Rifleman Review: Leupold Patrol 6HD 1-6X 24 mm Riflescope

These days, the low power variable optic (LPVO) has become a hugely popular option for enthusiasts looking to maintain rapid target acquisition while extending the effective usable range of their platform. Of these LPVOs, one of the stand-out magnification ranges is 1-6X, and Leupold developed its Patrol 6HD with select features designed to enhance the versatility of this general-purpose optic. Watch our "American Rifleman Television" Rifleman Review segment above to see the details of this Patrol 6HD.

The Leupold Patrol 6HD is built on a 30 mm main tube and measures just over 11.5" long and weighs 16 ozs. The scope is outfitted with Leupold's CDS-ZL2 system, indicating that the company's Custom Dial System is included, and it incorporates Leupold's Zero Lock mechanism. On the Patrol 6HD, the turret can make two full revolutions, hence its ZL2 designation.

"Here's where the Leupold Patrol 6HD CDS ZL2 gets interesting," said American Rifleman Editor in Chief Brian Sheetz. "This, of course, is the elevation turret. So here's the dial, and I can move it around to different settings. I'm getting a tactile input there from where it's indexing on various mechanical settings on the dial. When I rotate it back around to here, you'll see that when I get to the zero, the lock pops out. Now it's locked. So the way that's indexed to your particular setting, this is beyond the Custom Dial aspect of it, is that there are three Allen screws, very small Allen screws, that are in the top portion of this dial. And what you do is you can loosen those, take the dial off, reset the zero and then put the dial back on."

Leupold offers its Patrol 6HD riflescope with two reticle options, the FireDot Duplex illuminated reticle and the CM-R2 illuminated reticle.

"This particular model of the Patrol 6HD has what Leupold calls the CM-R2 reticle in it, which consists of essentially a crescent with a dot in the center of it," Sheetz said. "That's the main aiming point, and that's the point that's illuminated by this illuminated system. If I'm shooting with the scope, it's on the rifle, I set the rifle down. After five minutes, the scope reticle illumination turns itself off. Now, once you reach for the gun again, pick it up, by the time you get that gun up to your eye, you're probably going to find that the reticle is back to the setting that you left it on."

Additional features found in the Patrol 6HD include Leupold's Guard-ion hydrophobic lens coating designed to shed dirt and water, as well as high-definition calcium-fluoride lenses. The optic also comes equipped with Leuopld's electronic reticle level, which will flash when the scope isn't level, ensuring accurate adjustments at longer distances. Also included is a removable throw lever.

"When you think about how much quicker a riflescope with moderate magnification can be, and yet enough magnification that it can allow you to reach out somewhat, something like the Leupold Patrol 6 HD really is a good bet," Sheetz said. "And with Leupold, you're getting a good, American-made product with a good warranty."

Leupold Patrol 6HD 1-6X 24 mm Riflescope Specifications
Manufacturer: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
Magnification: 1-6X
Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
Reticle: SFP Illuminated CM-R2
Click Value: 1/4 m.o.a.
Field Of View: 19.2 to 120.9 ft. at 100 yards
Eye Relief: 3.7"-3.8"
Finish: matte black anodized
Weight: 16.2 ozs.
Features: Custom Dial System ZeroLock 2 (CDS ZL2); Motion Sensor Technology
Accessories: owner's manual, lens covers
MSRP: $1,600

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.