fixed power optics
- Thread starter sbirm
- Start date
- Location
- London, Ontario
Bushnell Elite 3200 10x is a fairly durable scope. I believe that's what Barrett uses one some of their 50 caliber rifles.
I often use fixed scopes on my hunting rifles. I have had good luck with an Old Bushnell Banner 4X, a Leupold M8 4X, another old Bushnell Banner in 6X that I used on a .22, and an old Weaver 2.5.
If I were buying a new fixed power scope I would consider the Weaver K4 or K6 or the Leupold 4X
If I were buying a new fixed power scope I would consider the Weaver K4 or K6 or the Leupold 4X
I have some old Weavers - K4, K2.5, steel, made in U.S.A. They still work. I like them because they are simple and robust and they work well for my purposes and none cost me more than $60.
I can certainly find better scopes, but I really doubt I can find better scopes without spending significantly more money.
I can certainly find better scopes, but I really doubt I can find better scopes without spending significantly more money.
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The 6 X 42 FX111 has got to be the easiest scope to get along with that I've owned. I actually prefer variables but I can't look through my FX111 without being impressed. Maybe variables are just for people that can't make up their mind?
- Location
- Thunder Bay ON Canada
Depends what you do.
Fixed power lenses are the most rugged, and have the best optical quality if you're comparing apples to apples.
I don't have alot of experience with riflescopes, but I'm an avid photographer, it was my university arts minor, and I now run a darkroom, and fixed power optics always deliver vastly superior optical quality. For example, Canon's currently made 50mm f1.8 that sells for about 90 bucks, delivers better optics than any zoom they make under 1500 dollars, although it is not as durable as their fixed power 50mm f1.4 that sells for about $300, and blows away just about any variable power canon makes, including alot of L series lenses.
Also, variable magnification lenses of extremely high quality are being made that exceeds the reproduction value of newspapers, and most magazines. The same advances that allow variable magnification lenses to have become better, have allowed fixed lenses to become much better also, so fixed lenses are still the best, but unless you are going to reproduce the photograph, as an actual photographic print or in the highest quality magazine, then the extra optical value is just wasted.
None of this matters though, if you are the type of person who uses the same rifle for all sorts of things, and might hunt deer at close range one day, and groundhogs at 250 yards another day. It's hard to find a single magnification that suits every circumstance. With photography, we just switch lenses, or cameras. That's why you see pro photographers with two or three (or seven) cameras hanging around their necks.
**Please note** I'm not trying to say that you can buy some cheapo chinese fixed power scope, and it will rival the optical quality of the finest quality variable power scopes. That would be comparing apples to oranges.
Fixed power lenses are the most rugged, and have the best optical quality if you're comparing apples to apples.
I don't have alot of experience with riflescopes, but I'm an avid photographer, it was my university arts minor, and I now run a darkroom, and fixed power optics always deliver vastly superior optical quality. For example, Canon's currently made 50mm f1.8 that sells for about 90 bucks, delivers better optics than any zoom they make under 1500 dollars, although it is not as durable as their fixed power 50mm f1.4 that sells for about $300, and blows away just about any variable power canon makes, including alot of L series lenses.
Also, variable magnification lenses of extremely high quality are being made that exceeds the reproduction value of newspapers, and most magazines. The same advances that allow variable magnification lenses to have become better, have allowed fixed lenses to become much better also, so fixed lenses are still the best, but unless you are going to reproduce the photograph, as an actual photographic print or in the highest quality magazine, then the extra optical value is just wasted.
None of this matters though, if you are the type of person who uses the same rifle for all sorts of things, and might hunt deer at close range one day, and groundhogs at 250 yards another day. It's hard to find a single magnification that suits every circumstance. With photography, we just switch lenses, or cameras. That's why you see pro photographers with two or three (or seven) cameras hanging around their necks.
**Please note** I'm not trying to say that you can buy some cheapo chinese fixed power scope, and it will rival the optical quality of the finest quality variable power scopes. That would be comparing apples to oranges.
