Which scope for Ultralight

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Got lucky and my local Scheels was clearing out their last Knight Ultralight 45 nitride, got it for about half price. Can't decide which scope to put on it. I have Leupold 1.5-4, 2-7 or a 3-9. I'm leaning more to the 2-7 or the 3-9. Just curious what others have used and if it was the right choice or do you wish you'd have put something else on it. Most my shots will be a mix of timber and field, out to 200yrds or so. Thanks
 

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I hunted with a 2-7x32 Nikon on my CVA for several years. I really liked the low end for up close shooting but I found myself wishing for a bit more magnification on more than one occasion. When I got my Ultra-lite, I ended mounting a 2-10x40 Burris Signature HD. I'm really liking the scope and the added magnification range. I also looked at the 2-10x42 Burris Veracity but it was a physically heavier scope than the HD by about 5-6 ounces, so I went with the HD.
 
I hunted with a 2-7x32 Nikon on my CVA for several years. I really liked the low end for up close shooting but I found myself wishing for a bit more magnification on more than one occasion. When I got my Ultra-lite, I ended mounting a 2-10x40 Burris Signature HD. I'm really liking the scope and the added magnification range. I also looked at the 2-10x42 Burris Veracity but it was a physically heavier scope than the HD by about 5-6 ounces, so I went with the HD.
That's kind of what I was wondering if the 2-7 would be just not enough. I think I'll go with the 3-9.
 
IMHO, the BEST quality and value in scopes today are Arken or BlackHound. I have both. Nothing less than a grand can compare and even then either of these two are simply better and for $400/shipped.
 
IMHO, the BEST quality and value in scopes today are Arken or BlackHound. I have both. Nothing less than a grand can compare and even then either of these two are simply better and for $400/shipped.made in China, not doing it anymore , for anything as long as there are American alternatives
 

You do realize that almost all scope glass comes from Asia, most of which is China? Including almost all the glass sold by "leading" scope makers, which includes Leopold, Vortex, Nikon, NightForce, Burris, Bushnell, Weaver, and many many others. Even some of the really super high end scopes like Smith & Bender are using Asian glass along with their German and Euro glass. In effect there is NO scope glass made in the USA. It's no longer the origin of the glass, it's the quality and for certain brands, the China HD glass they're using is incomparable to the China glass of even a few years ago. Do yerself a favor and research the scopes offered today - you may be quite surprised.
 
At 200 yards the lower power the better unless your hunting rabbits. For dear size 4x works and more field of view. Goes with the ultra lite, looks right, handles right.
 
I do realize where the glass comes from, I just don’t want anything built in China , if there is an American alternative, the glass is just one aspect of the scope.I don’t trust the internal parts and workmanship.it sucks that I am typing this on a China made phone, but I know of no American made phone or I would have one
 
I do realize where the glass comes from, I just don’t want anything built in China , if there is an American alternative, the glass is just one aspect of the scope.I don’t trust the internal parts and workmanship.it sucks that I am typing this on a China made phone, but I know of no American made phone or I would have one

I hear you and understand. The world is what it is. Almost all the good American scope brands are assembled in the USA, if that's any consolation. Besides some of the glass coming from China, excellent glass also comes from Japan and the Phillipines. The SWFA SS scopes are top shelf, using Japanese glass - they're mostly fixed power (but also offer variables), from 6x to 20x, they were originally military contract scopes for our Navy and I've used 6x, 10x, 12x, 20x - they're an excellent value for $300.
 
There are plenty of scopes made using Japanese glass and the Razor HD AMG is almost entirely 100% Made in USA. Even the glass is made in the USA.
Made in the USA: Every component, from the Type III hard-anodized body, turrets, mag ring and eyepiece, to the smallest screw—even the index-matched lenses are made in America. The only component from outside the USA is the German manufactured reticle.

My Razor HD LH is made at LoW. The same factory that makes scopes/glass/parts for numerous vendors including Zeiss V4s. Kenko made at least some of the SWFA scopes. Ive seen the Kenko inspection sticker. Kenko IS Sightron. They own Sightron. Another excellent Asian (Japanese) vendor with a solid tract record. The biggest problem with SWFA is getting one. They have been backorder only for over a year on almost every model.

If i was going to look at a SWFA scope for a UL rig it would be the 3x9x42 HD FFP but its also a $600 scope. Eye relief is kinda tight on max for a ML too.
https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-hd-3-9x42-tactical-30mm-riflescope.html

Why even risk a chi com scope when you can get good Japanese made glass. You can get the same Razor HD LH i got for $450 right now. Its nearly perfect for a UL rig. I got mine on a NULA Model 20 aka M209. Weighs 7.65lb scoped and ready.
 
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IMHO, the BEST quality and value in scopes today are Arken or BlackHound. I have both. Nothing less than a grand can compare and even then either of these two are simply better and for $400/shipped.

I would love to see that. Even a Athlon Midas Tac would hold its own quite well against anything Arken offers. But not many of us wanna put a huge honkin 24oz+ scope on a UL rig. Might as well look at the $600 blow outs on the Crimson Trace 5 series and get Japanese made if you dont mind a 30oz scope.

Those i think were made by JOL (Japan Optics). Same company that makes Ritons top tier line.
 
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I didn’t know the razor was 100% made here, I have a few China scopes.prior to the pandemic I started buying leupold firedot scopes, kinda addicted now with that dot at low light, aging eyes.the pandemic really opened my eyes to China , I won’t spend anymore money if possible on that crap, especially when you can get American made for not much more money.
 
I hear you and understand. The world is what it is. Almost all the good American scope brands are assembled in the USA, if that's any consolation. Besides some of the glass coming from China, excellent glass also comes from Japan and the Phillipines. The SWFA SS scopes are top shelf, using Japanese glass - they're mostly fixed power (but also offer variables), from 6x to 20x, they were originally military contract scopes for our Navy and I've used 6x, 10x, 12x, 20x - they're an excellent value for $300.
That is why 40,000 new Ford trucks are sitting in Louisville at the Ford plant waiting for computer chips! Our Country is behind the 8 ball
 
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I put a Leupold 2x7 on mine. It worked fine out to 340 yards. When i almost had an opportunity at a bull elk at 400 yards, I was wishing for a bit more. I've found Leupolds to be lighter than most brands. If I remember, it only weighed about 9 oz. The 3x9 I replaced it with weighs 12 or 13 oz. Having an ultralight rifle is a joy when going up and down really steep mountains.
 
I was buying leupold vx3i scopes for under 400 , I have one on my 50 cal ultra lite. very good scope for the money, excellent on that gun. I believe they are more money now
 
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