Looking for a scope with these features

[olympian]

For the first time in a long time, I am in the market for a new hunting scope. Unfortunately, I have not found one that matches up with what I want. Most of my scope use over the last several years has been USOs, but I do not want that kind of weight in a hunting scope.

The features I seek:
3-9x or 2.5-8 or similar
First focal plane
MIL/MIL adjustments
click adjustments
MIL-based reticle
Not a heavy-weight tactical scope

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[sdbob]

For the first time in a long time, I am in the market for a new hunting scope. Unfortunately, I have not found one that matches up with what I want. Most of my scope use over the last several years has been USOs, but I do not want that kind of weight in a hunting scope.

The features I seek:
3-9x or 2.5-8 or similar
First focal plane
MIL/MIL adjustments
click adjustments
MIL-based reticle
Not a heavy-weight tactical scope

Any help would be appreciated.

Vortex makes a 2.5-10 in FFP that I have put on two guns.

 

[olympian]

Could you send me the model number for the Vortex? I had seen one a couple of years ago but cannot find it now.

 

[Auto-X Fil]

It's hard to find lightweight scopes like that. The Leupold Mk6 3-18 is only 24oz and works pretty well, and the glass is great. QC has been a little spotty on them, but still a decent scope - certainly the best optical performance per ounce.

The SWFA 3-15x42 is absolutely stellar and only 24oz, and only $700. It doesn't come with a zero stop, but someone on Sniper's Hide is selling shim kits for $22. I bought a 3-15 for a precision 22LR because parallax/focus went down to 6m, and it has gobs of internal travel. I've been really blown away by how nice it is, and would put it up against anything under $1k, and a lot of stuff quite a bit more. It's quite a bit nicer than the Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50, in terms of glass, robustness, and tracking.

The Viper does have really nice turret feel, but the magnification ring is very stiff and hard to turn. The Viper also has illumination, which never did anything for me, but matters to some folks. The reticle options are great. The 6-24 Viper has dramatically better glass than the 4-16, but neither is as nice as the SWFA.

 

[nakneker]

I've owned both the vortex 2.5-10 FFP and the SWFA mentioned above. The Vortex I had had the XLR reticle, I liked it. However I would agree the glass was much nicer in the SWFA and I liked the turrets better. In the SWFA I own both the 3-15x and the 3-9x, multiples of each actually. The turrets on the SWFA 3-9x are easier to use than the 3-15x, although both do a good job. The SWFA 3-9x sports HD glass and is a 100 bucks cheaper new. I really like the mil quad reticle, I'm actually selling a SWFA right now with a mil dot because I'd like to replace it with the mil quad. The shims are easy to find for the 3-15x and the fixed powers on eBay and Snipers Hide. Both have great warranties, I just used SWFAs warranty on a used 5-20 and it was back to me in under two weeks.

I haven't used the Leupold mentioned and the only other scope with the features you list that comes to mind is a Sightron S3, 3-10. I own of those and love it. I owned a nightforce in the power range with a 32mm objective and really was disappointed with the light gathering at dusk. Good luck in your search!

 

[MissedItByThatMuch]

March 1-8x24 FFP - 56mil/56mil, illuminated or not - 19 to 22oz
March 3-24x42 FFP - 28Mil/28Mil, illuminated or not - 22oz
March 3-24x52 FFP - 34Mil/17Mil, illuminated or not - 23 to 24oz

These are very serious scopes that will take a beating and are very lightweight. I dropped my 3-24x52 on concrete (from 6 feet up) and dented the ocular bell. No change in POI on a 6.6lb .300WM mountain gun shooting 208gr A-Max's at 2950fps.
They cost a lot, but you won't break them and do everything you could want.
It's tough to find FFP scopes that are lighter than this.

 

[buddha]

I have used a SWFA SS 3-9 for several years now successfully with little complaint. The only things i don't like about it are the large turrets and the magnification ring is a little too stiff. weighs a little over a lb.