Looking for a decent lightweight scope

[Rob]

I will soon have a new rifle ready to go.

My goal was to get a very light weight short barreled rifle for hunting in situations where I may have shots ranging from 20 yards to 300-but mostly 75 to 150.

Right now the barreled action with trigger comes in at 3lbs 13 oz.
I have an XLR chassis ordered (5-6mo out) that lools like it will be right at 2lbs including a mag.

I have a Leupld vxr 4-14 x 40mm scope laying around that I will start out with but in the next year I want to swap that out with something that has a lower starting magnification and is lighter weight.

Ideal would be something 2-12 power I think but I am open.

I don't have budget to drop thousands on a scope.  I have always liked leupolds quality to price ratio.  I guess if pushed on price I would want something sub 1000 dollars.

Any suggestions on a decent (not top end) quality scope that is light weight for under a grand?  Rifle is chambered for 6.5 Creedmoor if that matters (yes, I will need to grow a man bun...)

[pickardjw]

FFP/SFP? MIL/MOA?

SWFA 3-9's are back in stock. 20oz, $552 all in with discount code Cyclops. I have en route now.

The 3-15 Gen 2's are also available. 23oz, a little more expensive.

[Wolfdog2314]

I’m going through this right now too. Similar setup, for a blacktail rifle setup.

I think I’ve settled on a Trijicon Accupoint in 3-9x40. 13.4 oz. Check out the Huron line of trijicon scopes too if you don’t want the illuminated reticle. (I like the idea of it for the dark low light conditions I often find my blacktail hunting taking place in)

Maven rs.2 2-10 is only 12.4 oz. I liked the idea on this one, minus the eye relief.

SWFA gets a lot of praise on Rokslide forums. I’d stick with SWFA, nightforce SHV line, trijicon.

[spookgus]

I really like my VX3 2.5-8x36 11.9oz

[Stein]

I would echo SWFA, I haven't looked at the weight vs other proven brands but you will have a tough time beating it on price.  You could go with a fixed power to save weight and a bit of money as well.

[MtnMuley]

The SWFA's are unbeatable in their price range. 

[Rob]

Good info, thanks!

SFP and MOA is what I am use to so probably would want to stick with that.

I love Trijicon.  I have no experience with SFWA or Maven so I will check those out.  As I noted in general I am a leupold guy


I had a bad experience with a Leupold 3-9x36 a few years back.  Loved the scope and especially the light weight attribute.
The situation was, there were three bucks at about 350 yards and it was last light.  3 point min.  When looking thru my spotting scope (15x) I could see 1 had three points and the other two were questionable but looked like big forks.  When I moved to the rifle, the objective would not bring in enough light to pick out the 3 point.  The deer were milling around so I could not guarantee the legal buck was in the same ordered position when looking thru the spot and then moving to the rifle.  After 10 min of frustration I passed up the shot.

Since then I have moved to 50mm bells for the most part and 40 mm bells as a minimum

I could be convinced to go below 40 if the glass was crystal clear.  I have seen some Zies that look like they might be bright enough even with the small objective.

Really appreciate the leads

[Karl Blanchard]

Rock solid SFP/MOA option.  Not sure what you consider "light weight" but this one is 22.9oz.

https://www.eurooptic.com/Trijicon-Credo-HX-25-15x42-SFP-w-Red-MOA-Center-Dot-30mm-Satin-Black-Riflescope-.aspx

There are other versions within the credo line that are a bit lighter but this is a great "do everything" optic that will track and retain zero with the best of them.  Mine barrel rolled for about 40 yards strapped to the side of my pack with about 100lb of bear in it and besides some deep scratches it is good to go. Pic is just moments before the great fall of 2023 Notice how @Jonathan_S  is using his trekking poles to brace his pack? Yeah he's smarter than me

[elkslayer069]

I know you said you didn’t want to spend thousands but i would recommend the 3-10 nightforce Shv. They are less than $1000. I think they’re 22 oz? They can be found used for about $700. I bought one on here last fall for $800 i think. Nice scopes very clear and bight in low light. 

[Rob]

I guess I need to define what I want when I say light...  problem is I don't have a good number.

My original hope was the full rifle would be sub 6 lbs with optics and empty mag.  I have a mack bros TI action that once mounted to an 18 inch proof CF barrel with a trigger tech trigger comes in at 3lbs 13 Oz.  The stock I ordered is the XLR element Magnesium.  After adding the CF buttock, carbon grip and some little accessories like a thumb rest, sling mounts and their 4 round single billet machined mag it looks like that will come in at 2 LBs 1.75OZ.  That includes a bag rider so I could shave 1.5 OZ if I pull that.  So total weight without scope and rings will be around 5lbs 14.75 Oz. 

That leaves me with 1.25 OZ for a scope and rings!  2.75 if I pull the bag rider.

If rings weigh 3 oz, then a 22 oz scope would put me at 7lbs 7.75 OZ

It would be nice to be at or below 7lbs which would require the scope to be around 14 OZ and I don't see that happening

So 20-22 ounces would be my limit I guess with less being better.


I guess with all the money I have poured into this I don't want to go cheap on the scope.  But I feel for a grand I should be able to find something nice at a modest weight.  Y'all have given me some good leads...

[Rob]

Rock solid SFP/MOA option.  Not sure what you consider "light weight" but this one is 22.9oz.

https://www.eurooptic.com/Trijicon-Credo-HX-25-15x42-SFP-w-Red-MOA-Center-Dot-30mm-Satin-Black-Riflescope-.aspx

There are other versions within the credo line that are a bit lighter but this is a great "do everything" optic that will track and retain zero with the best of them.  Mine barrel rolled for about 40 yards strapped to the side of my pack with about 100lb of bear in it and besides some deep scratches it is good to go. Pic is just moments before the great fall of 2023 Notice how @Jonathan_S  is using his trekking poles to brace his pack? Yeah he's smarter than me

When I was teaching mountaineering we had all our students put pack leashes on their packs.  When resting on snow pack with backpacks off  they were to plant their ice axes in the snow and attach the leash.  Dual purpose as the leash could be used to suspend the pack during crevasse rescue and repurposed as an anchor component if needed...  but I digress.  It only took one student to forget and watch their kit slide 500 feet down the slope for the rest to remember to secure their packs!  Of course that NEVER happened to me....  at least as far as our students knew.

[Karl Blanchard]

 

[actionshooter]

Vortex RZR LHT are a good option... they are light weight, have clear glass AND I haven't had to use the warranty on one of those yet..