Fixed or Variable Optics?

GrBear

GrBear

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I'm having a difficult time with this one, and wanted to get a concensus on what everyone else uses for hunting.

I've currently got a fixed power Leupold FXIII 6x42 on my Tikka T3 (.243) as my main deer rifle. I love this scope to death, it's MUCH brighter than the old Vari-X III (not VX-III) scopes. My issue is this though, I find the magnification a little short on 200 yard+ shots, and could really stand to use something in the 8x range. My problem is nobody seems to make a good 8x fixed power scope.

I've been avoiding buying a variable scope because I'm told that the point of impact can change through the various magnification levels which is unacceptable.

What is my best choice here?

btw, I'm really suprised there isn't a forum forum specific to optics here.. seems to be an integral part of shooting yet gets left out.
 
I use a variable for hunting ( 3-9) but tend to leave it at 4 power.

I've been avoiding buying a variable scope because I'm told that the point of impact can change through the various magnification levels which is unacceptable.
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That can happen on the cheap scopes made years ago, and maybe some of the newer ones. I believe that it's happening less often.

RePete.
 
The new quality scopes do not have a problem with POI changes through the magnification levels... Get a Luepold, Burris or a Bushnell Elite no problems... better to have a variable and not need it, than a fixed and need more or less power :wink:
 
So a VX-III 3x9x40 shouldn't have a point of impact change?

The cheapest I've seen a 8x56 S&B scope is US$1200, and that doesn't include the paperwork necessary to get it into Canada. :shock:
 
I'm in the process of looking for a variable power scope as well, and i've pretty much settled on a Burris XTS 3-12x50mm . I've searched on other forums and found people find the lenses better quality then the leupy VX-III. The leupy is also 175$ aprox. more than the burris for the 3.5-10x50mm.

So its up to you.

Edited to add: I'm also pretty sure Leupold dont service their scopes in Canada
 
btw, I'm really suprised there isn't a forum forum specific to optics here.. seems to be an integral part of shooting yet gets left out.
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If we add more forums it means we have to go to way more places to get the information we need. I understand what you are saying but from my perspective I'd rather ask all of my hunting arms related questions in one forum rather than having to make multiple posts in multiple forums.
 
I use Leupold VXII 3-9x40's or 4-12x40's

I could easily get by with fixed 6x42's on my rifles though


I dont think an extra 2x magnification will make or break a 200 yard shot on a deer. Given a good rest I feel a coyote at 400 yards would be in trouble if I was shooting out of a fixed 6...
 
GrBear said:
I'm having a difficult time with this one, and wanted to get a concensus on what everyone else uses for hunting.

I've currently got a fixed power Leupold FXIII 6x42 on my Tikka T3 (.243) as my main deer rifle. I love this scope to death, it's MUCH brighter than the old Vari-X III (not VX-III) scopes. My issue is this though, I find the magnification a little short on 200 yard+ shots, and could really stand to use something in the 8x range. My problem is nobody seems to make a good 8x fixed power scope.

I've been avoiding buying a variable scope because I'm told that the point of impact can change through the various magnification levels which is unacceptable.

What is my best choice here?

btw, I'm really suprised there isn't a forum forum specific to optics here.. seems to be an integral part of shooting yet gets left out.
Click to expand...
I Use a Leupold M8 6x36, and find it plenty adequate for shots 300m and beyond. Buy some ammo and practice, you don't need to change your scope, just build up some confidence in your equipment.
 
TheCanuck said:
Edited to add: I'm also pretty sure Leupold dont service their scopes in Canada
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Leupold services thier scopes in Canada in Okatoks Alberta. It is simply the very best customer service you will ever find in the world of scopes. I buy Leupold just because of this service.
 
Republic of Alberta said:
TheCanuck said:
Edited to add: I'm also pretty sure Leupold dont service their scopes in Canada
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Leupold services thier scopes in Canada in Okatoks Alberta. It is simply the very best customer service you will ever find in the world of scopes. I buy Leupold just because of this service.
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Thanks for clarifying, and sorry for talking out my ass

BTW Rick, you've got a PM
 
96Brigadier said:
I understand what you are saying but from my perspective I'd rather ask all of my hunting arms related questions in one forum rather than having to make multiple posts in multiple forums.
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I would agree, if scopes were just used for hunting big game. :) Trust me, I do see your point, but at the same time there's enough crossover between this and other sub forums.. like say a guy that loves to use his rifle for varmints (precision rifles) and big game (hunting) or plinking (rimfire). Ultimately of course, it's up to the site admin to make those calls.
 
Dustin said:
I Use a Leupold M8 6x36, and find it plenty adequate for shots 300m and beyond. Buy some ammo and practice, you don't need to change your scope, just build up some confidence in your equipment.
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Hehe.. it never seems to be paper that the scope is an issue with.. there's always lots of time to line up the shot. It's them damn deer that only pose for you for a second or two to get a bead on them before wandering off or turning toward or away from ya! :D
 
GrBear said:
Dustin said:
I Use a Leupold M8 6x36, and find it plenty adequate for shots 300m and beyond. Buy some ammo and practice, you don't need to change your scope, just build up some confidence in your equipment.
Click to expand...

Hehe.. it never seems to be paper that the scope is an issue with.. there's always lots of time to line up the shot. It's them damn deer that only pose for you for a second or two to get a bead on them before wandering off or turning toward or away from ya! :D
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For the record, my last deer was at around 300 yards.
 
I prefer variables, and there are a lot of options out there for good optics that won't break the bank. Bushnell Elite and Nikkon Prostaff come to mind immediately, I love them both to death. No POI changes with either scope, and like I said, they won't cost a fortune.
 
Although correct on the POI shift with most variables, the amount is so minor I wouldn't worry about it especially on a normal factory hunting rifle.

I know what you mean about the 6x. Nice scope but at 200 yds plus things are getting pretty hard to make out.

Had my inlaw shoot a few guns @ 300 yds with different scopes. 1.5-6x32, 16x and 8-32x56. Guess which one he picked :?:

The variable 8-32x56. Now this is really an open range gun and not the one you want to get caught in the bush with.... Moving from 32x to 16x was a shocker, never mind down to 6x...........

On a final note, the Vari x iii scope was available in two primary coatings. In the early days, the regular Mag. flu coatings and then later the newer MC4 coating which was a significant improvement. Not all Vari X III scopes are equal. Pre "W" carries the old coatings............

Forgot to add, that at least with a higher mag variable you can do a decent point coung. I nailed my elk this fall at 370 yards using a 6x and all I could say was yup its an elk and it looks decent, but thats about it.... Now in the bush, the variable 1.5-6x32 really shines.......
 
All my scopes are Var'ys . I have 2 -3x9x40, 3-1.75x5x20 , 1- 2x10x44, 1- 2x6x40 and #### I kinda forgot what I got, but all rifles and half shotguns have scopes. When I mount the scope on a gun , I can choose at what mag I want to use and as others have said I leave it there. I hate it when someone grabs a gun and twists the #### out of the Mag to see what it looks like on high power :evil:

Rifles I like the 6 power mag
Shotguns I like the 3 power mag

Everyones eyes are a little different and the different power can help one see just a tad bit better. If at anytime down the road you have a change in eye sight you can easyly change the mag. to what works best for you. With a straight power scope your kinda stuck with what you have...BT
 
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