Rifle Scopes Help me choose a light(er) FFP hunting/target scope

TheJeanyus

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
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Oct 5, 2021
274
290
Huntsville, AL
I have a pair of matching rifles (a complete 22" 6.5mm Creedmoor and a 22" 7mm Sherman Short build in progress), and I'd like to put matching scopes on them as well. Currently the 6.5 CM has a K525i DLR on it which I am quite fond of, however I wonder if I might enjoy something lighter. I'm not totally against putting another one of these on the 7SS when it's built.

I hunt with the 6.5 and intend to do so with the 7SS as well, but I'm not a backcountry hunter packing them around for dozens of miles. I live in Alabama and am mostly a "walk 1/4 mile to the deer stand" kind of hunter. I've been on a couple guided hunts out west (antelope and mule deer) and even then we rarely got more than 1/2 mile from the truck. I say that to say that I'm not trying to shave absolutely every ounce off that I can, but I also don't necessarily want to lug a Razor Gen III around. I also shoot steel fairly often with the 6.5 out to 1000 yards, and I will do so with the 7SS as well.

The options I'm weighing currently:
Razor LHT 4.5-22
Nightforce NX8 2.5-20
Leupold Mk 4HD 6-24
Stick with the K525i DLR

Criteria - FFP, MIL, max magnification in the 20-25x range, good tracking, good turrets, "good enough" glass to be able to see animals in a variety of conditions

The LHT is the lightest and is probably #1 on my list, but I've heard mixed reviews on durability. The NX8 has a reputation for a less than forgiving eyebox, but the durability isn't a concern. The Mk 4HD isn't illuminated, but otherwise seems like it might be an OK option.

Anyone have any thoughts?
 
I have a pair of matching rifles (a complete 22" 6.5mm Creedmoor and a 22" 7mm Sherman Short build in progress), and I'd like to put matching scopes on them as well. Currently the 6.5 CM has a K525i DLR on it which I am quite fond of, however I wonder if I might enjoy something lighter. I'm not totally against putting another one of these on the 7SS when it's built.

I hunt with the 6.5 and intend to do so with the 7SS as well, but I'm not a backcountry hunter packing them around for dozens of miles. I live in Alabama and am mostly a "walk 1/4 mile to the deer stand" kind of hunter. I've been on a couple guided hunts out west (antelope and mule deer) and even then we rarely got more than 1/2 mile from the truck. I say that to say that I'm not trying to shave absolutely every ounce off that I can, but I also don't necessarily want to lug a Razor Gen III around. I also shoot steel fairly often with the 6.5 out to 1000 yards, and I will do so with the 7SS as well.

The options I'm weighing currently:
Razor LHT 4.5-22
Nightforce NX8 2.5-20
Leupold Mk 4HD 6-24
Stick with the K525i DLR

Criteria - FFP, MIL, max magnification in the 20-25x range, good tracking, good turrets, "good enough" glass to be able to see animals in a variety of conditions

The LHT is the lightest and is probably #1 on my list, but I've heard mixed reviews on durability. The NX8 has a reputation for a less than forgiving eyebox, but the durability isn't a concern. The Mk 4HD isn't illuminated, but otherwise seems like it might be an OK option.

Anyone have any thoughts?
I have the HD-LHT and on a lightweight gun, it is my preferred option. That having been said, I do also have the Mark 4HD 4.5-18x52 and like it a lot. I have seen the 6-24x Mark 4HD, but I have not tested it.

If you are shaving ounces, go with the HD-LHT.

ILya