Nikon Monarch 2-8x32mm

It does not make much sense to pair a lightweight rifle with a big, heavy optic. Luckily, almost all major scope manufacturers have lightweight, compact scopes in their catalogs. At just 13.4 ounces and 11.5 inches long, the Nikon Monarch 2-8X 32mm fit the bill perfectly for my evaluation of the Savage Lightweight Hunter. The scope is available with a Nikoplex reticle and is clear and crisp.

Compact scopes are not without their challenges. Usually the biggest problem is attaching them to the rifle, since their compact size greatly reduces the spacing between the turrets and objective and ocular bells. Extended rings are the answer. I used a set of Quad Lock extended rings from Weaver to get the compact scope and rifle paired together. They are lightweight, not overly expensive, and did not interfere with loading and unloading.