Rifle Scopes Lightweight short range hunting optic?

[Maverick3009]

Looking for recommendations on a lightweight optic for hunting, likely less than 125yd shots, but will stretch it out on the range. FFP and MIL to keep with my other optics. Would like to keep it less than 20oz and less than $1200 or so.

Currently I'm looking into:

EOTech Vudu 1-10x28 with SR-5 reticle
Primary Arms 1-8x24 with ACSS Griffin MIL M8 reticle (Watched @C_Does review and I'm leaning toward this optic currently)
Nightforce NX8 1-8x24 with FC-DMx reticle (have heard stories about the eye box which kind of scare me here)
Leupold Mark4 HD 2.5-10x42 with TMR reticle

Who has experience with these optics or have thoughts on how they'd perform as a hunting scope?

Any others you'd recommend that I look into? Already looked into Trijicon, Vortex, Burris, Maven, and Leupold.

 

[st1650]

Well for hunting you don’t really need 1x at the bottom so maybe considering also a 3-12 or 2.5-10.

Also not sure why you’re asking for FFP if your hunting range will be inside of 150 yards unless you plan to run a thermal and or subsonics.
That being said
I’d say a used Bushnell lhrs/lrtsi 3-12 is a good choice.

Leupold mk4hd 2.5-10 would work too.

Athlon Helos gen2, 2-12 is another good choice, just on the heavier side.

If you do want lightweight and 1x at the bottom, by far my favourite is the plxc 1-8. I currently use it on a 12.5grendel and it’s perfect for this role.

 

[Maverick3009]

Well for hunting you don’t really need 1x at the bottom so maybe considering also a 3-12 or 2.5-10.

Also not sure why you’re asking for FFP if your hunting range will be inside of 150 yards unless you plan to run a thermal and or subsonics.
That being said
I’d say a used Bushnell lhrs/lrtsi 3-12 is a good choice.

Leupold mk4hd 2.5-10 would work too.

Athlon Helos gen2, 2-12 is another good choice, just on the heavier side.

If you do want lightweight and 1x at the bottom, by far my favourite is the plxc 1-8. I currently use it on a 12.5grendel and it’s perfect for this role.

Correct, I don't necessarily need 1x on the bottom however I haven't found a whole lot in the MPVO that has a reticle I like. I do plan on running subs but mainly like using FFP just because it's what I'm used to running. I'll take a look at those Bushnell's, I do have an older ERS so I like their stuff.

Just finished looking into the Mark4 HD and added that to the list but not sure how I feel about the TMR reticle.

I currently use the Athlon Helos Gen2 2-12 with the AHMR2 reticle (my favorite reticle by far) however was hoping to shave a little weight off but I do currently have this scope if nothing else peaks my interest.

At the end of the day, if nothing else, it's a good reason to try out another optic and if it doesn't work as a hunting optic, it'll find a home on another rig

 

[Taylorbok]

125 yards? put a red dot on.

 

[st1650]

Actually other super good underdog is the Leupold 1.25-4 VXR Patrol. It's mil/mil, weight less than 13oz, has fiber illum and 4x will get you enough mag for 150 yards. I run it on my 22lr pest control gun. You could probably find a used for dirt cheap and mount it on a aero lightweight spr mount.

 

[Maverick3009]

Actually other super good underdog is the Leupold 1.25-4 VXR Patrol. It's mil/mil, weight less than 13oz, has fiber illum and 4x will get you enough mag for 150 yards. I run it on my 22lr pest control gun. You could probably find a used for dirt cheap and mount it on a aero lightweight spr mount.

I'll take a look into that one!

 

[XTREM HTR16]

SWFA SS 6x42

 

[TonyAngel]

If you aren't worried about having a 1x, then forget about LPVOs. LPVOs are just one big compromise meant to accommodate the 1x.

Lots of good 2-10s out there ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand.

 

[Maverick3009]

If you aren't worried about having a 1x, then forget about LPVOs. LPVOs are just one big compromise meant to accommodate the 1x.

Lots of good 2-10s out there ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand.

That's the way I'm leaning. I think right now I'll either keep my Athlon but if not I'll probably go with the Leupold Mark4 in 2.5-10.

 

[TonyAngel]

That's the way I'm leaning. I think right now I'll either keep my Athlon but if not I'll probably go with the Leupold Mark4 in 2.5-10.

When I last responded, I was in kind of a hurry. Of the scopes you listed I have the NX8, the Leupold and until very recent, the PLXc.

I bought the PLXc and NX8 because I couldn't decide which one was for me. After having run both, I sold the PLXc.

I really don't get all of the hype around the PA scope. Yes, it has a very good 1x that looks great when being reviewed on the internet where views through the scope are shown. Very similar to a Razor. What no one mentioned is that when shooting 1x, you have both eyes open, so when actually shooting, that nice big 1x becomes meaningless... and that's where the good ends. At top magnification, you're going to be using the diopter adjustment to try to clean up the soft image. No matter how much adjusting I did, I was never able to get a clear reticle. I could get the center reticle crisp, but never the markings on the outer portions of the reticle. When you watch the videos, take note of the reticle image. It never appears clear and sharp. As far as build quality, when compared to the NX8, the Nightforce is clearly the more robust optic.

Still, everyone has their priorities. For me, the NX8 was it.

As much as I love my NX8, I still prefer the Leupold for actually shooting. For all of the things where you don't need a 1x and having the smallest, lightest scope isn't important, the Leupold does everything better.

But, honestly the lack of a parallax adjustment may be a deal breaker for many. I've never had a problem with it out to 800. I liked the Leupold enough to keep it on my 16" rig, because it's light, has really good glass and gets the job done. If you don't need light, there's nothing wrong with the Athlon 2-12x. It just lacks the refinement of the much more expensive Leupold. If light isn't a requirement and you don't NEED locking turrets, the gen ii 2-10 pst is a killer scope too.

I've had a PST for years now and it still impresses me everytime I take it out. Its just that it's a heavy pig and the turrets don't lock.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

The PA reticles are hot garbage. If they got rid of that ACSS abortion shit that we told mashal over a decade ago was shit, they would sell a ton more optics. Same with their prisms. Get rid of the faggy reticles and they would sell way more.

 

[Docsherm]

https://www.eotechinc.com/eotech-vudu-3-9x32-sfp

 

[TonyAngel]

One of my biggestest concerns on my rigs is toughness. My stuff gets used and occasionally abused. Two things bug me about that new Eotech. The first is the mounting method. It seems to me that there is one screw holding that scope onto that very narrow mount with two very long levers sticking out of either side. It just doesn't inspire confidence.

The second thing that I'm concerned about is depth of field. I just don’t see how you can get much depth of field out of a scope that short. Without the benefit of a parallax adjustment, I'm wondering if the use of max magnification is going to leave you looking at a blurry image most of the time.

Still, I'm definitely getting one as soon as I can. I have to see for myself. If it winds up being at all confidence inspiring, in terms of robustness, I can totally see this replacing the TA11 for me on all but my bomb proof build. There still isn't anything tougher than an ACOG.

If you decide to give an NX8 a try, look around for a used one. Lot of couch commandos out there that bought one and decided to sell it because it wasn't what they thought. Just look for one with the fc-dmx reticle with capped turrets.

Just keep in mind when evaluating price, that the NX8 can be had for 1750 (or better) out the door, brand new. Eurooptic is (or was) running a deal where they pay the tax and ship for free.

 

[Maverick3009]

One of my biggestest concerns on my rigs is toughness. My stuff gets used and occasionally abused. Two things bug me about that new Eotech. The first is the mounting method. It seems to me that there is one screw holding that scope onto that very narrow mount with two very long levers sticking out of either side. It just doesn't inspire confidence.

The second thing that I'm concerned about is depth of field. I just don’t see how you can get much depth of field out of a scope that short. Without the benefit of a parallax adjustment, I'm wondering if the use of max magnification is going to leave you looking at a blurry image most of the time.

Still, I'm definitely getting one as soon as I can. I have to see for myself. If it winds up being at all confidence inspiring, in terms of robustness, I can totally see this replacing the TA11 for me on all but my bomb proof build. There still isn't anything tougher than an ACOG.

If you decide to give an NX8 a try, look around for a used one. Lot of couch commandos out there that bought one and decided to sell it because it wasn't what they thought. Just look for one with the fc-dmx reticle with capped turrets.

Just keep in mind when evaluating price, that the NX8 can be had for 1750 (or better) out the door, brand new. Eurooptic is (or was) running a deal where they pay the tax and ship for free.

Yea really like what EOTech is going for with that new scope but I don't wanna be the guinea pig to try it out so I appreciate you taking one for the team

The NX8 was the top of my list however the eye box issues make me nervous for my use on a hunting rig but the size/weight/reticle are all perfect. I know I can get one for about $1550 to my door from some of the site sponsors here and I haven't even talked to Doug yet.

 

[st1650]

Zero reasons to get a NX8 1-8 in 2025.

 

[Maverick3009]

Zero reasons to get a NX8 1-8 in 2025.

I really wish the Mark 4hd had a reticle closer to the NF FC-DMx, Athlon AHMR2, or even the EOTech SR5 but frankly, for hunting purposes, the TMK does just fine

 

[Docsherm]

One of my biggestest concerns on my rigs is toughness. My stuff gets used and occasionally abused. Two things bug me about that new Eotech. The first is the mounting method. It seems to me that there is one screw holding that scope onto that very narrow mount with two very long levers sticking out of either side. It just doesn't inspire confidence.

The second thing that I'm concerned about is depth of field. I just don’t see how you can get much depth of field out of a scope that short. Without the benefit of a parallax adjustment, I'm wondering if the use of max magnification is going to leave you looking at a blurry image most of the time.

Still, I'm definitely getting one as soon as I can. I have to see for myself. If it winds up being at all confidence inspiring, in terms of robustness, I can totally see this replacing the TA11 for me on all but my bomb proof build. There still isn't anything tougher than an ACOG.

If you decide to give an NX8 a try, look around for a used one. Lot of couch commandos out there that bought one and decided to sell it because it wasn't what they thought. Just look for one with the fc-dmx reticle with capped turrets.

Just keep in mind when evaluating price, that the NX8 can be had for 1750 (or better) out the door, brand new. Eurooptic is (or was) running a deal where they pay the tax and ship for free.

It uses the same mounting method as the Mini ACOG. I can say that the TA33 , same mounting method, that i have had since 2007 still has the same mount and it has been rock solid the entire time. I t was been beat up, over 20 months in Afghanistan, no issues.

 

[TonyAngel]

Yea really like what EOTech is going for with that new scope but I don't wanna be the guinea pig to try it out so I appreciate you taking one for the team

The NX8 was the top of my list however the eye box issues make me nervous for my use on a hunting rig but the size/weight/reticle are all perfect. I know I can get one for about $1550 to my door from some of the site sponsors here and I haven't even talked to Doug yet.

I was apprehensive at first as well, due to what was said on the internet; but after having run a couple thousand rounds with it, I think it's a non issue. Don't get me wrong, its tight at 8x, but show me an 8x LPVO that isn't.

Zero reasons to get a NX8 1-8 in 2025.

Then what's the alternative if robustness of build, size and weight are factors? If you're thinking PLXc, I'd have to differ. The only thing the PLXc has going for it is the 1x.

It uses the same mounting method as the Mini ACOG. I can say that the TA33 , same mounting method, that i have had since 2007 still has the same mount and it has been rock solid the entire time. I t was been beat up, over 20 months in Afghanistan, no issues.

I get what you're saying, but the ACOG is machined from a 7075 forging. Unless I'm mistaken, the Eotech is going to be machined from a 6061 extrusion. Either way, 7075 beats 6061. The ACOG you mentioned is also about half the weight and smaller. Less leverage at either end.

In any case, I'll admit the Eotech is on my mind. I'm sure I'll be posting something about it once it hits the shelves. Regardless of what I said, I still want it.