Does scope weight make a difference

[Ray B]

Most of my hunting consists of walking to various locations then setting-up to glass. the result is that I wear a backpack and it has a assembly to hold the rifle, so I don't "carry" it. A pound or two this way or that makes little difference on the travel. the scope makes a big difference on the feel and handling. As such some of my favorite scopes are the old Leupold Alaskan steel 7/8" tube 2.5, 4, & 6x fixed power scopes. they sit low over the action, not much higher than fixed iron sights and have no tendency to make the rifle top heavy. the bigger 30mm tubes with 50+mm objectives are saved for the big guns that are understudies to howitzers.

 

[Philip Glass]

I find scope weight on a heavy DG rifle to be irrelevant for the most part. Now on a lightweight mountain rifle like my Tikka I do pay attention to scope weight. I am contemplating buying the new Weatherby Capra and scope weight is going to be a big factor if I "pull the trigger" on that rifle deal.
As my eyes get worse I really want good glass and that creates a dilemma.

 

[Beck]

I find scope weight on a heavy DG rifle to be irrelevant for the most part. Now on a lightweight mountain rifle like my Tikka I do pay attention to scope weight. I am contemplating buying the new Weatherby Capra and scope weight is going to be a big factor if I "pull the trigger" on that rifle deal.
As my eyes get worse I really want good glass and that creates a dilemma.

Out of Curiosity which scope are you looking at for the mountain rifle build?

 

[HankBuck]

Recently carrying my rifle for long days I got to thinking about scope weight. The scope definitely places a weight on the rifle that makes it a bit more awkward to carry. I currently have a Kahles Helia 1-5x illuminated that is 16.76 oz. When I looked at comparable scope to try and reduce weight I found the Swarovski 1-6 illuminated is 16.4 oz and the Leica Fortis 1-6 is 19.2 oz (wow, really!)

I doubt that going to the Swarovski would make much of a change to the awkwardness the scope weight creates, but I wonder what difference people have found if they went to a lighter scope. Is half an oz worth the cost? To what degree does scope weight factor into your purchase decisions? Would you get the Leica despite its bulk?

It’s amazing how much easier it is to carry a rifle with no scope!

@Pheroze - I agree with you that scope “weight” is something I consider when mounting a scope on my rifles. I want to be near the “16 oz” weight or lower and also 40m objective or slightly smaller —- anything larger seems unnecessary to me and “clumsy” a top my sporting rifle. I know many disagree and see many 50m objectives and 20-25+oz scopes on hunting rifles and often there’s a big “Can” (suppressor) on the end of the barrel as well. I don’t care for that extra bulk but some don’t mind. I would say that exceptions might include a Varmint rifle where you’re gonna be sitting in one spot shooting Prairie Dogs all day or in a Box Blind waiting hours for a deer/bear etc.. to show up —also at long range, those set ups the weight & bulk don’t really matter. But for Hunting on-the-move (Elk, Moose, Africa) I prefer a trim & lighter set up (although big bore rifles in Africa are hardly “trim”).

 

[45-70guy]

Leupold vx3 2.5x8x36 11 ounces , plenty of scope and light as can be

 

[wesheltonj]

Backpack type of sling, a couple of ounces is nothing.

 

[Muskox]

Here are my scope choices.

NX8 1-8x24 F1 17.3 oz, I'd use this on a 458 bolt rifle with the FC Mil reticle. I might consider this on a 416, but not if it was my only rifle.

NX8 - 1-8x24mm F1

Nightforce NX8 1-8x24mm F1 riflescope combines compact size, true 1x speed, and 8x reach for carbines and lightweight hunting rifles.

www.nightforceoptics.com

NX6 2-12x42 F1. I would use this on my plains game rifle, or my only rifle up to 375. Maybe 416 if you really liked it.

NX6 2-12x42mm F1

Nightforce NX6™ 2-12x42mm F1 pairs a compact 12.5”, 23 oz design with precise first focal plane performance for lightweight hunting and special-purpose rifles. Featuring the new FC-MRx™ 20 MRAD (64 MOA) grid reticle, Digillum™ illumination for fast low-light target acquisition, and the FieldSet™...

www.nightforceoptics.com

NXS 2.5-10x42mm I would use this on a 416

NXS - 2.5-10x42mm

Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42mm riflescope with 100 MOA or 29 MRAD of elevation and ZeroStop for versatile field and precision use.

www.nightforceoptics.com

Weighs 20. oz

 

[steve white]

I often see larger bell scopes on AR types than traditional rifles.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Yep! Like this AR-10 employed in point blank to 1000 yard 3Gun Matches!!

 

[coreydb]

Several ounces difference between scopes isn't worth the consideration. Best thing is to train up to the hunt carrying something with the same weight as your rifle.

 

[Philip Glass]

Out of Curiosity which scope are you looking at for the mountain rifle build?

It is hard to ignore the Leupold VX5 3-15x44. I have one on my wife's Tikka. My requiremts are illuminated, locking dial, "windplex" (Leupold's term) reticle, 50mm objective or less.
So it's narrows down to the VX5 and the Swaro Z5 3.5-18x50.

 

[Muskox]

It is hard to ignore the Leupold VX5 3-15x44. I have one on my wife's Tikka. My requiremts are illuminated, locking dial, "windplex" (Leupold's term) reticle, 50mm objective or less.
So it's narrows down to the VX5 and the Swaro Z5 3.5-18x50.

I ignore everything made by Leupold.

This is the most highly reviewed scope in the backcountry market right now.

Light Optics World Japan is the manufacturer of preference for the best in class optics.

RS1.2 - 2.5-15x44 FFP

Buy Maven Outdoor Equipment Company RS1.2 Riflescopes. Our RS Series Riflescopes stack up with the most celebrated and expensive scopes in the world…bar none.

mavenbuilt.com

Made in the same factory as a Nightforce and to 90% of the same specifications. It is not cheap at full retail, but it is a better scope than any Leupold by a factor of 3.

Google **NOT**PERMITTED** scope drop test.

For a mountain rifle or one with heavy recoil Nightforce is a fatty, but it is bomb proof.

This scope is also built in the Light Optics World Japan

ZeroTech TRACE ADV 3-18x44 FFP Shoot2Hunt - Shoot2Hunt

Click here to enter your email to signup for alerts on the next drop. Scope caps are $129 total. By placing a deposit on a scope you understand that your deposit is NOT refundable, you cannot alter the specifications of the scope after placing the deposit, and the remainder of the scope's cost...

www.shoot2hunt.com

It was designed to pass all the **NOT**PERMITTED** drop test and be built int he same factory for sub $1000.

3-18x44 is a little better form factor. Higher magnification.

 

[45-70guy]

I ignore everything made by Leupold.

This is the most highly reviewed scope in the backcountry market right now.

Light Optics World Japan is the manufacturer of preference for the best in class optics.

RS1.2 - 2.5-15x44 FFP

Buy Maven Outdoor Equipment Company RS1.2 Riflescopes. Our RS Series Riflescopes stack up with the most celebrated and expensive scopes in the world…bar none.

mavenbuilt.com

Made in the same factory as a Nightforce and to 90% of the same specifications. It is not cheap at full retail, but it is a better scope than any Leupold by a factor of 3.

Google **NOT**PERMITTED** scope drop test.

For a mountain rifle or one with heavy recoil Nightforce is a fatty, but it is bomb proof.

This scope is also built in the Light Optics World Japan

ZeroTech TRACE ADV 3-18x44 FFP Shoot2Hunt - Shoot2Hunt

Click here to enter your email to signup for alerts on the next drop. Scope caps are $129 total. By placing a deposit on a scope you understand that your deposit is NOT refundable, you cannot alter the specifications of the scope after placing the deposit, and the remainder of the scope's cost...

www.shoot2hunt.com

It was designed to pass all the **NOT**PERMITTED** drop test and be built int he same factory for sub $1000.

3-18x44 is a little better form factor. Higher magnification.

Usually the most hyped thing in the market right now is the exact thing I avoid. But that must be why I’m also on a different planet than the majority of people

 

[Muskox]

It has passed stress test that kill Leopold, Swarovski and Zeiss.

None of these are bomb proof. My Zeiss v8 has beautiful glass and a shit erector system.

A huge annoyance for some one that owns quite a few of all 3.

Nightforce is my new standard by which others are judged. Schmidt Bender has better glass, but the cost is much higher.

 

[Ray B]

Speaking of erector systems, one thig that amuses me about riflescopes is that if you look through the scope from the ocular through the objective lens (normal) the reticle appears normal; however if you look through from objective through ocular (backwards) while what you see through the scope is upright, the reticle is upside down. this is very counter-intuitive so continues to be amusing.

 

[Muskox]

Optics market is confusing.

We have the perception that Swarovski, Zeiss and Leica are the best. I think in the traditional binocular market you can make the claim that their top end products, they represent the best of what is available. The Japanese top end is half in price and 97% of the quality of the top 3. I am talking about the Light Optics World Japan supplied companies like the top end of Maven, Gunwerks, Vortex and others.

When you add electronics, the world changes dramatically. A perfect example is the Swarovski EL TA laser range finding binoculars. The optical system is ok, for a LRF but just average compared to a traditional LRF. I am woefully unhappy with the LRF unit in them, to such an extent as I still carry a 10 year old Leupold LRF 1600 TB model. I am lucky with the Swarovski EL TA 8x42 if I can range 600 meters to a hard target. This is 1/5th the advertised distance to a hard target, let a lone a deer.

Rifle scopes is another market where I think the Light Optics World Japan supplied companies like Nightforce among others, for durability beats everyone hands down.

Nightforce is the only American company that 100% of their products are tanks. Of course everything is made in Japan by LOW.

The top Japanese made Vortex, Athlon, Horus, Crimson Trace, Riton, Bushnell (not joking, get to the $2000-2400 mark and see the difference), and others are exceptional.

These companies also sell the same Philippines and Chinese Shit that Burris and Leupold do.

Schmidt Bender on the other hand is the top German form factor with the top Nightforce durability. People bitch that their designs are dated and not state of the art. I would argue that they are bomb proof.

People cry and say well "look at the glass", or " Schott Glass". The quality of the optic does not matter if the turrets won't track accurately, or it won't stay in zero if you drop it.

You have to compare apples to apples.

A $60 blister pack Bushnell rifle scope made in China, is not the equal of a $1600 Bushnell tactical scope made in Japan.

A $100 blister pack Vortex, is not the equal of a $2000 Vortex Razor binocular.

I will say that best Chinese stuff is sneaking up on the $1000.00 American stuff. I have a big 34mm Riton, I got on close out for $500, 5-25x56 and it was a solid buy. I wouldn't have paid a $1000 for it, but it tracks like a train and is super clear.

Doesn't compare optically to the $1800 LOW made Crimson Trace 34mm scopes I have, but it shouldn't.

 

[Philip Glass]

I ignore everything made by Leupold.

This is the most highly reviewed scope in the backcountry market right now.

Light Optics World Japan is the manufacturer of preference for the best in class optics.

RS1.2 - 2.5-15x44 FFP

Buy Maven Outdoor Equipment Company RS1.2 Riflescopes. Our RS Series Riflescopes stack up with the most celebrated and expensive scopes in the world…bar none.

mavenbuilt.com

Made in the same factory as a Nightforce and to 90% of the same specifications. It is not cheap at full retail, but it is a better scope than any Leupold by a factor of 3.

Google **NOT**PERMITTED** scope drop test.

For a mountain rifle or one with heavy recoil Nightforce is a fatty, but it is bomb proof.

This scope is also built in the Light Optics World Japan

ZeroTech TRACE ADV 3-18x44 FFP Shoot2Hunt - Shoot2Hunt

Click here to enter your email to signup for alerts on the next drop. Scope caps are $129 total. By placing a deposit on a scope you understand that your deposit is NOT refundable, you cannot alter the specifications of the scope after placing the deposit, and the remainder of the scope's cost...

www.shoot2hunt.com

It was designed to pass all the **NOT**PERMITTED** drop test and be built int he same factory for sub $1000.

3-18x44 is a little better form factor. Higher magnification.

But that Maven is Double the price. That's hard to ignore! I'll still take a bit of convincing but may look at them. If it costs as much as a Swaro, I'm buying a Swaro.

 

[45-70guy]

As seems to be the case the older scopes of Swaro and leupold and leica were all good, these stress tests do indeed mean something, though I’ve yet to have any of mine fail during normal use as I don’t take them to war.
Nightforce or even a trjicon take all the beating we just need to wonder is that completely necessary?
If your scope is so fragile it can’t take a ride In a truck bed or an airplane then maybe it’s a bad egg or maybe it’s bad quality control. Seems to be very ford vs dodge for the average person, unless again your taking it to war.

 

[Muskox]

A $30,000 mountain goat hunt or a $30,000 Cape buffalo hunt is war.

 

[Muskox]

Only a rich man can afford a cheap scope.