High-end scope for ultralight hunting rifle?

[Matt Moser]

Well said Mram10us!
Tangent and Theta make beautiful glass, I have their 5-25 and ran the Priemer on a CF C-14, top quality stuff.

 

[bigngreen]

I'd look at the March, Vortex AMG or HD LT.

If your set up and your gun isn't poorly balanced it's not nearly as hard as it seems to shoot with a light gun, ya you do have to be spot on but I've seen multiple guns right at 8 lbs with a 2 pound optic group well sub moa at a 1000. You don't want to be top heavy with a 3 pound trigger!!

 

[DJ Fergus]

Consistently controlling a 6lb rifle chambered in a cartridge suitable for 1400 yards and maintaining accuracy and precision at those ranges would require perfect technique every shot and lots of experience doing it. Obviously nothing is impossible, but your average or above average long range shooter would struggle with a 6lb magnum and hitting MOA sized targets at those ranges. Any extra torque or load you apply to the rifle to help control recoil has to be exactly the same every time in order to have consistency. The lighter the rifle, the bigger the cartridge, and the further the range the more every little movement and change affects your down range precision and accuracy. Keeping a rifle that light steady on target and in the bags or on the bipod before you even shoot would be a challenge.

Well stated, I had a 6.5lb 300 win mag. To shoot it accurately with 180s was doable. 225s was a different story. It took alot of discipline with my form & technique to shoot it to it's potential accurracy while I had heavier rifles that I couldn't hardly make a bad shot with. I have a 7mm rem mag with a proof 26" that weights right at 8lbs scoped and will shoot 1/2 moa & less consistently but it's as far as i would go caliber & cartridge wise to make shots out to 800 yards on game just due to my ability to manage such a light rifle. This all makes me wonder how guys do it with 8lb scoped rifles in such cartridges as, 300 prc, 300 Norma, 300 ultra, 30 nosler and on up into 338 cals.
I have a 14lb scoped 300 Norma. I just don't see myself being able to shoot that cartridge in an 8lb scoped rifle consistently out to 1400 yards. Especially afield on game in less than ideal conditions. I'm not saying that there's not people who can but I would say it takes an exceptional shooter.

 

[Twentyguns]

6lbs and hitting targets at 1400 yards don't really go together

I hit at range now with a gen 1 Vortex HS-T... just want a new scope. Primary use is hunting and not a PRS or comp gun but practice out to 1400 often. Makes it easier under pressure.

 

[Twentyguns]

I hit at range now with a gen 1 Vortex HS-T... just want a new scope. Primary use is hunting and not a PRS or comp gun but practice out to 1400 often. Makes it easier under pressure.

Again.. its a hunting gun. Shooting 168 Bergers w 70.1 gr Retumbo and the Titanium helps with weight. I"ve got 10-13 lb slugs in 300 wsm, rum, and win mags for that... but if you want to consistently kill at reasonable long hunting ranges, for me it works better to practice at much longer ranges.

 

[Twentyguns]

Consistently controlling a 6lb rifle chambered in a cartridge suitable for 1400 yards and maintaining accuracy and precision at those ranges would require perfect technique every shot and lots of experience doing it. Obviously nothing is impossible, but your average or above average long range shooter would struggle with a 6lb magnum and hitting MOA sized targets at those ranges. Any extra torque or load you apply to the rifle to help control recoil has to be exactly the same every time in order to have consistency. The lighter the rifle, the bigger the cartridge, and the further the range the more every little movement and change affects your down range precision and accuracy. Keeping a rifle that light steady on target and in the bags or on the bipod before you even shoot would be a challenge.

Agree. Thats bare bones, actually 6.2 lbs and not the primart purpose but agree. Practice shots when at the range only, and most of those are ringing metal to 800. I dont disagree with post along that line.

 

[Twentyguns]

Well said Mram10us!
Tangent and Theta make beautiful glass, I have their 5-25 and ran the Priemer on a CF C-14, top quality stuff.

Heard of them and their super glass, just never laid eyes on ir through one. Understand they are still apex in that class.

 

[dmj]

Another vote for March. Just doesn't make sense to me to put a 2 plus pound scope on a 6 lb rifle. Not that there aren't a lot of great scopes in that 2 lb range. Won't get into the hard to shot light rifles argument. As I get older I keep lightening up everything including my rifle. Don't claim to be the best shot anyway. But sure enjoy shooting and trying to improve not only my shooting skills but my reloading technic. Good luck with your choice and your future hunts. Have fun and be safe.

 

[Twentyguns]

I'd look at the March, Vortex AMG or HD LT.

If your set up and your gun isn't poorly balanced it's not nearly as hard as it seems to shoot with a light gun, ya you do have to be spot on but I've seen multiple guns right at 8 lbs with a 2 pound optic group well sub moa at a 1000. You don't want to be top heavy with a 3 pound trigger!!

I once tried to look at a March scope as i heard what you stated but had to go to Washington state to see it... i hear good things about the too in 52mm objective and larger...

 

[jonthomps]

I think the Tangent Theta 315M would fit your bill. A little low on the top end mag, but otherwise a great option.

 

[duckhunter175]

The March is on a totally different playing field if WEIGHT is the one of the most important things and you're counting ounces there isn't really a comparison.

The Mk5 (26oz to 30oz), the NX8 (28oz+), the TT315 (27oz)

My March 3-24x42 with a holland level comes in at 21.7oz... so at least a quarter if not half a pound lighter than any other FFP option.

 

[CVCOBRA1]

Tangent Theta Store | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

Call up Doug or Jeff here. They run specials on LRH here all the time. They carry all the brands and are great to deal with.

 

[lancetkenyon]

March F1 3-24×52 (had one for a while) or 3-24×42 (or even 2.5-25×52 SFP)
Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15×50 (have 3 now, absolutely top of the line, and fully capable of 1500 yard shots)
S&B PMII 5-20×50 Ultra Short or 3-20×50 Ultra Short (have 1 of each)

 

[Deviant]

This is what happens when social distancing brings on cabin fever! I've got money coming from sale of truck - no stimulus checks for me. Part of the truck cash will go for new scope for my 6 lb. 7mm. Need to be able to ping targets to beyond 1200-1400 yards and have enough elevation to get there with a 20 degree rail if needed.

While I thought the choice might be a Leopold HD5 3-18, I've got mixed feelings about the 35mm tube. I'm not a big fan of the illuminated reticle choice for their mil model either (TMR). That appears to be the best glass in a light package from Lup.

Second consideration was a NF NX8 but again, I've got one shot to do this right, pun intended, and want the highest quality glass I can buy. I've heard mixed reviews on the NX8 glass and light transmission capabilities.

I would probably get a ZComp if it wasn't such a tank... and may still do that but need to look through one. Clarity and low light performance found in the top tear glass are important to me though... so that factors into what i'll end up buying... I've considered Minox, Kahles, S&B, Zeiss, and Swaro in the same lineup... even a Valdada IOR, a new one they just came up with, the TX Raider Compact (but then 2 lbs too, and back to 35mm tube.)

The IOR MP8 is the only FFP reticle I've had any time behind and was usable at its lowest power...so that's another decision factor with this new scope, given most are FFP will it be usable for short range, dark timber or low light conditions. Some FFPs I've looked through would be near invisible without illumination - so unless you can see it like an MP8 at low magnification. I'll have to have that. I'm using a range finder so most of the time, FFP isn't a requirement but most of the top end glass seems to comes in FFP...

I'm sure there are plenty of varying opinions out there, but what would you do if faced with a single opportunity to buy one high end scope for your lightweight hunting rifle. I've got a budget that can do $3500 but I'm not apposed to applying some $ to deer/elk tags if I find the right scope. Ultimate resolution, repeat-ability, low light performance, elevation, in a mil scope that can reach out and get the job done with the above criteria. Thoughts? Other options?

I have a 7 lb custom 6.5 SAUM and I tried the VX5 HD again for some dumb reason and of course it was a flop and wouldn't track or hold zero. I switched it out with a March 2.5-25×52 and I love this scope. I now have 3 March scopes and will never buy another Leupold or Vortex again.