Nathanb Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 So the wife caught the bug of the black rifle and now has me sourcing parts for her very own build. One area I'm struggling is finding a variable power 1-4 optic. Her main complaint was she just isn't strong enough to handle a gun that's heavy to her. Being that she is 100 pounds everything is heavy. I've tried to talk her into a red dot to save weight but she wants the variable and we all know what momma wants momma gets. So with that being said what optics come in as the skinny kings? Yes I realize there are other areas to save weight but this is another area I'm looking at. I believe the leupold hog hunter is the lightest I've come across. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 The Hog Hunter/VX-2 looks super lightweight (and inexpensive), but you have to be careful with Leupolds as they will sometimes label them as 1-4x, etc., but deeper scrutiny will reveal that they're "mostly 1-4x" and in reality something like 1.25-3.75x. I'm not sure at all if that's the case with this scope, but it is one of their lower priced models so I'd be very careful and do a lot of research on it before busting out the credit card. The reticle for the hog hunter looks cool, too, but it's calibrated for a .30-06 rather than a .223, so that could be interesting... Nikon makes one that is 13.3oz and another just under 14oz. After that it's the Vortex 1-4x powers (like the one I have for sale in the classifieds right now, HINT, HINT) at 16oz, along with cheapies like Leatherwood, Millet, etc., in that same zone... and then they all start to get to be around the same weight... Of those I'm seeing in the 16oz-ish area, the Vortex is the only one I'd bet on to take a beating and not break, unless you go higher dollar with something like a Trijicon (14.4oz), Nightforce, etc., etc. I know you already mentioned the argument that there's other places to save weight and don't want to hear it, but I'll just go ahead and be the first to ignore you and point out that a well-balanced rifle feels more lightweight than one which is barrel heavy. The optic sits mid-gun so an extra few ounces there isn't nearly as noticeable as, say, a heavy compensator out on the far end of the gun that has leverage working against it. If getting a proper 3-gun specific reticle means an extra few ounces, I doubt that weight will be noticed but the benefits of a properly designed scope will. Most importantly, you/she will want a scope that can take a beating: Vortex, Trijicon, US Optics, come to mind. If it don't work, or she's afraid to manhandle it a bit, then it's not much good. Just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 (edited) That's basically what I've come to. I've got an acog I've got a vortex pst 1-4 and I've got one that runs a red dot. I just wasn't sure if I was missing anything. I think this is going to be an exercise in futility and I'm going to end up with a lightweight expensive safe queen Edited November 23, 2015 by Nathanb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 If that's the case, build her a lightweight AR and "accidentally" buy her a red dot to compliment that setup against your other scoped rifles. (I have a dot for sale too, lol.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael1778 Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 In my limited experience, barrel weight is what pisses off shooters that are concerned about their upper body strength. It isn't as much the actual mass as it is mass distribution. For example, my 12 year old son is as thin as you can get before our pediatrician puts him on a special diet. He can hold a 15 pound bag of pet food fine. Hand him a long rifle-shaped object that is lighter than the food bag, but sized like a rifle (of course) then it's a challenge. The mass is so far away from him that he has to work much harder to hold it up. I suspect that your wife is facing similar challenges. Definitely keep weight down over all, but weight (mass) far away from her body may be what she is sensing most. That is what generates the torque in her grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Another option is to hook her up with a dot (the new trijicon looks awesome) and a cheap flip 3x. Once she loses interest on the gun you could sell the magnifier. A 14.5" barrel with an effective, pinned compensator topped by a trijicon or aimpoint would fit her bill perfectly and still be awesome to have if she loses interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phong Nguyen Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Have you considered the 14oz Trijicon TR24? No BDC but still valid for the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T Bacus Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 (edited) Performance should trump weight. At only 17.6oz you should get her the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6. It's only 3oz heavier than other scopes listed here but when shooting plates at 200 yards she will really appreciate the extra 2x. As others here have stated, balance is more important than actual weight. Use a lightweight barrel, Noveske or BCM KMR 13" handguard and the new Surefire comp to keep the front end of the gun light and she won't even notice a few extra ounces of scope weight. Another good place to save weight is the scope mount, most everyone I shoot with have gone to the Aero Precision ultra light scope mount. It's 3oz and costs $95. Anyway, good luck with her new rifle and hope to see you both next year at Topton or York! Edited November 23, 2015 by T Bacus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 The strike eagle was my first thought actually but at this point I don't want to rule anything out. I realize the barrel and the balance are going to be the big thing. I'm starting to wonder if I'm paying too much attention in the wrong places though. For me a 6 or 7lb gun is no big deal and I don't think two lbs is an issue. She does. Good thing it's a long winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Carbon handguard and pencil barrel or fluting. That 2 or 3 oz extra on the upper wont be noticed. I like my strike eagle for what it is. Sent from my SM-G860P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in TN Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 (edited) I have the Leupold VX-HOG and am very happy with it. It is very lightweight (8.1oz) and simple - which was important to me, and the reticle is perfect for what I do. It is a 1.4-4x, not a true 1x, but for the price and weight it can't be beat. Full review is here: http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364941 Edited November 24, 2015 by Matt in TN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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