Kimber Mountain Ascent, Lightweight 1x scopes ?

[Jessesky]

A kimber followed me home....

Buds of all places had a lightly used Mountain Ascent in .270 for sale. $999 cash. I don’t need it, but jumped at the opportunity for that price. If I don’t like it, I’m fairly confident I could flip it for a small profit.

I’m somewhat new to the ultralight game. The rifle comes in at 5lb 6oz for the 24” long action 270. The muzzle brake (which I’ll probably remove) weighs 1oz. Currently it wears a vortex strike eagle 1-8 scope which brings the weight up to 6lb 9oz. I can lower this with lighter weight scope rings.

Without the brake, the recoil calculator says it should kick like a 7lb 300 win Mag. I’m sure it will be a little sharper feeling.

I had the vortex scope laying around and slapped it on. I love the true 1x, and the range of magnification it gives all the way up to 8x. However, the strike eagle has features I can live without to lighten the weight. I don’t need an illuminated reticle on a hunting rifle for sure. I can always go the Leupold vx3i 2.5-8 route but would really prefer to find a hunting scope in 1-8x or 1-6x.

(Yes I know the scope is not zeroed)

I am looking to make this as light as possible as a challenge. Does anyone have true 1x scope suggestions around 12oz or under?

 

[Casefull]

View attachment 878637 Started with an 11 oz scope on my ascent. Decided I was being silly about a couple of ounces and went with vx3 3.5 10. I personally like the rifle with the muzzle brake on it. They can be jumpy and the brake helps that. Good luck with your choices.

 

[<*(((><]

At $999 you got a very good deal on that Mountain Ascent.


Like @Casefull I wouldn't sweat a couple of ounces on a scope. Personally, it would be my goal to stay at or below 16oz. for a scope.

 

[LoonWulf]

leupy has some low weight 1-4s, there are a few more. Most tho are unusually heavy.

 

[jmr40]

If you choose carefully there are several leupold scopes combined with Talley Lightweight mounts that will considerably lighten the rifle. But to be honest, before you spend money shoot it like it is for a while. I have the same scope in a 1-6X version on an AR and it is a good scope. I had a similar 1-4X24 on a 30mm tube on one of my bolt guns for a while, but needed it for something else. I'll be buying something similar for it when funds are available.

A 1-6X or 1-8X scope on a 30mm tube might just be the perfect all around scope for hunting. I know it is a little heavy, but the light rifle more than offsets the scope weight of the scope.

I've had a Kimber 84 in 308 for about 12 years now. I can keep it under 6 lbs with the right scope, but honestly have concluded that under 6 lbs scoped is just too much of a good thing. I've since mounted a bit heavier scope on it getting weight up to a little over 6 1/4 lbs and like it better. Based on my experience just over 6 1/2 lbs isn't a bad place to be on that rifle.

 

[Jessesky]

A 1-6X or 1-8X scope on a 30mm tube might just be the perfect all around scope for hunting.

I certainly agree. Which is why I’m trying to find a light-ish version geared towards hunting

leupy has some low weight 1-4s, there are a few more. Most tho are unusually heavy.

I have seen the 1-4s and they are great! I have one on my 375h&h. I would like to find one that has a bit higher magnification like the 8x for longer shot versatility.

There must be some element added at that 6x+ magnification point that makes the scope so much heavier

 

[Casefull]

2 x 7 leupold work well and inexpensive. Light also. I like them on my ARs.

 

[Macchina]

I love the 2-7 Leupold. Extremely lightweight and the cheapest ones are really nice glass. To be honest, they are as much glass as most any of use should ever need for hunting.

 

[eastbank]

i have a 2-7x leupold on my Kimber 84L hunter in 3006 and it weights 6.lbs-5 oz, the recoil is there, but I don,t mind it on a hunting rifle. it will hold moa for four quick shots, but will open up to two " for shots five and six.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

A kimber followed me home....

I am looking to make this as light as possible as a challenge. Does anyone have true 1x scope suggestions around 12oz or under?

When I think true 1x, my first thought is reflex or holographic sight. Here's my backup optic option (Bushnell TRS-25, about 4 oz. as shown) on a .308 Kimber Hunter:



The RDS is fully supported by the front base -- nothing overhangs. I put a QD lever in the sight so I could swap it quickly with my Weaver 1-4X/Warne QD rings when desired.

 

[Legionnaire]

^^ That's a cool installation.

 

[Gordon]

Another vote for a Leupold BUT the 2.5-8 x 36 VX3i . This size Leupold is the time proven standby for light rifles and IMHO the .270 isn't ideal for 1x scope. The 2.5x has big field of view and you can pick up running game no problem at 50 feet with it. Also keep the brake it has no down side and may help accuracy and certainly practical accuracy. I had one of the first ultra lite rifle made by Brown Precision in 1978 and many since and discovered a few things along the way. you can save weight with the mounts and rings all ready suggested previously. The lightest possible scope would be a fixed power 2.5x Leupold (or better yet a 4x36) which gets into the 8-9.oz range instead of 11 .oz like the 2.5-8x VX3 .