Dear Sirs!

As a backup ( or maybe main ) scope on my mountain hunting rifle I am looking for a compact scope.

Shall be:

shorter than usual scopes

lighter than usual scopes

variable magnification

fine Duplex reticle

max magnification 8 x, better 9 x

Objective bell must be 40 mm MAX, it´s for day light hunting. I am glad about 36 mms!

I may buy a scope without illumination, but would prefer to have illumination.

I would like real good quality ... and a "Name" brand is preferred.

I would think something like a Leupi x - 9 x 36, VX - R, illuminated would be perfect, but that animal doesn´t exist.

What with Nikon, Redfield, Burris (???), ... you name it.

Any help is appreciated, TIA, Hermann

The only scope that comes close to your specs are the Leupold ultralight, see link below:

http://www.leupold.com/hunting...ultralight-3-9x33mm/

quote:

Originally posted by Arminius:
. . . I would think something like a Leupi x - 9 x 36, VX - R, illuminated would be perfect, but that animal doesn´t exist. . . .

Why not the Leu VX-R 3-9x40, Illuminated? Or better yet, the VX-R 4-12x40 30mm tube, Illuminated.
Leupold VX-R

quote:

Originally posted by JORGE01:
The only scope that comes close to your specs are the Leupold ultralight, see link below:

http://www.leupold.com/hunting...ultralight-3-9x33mm/

Yes, I thought about the

Leupold - VX-3 (2,5-8 x 36 mm)

The Leupold - VX-2 (3-9 x 33 mm ) is a good option, less Illumination, of course.

Thanks!

No Nikon, Burris, Redfield, Weaver scopes in that quality and feature range?

What about the

Leupold - VX-3 (1,75-6 x 32 mm) or the mentioned Leupold - VX-3 (2,5-8 x 36 mm)?

Who has one of these, and what are the experiences?

TIA, Hermann

I'm not sure why you'd want a back-up of lesser quality than the scope on your rifle now.= and when you figure the costs of a hunt including transportation, saving a couple of hundred dollars on a scope doesn't make sense to me,

If I were to make a suggestion it would be a Swarovski (Z3) 3-10x42mm with a#4A reticle, Superb optics & lightweight.

That´s a good question, of course!

Because I ain´t got money like hay?

;-)

It´s a BACKUP ... it will be carried along, therefore it should be light weight.

It will be heavier than a set of iron sights, but 100 x better ... who would want to shoot at game at 200 m in indifferent lighting with crude open sights on an expensive hunting trip?

The primary scope* would be top notch, the best for the job on hand, the secondary scope "appropriate" ... it´s only to be used ITSHTF.

Hermann

* Swaro Z 6 i 1,7 - 10 x 42 w ballistic turret

Arminius,
Much as you might want the exact same properties in your back-up as the preferred scope, maybe some compromise should be settled for.

For the situation you mention, I carry a simple peep sight in the corner of my case and will be glad of it if the need arises.

For you, perhaps a Leupold VX-1 2-7 would do. OK, the true maximum power is only 6.5x but this glass is smallish and cheap and probably reliable as most in the modern decadence, when near every scope has a 'space-occupying lesion'*.

You don't have to count the hairs on a critter's butt, just distinguish that just-below-centre point on its chest if looking for the aorta.

*as a cynical midwife might put it.

you may have to look a bit, butthe old burris mini scope in 4-12 may just fit the bill

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
you may have to look a bit, butthe old burris mini scope in 4-12 may just fit the bill

There's one on Ebay right now for $325, starting bid. No bidders so far.

The Leupold 3-9 Compact fit just right into the detachable factory mount on my Brno 21H.

The scope does not have illumination which I didn't want.

It's a handsome scope and the ocular is a little smaller than common also which helps clear the bolt handle.

I have used the Leupold 2.5 - 8 VX3 on a plains game hunt and shot game out to 343 measured yards. That scope will do anything you need in daylight conditions. For low light shooting I would want a larger objective lens but I do little shooting in low light.

My Blaser 93 in 9,3x62 carries a Swaro 1,25-4x24 with illuminated reticle. I use it mainly on 2x for running shots during drive hunting and crank up to 4x for longer shots.


BTW, I have the same scope, less illuminated reticle, on my FN O/U in 9,3x74R.

Have a look at the Z3 3-9x36 Swarovski scope:

http://www.titanium-gunworks.d...z3-z5/z3-3-9x36.html

It has a very brilliant and Crystal clear Image, beeing compact and lightweight...

quote:

Originally posted by scubapro:
Have a look at the Z3 3-9x36 Swarovski scope:

http://www.titanium-gunworks.d...z3-z5/z3-3-9x36.html

It has a very brilliant and Crystal clear Image, beeing compact and lightweight...

I bought a Swaro 3-9 to have a fancy scope on my new to me favorite rifle. The scope was very expensive and it's no better optics wise than a 2-7 Leupold.

It's cross hairs turn pink like the old Leupolds in bright light. The resolution is not better and in fact not as good as the larger Zeiss Conquests.

It's not "very brilliant" but is very expensive!

I think the VX2 3x9 is a terrific bargain and at about 11oz quite light. Id rather have the Z3 but as a sighting tool the function would be difficult to separate tron the 4-5x more expensive model.

S&B 1-8x24 Exos

You´ll find, that you have to be 1/10th of a millimeter exact, to SEE through that scope -- the exit pupil on 8 x is TINY!!!!

Also, all those "x 24 " scopes have a problem in dimmer light ... where the Leupi 2 - 7 x has a 32 mm objective.

But FOV at 1 x or 1,75 x will be AWESOME!

Hermann

I handled it and looked through it at some exhibition and I was amazed, at both 1x and 8x. Of course they are not for low light.

Jiri

I have a few of the Leupold 2x7s. Some VX1 and some VX11s. They seem fine to me and are light and cheap.

Another vote for the swaro Z3 3-9x36, between the kids and I we have 4 of them and have been very pleased with this scope.

quote:

Originally posted by Arminius:
You´ll find, that you have to be 1/10th of a millimeter exact, to SEE through that scope -- the exit pupil on 8 x is TINY!!!!

Also, all those "x 24 " scopes have a problem in dimmer light ... where the Leupi 2 - 7 x has a 32 mm objective.


But FOV at 1 x or 1,75 x will be AWESOME!

Hermann

Hate to agree with you, Hermann, but I think you're right.

Though some twilight value might accrue at high magnification despite the substandard exit pupil, I can't get too excited about any scope with a 24mm objective much above 4 or 5x.