Lightweight rifle scope

tjett118

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Jan 3, 2025
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I am looking to get a new scope for a lightweight rifle build. Will probably be around 6 lbs before the scope. Does anybody have any recommendations? I would prefer 30+ mm tube and sub $1500. Just trying to make sure I explore all of my options and hear about good and bad experiences anyone may have had.
 

Kyguy

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Feb 4, 2024
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All the standard options people here will say but are not (a couple exceptions) actually light weight scopes............... SWFA, Trijicon, Maven, Nightforce. Lol
 
OP
tjett118

tjett118

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Lightweight is relative I suppose. I don’t want it to weigh a ton but don’t mind to sacrifice a few ounces for better glass and clarity in low light.
 

Kyguy

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Feb 4, 2024
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Start with Maven and Trijicon and look at those options. The drop tests, while informative, are pretty much a test bed of one. That doesn't mean that every other scope fails or passes. I watched a couple of guys on youtube beat the hell out of a Sightmark scope and it didn't miss a beat. Another post on here, a guy had a Nightforce rattle apart on his quad the other day.
 
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nightforce nxs 2.5-10x42 is a nice, small and light ish scope. Shv is a cheaper option with less features but still solid.

I don’t have experience with Trijicon or maven but they are recommended a lot and seem to be proving themselves.
 

robby denning

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No idea what conditions you intend to use this scope in, but leupold 2.5-8x36 vx3 definitely checks the lightweight box.
Gotta agree, I ran one of these for years and it was a good scope for the period in time, economical, and I don't remember it seriously losing zero, although I did resight every year and sometimes had to +/- a few clicks.
not the best low light scope but if OP is looking for lightweight...
 

Jebel

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Oct 21, 2024
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It would help if you fleshed out more preferences than “light.” Like:
- Top and bottom magnification
- Parallax correction or not
- Exposed dialing turret or not
- FFP or SFP
- And is “light” under 16, 20, or 24 ozs?

Edit: Actually you did also include 30mm+ tube and under $1500.
 

madcalfe

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May 9, 2019
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British Columbia
Nightforce NXS 2-10 would be the only "light weight" scope id recommend.
my 5lb sheep gun wears a nightforce atacr 4-16, i was also using a kahles 3-18 on it before it went tits up and that's even heavier than that atacr.
Dont skimp out on the scope because its "lighter"
 

Athens

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Oct 29, 2023
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I have a couple NF NXS 2.5-10, really liking them. I’d go Trijicon over Leupold. The vx3 are notorious for wandering zero’s
 

03mossy

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Feb 25, 2020
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I went with a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 on my Montana, and it seems about perfect for a lightweight setup.
 
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tjett118

tjett118

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Jan 3, 2025
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It would help if you fleshed out more preferences than “light.” Like:
- Top and bottom magnification
- Parallax correction or not
- Exposed dialing turret or not
- FFP or SFP
- And is “light” under 16, 20, or 24 ozs?

Edit: Actually you did also include 30mm+ tube and under $1500.
You make a good point but I am not sure exactly what I am looking for yet. I was hoping to get a little feedback and start my research. I will say probably looking for no less than 12x on the upper end. I would consider light anything under 24 ounces. Holdovers or elevation turret are something I would need.
 
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