Lightweight hunting scope short - medium range

[vospertw]

All,

Looking for a scope to go with a Ruger American in 30-06. Since the rifle is relatively light, I'd like to keep with a lighter scope and rings. I havent fired it yet but I'm assuming since it's light I will need something with decent eye relief. I primarily hunt in AZ and ND; granted, ranges can be longer in some parts of AZ but I don't anticipate anything beyond 400 yards (and probably closer to 200). In ND, you get your choice between moving game in the open or shorter range stuff in the trees. Often you are hunting along thin tree lines and you need quick acquisition more than long range optics. I'm thinking that something along the lines of a Minox 1.5-8x32 might be a good choice. From experience, even 3X can be a bit of a trick to get on target for moving game in close so I'd like to stay somewhere near 1.5-2 at the low end. Not necessarily for a hunting shot, but I think 7X-8X would be nice on the high end for identifying game, antlers, or spotting rounds during range sessions.

Any recommendations would be appreciated; there are so many scopes out there it would definitely help to cut down the size of the haystack.

Thanks in advance.

[DirtyDave]

First: What is your budget?

[vospertw]

DirtyDave - as a target $500-$600, but that's negotiable.

[mkane]

Been itchin to give a Trijicon 1.5x5 a try, more than you have allowed in your budget. haw anout a nitrex TR 1 1.5x6. Real cheap, made in Japan. Glass is excellent.

[vospertw]

The Trijicon is not so far off that I wouldn't consider it. I had not seen the Nitrex before - appreciate the input!

Leupold has a couple contenders as well, the VX-3 1.75-6x32mm and the VX-II 2-7x28 Ultralight. The VX-3 is reasonably light at 11 oz, though the Ultralight is just a tad above 8 oz.

[ejhc11]

Weaver V-Classic 1-3x20 less than 9oz and made in Japan, ~$170 and less

Clear and bright optics

[cantcme]

Weaver v3 is very light and has a history of solid service

[Speedpower]

I went for the new Redfield Revenge 3-9 x 52mm accu ranger Hunter scope on my American Rifle, it will benefit me as I don't need to bring a separate range finder while hunting! (it's nice that it has a built in range finder!)

http://www.opticsplanet.net/redfield-revenge-3-9x52mm-rifle-scope.html

[ejhc11]

Just some info for everyone the Revenge series are made in the Philippines not USA like the Revolutions.

[Speedpower]

Just some info for everyone the Revenge series are made in the Philippines not USA like the Revolutions.

Does not matter where it's made as long as it's back by a lifetime warranty!
and probably will have a better quality too

[mkane]

That's asking for a bit much. Scopes made in Japan such as the Weaver/Nitrex are far better quality than the other Asian countries. The scope on this '06 is a 2x7. Use 3x most of the time close in on pigs.

[vospertw]

I looked at the Revenge series as well, there's a 2-7x34 that fits what I'm looking for though ends up a tad heavier than the similar Revolution. The VX-3 I mentioned in an earlier post looks pretty good too, and I think it would be fine out to 300 yards though any farther and I'm sure I'd be wishing for more magnification. However, I don't think any of the deer I've taken have been much over 100 yards.

mkane - has 2-7 been working pretty well for you? Do you think you'd lose much capability with a 1.5/1.75-6?

[Whiterabbit]

All,

Looking for a scope to go with a Ruger American in 30-06. Since the rifle is relatively light, I'd like to keep with a lighter scope and rings. I havent fired it yet but I'm assuming since it's light I will need something with decent eye relief. I primarily hunt in AZ and ND; granted, ranges can be longer in some parts of AZ but I don't anticipate anything beyond 400 yards

My 400 yard rifle is getting a Nikon Monarch African. If I wanted to up the budget to $400 I'd be getting the Leupold vxIII 1.5-5x20.

Both are supposed to be great glass