Lightweight scope for mountain rifle 500 yards max

[JMW67]

I would consider the swarovski z3 3-10x42

 

[del2les]

Lots of choices out there, but just for input - I have an "old" Burris 3x9-32mm that's been mounted on one of my 6mmRAI mountain rifles for a long time. Its glass is still crystal, plenty of light at dawn to dusk, light weight, and I have consistently practiced with it on 300 - 600 yard gongs. Personally for a light mountain rifle, I would keep the max power at or below 9x and keep the weight down with smaller diameter lenses in good quality. Many of us olders have made many MR shots with 4x and 6x scopes.

 

[PartsJr.]

I put a Leupold VX3 4.5-14x w/BC reticle on my Win. M70 Featherweight. I like it a lot for my hunting applications of point blank to 400 yards.
I like that it has adjustable objective. The BC reticle works nicely too. You still have to prove its accurate though by actually shooting at distance.
On my older (fixed parallax) Leupold VXIII 3.5-10x I could see significant (5") reticle movement at 300 yards when I moved my head side to side or up down when looking through the scope.
That's when I moved to adjustable objective scopes.

 

[George Dean]

I saw that. Looks like 2.5 inches ... at the 10X end, I'm assuming. It says 3.35''-2.56'', so guessing that means that it's 3.35'' at the 2.5X end. Most reviewers seem to think it isn't much of an issue, but looks like most of them are using it on 22-caliber guns. The rifle would be a 6.5 Creedmoor 7 lb. rifle, so recoil would be somewhere between a .223 and a .308. Not sure if it would still be an issue.

I see the Vortex Razor LH 1.5-8x32 has good reviews but is now discontinued. That said, I might be able to find one (maybe used) if that is the best option, although it's more expensive.

Now that I'm looking at Vortex reviews/comparisons however I'm seeing a lot of negativity as well. I'm starting to wonder whether this is sort of like looking at hotel reviews - every place has horror stories and in the end you don't want to stay anywhere.

It also looks like the Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 might still be obtainable, so if anyone has thoughts on that one and how it stacks up, please let me know. Like I said, I'd rather have a lower magnification on the wide end but that is tolerable if I can lower the risk of getting something that has QC issues like not tracking, moving zero, etc.

If Navy SEALs can work with a 10X SWFA on a 7.62X51 I believe the average hunter can too. BTW, I own one that's on a Savage 10T along with a suppressor.

 

[Mark37082]

I have used all of the midrange Leupold scopes as well as a couple of low range ($$) scopes. Whereas you definitely get what you pay for, my lightweight woods rifle still has the old VXR 3-9x40 mounted. I really like the illumination in the fire dot duplex. The VX5HD 3-15x44 has the same ret. and is an awesome scope for my longer range applications. Never had a problem with any of my scopes so I can't comment on customer service.

 

[xsn10s]

Never had a problem with any of my scopes so I can't comment on customer service.

I spoke to them on a number of occasions, last time to see if they started changing reticles again. While speaking to them I mentioned I buggered up a screw on a target adjustable knob. They sent me a new set free of charge.

 

[vancewalker007]

I don't think you can beat 4.5-14x50 VX-3 HD or a 3.5-10x50 for an assembled in the US light weight scope under $800. They both can support the Leupold CDS setup, which for your range limit would work very well.

 

[justinp61]

I have a Leupold VX3 4.5-14 X 40, 30mm tube with side focus and a B&C reticle on one of my 260 Remingtons. IMHO its a very good all around hunting scope.

 

[SEGARE]

VX5's can be bought for $800-ish.

 

[john k]

I have a Leupold VX3 4.5-14 X 40, 30mm tube with side focus and a B&C reticle on one of my 260 Remingtons. IMHO its a very good all around hunting scope.

I have this exact scope on my X-Bolt 7-08 whitetail rifle and am very satisfied. 30mm tube, side focus, and B&C reticle was difference maker. I also have VX5 on another rifle and really can't tell difference in clarity. Both track very well.

 

[VLD Pilot]

This is a lazy post in that I know I could probably find the info. I need with proper research, so I apologize. I'm asking because Cyber Monday is tomorrow, so I'm trying to get an answer in time to buy tomorrow and possibly save some cash.

Simple question (hopefully), but I'm seeking recommendations for a lightweight, low-power, low-profile scope for hunting deer and hogs with a 500 yard max range. If it matters, 400 yard is probably a more realistic max range. Given the game that it will be used for, good light gathering for dawn/dusk situations is a big benefit - so expecting objective lens size (weight/profile) vs. light gathering capability to be a trade off.

As for cost, these specs seem pretty simple to me so I'm not expecting it to cost too much, say under $600. But if you think a higher end scope offers a material benefit for these specs, I'm all ears.

For the same use case, I previously chose a Leupold VX 3 1.75-6x32mm. I have not shot it much farther than 200 yards but I found it fine at that range. I'm starting by checking out the current Leupold offerings but it seems like there are a lot of new manufacturers and models since I bought that one, and I doubt I'll have time to get my bearings by tomorrow.

Thanks in advance!

VX5HD 3-15x44. 19oz. Zero to 500 yards, it's the perfect power option.

 

[RAGGED EDGE]

" I can't comment on customer service."

I can. For me their CS has been top notch over six situations. I have a scope now I want the reticle changed, and for the time being that's off the table.

 

[Swinehunt74]

Really like the VX3 4.5-14x44 w/ B&C in 1" for light weight hunter. Have been using Leupold 4.5-14 with B&C reticle for 18+ years. Was at Vegas shot show right after buying first B&C Leupold and spoke with Leupold rep about this reticle. Most people i know that have/had one don't understand how to use as intended. Rotate variable setting so raised knob is at 12 o'clock position, usually 5x or 8x, depending on power of scope. Zero at 200yds and use holdovers for appropriate distances per your caliber. Also there are two small diamond shapes (one larger than other) icons between highest setting and and a couple lower down. Small diamond shape is the setting for high velocity and large is for slower velocity. Set scope on one of these if not sure about setting knob at 12 o'clock. Also when variable knob is at 12, on Leupold, allows the greatest light gathering capability. Hope i put this FYI in correct spot.

 

[xsn10s]

If Navy SEALs can work with a 10X SWFA on a 7.62X51 I believe the average hunter can too. BTW, I own one that's on a Savage 10T along with a suppressor.

I have that SWFA 10X and the application is far different. As a sniper scope a 10X would be rugged but not ideal. As a hunting scope I've toyed with the ideal and have used it on targets out to 1230 yards and as close as 7 yards on a rat. But it really cannot compare to a good low powered variable for out to 500 yards. It's just a different application.