Fixed 6x scopes

[krumfola]

I'm looking to pick up a fixed 6x scope for a 308 that I'm buying and I would like some opinions. I've been looking pretty hard at either a Leupold 6x36 (fx-II) or 6x42 (fx-3) but while looking into reviews I've seen comparisons of these two to a Weaver K6.

The Weaver is roughly half the price of either Leupolds mentioned above and I was wondering if it even compares and is worth looking at. It'll be strictly for hunting whitetails with a max distance of around 300 yards.

If anyone knows of another brand that offers a fixed 6x in the same league as these, please let me know.

Thanks,
Keith

 

[NateHaler]

Burris (aka their HBR): http://www.midwayusa.com/product/486914/burris-fullfield-ii-rifle-scope-hbr-hunter-bench-rest-6x-32mm-adjustable-objective-target-super-fine-crosshair-reticle-matte

And Sightron makes a 6x, but who knew it was so darned expensive!! http://www.midwayusa.com/product/683096/sightron-sii-big-sky-rifle-scope-6x-42mm-duplex-reticle-matte

If you're not opposed to 'tactical' stigma, here's another: http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-6x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P47326.aspx

IOR (out of eastern Europe) makes one too, as does Zeiss and Schmidt & Bender.

How did I find these (although I knew about Burris and Sightron)? I Googled. 8)

This fixed magnification is prescribed in Hunter Benchrest class, which you can read about here: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/06/hunter-benchrest-the-basics/

 

[krumfola]

Thanks for the info. I have a SS 6x42 but it's a beast (the IOR is also quite large) so I was looking to get something a little smaller. I like the looks of the Burris and it seems to have some solid reviews. I've heard of a Zeiss 6x but I've been unable to locate any info on one, much less one for sale new or used.

Have you any experience with the HBR?

 

[NateHaler]

Thanks for the info.
Have you any experience with the HBR?

No, but I briefly had a Weaver 6x and it was WAY lighter than my SS10x42 -- a beast like you say. I sold the Weaver because I decided I didn't need to limit myself to just 6x. I think the image quality was as good as the several T36x Weaver's I've owned (and still have a couple).

I bet you could get some good feedback, pro or con, from the gang over at Benchrest Central (www.benchrest.com) because quite a few of them would be HBR competitors. If you're not a member, you can join for free. If you'd rather not, then let me know and I'll post there for you and report back.

 

[BigDMT]

My Father shot a straight 6X Weaver with the wide angle view for about 22 years on a 300 Win Mag without one hiccup. Even dropped it so hard he took a big chip out of the bottom part of the rear ocular lens and it still held zero with a nice clear picture.
Of course that was when they were made in Japan with top notch glass.

I would recommend you go on ebay and try to find one of the old Weaver straight 6X with the wide angle view made in Japan. That wide angle view makes all the difference in the world. I can't for the life of me figure out why scope manufacturers ever quit making that panoramic field of view in their scopes. Those were the absolute best for hunting because of the massive field of view. Sure wish somebody would go back to making that style of scope...

I believe they were called the Weaver K6-W

I know Redifeld and Tasco also made 3-9 variable power scopes during the same time frame with the wide angle view as well. Both also made with top quality Japanese glass. That was back when Tasco actually made something decent. I still have one of the Tasco Pronghorn scopes with Japanese glass that held up to the recoil of a 7mm Rem mag for over 20 years

 

[Savage99]

The "Fixed Six" obsession started on another forum by those who have poor eyesight and want others boxed in like they are!

Consider a 3-9 or 2-7 variable. That's what we all use.

 

[krumfola]

I've got some 3-9 variables from Zeiss as well as some other higher magnification but honestly I don't ever use the high end of those scopes. I actually found 2 NIB T-6s just a few minutes ago but it seems they wouldn't be the best option for my use so I ended up passing on them. Nice fella though and was pretty straight up when answering my questions.

I think I'll keep doing research and looking around (I'll probably check over at Benchreat Central too) but for the moment I'm thinking the Weaver k6 will do what I need. Thanks for all the input.

Keith

 

[BigDMT]

During the years I was hunting with my father and his 300 win mag topped with the Weaver K6-W, I had an old style gloss finish Burris Signature Series 2.5-10x50mm scope on my 300 win mag. Funny thing is that I swear on the bible that when we were practicing shooting targets at say 300 yards, the size fo the target in his 6X Weaver appeared to be just as big as it did in my Burris at 10X. And even though his Weaver's front objective was barely 40mm, he had a WAY bigger field of view than my 50mm Burris.

Then you could take his scope and aim at something 25 yards away and it wasn't a problem either because the field of view was so wide. Very versatile scope for being a fixed power. But like I said, that wide angle view was the key. Without it I doubt it would be half as versatile.

He made multiple shots on elk out at 500-600 yards with that Weaver 6X scope. I even spotted him as he dropped a nice mule deer buck with his second shot at 750 yards. He shot over the buck's back while it was bedded down with the first round. It spooked the buck a little and it stood up directly in the bullet path where the bullet splashed and just stood there because it appeared that it didn't know where the shot came from. I just told him to hold in exactly the same spot and he touched another one off. I watched the buck hunch up and stumble a few steps down into the ravine before it fell over. Pretty amazing shot for a straight 6X.

 

[krumfola]

I have admit that I am intrigued by the Weaver K6 wide view. How would a refurbished steel tube Weaver stack up to a new k6?

Anyone else wanna chime in on this discussion?

 

[tenring]

I have a buddy who puts a Leupold 6x on every one of his hunting rifles. He hunts mostly western states and fills his tags every year. Also 6x scopes are popular with the hunter BR crowd, because their rules require no highter power.

Older scopes of any brand were fine in their day. But newer scopes have increaded quality incrementaly over the years. Compare any 20 year old scope with one of recent manufacture, and you will be impressed.

 

[LHSmith]

IMHO go with Leupold, either the 36 or 32 mm. The Burris HBR scopes are no longer made, Burris has got a poor reputation for repairing their HBR scopes......and any Scope marketed as an HBR scope will have a reticle way too fine for big game hunting.
If the "TV" field of view was the best thing since sliced bread, why then did the idea go up like a lead balloon?
I have went to a straight 6x (FX-3) for a deer stand gun when shots are under 300 yards.
Weaver has been bought and sold more times than a '64 VW, and warranty repair work changes with each new owner. The old El Paso all steel Weavers are the only ones I would be looking for.

 

[JRS]

Get the LEUPOLD and don't look back ;D

 

[Area Man]

I have a Weaver 6X on one of my deer rifles. Optics are fine. It is very light and I was able to mount it with Leupold super-low rings so it's perfectly positioned when the rifle is shouldered.

Another advantage of a fixed power scope is there is less of a black ring around the field of view than there is with a variable.

As far as being limited by 6x, in my area, a shot over 200 yards is very unlikely and if you can't hit a whitetail in the vital area at 200 yards with a 6x, it's not the scope's fault.

 

[K22]

I've used a Leupold 4x on my 308 for deer hunting for many many years and never found it lacking. However 99.9% of the shots in my area are under 200 yards. This is a very rugged scope and mine has held it's zero through some difficult environmental conditions and terrain. It's compact and affords very quick target acquisition. If you need a 6x, I'd take a look at the Leupold.

 

[Savage99]

The first scope that I was given in 1953 was a 6X Lyman Wolverine. I still remember being in the woods in VT with my late dad and some deer running my way.

I tried to scope them but they went by so fast I never saw more than a glimpse in the 6X's narrow field of view. No chance. :-\ One of them may have been a legal buck?

My next rifle got a 4X Lyman All-American on it. That was a good scope for me. I still have a number of them on rifles that are ready. Our club built a running deer shoot and I got to enter the matches there. It was very good practice. That 06 with the 4X was a good rig. There are other tricks to getting running deer and I learned them.

In 1966 I got what I consider to be the optimum woods rifle. It's a Savage 99 in .358 Win. There is a 2-7 Leupold on that one now.

That was 60 years ago. Now I have more rifles. There are 9 extra scopes in the locker. I still have that never again used 6X. It's on a safe queen .22.

Here are a few of my rifles at the range. From the top the scopes are:
Kahles 2-7, Leupold 3-9, Leupold 2-7 and a Conquest 2.5-8.

To each his own.

 

[Area Man]

I've never shot at a running deer and never will. One of my deer rifles sports a 4X Nikon that I like very much.

 

[hogan]

6x is a great all-around magnification for many purposes. Used to own a 6x Mark 4 with target dot reticle. Shot some fine groups with my .308 at 100 & 200 with that scope and Badger base & rings. Almost dull how consistent that rifle shot.

Still have a couple 6x scopes and they are both simple and rugged. I'm sure the Burris HBR and Sightron scopes are fine. Have owned a few very nice Burris. As far as Zeiss goes, they are balanced for contrast like their camera lenses. Owned a dialyt 1.5-6x and it was great! Have kept a Leupold 1-5x Mk4 and like the fast response reticle and lighted option. Like the 1-4x vx-ii for compact size and lightweight. Also the Pentax lightseeker 0-4x which gives an almost true 0x.

For all around use, hard to beat a 6x with a heavy duplex or wide duplex. I would stay away from any old Weaver, USA or Japan. New ones have warranty and are fine. Older Burris Signature and M-8 leupolds are fine. Might watch Ebay; just buy something that is warranted for lifetime. Old Redfield are just a curiosity, like old Weaver, Stith, Lyman, and the various German claw-mount rigs.

The old IOR steel bodied scopes are pretty bulletproof and often found pretty cheap.

 

[krumfola]

I've seen plenty of M8 Leupolds for sale and I know this line was replaced by the FX line. My hesitation comes when they mention friction vs click adjustments.

Can anyone explain the difference and why one is better or worse than another?