Any love for fixed scopes?

[std7mag]

Variables for me. Both hunting and match shooting.

I started in my youth using 3-9s for MD. woods.
Now i'm mostly using 4-12 for the PA woods. With a 4.5-12, and a 4-20 thrown in.

When i bought my 7mm Rem Mag (used), it had a 6-18 on it.
First day deer season & 2 does showed up behind me at 20ft.
At 6 power all i saw was fur!
Put a 4-12 on it the next day!

In the search for better optics for matches, i purchased a Sightron SIII 10-50X60.
Depending upon the mirage, i regularly turn it down to 28-32 power.
I don't remember shooting with it on 50 power yet.

 

[4xforfun]

I have a weight issue on one of my 600/1000 IBS light guns with a NF on it....so, I now use a Leupold 40x. Works GREAT!!

 

[sw282]

l have 10x, 12x, and 7.5x Leupold fixed on my 700 Rem 222s. Nostalgic? Yes! Does it work? Yes! 0h yes!!

 

[DumpHollow]

l have 10x, 12x, and 7.5x Leupold fixed on my 700 Rem 222s. Nostalgic? Yes! Does it work? Yes! 0h yes!!

I just bought a Leupold 6x42 to try. I have several 12x with different reticles and turret configurations that get moved around a lot. I also have an old straight 8x Leupold dot that I would like better with a duplex. Yes, of course there is an old 4x too that has seen everything from rimfires to an M1A. The 2.5x8 has always been my go to deer rifle scope but they are usually set on 5 to 6x.

I got the 6x42 because it looks like they are on the endangered species list and I want to try one. I went to buy a Meopta 6x to find that they are discontinued. I have not had the 6x in the woods yet so the jury is still out.

 

[sw282]

My FX Leupolds w/AO have target turrets. These provide CLICK adjustments. Other models are friction.
l prefer CLICKING!

 

[Herzo]

My current inventory includes:
2 Weaver K-4
1 Weaver K-6
1 Weaver K-12
1 Weaver T-36
5 Mossberg M4 (on vintage Mossberg rifles)
1. Mueller 40X
Plus other dogs & cats
Always a sucker for an older fixed power

 

[nakneker]

I love fixed power scopes, they get over looked too often now days but there is still a lot of guys using them. I don’t know how many Leupold 6x42s I have, maybe a half a dozen, it’s one of my favorites. I have several fixed four powers in a variety of makes. Two 3x Leupolds, one of the best little scopes made imo. I have an old S&B fixed 6x that is incredibly crisp and bright. I’ve had several others, sold quite a few Burris hunter benchrest 6x with AO and Target knobs, I regret that decision.

I think a lot of guys get hung up on magnification now days. Admittedly most of my scopes are variables but I really enjoy the the simplicity, toughness and clarity of a good fixed power scope. Plus I like the looks of them, especially the ones with no objective lens. Seems like we see less and less fixed power offerings every year but there’s always the used market, that’s where I find most my glass anyways.

 

[howl]

I've had situations where a fixed was too much rather than not enough. I'm interested in the combo of a fixed with the red dot mounted to the side. May try it out someday.

 

[Kittitas George]

I have Bausch & Lomb 2 1/2 to 8's on a 300 Win Mag and 270Win. That was about the best scope in the early 1960s. Both guns are Pre '64 Mod 70's, I exchanged the old B&L on my Pre War Mod 70 25-06 to a Leupold 4-14? just a few years ago. I use it for gophers, prairie dog and antelope. I use fixed 10 and 12 powers on my strictly gopher guns. Shooting from a truck mounted bench for gophers, changing the power on the 8X to 25X changed the eye relief, so I had to move my head, so now I shoot on just a set power. I have an 8X to 25X Leupold on a 204 R, and shoot it on 20X to eliminate the eye relief problem. I didn't seem to have that problem with the B & L scopes. Is that because of the lower powers? Or is it because of younger eyes when I used those guns?

 

[PracticalTactical]

I'm no optical engineer, but I have a theory that fixed power target scopes typically have a greater depth of field than the usually shorter variable power counterparts.

Here's an example

Competition Series 45x45 1/8 min. Target Dot

When it all comes down to the slightest details, the Leupold® Competition 45x45mm scope is the right tool for the job. Its high-powered magnification, precise tracking, and crystal-clear image give you the advantage you need to leave the rest of the competition behind.

www.leupold.com

My thoughts on this are that longer scopes have softer refraction angles than shorter scopes do. This I suspect provides a greater depth of field and allows the user to better read mirage. (Similar to the objective reduction inserts people sometimes use.)

Certainly magnification comes into play somewhere as guys often recommend dialing down magnification in heavy mirage. I do not believe this addresses the root problem being the length of the scope itself. Just the realities of optical mechanics.

I suppose its not really that fixed power scopes are always longer than variable power, but the target scope variety typically are, especially with the latest trend by marketing people that shorter is somehow better. (Spoiler alert... shorter is optically not better.) There are other thoughts as well that fixed power scopes are more precise since there are fewer moving parts.... Not sure if that remains true today, maybe just something said about scopes from back in the day.

I have found that fast focus ocular lenses can be the death of accuracy. Try testing yours... Aim it at something and without moving the rifle, wiggle your fast focus housing... If the reticle moves in this test, it's probably moving from shot to shot. I'll take the old lock ring style any day over fast focus.

 

[danny]

I have found that fast focus ocular lenses can be the death of accuracy. Try testing yours... Aim it at something and without moving the rifle, wiggle your fast focus housing... If the reticle moves in this test, it's probably moving from shot to shot. I'll take the old lock ring style any day over fast focus.

I am going to have to look into that.

Danny

 

[pacecars]

The Leupold 6x42, Meopta 6x42 and Kahles 6x42 all with the #4 reticle are my favorite scopes for hunting. They all have an excellent eye box and work very well from 5 yards to 400 + yards. I would put the Kahles at the top of the list, then the Meopta and Leupold in that order. Sadly the Leupold is the last of a dying breed.

 

[Hankpac]

4x most of my hunting life. never needed more.

 

[Ken]

In the old days, a 4X or 6X was more than adequate.

 

[snert]

Three steel T10, two aluminum T10, two T36, one 10x Bushnell 3200, one leupold 24xBR, one Leupold 2x pistol scope.

Several varix2 6-18 and several 6.5-20 EFR.

One 2-7 cheapo airgun rated scope on a 22. I like it a lot.

 

[wildcatter]

About the only thing I would prefer a fixed power on would be short range Bench Rest where weight is a concerned, and high power needed to be competitive! My goal on those rifles is staying under 24oz, and above 35X, especially in the 10.5 lbs. class, I want those valuable oz. in my barrel!

 

[danny]

In the old days, a 4X or 6X was more than adequate.

So was a 1-2 MOA rifle.

Danny

 

[Cbrown3020]

So was a 1-2 MOA rifle.

Danny

No body has mentioned the sex appeal of a nice fixed power scope. Love my 8X Unertl on my old 220 Swift.

 

[Ultimag]

YUP leapould fx3 6x42

 

[BobABQ]

I shoot SB Silhouette and I am a great fan of my Leupold FX-3 in 25 power. Light and simple.