Scopes?

[1_pointer]

Currently I'm using a 2.8-10 variable, but am thinknig of switching to a fixed 4 or 6X. I shot a cow elk at 309yds last year with my current scope on 6X and a doe pronghorn this year at ~100yds. Seemed to work okay there. Just thinking that the fixed scopes are lighter and wih less moving parts, should theoretically be less prone to breaking.

So, what's on your gamegetter?????

 

[tnctcb]

i use a 3x9 on everything. usually i never need more than 4 power but since part of my club is management i will crank up my scope to be sure a doe isnt a button buck sometimes. other than that i would bet a fixed 6 would be fine

 

[noharleyyet]

Had a K6x32 weaver on a well used 30-06 pump remington 20 years ago...it shot as well or better than any of the high priced 50mm variables I'm convinced I have to have these days.

 

[gundog]

I've converted most of my hunting guns to fixed power scopes--2.5x, 4x and 6x--"lighter and less to go wrong". I still have big variables on the varmint rifles.

 

[Erik in AK]

I have a fixed 4x on my Marlin .22
a Simmons 4-14x on my Ruger .223 bolt
a Leupold VXII 3-9x on my Model 70 .06
and I bought a BSA 1.5-4.5x to mount on my other .06
I don't really need 2 but my stepdad left me his sporterized Mauser 98
Its at the gunsmiths now getting the bolt reworked, the safety moved, and drilled/tapped for two piece bases so I can put the scope on.

I wanted the low power scope for field of view at close quarters. I plan on using 220 grain premium loads in this one for moose and black bear

 

[BuzzH]

I pretty much have 3-9 leupolds on everything...only because they're just about as cheap, or in some cases, cheaper than a fixed scope. I didnt own a variable for many years when I was a kid...hunted exclusively with steel-tubed k-4 weavers.

I think for a hunting rifle fixed scopes are the way to go...probably a 4 power or 6 power if you're in the open country and objectives over 40 are cumbersome and unnecessary...even 40's are stretching it.

I rarely, and I mean rarely, have any of my variables over 6x. Most of the time I leave them on 3-4. My 338 has a 2-7 burris and its always set on 2.

I think the gun rags have done a first class job of convincing people they "need" a variable scope...and I've been suckered right along with everyone else.

Anything beyond a 3-9 scope, even on a varmint rifle, is a waste of glass, power, and money.

 

[1_pointer]

Thanks for the input fellas. I looked through a few fixed 6X's today at Sportman's Warehouse...pretty darn impressive, especially the Leupold 6X42 and the Nikon version of same.

Buzz- The funny thing is it was an outdoor writer that got me to looking at the fixed scopes. 'Course he's from Missoula, so he can't be too bad, right? I hear you on the price thing. I'm guessing 3-9X40 scopes are cheaper due to economies of scale.

 

[noharleyyet]

Buzz is right on about the 'gun rags'...the tag of 'best' is for sale and changes from one expert review to the next...even by the same writer.

 

[Elkhunter]

I have variables on several rifles and a Burris 6x on my 338. Most of the time, with the variables you keep it on one power anyway. I don't think I have ever turned up the power to take a shot while hunting.

 

[noharleyyet]

What power do you guys use for sighting in?

 

[1_pointer]

If I'm using a variable I use the highest power, but then make sure that the POI doesn't change with changing powers. IMO, it does no good to be able to turn the power of a scope up/down if the bullet doesn't land in the same place.

 

[Elkhunter]

I do like 1 pointer does. On my 338 I do not have the option of turning it up and just sight in with the fixed power. No big deal. I know what my limits are and don't try to be superman by taking shots I do not know if I can make.

 

[Wyodeerhunter]

i have a 4x-12x leupold, love it, had a 2-7x weaver on my old rifle and it was great too. No complaints on variables from me. Have a fixed 4x on my .223 and its great too.

 

[Bambistew]

I have a mixed bag so to speak... I have a fixed 4x on my whelen, a fixed 2.5 on my 375, a fixed 4x on my 270... I have variables on all the others. My dad has a 2.5x fixed on his 06 and has killed quite a number of elk streaching out to 300 yards or so with it... and I've seen him smoke yotes out in the 450 yard range with a fixed 6x on his 22-250!

I, like the rest of you generally keep my scopes set in the range of 4-6 depending on how far I think the shots will be etc. etc. I really don't have a prefrence between fixed or varaible, but for a rifle that I would be taking shots at large animals (elk and muleys) at normal ranges (inside 300 yards) I think either a 4 or a 6 would be perfect. I really like to dial them in if I have the time though, especially on longer shots, and especially on small critters like antelope. I've shot quite a number of unsuspecting elk with my scope turned up to 9x, just to make it easier on me to make the longer shots... I purchased a 4-12 for my 280 last year. I shot a deer and an elk last fall with it both set on 6x... The deer was about 90 yards and the elk was at a skosh over 300... IMO, the variabls are just as dependable/rugged as the fixed... If the POI changes between the power settings, send it back!

The weight savings is going be probalby less than 2oz too... I belive the fixed 6x40 that I looked at was about 11.5oz, and the 4-12x40 that I got weighes about 13oz.

 

[Pygmy]

I won't argue the versatility of a variable, but long ago I decided that I like the light weight, dependability and clean lines of a fixed power scope... Asthetics are important to me, and I feel that a lot of those big ol' large objective variable scopes are downright UGLY, at least on a hunting rifle...It's different if it's on a varmint rifle or possibly Buck Rogers' favorite rig for disintegrating lunar elk...

My two main hunting rigs, a M70 laminate .280 and a CZ 550 9.3 x 62, both wear fixed 4X M8 Leupolds.... I've shot game out to 400 yards and never felt I needed more magnification..

For an open country rifle, I think a Leupold fixed 6X would be a tough scope to beat...

 

[gundog]

Pygmy---you're right! The 6x Leupold can't be beat out to 300 yds. I've got the 33mm objective because I like the scope mounted as close to the bore as possible.

 

[OSOK]

My new 7 Mag is going to wear the 6X M8 my wife picked up as a christmas present for me year before last. Last year I "borrowed" my buddies Mark 1 25/06. He even let me use the 6X Weaver he had on it too! Hell of a nice guy... Seemed to work OK out to 448 yards... Then again, that's not what the deerskii's had to say.

 

[mtmiller]

Anything beyond a 3-9 scope, even on a varmint rifle, is a waste of glass, power, and money.

I guess I am 0 for 3. I have a 6.5x20 Nikon on my .280. It used to only shoot 3x9's, but after I sold my varmint rifle and this scope gathered dust for a few years, I decided to throw it on. I have never regretted it to this point and it has never cost me an animal. I guess there are other scopes (that I don't have) that would be more adequate, but this one works fine and is better on my gun than in the closet.

To each there own.

 

[schmalts]

I have never had a problem with a variable power scope, but then again i dont buy junk like tasco, simmons, bushnell, or the chinese stuff for a long range gun.
I just recently bought a couple scopes made by Fujinon. They are a high end Japan optic company that dabbled in scopes for a short time and they didnt catch on so they stopped making them. I was comparing one the other day to my Leupold varyX3 and didnt see much difference. You can find them on closeouts on ebay and Sportsmans guide. A 3.5X10 runs for 179$ and was a 400$ unit before they discontinued them, worth a look.