Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Sub 13 oz. 3-12x rifle scope?

I am looking for a fairly lightweight (less than 13 oz.) scope somewhere in the 3-12 power range. I am currently looking at the Leupold 3-9x40's, 3.5-10x40's and 4-12x40's, the Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 (TR20) and the Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 and 3.3-10x42. Are there any other scopes that I should consider? I briefly looked at the Weaver V10 2-10x38, but I found the eye box to be very unforgiving. I also considered the Leupold VX6 2-12x42, but at 16.8 oz. it is too heavy for my application. Thanks in advance.

What's it going on and what do you plan on looking at through the scope?

I was actually hoping for an out-of-the-box solution and trying not to influence any recommendations by specifying the rifle. However, it is for a 7 pound DPMS G2 Light Hunter .308 AR with an adjustable gas block. I have tried the 1-6 variable power scopes and have found them to be a poor substitute for a red dot at close range and while some people might be able to hold 1 MOA at 700 yards with a 6 power scope, I am not one of them. I can do it with a 14x scope however... I have also found the 1-6 scopes are too top heavy for a 7 pound rifle. It really reduces the handiness of the rifle when adding that much weight to the top of the rifle. I will mainly use it for punching paper and steel out to 700 yards but it might see a bit of hunting on occasion. I am currently investigating using a 3-10, maybe a 4-12 lightweight scope with a Leupold Deltapoint Pro piggybacked at 1:30. The Deltapoint is roughly 2 oz and the mount is another 2 oz. The lightest AR mount that I know of is the Aeroprecision mount that weighs a little under 4 oz. If I can find a scope at 12 oz, I can reduce the overall system weight by 9 oz compared to a Vortex Razor 1-6 in an Aero mount. Still a pound heavier than I would like, but a lot more capable at distance, as well as close up, than the 1-6.

I'd say the Z3 but I don't have any Trijicon experience. I didn't know DPMS offered a 7 lb AR10 (I know, only Armalite makes AR10's). That could change my future plans.

Are you dialing or planning to use a ballistic reticle?

It depends on what reticle I end up with. I dial if I have time or if I am shooting precise groups on paper at distance. If the reticle offer a decent ballistics match such as the Swarovski BRH, then I would more likely use that for larger/closer targets under time constraint. I actually like the simplicity of duplex reticles so that is not a deal breaker to me.

As for the DPMS .308 AR's, my Compact Hunter is advertised to be 6.9 pounds. Mine actually weighed 6 lbs 15.9 oz from the factory, but then I had a gunsmith thread it and I installed an SLR titanuium Sentry 7 adjustable gas block, Midwest Industries 15" rail and a Silencerco Trifecta .308 flash hider. It remained even in weight until I added the flash hider, which added 3 oz to the total. From the factory, the rifle has been 100% reliable for a little over 1100 rounds now. Like the vast majority of the .308 AR's, it is way over gassed from the factory and I consider the adjustable gas block to be mandatory. At 6'3", I also consider the factory 10" carbon fiber handguard to be a joke, and quickly swapped it out for the 15" MI rail for better ergonomics. Threading the barrel for the flash hider allows me to mount a Silencerco Omega which makes this rifle a pussycat to shoot even for young shooters. I wasn't real thrilled with the DPMS factory "match" trigger, so I ended up replacing it with a Geissele, but it isn't necessary by any means. It also came with a Hogue pistol grip and ambi safety, both of which got replaced due to personal preference, but again, that is not necessary. Now if I can get the glass figured out... <sigh>

Buy a Nightforce SHV 3-10x42 with the MOAR reticle.

It's a little heavier than your ideal, at 20 oz, but well worth the extra 7 oz. You can thank me later.

MM

Im looking for a similar scope....it really keeps going full circle back to Swaro. I dont think you'll find another scope that competes with it optically while still keeping the weight off.

For hunting, look no further than a Leupold.