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lanche, there's nothing wrong with a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8. That's why I have one on my relatively new Fieldcraft. In fact, from the '70's until I stopped rifle hunting in the early '90's I've used various Leupolds on just about every type of rifle I've owned. 375 H&H's, 300 win mags, 30-06, 308, 7 mag. I had a 7mm STW but I had a big honking Nightforce on it. I've also owned and used Swarovski and Zeiss scopes through the years. All I'm wondering about is whether or not there's something better out there that I should at least consider.
Chet, I'll have to take a look at the NF you mentioned. I did not know that they made a 1-8X scope.
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 comes in at 12 oz. I have two and really like them.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Campfire Tracker
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First off, I'm not a dial twister and never will be. I use one of my company's recurves to bow hunt for moose in Alaska every year and always have a rifle in camp for wolves, etc. If I or my hunting partner are carrying the rifle with us each day while hunting it's as a backup - not the primary weapon for hunting. That's why saving weight in the overall package is important. Since it could potentially be used up close for bears if things go south I've always mounted a variable with a pretty low end on the range, something like 2 or 2.5. Max upper range would be something in the 8-10 power area. I haven't hunted with a rifle now for about 30 years and I do not go to the range to burn powder and see what size groups I can shoot. I want a rifle and scope combination that, after being sighted in, I can count on. Minimizing weight while maximizing dependability and durability are the most important considerations in my decision. Cost of the scope is relatively unimportant. Since my first-hand knowledge about scopes is decades old I wanted to pick everyone's collective brains for what brands of lightweight scopes I should consider in 2018.
The rifle we had with us last year was a Barrett Fieldcraft in .308 Win. It has a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8 on it right now and the combination weighs an ounce either way of 6#. This year it will be either that same rifle or a NULA in .308 or 35 Whelen (if I ever receive the two I have on order).
What scopes should I consider with the above being said? The Nightforce NX8 1-8x is literary tailor made for your use. Get it in mil/mil. If you don’t like it, contact me. If you still don’t like it after talking to me,, I’ll buy it from you.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Herein the definition of rifle loony: Nightforce NX8 1-8X MIL.MIL - 17 oz $ 1,715SWFA 3-9 Tactical FFP mil/mil - 19 oz - $ 479.96($1715-$480)/2 oz = $1235/2 oz = $617.50 per oz saved and no real increase in capability.
“Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils.” - General
John Stark.
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I have 1.5-5X VX3 for lightweight. We never shoot 200 yards here.
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Campfire Ranger
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Herein the definition of rifle loony: Nightforce NX8 1-8X MIL.MIL - 17 oz $ 1,715SWFA 3-9 Tactical FFP mil/mil - 19 oz - $ 479.96($1715-$480)/2 oz = $1235/2 oz = $617.50 per oz saved and no real increase in capability. This covers the difference in "need" and "want".
"Only Christ is the fullness of God's revelation."
Everyday Hunter
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I've looked through many scopes and honestly nearly all are just fine for 99% of hunting. As long as the reticle stays pointed in the right place, nearly all scopes are adequate visually.More a matter of how the features work for your situation.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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What about a S&B 1.5-6x42? Or a Zeiss or Swaro of that magnification?
“There are some who can live without wild things and some who cannot.”
ALDO LEOPOLD
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Herein the definition of rifle loony: Nightforce NX8 1-8X MIL.MIL - 17 oz $ 1,715SWFA 3-9 Tactical FFP mil/mil - 19 oz - $ 479.96($1715-$480)/2 oz = $1235/2 oz = $617.50 per oz saved and no real increase in capability. [quote=David_Walter] Except 1x. The OP stated he wanted a 0-300 yard scope, with emphasis on close range bears (or dangerous game). The SWFA 3-9x is a great scope, but it ain’t no 1x scope.
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This would probably be my choice: https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-hd-1-6x24-tactical-30mm-riflescope.htmlIt may cost a few ounces, but it's $1000 cheaper than the NF. I guess it depends on how much you're willing to pay per ounce of weight savings.
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You probably know what I think of the SWFA 1-6x (it’s the best 1-6x on the market) and for the $700 range it’s tops... But the illumination isn’t daylight usable, and the reticle donut covers up too much (IMO). The NX8 corrects all of that and adds a more forgiving eyebox at 1x. It is more expensive, but you are getting more scope- and it’s tiny.
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A good set of iron sights!
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Campfire Ranger
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3-10X 42mm Swarovski weighs 12oz
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Robert E. Lee
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I'd be looking For a Z-3.. In 3-9-36 Or My Favorite 3-10-42 With 4A..
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Cost of the scope is relatively unimportant. Since my first-hand knowledge of scopes is decades old I wanted to pick everyone's collective brains for what brands of lightweight scopes I should consider in 2018.
What scopes should I consider with the above being said?
The first great thing is to find yourself and for that you need solitude and contemplation. I can tell you deliverance will not come from the rushing noisy centers of civilization. It will come from the lonely places. Fridtjof Nansen
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“Relatively unimportant” and throwing money away are different things..... There’s no flies on the SS 1-4, either. That’d save $1400 ish under the NX and it’s 14 oz. But, I’m cheap that way. https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-1-4x24-tactical-30mm-riflescope-109309.html
Last edited by David_Walter; 04/16/18.
“Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils.” - General
John Stark.
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. My sample of 1 and several others I know samples of those is less than favorable of that SWFA model
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Formidilosus,
Weren't you messing around with a Trijicon Accupower 1-8? How would you rate it or compare it to other optics you mentioned?
thanks
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Joined: Aug 2006
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While I love the 3-9 and 1-4 SS scopes as much as the next guy, and find them nice, reliable, scopes for their price point, I would prefer more than 3" of eye relief on a ultralight 35 Whelen. I recently tried a Burris scope with 3" of eye relief on a 7.5 pound 338 Win Mag, and there were a couple of times when it tapped my glasses. The SS 1-6 has 3.75" of eye relief and would be the one I would run if I wanted to save some cash.
However, this scope is being mounted on one of a pair of $3,500 rifles, so I am guessing saving every penny on the scope is not a primary priority. As always, YMMV.
The first great thing is to find yourself and for that you need solitude and contemplation. I can tell you deliverance will not come from the rushing noisy centers of civilization. It will come from the lonely places. Fridtjof Nansen
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Formidilosus,
Weren't you messing around with a Trijicon Accupower 1-8? How would you rate it or compare it to other optics you mentioned?
thanks Yes, indeed. We have a couple of 1-8x Trij’s. Generally they have done well, with about 6k and 17-19k respectively. About a 1,000 rounds ago the one with the most use/abuse had the reticle start rotating. It’s now at about 30-35 degrees. Of course zero maintained and it tracks good, but not in sync with the reticle... grin. That scope took a tremendous amount of abuse in that time, and while it is unacceptable, I do think it is an isolated incident. Having said all that, the SWFA SS 1-6x and most especially the NF 1-8x’s are real combat optics, while the Trijicon AccuPower and AccuPoints are really just well built scopes.
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