Fixed Power Scope on Hunting Rifle?

effinggoof

effinggoof

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Looking for a new scope for my Remington 78 in 3006 thats a general purpose BC hunting rifle.

I am considering a fixed power scope for simplicity and durability sake, and it looks like the only legit one I can find is a Leupold....other manufacturers seem to have give up on fixed power.

So, for the optics gurus on the forum, I ask these questions?

Is it still true that fixed scopes are tougher and less likley to fail than variable power scopes or is that something that was once true, but is not the case anymore?

Is there a legit, fixed power scope other than the Leupold fx2 and fx3?

If you have used a fixed power Leupold, would say it offers better value for the money compared to a variable powers scope at the same price point?

Thanks Optics Forum!
 
Even the military has gone to variable power scopes. You could probably drive a truck over a Nightforce NXS without harm
All the better quality variable scopes are plenty tough for normal hunting.
Why limit yourself to one fixed power?
I've hunted deer for about 35 years and can think of many occasions when I needed to crank up my scope (normally carried at the lowest power).
 
I hunt Saskatchewan. Leupold M8-6x Duplex on my 7x57 and 30-06. Leupold M8-4x Duplex on my 338 Win Mag. Weaver K3 Post on my 9.3x62. I have shot 1" to 1.5" 5 shot groups with all. Forget agonizing over the scope - shoot, and shoot lots! 1,000 centerfire rounds per year is not too much. Despite Internet "wisdom", you can shoot 1" groups with a 2.5X scope - you need a target that matches the reticle.
 
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I like and use a leupold 6X36 w/cds & LRD (dots) and a 6X42 w/M1 turrets..
And yes they are more reliable than variables in the same price range..
And they are a hell of a lot lighter than the tough high end 30mm scopes like Nightforce and the Bushnell LRHS..
 
Don't forget the used market...lots of good deals there. I have always loved the fixed 4x scope though currently I only have one on my Sako 30-06, a 4x Burris Signature. The virtues of fixed scopes is that they have almost no moving parts and that makes them not only cheaper but less prone to breakage. In reality most of our scopes nowadays are plenty rugged and it's not common to break one. The other added bonus is that with most people looking for a variable power scope the used fixed powers can be had for a great price.
 
Potashminer said:
I hunt Saskatchewan. Leupold M8-6x Duplex on my 7x57 and 30-06. Leupold M8-4x Duplex on my 338 Win Mag. Weaver K3 Post on my 9.3x62. I have shot 1" to 1.5" 5 shot groups with all. Forget agonizing over the scope - shoot, and shoot lots! 1,000 centerfire rounds per year is not too much. Despite Internet "wisdom", you can shoot 1" groups with a 2.5X scope - you need a target that matches the reticule.
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This last portion of you post is quite true. I have 6 4x scopes (not all in use) and have found this as well.
 
My vote goes for one of the older scopes from brands like Swarovski and Kahles. Both had beauty 6x scopes in their product lines. Still kicking myself for not jumping on a Swaro 8x that was on the Exchange a couple years back.

Failing one of the Euro brands, the Leupold FX3 and FX2 6x scopes are great, general purpose, and lifetime scopes in the field.
 
I would say 90% of my hunting is with a fixed power scope. My favourite so far has been the FX2 6x, inexpensive but reliable as heck, light, and fits on anything. Most of the rest of my hunting is with 1x 5x or so, with it on 1-3 power most of the time. Predator or varmint I like something bigger and good in all light conditions.

The fixed six has taken game from 5 yards or less, to 450 yards. They just work.
 
6x can be a bit two high for bush hunting but for open country its all you need find a used swaro or Zeiss for less than a new lupy
 
Just sighted in my Sako 30-06 with a 4x Burris on it yesterday. I can still see enough white around the corners of the crosshairs on a 2" bullseye that I can hold pretty tight. After a few years of using variables you forget how much FOV a 4x has until you shoot it on the range.
 
I have been following everyones advice on fixed power scopes, and as always am grateful for the experience and wisdom that the forum is sharing.

Have dropped in on a couple of local gun stores, and asked what they have for a selection in fixed power....and they look at me like I just asked for a rotary phone.
 
Main rule, don't over think.

A modern fixed works fine, as well as a variable.

I haven't heard of anyone saying they missed an animal because of magnification yet. ;)

I like both.

I use both.

The bigger your quarry the less magnification you need.

I will say it like this, there have been fixed low power scopes hitting 1,000 yard targets for years, I have a fixed 6X on a BLR and have used it on coyotes beyond 300 and still feel confident( didn't say if I make hits out there, ;) )
 
effinggoof said:
Have dropped in on a couple of local gun stores, and asked what they have for a selection in fixed power....and they look at me like I just asked for a rotary phone.
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Check out the Leupold FXII 4x. They are very nice scope and priced withing reach. There's a reason you don't see many on the EE.
 
I picked up a FX-II IER 2.5x fixed scout scope for my BLR for this deer season. Very unlikely for shots to be over 100m where I hunt. I mounted it, bore sighted it, took it to the range last week and I am officially in love with the forward / scout mount concept and the fixed power. Nothing to think about, can shoot it quickly with both eyes open, great at short or intermediate range. I was hitting zeros at 100m with ease.

Don't know if this fixed power offers better value than a similarly priced variable - I look at the situation I want it for then choose accordingly - If I was shooting across a canyon with time to dial in / adjust / distance measure / etc....I'd probably go variable. Think as fixed as 1/2 way between open and optics....Might be more than enough in some situations, less than perfect in others, but develop some proficiency and practice and you'll get wayyy more satisfaction out of the experience.
 
I grew up hunting with my dads 7mm Rem Mag with a Fixed 4x power Schmidt and Bender on it with a German #8 Reticle. Absolutely love that scope and reticle so when I bought my own 7 Mag, I shopped around and the best I could find was a Zeiss Conquest with the German #4 reticle. It's a 3-9x variable and I honestly just leave it set on 6x and haven't touched it.

The thing is, most variable scopes are Second focal plane so by changing the power, you are also changing point of impact. This is why a fixed power scope actually has it's benefits.
 
I've got a not so pleasant looking Weaver Classic 4X on my last 69A and the clarity
is dang decent.
The few folks that have looked through it raise their eyebrows.
 
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