I know this has been kicked around quite a bit but I have a Leupold 2.5x8 sitting on top or a stainless 280 mountain rifle that I just picked up. Is there a better choice in the same weight range? How is the glass on the SS compared with the Leupold?
Patrick

I'm pretty fond of my swaro Z3's which to my eyes are a pretty big step up optically from your leupold with hardly any weight gain.

That is a scope that keeps coming up in my searches. I don't really have anything else to do right now. Having shoulder and elbow surgery tomorrow on my right arm. It's going to be a while before I'll be pulling a trigger on anything. Thanks for the info.
Patrick

I have Z3's on 4 light weight rifles and they work great.

I'm still a fan of the Leupold 2.5-8 scope. I've had a few go south on me. I still think it a nice scope, I like the size and power settings and I still have some in use.

Nightforce NXS 2.5-10×42 Compact rugged, reliable expensive.

Nxs 2.5-10x32

If you can find a used Zeiss Conquest MC 2.5-8x32 it is a step up in glass and reticle, but not weight. I like the Swaro 3-9x36 except for the eye relief especially on long action bolt guns.

Maven 2-10x38

Six Mountain Rifles And All Wear Swarovski 3-10-42.. I.M.O. The Best Light Weight,Low Light Hunting Scope Made..

Vortex razor LH 2-10 on clearance $350. Super bright and holds zero on both my rifles. 15oz... I’d stack it up against any Swaro z3

Thanks for the input guys. Definitely gives me some things to research during the coronapocalpse/ surgery recovery.
Patrick

TnBigboy, what it the issue with the eye relief? Too much? Too little?
Patrick

Too little eye relief. Not horrible but not as good as the Zeiss or even the Leupold.

Z3 3-10x42

My estimation of a Mountain rifle scope, that will actually be used in the mountains, will weigh 13 ounces or less. A nice light weight Mountain rifle just does not balance worth a shyt with "the Hubble" on it. RJ

I have a 2.5-8 on a 257R faux TI and a VX2 2-7 on a 308 700/Edge. I've never thought about replacing either.

Ive got a Z3 3-10x42 on my FWT 270 and love it, my wife has a VX3 2.5-8x36 on her 7-08 and mine has a sharper image. now or ruggedness mine hasnt been test that much yet. I just put a Zeiss HD5 2-10x42 on a 300 WSM so we will see how it works out. As it stands i think the Swaro is sharper than the zeiss.

I'm sure there are a few better scopes than the 2.5-8, but every time I look at a deer through mine I have no doubt that it is in fact a deer and which is the front end of said deer and which is the back.

That's sharp enough for me!

the leupold is plenty sharp...i just dont like the new models they have come out with so i gone a different route

Please note the inserted smiley ......... I'm jazzin' ya!

I had that scope on a M70 Featherweight, but swapped it out for a fixed 4x (the quintessential mountain rifle scope, by the way...ahem...let the flames begin). But if I ever pick up another Featherweight, which I undoubtedly will at some point, the 2.5-8 is the scope it will wear.

I know...i am a huge fan of the old leupolds. looked for one for my 300 but couldnt find a good used one so went the route i did

RevMike, no flames. The Leu fixed is just the right size and weight with great eye relief. For a mountain rifle, someone could do a lot worse. RJ

I do not believe so, no. IMHO that is the best purely hunting scope ever built. Regardless of price. Best. "Period." The only thing that can be done to make one better is add the B&C reticle.

Tom

"Better" is a personal thing. Call me crazy but I like the Leupold 2-7 better than the 2.5-8. About the same dimensions/weight of a straight 4x or 6x with the versatility of a variable.

Dependability and ruggedness much more important than glass quality on a mountain scope. Every scope mentioned more than adequate glass.

I run some older Burris mini compact 3-9x32mm on all 3 of my 700 mtn rifles. Probably not as nice as a VX3 or Zeiss, but they have really good eye relief and are built like tanks. Never weighed one to see what they actually add to my overall weight.

Where are you seeing these for $350?

Leupold for the win!

Sold me I am ordering a Leupold 2.5x8

I have three Leupold Ultralight 3x9. Tough and proven. Will take recoil of my old 7.5# 375AI moving 250’s at 3000+.
Sadly out of production.

That's gotta be some hot recoil

Surgery got cancelled so I guess I'm going to shoot the Leupold and she cross hairs seem thin compared to other Leupolds that I have but it seems to track well when I have it locked up in a vice.
Patrick

I own and have used both for several years in the field. While I agree the Z3 is superior, I cannot agree that that it is worth the price increase.

I have a couple of 2-7x33s on short actions but find the 2.5-8x36 fits on long actions better. I reckon the 2.5-8 Loopy is about the best hunting scope made. I have a couple of Swaro z3 3-9x36 scopes and they are also great little scopes but they are almost twice the price of the Leupold.