Lightweight Scope Specs

[SmithCRS]

Hello All:

Longtime lurker become new member.

While chasing ounces on a lightweight build recently, I've been trying to compile a list of the lightest variable magnification optics available. Here is my current list:

Trijicon accupoint TR20 3-9 13.4 oz
Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40 13.1 oz
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40 12.2 oz
Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8x36 11.9 oz
Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33 11.1 oz
Swfa 2.5-10 9.5 oz
Maven RS.2 2-10x38 12.4 oz.
Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 12.7 oz

Discontinued scopes:
Razor HD LH 1.5-8x32 13.4oz
Leupold VX-2 3-9x33 Ultralight 9 oz
Leupold VARI-X 3-9x33 Compact 8.8 oz

I'm hoping to add to this list as a reference for myself and others. Let me know if you guys are aware of any other options under 16oz, and feel free to share your opinions of the glass clarity, eyebox, turrets, etc compared to other optics. The only one I have so far is the Trijicon 3-9. The glass clarity is amazing; much clearer than than the sig SIERRA6BDX 2-12, burris Veracity 2-10, and athlon helos 1-10. The tritium and fiber optic illumination works great without adding weight.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

You might want to check out the scope field eval forum. always trade offs with different scopes and the most important metric is never talked about in reviews by the average hunter.

Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

rokslide.com

 

[HairyScandinavian]

From that list I'd go with the Accupoint.

 

[Ferrulewax]

I have done the same, and come to the conclusion that the accupoint is the best bet for something reliable. Too bad it isn't available in mils or even better FFP + mils. The SWFA UL has also gotten pretty good reviews here.

 

[Jebel]

Swarovski Z3 line ranges from about 12-14.5 oz. And Z5 are right about 16.

Zeiss Terra line (discontinued I think) was under 16.

 

[SmithCRS]

The accupoint is definitely my favorite variable scope ive tried so far. The 2-10 is also amazing and has a ridiculously large optical lense. I hope to check out a couple of the other scopes to see how they compare.

Ill have to look into the Swarovski lineup.

 

[Southern Lights]

I have the Accupoint as a lightweight option and it works well. Has been reliable, but I've not abused it a bunch.

Honestly if you are at 16ozs. top weight, I'd strongly urge you to bump it to 20ozs. and just get a NightForce NXS 2.5-10 or even SHV 3-10. They are only slightly more weight, but they are extremely rugged, always hold zero and dial reliably. For the 4ozs. difference knowing the scope is just going to work it's a no-brainer.

20 ozs. is my personal upper weight limit for scopes on hunting rigs and both these models have been extremely good to me.

My personal view is that the tube wall thickness adds a lot to scope durability and when you get under 16ozs. you are getting really thin. Any impact on the scope is potential damage. I think NF scopes are durable in part because their tube wall thickness is probably 2X those of similar vendors. IMO. Worth the weight diff.

 

[SmithCRS]

It depends on your use case. If you expect your scope will take a beating, youll be willing to give up some ouces on a heavier scope. On a built thats meant for lightweight huntung or tracking the near 1/2 lb saved on the trijicon or leupold might be worth the tougher construction of the nightforce. Ive never broken a trijicon or leupold, but the lifetime warranty would cover me if I did. Now if I needed a tougher optic, i might get a nightforce, or maybe an acog just in case I needed a hammer too.

 

[SmithCRS]

As you said though, going up to 20oz gives a ton of options. But if one is chasing ounces, some of these are half that weight, and im interested to see what else is out there.

 

[TaperPin]

An ultralight rifle can still shoot farther than a non dialing scope and you have a mix in the list that do and don’t. Your max shooting distance and preferences for how to handle longer shots is a big decision point. For shorter distances to 400 to 450 yards I’ve always thought of one of the fixed 6x scopes as ideal. Now I shoot a vintage fixed 8x on lightweight rifles that is only one ounce heavier, so it’s still super light. There are a few fixed 6x Leupolds floating around that had the custom shop install elevation target turrets, and 10x varmint scopes with target turrets are fairly common. I’m using an aftermarket turret and it’s usable, but could be better. More than one old scope was adjusted with a coin for an extra long shot. Unlike variable 1” scopes, the fixed scopes have more adjustment range.

 

[SmithCRS]

On the 8x, do you ever find yourself hunting for the target? Or is the FOV pretty good. I ussually keep my scopes on the lowest magnification as i want to be able to snap a shot when i want to. But when actually shooting, i seem to use the top magnification without adjusting much.

 

[TaperPin]

On the 8x, do you ever find yourself hunting for the target? Or is the FOV pretty good. I ussually keep my scopes on the lowest magnification as i want to be able to snap a shot when i want to. But when actually shooting, i seem to use the top magnification without adjusting much.

I haven’t had that problem at the distances I normally encounter. Even at 100 yards which would be a very short shot in the mountains I hunt it just seems second nature to get on target. It’s understandable that many folks do struggle with 8x who don’t get a lot of practice, or during practice they aren’t breaking the position enough to have to reaquire the target. If something isn’t seen right away it seems faster to get eyes on it again and bring the rifle up a second time than search through the scope.

My 22 scope as well as centerfire practice/plinking/coyote scope are fixed 12x, with small varmint scope being a fixed 20x, and it reinforces the importance of properly pointing the rifle in the right direction when transitioning to the scope. Proper stock fit giving a good natural point of aim goes a long way in helping with this.

There was a mule deer scared by something that was just too hard to pick up as it ran from a dead stop 75 yards away to directly at us as fast as it could go, passing 5 yards away. In all the unexpected excitement of this deer pogo sticking at us I’m not sure if a 4x that is used timber hunting would have worked better - by the time it registered what was happening he was too close, not going to stop and going too fast. lol

As a practical matter not everyone enjoys being forced to stick with one magnification so I suggest before committing to a fixed scope to simply electrical tape the power selector on a variable for a year. Most shooters also benefit time-wise from not having the option of fiddling with magnification when so many things are happening quickly. *chuckle*

 

[SmithCRS]

On the topic of fixed magnification scopes, the discontinued Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5x 20mm was extremely lightweight at 6.5 oz.

The also discontinued Leupold VX-2 Ultralight Rifle Scope 2-7x 28mm was 8.5 oz.

The currently offered Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33 is 11.1 oz. I haven't tried either, so I cant say if the larger glass was worth the extra weight.

 

[plebe]

No experience with them:

GPOPassion 3X 4-12x42 - Plex…..390g​

GPOPassion 3X 3-9x42 - Plex….400g​

SightronS1 3-9x40…13.6oz​

SightronS1 3.5-10X50…15.2oz​

SightronS1 4-12x40…13.6 oz​

SightronS1 1.75-5x32…12.7 oz​

 

[Kyguy]

Burris Droptine 3-9, 13oz.
Burris Fullfield II 3-9, 13oz

Probably not a better value to be had in a set/forget scope. Pick the design you like best and go.

 

[mod7rem]

I have a Burris FF E1 3-9x40mm that I use on a lightweight 6.5CM. The scope is 13oz. The total rifle weight with scope, EGW rail and Vortex Pro rings is 6.3 lbs.

With the E1 reticle works great out to 500m with a 100m zero.

 

[Tanner]

My SWFA UL’s were pretty damn reliable and repeatable but I bumped my hunting scope threshold to 20oz for the aforementioned reliability and “bombproofness” and can’t really see a situation where I’d go back to an ultralight scope.

In that 19-21oz range I’d grab an NXS 2.5-10 or 1-8, or an SWFA 3-9 and find somewhere else to shed the 4oz out of your pack. Peace of mind that your rifle is zeroed and will arrange POA/POI intersections is hard to put a price on…

 

[SmithCRS]

Are there knows issues with the leupolds and accupoints with POI shifts?

 

[Tanner]

Are there knows issues with the leupolds and accupoints with POI shifts?

I can’t speak to the Accupoints but I personally puked 3-4 Leupolds ranging from VX-1s to VX-3s with M1 and target turrets on them, before I quit putting any faith in them. Massive POI shifts, wandering while adjusting, inability to retain zero from day to day…, the stories aren’t just anecdotes anymore, there’s been thousands of them.

 

[medvedyt]

I can’t speak to the Accupoints but I personally puked 3-4 Leupolds ranging from VX-1s to VX-3s with M1 and target turrets on them, before I quit putting any faith in them. Massive POI shifts, wandering while adjusting, inability to retain zero from day to day…, the stories aren’t just anecdotes anymore, there’s been thousands of them.

but they ve got a nice warranty that you will need a matter of time ... just got one that failed on me so i feel for you.