So are you wanting an optic that's light to simply shoot SPR distances with, or are you wanting something with a very low end that you are thinking you're going to switch to and shoot CQB distances with?
If the answer is both, well, I want a cheap Ferrari too. And you are right, a SPR optic is something that seems to be a missing niche but I am sure theres a bunch of technical reasons as to why it isn't as easy as we'd hope for.
The trade off with SPR's is the trick. You either get a shitty high end and decent low end or the other way around. Combine that with eye box issues between max/min power and the fact that the reticle won't be parallax free when you're using it like a red dot and things go sideways quick. There is no perfect optic for this if this is what you're wanting to do. Honestly, features have been added and the problems/solutions have been mixed and matched with newer optics, but we haven't come very far since the NF 2.5-10x24 in this respect.
If your answer is in fact 'I want to do both', look into a lighter weight optic with the upper range you want for the distances you shoot (I'd stay around 10x) and then find the lowest sitting RDS that can be tube/ring mounted directly over the tube, as low as possible.i t
For example to show you some of what you're looking to overcome, my Mk12Mod1 has the NF 2.5-10x24 on it. At 10x the stock is in the 4th position back for proper eye relief and length of pull. At 2.5x, I have to bring the stock in 2 positions for the eye box to even remotely not be blacked out when trying to use it like a red dot, let alone take the length out of the rifle for a better/steadier center of gravity. Still with that, the edges easily get blacked out when I'm moving it between targets, moving around, etc. It's not perfect. To fix that, I have the Insight ring mount (its impossible to find, but I managed to snag one for the Mk12) built specifically for the Insight MRDS to basically sit on top of the tube, with you just barely looking over the turret. Your cheek weld and natural shooting position are 100 times better than having to do the retarded 45 degree flip that offset mounts have, and I get on targets FAST.
You may have to look into something like this, because there is no scope out there that does distance plus CQB/short range well.
Only problem is the cost of course.
