Fixed Power Scopes

chipchip · December 13, 2012, 11:49 PM

I work at retail gun store and sell a lot of guns and scopes. I'm beginning to think fixed power scopes are the way to go. what say you. Too Much out there and it's getting to complicated to make a scope choice.

jmortimer · December 13, 2012, 11:50 PM

I like the Weaver K-4

big al hunter · December 13, 2012, 11:57 PM

For target or close up hunting I would be tempted by fixed power. But for me it is better to have a variable. I hunt in clear cuts and second growth timber. Ranges vary from 5 yards to 500. I need 3 or 4 power for up close and I prefer 9 to 12 for the long shots. I think a scope is something that should be matched to the circumstances and preferences of the shooter. It is a decision only the shooter can make.

Scorch · December 14, 2012, 01:21 AM

A lot of folks like variable scopes, especially the retailers. You buy a fixed power scope, there is nothing all that sexy about it. But a variable power scope, you can zoom it in and out, set the magnification for what you think you like, play with it all the time, but by the time most people get a few trips under their belts, they have almost forgotten that the scope they paid extra to get that variable power feature can zoom at all. I have seen more variable scopes set at the highest power and just left there than anything else. For the same money, you get better glass and optical quality in a fixed power scope, but people continue to buy variables. Me too, don't get me wrong. My next scope will likely be a fixed power. Or not, those little knobs are so cool, you can zoom it, set it to a medium power, change it for early and late or close up hunting . . . . . . .

scsov509 · December 14, 2012, 01:31 AM

As others have said, it depends on your application really. But generally, my scopes of preference are 1x4's and fixed 10x's. One of the things I really like about the fixed powers is that you can get a lot of scope for the money. I'd rather have for example a SS HD 10x than almost anything else out there at a comparable price!

lefteyedom · December 14, 2012, 01:35 AM

the lower fixed 2, 4, or 6 are great hunting scopes

10, 16, 36 are target and work well.

The old school was a fixed 4 was an idea hunt scope. Still good advise/

Kreyzhorse · December 14, 2012, 07:11 AM

I hunted with a fixed 4 power for years. Great scope and excellent for the hills and valleys where I hunt here in Kentucky.

However, once I started making western antelope hunts, I needed a little more power. I now hunt with 3x9s and they are the best of both worlds in my opinion. Nothing wrong with fixed scopes but I needed a little more versatility and I think variable scopes provide that for most users.

4runnerman · December 14, 2012, 07:26 AM

Weaver T-36 is a great bench scope. I would not want to get caught trying to make a 100 yard shot with it though. Fixed scopes in low power are ideal for hunting . If you want to reach out and touch targets from 100 to 600 or more yards variable is the way to go. I have 3 x 9 on my 22's and everything else is 6-24 x 50 and bigger.

PetahW · December 14, 2012, 09:58 AM

I'm not into "target shooting", except for zeroing, and although I have a few variable scopes (1X-3X, 1.75X-6X, & 2X-7X), in over 45 years of hunting, have yet to need/use more than 4x on game - including both big/small game.

I find my fixed power scopes (I have a half-dozen) to be light & reliable, every one has ample eye relief, AND they have long enough tubes to mount on virtually any rifle I choose (Unlike the new "compact" scopes).

.

kraigwy · December 14, 2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

I like the Weaver K-4

That's a classic, hard to beat that scope. I have a couple myself.

old roper · December 14, 2012, 10:12 AM

I like the variables on my hunting rifles and some of my varmint rifles and other varmint rifles have fixed 6x or 12x with AO.

zukiphile · December 14, 2012, 11:30 AM

Now that I have a sense of my patterns and limits, variable power optics answer a question I rarely ask.

Old Grump · December 14, 2012, 12:29 PM

2,5 on my turkey gun and had a 4X on my .308 till I broke it, went up to 6X because of old eyes and its more than enough for the likely range I get to shoot at in my woods. Simple is good.

jmr40 · December 14, 2012, 12:34 PM

My only real issue with fixed power scopes is that most of them have too much magnification. I generally use 1-4's, 2-7's or 3-9's and almost always use them on 1X, 2X or 3X. Most fixed scopes are either 4X, 6X or 10X. Just more magnification than I want most of the time.

There are a few fixed power 2X and 3x scopes, but none appeal to me. Having the option of more magnification is a plus if needed.

SOME fixed power scopes can be more rugged, but not all. A cheap fixed power scope is probably no more rugged than a cheap variable. A fixed power Leupold is about as rugged as it comes, but then again their variables will probably take more abuse than about any other brand, fixed power or variable.

If I lived in the west where longer shots were more common I'd strongly consider a Leupold 6X42.

SSA · December 14, 2012, 02:09 PM

Fixed-power hunting scopes are an endangered species.
There used to be lots of them, but there aren't many, any more.
Weaver and Leupold still make some.

btmj · December 14, 2012, 04:42 PM

I would love to be able to buy a light weight 2X or 3X scope. In fact a short, lightweight 3X32mm with a simple duplex reticle... ideal for a 30-30 or other hunting carbine.

tAKticool · December 14, 2012, 04:47 PM

Marine Corps did a lot of sniping with a lot of scopes that were just 10x Unertl .... Read "Shooter" by Jack Coughlin about the 2003 entry of Iraq and he did some CRAZY shooting and numbers piling with a 10x and Remington 700 based M40A3.

I am a Nikon guy but if you can't afford a $4000 Unertl scope you can go Bushnell Elite 3200 Tactical 10x 40mm scope, very hard to beat for $200 and mil-dots etc. target turrets- for the money and your choice it would be hard to beat this with a stick.

coyota1 · December 14, 2012, 05:02 PM

As a rule I use variable scopes, why not have the versatility? I did purchase a very nice Remington 722, and it came with an old fixed 4x ScopeChief with a fine cross hair, and I'm gonna leave it on for now. I can draw a bead on a crow at 300 yds with it.

wpsdlrg · December 14, 2012, 06:17 PM

I completely agree that fixed scopes are the way....but this is an individual decision. As for variables, most people tend to use too much magnification, anyway, which only handicaps their shooting (higher magnification only magnifies small movements, which we ALL cannot eliminate completely, with an apparently closer view as the only advantage).

Obviously, shooting distance will govern the practical choice of magnification. 4X is plenty usable out to at least 200 yards, but not so useful on small targets at 600 yards, for example. 9X, the top setting on the most popular variable scopes (3X - 9X) is ridiculous and unnecessary at less than about 400 yards.

The "rule" I follow is 1X per 50 yards distance. Since I have always kept my (hunting) shots to 200 yards or less.....4X has always been perfect for me. I have used a 2X scope before, and actually prefer it over 4X.....but it is a handicap beyond about 125 yards.

The other issue for me is size and weight. I HATE a huge telescope perched over the receiver of my rifle, making it top-heavy, etc. So, a very compact scope is the only way for me.....or none at all.

Of course, to each his own. What everyone else does is their business.

4runnerman · December 14, 2012, 06:25 PM

(higher magnification only magnifies small movements, which we ALL cannot eliminate completely, with an apparently closer view as the only advantage).

This is true as you state- The movments are there even if you can't see them as well so that is a null statement. The closer view ( in target shooting) is a very big advantage to have. I will keep your groups much tighter than low magnifaction. As you state for hunting a 3-9 power is all you need unless you go after those little dogs at 600 yards.

a7mmnut · December 14, 2012, 08:23 PM

Another element often overlooked is the loss of light through each set of lenses. A plain Jane fixed scope only has two lenses-one at each end. A fixed power with AO adds one more. A plain variable has at least three lenses, and the fourth for the AO or paralax ring. You will lose light with each pass through a lens--no doubt about it. More $$$ is required to put extra polishing and coatings on these lenses to reduce reflected light loss. Not many people are willing to do that. Those same people wind up complaining about them most of the time. In the the end, the old parable "you get what you pay for" almost always applies with optics.

-7-

scsov509 · December 14, 2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

I am a Nikon guy but if you can't afford a $4000 Unertl scope you can go Bushnell Elite 3200 Tactical 10x 40mm scope, very hard to beat for $200 and mil-dots etc. target turrets- for the money and your choice it would be hard to beat this with a stick.

I bought one of those a few years back and can't say enough good about it. Mine is the mil/mil scope, and I can't believe how good it has been overall. It's definitely an exceptional scope for the money.

coyota1 · December 14, 2012, 10:21 PM

I have a Swift 2.5 x 10 on my 788/223, and I am quite happy with it.

Mobuck · December 14, 2012, 10:24 PM

I've made some real bragging shots using a plain 4X scope in my younger days. Now, I use 2.5, 4, 6, and 10X fixed power scopes apprpriate to the firearm's use. I still use mostly variables since they're so popular(and many times are cheaper). The reliability of the better quality variables negates many of the historical issues of POI change or fogging.

johnwilliamson062 · December 14, 2012, 11:42 PM

I was at the range today and found I couldn't shoot at 100 yards with 9X zoom. Drove me crazy that that I could never get the reticle to sit totally still on the bulls eye. I had to lower it to about 5 and my shooting improved significantly. IF I was shooting a target moving at all I would probably drop it back to three. The 9x was GREAT for checking my target though. Almost worth the extra money I paid.

December 13, 2012, 11:49 PM	#1
chipchip Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Posts: 247	Fixed Power Scopes I work at retail gun store and sell a lot of guns and scopes. I'm beginning to think fixed power scopes are the way to go. what say you. Too Much out there and it's getting to complicated to make a scope choice. Last edited by chipchip; December 13, 2012 at 11:51 PM. Reason: spelling

December 13, 2012, 11:57 PM	#3
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	For target or close up hunting I would be tempted by fixed power. But for me it is better to have a variable. I hunt in clear cuts and second growth timber. Ranges vary from 5 yards to 500. I need 3 or 4 power for up close and I prefer 9 to 12 for the long shots. I think a scope is something that should be matched to the circumstances and preferences of the shooter. It is a decision only the shooter can make. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

December 14, 2012, 01:21 AM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	A lot of folks like variable scopes, especially the retailers. You buy a fixed power scope, there is nothing all that sexy about it. But a variable power scope, you can zoom it in and out, set the magnification for what you think you like, play with it all the time, but by the time most people get a few trips under their belts, they have almost forgotten that the scope they paid extra to get that variable power feature can zoom at all. I have seen more variable scopes set at the highest power and just left there than anything else. For the same money, you get better glass and optical quality in a fixed power scope, but people continue to buy variables. Me too, don't get me wrong. My next scope will likely be a fixed power. Or not, those little knobs are so cool, you can zoom it, set it to a medium power, change it for early and late or close up hunting . . . . . . . __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 14, 2012, 01:35 AM	#6
lefteyedom Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 333	the lower fixed 2, 4, or 6 are great hunting scopes 10, 16, 36 are target and work well. The old school was a fixed 4 was an idea hunt scope. Still good advise/ __________________ Superman, you are a mean drunk

December 14, 2012, 07:11 AM	#7
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	I hunted with a fixed 4 power for years. Great scope and excellent for the hills and valleys where I hunt here in Kentucky. However, once I started making western antelope hunts, I needed a little more power. I now hunt with 3x9s and they are the best of both worlds in my opinion. Nothing wrong with fixed scopes but I needed a little more versatility and I think variable scopes provide that for most users. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

December 13, 2012, 11:50 PM	#2
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	I like the Weaver K-4

December 14, 2012, 01:31 AM	#5
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	As others have said, it depends on your application really. But generally, my scopes of preference are 1x4's and fixed 10x's. One of the things I really like about the fixed powers is that you can get a lot of scope for the money. I'd rather have for example a SS HD 10x than almost anything else out there at a comparable price!

December 14, 2012, 07:26 AM	#8
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Weaver T-36 is a great bench scope. I would not want to get caught trying to make a 100 yard shot with it though. Fixed scopes in low power are ideal for hunting . If you want to reach out and touch targets from 100 to 600 or more yards variable is the way to go. I have 3 x 9 on my 22's and everything else is 6-24 x 50 and bigger. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

December 14, 2012, 09:58 AM	#9
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	I'm not into "target shooting", except for zeroing, and although I have a few variable scopes (1X-3X, 1.75X-6X, & 2X-7X), in over 45 years of hunting, have yet to need/use more than 4x on game - including both big/small game. I find my fixed power scopes (I have a half-dozen) to be light & reliable, every one has ample eye relief, AND they have long enough tubes to mount on virtually any rifle I choose (Unlike the new "compact" scopes). .

December 14, 2012, 10:12 AM	#11
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	I like the variables on my hunting rifles and some of my varmint rifles and other varmint rifles have fixed 6x or 12x with AO. __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

December 14, 2012, 11:30 AM	#12
zukiphile Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Posts: 4,451	Now that I have a sense of my patterns and limits, variable power optics answer a question I rarely ask. __________________ http://www.npboards.com/index.php

December 14, 2012, 12:29 PM	#13
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	2,5 on my turkey gun and had a 4X on my .308 till I broke it, went up to 6X because of old eyes and its more than enough for the likely range I get to shoot at in my woods. Simple is good. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

December 14, 2012, 12:34 PM	#14
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	My only real issue with fixed power scopes is that most of them have too much magnification. I generally use 1-4's, 2-7's or 3-9's and almost always use them on 1X, 2X or 3X. Most fixed scopes are either 4X, 6X or 10X. Just more magnification than I want most of the time. There are a few fixed power 2X and 3x scopes, but none appeal to me. Having the option of more magnification is a plus if needed. SOME fixed power scopes can be more rugged, but not all. A cheap fixed power scope is probably no more rugged than a cheap variable. A fixed power Leupold is about as rugged as it comes, but then again their variables will probably take more abuse than about any other brand, fixed power or variable. If I lived in the west where longer shots were more common I'd strongly consider a Leupold 6X42.

December 14, 2012, 02:09 PM	#15
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	Fixed-power hunting scopes are an endangered species. There used to be lots of them, but there aren't many, any more. Weaver and Leupold still make some.

December 14, 2012, 04:42 PM	#16
btmj Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2011 Location: Near St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 864	I would love to be able to buy a light weight 2X or 3X scope. In fact a short, lightweight 3X32mm with a simple duplex reticle... ideal for a 30-30 or other hunting carbine.

December 14, 2012, 04:47 PM	#17
tAKticool Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Posts: 430	Marine Corps did a lot of sniping with a lot of scopes that were just 10x Unertl .... Read "Shooter" by Jack Coughlin about the 2003 entry of Iraq and he did some CRAZY shooting and numbers piling with a 10x and Remington 700 based M40A3. I am a Nikon guy but if you can't afford a $4000 Unertl scope you can go Bushnell Elite 3200 Tactical 10x 40mm scope, very hard to beat for $200 and mil-dots etc. target turrets- for the money and your choice it would be hard to beat this with a stick.

December 14, 2012, 05:02 PM	#18
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 663	As a rule I use variable scopes, why not have the versatility? I did purchase a very nice Remington 722, and it came with an old fixed 4x ScopeChief with a fine cross hair, and I'm gonna leave it on for now. I can draw a bead on a crow at 300 yds with it.

December 14, 2012, 06:17 PM	#19
wpsdlrg Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2009 Posts: 826	I completely agree that fixed scopes are the way....but this is an individual decision. As for variables, most people tend to use too much magnification, anyway, which only handicaps their shooting (higher magnification only magnifies small movements, which we ALL cannot eliminate completely, with an apparently closer view as the only advantage). Obviously, shooting distance will govern the practical choice of magnification. 4X is plenty usable out to at least 200 yards, but not so useful on small targets at 600 yards, for example. 9X, the top setting on the most popular variable scopes (3X - 9X) is ridiculous and unnecessary at less than about 400 yards. The "rule" I follow is 1X per 50 yards distance. Since I have always kept my (hunting) shots to 200 yards or less.....4X has always been perfect for me. I have used a 2X scope before, and actually prefer it over 4X.....but it is a handicap beyond about 125 yards. The other issue for me is size and weight. I HATE a huge telescope perched over the receiver of my rifle, making it top-heavy, etc. So, a very compact scope is the only way for me.....or none at all. Of course, to each his own. What everyone else does is their business.

December 14, 2012, 06:25 PM	#20
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	(higher magnification only magnifies small movements, which we ALL cannot eliminate completely, with an apparently closer view as the only advantage). This is true as you state- The movments are there even if you can't see them as well so that is a null statement. The closer view ( in target shooting) is a very big advantage to have. I will keep your groups much tighter than low magnifaction. As you state for hunting a 3-9 power is all you need unless you go after those little dogs at 600 yards. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional Last edited by 4runnerman; December 14, 2012 at 06:32 PM.

December 14, 2012, 08:23 PM	#21
a7mmnut Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: NC Foothills Posts: 1,150	Another element often overlooked is the loss of light through each set of lenses. A plain Jane fixed scope only has two lenses-one at each end. A fixed power with AO adds one more. A plain variable has at least three lenses, and the fourth for the AO or paralax ring. You will lose light with each pass through a lens--no doubt about it. More $$$ is required to put extra polishing and coatings on these lenses to reduce reflected light loss. Not many people are willing to do that. Those same people wind up complaining about them most of the time. In the the end, the old parable "you get what you pay for" almost always applies with optics. -7-

December 14, 2012, 10:21 PM	#23
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 663	I have a Swift 2.5 x 10 on my 788/223, and I am quite happy with it.

December 14, 2012, 10:24 PM	#24
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I've made some real bragging shots using a plain 4X scope in my younger days. Now, I use 2.5, 4, 6, and 10X fixed power scopes apprpriate to the firearm's use. I still use mostly variables since they're so popular(and many times are cheaper). The reliability of the better quality variables negates many of the historical issues of POI change or fogging.

December 14, 2012, 11:42 PM	#25
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	I was at the range today and found I couldn't shoot at 100 yards with 9X zoom. Drove me crazy that that I could never get the reticle to sit totally still on the bulls eye. I had to lower it to about 5 and my shooting improved significantly. IF I was shooting a target moving at all I would probably drop it back to three. The 9x was GREAT for checking my target though. Almost worth the extra money I paid.