Rifle Scopes Recommendations on Lightweight Tactical Scope

[NHPiper]

Putting together a 16” 308 with a carbon fiber barrel and folding chassis. Looking for recommendations on a fairly lightweight (relative to similar scopes) FFP with a minimum zoom of 10x at the top end. Will be a “truck” gun, compact and used for all purposes (hunting, buyout). Need a scope that I can enjoy stretching to 500+ with.

Thinking of the old Vortex 2-10, SWFA 3-15, etc. And if it’s worth it, i.e the weight is the same, just going with the traditional bigger glass like S&B.

Any suggestions or recommendations guys?

 

[556ARs]

Bushnell elite tactical 1.5-6x24 is 18.5 ozs.

 

[NHPiper]

Good scope, but looking for more power, ideally between 10-15x on the top end.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Leupold mark 6 or mark 5.

 

[45.308]

Side by side, Leupold is almost always lighter.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

Leupold mk5, 6 or maybe look at March.

 

[koshkin]

You need to define your price range.

How much are you looking to spend? Also, what kind if a reticle do you like?

ILya

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

2.5x8x36 Leupold w/a MOA tree ret. Everything that needs to be shot can be hit to 800+ (depending target size) with that scope. 1 Depending power setting you have 32-96+/- of holds

 

[NHPiper]

Price range of 700-1500, and I can get most scopes at dealer prices, so that gives me a little more room on the top end.

Must be in Mils as well.

 

[koshkin]

Price range of 700-1500, and I can get most scopes at dealer prices, so that gives me a little more room on the top end.

Must be in Mils as well.

I don't know what dealer prices are, so I can't comment on that. Somewhere toward the lower end of that range is Vortex PST Gen 2 3-15x44 which is an excellent design and it is available with a nice mrad delienated tree reticle. In terms of bang fo rthe buck within your price range, that would be at the top of my list.

Going up in price does not get much more performance until you get into the $2k+ range.

Another good option within your price range is Bushnell LRTSi 4.5-18x44, if 4.5x on the low end is enough for you.

Arguably the best of crossover scopes of this type is Tangent Theta T315M 3-15x50. I use the Tangent and the PST Gen 2 on precision gas guns and both work well and are worth the money. Tangent is $3k though, unless you can find a deal somewhere.

Somewhere between the two are Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 and Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42. Both are nice scopes and if the reticle they offer work for you are worth looking at.

ILya

 

[NHPiper]

I don't know what dealer prices are, so I can't comment on that. Somewhere toward the lower end of that range is Vortex PST Gen 2 3-15x44 which is an excellent design and it is available with a nice mrad delienated tree reticle. In terms of bang fo rthe buck within your price range, that would be at the top of my list.

Going up in price does not get much more performance until you get into the $2k+ range.

Another good option within your price range is Bushnell LRTSi 4.5-18x44, if 4.5x on the low end is enough for you.

Arguably the best of crossover scopes of this type is Tangent Theta T315M 3-15x50. I use the Tangent and the PST Gen 2 on precision gas guns and both work well and are worth the money. Tangent is $3k though, unless you can find a deal somewhere.

Somewhere between the two are Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 and Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42. Both are nice scopes and if the reticle they offer work for you are worth looking at.

ILya

I don't know what dealer prices are, so I can't comment on that. Somewhere toward the lower end of that range is Vortex PST Gen 2 3-15x44 which is an excellent design and it is available with a nice mrad delienated tree reticle. In terms of bang fo rthe buck within your price range, that would be at the top of my list.

Going up in price does not get much more performance until you get into the $2k+ range.

Another good option within your price range is Bushnell LRTSi 4.5-18x44, if 4.5x on the low end is enough for you.

Arguably the best of crossover scopes of this type is Tangent Theta T315M 3-15x50. I use the Tangent and the PST Gen 2 on precision gas guns and both work well and are worth the money. Tangent is $3k though, unless you can find a deal somewhere.

Somewhere between the two are Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 and Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42. Both are nice scopes and if the reticle they offer work for you are worth looking at.

ILya

So looking at my dealer prices, I’m around $1300-$1400 for a new Mk5HD 3-18 with mil reticle and turrets. With the vortex being about half that cost. So is it worth doubling my optics cost, am I saving that much in weight and gaining that much in glass?

 

[gnochi]

The Leupold is 2oz lighter, has worse reticle options, has comparable glass clarity, and has noticeably worse chromatic aberration. The turrets, fit and finish, etc. are excellent, but that’s not to say the PST2 is bad. It really boils down to what do you care about?

I can’t stand chromatic aberration. I’ll always pass up a scope if I can see it. As such, the Mk5HD is a no-go for me, along with pretty much everything by Nikon or Kahles.

I’d be very happy with the PST2 3-15 in your shoes.

 

[koshkin]

So looking at my dealer prices, I’m around $1300-$1400 for a new Mk5HD 3-18 with mil reticle and turrets. With the vortex being about half that cost. So is it worth doubling my optics cost, am I saving that much in weight and gaining that much in glass?

If the overall length is not an issue, I'd go with PST II.

ILya

 

[Backcountryguy]

Since you mentioned the Vortex 2-10 and SWFA 3-15....I’d personally look at the Athlon Midas TAC 4-16x44...weighs slightly less than the SWFA.

HD Glass, a hard zero stop on the elevation turret, and a capped windage turret. Nice MIL reticle. Nice turrets. I personally think it would make for a great “truck gun” scope because of these features and it’s what I intend to put on mine when I put one together.

I’ve got 2 Midas TACs in the 6-24 power and I like this series of scope a lot more than my SWFA SS series scope. Just personal opinion, YMMV.

 

[NHPiper]

Sounds like I will check out the Athlon and the Vortex Gen II PST. Thanks guys!

 

[maclowry]

Bushnell LRTS. 3-18, lightweight, very affordable, good glass/options.

 

[D46Infinity]

One other scope to consider it the nightforce nx8 2.5-20 at 28 oz.

So far the reviews have been favorable and it being NF it will hold up to just about anything you can imagine.

The vortex PST in my option has no place on a trunk gun or shrf rifle. They have not been the most durable optic from what I have seen. Great warranty but you need it pretty often.

 

[Birddog6424]

The Leupold is 2oz lighter, has worse reticle options, has comparable glass clarity, and has noticeably worse chromatic aberration. The turrets, fit and finish, etc. are excellent, but that’s not to say the PST2 is bad. It really boils down to what do you care about?

I can’t stand chromatic aberration. I’ll always pass up a scope if I can see it. As such, the Mk5HD is a no-go for me, along with pretty much everything by Nikon or Kahles.

I’d be very happy with the PST2 3-15 in your shoes.

Is the MK5 really that bad? I've heard so many good things about them.

Granted, they were selling really hot for a while. Now it seems like you cant give them away. I tried to sell a MK5 HD 5-25 with the H59 brand new in an unopened box. It took me weeks, and I sold it ridiculously low.

I've heard a couple times now in the last week that they have some CA.

 

[gnochi]

Is the MK5 really that bad? I've heard so many good things about them.

Granted, they were selling really hot for a while. Now it seems like you cant give them away. I tried to sell a MK5 HD 5-25 with the H59 brand new in an unopened box. It took me weeks, and I sold it ridiculously low.

I've heard a couple times now in the last week that they have some CA.

It’s not bad, it’s just not to my taste, because I really care about CA, and also care about a clean Christmas tree reticle. If I’m going to spend a decent chunk of change on a scope, I’m going to pick one I like looking through. I got hands-on with one at a store and didn’t like looking through it indoors or outdoors.

 

[Hondo64d]

Putting together a 16” 308 with a carbon fiber barrel and folding chassis. Looking for recommendations on a fairly lightweight (relative to similar scopes) FFP with a minimum zoom of 10x at the top end. Will be a “truck” gun, compact and used for all purposes (hunting, buyout). Need a scope that I can enjoy stretching to 500+ with.

Thinking of the old Vortex 2-10, SWFA 3-15, etc. And if it’s worth it, i.e the weight is the same, just going with the traditional bigger glass like S&B.

Any suggestions or recommendations guys?

There is not a better deal in optics out there right now than the Bushnell 3-12 LRTSi from Doug at Cameraland.

Shop Online | Camera Land NY

Shop Online | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

John

 

[ActiVets]

Adding to this thread, the new arken optic 6-24x50 is 22.5 ounces +/- . Has capped tac turrets, FFP, and zero stop. I have a few of their optics and I am impressed with the glass and function for the price. Still testing though, but the weight is right. The only other scope I had that beats it is the vortex razor LHT which I believe is 19.5 ish.

 

[david walter]

Arken and lightweight in one sentence?

Link to product, please.

 

[4O6shootist]

Trijicon credo 2-10 or tenmile 3-18 are both around 25oz, ffp mil reticle. Durable, track, and have good glass. Very functional utilitarian non flashy scopes.

 

[ActiVets]

Arken and lightweight in one sentence?

Link to product, please.

LH-4 6-24x50 FFP 30mm Tube - Capped Tool Less Turrets

www.arkenopticsusa.com

 

[david walter]

Looks nice at

• Length:
  13.8 inches
• Weight:
  22.58 oz