Anybody like/prefer fixed power scopes?

[Mr.Harry]

- on a Northeast Woods whitetail rifle, I should add.

I came into one, an old (sixties era) Leupold Mark 8 4x fixed. Came on a same date savage 99 In .308 I traded for. It’s period correct to the gun, on these neat old weaver push-off mounts, and like the gun, in very close to perfect condition. The glass is, in fact perfect. I can’t find a thing wrong with it, and it even gathers light well for old glass. Crystal clear crosshairs and picture. However, i’m personally very used to variable power scopes. I’ve never had a fixed, and don’t on any other rifle. I don’t find that I constantly futz with adjustments all that much on the variable powers, but I DO use the option. I didn’t buy this gun as a novelty, but intend to employ it with regularity, in the field for northeast whitetail. My gut tells me I should not eff-up the setup of this gun as appropriate from its time of manufacture, but there’s this devil on my shoulder whispering - “what are you doooooing with that olllld tech fixed power scope??”

Thoughts?

 

[Bill Bates]

We American tend to think more and bigger is always better and it shows in the current optics trend. We have mega high power variable scopes that allow you to see a fly at 1000 yards but most of us don't shoot flies at 500 yards.

I love fixed power scopes on some rifle. My hunting/plinking .22s get fixed 4x scopes. They work well on bunny size game out to 100 yards and on big game 4x is plenty out to a few hundred yards.

For years my medium range big game rifles have worn fixed power scopes. My longer range guns get variable power scopes. These days when I little things get out passed 300 or so yards I find I need a little more magnification than a 4x or 6x. Most of the time a variable zoomed in to 9 to14x is plenty for me when stretching shots way out there.

The advantage of fixed power scopes are less moving parts to break down on you and fewer lens allowing more light through a fixed than a variable power scope. They also tend to cost less for outstanding optics.
One of my favorite scope is a Leupold MX8 6x power scope. It is light, sturdy, darn bright, sharp and resolves fine detail exceptionally. It gives you decent magnification when making a 300 yard shoot on deer size game. Close up the field of view is still large enough you're not just looking at fur. I can still shoot with both eye open for quick close range shots.

The Leupold 6x is what is sitting on my Ruger M77 Hawkeye African .275 Rigby. It is 300-400 yard rifle so 6x works well. My brand new M77 African 9.3x62 will likely get at fixed 4x scope to match.

 

[nachogrande]

I could live with one.

Although the only fixed power scope I own is a 24X Leupold my go to is a Leup 1.5 X 5 VXlll & I rarely take it off 1.5, Primarily when at a bench & shooting targets. Grapefruits @ 300 yards are not a problem with 5X. I started with TOO MUCH SCOPE as well 3 X 9 on a tiny model 7.

 

[rockquarry]

Fixed power scopes certainly aren't popular these days. Regrettably, a lot of younger shooters have no experience with these scopes that are just as useful today as when they were popular in the 'fifties and 'sixties.

6X was considered a long range or varmint scope. 4X was plenty for game shooting to around 300 yards. The post reticle has all but disappeared, but it may remain the best (or at least one of the best) hunting reticles ever developed.

Some seem to think that high scope magnification and a light trigger will make up for a lack of skill, but it doesn't really work that way. I suppose the sniper fad was the final toll for fixed power scope popularity.

 

[Mr.Harry]

Fixed power scopes certainly aren't popular these days. Regrettably, a lot of younger shooters have no experience with these scopes that are just as useful today as when they were popular in the 'fifties and 'sixties.

6X was considered a long range or varmint scope. 4X was plenty for game shooting to around 300 yards. The post reticle has all but disappeared, but it may remain the best (or at least one of the best) hunting reticles ever developed.

Some seem to think that high scope magnification and a light trigger will make up for a lack of skill, but it doesn't really work that way. I suppose the sniper fad was the final toll for fixed power scope popularity.

I read that at one point, not too long ago, military sniper issue aand preference actually WAS fixed power....

Which surprised me.

 

[rockquarry]

I read that at one point, not too long ago, military sniper issue and preference actually WAS fixed power....

Which surprised me.

Good for the military, if that's true. Regarding "sniper fad", I was only referencing a current trend, well separate from the military. I'm sure the military guys are well-trained for distance shooting. The WWII and later Unertl scopes used by the military were 8X, I believe. That magnification was was considered adequate for very long range use.

 

[Mr.Harry]

Good for the military, if that's true. Regarding "sniper fad", I was only referencing a current trend, well separate from the military. I'm sure the military guys are well-trained for distance shooting. The WWII and later Unertl scopes used by the military were 8X, I believe. That magnification was was considered adequate for very long range use.

I agree. I’m speaking only of whitetail hunting, within my specified parameters. I’m no ‘sniper’. Browsing current production optics (non-tactical), the options for fixed power scopes, especially in low or midrange magnification, seem almost non-existent. Partly asking this question for the folks/hunters here, born and hunting well before me, who have opinions and experience.

 

[squidsix]

The Unertl 8x wrapped-stadia-wire scopes were the standard in the service until mid 2003 when Schmidt and Bender 10x became the norm. We found the wrapped stadia wire on the Unertl to droop in 120-degree heat.
European snipers still favor fixed 4x seemingly over everything else, and Swarovsky makes a wonderful 4x scope with NATO designation for their FN bolt actions.
Europe also still uses low power fixed in sporting, to include fixed 1x reticle scopes. Placing the reticle in the same focal plane as the target is the real advantage here and is very fast and easy out to 200 meters on most game.
My Mossberg MVP 308 has irons of my own making and recently got a fixed 2.75x fixed handgun scope mounted forward of the action in the “scout” style. Very quick and simple.
My brother kills deer in NYS with a single-shot 5.56 rifle with fixed 1.5x scope mounted. Never taken more than one shot at them and some out past 250.
They are very useful and one can use binoculars to glass the field and the rifle scope for shooting.

 

[Rudi]

I have used both types, both worked well for me.

 

[sceva]

I have always preferred fixed powers

4x on the .22's

12x to 24x on my Varminters

 

[EdinDenver]

Depends on the rifle, depends on the purpose. I think you've got an excellent setup and should leave it as is. That's a terrific combination for brush and up to 100 yard shots (more depending on your skill).

 

[Harrison]

It depends on the rifle and it's intended use. I have 4x, 6x, and 36x scopes on some of my rifles. The 36x is for bench rest shooting. The 4x is on an older classic deer rifle I will never shoot beyond 250yds, and the 6x is on a 22 RF, used for sillywet and other target shooting to 100yds, plus squirrel hunting.

 

[armadillo]

I think it was Jack O'Connor who said "if it is too far for a 4X it is too far to shoot."

When I hunted a lot I had a 4X on my 30-06 and a 6X on my 7 Mag. I don't hunt as much now but have variables because everyone else does.

 

[Walter Rego]

Yep got a Leupold M8 4X in Conetrol mounts on a Winchester Featherweight .257 Roberts and another Leupold M8 6X on a Kimber .22 Hornet. No need for anything more really.

 

[FlyTyinFool]

I have a couple 4X fixed and I like them.

All my other scopes are variable, up to 16X.
But they usually stay set at a particular magnification, once sighted in for a specific rifle.

I purchase variables these days for a reason...
My scopes tend to... wander... from one rifle to another, over time.
If I put one on a rifle I'll be mostly using at the bench, I dial it up and it stays there.
Later I may mount the same scope on a new acquisition that may be used for squirrel or rabbit, and I'll dial it down while it lives on that rifle.

This prevents me from purchasing a bunch of fixed power scopes to cover all my needs.
That sounds clever, but it's really just to minimize dollars spent!

I'm not cheap... I'm thrifty! That's my story and I'm sticking to it

 

[LLOYD17]

I love the M8 4X's. I've outfitted my 1959 110L's with them when able. My little brother shot his first buck last season with the 30-06 pictured (the one with the brake).

 

[oldiegoldie]

Yep got a Leupold M8 4X in Conetrol mounts on a Winchester Featherweight .257 Roberts and another Leupold M8 6X on a Kimber .22 Hornet. No need for anything more really.

you have good taste in firearms and scopes. i suspect you are of "that certain age".

 

[Texas Star]

We American tend to think more and bigger is always better and it shows in the current optics trend. We have mega high power variable scopes that allow you to see a fly at 1000 yards but most of us don't shoot flies at 500 yards.

I love fixed power scopes on some rifle. My hunting/plinking .22s get fixed 4x scopes. They work well on bunny size game out to 100 yards and on big game 4x is plenty out to a few hundred yards.

For years my medium range big game rifles have worn fixed power scopes. My longer range guns get variable power scopes. These days when I little things get out passed 300 or so yards I find I need a little more magnification than a 4x or 6x. Most of the time a variable zoomed in to 9 to14x is plenty for me when stretching shots way out there.

The advantage of fixed power scopes are less moving parts to break down on you and fewer lens allowing more light through a fixed than a variable power scope. They also tend to cost less for outstanding optics.
One of my favorite scope is a Leupold MX8 6x power scope. It is light, sturdy, darn bright, sharp and resolves fine detail exceptionally. It gives you decent magnification when making a 300 yard shoot on deer size game. Close up the field of view is still large enough you're not just looking at fur. I can still shoot with both eye open for quick close range shots.

The Leupold 6x is what is sitting on my Ruger M77 Hawkeye African .275 Rigby. It is 300-400 yard rifle so 6x works well. My brand new M77 African 9.3x62 will likely get at fixed 4x scope to match.

Bill-

Have you ever shot .275 Rigby ammo in that rifle? Do they still have ammo loaded under their name?

I think the 140 grain High Velocity load went about 2650 FPS?

You can, I think, get hotter 7X57mm ammo from Federal or Hornady.

I have a ball cap and a shopping bag from the present John Rigby company. Probably as close as I'll get to one of their rifles.

I've seen photos of their repro of Jim Corbett's .275. Gorgeous wood!

How does that Ruger M-77 shoot? I like the idea of iron sights on a hunting rifle.

 

[DWalt]

My very first hunting rifle with a scope was a nicely sporterized Model 98 Mauser in its original 8mm caliber. I put a Weaver K6 on it, and it was all I ever needed for anything. I even used it on varmints. Over the years I accumulated a number of scoped rifles with variable power scopes. I generally set them on the lower end of the zoom range and left them there. For a .22 rifle, I see no need for ever using a variable power scope. 4X (or less) is all that's needed for most .22 shooting situations. The two scoped .22 rifles I now have are both equipped with 1" Weaver scopes, one 4X the other 2-3/4X. I prefer the latter as it has a wider field of view and a brighter image than the 4X. And you can pick up those excellent old 1" Weaver-El Paso fixed power scopes cheap at any gun show. Who could ask for anything more?

 

[BigBill]

On my big bore rifles(06, & ,338) I use a variable power scope with mechanical turret with BDC.(bullet drop compensation). From 100 to 500yds. I use a fixed power on most of my other rifles. I have a 3-9 scope with BDC my saiga in 223. I tested the 338 with bdc at 170yds I hit a quarter sized target.

I setup the bdc scopes on two rifles to do a special hunt someday I’d be ready mainly with the 338wm. I was going to purchase a 300wm mag next as a backup.