Does anything have a slimmer ocular profile than the Weaver V series scopes?

[atblis]

My favorite scope is a Weaver V-16 4-16x40 AO. The mechanics are quite good actually, the optics tolerable bordering on decent, and it just plain fits on rifles. That last part is the part that's key and why I like that scope so much. I have other scopes that are much better optically, but the way the ocular is implemented on the Weaver Classic Vs allows low scope mounting with bolt clearance. I can not stand scopes that are mounted too high. This is particularly important on rifles that have bolt clearance issues (CZs come to mind).

So, it looks like the V-16 is a $350 scope at this point. As much as I like it, I don't think the optics are up to $350 (unless they've been updated). I'll confess to not having looked through one made in the last 15 years so it is possible they're better now.

What else is out here that's nice and slim back by the ocular and represents a good value? Let's try to stay under $1k, extra brownie points for under $500.

ETA: I feel like there might be a Leupold that fits the bill.

 

[jmr40]

The top 2 scopes in the menu. The one priced at $315 has a standard reticle, the $350 scope has a long range reticle. These are by far the best scope for the dollar you can buy.

They are USA made by Meopta and are the EXACT same scope as the now discontinued Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. Meopta made them for Zeiss and when Zeiss stopped carrying them continued making them with a Cabelas label on them.

I have one of each along with an original Zeiss. Cabelas was offering $99 off last week and I ordered one with the long range reticle and got it for about $250. I just got it in and have not mounted it yet.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/shoo..._SEQ_104535180?WTz_st=GuidedNav&WTz_stype=GNU

If not a Leupold VX-2 can be had for $300-$350 depending on the reticle choice. The VX-3 is a better scope, but not enough better to justify the extra money. The VX-2 is a good scope, I have a couple and if faced with paying $300 for a Leupold or $500 for the Meopta I might hesitate. But at the same price Meopta is the better scope, I think it beats the VX-3.

If you want to stay with a 4-12X or 4-16X then you're going to have to go up considerably in price to get the same quality. You're looking at $600-$700. If it is worth the extra expense there are options. But I've never found a 3-9X scope lacking and they are more reasonably priced.

 

[greyling22]

weaver and leupold are the smallest I know of. But if a scope costs more than 400, I don't know a thing about it. I just bought a weaver grand slam 3-12x42 with side focus for $200 off natchez. It's pretty slim, though not as narrow as the classic v. Better glass though......

 

[LoonWulf]

The leupold Mark AR Ive got sitting on my bench has a fairly small ocular, smaller in fact then i like. Perhaps why Im not a fan of the scope.

 

[atblis]

I think the Zeiss Conquests used to be the best bang for the buck in terms of optical performance. I have a few. They most certainly do not have a slim ocular and are actually my comparison point as to why I like the Weaver Classic Vs so much. I tried to put a 4.5-14x44 Conquest on a couple of my rifles and just couldn't make it fit.

I also have a couple VX3s. They are decent scopes too. The 2.5-8x36 is my favorite if I want to dress up a classic deer rifle.

Are the new Grand Slams still made in Japan?

 

[greyling22]

the grand slam I mentioned I just bought is made in japan.

 

[atblis]

Good to hear that the Japanese Weavers are still Japanese.