Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Lightweight scope help! building up a lightweight rifle.

I'm finishing up a lightweight rifle. Pierce TI receiver, custom made Brown Precision Kevlar stock and a #2 Shilen barrel and a Jewell trigger. I need either a 6X or 2.5X by 8X. A quality scope and lightweight. I have a new(old) VX111 6X Leupold, a 2.5X8 Leupold, or a 3X9 Zeiss.
Is there something better? Yes, I would love to have a March but!
Thanks

Swarovski Z3 3-9x36mm.

You didn't say what caliber or what you intend to do with the rifle. The Swarovski Z3 and Z5 series are all very light.

I have never though of March scopes as light weight.

I really like light weight, but at some point, light is light enough. I used a 1.5-5X 20mm at 9.5 ounces and switched to a VX6 at 14 ounces. The optical performance upgrade for 5 ounces is worth it in my opinion. Now a 20+ ounce scope would be beyond my personal threshold. I think a reason to get a light rifle is to be able to carry a mid-weight quality scope.

I do have a Swarovski 3X9 36. I guess I need to power up my scales. I personally don't hunt animals over 300 yards unless it is a varmint or coyote.

I weighed a few of the seven extra scopes here and the 2.5x8 Conquest is 13.7 oz., the 3X9 Leu Vari-x 11 13.3 oz., the 4.5x14 Leu Vx-3 12.8 oz.

It said the Swaro 3-9x36 weighs 11.6 ounces.

That's not a big difference between them.

If you put a 'Swaro' on you can say you have one.

Everyone has a Leu!

World class analysis as always...

another vote for the 3-9x36 Swaro or the 2.5-8x36 Leupold VX-3 or 3I. SKane has a really nice Kahles 2-7x36 in the classified.

I like the Leupold VX-3i in 2.5-8 which gives you a bit better optics at the same weight as your VX2. I agree with the above that it can be a mistake to try to cut too much weight in your optics. The excellent Leupold 6x42 weighs a couple ounces more than the 2.5-8. See if the bottom metal is light, or you can go to a blind magazine floor. Get a 3 oz. nylon strap instead of a leather sling weighing over twice as much. Can you get light scope mounts like Talley?

I picked up an accupoint 3-9 for my LW rig. I wanted illum.

The Swaro 3-10x42 is a light scope, and quite awesome.

I still love the Leup 6x42.
I'm sure the x36 is a fine scope as well and maybe a bit lighter.

butch going through the same problem with what to put on a kimber montana.so far thinking 2.5x8 leo at 11.4 oz.temped on the 6x36 leo at 10oz.but don'think my eyes are good enough for a 6x anymore.

Ed

A fixed 4x or 6x would be my choice. Bigger scopes on a lightweight rifle defeats the purpose of having a lightweight rifle IMO.

I agree, but the x42 6x is bigger/heavier than an Accupoint. The x36 is 2.8 oz lighter. The flexibility + illum was worth <3 oz in for me.

I had the same THINKING process when I got my 5 3/4 lbs
Weatherby Mark V ULW 30-06 here from Wes 7x57.
I bought a cheap Digital food scale at WALLY WORLD
and weighed some scopes
Surprize some of the listed weights are WRONG!
I have had 4 FX-III or FX-3 6x42 scopes in the last FIVE
years.
EVERYONE had been 11.6 oz
I sent my last FX-3 6x42 back to Leupold to have the
German 4# ret installed
That is the scope that will stay on my WBY ULW 06

I have a 2.5-8 VX3 on mine. Has proven to be a very durable and good scope. I just put one on my coyote calling rifle too. Not a fan of dialing the Leups but haven't had any trouble with the smaller ones holding up and being clear. If you want even lighter, I think they make a 2-7 lightweight that is about 9 oz. Eyebox isn't quite as forgiving as the VX3.

Thanks for all the help. I do have the Talley lightweight ring and base combo.
Since I have the M8-6X and the Swarovski 3X9 and a 2.5X8 Leupold, I will try all three and pick from that. I should be good to go.

I have a 2.5-8X Leupold VX3, a couple Leupold 2-7X VX2, a Burris 2-7X, two Leupold 1-4X, and a Leupold 1.5-5X. Obviously, I don't care for high-powered scopes on my game rifles. They aren't suitable for prairie dogs. My varmint rifles have scopes with a lot more magnification.
The only scope I currently use that isn't as bright as I need an older 1-4X, low-priced Leupold.

AMRA,

For years I wanted a Weatherby. Finally I bought a .257 Weatherby Magnum Ultralight. On the first hunt I told my son-in-law, "This thing is for sale. It is too heavy." I started looking for scopes to go with whatever light rifle I found. After see so many I arbitrarily decided on 18 ounces. That narrowed my choices a lot. I purchased a Weatherby Mark V Ultralight six lug .25-06.

Pac-Nor rebarreled it with a factory matching 26" (fluted by Twist Barrel reduced seven ounces), A Terminator 2 brake, restocked by Proof Research (reduced eight ounces), replaced the Decelerator with Hastings Micro-Cell recoil pad (reduced three ounces), and fitted with Swarovski z5 5-25X52 in Talley light weight, then switched to a Nikon Monarch 3 5-20X44. It tips the scale at six pounds thirteen ounces. I'm lovin' it except for the trigger. It's on its third Timney.

Light weight. I don't know who might make them anymore but I love my pld 2 3/4x Redfield, on my 30-06. I also have an old 1-4x Redfield, on my 6.5x55.

what about rings and mounts? I know the default is talley LW's - and I have used them. I prefer S and K's. Makes a svelte rifle even sveltier ! Just a thought.

Ken,
I have used the S&Ks, but I will the Talleys.

Butch, was considering the Brown kelvar for one of those Browning FN turned down small rings, barreled 280. Do you have a weight on yours all up?

That action's front ring are shortened as you probably know, so the Swaro 3.5-10 just fits for me with its LOP.

In the Z's, unlike the AVs, I believe the 3-9x36 may have more mounting latitude than the 3.5x42, fwiw...

It will probably be a couple weeks before the PVD coating is finished and then I can assemble it. No clue on the weight. It is a 280AI.Mine is a long action and I believe the Talleys can be reversed. I will find out later.
Thanks

Just curious - because you already have them or because you prefer them?

Either way you have a great rig in the making. Congrats.

Did think of one more question. What sling (if any) are you using? I tried several and like hyper-elastic rubber one from Specialty Outdoor Products best. It stays in place better than any other and the springiness makes a rifle seem pounds lighter when carrying any distance.

Butch,

I'll also be interested in your choice of scope as I'm assembling a lightweight Rem Model 7. I threw on a SS 6x which should be infinitely useful, but I don't like the look or feel.

I think I would like a lighter scope w/something like a B&C reticle.

Please let us know your outcome. Not sure how quickly mine will return once it gets dropped off at the local gunsmith.

The Talleys were recommended by John Pierce and I like their look. No bases for the rings to slip. Below is the stock as delivered. I did get dirt on the front ring behind the recoil lug.




It weighs 23oz with recoil pad, bedded, studs, and paint.

butchlambert1,

Nice.

Thanks Butch--that's gonna work...:)

Do have Talleys on my 280AI TI as well. Its a good match for a light rifle-the lows are only 2 oz.

Love those Brown PoundR's! Looks just like my new one. Nice.