Light Mountain Rifle Optic

[bmicek]

This could possibly go in the Lightweight section but thought I would place it here. Maybe an overlooked mountain rifle optic is the Leupold VXR 2-7x33. I just bought a Kimber Montana and I think that’s what I’ll put on it since I have one already. I contacted Leupold as well and they will even put a CDS turret on it. My plan is to see if they’ll put an MRAD TMR reticle in it and a MRAD turret and use it as an ultralight dialing scope. Hopefully still come in under 15oz if they are able to add those features.

Factory specs say it’s a 12.7oz optic.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’ve had good luck with the 2.5-8x36 vx3i scopes for that role.

 

[bmicek]

I’ve had good luck with the 2.5-8x36 vx3i scopes for that role.

The factory scope or did you add a CDS to it? I’m a turret guy so I’d much prefer a physical turret to dial my shots if possible

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Just factory scope, if I was going to use a turret, I probably would t choose a leupold, they don’t have a very good track record for dialing.

 

[280twoeighty]

thinhorn_AK nailed it for me too. I do not have a need to dial, so there is that

 

[bmicek]

I’ve always been a “tactical” shooter whether it’s shooting matches or long range steel targets so a turret is natural for me. I’d love a little 2-7 lightweight scope you can dial shots but Leupold may not be the most reliable for that as mentioned above.

 

[wyosam]

So far light and reliable dialing dont go together. There are a few that are close, but they are going cost you. I like the Maven RS2 for light weight. It’s 12 and change for 2-10 x 38. I beat the snot out of it and zero issues. Great glass, especially for the price. Reliable turrets are heavy.


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[CApighunter]

My Kimber also wears a 2.5-8 VX3i, fantastic little scope. I got lucky that I picked one up with a B&C reticle back when they still offered it. Lines up pretty well for my 338-06 out to 300 yards which is as far as I care to shoot a sub 6 pound rifle. I wouldn’t put much faith in a lightweight leupold for dialing though.

 

[Outdoorsman12b]

Not sure on the cost to add CDS and new reticle but I am betting it might be close to buying a new scope. Look at selling the 2-7 and just getting something ready to go. If you want lightweight Leupold makes lots of scopes under 15 oz that will give you a lot more than a 30mm tube 2-7 power.

 

[LightFoot]

This: https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-3i-3-5-10x40mm-cds-zl

13.1 oz, zero-lock turret, good glass.

I know people have oroblems with Leupold, but of the 3 I have with dialing turrets, I have had no issues. (2x VX-3i and 1x Mark 5HD)

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[bmicek]

This: https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-3i-3-5-10x40mm-cds-zl

13.1 oz, zero-lock turret, good glass.

I know people have oroblems with Leupold, but of the 3 I have with dialing turrets, I have had no issues. (2x VX-3i and 1x Mark 5HD)

>>>----JAKE----->

That VX3 is tempting at 13oz. One thing I hate is the actual CDS system with the ballistic input, and MOA turrets so I’d have to request mrad turrets and TMR reticle if the custom shop would even do that for me.

 

[cbeard64]

Scope weights have been drastically reduced in recent years. I used to have ultralight Leupold 2-7xs on both my mountain rifles - they weighed 11.5 oz IIRC. Now the Leupold 3xi 4.5-14x 40mm weighs 13 ounces. So I now have them.
I don’t dial or shoot over 400 yards.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Trijicon accupoint 3x9x40

 

[Hill Difficulty]

I’ve always been a “tactical” shooter whether it’s shooting matches or long range steel targets so a turret is natural for me. I’d love a little 2-7 lightweight scope you can dial shots but Leupold may not be the most reliable for that as mentioned above.

What scope/s do you use on your match rifle/s?

 

[bmicek]

What scope/s do you use on your match rifle/s?

Kahles 624i and March 3-24x52

 

[ytsheephnter]

So far light and reliable dialing dont go together. There are a few that are close, but they are going cost you. I like the Maven RS2 for light weight. It’s 12 and change for 2-10 x 38. I beat the snot out of it and zero issues. Great glass, especially for the price. Reliable turrets are heavy.


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Sounds interesting. Have you done any tall target tests with them?


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[6.5x284]

I had my Leupold V3 2.5-8 changed to an Impact 32 MOA reticle with MOA zero lock turret, and parallax set to 250 yards. Similar concept, being able to dial or hold and both in MOA. They didn’t have a MIL option I could do for the reticle or turret at the time. I ended up going to a different scope but ran it that way for one season on my Fieldcraft. I may throw it on again for a light mountain trip or an unlimited hunt. I have a Razor LHT on now and prefer it even with the weight penalty.


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[accurat]

My Leupold CDS system has been fantastic. For a hunting scenario, provided you have all the proper ballistic data for your load, it's hard to beat. Quick, easy, precise. Now, I don't really need it for anything under, say 350 yards, but I like to use my hunting rifles and loads for coyotes just to stay "current" and intimately familiar with them. I'm running a Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x40 with Windplex reticle, side focus, 30mm tube and the CDS system on my 6.5CM and can dial out to about 700 yards with the same 130g handload I use for medium game. Range, dial, bang, flop. Simple.....

 

[z987k]

Does anyone else just hate scopes without parallax adjustment? Even at 300yrds you're off .5 MOA or so and it's not a really sharp picture at that point either. I guess good enough for hunting is the idea?

 

[Hikein]

Just compare weights-you are on the right track. Swarovski z3 are fairly light. Leupold has the best lightest offerings tho.
8 oz. vs 12 oz.