Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Lightweight scope to replace 2.5 x 8 x 36

Good Morning. I’ve been searching for a lightweight scope to replace my Leupold. I love the 2.5 x 8 x 36 but I’m getting older and I think I want more magnification. Not just for hunting but for targets. It’s going on a Weatherby Ultralight 270 win that I’ve fallen in love with. I’ll probably use this rifle everywhere for everything. I’ve been away from scope purchasing for quite so time. I need to be brought up to speed. Thanks Guys

swarovski Z3 maybe ?

Trijicon Accupoint 3x9 weighs about 13 or 14 ounces, great reliability and optics.

The Leupold 3.5-10x40 isn't that much larger in length or weight (13.1 OZ) and it would give you another 2X on the high end.

I've got one on my Rem M7 in .223 and it doesn't look out of place on the little carbine.

I owned a bunch of Leupold 2.5-8's. Still have a few in use, but they've been getting replaced as time goes on. The NF SHV 3-10 and SWFA 3-9 have kinda become my general all around big game rifle scopes. Specialized rigs get larger or smaller X ranges, but those two are great do everything scopes. Both tough as nails.

I don't have experience with the Trijicons, but hear and read great things about them from all directions. If I was looking for a 3-9 with duplex reticle, that is the direction I'd likely be going. IIRC, they're sourced from the same place as the NF SHV and SWFA HD's.

A Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 would be a good choice. I like mine a lot. The Burrs Fullfield II 3-9x40 is more of a budget option and also weighs 13 ounces.

If you like your Leupold 2.5-8X, look into a 3.5-10X or 4.5-14X version. I hear people bad-mouth the 4.5-14X but I own 3 of them and I have never been able to detect whatever the beef is about. Both of these scopes are within 4 ounces or less of the 2.5-8X.

Tom

I wish they would offer the 3-9 Accupoint in FFP with the Mil-dot reticle. Mil turret adjustments to match the reticle would be a bonus.

Thanks guys. I’ll check those out. That would be perfect DropTyne. Just what I’m looking for. Does anyone have experience with the Leupold Is it V-3 HD? CDS dials? Real deal or gimmicky?Thanks again and Merry Christmas

I didn't have great luck with two of the 3.5-10 CDS's. That was a few years back, so maybe they've ironed out the kinks? I'm not likely to find out.

If you do go that route, I'd leave the measuring turret on. It can be used for any load, any bullet, any distance, in any atmosphere. To me, they're just easier to use overall.

The SWFA 3-9 is really close.

How are the optics on the SWFA? I’ve heard good things about some of their models. Is that scope FFP?

Glass quality is subjective and ancillary to a scope's function. IME the view on the HD SWFA's is way above thier price point; however, tracking and reliability is where they really shine.

The 3-9 is FFP. The MQ reticle is usable throughout the X range. If SFP is a better fit to your use or liking, the SHV 3-10 is worth a look.

I believe the SWFA 3-9s are still one of the best things out now, if a FFP Mil based system is what you are looking for. I have them on all my hunting rigs with no plan to change anytime soon.

I am really happy with them in every regard, but do wish for something a little lighter.

The SWFA Mil-quad reticle also shows up very well in low light conditions against dark backgrounds. I can easily hunt with it past legal shooting light in my area (30 minutes after sunset).

If I’m not dialing I like FFP Mil-Dot or similar for hold over. I see the 3 x 9 are on back order. But I think I like that one. Weight seems good.

I put Loopy 2-7s on my light rifles and have never had a regret. I even used one on my 416 Rigby, and it held up fine. They don't have the optics of the 2.5-8 Loopy, my favorite scope, but they do the job at a decent price. I can't afford the uber-glass scopes.

I have 3 rifles with the 2.5 x 8 on them. I thought this rifle was just going to be a whitetail carry gun butI just liked this rifle a little better than I thought I would and I want a little more magnification and maybe a little more light. They are great scopes.

Try the 3.5-10x40 not much difference in wieght. Have the 2.5-8 and the 3.5-10 and the 4.5-14 all nice scopes.

If you don't mind more weight, say 17-22 oz, then there are many other choices including Trijicon Credo, Zeiss V4, Nightforce SHV and NXS, SWFA models, Leupold VX 5 and 6, Tract Toric etc.

The thread title says lightweight, so I interpreted that as something under 16 ounces.