Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Best Compact Riflescope

I recently purchased a Ruger frontier rifle in .308. A very compact/short gun with a 16" barrel. I would appreciate some suggestions on which of the med-high end, compact scopes would be a good fit. Zoom or fixed.

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The Sightron SII Series has many features found on scopes costing hundreds of dollars. The one-piece body tube with multi-coated optics has become legendary with competitive shooters and hunters alike. It's the one scope that mounts to any weapon.

This Sightron Compact Scope was designed specifically for short action receivers. No matter how critical your mounting space is, this scope will fit your firearm like a glove.

Sightron offers a lifetime warranty. They are certain their scopes and binoculars and spotting scopes will live up to your high expectations and never let you down. In fact, they are so sure of it they stand behind every Sightron instrument with a written Lifetime Warranty.

-Finish: Satin Black
-Reticle: Plex
-Tube Diameter: 1"
-Weight: 10.93 oz.
-Length: 10.90"
-Field of View @ 100 yards: 25ft.
-Eye Relief: 4."
-Click Value @ 100 yards: 1/4" MOA

BrocksDad

Do you know where are Sightron's made? Where are they serviced?

They may be a bit pricey but I can take my Oregon build Leupolds right up to the front desk and get them serviced with a smile.

I put a Leupold 3x9 lightweight compact on a Kimber SA Montana this year and have been completely satisfied.

Rather than a "real" compact, I'd put a 1.75x6x32 VXIII or a 2.5x8x36 VXIII on it. Yeah, they're Leupolds.

RickyD,

I've got a 2.5-8VXIII, one of my favorites, but a bit long for this piece. 1.75x6 would be better.

Sightron has there own manufacturing plant in Japan. Not sure where they are located stateside for service.

Roy

I put a Leupold 3-9X36 VarXII compact on my wife's Model 7. Obviously, doesn't have the light gathering ability of a 40MM but she primarily target shoots & may use in Africa.

Sightron is Japanese built, based in North Carolina, and as for service, if the scope has a problem, they just give you a new one - no questions asked.

If I were looking for a compact scope, it'd be between Sightron and Leupold, and no one else.

I've been running a Sightron SIIB vs. a Leupold FX-III for about a year now, and I STILL cannot see enough difference between the two to say that one is significantly (or perhaps even slightly) better than the other.

Either, are great choices.

Oregoncoot, to have the ability to be that close to Leupold would be a no brainer for buying their product. Has to be nice to be that close.

The Sightron's as said in this post are made in Japan and imported and serviced by Sightron in Youngsville NC.

I have called and made suggestions and asked many many questions and they have been simply wonderful to deal with. I haven't had to return any of my Sightron Scopes to them for service but have heard from many that the service has been great.

Hope this helps

Rob

In the compacts they make a 2.5-10 with 4" eye relief @ 10.9 OZ
and a 4X32 with 4.5+ " of eye relief @ 9.3 oz.

I have the 2.5-10 but don't have nor have I used the 4X32 but from a glass and durability standpoint they have been awesome for their price point.

I should be getting the 4X32 in about a week and the FXIII 6X42 is suppose to be here tomorrow so in time I will do a comparison on the 2. Obviously not apples to apples since the Leupold is 6X42 and the Sightron is 4X32 but, will try to sort out the info I can.

Again have fun

Rob

Fish, set it up for the scout scope configuration & get the Leupold FX-II 2.5x/28mm IER Scout scope. At 7.5oz. & 10.1" long & having Multicoat 4 lens coating and 1/4min. click adjustments,it will compliment that short barreled rifle design.

If your willing to pay a bit extra, the Kahles CL 2-7X36 is an incredible scope to work with. Very Bright in low light. One of my all time favorites.

Rob

While it's not what most would call a true compact by far my vote for the best of the smaller scopes would be the Leo 6x36 with the LR dotz in it.

Dober

The 6x36 is really good. I also like the 2-7x Leupold UL, as it is pretty darn bright for the small lenses and VERY light. If you really want a super-light scope the 2.5x Leupold UL is only 6.5 ounces, and just about indestructible. Most people can shoot stuiff farther away with it than they imagine, but it doesn't pick out details in thick cover like more X's.

The Burris Short Mags are also very good, and the Sightrons of course.

Damn, JB..... you just killed all the argument right out of this thread before it even got going.

Thanks,

How's about a FX-II 4x? The more I use my M8 4x the more I dig it. Although most of my rifles have either 6x or 3-9x.

Rob,

I agree with you totally. I own a lot of Leupolds, but for low light and crystal clear optics, the CL 2-7X36 is fantastic.

I recently picked up a 2-7x32 Cabela's Alaskan Guide out of their online bargain cave for $99. Made in Japan and a very nice little scope.

IIRC Natchez has a heck of a deal on same size Browning labeled for about $129. Those that have them compare well with the Bushnell Elites.

Lots of good options out there.

GE

I think a plain VX-II 2-7 with LR would be pretty tough on that rifle....

On a little rifle like that I'd be running a straight tube scope for the "cool" factor, either a Leupie 2.5x or a steel-tubed Weaver K series in 2.5 or 3x.

I like my Leupold 1.5-5 VXIII's....can't seem to get enough of them!

Wes in AZ