Which lightweight scope?

[MacJenkins]

Maybe it's just bad luck on this one. I've got several Z3, Z5, and Z6 on other rifles with no issues, but I've lost confidence with the Z3 line for now.

Ya I probably would too!

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Another vote. I might have missed the caliber of the rifle but I have a couple of Z5's and a new Z6 and they are dynamite.

 

[camperx]

I have a couple NF NXS 2.5-10, really liking them. I’d go Trijicon over Leupold. The vx3 are notorious for wandering zero’s.

 

[Milan]

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

If you don't mind me asking what titanium Mauser do you have? What caliber? How do you find the action? I was looking at Fanzoj but 1) they would not sell just the action or barreled action and 2) I have since figured titanium might be stickier than chro-moly or stainless steel.

 

[CBH Australia]

It seems like you settled on something but from all the specs etc I have read when considering scopes it seems that Leupold and Swarovski are lightest in class for a comparable zoom and objective size.

Looking at higher magnification scopes particularly in target/tactical lines most are heavy with Schmidt and Bender managing to come in under by a margin compared to other popular brands.

I have the Leupold VX-3i and VX 3HD, both are light for class and great scopes but Swarovski probably have better glass and coatings

 

[double rifle newbie]

2-7x33 leupold.

 

[Old3Toe]

SWFA Ultralight 2-10x...a sub 9oz scope. Then, have Kenton Industries make a custom ballistic strip for your data to stick on the elevation knob.

 

[ftrovato]

2-7x33 leupold.

My favorite! I have a compact on 7mm-08.

 

[dgr416]

I have a kimber hunter model guy before me removed foam from stock got it to 5 pounds its a 6.5 needmore .I put a nikon monarch 5 4x16 x42 scope on it only weighs 13 oz so not heavy .I really like toting it but i want a 338 fededal made out of my ruger 77 243 win to have more power .I csn shoot this gun left or right handed .I can swing it to shoot reallly fast just hate the model 70 safety on it rather have my safety under my thumb .I put a light sling on it .I figure 5 oz for a good scope wont weigh me down .

 

[Doug Hamilton]

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?

Quite a few years ago I bought a Leupold 2-7 x 33 scope for a Remington Model 7 in 7-08. Weighed 11 oz. if I remember right. It's been a good scope and seems to fit on the light weight (6 1/4 lb) rifle. The.last buck I shot was with that rifle/scope combo. A single shot at 196 yards.

 

[ftrovato]

I have to say, what keeps me going back to Leupold for 40 years is first good quality & second light weight.

They have a scope for every rifle that won't screw up the weight, handling and balance of the combination.

So many European scopes are great quality but in my opinion simply too heavy for most light to medium weight hunting rifles.

 

[Milan]

I have to say, what keeps me going back to Leupold for 40 years is first good quality & second light weight.

They have a scope for every rifle that won't screw up the weight, handling and balance of the combination.

So many European scopes are great quality but in my opinion simply too heavy for most light to medium weight hunting rifles.

European hunting is different for the most part. I also seem to end up with Leupolds due to weight and slim dimensions. Especially on classic style rifles. Not the best glass or durability according to some but they seem to serve me well so far. Nightforce or Trijicon will be more durable but they are heavy and glass quality is not exactly the best. Euro scopes have better glass but sometimes the durability may not be there. Schmidt&Bender may have both durabilty and stellar glass but eye relief is sometimes funky and they are heavy scopes. And then there is the cost to consider. So for one of best bangs for yiur buck, i still find Leupold not bad at all and best compromise. All of the above is also very specific model dependent.

 

[Taylorz1]

I have given up on lightweight scopes. For me durability and reliability are more important than weight. Nightforce or Trijicon are, in my humble opinion, the best options for hunting rifle glads and neither are known for being light. Deal with wandering zeros or, worse, wound an animal because your lightweight scope got knocked off and you wont care about the extra oz on a sturdy scope.

 

[Milan]

I have given up on lightweight scopes. For me durability and reliability are more important than weight. Nightforce or Trijicon are, in my humble opinion, the best options for hunting rifle glads and neither are known for being light. Deal with wandering zeros or, worse, wound an animal because your lightweight scope got knocked off and you wont care about the extra oz on a sturdy scope.

I agree and I have both Trijicon and Nightforce as well as older steel body Meopta that is guaranteed shockproof. But i never had issues with some of the simpler Leupolds even after dropping the rifle on concrete, it landing on the scope. Scope was banged up, needed a slight re-zero but keeps working and holding zero just fine. This is on a silhouette rifle that gets banged around a bit and the scope gets dialed a lot. My hunting rifles also get dropped sometimes and now being old I even tripped and fell on one. Will be checking zero soon and will see how that Leupold does. Like I said, they for sure are not as tough as Trijicon or Nightforce but many may find them tough enough. Or maybe I just got lucky so far but I doubt that.

 

[samson7x]

I have given up on lightweight scopes. For me durability and reliability are more important than weight. Nightforce or Trijicon are, in my humble opinion, the best options for hunting rifle glads and neither are known for being light. Deal with wandering zeros or, worse, wound an animal because your lightweight scope got knocked off and you wont care about the extra oz on a sturdy scope.

Agreed. A scope is pointless if it won't hold zero. I've found the best balance at the 20oz mark with both the NF 2-10 and SB klassik model. Excellent durability, great clarity and low light performance while being relatively light IMO. Although I have many Trijicon products, I've never tried the lighterweight options but I'd trust them over leupold.

 

[ftrovato]

I have given up on lightweight scopes. For me durability and reliability are more important than weight. Nightforce or Trijicon are, in my humble opinion, the best options for hunting rifle glads and neither are known for being light. Deal with wandering zeros or, worse, wound an animal because your lightweight scope got knocked off and you wont care about the extra oz on a sturdy scope.

Funny how we all have opinions based on our personal experiences.

I sold many Leupold scopes back when I had an FFL & have owned over 20 of them myself. Never had an issue with one sold or owned.

On the other hand, two friends of mine have started using Trijicon & Nightforce and each have had to send multiple of them back to the factories since they wouldn't hold point of impact.

Recently I bought a Trijicon for my 416 Rigby in 1x-8x and since have been told it won't hold up to heavy recoil. I called Trijicon and they state it will. I won't take a chance now that the seed of doubt has been planted so I intend to put it on a .223 Remington.

I guess its better to be lucky than smart...It would seem I've been lucky. ;-)

 

[MS 9x56]

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

Leupold Compact 2-7x28
View attachment 712038

A real hunters scope, no dialing required.

 

[ftrovato]

A real hunters scope, no dialing required.

My compact 2x7 is my favorite scope. I've had it for 30 years and have put it on my .338, 30-06, 243 & now my 7mm-08. Using it on my 7mm-08 tomorrow for PA deer hunting.

 

[BonUm16]

I pulled a few guns out of the safe last evening in an attempt to decide what to part with. While I had them out, I snapped a comparison pic I thought might be of interest regarding the two Leupold 2-7 scopes that have been mentioned in this discussion.

The Mountain Rifle (bottom) wears a 2-7x33, (center) Compact 2-7x28 and (top) an A-Bolt 2 topped with a VX3i 3.5-10x40 for size reference.