Leupold HAMR Multi-Range Scope
We all know the market is flooded with optics for the AR15 and similar rifles. However, this Leupold does stand out in the crowd for several reasons. I became interested in this optic when I ran into an acquaintance at the range who was running one on his AR.
When I first looked it over I was a bit skeptical of the whole idea of combining two scopes into one unit. After shooting his AR with the HAMR I changed my mind when I realized this was a very effective way of covering the distance from very close to several hundred yards out. With that said I wanted to review this scope for you.
Before getting into the actual use of the scope let me tell you this thing is built like a tank. The body of both the Delta Point (red dot) and lower optic (HAMR) are made from a sturdy aluminum alloy much like that used to manufacture AR’s. The screw on protective caps for windage and elevation adjustment are made of steel with sturdy cable connectors, which are covered in a tough, plastic. You can see from the photo how well they are crimped and attached to the scope. The unit is also capable of withstanding two atmosphere’s of pressure which means you can submerge the scope in water to a fair depth without damage. Rubber “O” rings seal the scope from debris, water etcetera.
In the same photo I mentioned above there is a control on the right side of the HAMR for adjusting the intensity of the “horseshoe” type center of the reticle. Unlike other scopes there is no need for a focus adjustment on the HAMR scope. The objects viewed are very clear regardless of distance to the target. The illumination control has seven intensity settings. One handy feature is the user isn’t required to turn the illumination adjustment back to zero to disable it. You simply turn the knob no more than a quarter of an inch until it rest between intensity numbers, which turns it off. To turn it back on just move it slightly to the previous setting used.
Specs:
Length (in)
5.5
Length (cm)
14.0
Mounting Space (in)
3.73
Mounting Space (cm)
9.47
Actual Magnification
4.0
FOV @ 100 yds (ft)
32.0
FOV @ 100 m (m)
10.6
Eye Relief (in)
2.71
Eye Relief (mm)
69.0
Exit Pupil (mm)
6.0
Obj. Clear Aperture
0.9 in / 24 mm
Weight
13.1 oz / 370 g
Weight with DeltaPoint
14.8 oz / 420 g
Elevation Adj. Range (MOA)
60
Windage Adj. Range (MOA)
60
5.5
Length (cm)
14.0
Mounting Space (in)
3.73
Mounting Space (cm)
9.47
Actual Magnification
4.0
FOV @ 100 yds (ft)
32.0
FOV @ 100 m (m)
10.6
Eye Relief (in)
2.71
Eye Relief (mm)
69.0
Exit Pupil (mm)
6.0
Obj. Clear Aperture
0.9 in / 24 mm
Weight
13.1 oz / 370 g
Weight with DeltaPoint
14.8 oz / 420 g
Elevation Adj. Range (MOA)
60
Windage Adj. Range (MOA)
60
The HAMR reticle shown below is zeroed at 100 yards and graduated out to 800 yards by using the hold over hash marks next to the etched 400,600 and 800 yard markers. The 1000 yard etched line has no number beside it for obvious reasons. You won’t be shooting a 5.56 out remotely that far.
It goes without saying the Leupold glass is very clear with plenty of light making the sight picture bright. The HAMR is generally for distances from approximately 100 yards and out. Magnification is fixed at 4X.
The Delta Point red dot mounted on top of the HAMR uses a 7.5 sized dot. Now this dot size tends to cover a good bit of the target so trying for very accurate shots at a small target is a bit problematic. Leupold does offer the Delta Point with a different reticle from the red dot using a smaller 3.5 aiming reference.
The laser itself is mounted in the body of the Delta and projects onto the rear of the glass. I’ve also included a photo showing a small adjustment screw on top of the body for vertical adjustment and another screw on the left side for windage. A set of hex wrenches is included in the package. Each scope has it’s own battery for illumination. They use the flat camera type batteries.
One feature of the Delta you won’t see anywhere else I’m aware of is an automatic on switch. When the rifle is moved the movement is detected and the Delta is activated. Laying the rifle down or otherwise not moving it the same switch turns the unit off to conserve battery life. There is no delay in activation whatsoever. By the time you move the rifle a small amount it’s on.
The HAMR and Delta Point can be purchased in several combinations. The type I’m reviewing as well as the other I mentioned with the 3.5 reference triangle. The HAMR can be purchased alone or with the Delta. I did check Gunbroker and Guns America for actual prices and found the unit I’m testing selling for between $1300 and $1500. The HAMR alone is running between $900 and $1100. These prices are considerably lower than the MSRP of right at $2000 for the reviewed scope.
My first range trip was getting used to this configuration and switching back and forth between the two. After an hour or so I found it very easy to make the transition. Of course both scopes had to be sighted in. I set the Delta Point at 50 yards, which is a good distance when you’re shooting between 10 and 100 yards. The HAMR was naturally sighted at the recommended 100 yards so accurate use of the etched reference points would be correct at longer distances.
My second range session was at distance using the HAMR alone. I fired strings from 100 yards back to the max distance available where I was shooting this time, which is 316 yards. Shooting from 100 yards it was very easy to shoot MOA groups using the military version Grip Pod as a bipod. I used our shooting bench at this distance.
Moving back to 200 yards I had no problem seeing the target clearly and shooting groups of around 3 inches with Hornady match 71 grain .223. These groups were fired prone again using the Grip Pod. Finally at 316 yards I was able to fire fairly quickly and still keep my shots within the lungs and upper chest of the anatomical targets I was using. Of course these groups are part rifle part scope part shooter but the rifle as well as the shooter can’t do the job effectively without decent glass to put rounds on target.
Conclusion:
Given the choice,in all likelihood, I would choose this leupold as my go to scope for the AR. As I said earlier it’s a sturdy build with premium glass, bright sight picture for use at dawn or dusk plus the built in illumination ability. This gives the user an effective scope for use in average daylight or low light conditions.Of course weather conditions aren’t a consideration.
The ability to shoot from very close with the red dot to the longer more precise targeting with the HAMR reticle covers any distance most of us would ever shoot from.
The HAMR is in use not only by civilians but is widely used in law enforcement and is an issued scope for various military units. By all subjective observations I found this scope to be a great choice and certainly worth consideration for use on an AR.