Rifle Scopes Lightweight, 30mm tube hunting scope options

[XLNC]

Looking for what are the best options out there for a lightweight scope primarily for hunting with a 30mm tube. Will be used on a 6.5 grendel AR.

Here's the specs I want to have:
- 2x or 3x on low end to 12x+ on the high end for magnification range
- 30mm tube
- less than 20 oz in weight, preferably less than 18 oz

The Leupold VX-6HD 2-12x42 seems like the best option to me but maybe I'm missing some. If the Leupold is the best ( or the 3-18x version), which reticle is better, TMoA or Firedot duplex?

 

[Burdy]

This is the largest hole in the scope market currently. Are you looking for FFP or SFP?

 

[beetroot]

The Leupold VX5/VX6 scope are excellent options if you are happy with SFP.

Both the firedot and TMOA are good reticle options but obviously with different uses.
If you anticipate a lot of close range shooting the firedot works like a redot, it's very quick and easy for your eye to pick up.
TMOA of the other hand is better suited for longer range shooting.

If you are keen on the 2-12 the firedot may be the way too go, obviously depending on your individual situation.

 

[Primus]

Lrhs/lrts and don't look back. Best sub $2k hunting scope on the market. Everything else is inferior.

 

[XLNC]

This is the largest hole in the scope market currently. Are you looking for FFP or SFP?

I've preferred FFP lately but for this application I'm not too concerned. FFP is a lot less important than the other specifications I've listed.

 

[koshkin]

Maven RS1 might be an interesting option for you. It is a rather competent design, although I am not a MOA guy.

ILya

 

[Burdy]

I've preferred FFP lately but for this application I'm not too concerned. FFP is a lot less important than the other specifications I've listed.

You may have some sacrifices somewhere, but here are some other options you should really look at:

LRHS 3-12, but it is slightly over your weight limit, FFP, awesome G2h Reticle (I have the 4.5-18 for hunting and love it)
Meopta Meostar 1.7-10x42, SFP, Meets weight requirement, illuminated, great glass (I have one of these too, love it)
Maven RS1 or RS2, either FFP 2-15x44 at 24 ounces or SFP 2-10x38 at 12 ounces, great glass (at least I know their binos are) I want to try one of these models myself
Vortex HD LH,3-15x42, 1 inch tube, 16 ounces, great glass, great warranty

 

[gr8fuldoug]

During this weeks Memorial Day Sale we can put you into the Meopta Meostar 1.7-10x42 with either BDC-2 or BDC-3 reticle for only $999.99

 

[beetroot]

Lrhs/lrts and don't look back. Best sub $2k hunting scope on the market. Everything else is inferior.

Unless you want FOV and magnification, or weight is important too you.

 

[Primus]

Weight is negligible when it has the most important features like FFP, reticle, durability , tracking & great glass. If you can't get it done with 3-12 or 4-18 you should quit and take up badminton.

 

[Burdy]

Weight is negligible when it has the most important features like FFP, reticle, durability , tracking & great glass. If you can't get it done with 3-12 or 4-18 you should quit and take up badminton.

I hate your approach and your undying love for all things first focal plane, but I can't argue with your choice this time. Its the best choice here despite its shortcomings in weight......unless he wants to carry this gun in very deep and every ounce matters. I find most people ignore this scope simply because they dont want "Bushnell" written anywhere on their rifle. Its a shame really.

 

[lennyo3034]

Agree with both of you. Although Primus mentioned best under $2000. Is there anything better over $2000? The only thing I can think of is TT which still comes with a weight or reticle penalty.

 

[Primus]

The March 3-24x52 with would be my choice $2-3K and Tangent Theta >$3K.

 

[Burdy]

Agree with both of you. Although Primus mentioned best under $2000. Is there anything better over $2000? The only thing I can think of is TT which still comes with a weight or reticle penalty.

If you are good with SFP, yes, Swaro Z6i 2-12x50 paired with ballistic turret. 30 tube, 19 oz, excellent glass, illuminated.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I'm using a Noghtforce NXS 2.5-10x42, with MOAR reticle, on my hunting rifle. It meets your requirements except for the high end magnification.

 

[lennyo3034]

If you are good with SFP, yes, Swaro Z6i 2-12x50 paired with ballistic turret. 30 tube, 19 oz, excellent glass, illuminated.

Nah, I use the entire power range and hold for wind. SFP is not something I want to mess with and risk wounding an animal when my adrenaline is pumping.

S&B makes a precision hunter that I think is FFP but I don't know much about it.

 

[Burdy]

I guess the other question is, is side parallax a requirement?

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Nah, I use the entire power range and hold for wind. SFP is not something I want to mess with and risk wounding an animal when my adrenaline is pumping.

S&B makes a precision hunter that I think is FFP but I don't know much about it.

Their Precision Hunter can be bought in 3-12x42, 3-12x50 or 4-16x50. P3 mildot reticle and a mil or MOA BDC turret. I’ve got a couple of the 3-12x42 with mil turret that goes to 3.2 mils. Nice 20 ounce scope, reticle matches my PMII scopes so it keeps things simple for me.

 

[sodakhunter]

NF 2.5-10x42 little low on high end mag but great scopes. Also unless I missed it a used Vortex AMG worth a look.

 

[KM375]

Maven RS1 might be an interesting option for you. It is a rather competent design, although I am not a MOA guy.

ILya

Anymore traction on these coming out in Mil/Mil?

 

[Wyzrd]

May not fit all your requirements, but I’d recommend the Leupold VX6-HD 2-12 or 3-18, the Vortex LH HD 3-15, Zeiss 3-15 (can’t remember the exact model offhand), and the Vortex AMG (my current hunting scope).... lots of great options out there?

 

[spife7980]

Nah, I use the entire power range and hold for wind. SFP is not something I want to mess with and risk wounding an animal when my adrenaline is pumping.

S&B makes a precision hunter that I think is FFP but I don't know much about it.

Are you going to be measuring your misses with the reticle and then dialing them in before the second shot? No, youll just quickly hold over with the reticle.
Are you going to be using the reticle in an attempt to range the animal? No, youll use a range finder or gps or plain out guess before you range with a reticle I imagine.

So for most hunting second focal doesnt matter. You dial the turret the exact same way and if you can spot your miss then you hold off just the same.

That said, the swaro turret model mentioned (while fan-fucking-tastic glass, best youll get) does only come in a generic looking duplex reticle. You can still dial 45 moa and hold over for misses though. Id probably go with the 3-18 though and get the 4w so you at least have some wind dashes for reference.

 

[Burdy]

Are you going to be measuring your misses with the reticle and then dialing them in before the second shot? No, youll just quickly hold over with the reticle.
Are you going to be using the reticle in an attempt to range the animal? No, youll use a range finder or gps or plain out guess before you range with a reticle I imagine.

So for most hunting second focal doesnt matter. You dial the turret the exact same way and if you can spot your miss then you hold off just the same.

That said, the swaro turret model mentioned (while fan-fucking-tastic glass, best youll get) does only come in a generic looking duplex reticle. You can still dial 45 moa and hold over for misses though. Id probably go with the 3-18 though and get the 4w so you at least have some wind dashes for reference.

Depends on what you are hunting but I also wonder why people don't zero with a +/- 3" (or larger depending on game size) MPBR and know that if the game is further than said distance, say 300 yards, just go to max power and use the holds. 90%+ will be taken inside the MPBR anyways. To me that seems the better way to manage the adrenaline.

 

[lennyo3034]

Are you going to be measuring your misses with the reticle and then dialing them in before the second shot? No, youll just quickly hold over with the reticle.
Are you going to be using the reticle in an attempt to range the animal? No, youll use a range finder or gps or plain out guess before you range with a reticle I imagine.

You’re right about these. However I do use a wind hold, and I don’t want to worry about what power I’m at.

I also practice by shooting my hunting rifle in LR matches. Not PRS type, just matches to get first round hits on various targets at various ranges.

I know most of it is mental. I prefer a hunting optic that matches my competition optics. And since I have more confidence in that setup, it is what I prefer.

 

[lennyo3034]

Depends on what you are hunting but I also wonder why people don't zero with a +/- 3" (or larger depending on game size) MPBR and know that if the game is further than said distance, say 300 yards, just go to max power and use the holds. 90%+ will be taken inside the MPBR anyways. To me that seems the better way to manage the adrenaline.

This is exactly what I did before (Leica ER with ballistic reticle). It worked but I am more comfortable with the FFP method because I have way more mileage on FFP from competitions.

 

[koshkin]

You’re right about these. However I do use a wind hold, and I don’t want to worry about what power I’m at.

I also practice by shooting my hunting rifle in LR matches. Not PRS type, just matches to get first round hits on various targets at various ranges.

I know most of it is mental. I prefer a hunting optic that matches my competition optics. And since I have more confidence in that setup, it is what I prefer.

That is a very, very, very good post. Practice with your hunting rifle and shoot like you practice.

ILya

 

[capp325]

Leica Magnus 1.8-12

 

[supercorndogs]

Why does it need a 30mm tube? Never understood counting ounces with 30mm tube requirement. It seems to pop up in every recommend a light scope thread.

The FOV on the LRHS/LRTS line is pretty in line with others.

Burris 3-15 36' at 3x
LRHS 3-12 34.6 at 3x.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Leica Magnus 1.8-12

We just posted a Demo Leica riflescope sale

 

[Primus]

Why does it need a 30mm tube? Never understood counting ounces with 30mm tube requirement. It seems to pop up in every recommend a light scope thread.

The FOV on the LRHS/LRTS line is pretty in line with others.

Burris 3-15 36' at 3x
LRHS 3-12 34.6 at 3x.

Because there is not a 1" scope on the planet worth a shit.

 

[Primus]

And FOV is irrevent unless you are in combat. Your hunting scope is not a spotter and virtually every gun game u know the course before you shoot.

 

[Burdy]

And FOV is irrevent unless you are in combat. Your hunting scope is not a spotter and virtually every gun game u know the course before you shoot.

You don't varmint hunt, do you?

 

[beetroot]

Because there is not a 1" scope on the planet worth a shit.

There will be 1000s of Swarovski Z3/Z5 owners that would disagree with that statement.

 

[beetroot]

And FOV is irrevent unless you are in combat. Your hunting scope is not a spotter and virtually every gun game u know the course before you shoot.

Yes

 

[Primus]

There will be 1000s of Swarovski Z3/Z5 owners that would disagree with that statement.

And they all suck dick compared to a Mil/Mill 30/34MM FFP with an Xmas tree reticle.

 

[supercorndogs]

And FOV is irrevent unless you are in combat. Your hunting scope is not a spotter and virtually every gun game u know the course before you shoot.

Hunting scope, not a gun game scope. FOV is only important in combat. LOL. Your opinion, not shared by most I imagine. There are a mountain of good 1" tube lightweight hunting scopes.

 

[captainmorgan460]

On a 9-12 X high end I wouldn't overlook SFP for hunting. I personally like the thicker reticle early and late light with illumination when possible. Personally have never held over or for windage on anything but max on a 3-9 scope.

Seems like the leupolds give up some clarity at same price point for weight. For hunting I think it works.

 

[Primus]

Hunting scope, not a gun game scope. FOV is only important in combat. LOL. Your opinion, not shared by most I imagine. There are a mountain of good 1" tube lightweight hunting scopes.

I don't really care who agrees, I'm right.

FOV provides situational awareness. Now if PRS ,3 gun and the rest were shot blind, where people had no idea where the targets are, then FOV may be a factor. In a dynamic situation that you cannot plan for, such as combat, FOV provides that SA and it bumps up the priority.

When you know where every target is, the range and have time to plan a course of fire, you FOV is probably the LEAST important feature/attribute. I'm not saying its completely useless, just irreverent compared to more important things.

Disagree on the hunting scope. They can "work" but they suck compared to better more modern designs that reduce error and improve first round hits, where its more important than steel or paper. I don't know why people can't grasp this simple concept.

 

[beetroot]

When you know where every target is, the range and have time to plan a course of fire, you FOV is probably the LEAST important feature/attribute. I'm not saying its completely useless, just irreverent compared to more important things.

You telling me when you're out hunting you know where every animal is going to be before your trip?
You've never had to try follow and animals through thick bush where you might only have a few seconds too make a shot?

I'm amazed at your arrogance in that you think your experience trumps that of every other hunter/shooter on the planet.
Literally hundreds of thousands of hunters/shooter has used and continue to use scopes that you think "suck dick" over dozens of different countries, with great effect. Many certainly having shoot more animals than you ever will.

What a bellend.

Ju

 

[supercorndogs]

I don't really care who agrees, I'm right.

FOV provides situational awareness. Now if PRS ,3 gun and the rest were shot blind, where people had no idea where the targets are, then FOV may be a factor. In a dynamic situation that you cannot plan for, such as combat, FOV provides that SA and it bumps up the priority.

When you know where every target is, the range and have time to plan a course of fire, you FOV is probably the LEAST important feature/attribute. I'm not saying its completely useless, just irreverent compared to more important things.

Disagree on the hunting scope. They can "work" but they suck compared to better more modern designs that reduce error and improve first round hits, where its more important than steel or paper. I don't know why people can't grasp this simple concept.

The OP asked for a light hunting scope. You continue to go on this bull shit tangent about FOV being irrelevant in PRS and 3 gun. To start with, that notion is pure fallacy.

If it was true, people in 3 gun would not have a made a market for the 1x scope. You can sit around and play the imagination game all day. Plan your course of fire, you still need to the find targets, and if you want to be competitive you need to find them fast. Lets see you run an entire 3 gun competition at 4,6 or 8x, Which ever scope you use.

Damn, a scope that reduces errors and increases first round hits. You shootin for Quigley Ford now? Will it scratch my balls if they itch?
How many bow kills you have? and how many years working concrete?

Maybe people grasp the concept fine, but think its a stupid concept.

 

[spife7980]

Hes just trying to be an asshole.

Hes succeeding.

 

[Primus]

1x has nothing to do with fov it has to do with speed and heads up two eye open shooting. People wouldn't be running microdots and rmr if fov mattered in 1x.

So instead of being a smart ass try using your melon for once.

 

[Primus]

You telling me when you're out hunting you know where every animal is going to be before your trip?
You've never had to try follow and animals through thick bush where you might only have a few seconds too make a shot?

I'm amazed at your arrogance in that you think your experience trumps that of every other hunter/shooter on the planet.
Literally hundreds of thousands of hunters/shooter has used and continue to use scopes that you think "suck dick" over dozens of different countries, with great effect. Many certainly having shoot more animals than you ever will.

What a bellend.

Ju

Define hunting. Most people don't know a better mousetrap when it's hitting them in the face. A bunch of bubbas using the only thing they know means jack shit.

East coast "harvesting" it doesn't matter when you sit in a stand and your longest shot is 100... Maybe 200 yards if pressing it.

West coast hunting is mostly done by glassing with a spotter and then moving to a shooting position.

This stalk around the forest shit like some Indian is probably 1% of actually hunting and you would be better off with a red dot for contact shots. It's more common in the bowhunting world where you need to get in close enough for a valid shot. Most people aren't going to risk spooking game to get within 50 yards when they can just blast the fucker with a win mag at 2-300.

For anything that requires a shot over 200 this is where the benefits come in. Don't have to worry about where your mag is, reticle subtensions work across all mags, if it's a longer shot you can use ballistic calc and and dial. If your rf goes down you can use the reticle to range. You get better image with a bigger tube generally. There are no ffp mil/mil quality scopes 1" with a good reticle out there so yea....fuck 1" scopes.

 

[supercorndogs]

"Use your melon," only good piece of advice I think i have ever seen you give.

When addressing someone who thinks their opinion is the only one that matters. I have no response other than smart ass. You can't reason with someone who thinks their aggregate knowledge surpasses all else, all you can do is pull their string, and sit back and laugh....

Got any more catch lines puppet? I keep pulling the string, the same tired shit keeps coming out.

1x has nothing to do with fov it has to do with speed and heads up two eye open shooting. People wouldn't be running microdots and rmr if fov mattered in 1x.

So instead of being a smart ass try using your melon for once.

 

[koshkin]

1" tube, FFP, reasonable reticle.



ILya

 

[Primus]

And what's the pedigree? Let me know when someone worth listening to swears by them.

 

[supercorndogs]

Delta has a lot more stuff than I realized. I tend to like the razor 2-10, great FOV, 15.4 oz.

 

[koshkin]

And what's the pedigree? Let me know when someone worth listening to swears by them.

I am not sure you consider anyone other than yourself worth listening to.

That having been said, I think there is a market for a decent 1" FFP scope. Let's hope someone makes it.

ILya

 

[supercorndogs]

And what's the pedigree? Let me know when someone worth listening to swears by them.

Calm down for ya mess yourself, Cletus.

 

[koshkin]

Delta has a lot more stuff than I realized. I tend to like the razor 2-10, great FOV, 15.4 oz.

Delta is growing little by little and they are small enough to really pay attention. They are a pretty good size player in Europe and they are definitely expanding out.

ILya