Lightweight optics for backpack style hunts.

[Antarcticchamp]

So not really "long" range at all. I'm considering buying a Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 BT L for hunting above the tree line and limiting my shots to 600 yards max. If you had $900 to spend on an alpine rifle optic what would you get?

 

[Deleted member 110997]

Leupold makes some pretty light scopes. Not sure about their more affordable lines but the MK5 HD series are just amazing. Rather have a S&B tho but nice to know they're not outsourced to China or PI like vortex.

You can find some used good scopes. Just gotta wait. I'd rather take a used MK 5 HD for 1300 than a new vortex or the rest of the Asia assembly line scopes that all have the same internals.

 

[Antarcticchamp]

So I have a vx5 hd 2-10. We're only talking about a 1/4 lb difference in the optic itself but then there's rings etcetera.
I've also got a vx2 4-12 and idk 8f you can even use the difference in glass quality at 600?

 

[GraemeH]

I was wondering the same thing, for a first purchase of an optic for that distance. What magnification range would be sufficient? The mark5 hd looks like a nice option.

 

[Plinker147]

VX 5 3-15 would be my choice

 

[Wolf76]

Leupold vx3 4.5-14 will do that easily and fits your budget. The cds is nice as well.

 

[J E Custom]

If you don't intend/expect to make shots over 600 yards, and want to save weight stay with the lower power (12 to 15) and look for scopes with smaller objective lens (40mm or less) to save weight and still gather enough light. Big glass add lots of weight and is not necessary
for what you want. An 8 power scope enlarges what you see by 7 times over the naked eye, and many shots over 1000 yards are made with iron sites.

Buy a good brand scope in a lower power and with smaller glass and it will more than do the job and be much more portable and durable.

Just a recommendation for what will fill your needs.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Don A Parsons]

I'm on year 6 of the frugal Nikon optic,,, she's lived a hard life and it keeps going.

3-12 with small lens in the 42mm.

Good enough for hunting since there lite, early to late evening hunts.

Option of retrical or dial up with solid clicks and side adjust parallax. About a 1 lb optic if I recall.

I've used mine for the 100 to 1000 along with shots on gongs or paper past those distances...

Find the optic with the clearest view for your eye(s) if your a ambidextrous shooter,,, and enjoy the low light conditions since they work fairly good...

Cheers from the North

 

[IanCo]

So not really "long" range at all. I'm considering buying a Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 BT L for hunting above the tree line and limiting my shots to 600 yards max. If you had $900 to spend on an alpine rifle optic what would you get?

I would make you a good deal on a Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x40. Just so I can move on to the VX5HD. I have a VX6HD on another rifle and love it.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I'm on year 6 of the frugal Nikon optic,,, she's lived a hard life and it keeps going.

3-12 with small lens in the 42mm.

Good enough for hunting since there lite, early to late evening hunts.

Option of retrical or dial up with solid clicks and side adjust parallax. About a 1 lb optic if I recall.

I've used mine for the 100 to 1000 along with shots on gongs or paper past those distances...

Find the optic with the clearest view for your eye(s) if your a ambidextrous shooter,,, and enjoy the low light conditions since they work fairly good...

Cheers from the North

Nikon Monarchs are awesome for their price point. I have a 4-16 that has been passed down from rifle to rifle and currently sitting on top of my daughters 243.

 

[Antarcticchamp]

I was wondering the same thing, for a first purchase of an optic for that distance. What magnification range would be sufficient? The mark5 hd looks like a nice option.

IMO take the distance in hundreds of yards and multiply by two for max magnification desired.
Don't forget that higher minimum magnification really restricts field of view. I find the 4-12 unsatisfactory for inside the timber.

 

[GraemeH]

Thanks for the advice. It looks like I'll just be at the range this year between work and life, but I'll have time to look for something to fit into those guidelines.
What do you carry for spotting at those ranges?

 

[Antarcticchamp]

Thanks for the advice. It looks like I'll just be at the range this year between work and life, but I'll have time to look for something to fit into those guidelines.
What do you carry for spotting at those ranges?

I'm using a vortex razor 11-33. It might be a little under powered though

 

[Forcedoutage]

I have three scopes on similar purpose rifles. I'll list them in order of weight. Trijicon 3-9x40. Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15x40 and Leupold Vx5HD 2-10x42. All three would meet your needs and are very good glass for the money at less weight than tactical scopes.