I like how light and compact this scope is at 13.7 oz. and 12.3" long. Is there anything else nice around $400 that is under 15 oz and fairly compact that I should look at?
Thanks
Thanks
Looking to buy a Leupold 4-12x40 AO tomorrow for my new Daystate Regal XL
- Thread starter srserl
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You might want to read this part of the forum a bit more? theres a few threads with recommendations.
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I have that Leupold scope. I had it on a Cooper Jackson Squirrel rifle in .17 HMR. I now have it on a Kimber Adirondack .308 - both powder burners. I bought it because it is compact, light, and a Leopold.
Another compact, light scope I have though for much less $ is a Nikon EFR. This scope is about $180. The Nikon is about $180. The glass on that Nikon is super clear. It doesn't have any mil dots or hash marks, neither does the Leupold. Nikon Prostaff Target EFR 3-9x40 AO Matte Precision Reticle, Black
I have this on an Air Arms Pro Sport (springer). I called Nikon to make sure it would hold up on that rifle. I have a Daystate Regal XL. So does my son. I have the MTC 3x12x32 Viper Connect on mine and he has a Vortex on his. The MTC is more than $400 ($489 or so).
I'm putting another MTC Viper Connect on a .25 FX Wildcat that I've ordered.
I like compact, light scopes too. My choices are: 1). MTC Viper Connect (I love the zero eye relief and scope is only 10.9 inches). 2). Nikon (because of price) 3. The Leupold you are asking about.
I also have a Burris on an Air Arms and a Hawke on a Wolverine. The Hawke is very nice but heavy.
Another compact, light scope I have though for much less $ is a Nikon EFR. This scope is about $180. The Nikon is about $180. The glass on that Nikon is super clear. It doesn't have any mil dots or hash marks, neither does the Leupold. Nikon Prostaff Target EFR 3-9x40 AO Matte Precision Reticle, Black
I have this on an Air Arms Pro Sport (springer). I called Nikon to make sure it would hold up on that rifle. I have a Daystate Regal XL. So does my son. I have the MTC 3x12x32 Viper Connect on mine and he has a Vortex on his. The MTC is more than $400 ($489 or so).
I'm putting another MTC Viper Connect on a .25 FX Wildcat that I've ordered.
I like compact, light scopes too. My choices are: 1). MTC Viper Connect (I love the zero eye relief and scope is only 10.9 inches). 2). Nikon (because of price) 3. The Leupold you are asking about.
I also have a Burris on an Air Arms and a Hawke on a Wolverine. The Hawke is very nice but heavy.
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To me it's the best value variable on the market !!! Along with the 3-9 EFR I have two of them at home . One went to the custom shop for a target dot .. The other gonna head that way before long 
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The Leupold 3-9x32 EFR is very light and super clear. I sent mine to Leupold to have target turrets installed.[url="https://s19.postimg.org/mpgeqgacj/DSC_0228_1024x685.jpg"][img]https://s19.postimg.org/mpgeqgacj/DSC_0228_1024x685.jpg[/img][/url] I just wish it had a mildot reticle.
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If you order directly from the custom shop a lot of times it's a lot cheaper because they will cut you a bbreak on the price . And they ship for free
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Thanks for the input guys! The MTC Viper was a little heavy at 23oz. for the 3-12x33. The Nikon is definitely on my list for inexpensive scopes.
I went with the Leupold VX-2 4-12x40 AO at less than 14 oz. I will try using the turrets for adjustment, but if I can't get the hang of that, I will send it in for a mil dot reticle and some other adjustments.
Now I just have to figure out which rings to use for this Regal XL as I used some cheap high rings I had (because the shop didn't have much choice), and still wouldn't clear the magazine. I guess I will be limited to the single shot tray until I can figure it out. Locally, there doesn't seem to be a good shop to find rim fire rings with a good selection; I will have to hit the internet. Scopes and rings are especially difficult to shop for on the internet as you can't seem to limit the choices by things like weight, height, etc., so you have to sift through page after page of data. With Weaver rails, I just go with Weaver Grand Slam rings and never have a problem, but with 12mm dovetail rings, it seems to be complicated.
I went with the Leupold VX-2 4-12x40 AO at less than 14 oz. I will try using the turrets for adjustment, but if I can't get the hang of that, I will send it in for a mil dot reticle and some other adjustments.
Now I just have to figure out which rings to use for this Regal XL as I used some cheap high rings I had (because the shop didn't have much choice), and still wouldn't clear the magazine. I guess I will be limited to the single shot tray until I can figure it out. Locally, there doesn't seem to be a good shop to find rim fire rings with a good selection; I will have to hit the internet. Scopes and rings are especially difficult to shop for on the internet as you can't seem to limit the choices by things like weight, height, etc., so you have to sift through page after page of data. With Weaver rails, I just go with Weaver Grand Slam rings and never have a problem, but with 12mm dovetail rings, it seems to be complicated.
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I bought the BKL rings because they center better than most rings on the mount of the rifle your using. They sell in single strap and double strap. I have always preferred the single strap..
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I ended up buying an assortment of rings:
Hawke, UTG, Beeman
I ended up using the Beeman (which have a SportsMatch sticker on them). All the rings were about the same and I went with the Beeman due to the finish and smooth style. They could be a little lower, but all of the ones I bought are exactly the same height.
Hawke, UTG, Beeman
I ended up using the Beeman (which have a SportsMatch sticker on them). All the rings were about the same and I went with the Beeman due to the finish and smooth style. They could be a little lower, but all of the ones I bought are exactly the same height.
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I haven't had much time shooting it due to being very busy, but so far I like it very much. Shooting it right after shooting with the UTG Bugbuster, it is VERY much clearer and brighter. I haven't shot with it immediately after my Hawke Vantage scope, so I don't know how they compare.
I still think the UTG is good for the money. The cross hairs are kind of thick for target shooting, but easy to see against a hunting background. I haven't had the Leupold in a hunting situation yet, so don't know how the thin cross hairs will look.
It focuses down to the advertised 20 yards, but is WAY too blurry to shoot at 5 yards, and still pretty blurry at 10, but probably ok for hunting at any range over 15 yards. I have never really taken shots closer than about 20 yards anyway, and probably would only see short ranges like that if hunting rats in a barn.
I am getting used to using the turrets instead of mil dots, and it is much easier as the clicks don't change with magnification, so only one set of range adjustments are needed. I can memorize the clicks pretty easy and don't have to look at a card like I do when using hold over. This was the issue I was most worried about, but it turns out I am liking it.
I am liking it enough that I will probably spring for the Leupold 3-9X33 EFR for my Brocock Contour and move the UTG Bugbuster to another air rifle.
I still think the UTG is good for the money. The cross hairs are kind of thick for target shooting, but easy to see against a hunting background. I haven't had the Leupold in a hunting situation yet, so don't know how the thin cross hairs will look.
It focuses down to the advertised 20 yards, but is WAY too blurry to shoot at 5 yards, and still pretty blurry at 10, but probably ok for hunting at any range over 15 yards. I have never really taken shots closer than about 20 yards anyway, and probably would only see short ranges like that if hunting rats in a barn.
I am getting used to using the turrets instead of mil dots, and it is much easier as the clicks don't change with magnification, so only one set of range adjustments are needed. I can memorize the clicks pretty easy and don't have to look at a card like I do when using hold over. This was the issue I was most worried about, but it turns out I am liking it.
I am liking it enough that I will probably spring for the Leupold 3-9X33 EFR for my Brocock Contour and move the UTG Bugbuster to another air rifle.
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I really dig my Leupold VXII 3-9X33 EFR. I have the custom dial system (CDS) so, no guessing on clicks. Crystal clear at 10 yds, super light and wicked bright!
It's a great topper on my Wildcat.
It's a great topper on my Wildcat.
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I have the SWFA 16X on my Regal with medium rings. It looks good on it and keeps the weight down. The mag just does clear by about a 1/32".
JK
JK
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If you are not doing any hunting then using the turrets probably makes more sense than using mil dots. They are just handy in the field to make a quick mental adjustment so you can get your shot off before the squirrel decides that not getting shot is way better than the alternative. If you have all the time in the world to set up a shot at a static target at a known distance, there is no need to hold over.
On the issue of focusing closer than 20 yards, I am assuming it is clear at 5 yards when set to 4x? On all of my scopes, no parallax correction or focus is needed at 4x or 6x regardless of the distance. I can't think of any reason why anyone would need more magnification than 4x or 6x at 5 yards or 10 yards which is probably why they don't bother making it focus down to that distance at higher power settings.
With good glass (like I assume your leupold has) I can see most things clearly at 6x at almost any distance an air rifle could be accurate at. I'm interested to hear your feedback once you have a chance to test it properly.
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I bought a Leupold 6.5-20x EFR and sent it back to have a TMR reticle put in it. Great scope, on my custom HW100 in .177.
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