Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Lightweight scope for a 308, suggestions??

Hi All, just looking for opinions on a scope for an all purpose 308.I want to keep the outfit as light as possible but also have quality optics at a reasonable price.I don't want a fixed power or Chinese scope. Right now I'm leaning towards the Leupold VXII 2X7 but would welcome other opinions. How does the Leupold VX3 1.75X6 fare against the VX2, is it noticeably better? Anyway, I'd appreciate your opinions. Thanks!

I'd run the 2-7x

What's wrong with a fixed power scope? For light weight aLeupold FXII 4x33 would be your best bet; even better would be a Leupold 2.5x20.

But he don't want a fixed power.

I'm using the VX-III version and I like it a lot. The VX-3 should be even better.

m

Thanks for the reply's! The reason i don't want a fixed power scope is due to antler restrictions in our area. I have an FX2 4X on my Marlin 444 and like it alot but it's sometimes hard to get a quick point count on 4X. Last Saturday I saw a buck doing a quick walk through some thick slashings on the hillside behind my house at about 60 yards and couldn't count the points. The action in some of the thick stuff around here doesn't give you time to fumble with binoculars either.

The 2x7 VXII is hard to beat for a lightwweight scope. I've got a 2.5x8 Conquest which I like a little better...although it's a few ounces heavier.

Have two of the VX11 2-7,only complaint is the power rings are too tight.I would spend the extra and go to a VX3.

For price, quality of optics, and lightweight, the 2x7 would be my choice....


Casey

I've never used a Leupold 2X7 but have and like the 2.5X8. It's really a great scope. A little more money but only about a ounce heavier then the 2X7. I've always wanted to try the 1.75X6 but never have.

270

I've got this one (http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-2-7x32-riflescope-v-plex-reticle), and I love it! Mine's on a 700 Mountain Rifle, and (to me) it's a nice lightweight, fast-handling package.

It looks to be about �" longer than the Leupold VXII 2-7 x 33, and about 3 ounces heavier. It's smaller & lighter than the Zeiss 2�-8, but it's still neck-and-neck with the Conquest's glass. If you have any way to look through one, I'd strongly encourage you to do so. If I'm not mistaken, there's a $50 rebate now, as well. That would put you at $249.

This Viper was the first scope I ever bought from Doug @ CameraLand. I've been so happy with the scope, and with the transaction, that I've bought every scope since then from him. Tremendous people.

Good Luck,

FC

I agree with you that more power can help one make out details.

Each persons eyesight varies and each of us should select what we have looked at and know is best for us. In VT there are antler restrictions that require a 1" fork on an antler. Not that easy to see!

As for my eye I have 2-7 and 2.5-8 Leu's on lightweights and they are good. Also the 4X's with the heavy crosshairs (Zeiss Diatal) cut it for my eye. On my Kimber 308 which is pretty much my go to rifle for a lot of hunting there is a 2.5-8 Conquest. While that scope is larger and heavier than some Leu's its comfortable on the light Kimber Montana.

The Conquests do have superior optics and crosshairs to the Leu's to my eye.

I used to get by with the old 1st focal plane 4X Lyman All Americans. They are good scopes to my eye. Later I got about a dozen Leupolds. Glad I did not buy something cheap. Variables are in.

Now that the Conquest is here I fit them where they are 'comfortable' considering their bulkier than the Leu's.

My suggestion is to look through the scopes at a dealer, mounted ones on rifles for sale at a gunshop and for sure check out a Conquest.

I'd go with a VX-11 3-9x40 plenty light enough and you get a 40 mm objective,only weighs like 2 ounces more than the 2-7 I just don't see the need to pay $100 more for a 2.5-8

The voice from the wilderness keeps shouting Leupold 1.5-5x20, but few answer back....big grins

An ugly ducking, but a close to perfect LW for Pa.

Take the little allen head screw out of the magnification ring, and put a drop of silicon lube in the hole. Work it back and forth, sometimes another drop will help more. Every Leupy 2x7 of mine going back to the mid 80's had the same tight magnification adjustment--drove me nuts for a long time.......



Casey

Casey:

Leupold product warning:"Do not loosen the screw in the power selector ring. Doing so will release the internal nitrogen that keeps the scope fog free. Loosening the screw will also disconnect a pin that controls the internal operations, causing other problems that would require factory repairs. Do not lubricate the power selector ring; doing so is unnecessary."

I disagree with the last sentence in it not being necessary, but are we talking about a different screw than the on the power selector?

I forgot to add: DON'T MOVE THE SELECTOR RING UNTIL THE SCREW IS BACK IN PLACE.

Now, the newest 2x7 I have is a 2003 model VX II, the rest are Vari-X II's, maybe something has changed?


Casey

The one I have I bought last year and the ring is tight. I started to loosen and after a quarter turn thought maybe I should read the manual first. That is where I obtained the warning. I called Leupold and they said to send it back and they will check if any nitrogen was released and loosen the ring.

However, the rep said he doubted a quarter turn would cause any problems. All I know.

I sold off most of my VX-II's in favor of III's because of the tight zoom rings, even in lapped rings. My Vari x-II is fine though. The weight and length difference between the 1.75-6x32 and the 2-8 is so little I've gone with the 2.5-8x36 on all my midrange rifles including my TI. Nice having things all the same. 10.9 to 11.4oz. with a VX-III vs 10.5 for a VX-II 2-7x33 for 1oz you get a lot more scope!

All that said, If I was tempted to go 2-7 the Vortex Viper 2-7x32 with the BDC reticle for $259.00 before the rebate is over. That's half a new VX-3!

TK

1.75X6