Which lightweight scope?

[analog_peninsula]

I just took the plunge on a sub six lb rifle and I don’t want to burden it with an oversized scope. I’d prefer something I can dial, but I’ll go with a Razor LHT or similar if I can’t find a dialing scope light enough. What says the AH Brain Trust?

 

[BonUm16]

No dialing and only available on the secondary market but it does lightweight well.

Leupold Compact 2-7x28

 

[CJNJ]

No dialing and only available on the secondary market but it does lightweight well.

Leupold Compact 2-7x28
View attachment 712038

Agree. Have this on my Ruger No. 1 after removing a Leupold VXHD3 CDL which seemed too heavy to me.

 

[pilar]

No dialing and only available on the secondary market but it does lightweight well.

Leupold Compact 2-7x28
View attachment 712038

Yep this was my sheep hunting scope on a featherweight M70
Pretty tough little thing too !

 

[Bill J H]

I have a Swaro Z3 3-9x36 on a Kimber Mtn Pro rifle. Pretty nice scope; I think it weighs about 12 oz

 

[BeeMaa]

Knowing the cartridge the rifle is chambered for would be good as it will play a major factor in recoil and the eye relief required. Not to mention the intended use for the rig as well.

A 6.5x55 for use as an African PG rifle will not use the same scope as a 30-06 sheep rifle…both of which could easily come in at 6 lbs.

 

[MacJenkins]

I have a Swaro Z3 3-9x36 on a Kimber Mtn Pro rifle. Pretty nice scope; I think it weighs about 12 oz

Agreed, have one on a custom titanium Mauser in 7x57. Great scope.

 

[steve white]

No dialing and only available on the secondary market but it does lightweight well.

Leupold Compact 2-7x28
View attachment 712038

I wonder if you could send that back to Leupold and pay to have them install the HD glass in it?....

 

[mooze]

I have a Swaro Z3 3-9x36 on a Kimber Mtn Pro rifle. Pretty nice scope; I think it weighs about 12 oz

same on a light walking BRNO in 8x57, nice scope, bare bones.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

For lightweight rifles, my standard go-to is the Leupold 2.5-8x36. Have a few with the B&C reticle on my 13yo’s rifles as holdover was easier to describe to her on the reticle than having her dial anything.

You will find new versions of the scope most often now with the CDX turret and think you can have a custom one cut if so desired.

Great little, lightweight scope, coming in just under 12oz even with the CDX turret.

 

[Luvthunt]

I second on the Leupold 2.5x8. Have 3 of them and never felt a different need.
Now that I think about it one of them is a 2x7. Great scopes.

 

[Philip Glass]

I just took the plunge on a sub six lb rifle and I don’t want to burden it with an oversized scope. I’d prefer something I can dial, but I’ll go with a Razor LHT or similar if I can’t find a dialing scope light enough. What says the AH Brain Trust?

My Tikka T3X in 7mm Mag is my lightweight rifle for mountain hunts. It wears a Leupold VXR 4-12x40mm. At the time it was of the lightest I looked at. I am however shopping for better options for this rifle. My criteria that limit my choices somewhat are that it must be illuminated, wear a locking elevation dial, and have the windage marks such as the Leupold Windplex reticle or Swarovski 4W. I'd like to look at putting a Swaro on it but I can't find 4W reticle in the size of scope I am looking for.
Following with interest,
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

I wonder if you could send that back to Leupold and pay to have them install the HD glass in it?....

The custom shop closed a few years ago sadly.

 

[M70375!]

Hard to beat the 2 ½ X8 Leopould

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Better go with steel rings. I know a LOT of guys who have had headaches with aluminum rings, especially screws stripped out. I think aluminum bases or rails are okay. Steel can be blued or matte to match the rifle and less likely to scratch off like the crekote/paint of aluminum. Anyway, the weight difference between aluminum and steel rings/bases is insignificant.

 

[wvhunt]

Better go with steel rings. I know a LOT of guys who have had headaches with aluminum rings, especially screws stripped out. I think aluminum bases or rails are okay. Steel can be blued or matte to match the rifle and less likely to scratch off like the crekote/paint of aluminum. Anyway, the weight difference between aluminum and steel rings/bases is insignificant.

I normally just use aluminum rings, but agree that I prefer steel rings. Weight has never been an issue enough to sacrifice the pros of steel for the cons of aluminum rings.

 

[MarkB]

Most of the rifles I use most often are around 6 lbs, 243, 260, 308, 300 wsm and even a 338. All started life as rem 700 SS DM and all have Leopold 3x9x33 ultralights or the older VX2 2x7x33. No issues with any, highly recommend them, only scopes I use. Great eye relief, hold POA even under some quick recoil, one of the lightest on market and are priced right. Good warrantee but most important never needed it ever. Enough light gathering for my eyes in all BC legal light shot opportunities. All are in light aluminum rings also. Don't understand having a lightened rifle and light scope mounted in heavy rings??? None have slipped or moved. Lock tight bases and ring screws.

No dial option but I am old fashion I guess (a hunter not sniper), PBR sight in, if I need hold over then I stalk CLOSER.

MB

 

[BonUm16]

I wonder if you could send that back to Leupold and pay to have them install the HD glass in it?....

As Philip said, their Custom Shop has been closed for a number of years and they state on the website they do not have a date for re-opening it.

If they were open and were able to perform the changes you mentioned, I can’t imagine what the cost would be. I have a VX-lll 2.5-8 w/ the German #4 on my 9.3. I had thoughts of changing it to a simple duplex and contacted Leupold to get a quote for the work prior to the CS closing. IIRC, it was $225 at that point…. Figured I could live with those heavy crosshairs. No idea what they’d charge for new glass if a reticle change was $200+.

 

[dchum]

I normally just use aluminum rings, but agree that I prefer steel rings. Weight has never been an issue enough to sacrifice the pros of steel for the cons of aluminum rings.

Talley one piece aluminum rings are the best and most rugged rings I’ve ever used.

I don’t miss steel one bit

 

[samson7x]

For lightweight, durable, accurate tracking, nightforce is the answer. What mag range are you looking for? The nxs 2-10 is on my mountain rifle. I also like the schmidt bender 3-10 which is FFP with fantastic clarity and equally robust while maintaining it's light weight.