Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Lightweight reasonably good scope (2x on the low end) at a moderate price point?

I'm shopping for a lighter weight scope and ring combination for a 6.5x55 'Swedish' Mauser. I would like to keep things under $500 if possible but, I also have some flexibility on the price point for something tangibly better.

For magnification, I'm thinking 2x7 but I can go higher on the top end. I need to stay in the 1 to 2X range for close in shots so I see something other than hair or leaves/grass/tree trunks...

Dawn and Dusk performance are important to me as well as long eye relief as I wear glasses. The rings need to fit a M98 action. A 1 inch or 300mm tube body doesn't matter to me as I don't require that much elevation adjustment in this rifle, shots will be inside 400 yards.

I am pretty brand agnostic with favorable past experiences with Minox, Leupold, and European glass in general. In this price range, I'm thinking a Japanese scope is probably the most likely solution.

TIA,
Sid

A Leupold VX2 2x7x33 meets all of your criteria.

Weaver V3 1-3 power. long eye relief and true 1 power on low end.

I can relate and thought of two possibilities,

First, I think a 2.5-8x36 Leupold VX3i would fit the lions share of your criteria. I looked for a lightweight scope and bought a 2.5- 10x40 Vx3 after having stuck with 6x's so long. I fell in love with the lower power settings, just as you described. The scope has performed beyond expectations and the 36mm has an even wider FOV.

Eye box and relief is VERY comfortable and I doubt you will find a lighter scope that can match the brightness.

The alternative, and a few bucks less, would be a Weaver Grand Slam 2-8x36 as there are a few things on it I might prefer to the Leupold. In optics there are always trade offs and this model is a bit heavier than the VX3i. I think either would serve you very well.

I'd recommend the VX-3i in the 2.5-8x36 as well.

This. Put one on a rifle last year. Very nice, noticeably better than older vari-x II and III models. About 11 ounces.

I would opt for the 3-9 simple bc they offer a #4 reticle option.

Start looking at all of the scopes that meet your criteria.

Make a list.

Then start scratching them off one by one for the little things that don't match up. Things like relief distance, clarity, waterproof? Multiple poor reviews. Narrow the playing field down.

I have a Leupold 2x7 on a Weatherby .338 Win Mag. It's been to Alaska and back. It has served me well for my specific needs.

Good luck in your choice.

I think the perfect scope for you would be the new Vortex Razor HD LH 1.5-8x32 - G4 BDC MOA #RZR-6638. I know this is above the target price range, however, you said you’d have flexibility if it was tangibly better and this scope is the best for you.

Same for the VX1.

I'd get the LR reticle.





Clark

This

http://swfa.com/Redfield-2-7x33-Revolution-Rifle-Scope-P44467.aspx

or this

http://swfa.com/Leupold-2-7x33-VX-1-Riflescope-P51823.aspx

Some of the 2 X 7,s are to short to fit on some of the long actions without ext. bases.

I use 2 X 7,s Redfield Revolutions on most of my Ruger short actions or love the discontinued Vortex Viper 2 X 7.

Would like to see more 2-10x options, light and cheap. The 2-7 Redfield Revolution is super easy to get behind. Just barely needs extension base here but a shorter base with a slot in the correct place would've worked... No complaints on the VX-1s either, for the those cheaply inclined. I have a Heavy Duplex VX-1 2-7 I'd rather take in the brush than many many other options.

Liking my Vortex 2x10x40 HD LH so far. Glass is really good.

If you can find a Conquest 1.8-5.5 it's a great scope. It's the ultimate medium range scope. I'm putting mine on a 6.5x55. powdr

I bought a Leupold VX-2 2-7 X 32, sent it back to the factory for a $59.99 heavy duplex reticle, and mounted it in a set of Tally lightweights on a somewhat customized Remington Model 722/.308 (barrel shortened to 21 inches, bedded into a synthetic Remington Model 700 ADL takeoff). Looks good on the rifle and works great.

The OP mentioned dawn and dusk performance as being important. I find anything below the Razor in Vortex scopes to be lacking in that regard. I like the idea of the VX-3 2.5-8x36. I like them. Another possibility is the VX-3 1.75-6x32. I have one of them and it is an excellent scope. I had the Leupold Custom Shop put a German #4 reticle in it.

6x42 Leupold or Meopro

I like the euro glass much better than the Leupold, but th Meopta pushes 16-18 oz.

Bushnell Elite 3500 in 2-7x32. A lot of scope for the money.