Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Lightweight 270 build optic question

I'd say a leupy 6x36 or swaro Z3 3-9x36, I've been very happy with both those scopes.

If you don't want to spin turrets Leupold fixed 6. If you want to play with turrets I'd go Nightforce,

I was thinking a 6x42 Leupie went 11oz.

If you want turrets, go with the Swaro 3.5x10 z3.

Wrong answer....

I believe light rifles need light scopes. Not just to keep the total weight low - the reason most of us build light rifles in the first place - but also to solve the problem of heavy scopes and their mounts getting battered by recoil velocity.

A light for caliber rifle has low inertia and moves rapidly under recoil forces. A heavy scope mounted on such a rifle tends to resist the recoil forces due to higher inertia, causing significant sheer forces on the mounting screws and the scope's components, as well.

A Leupold VX3i ( or earlier version) 2.5-8x36 weighs about 11.5 ounces. I've found this power range on my 270s, and similar class rifles, to be enough magnification for my hunting. YMMV

If you want a sub 12-13 ounce scope on any rifle, you better be a road hunter, someone who does nothing but hunt thick stuff, be a Kentucky windage kind of dude who hasn't moved on with the times, or suffer a fixed reticle for holdover because there is nothing reliable for dialing in that weight class.

Pre 64 M70 I put 22" #1 taper Chrome Moly Pac Nor 270 barrel and Borden Rimrock stock on it.
With a 9.9 ounce Leupold 2x7x33 and Stoney point turret, and Butler Creek stretchy sling, it weighs 8.0 pounds.

With wimpy loads, 130 gr 2875 fps I get the accuracy.I have killed deer to 510 yards with it, but most were between 400 and 500.

Disagree. Eye relief adequate at best, and not enough for me.

Wow. You must think you're the center of the universe

I took the long range shooting course at Gunsite Academy and with a Vx3 2.5x8 can shoot very far; this said, I believe that the only way to hunt is to hunt fair chase and to move in close.

M8 6x42 M1. Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin. I'm probably the only person that uses one though.

It may just be me, but I need a scope with more mounting latitude than the Swaro Z3 and Leu 2.5-8 on the long action 700. (Assuming standard 270). There is quite a bit of space between the bridges... For those two scopes wearing some layers, I have to drop my LOP down around 13" for quick instinctive shots. That doesn't do much for resale...

I like the 3-9x40 VX2 with dotz on my TI 280AI. It is very a very light scope and only weighs about an ounce more than a 6x36. Personally I am not a long-range hunter, but prefer to hunt up to critter. So it makes little sense to me to saddle a build designated as a true lightweight with a lot of glass. The batteries and tech go on other builds.

Two scopes with a little more mounting latitude are the VX3 3.5-10, slightly heavier, and do like the "older" 3-9x42 1" VM/V--but it is dang near 16oz. The Conquest 3-9x40 had/has the same dimensions as the VM/V, great for long actions, and Zeiss plex reticle is tough to beat...

On hunts in high country the bino gets the consideration for carrying a little xtra weight.

fwiw...

I've always thought the 6x36 LRD with a CDS is a great idea, and have contemplated doing the same for a long time. Indeed, in very low light the dots are tough to pick up. At the same time, dots are absolutely faster, while dials more precise.

Really, can't see how the LRD/CDS setup in a fixed scope isn't a win/win. Choices...

If you can find one, a Kahles CL with Multizero will check a bunch of your boxes. They are pretty light and have side focus. I have owned a 3x9x40 Trijicon and it was a nice lightweight scope. No AO or elevation turret on the Trijicon. Similar weight to Leupold and better glass to me.

Just trying to save you some time but based on this thread alone that ain't gonna happen.

Congrats on taking a course?

Carry on with your thinking that hunting has to fit into a box. I love tag burners.

Well I'm needing the same question answered. I am putting together a Pierce TI receiver, Shilen #2 barrel, Brown Precision custom made Kevlar stock, with lightweight Talleys that are one piece with the base. I can shorten the distance between the rings by just reversing them. I have several scopes, but they are old. A M8-6X.A 2.5X8 Leupold VX111, or a few 3X9 Zeiss or Swarovski 3X9.

The reason for going with the CDS and Wide Duplex is "my perception" that the fine wires of the Wide Duplex reticle are a little bit thicker than the fine wires of the Standard Duplex. Easier for me to pick up. Again, just my perception.

Brad : This Intrigues me !

How would this be sighted in ?
How would the Dots align with that sight in .

Is this CDS calibrated in MOA or Yards given a trajectory
270/130 with BC MV defined and altitude etc.

Thanks

Between the dots and the bottom post of the 6x36 LR, the 270-130 will get you to a bit over 500 yards.

Shoot to confirm.

My current shoot'n rig is a Mod.70 with a #2 24" Krieger, a Brown Precision stock, a Leupold 3x10 with a turret to match my favorite .280AI load. I have had no issues with the scope at all. At my range we have plates out to 700 yards and if steel plates could run and hide they would. If the wind isn't blowing too hard the 700yd plate is in real danger. But here's the thing, all of my last dozen or so kills of cud chewers have been at less than 300yards or so. However, I'm ready to spin dials just in case. BTW I also use a Leupold 6X with dots on a similar rig and I like it too.