Small(ish) scope with side focus and MIL/MOA reticle?

US Optics TS 12x is small, fits bill. I was looking at one, but I opted for a Meopta Optika 5 with z-plus reticle.

Take a look at MTC Copperhead F2.

I'm using a West Hunter WHT 3-12x44 FFP SF IR. It has a Mil reticle, not an MOA. It measures 9.6" and fits nicely on my Atomic XR. I wrote about here:

Check out the Optisan CP 3-12X32P. Here is one mounted on my FWB300s.

What's your budget and what's your top end magnification? Athlon makes some mighty fine units. Cameraland is running some sale (Father's Day) prices on some of the Athlon line. The Helos BTR Gen 2 2-12 is a fan favorite around here, less than 12" long

Would definitely check out that Athlon Helos:

I wish there were more scopes in the 2-7x32 range with side focus rather than adjustable objective. Only one I can think of with side focus is the discontinued Bushnell AR series but those weren't exactly compact.

The Immersive prism scopes are compact. They have a 5x30 with 85mm eye relief coming out this summer. I feel like the longer eye relief would look a bit better on a traditional rifle. But the current model might have more of a biathlon rear site look.

Attachments Scops Specs Tables

(1) SHORT scopes AND 3-12x / 3-9x
View attachment SCOPE Specs Table. For SHORT Scopes -and- 3-12x 3-9x Scopes.1654479140.pdf

↑ This (linked PDF)!

In that Scope Specs Table you'll get over 50 scopes that are SHORT (and/or light) — or are in the 3-12x / 3-9x magnification range.

Just go down the colum for size and weight and find the ones that have the right size/weight.


I'm sorry to say that the Table does not specify if the reticle subtensions are dots or hashlines. There are very few reticles with dots. However, after the Table there are links to many of the FFP reticles where you can see them at different magnifications.


The Table does distinguish between MIL and MOA reticles, and indicates which scopes have a "Christmas tree" reticle — that is, a gridded reticle with lots of busy hashlines, that some shooters require, others detest. The choice is yours.


Almost all the scopes in the Table have side parallax, not AO.


If you are so open to almost any scope (very few requirements), and size/weight is so important, maybe a 4x fixed magnification scope is the best option for you...?
However, for me personally, a variable magnification has so many advantages, it's so versatile – I even mounted a 3-12x44 scope on a PP700 pistol — and it's knocking pigeons from 5y to at 50y+....!


Happy scope shopping!

Matthias

My vixen long has the Helos 2x12 x42 on it and it is great. I love the reticle and the IR can be seen in bright daylight. Many a ground squirrels have fallen when in the reticle of this scope.

Tony P

The bug Buster has an adjustable objective side wheel so you're still good. It's also good down to 3 yards, no Christmas tree or fancy reticle just a dotted cross.

The Hawke is better and more expensive and has little magnification.

I've had both the Hawke Vantage & the Bug Buster 3-12.

Of the two I preferred the eye box & glass of the Hawke. But much preferred the side focus of the Bug Buster.

There is a Monstrum 2-7x32 with front AO in the Classifieds.

I would at least look on Ebay & see if you can find a Leupold EFR 3-9x33 that someone paid to have a custom reticle installed in.

I know you said no Xmas tree reticles but do take a look at the Hawke AMX 2-7x32 now that you're considering front AO. That's a much more subtle Xmas tree reticle & they are said to be noticeably better than the Vantage line.

Same with the Optisan 3-12x32.

The Immersive Optics scopes continue to impress me. Here's the 10x24 on a Cricket II. And the target is 14 shots @ 50 yards





They also have a 5x24 which is even smaller. FWIW, I like their "mildot extended" reticle more than the standard mildot. I have not used the mildot rapid, but it looks interesting.

Another vote for the Optisan CP 3-12x32. Small, bright and ultra low turrets with good haptic click feedback. I have five of them now. Excellent scope. BKL 304 30mm rings and Bob's your uncle.

US Optics TS 12.
Solidly built, great lens clarity, short.

I just moved mine over to my Maverick this afternoon. now to verify point of aim.
They do seem to be a bit difficult to get right now.

Mike