Lightweight scopes for pcp guns

[Zebra]

If anyone is searching for a lightweight scope for a pcp gun, let me save you some of the time I wasted.

I recently bought a Clearidge RM based on the suggestion of a member here and someone on another forum. I have to say that it really is a great call. Around 12oz with excellent glass for the price ($240). I don't know if it is springer friendly as an FYI.

I had an impossible time finding a lightweight scope with adjustable parallax and magnification. Many PCP guns are heavy to start with and, as a hunter, weighing my Cricket 25 down with a Sidewinder 30 was just overkill. I mainly shoot off-hand at 30-100 yards and it really hurts my accuracy when my arms get tired.

The Clearidge is the only lightweight scope I could find at a reasonable price. It is nearly half the weight of the Leapers I used before even though the specs are the same on paper i.e. 3-9 x 32.

3-9 x 32 may sound low spec but I think it is perfect for pcp guns inside 120 yards. I also have a 6-24 x 40 Bushell that is frankly a lot of extra weight for little benefit to me.

The glass on the Clearidge is noticeably clearer than on my 2 Leapers scopes which isn't surprising as it's twice as expensive. It is just in a different league and is similar in clarity to comparably spec'd Hawk scopes I have used. For me, the quality of glass is what you pay for. You can buy scopes with more features for $40 but they not so good. The Clearidge is clear enough to line up a squirrels head at 100 yards without maxing out the magnification.

Also, the poi doesn't shift of the Clearidge when I adjust the magnification. On my Leapers, it shifts over a milldot when I zoom from x4 to x 6 which is bad.

Any hunter who likes shooting bullpups off-hand should check out the Clearidge RM. If you have one of the heavier bullpups, it will make a huge difference in how it feels. It makes  my Cricket 25 feel like a different gun. I recently made a carbon fiber stock for it too so it's less than 7lb scoped (with the Clearidge). I am fairly sure it is now the lightest 25 cal Cricket / scope combo on earth.

If anyone knows of any other scopes that are around 12 oz or less, please let us know. I have a new Ataman M2R ultra compact on the way. The only other ones I found were pistol scopes and none with adjustable parallax which I think is critical for air rifle use.

The Leupold ultralight is only 8oz but no adjustable parallax and it's over $400. Nicer glass though.

[rami939]

Swfa .
Check these scopes .
I had the chance to hold one in my hands , and it was very light weight .
I don't know the prices, but it might be worth chevking them .

[Bwalton]

The only scopes that I us, they have a lot to choose from, here is one that I have for shooting rats, what makes this scope so special is that it have a semi fix focal setting, meaning if you set it to focus at 20 yards it will be in focus from 15-30yards they have very good glass and has a zero lock, some thing that you do not see on any scope. These scopes were designed for air gunners by air gunners.

http://www.trenieroutdoors.com/op1003.html

[shanejohnson2002]

Swfa .
Check these scopes .
I had the chance to hold one in my hands , and it was very light weight .
I don't know the prices, but it might be worth chevking them .

I use SWFA exclusively on all of my rifles (well, almost...I have a bushnell on a .22 I use for squirrel hunting). I wouldn't exactly call them light. If anything, they are some of the most solid, ruggedly-constructed scopes I've ever come across. I'm fairly certain I could use the scope as a hammer, then mount it and shoot with no issues.

10x SF Mil-Quad on my 6.8 AR, 10x SF Mil-Quad on my .308, and 20x Mil-Quad on my benchrest .22 (local club has a 24x power limit). Saving up for the 1-6X FFP for military duty on the (ever-growing) off-chance that I'll deploy again.

All of this is just saying that:
1) I have extensive experience with these scopes, and recommend them whole-heartedly for any application
2) ...but I wouldn't call them light. Not by a longshot. The 10x SF is 21oz, for example.

[only1harry]

If you want to spend the $ on a good light scope check out the Leupold 4-12x40 that weighs 13oz, and the Redfield 4-12x40 which is 13.1oz.  That's just over 3/4 of a pound.  They range from $229 to $249.  These do not have an A/O, but you can shoot down to 30yds or so.  They are mostly for long range shooting and have great clarity.  I do not think you will find a lighter scope with 12x magnification.

Harry

[Zebra]

If you want to spend the $ on a good light scope check out the Leupold 4-12x40 that weighs 13oz, and the Redfield 4-12x40 which is 13.1oz.  That's just over 3/4 of a pound.  They range from $229 to $249.  These do not have an A/O, but you can shoot down to 30yds or so.  They are mostly for long range shooting and have great clarity.  I do not think you will find a lighter scope with 12x magnification.

Harry

There is one of the Leupold ultralight models with adjustable parallax. It costs $400 and it weighs 11.5oz. I was told by the guy from the store that the glass was slightly better than on the Clearidge but not a huge difference. I figured he had no reason to lie as he sold both brands and had no other reason to recommend the cheaper option.

I was tempted by the Leupold before I found the Clearidge.

[Zebra]

Swfa .
Check these scopes .
I had the chance to hold one in my hands , and it was very light weight .
I don't know the prices, but it might be worth chevking them .

I use SWFA exclusively on all of my rifles (well, almost...I have a bushnell on a .22 I use for squirrel hunting). I wouldn't exactly call them light. If anything, they are some of the most solid, ruggedly-constructed scopes I've ever come across. I'm fairly certain I could use the scope as a hammer, then mount it and shoot with no issues.

10x SF Mil-Quad on my 6.8 AR, 10x SF Mil-Quad on my .308, and 20x Mil-Quad on my benchrest .22 (local club has a 24x power limit). Saving up for the 1-6X FFP for military duty on the (ever-growing) off-chance that I'll deploy again.

All of this is just saying that:
1) I have extensive experience with these scopes, and recommend them whole-heartedly for any application
2) ...but I wouldn't call them light. Not by a longshot. The 10x SF is 21oz, for example.

If someone isn't looking for a lightweight scope then there are tons of quality options at various price points. The lightweight thing is what's hard to find.

Personally, I think a lot of the rifle spec scopes are overkill for most air rifles and most users  (who will shoot inside 100 yards). For me, a lightweight an properly balanced rig does a lot more for my accuracy when shooting off-hand in the woods than a larger lens.

 I find most PCP rifles to  be extremely heavy and I can't hold them still when my arm gets tired. Cutting a pound off the weight with a lighter scope makes hunting more fun for me.

I used a 21oz scope before. It's better for bench rest shooting.