U.S. Army Chooses Leupold Mark 5HD for Sniper Use

by
posted on March 12, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ar-mark5hd_psr-small.jpg
The U.S. Army Precision Sniper Rifle program has selected the Leupold & Stevens Mark 5HD riflescope for its day optic. The scope will be issued on the USSOCOM selected MK22 Mod 0 based on the Barret Multi-Role Adaptive Design bolt-action, multi-caliber system chambered in 7.62 NATO, .300 Norma Mag., and .338 Norma Mag.  

Unlike the black color scheme available to civilian enthusiasts, the U.S. Army Mark 5HD 5-25x56 mm will come in a proprietary flat-dark-earth coating. It will also feature the Mil-Grid Reticle patented by that military branch.  

“The Mark 5HD has been built from the ground up to deliver the unparalleled performance that the men and women serving our country overseas require," said Sam Horstman, director of military sales for Leupold. “And, like all of our optics, the Mark 5HD has been strenuously tested for durability, and fully meets the extremely high standards that the military demands. Our Soldiers need their optics to perform, and we’re glad to be able to offer a solution that’s built to deliver on those expectations.”

The 5HD 5-25x56 mm weighs only 30 ozs., significantly lighter than many other riflescopes in its class. Overall length is 15.67". It’s adjustable for 120 MOA (34.9 mils) in elevation and 60 MOA (17.5 mils) in windage. It’s waterproof, fogproof and features Leupold’s single-turn CDS-ZL dial.

Three models of the Mark 5HD are available in milliradian and MOA configurations for civilian enthusiasts—a 3.6-18x44 mm, 5-25x56 mm and 7-35x56 mm. American Rifleman Assistant Editor David Herman got behind the latter in August 2019. “Durable and consistent, this is a scope for those looking to push the bounds of their rifle with the confidence that, should they miss, it’s not the optic that is letting them down,” he wrote.”

Leupold proudly provides its optics to the United States military, law-enforcement and government agencies across the country, and to the armed forces of many of our nation’s closest allies. No American optics company has held more U.S. military contracts than Leupold.

Latest

1884 Trapdoor Springfield 1
1884 Trapdoor Springfield 1

I Have This Old Gun: Model 1884 Trapdoor Springfield

The U.S. military's first official breechloading service rifle was the Trapdoor Springfield, and of the line of guns that saw use throughout the late 19th century, one of the most refined was the Model 1884 Trapdoor.

A Retro Python: The Pietta Blacktooth Revolver

As the company did with the original Colt Single Action Army, Pietta sought to reproduce the Colt Python as closely to the original as possible with its new Blacktooth revolver.

Questions & Answers: Cylinder Swaps

I am a huge fan of anything .45-caliber, especially single-action revolvers. I have five Ruger Blackhawk revolvers in different barrel lengths, all chambered in .45 Colt, two of which have extra cylinders chambered in .45 ACP.

American Rifleman’s Editor Explains How This Historic Title is Staying Relevant

As the new editor in chief of American Rifleman—and former editor in chief of Shooting Illustrated—Ed Friedman has the critical and challenging task of bringing this storied title into the digital age.

Colt Gets $40 Million Contract for M4/M4A1 Carbines

Colt’s Manufacturing has been awarded a $40,863,564 firm-fixed-price contract with U.S. Army Contracting Command to produce M4/M4A1 carbines for sale to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Macedonia and Tunisia.

The Stenzel Industries SAK-21: A Uniquely American AK

More than an American-made AK, Stenzel Industries calls the SAK-21 “a modular, purpose-built firearm, developed to meet the demands of special operations forces and professional shooters.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.