Scope for a modernized scout / mountain rifle help

[kravi]

Hi folks, need some help here (and unfortunately for the readers of this post, there is context). My "go to" hunting rifle is a 24" Tikka in 7 Rem Mag with a lightweight titanium can wearing a Vortex LHT 3 - 15. She shoots true and I like her. I'm also, and this is where I need help, a PRS and NRL Hunter shooter (total amateur, maybe a handful of matches a year), with all of the assumptions and baggage which go with that.

I'm putting together a "modernized" scout rifle. It's a 16.5" 308, without optic almost 7lbs exactly (that 7lbs includes the weight of a titanium can). This is for still hunting, mountain hunting, etc, and would only be for 300 yards at most. For an optic, I'm looking for decent glass (I'm spoiled) with a forgiving eye box and low weight.

At first I was looking at the Leupold Mark 4 2.5 - 10, which, with lightweight rings is around 24oz. But I realized I don't really need a fancy reticle for short ranged hunting (see, that is my precision rifle bias), and I thought I'd look at simpler scopes with a plex reticle or something similar. Swarovski, for example, makes a ~13oz 4 - 12 with a plex reticle and the glass is reputed to be similar to a Leupold Mk 4 or a Vortex LHT (which I find excellent).

And then.... I thought about a simple fixed magnification optic (leaning towards 6x or so for the slightly longer shots, but could even contemplate a 4x. I shoot 2gun every month and one of the local club stages goes out to 300 yards and I do that with a 3x magnifier behind a red dot). But I can't really find much being made in the 21st century.

So keeping in mind a short range rifle, can any of you recommend some good quality glass which is lightweight? Advise me on a fixed magnification scope vs a mpvo approach, and make some recommendations? This rifle isn't supposed to be good at everything. Just a lightweight rifle that is maneuverable in the brush and good for no more than 300 yards (and likely much less than that).

Apologies for the wall of text, but I wanted to get my use case out there and explain the limitations of my thinking and inherent biases when it comes to glass.

Cheers!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The lightest scopes I own are the SWFA 2.5-10x Ultralight and the Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40. They have both been reliable for me. Those are the scopes I have mounted on my light rifles (CZ 527 in 6.5mm Grendel and Sauer 100 in 6.5mm CM). If you decide you want an Ultralight, I probably have a spare one, but I think the Trijicon is the better scope (albeit at twice the price).

 

[JCMCUBIC]

NF's NX6, SFP, with the FC-6C reticle might be a good fit for what you're considering. There is the 4A-I reticle as well, but for what you've mentioned, I think I'd prefer the FC-6C. It is SFP.

The FFP option uses the FC-DMx. For what you mention, with 300 or less, I prefer not needing illumination for quick shots and I believe the SFP FC-6C will be easier to pick up without using illum.

These are just thoughts on scopes I've not used, so consider that...

The NX8 1-8 is an option. I use a couple of them but in my experience they suffer in low light and I need to adjust focus on them over 6x. The illumination is great for "right now" but is to bright for low light.

I am a fan of the S&B 1.5-6x42 scopes. I prefer them to true 1-?x24 for hunting use. The Klassic version is very light and compact. It would likely be my first choice. My only dislike on it is the amount of rotation required to change power on it. If you need to go from 1.5-6x quickly it takes a little effort. The 1.5-6x42 Zenith has a much shorter power ring rotation, better glass, and has illumination...but it's a good bit heavier and larger.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Accupoint 3-9 is my choice when I get around to putting together a similar build.

 

[Macintosh]

My similar rig has a 1-6 lpvo. Still looking for a 2-8x30-something that I havent already written off. A standard 3-9ish scope might be a perfect option if you arent dealing with mostly uber-close shots. Accupoint would be my choice.

7lb bare is sort of chunky. I would personally look at losing weight there rather than skimp on the scope to hit a weight target.

 

[gbflyer]

Real extended eye relief scout scope options are not all that great. It is a great concept, they are still selling scout rifles like Ruger and Savage along with the lever guns, but the good optic part is missing. I’ve got a new fixed Burris 2.75 I’m not in love with but it seems to do the job. There’s an old Leupold fixed 2.5, expensive when you find them, and some new variables which don’t make sense to me. Might be others but this is what I’ve found.

As far as LPVO’s go, I have a Trijicon Credo HX 1-8. It’s built like a tank and just as heavy.

 

[BCsteve]

I just picked up a Ruger Frontier in .358 Win and also debating what kind of optic to put on. Try an actual scout scope, regular compact scope or a 1-6 LVPO? I like the idea of the LVPO but most are fairly heavy’ish for their size.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

I played with a scout scope on a 336 for a while and hated it. In my experience, a LPVO or 1.5-6x42 is a much better route. Scout scopes have a lot of compromises. The only benefit to them is if you require a receiver mounted ghost/peep that can't be removed and/or need to use stripper clips. I like a ghost ring but I'd prefer it forward mounted rather than the scope or as a detachable option. AICS eliminates clips.

 

[North of 60]

I've got a Trijicon Credo HX 1-6 on my short .308 win.

On another rifle i also have the Maven RS.2 2x10x38 which is very light (maybe 12-13 oz, IIRC?) with pretty good glass...that one may be worth checking out for a light scope.

 

[sodaksooner]

Nothing wrong with a fixed 4x or 6x. I shot a lot of deer at 200+ yards with a 2 3/4 redfield. I do like the Vortex scopes for the money. My LH has held up well on my 300wm.

 

[kravi]

Just to be clear (as the OP), I used the term modernized scout rifle I'm not looking for an extended eye relief scope at all, let alone something mounted to the barrel. But I do want a very lightweight, short (16.5") rifle that is maneuverable and good for brush and long treks.

I'm looking for a scope with a very forgiving eye box, great clarity for dusk and dawn shots, and that is light weight. I have a couple of good LPVOs, which are nice in context, but the eye relief isn't quite good enough, and the weight is too much. They're fine for 2gun (though I usually run a red dot with magnifier), but not what I want for hunting. Right now I'm leaning towards a Swarovski Z3 3-10 with a BRH reticle....

 

[kravi]

Nothing wrong with a fixed 4x or 6x. I shot a lot of deer at 200+ yards with a 2 3/4 redfield. I do like the Vortex scopes for the money. My LH has held up well on my 300wm.

Do you have a good 4x to recommend? I can't really find any besides the usual ACOGs, and I want nice glass.

 

[StupidLightweight]

My favorite fixed-power scopes are the discontinued Weaver Classic 4X or 6X optics. They're lightweight, made in Japan, have good glass, and sell for sub-$200 when you find them used. Overall, they're the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it scope.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I tend to toss a 6x or a 3-9 on and call it done. I'm ok with a scope that weighs a bit more.

That said Ive a 1-6x swfa that keeps tempting me to make a lil brush gun with.

 

[never.truly.lost]

I run a Ruger Scout rifle (the 18" version no can) with a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36mm and the Boone & Crockett reticle for this exact purpose. Excellent balance for timber hunting and can still easily make reliable hits to 500 at 8x.

 

[Randy11]

Im putting together a similar rifle right now, and am going with a 6x42 SB Klassik. I personally never find 6x too much magnificatio., so chose it over a 1.5-6.

It's 30mm and weighs 16.9 ounces. Great glass, eyebox, and bulletproof reliability. They make a 1" version which I imagine is slightly lighter.

I've had Weaver, Meopro, Burris, SWFA and Leupold fixed power scopes. The Klassik is noticeably better than any of those.

Id like to try a Kaps at some point, but haven't been able to try one yet.

 

[Macintosh]

Just to be clear (as the OP), I used the term modernized scout rifle I'm not looking for an extended eye relief scope at all, let alone something mounted to the barrel. But I do want a very lightweight, short (16.5") rifle that is maneuverable and good for brush and long treks.

I'm looking for a scope with a very forgiving eye box, great clarity for dusk and dawn shots, and that is light weight. I have a couple of good LPVOs, which are nice in context, but the eye relief isn't quite good enough, and the weight is too much. They're fine for 2gun (though I usually run a red dot with magnifier), but not what I want for hunting. Right now I'm leaning towards a Swarovski Z3 3-10 with a BRH reticle....

I've had issues with some of the lighter scopes. Others have had issues with various other light scopes. Not everyone does, but it's why some of us are suggesting some optics that arent as light as some others. You can make your own mind up on this topic, but it's the background behind some of whats posted.

Beyond that, I have to ask what "light" means to you? You have a 7lb bare rifle, which isnt light by any stretch of the imagination. That is a very middle of the road, perhaps even heavier than average, weight for a rifle imo, especially one with the stated goal of being light and handy. So when you said "light" I put it in context of a 7lb bare rifle, and figured you were looking to come in around 9lb or maybe a bit under. Doesnt sound like that's the case though.
Personally, if you want light, I'd rather have a 24oz scope/rings combo that I can rely on, and save some weight on the rifle. But am not sure where you are in the process so I dont know if that's realistic. Regardless, help us out with some target weights and you might get more targeted feedback. My own build in progress is a short carbine-style bolt action rifle with a low power scope. Using standard off the shelf gun and components, with the exception of a carbon stock that loses 3oz from the factory one, my bare rifle is coming in at 5lb 14oz. With the fluted barrel I just got for it it's going to be an rch more than 5.5lb. That leaves wiggle room for a bulletproof scope, and still come in at a light-ish finished weight.

My 1-6 accupoint has what I consider an excellent eyebox. Not saying its the scope you need, but it's very forgiving, with plenty of eye relief. And, as long as I'm on 4x or less, it does fine in very low light and I think the glass is absolutely fine. Guys that have shooting hours a full hour after sunset and/or need more magnification may need a 40ish or 56mm objective to get that, but I havent had a significant problem with this. It's a 19oz scope, not light, but not as chunky as many. My 3-9 credo had a noticeably less forgiving eyebox, but I cant comment on the 3-9 accupoint as I dont own one.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Beyond that, I have to ask what "light" means to you? You have a 7lb bare rifle, which isnt light by any stretch of the imagination. That is a very middle of the road, perhaps even heavier than average, weight for a rifle imo, especially one with the stated goal of being light and handy. So when you said "light" I put it in context of a 7lb bare rifle, and figured you were looking to come in around 9lb or maybe a bit under. Doesnt sound like that's the case though.
Personally, if you want light, I'd rather have a 24oz scope/rings combo that I can rely on, and save some weight on the rifle.

Some guns just feel lighter in the hand than others as well. Same for where the weight is at IMO. I have no idea what a loaded up m94 weighs, but I bet its more that I think. Yet nothing carries or handles like one..

 

[kravi]

So my rifle right now, without scope or can, is just about 6 and a quarter pounds. With a traditional scope and a can, it gets up to around 8.5 lbs. I can shave 10oz off (my current stock is 30oz) by going to an ultralight carbon fiber, but I'm not sure, yet, if it is worth the investment. Need to use it first. But yes, I'm trying to shave weight and keep it as light as possible.