Lighter weight long range scope

[snowcamoman]

I'm looking to get setup on optics for a longer range rifle (1000 yards or maybe a bit further). This will be a fairly light rifle and I don't particularly want to stick a 3 pound telescope on the thing if I don't have to. This will be a hunting rifle, so take that into consideration on options. Currently, the top contenders that I see out there are the Bushnell LRHSi 4.5x18x44, NF NXS Compact 2.5x10x42 and the March 3x24x42. I want Mil reticle/turrets as well as a lit reticle, which takes out some of the other manufacturer's. The new Leupold VX6HD's look skookum on the specs, but their all MOA and I'm not certain if they can do a Mil/Mil setup. So........anyone use these scopes and have any other ideas for this type of setup? The Bushnell for the money looks like it might be my best option, but I surely wouldn't mind the March, although I've read several reviews about inconsistent turret tracking and am not certain on consistency in those. Thanks.

Edit to add: The more I look at a scope for this project, the more I really like the newer Leupy VX6HD 3x18x44. Not certain how field tested these are yet and I might make do with MOA's to save another half a pound, but it's on the list now as well.

 

[Mr. Monday]

If you have your heart set on a zoom scope then definitely get FFP. The March 3-24x42 is the most expensive but the zoom range for its weight is unmatched by any other scope. Most people who are looking at the March 3-24x42 opt for the March 3-24x52 because it's brighter with better FOV and ER. I'm not a huge fan of March rets but the new FML-T1 ret is really nice. I see this scope going for $1800 used. The Leupold VX6HD is SFP so I would nix that choice and replace it with the Leupold Mark 6 3-18x44. This scope can be had for $1300-$1400 used. It's not on the same level as the March and makes some compromises in the name of size and weight, but if you need a reasonably priced ultralight FFP scope then this is the go to recommendation. The TMR reticle isn't the best but it's the one I would choose for multipurpose hunting and target shooting. The LRHS 4.5x18x44 is another good choice, but it's larger and heavier than the previously mentioned options. That said, I think this scope has the best hunting reticle of all the ones you mentioned. I see these going for $900-$1000 used. Another lightweight option you might consider is the SWFA 3-15, this one is almost as light as Mark 6 but has a little less max mag. It has a very high quality build for the price, the only real downside is the lack of a 0 stop.

 

[snowcamoman]

Thanks for the information Mr. Monday, I appreciate it. You're correct about the SWFA's quality and good price. I have their Fixed 6 and there are aftermarket zero stop washers that can be added to them to create a zero stop that works quite well. I'll have to keep that one in mind. I'm really leaning towards the March and it looks like the 52mm is only a couple ounces heavier than their 42mm, so that's not a bad trade off for the better FOV. The SFP on the Leupy does get it scratched off the list, I just realized that they missed the FFP mark. If they offer those in a FFP at a decent price, I'd wager they'd sell a lot of them, especially if they put some better reticles in them.

 

[Mr. Monday]

The March 3-24x52 with FML-T1 ret and IR is my dream scope, I wish I could afford it. Right now I have the T5Xi 3-15x50 which is a bit heavier but very compact and has a really solid feel to it.

March doesn't show the FML-T1 on their site but it is available, this is the best price you'll find on the scope March 3-24x52mm FFP illuminated FML-T1 Reticle - March 3-24x First Focal Plane FFP Scopes - March Optics - Scopes

 

[snowcamoman]

Oh boy, I've never seen that FML-T1 reticle, but I surely like it. That's looking like the top contender now. Thanks Mr. Monday, that's great info.

 

[wind gypsy]

I had a March, lost close to $1k on it selling it only a few months after buying. About the same I paid for the LRHS that replaced it. The March specs are great, glass is good, turrets are great and low profile. All of that is small when you are on the rifle and dicking around forever to dial out the parallax and get a clean reticle (and their ffp reticles are mediocre at best).

Last I saw there was only one US dealer and March had a 5 year warranty. If you have an issue with it that dealer will tell you any March scopes that have been sent back were fine and it was user error...

Save your money.

 

[luke moffat]

I am going to give the Vortex AMG a whirl on my 7 WSM.....for under $2K I hope it is better than the LRHSi 4.5-18X44 I already have that I bought for $900 less even though they are the same weight roughly.

 

[snowcamoman]

Thanks for the first hand info on the March. I've read about their parrallax issues and that sounds like a bad situation, especially for a scope in that price range. They obviously don't have a warranty/return policy like Bushnell.

Luke,
Which Vortex AMG are you talking about? I see a 6x24x50 Razr HD, but it's got an msrp of $3700.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[wind gypsy]

I am going to give the Vortex AMG a whirl on my 7 WSM.....for under $2K I hope it is better than the LRHSi 4.5-18X44 I already have that I bought for $900 less even though they are the same weight roughly.

Good buy for under $2k! Should be a little better glass, nicer turrets that lock, nicer Illum. I had 2 AMGs that I flipped for nice profits back when they were like unicorns. They were a little overhyped but very nice regardless. They have to be the top dog in the sub 30 oz class.

I'd love to see a 3-15x + model.

 

[luke moffat]

Good buy for under $2k! Should be a little better glass, nicer turrets that lock, nicer Illum. I had 2 AMGs that I flipped for nice profits back when they were like unicorns. They were a little overhyped but very nice regardless. They have to be the top dog in the sub 30 oz class.

I'd love to see a 3-15x + model.

Good to know....figure if it sucks I will just throw it back up for sale and shouldn't use too much $$$ on it. Time will tell.

 

[luke moffat]

Thanks for the first hand info on the March. I've read about their parrallax issues and that sounds like a bad situation, especially for a scope in that price range. They obviously don't have a warranty/return policy like Bushnell.

Luke,
Which Vortex AMG are you talking about? I see a 6x24x50 Razr HD, but it's got an msrp of $3700.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Thats the one! I bought it used...but you can get them new for $2250 or so if you shop around a bit and have like a 10% coupon code for at Optics Planet or something.

 

[Mr. Monday]

I had a March, lost close to $1k on it selling it only a few months after buying. About the same I paid for the LRHS that replaced it. The March specs are great, glass is good, turrets are great and low profile. All of that is small when you are on the rifle and dicking around forever to dial out the parallax and get a clean reticle (and their ffp reticles are mediocre at best).

Last I saw there was only one US dealer and March had a 5 year warranty. If you have an issue with it that dealer will tell you any March scopes that have been sent back were fine and it was user error...

Save your money.

Why were you communicating with the dealer? Why not contact March directly and claim it as defective upon arrival? Have you checked out their new FML-T1 ret?

 

[MuleyFever]

I am going to give the Vortex AMG a whirl on my 7 WSM.....for under $2K I hope it is better than the LRHSi 4.5-18X44 I already have that I bought for $900 less even though they are the same weight roughly.

What do you want it to be better at than the LRHSi?

 

[luke moffat]

What do you want it to be better at than the LRHSi?

Not much as I really like the 4.5-18 a lot. Just wanting a bit finer reticle (@ 18X it gets pretty chunky monkey on the LRHS and maybe the AMG will too we shall see), also a bit more magnifcation for dorking around with 180 ELDs at 1000-2000 just for fun. Other than that I'd be hard pressed to justify selling the LRHSi and keeping the AMG....but we shall see how it goes.

Folks talk about the AMG having better glass.....I would be lying if I said the LRHS glass was ever holding me back. HAHA

 

[wind gypsy]

Why were you communicating with the dealer? Why not contact March directly and claim it as defective upon arrival? Have you checked out their new FML-T1 ret?

My understanding is the importer basically is March - North America. I didn't get the impression that the scope was different than any of them. It seems some people are ok with the finicky parallax and not always dialing it all out. Maybe could have made a bigger stink about it but didn't feel like dealing with it anymore.

I don't like the t1 reticle. Everything around the center looks way too thick for me.

 

[ssssnake529]

I also was looking for a lightweight scope that is long range capable. I ended up with Kahles 624i scopes. They are not super light weight (33.5 ounces) but they are not heavy either, and are terrific long range scopes. Glass is very high quality. Build quality is terrific. I like the left hand windage option. Mil/Mil. Fat, 34mm tube for great light gathering. Full 25 mils of adjustment. FFP, and the SKMR reticle is great for holdovers.

I have these on both of my hunting rifles now. (Sold my Nightforce and Swaro scopes.)


Kahles 624i Review: The Best Long-Range Hunting Scope | Long Range Hunting Online Magazine

Kahles K624i - Full Review - Sniper Central

Kahles K624i 6-24x56 – Dual Purpose Long Range Rifle Scope Review - Long Range Only


Kahles - K624i - SKMR 3 — SPECIAL PURPOSE RIFLES

 

[luke moffat]

I also was looking for a lightweight scope that is long range capable. I ended up with Kahles 624i scopes. They are not super light weight (33.5 ounces) but they are not heavy either, and are terrific long range scopes. Glass is very high quality. Build quality is terrific. I like the left hand windage option. Mil/Mil. Fat, 34mm tube for great light gathering. Full 25 mils of adjustment. FFP, and the SKMR reticle is great for holdovers.

I have these on both of my hunting rifles now. (Sold my Nightforce and Swaro scopes.)


Kahles 624i Review: The Best Long-Range Hunting Scope | Long Range Hunting Online Magazine

Kahles K624i - Full Review - Sniper Central

Kahles K624i 6-24x56 – Dual Purpose Long Range Rifle Scope Review - Long Range Only


Kahles - K624i - SKMR 3 — SPECIAL PURPOSE RIFLES

I have one of these as well but got the standard right hand Windage as I don’t dial wind so it can stay out of the way over on the right side of the scope.

Plan to compare it heads up to the AMG over the next couple months. Loser gets sold. Who know both AMG and k624 might get sold if they don’t show me enough advantage over the 4.5-18 LRHS.

 

[snowcamoman]

Anyone use the Tangent Theta 3x15x50mm scope? While a bit on the heavier side, it's still a sub 30oz setup and they seem to get solid reviews.

 

[Fire_9]

Anyone use the Tangent Theta 3x15x50mm scope? While a bit on the heavier side, it's still a sub 30oz setup and they seem to get solid reviews.

Tangent Theta is going to be a solid option but you're going to pay a pretty penny for one. I'd head over to snipers hide if you want to read about those scopes

 

[snowcamoman]

Yeah, they're definitely proud of those Tangent's, no doubt. I've read a bunch on the hide about those and they get solid reviews. I don't think I'm about to cough up that much coin though and I'm very likely at the point of diminishing returns. Bang for buck, the Bushy LRHSi setup looks like a definite stand out winner, but I'd surely like to get a bit more magnification like the March has in it and save a few more ounces to boot. I could roll that Vortex AMG though for a screaming deal as well....decisions decisions....