I’m building a lightweight 308 and I was looking for information on light weight and compact scopes. I’m not talking crazy lightweight but below 30oz. I was thinking the Eotech Vudu or the Mark 6 any advice?
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Rifle Scopes Best compact and light weight scope
- Thread starter Cshultzy999
- Start date
Get the leupold mk5, a premier Light hunter, S&B super short. These all are FFP.
SFP get a swaro, leupold vx6, maybe a march
SFP get a swaro, leupold vx6, maybe a march
I’m happy with a Nightforce NSX compact 2.5-10x42 .
Scope of choice right there. 19 oz and is as bombproof a scope as you'll find.
Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x, small and light 12oz but I guess that is crazy light.
It would be our pleasure to discuss different options with you. We have the Bushnell LRTS 3-12x44 starting at $699.99 and now is also a great time to look at the Nightforce with Black Friday sales going on. Give us a call, 516-217-1000, and mention the 'hide
Doug
Doug
I went with a Leopold LRP 4.5-14x50. It weighs 20.3 ounces, 12.6" long, it has a hard zero stop, no locking turrets(capped windage). Its sitting on my lightweight AR-10. I'm happy and liking it so far.
Depends upon the intended use. With little information provided about that, I'd take the Nightforce.
leupold mark 5hd 3.6-18x44 is only 26oz and i believe the newer design outdoes anything from them that came before it.
when the mark 8 came out, one of the reasons for the high cost was that one lens in that scope cost $800 by itself due to the rarity of the glass used to make it. that same glass is now used throughout the mark 5hd.
18x should be plenty for your .308 and they can be had well below list, especially since the 35x came out.
jmo.
when the mark 8 came out, one of the reasons for the high cost was that one lens in that scope cost $800 by itself due to the rarity of the glass used to make it. that same glass is now used throughout the mark 5hd.
18x should be plenty for your .308 and they can be had well below list, especially since the 35x came out.
jmo.
"Best compact and light weight scope"
-- Nothing... Been waiting for something to hit all check marks.... Still waiting
-- Nothing... Been waiting for something to hit all check marks.... Still waiting
I can’t speak to 1 and 3 above but the Kahles 3-18 is a pig.
In sfp you won’t beat the nxs compact.
In sfp you won’t beat the nxs compact.
Tangent Theta 315M
Zero Compromise 4-20
NF 4-16 F1
The Swaro Z8 has awesome glass and low weight but their reticles are terrible.
Zero Compromise 4-20
NF 4-16 F1
The Swaro Z8 has awesome glass and low weight but their reticles are terrible.
I have a K318i and it is ridiculously heavy, almost the same weight as my Minox ZP8 5-25x56. Honestly the vudu 5-25x50 at 29.5 oz is quickly becoming my favorite scope for all around use.
To date the ONLY Leupold I own that I have any faith in.......but the FOV is horseshit.
Right now I’d look at the kahles k318. Then a leup mk6 3-18. If you want a little more mag go with a vortex AMG. I have all three. I think the kahles has the best glass. But the mk6 is way under rated on this forum. The older tracking issues have been fixed. The C turrets are great. And the glass/size/mag range are good too. Prices for used are under $2k.
The amg is a great value right now at around $1700 ish used.
The amg is a great value right now at around $1700 ish used.
Just chiming in about @mpk1996 ‘s recommendation to also look at Leupold’s VX6HD range for SFP. Their 3-18x44 is 21.3oz and the 2-12x42 is 19.7oz (Not sure if the weight includes their excellent alumina caps. The caps are included when buying). Both turrets lock with nice matte dark silver buttons. (Edit: just noticed @mpk1996 was referring to the Mark 6, not vx 6. Whoops)
If you like tree reticles, look for the Impact versions (23/29/45). They’re often not available on Leupold’s site but search for the product number. I mean, who buys scopes off a manufacturer’s site, anyway?
I also own a Razor gen ii 4.5-27 (love it), a Leupy VX-3i and the VX-6HD 4-24x52.
The VX-6HD is worth the coin over theVX-3i unless weight is ALL IMPORTANT.
If you like tree reticles, look for the Impact versions (23/29/45). They’re often not available on Leupold’s site but search for the product number. I mean, who buys scopes off a manufacturer’s site, anyway?
I also own a Razor gen ii 4.5-27 (love it), a Leupy VX-3i and the VX-6HD 4-24x52.
The VX-6HD is worth the coin over theVX-3i unless weight is ALL IMPORTANT.
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I daydream that ZCO would produce a lightweight tactical/hunting scope 30mm 4-20ish range. No it’s not a hint of an up and coming scope but a man can dream.
Just a side-note to consider about xmas tree reticles: I shoot prairie dogs, and it’s windy out in the Dakotas. A pet peeve of mine is when scope manufacturers and reticle designers only give 1 mrad of windage (or MOA equivalent on the first two “branches” down. With a 15mph wind, my little 204s, 17 hornets and rimfires wind up between 1-2 mrads windage wise, leaving one holding in empty space.
Which defeats the purpose of ye olde xmas tree reticle. For me. Santa not happy.
This is why Vortex’s reticles rock for me, with their 2 mrads of windage, and why Minox’s excellent MR4, @koshkin ‘s maybe even better Meopta Optika6 Mrad, and Athlon’s xmas trees stop me from buying their products.
Nightforce’s MIL-XT would work in my application, however.
I realize that one cannot please everybody, and compromises abound. Consider this constructive feedback. I feel that an extra mrad of dots doesn’t bug me, but may bug others. That extra mrad sure is functional, for me.
That reminds me: look at the Meopta Optika6 line too. FFP and SFP. Not sure about the weight. Gotta fly.
Which defeats the purpose of ye olde xmas tree reticle. For me. Santa not happy.
This is why Vortex’s reticles rock for me, with their 2 mrads of windage, and why Minox’s excellent MR4, @koshkin ‘s maybe even better Meopta Optika6 Mrad, and Athlon’s xmas trees stop me from buying their products.
Nightforce’s MIL-XT would work in my application, however.
I realize that one cannot please everybody, and compromises abound. Consider this constructive feedback. I feel that an extra mrad of dots doesn’t bug me, but may bug others. That extra mrad sure is functional, for me.
That reminds me: look at the Meopta Optika6 line too. FFP and SFP. Not sure about the weight. Gotta fly.
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I daydream that ZCO would produce a lightweight tactical/hunting scope 30mm 4-20ish range. No it’s not a hint of an up and coming scope but a man can dream.
Whisper in their ear to go 3-15x... Giving us that 40ft.-ish FOV and increased reticle size ratio for subtensions in the 10-14x range. The boys into night games will love it.
A ZC hunting scope in the 4x20 range would get my heart pumping.I would like to see it on a 30mm tube same length and shave some ounces off maybe a daylight bright center dot in the reticle.( Just dreaming also)
If you are looking for a FFP crossover scope, that happens to be a niche I like and I have a few of them.
On the high end, the ones I like (and have) are Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15x50, March 3-24x52 (and 3-24x24), Vortex AMG 6-24x50.
In the sub-$1k world, I really like SWFA SS 3-9x42 (19ozs) and own two of them. If you want more features, Vortex PST Gen 2 3-15x44 is actually a very decent option that is still under 30ounces.
I am not crazy about AMG being 6x on the low end. I like to have a little less magnification and wider FOV available for this use, but it is a very good 6x.
Honestly, if I were going to set something up to be as light as possible, I would probably jump onto the March 3-24x42 again. I think it is under 23 ounces. It gets a fair amount of flack for being a little finicky on 24x, but that is to be expected with a scope this compact and light. When I had one, I treated it as an excellent 3-15x42 and only dialed up higher when shooting prone for groups. In that role, it worked great.
If you are looking to stay on budget, pick up a 3-9x42 from SWFA on their current sale and be done with it.
I have tested Leupold's Mark6 3-18x44 and Mark 5 3.6-18x44. I liked Mark 5 quite a bit and if the reticle work for you, it is a good option. Mine had H59 that I do not like.
ILya
On the high end, the ones I like (and have) are Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15x50, March 3-24x52 (and 3-24x24), Vortex AMG 6-24x50.
In the sub-$1k world, I really like SWFA SS 3-9x42 (19ozs) and own two of them. If you want more features, Vortex PST Gen 2 3-15x44 is actually a very decent option that is still under 30ounces.
I am not crazy about AMG being 6x on the low end. I like to have a little less magnification and wider FOV available for this use, but it is a very good 6x.
Honestly, if I were going to set something up to be as light as possible, I would probably jump onto the March 3-24x42 again. I think it is under 23 ounces. It gets a fair amount of flack for being a little finicky on 24x, but that is to be expected with a scope this compact and light. When I had one, I treated it as an excellent 3-15x42 and only dialed up higher when shooting prone for groups. In that role, it worked great.
If you are looking to stay on budget, pick up a 3-9x42 from SWFA on their current sale and be done with it.
I have tested Leupold's Mark6 3-18x44 and Mark 5 3.6-18x44. I liked Mark 5 quite a bit and if the reticle work for you, it is a good option. Mine had H59 that I do not like.
ILya
The illuminated TMR is actually an excellent hunting option for the Mark 5. Thick enough for hunting use at low power and a nice center dot. I much prefer it to the regular TMR.
I'm asking Santa but it's looking like I'll probably get coal this Christmas
-SWFA makes like a 8 oz 2-10 that I want to try.
-March is still my favorite lightweight high end option
-Steiner T5 3-15 is my current go to hunting scope. They can be had cheap if you wait around
-Burris new XTR3 3-18 I have been really impressed with other than the lack of illum, which once that comes out I will be selling my non illum and get that
I wish with others that there was a 15-20oz scope in the 3-15 zoom zoom range with 30mm and good turrets in the $750 range. That would be unicorn dust... Prob give too much up in reliability to do that tho...
Regards,
DT
-March is still my favorite lightweight high end option
-Steiner T5 3-15 is my current go to hunting scope. They can be had cheap if you wait around
-Burris new XTR3 3-18 I have been really impressed with other than the lack of illum, which once that comes out I will be selling my non illum and get that
I wish with others that there was a 15-20oz scope in the 3-15 zoom zoom range with 30mm and good turrets in the $750 range. That would be unicorn dust... Prob give too much up in reliability to do that tho...
Regards,
DT
That reminds me of my “gift” I got from an aunt for high school graduation…TOWELS. Friggin’ bath towels!!I'm asking Santa but it's looking like I'll probably get coal this Christmas
Gaaaaaahhhhhh!!!
We really need to know if there is a requirement of FFP before we spin our wheels.
SWFA's SS Ultralight is 2.5-10x32 and is around 9.5 ounces. I have two of them and really like them. They are freakishly small and very good optically, given the cost.
March has the capability to build some really lightweight stuff if they are so inclined. I am planing to spend a fair amount of time during SHOT convincing them to replace the 3-24x42 with a slightly lower magnification model to open up the low end FOV a little and separate it from the 3-24x52 a little more. Honestly, I like the 3-24x42, but I would probably like it more if it was a 2.3-18x42 or something alogn those lines. That would make one hell of a crossover scope to use for hunting, accurate gas guns, lightweight precision, etc.
I bet they could get it under 20 ounces with a little effort.
ILya
I would be all over that in a heartbeat. The standard FML (as opposed to FML-1) might shine here because it looks like a plex reticle at low mag.
Also, I'm eagerly waiting the TT hunter line. Hoping they come in fairly light.
There has been a couple scopes throughout the years that have far exceeded my exceptions, like the LRHS for instance which is a great FFP hunting scope, but not particularly light. One of the others is my Meostar R2 1.7-10x from Meopta. Right at 20 ounces it qualifies as light enough and the glass is outstanding. It is SFP w/ the BDC3 reticle, but I find it perfect for its role on this gun. Illuminated as well which is a bonus for my aging eyes at twilight.
925 grams for the 318i. 925 grams of crystal clear, sharp, feature-packed, recoil- absorbing awesomeness.
Short. Fat. Heavy. Exquisite.
