What scope for my new lightweight build

[Remington92]

Hi all, I'm sending my Colt light rifle off for the melvin / NULA treatment and while its gone I'm starting to shop for a scope upgrade. Budgets were tight when I got the rifle so I traded into a Nikon Monarch 3 4-16 to get through the season. Id like to upgrade into something a little nicer/ dependable/ and fitting of the build. Id like to stay lightweight and preferably with a max magnification of around 12-16x. 5yrs ago my answer would have been Leupold and done but I've had a run of bad luck with them and feel like a battered wife. In fact I have 2 Leupold options sitting that could go on this rifle but I'm rather gun shy. A VX3i 4.5-14 B&C or a VX3L 4.5-14x56 B&C with the curved bell.

In the past 5yrs I've had these all have to be sent in for repair work.
VXiii 3.5-10 (on 7rem mag BAR)
VXiii 2.75-7.5 (I think)(on a 45-70)
Vari x ii 2-7 (on Springfield 1903 30-06)
VX6hd 4-24 (on 300 RUM)

I read on other forums and Leupold hate seems very strong with similar issues but not here which surprises me.

Which brings me to the dilemma. Do I try to find something like a swfa 3-9, step up to Trijicon or NF, accept the weight of a Athlon helos 2-12, or role the dice again on one of my Leupolds?

Dont mean to start any fights over brands or reliability just worried if my reluctance is warranted from my experience and others or if I've just had sh!t luck and looking for something to explain it. Any other suggestions sub 1K would be appreciated as well.

 

[Remington92]

Should say too I’m hoping Melvin’s folks can modify the bolt handle but clearance is very tight even with higher rings! Another plus Leupold has with smaller oculars.

 

[rogerthat]

If you’re worried about it, trijicon or NF. They are bombproof. I always joke you could take the scope off and use it as a club, put it back on, and still have your zero. Probably not quite true but damn I have fallen hard on my nightforce lots and it never moves. However, they come with a weight penalty

 

[Remington92]

If you’re worried about it, trijicon or NF. They are bombproof. I always joke you could take the scope off and use it as a club, put it back on, and still have your zero. Probably not quite true but damn I have fallen hard on my nightforce lots and it never moves. However, they come with a weight penalty

If the ocular on the trijcon wasn't so huge I'd have probably gone that route by now. Waiting to hear back if the smith can do anything to make more clearance but I doubt there's much they can do. May have to look around for a used nxs 2.5-10 or something I guess. Which NF you running?

 

[rogerthat]

If the ocular on the trijcon wasn't so huge I'd have probably gone that route by now. Waiting to hear back if the smith can do anything to make more clearance but I doubt there's much they can do. May have to look around for a used nxs 2.5-10 or something I guess. Which NF you running?

Nxs

 

[MThuntr]

I have an Athlon Helos 4-20 on my Browning. It's way heavy for a light setup like yours but so far so good. The 2-12 might be nice

Lots of questions would need to be answered though I imagine until you get the bolt clearance issue taken care of you may not have any room for a lot of scopes.
Turning dials or point and shoot? FFP or SFP?

 

[SFC B]

For a lightweight build with the best optics and still a "fairly" reasonable price I would say a Swarovski Z3. Impeccable glass and very light weight.

 

[TN2shot07]

Not quite the magnification you listed but I’ve done two light weight builds over the past couple years.

The Swaro Z3 in 3-9x36 weighs almost nothing and the glass is awesome. If I put together another one that would be my choice.

I have a Maven rs2 2-10 on my 308, also great glass, a little cheaper than the Swaro, still super light.

 

[Deleted member 16014]

Hi all, I'm sending my Colt light rifle off for the melvin / NULA treatment and while its gone I'm starting to shop for a scope upgrade. Budgets were tight when I got the rifle so I traded into a Nikon Monarch 3 4-16 to get through the season. Id like to upgrade into something a little nicer/ dependable/ and fitting of the build. Id like to stay lightweight and preferably with a max magnification of around 12-16x. 5yrs ago my answer would have been Leupold and done but I've had a run of bad luck with them and feel like a battered wife. In fact I have 2 Leupold options sitting that could go on this rifle but I'm rather gun shy. A VX3i 4.5-14 B&C or a VX3L 4.5-14x56 B&C with the curved bell.

In the past 5yrs I've had these all have to be sent in for repair work.
VXiii 3.5-10 (on 7rem mag BAR)
VXiii 2.75-7.5 (I think)(on a 45-70)
Vari x ii 2-7 (on Springfield 1903 30-06)
VX6hd 4-24 (on 300 RUM)

I read on other forums and Leupold hate seems very strong with similar issues but not here which surprises me.

Which brings me to the dilemma. Do I try to find something like a swfa 3-9, step up to Trijicon or NF, accept the weight of a Athlon helos 2-12, or role the dice again on one of my Leupolds?

Dont mean to start any fights over brands or reliability just worried if my reluctance is warranted from my experience and others or if I've just had sh!t luck and looking for something to explain it. Any other suggestions sub 1K would be appreciated as well.

I can tell you that my preference is to err on the side of durability and zero retention, and I can't see that ever changing.

 

[redhaze]

Look at Arken - 25% off right now.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I just put a 3-9 Trijicon Accupoint on a lighter weight 280 AI. It is a nice scope (I have had one on a 223 for a while) and it weighs less than a pound. This scope is not set up for dialing but long range will not be the primary use of this rifle.

 

[MThuntr]

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[noharleyyet]

It's a lb & 6 ounces and 30mm & a little over your stated budget, but these things are fantastic. The ocular size doesn't bother me at all.

Trijicon AccuPoint® 2.5-12.5x42 Riflescope | Trijicon®

MIL-Dot Crosshair w/ Green Dot, Tritium / Fiber Optics Illuminated

www.trijicon.com

 

[noharleyyet]

Hi all, I'm sending my Colt light rifle off for the melvin / NULA treatment and while its gone I'm starting to shop for a scope upgrade. Budgets were tight when I got the rifle so I traded into a Nikon Monarch 3 4-16 to get through the season. Id like to upgrade into something a little nicer/ dependable/ and fitting of the build. Id like to stay lightweight and preferably with a max magnification of around 12-16x. 5yrs ago my answer would have been Leupold and done but I've had a run of bad luck with them and feel like a battered wife. In fact I have 2 Leupold options sitting that could go on this rifle but I'm rather gun shy. A VX3i 4.5-14 B&C or a VX3L 4.5-14x56 B&C with the curved bell.

In the past 5yrs I've had these all have to be sent in for repair work.
VXiii 3.5-10 (on 7rem mag BAR)
VXiii 2.75-7.5 (I think)(on a 45-70)
Vari x ii 2-7 (on Springfield 1903 30-06)
VX6hd 4-24 (on 300 RUM)

I read on other forums and Leupold hate seems very strong with similar issues but not here which surprises me.

Which brings me to the dilemma. Do I try to find something like a swfa 3-9, step up to Trijicon or NF, accept the weight of a Athlon helos 2-12, or role the dice again on one of my Leupolds?

Dont mean to start any fights over brands or reliability just worried if my reluctance is warranted from my experience and others or if I've just had sh!t luck and looking for something to explain it. Any other suggestions sub 1K would be appreciated as well.

..the 3i 4.5x14 B&C would also work, but I like lumed reticles.

 

[woods89]

I can tell you that my preference is to err on the side of durability and zero retention, and I can't see that ever changing.

I can't 2nd this enough.

A lot of little intangible variations just suddenly disappeared when I switched to Nightforce.

 

[Remington92]

Anyone have experience with zeiss v4 4-16x44 zmoa-2? My local scheels has them marked down to 750

 

[kiwi hunter]

Vixen 4-16, I have 2 and will buy another for my win mod 70 in 300wsm which I'm picking up today. Not too long and about 14 Oz. You don't need to spend megabucks.

 

[Seamaster]

A light rifle with a 2 lb.+ scope would be pretty funny. I like the VX5hd. I have not heard anything negative from anyone that actually owns one yet, myself included. Schmalts has very good prices.

 

[Deleted member 16014]

Optics & Scope Components

GA Precision offers a wide range of high-quality optics and scope components for precision shooting. From scope rings to spotting scopes and riflescopes, explore our selection to enhance your shooting experience.

www.gaprecision.net

I REALLY wish the gen 2's came in 3-12. Among the very few things I've regretted selling were a pair of 3-12 LRHS. Just a hell of an extended range hunting scope.

We're lucky to have the great options that we do these days.

 

[PRO MO]

Anyone have experience with zeiss v4 4-16x44 zmoa-2? My local scheels has them marked down to 750

i have one on my .300 and i like it. Comparable, maybe a little better than VX3. Not Zeiss' top of the line glass, obviously. They also has an app that is pretty convenient to go along with it.