Heavy scope

Hey, I wonder if anyone has considered the weight of a scope when choosing? I am on a quest shooting my rifles offhand. I guess I am getting puny as I age. But to me there is a huge difference shooting a 8 pound rifle vs a 10 pound rifle. As I look around I notice most of the scopes that are the popular air gun scopes are heavy scopes. I recently bought a Hawke sidewinder its a beast at almost 30 oz. I never even thought about looking at the weight. But I think a guy may be able to shave off a pound or more with optics and rings. But trying to compare weights takes awhile. Anyone know of a light variable power scope with the top 20ish power. So far I have found Leupold EFR 6.5-20 coming in around 17.8 ounces. there may be others. that I am not thinking of. When I shot Silhouette where a rifle had to make weight they were all about this but most of the web pages I know of are down. But someone here may have the answers I am looking for. I haven't even looked at the difference between aluminum vs steel rings. thanks all
 
The Leupold EFR 6.5-20x40 AO is the lightest most reasonably priced scope you will find with excellent A+ optics and is actually a steal for just under $600 for what you get IMHO. Just send it to their Custom Shop for reticle upgrade.

I have one on one of my Benjamin Maximus rifles to keep the overall weight down.

Just bought another Leupold EFR 6.5-20x40AO just last week too as a matter of fact along with another Nightforce and Sightron scope.

OH! AND couple of UTG scopes specifically with the UMOA reticles with 36 ILLUMINATED COLORS (WHOO-HOOO)!!!.
 
The Leopold, as all know, are fantastic.

I own one of those UTG and I think mine is around 20ounces. It is the only illumimated reticle I own, and although I have no need for all those color options, I occasionally enjoy clicking through them. Actually, to date, I have not used the illuminated feature ....I'm sure I will, probably when I eventually go Iguana hunting as I know the areas Ill be hunting will often have the iguana hidden amongst the shadowy fronds. I think it may be beneficial there. We'll see. 
 
I just bought UTG Bugbuster's new model 3 X 12, side focus, 8" long, mil-dot reticle, bright and clear optics. I put it on my SPA 750.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/UTG_3_12x32_AO_Bug_Buster_Rifle_Scope_Mil_Dot_Reticle_1_3_MOA_1_Tube_Medium_Weaver_Rings/7972

I've always liked the Bugbuster series for their optics and size, but hated that AO feature…I became spoiled with the side focus scopes, now I have that feature in the Bugbuster tiny scope series that's perfect for pistols and pistol/carbines. $119 and change on pyramydair!

No illuminated reticle, but I never used that feature anyway. Focus down to 3 yards!!! You could focus and shoot your own toes off with this scope!



Kindly 'Ol Uncle Hoot
 
I always look at the weight when purchasing a hunting scope. A scope for a bench gun? No.

You can save some weight with single strap rings over doubles, or like I have done in the past, drill out stock in the rings. Just don't go overboard and lose the integrity of the mounts.

Another place to save on weight is the gun's stock. There are many places you can remove wood to lighten the gun. This is where a plain straight grain stock is desirable as it is much stronger than a wavy grained stock and easier to drill out.

After removing the desired amount of wood, replace it with expanding foam. It will help strengthen it without adding much weight. When you inject it, close off the hole so it becomes denser for greater strength. I use a 2 part expanding foam. Pours like epoxy and the density can be controlled by the amount poured or injected.
 
I just bought UTG Bugbuster's new model 3 X 12, side focus, 8" long, mil-dot reticle, bright and clear optics. I put it on my SPA 750.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/UTG_3_12x32_AO_Bug_Buster_Rifle_Scope_Mil_Dot_Reticle_1_3_MOA_1_Tube_Medium_Weaver_Rings/7972

I've always liked the Bugbuster series for their optics and size, but hated that AO feature…I became spoiled with the side focus scopes, now I have that feature in the Bugbuster tiny scope series that's perfect for pistols and pistol/carbines. $119 and change on pyramydair!

No illuminated reticle, but I never used that feature anyway. Focus down to 3 yards!!! You could focus and shoot your own toes off with this scope!



Kindly 'Ol Uncle Hoot

$96.89 free shipping. (In case you need more at a cheaper price)

https://m.ebay.com/itm/UTG-BugBuster-3-12X32-Rifle-Scope-Side-AO-Mil-dot-QD-Rings-SCP-M312AOWQ/112829780800?ul_ref=https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=2&toolid=10044&campid=5338373193&customid=216197954-16-621781322.1586722027&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&item=112829780800&srcrot=711-53200-19255-0&rvr_id=2696559221597&rvr_ts=f158d5951750a9cd5a1462e3ff3c4466&_mwBanner=1&_rdt=1&ul_noapp=true&pageci=938f9605-b5e9-4117-b94b-adbbd151c058


 
I was looking for a short and light scope for a PP700. 🤔

So, I made a Scope Specs Table: For scopes that are either light, and/or short, or have 3-9x or 3-12x magnification.



🔶 Further requirements to get placed in the table were:

▪10 yard minimum side parallax

▪Holdoff reticle

▪Exposed turrets

▪Under $500



That Scope Specs Table you can find attached below. With weight and length in imperial and metric units. 😊



🔶 It also includes info on:

▪Price

▪Warranty

▪Sorted into FFP or SPF (incl. SPF calibration)

▪Reticle type and mil or moa, reticle line thickness

▪Turret type, mil or moa, and clicks per revolution

▪Illumination or not





🔶 I needed other magnification ranges, so I made two more Scope Specs Tables, very similar, but for:

▪6-20x | 6-24x | 4-20x | 5-25x | 5-30x 

▪4-14x | 3-18x | 4-16x | 4-20x

They are attached as well.



Happy scope shopping, 😊

Matthias



❌ 3 Attachments:

▪Scope Specs Table Light and/or Short Scopes -- and 3-12x | 3-9x

download.png
View attachment SCOPE SPECS TABLE. For Short Scopes -and- 3-12x 3-9x Magnification. 047. 2020-11. TABLE.16060...pdf



▪Scope Specs Table 6-20x | 6-24x | 4-20x | 5-25x | 5-30x | 4-24x

download.png
View attachment SCOPE SPECS TABLE. For 6-20x 6-24x, 5-20x, 5-30x Magnification. 118. 2020-11. TABLE.1606083990.pdf



▪Scope Specs Table 4-14x | 3-18x | 4-16x

download.png
View attachment SCOPE SPECS TABLE. For 4-14x 3-18x, 4-16x Magnification. 076. 2020-11. TABLE.1606084003.pdf


 
I look at the weight, even for the bench. I don't have any dedicated bench rigs so all need to be versatile . The new 34mm tubes make scopes ridiculous in weight.

My favorites are the Elite 4200s and older Japan Weaver front focus . Less than 16 oz for any of our ft or hunting rifles. The Glass is extremely good. They are 1 inch tubes and front focus so give up a little range and convenience , but I've not seen anything that's convinced us to change ours. Incredibly precise and dependable, as well. Seems like front focus has gone out of style, but it's so much lighter and more robust..... big mistake in my view. My best current scope is an Athlon Midas Tac. It's heavy, but at least clear and repeatable. March probably makes the lightest of that genre of scope... I'm just not ready to pay that much.

We are still looking .....

Bob
 
My favorite scopes are the front focus types because you can focus them more precisely with a very fine retical, little more awkward? but I shoot mainly at known distance targets so that is not a factor to me, I still own some Weaver, sightron, Bushnell, and 1 B&L elite 4000 6-24x all made in japan with 1" main tube, this is also when only the European glass had 30mm main tubes and FFP side parallax Adj. scopes.
 
I like the T-MOA but the custom shop told me it wouldn't work in the EFR. They put the 29 put in my scope It was hard to see and too busy. So I sold the scope. I may call them again. In the past I have sent several scopes to them.. Their prices sure have gone up. I think they use to charge 50 bucks, I think this time it was 200

I have the moa in one of mine. Have they discontinued the custom reticle for the EFR 6.5-20x40 AO?
 
Arzover, I am assuming you are talking the T series Weavers. If so what magnification. I only have one its a T10 I used on a small-bore. I guess I could rob it off the Anschutz I haven't shot that in 7 or so years. I have wondered about the T16 but never pulled the trigger.

I believe he is refering to the Japan made old Weaver V16 4-16x42 AO with the 10 yard front focus that were one of the best bang for the buck Japan scopes that are very nice and RWS magnum Springer tough.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/weaver-rifle-scopes-v16-16x42.html
 
They also made a V24. Both are very good, light scopes. Occasionally they pop up if you keep your eyes open. NatchezSS currently has a Bushnell Elite 4500 10x on closeout and the 4500 24x I have is nice.... just 25 yard min focus. Not sure about the 10x. Very smooth, precise, clear and light scopes. A 4200 6-24 was in the ads a day or so ago. That's my personal favorite if a duplex reticle will work and you can make do with the elevation range. We have a 4500 on my wife's Red Wolf ... Ruby. She has enough elevation for 100 yards for the Extreme FT but has to go 2 full rotations so REALLY has to pay attention.

Wish there were some current equivalents .

Bob
 
Arzover, I am assuming you are talking the T series Weavers. If so what magnification. I only have one its a T10 I used on a small-bore. I guess I could rob it off the Anschutz I haven't shot that in 7 or so years. I have wondered about the T16 but never pulled the trigger.

I believe he is refering to the Japan made old Weaver V16 4-16x42 AO with the 10 yard front focus that were one of the best bang for the buck Japan scopes that are very nice and RWS magnum Springer tough.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/weaver-rifle-scopes-v16-16x42.html

Bereli had several Weavers for a while months ago:



https://www.bereli.com/search-results-2/?q=weaver&page_num=5



I told some of the RFC guys to go for it and they did, lol!

They were quite leery because of the price but were so happy when they got them, as they were brand new and not refurbs.