Rifle Scopes talk me out of a $280 scope for $2800 rifle

[Graywolf.260]

Yeah, this is a little outside the range of common advice about how much to spend on a scope relative to a rifle, but I am seriously considering it. Rifle is a light mountain hunting rifle, Sako Carbonlight .243 Win. The weight of the rifle is 5lb 3 oz and I've had a Zeiss Victory HT 2.5-10x50 on it, a great scope but the rifle is begging for a super light scope and I need the Zeiss for another rifle anyway. Swaro Z3 3-9x36 would be better but no turret option there. So I'm looking at a Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x36. I like I like the weight and size of the scope, decent sight picture, and the fact that I can get an moa turret factory installed (so realistically $430). I can't find a better (or any other) sub 12oz scope with turret.

 

[BarrettBoy]

The SWFA fixed 10 power is probably the best optic for your price range.

 

[evans1010]

I know a lot of people have had legitimate gripes with Leupold in the past few years, mainly around tracking. That said I think the 2.5-8 and old short tube 1.75-6 are some of the finest pure hunting scopes going, the best looking as well on a lightweight bolt gun. I have also always been very surprised at the optical quality of any iteration of this line, Vari, VX-, VX, or now the i series, especially given the lightweight.

I say go for it!

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Graywolf.260]

The SWFA fixed 10 power is probably the best optic for your price range.

I'm not limited to the price range- I seriously can't find any other reasonable scope that weighs 11 oz with an adjustable turret. This is a hunting rig, I don't need a scope that will be punished in PRS.

 

[isofahunter]

Have the Swaro on two rifles 06's and similar Leupold on a light 260. I like light rifles with light scopes and either of those for the bill IMO.

 

[myronman3]

shiiiiiit......i had a cheap ass simmons 3x9 on my prize deer rifle for YEARS. i always intended to replace it with a better scope in a year or two...at the time it was all i could afford.

problem is, the damn thing worked so well i never got around to replacing it until about a year and a half ago.
i'll lived with far worse than a leupy for close to 20 years.

if it fits your needs, what else matters?

 

[bigwatchpilot]

I have moved back to Leupold for several of my hunting rifles because of this. I have several VX-6's and VX-R's. Light weight, great glass, I can dial if needed, and I do like the fire dot. Go for it...

 

[Codiekfx400]

Go for it Leupold is a good scope.

 

[koshkin]

The Leupold is a nice scope, but you should also consider Vortex Razor HD LH 1.5-8x32. It is marginally heavier, but a nicer scope both optically and mechanically. Kenton makes custom turrets for it.

ILya

 

[D. Hargrove]

I have no issue with the Leupold at all on a light weigh hunting rig.

 

[Graywolf.260]

The Leupold is a nice scope, but you should also consider Vortex Razor HD LH 1.5-8x32. It is marginally heavier, but a nicer scope both optically and mechanically. Kenton makes custom turrets for it.

ILya

I hadn’t been paying attention to the Razor LH, I’ll check them out. It like looks like Kenton offers a BDC turret but it’s still capped, I could be wrong. I want an exposed elevation turret. The thing I worry about with the Leupold CDS is tracking.

 

[rlbreakfield]

The sub $300.00 nikons are hard to beat in my opinion. I have had many over the years and have always had good luck with them.

 

[koshkin]

I hadn’t been paying attention to the Razor LT, I’ll check them out. It like looks like Kenton offers a BDC turret but it’s still capped, I could be wrong. I want an exposed elevation turret. The thing I worry about with the Leupold CDS is tracking.

You should. Newer Leupold designs track pretty well, but I am not sure I trust VX-3i too mcuh in that regard. HD LH tracks. I have three of them and they all do. The elevation turret can remain exposed once you put a Kenton knob on it.

ILya