Cutting weight via scope?

I’m starting to migrate towards fixed scopes my self, it necessarily for weight saving, but more for simplicity, I like the 4x a lot pretty good to 200m and that is pretty much my max hunting distance anyway! An other I really like is 2-7, and 1.5-5,!
I wish companies would make more of them in gloss finish with German #1 reticule, a favorite of mine for hunting!
 
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I have four Simmons 4x32 scopes that work well and the glass is very clear - if you use the logic for every 1x it's 100 yards your good out to 400 yards. HOWEVER, you have to know how to shoot in the first place if your shaky then this scope will probably be crap in your mind.

Put out paper or plastic dinner plates at 100 then 150 until you reach 400. Practice - if you can hit the plate you can take game
 
alpining said:
I sure notice a few ounces: When slung, hand carried, and while shooting. Not to mention how it changes balance and handling. Some people don't notice or don't care, and that's great for them. Different strokes for different folks, eh?
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I'm all for lightening the load when it comes to hunting gear and such, but I can't see anyone being that sensitive in real life to notice an extra 2 oz, especially on a hunting rifle. Not even when it comes to rifle balance, unless the balance is out of wack already. I just weighed a 9 volt battery and an empty bic lighter...2.2 oz combined. The best way to manage gear weight is to manage that stuff around your beltline.
 
alpining said:
I sure notice a few ounces: When slung, hand carried, and while shooting. Not to mention how it changes balance and handling. Some people don't notice or don't care, and that's great for them. Different strokes for different folks, eh?
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If a couple oz’s is a make or break for someone with regards to carrying a rifle around then they should consider loosing some weight or getting in better shape, you’ll feel the balance/handling. I’ll agree with you there but if it’s stopping them from hiking over the next ridge then there’s something wrong with their level of strength or endurance. Which I can see as most people I run into in the bush clearly don’t leave their truck much let along the road unless they’re dragging an animal downhill to the truck.

I’m as concerned about weight as the next guy to an extent but you’re better off lightening the load in your pack or your belly, things that will reduce weight by pounds and not oz’s. I deal with this constantly at work, where the average weight I’m jumping around the bush daily is probably 30lbs or more. My saw and fuel alone are near 20lbs, so oz’s don’t really do much to lighten the felt load.
 
Jahnj0584 said:
I've also never spent more than 200$ on glass before and am worried that there isn't going to be THAT much of a difference in visual clarity if I spend more. The "best" scope I've ever looked through is a Diamondback 2-7x32 rimfire, and my buddies CT Brushline 3-9.
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The difference between $200 and $400 is HUGE with optics, especially in low light conditions. Sucks that affordable Leupold scopes have gone up so much in price, you could get a VX-1 for under $300 only a few years ago on sale, now the equivalent (vx-freedom) is damn near $500. I run a Vortex Viper 3-9x40, its the cheapest scope in the Viper line (paid $299 on sale) and I'm not sure they make it anymore, but compared to the weavers and bushnells that came on mine and my buddies rifles the Viper is like looking through night vision at last light.

I think this is the one I have. https://vortexoptics.com/vpr-m-01bdc.html
 
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Suther said:
The difference between $200 and $400 is HUGE with optics, especially in low light conditions. Sucks that affordable Leupold scopes have gone up so much in price, you could get a VX-1 for under $300 only a few years ago on sale, now the equivalent (vx-freedom) is damn near $500. I run a Vortex Viper 3-9x40, its the cheapest scope in the Viper line (paid $299 on sale) and I'm not sure they make it anymore, but compared to the weavers and bushnells that came on mine and my buddies rifles the Viper is like looking through night vision at last light.

I think this is the one I have. https://vortexoptics.com/vpr-m-01bdc.html
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Nothing wrong with vortex. Great warranties. But I've compared a similarly priced 3-9 from both vortex and leupold side by side. And the leupold wins out on low light. It did cost more but it was the nicer coating.
 
Jahnj0584 said:
Sub 500$, what could I do to cut weight?
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Your question is a very important one, and - in my opinion - it does not not get the attention it deserves. Every purchase decision comes with weight implications. Action, barrel, stock, optic, base or bases, rings, sling, magazine... it all adds up.

A scale - in my opinion - should be part of the shopping process, and every product under serious consideration should be carefully weighed (along with brand, reputation, appearance, apparent quality, and price) before the purchase decision, because it all adds up.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
... I can't see anyone being that sensitive in real life to notice an extra 2 oz, ... The best way to manage gear weight is to manage that stuff around your beltline.
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Some people do notice ounces. But even if I didn't: Ounces make pounds, and pounds make pain.

The fitness argument seems to come up here every time there's a post about lighter gear. That's good, it's part of the equation for most. But there can be many reasons why weight loss isn't possible or realistic for some people.

If someone wants lighter gear, they don't have to qualify first by passing a CGN fitness test.


Butcherbill said:
If a couple oz’s is a make or break for someone with regards to carrying a rifle ...
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We're not talking about make or break - We're talking about enjoying recreation time. I've never enjoyed carrying an extra ounce that didn't bring me some benefit. If you do, that's great.
 
Drill holes in stock - Skels are kool lately. But the holes are full of air, too. Helium balloons ? Camo, naturally.
Consider 'barrel-down' sling carry - it's more efficient than reverse or port-arms carry.
 
Peter G. Kokalis:

Disgruntled, I am attached to the 4th (weapons) Platoon, along with the M60 night sniping system. We will march in reserve behind the three rifle platoons to our objective, the first guerrilla base camp 3.5 kilometres to the north.

The searing Salvadoran sun is overhead now and the humidity saps my remaining reserves as I trudge slowly up and down the seeming infinity of volcanic hills. Sporadic fire to the front and flanks reminds us that there's only one way to hell - north.

As the day drags on, I reflect on the Para FAL I'm carrying. An impressive classic, it would warm the cockles of the heart of any armchair expert. But, to me, at this moment, it has become a device of infernal torture. "Pesa" (heavy), the Atlacatls keep telling me. At 8.6 lbs., empty, it's all that - and much more, with 240 rounds of 7.62 NATO ball strapped to my web gear. I curse the day I selected it - my final attempt to justify it's existence on the modern battlefield.

In the last several days, men around me have fallen - silent for eternity - to the M16, as they have for more than 20 years now. Yet, this does not satisfy those who unload their treasures from the trunk of a car and waddle 10 feet to the firing line to shoot at paper silhouettes. Their sarcasm, fed by the faulty memories of deeds decades past, casts doubt on the manhood of poor wretches unwilling to carry the iron burdens endorsed by the toy soldiers of the popular gun press. A pox on them.


-Peter G. Kokalis, Soldier Of Fortune magazine, June 1984
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alpining said:
Some people do notice ounces. But even if I didn't: Ounces make pounds, and pounds make pain.

The fitness argument seems to come up here every time there's a post about lighter gear. That's good, it's part of the equation for most. But there can be many reasons why weight loss isn't possible or realistic for some people.

If someone wants lighter gear, they don't have to qualify first by passing a CGN fitness test.




.
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Not sure why you jumped straight to fitness here. Anyone can lose weight. Anyone. And eating like a pig and trying to run it off isn't the way. You can't outrun your diet, but you can eat smart and lose weight. I've done it, and anybody can do it if they want to so quit making excuses. If you're obese, have heart, joint, or physical ailments, you can still lose weight. Eat less, it's not that hard. Some exercise helps, but I lost 26 lb by changing my diet and not my activity level.

As for the ounces, get real. Sure you can notice a few ounces sitting in your hand or whatever, but on your rifle? Right. If you're so sensitive to weight, do you notice yourself losing approx 2 oz of moisture an hour by breathing when you're out walking? More so from bodily functions, such as sweating? Do you have a sigh of relief after urinating 3-4 oz?:p:p:p
 
If you start with a light rifle a few extra ounces in the scope won't be a noticeable burden.

If you start with a heavy pig of a rifle and add a heavy pig of a scope, you probably won't enjoy carrying it to far.

Another question is, how much magnification do you really need if you're staying at less than 300 or 400 yards for shots?

9x, 7x, or even 4x is going to work just fine for deer at those ranges. :)
 
$200 scopes are also good for driving tent pegs into the ground...

Do yourself a big favour and buy a quality optic in the 2-7 range. Leupold make a 2-7x33 with a fire dot reticle (30mm tube). That is the last scope I purchased... just a beautiful scope.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
...Anyone can lose weight. ...

...Sure you can notice a few ounces sitting in your hand or whatever, but on your rifle? ....
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Respectfully I disagree.

First: No, not everyone can lose weight and stay healthy doing it. And for many people it's just not realistic. Either way, you shouldn't have to be at your ideal body weight in order to discuss lighter gear options here.

Second: Yes, some people can notice the difference a few ounces make on a rifle. Weight on something you carry feels different from weight in your body.

I'm happy to agree to disagree. If we want to get into more detail, these are probably great topics for another thread.
 
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