rifles.
Rugged, Lightweight Design
The first thing I noticed was the size. With a massive 56mm objective lens and a 35mm main tube, this scope looks like it means business. But despite the robust dimensions, it’s surprisingly lightweight for its class. Furthermore, the finish is rugged and low-glare, with no rough edges or weak points. The knurling on the turrets and magnification ring feels intentional and refined. The Leupold Mark 5HD Scope is clearly designed to balance performance and portability—an ideal combination for long-range shooters and competitive marksmen.
The Leupold Mark 5HD scope also includes a sunshade, flip-up lens caps, and an integrated throw lever. The ergonomics feel refined, and everything on the scope moves with deliberate resistance. No rough edges. No unnecessary bulk. It’s the kind of optic you immediately associate with high-end performance.
Optical Performance
While I couldn’t test the glass in the field, I did get a chance to look through it in various lighting conditions outdoors and at distant objects. Even without optimal lighting or a rifle-mounted setup, the clarity was immediately noticeable. The image was crisp, bright, and free of distortion edge to edge. Colors looked true, and there was little to no color fringing visible at the edges. The Professional Grade Optical System and High Definition Lenses do their job. Objects remained bright and the resolution is outstanding even in faded light or harsh, direct light.
At full 35x magnification, clarity holds up remarkably well. There’s no major chromatic aberration or distortion, and glare is very well controlled. The field of view is naturally narrow at max zoom, only 3 feet at 100 yards, but not unusually so for a scope in this magnification class.
Precision Turret System
As I moved on to the turret system, I found another area where the Mark 5HD excels. The M5C3 elevation turret offers 0.1 mil clicks that feel tactile and precise. Better yet, the ZeroLock system locks your zero firmly in place, even if you bump the dial during movement or transitions.
What makes this turret especially competitive is its 10.5 mils per revolution, combined with a clean and intuitive revolution indicator. This design makes it easy to keep track of your elevation setting—without guesswork or second-guessing. For windage, Leupold includes a capped turret, which I personally prefer since I would use the reticle for wind instead of the turret.
Parallax and Magnification
The 7-35x magnification range offers versatility for precision matches. I could easily scan with 7x and zoom in on distant targets for fine details. The integrated throw lever on the magnification ring speeds up transitions—ideal for stages with variable target distances.
The side parallax knob is smooth and easy to adjust. It goes from 50 yards to infinity, which is fine for most long-range applications, though it might limit very close-in work for those who bench shoot at short ranges.
Reticle Options
This particular model includes the PR2-MIL reticle, which was developed specifically for long-range and competition use. It strikes an ideal balance between detail and simplicity. The floating center dot and 0.25 mil hash marks provide precision without cluttering the field of view. Additionally, the tree structure below center makes holding for elevation and wind feel intuitive.
I found the reticle layout intuitive and precise. It gives you the tools to make accurate wind calls and elevation holds without being visually overwhelming. For PRS or NRL matches, it’s a top-tier option.
Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35×56 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional Glass Clarity – Bright, edge-to-edge sharpness with minimal distortion.
- Robust Construction – Built to handle recoil, weather, and rough field conditions
- Turret System – Audible click adjustments with ZeroLock.
- Smooth Controls – Integrated throw lever, tactile parallax knob, and ergonomic design make it easy to operate mid-stage.
- Close Focus – Can focus down to 50 yards.
Cons
- Narrow Eye Box at High Magnification – At high magnification, proper eye alignment becomes critical
- Small field of view – Typical for high magnification scopes, but something to be aware of.
- Price – Plan on spending some money.
Final Thoughts
Even without mounting this scope, it’s clear the Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35×56 is built for serious shooters. The glass is excellent, the turret system is among the best I’ve handled, and the overall design reflects feedback from competitive marksmen.
For anyone in the long-range game looking for a high-performance optic that delivers without weighing you down, the Mark 5HD is a standout choice. I wouldn’t hesitate to run this in a match—and I fully expect it to perform under pressure.
Specifications
| Adjustable Parallax | Side Focus |
|---|---|
| BDC Dial Included | No |
| Custom Dial System (CDS) | No |
| Length (in) | 15.7 |
| Elevation Adjustment Type | M5C3 |
| Electronic Reticle Level | No |
| Illuminated Reticle | No |
| Locking Dial | Yes |
| Magnification Type | Variable |
| Motion Sensor Technology (MST) | No |
| Nightvision Compatible Illumination | No |
| Reticle Focal Plane | First Focal Plane |
| Revolution Indicator | Yes |
| Reticle | FFP PR2-MIL |
| Rezero Type | Set Screw |
| Reticle Type | First Focal Plane |
| Adjustable Objective | No |
| Windage Adjustment Type | Capped |
| Weight (oz) | 30 |
| Elevation Adjustment Value per Click | 0.1Mil |
| Elevation Adjustment Range (MOA) | 100 |
| Elevation Adjustment Range (MIL) | 29 |
| Elevation Adjustment Range (cm @ 100m) | 291 |
| Elevation Adjustment Per Revolution | 10.5 MIL |
| Elevation Dial Travel Limit | 30MIL |
| Windage Adjustment Value per Click | 0.1Mil |
| Windage Adjustment Range (MOA) | 50 |
| Windage Adjustment Range (MIL) | 17 |
| Windage Adjustment Range (cm @ 100m) | 175 |
| Windage Adjustment Per Revolution | 10 MIL |
| Magnification Max | 35 |
| Magnification Min | 7 |
| Objective Lens Diameter (mm) | 56 |
| Linear FOV Low Mag (ft@100yds) | 14.7 |
| Linear FOV High Mag (ft@100yds) | 3 |
| Angular FOV Low Mag (Degrees) | 3.9 |
| Angular FOV High Mag (Degrees) | .8 |
| Eye Relief Low Mag (in) | 3.6 |
| Eye Relief High Mag (in) | 3.8 |
| Minimum Parallax-Free Distance (yd) | 50 |
Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35×56 Scope options
- Sku 174549 – M1C3, TMOA Plus, Matte (SFP)
- Sku 176124 – M5C3, Illuminated TMR, Matte (FFP)
- Sku 176594 – M5C3, TMR, Matte (FFP)
- Sku 177332 – M5C3, Tremor3, Matte (FFP)
- Sku 177333 – M5C3, Illuminated Tremor3, Matte (FFP)
- Sku 180223 – M5C3, PR2-MIL, Matte (FFP)
- Sku 180292 – M1C3, PR2-MOA, Matte (FFP)
- Sku 185073 – M5C3, PR2-MIL, Flat Dark Earth (FFP)
- Sku 185074 – M5C3, Tremor3, Flat Dark Earth (FFP)
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