Fixed power vs adjustable power scopes

[bigHUN]

I am dressing up my air rifle (FX Impact MK2 PP w 700mm barrel in .25) for BR once the ranges up and running again.

For over 40 years my greatest and deepest money pit was my hobby in photography. Along my way I learned the huge differences in between prime lenses vs zoom lenses, and about a second half of my life I decided I don't want to have a lens anything lower then F2.8.

I would like to be more transparent to folks in target shooting.

Can I assume the fixed power glass shall have more clarity = higher quality glass vs adjustable power scopes?

I decided to split my investment and go for red dot scope (plus magnifier) up to 50, and get a real nice dedicated glass for 100-200-300 targets. I would like to have a clear view of the POI.
Also new to this Forum and I have no access to Classifieds or how you call it Exchange section (yet), but I am shopping around for a quality glass...just FYI if anybody want to shoot me a pm.

I am more interested to hear feedback from Target and BR folks vs Hunters since I don't hunt and I believe these two not compare in views.

 

[zxexn]

I am dressing up my air rifle (FX Impact MK2 PP w 700mm barrel in .25) for BR once the ranges up and running again.

For over 40 years my greatest and deepest money pit was my hobby in photography. Along my way I learned the huge differences in between prime lenses vs zoom lenses, and about a second half of my life I decided I don't want to have a lens anything lower then F2.8.

I would like to be more transparent to folks in target shooting.

Can I assume the fixed power glass shall have more clarity = higher quality glass vs adjustable power scopes?

I decided to split my investment and go for red dot scope (plus magnifier) up to 50, and get a real nice dedicated glass for 100-200-300 targets. I would like to have a clear view of the POI.
Also new to this Forum and I have no access to Classifieds or how you call it Exchange section (yet), but I am shopping around for a quality glass...just FYI if anybody want to shoot me a pm.

I am more interested to hear feedback from Target and BR folks vs Hunters since I don't hunt and I believe these two not compare in views.

Yeah if your budget is limited than yes a fixed power should give you a better quality scope dollar for dollar. However anything high end and that principle goes out the door as most tier one scopes come in variable power and have extremely limited fixed power options.

 

[grauhanen]

Fixed magnification scopes are usually dollar for dollar better quality than variable power scopes. A lot of .22LR benchrest shooters use a 36X scope. This magnification is probably the most common in a fixed scope, although in the past it was not unusual for shooters to use 24X. There are fixed magnification scopes that are 40X and 45X. All will have adjustable objectives to allow focussing from short range to longer distances.

I am dressing up my air rifle (FX Impact MK2 PP w 700mm barrel in .25) for BR once the ranges up and running again.


I decided to split my investment and go for red dot scope (plus magnifier) up to 50, and get a real nice dedicated glass for 100-200-300 targets. I would like to have a clear view of the POI.

A 36X scope would give a clear view of the POI of a .25 pellet at 50 or 100 yards, probably even further. It's unclear, however, why a "red dot scope" would be desired for "up to 50". The same scope that is good at 25 yards will be good at 50 and at 100 as well. In any case, air rifle benchrest shooters typically don't shoot to 200 or 300 yards. The "Extreme Benchrest" competition south of the border, for example, are at 50 and 100 yards. More generally, air rifle benchrest is at 25 and 50 yards. Shooting to hit steel plates at longer distances is possible, but the relative light weight of .25 pellets -- under 30 grains -- makes it a very challenging proposition.

 

[bigHUN]

Fixed magnification scopes are usually dollar for dollar better quality than variable power scopes. A lot of .22LR benchrest shooters use a 36X scope. This magnification is probably the most common in a fixed scope, although in the past it was not unusual for shooters to use 24X. There are fixed magnification scopes that are 40X and 45X. All will have adjustable objectives to allow focussing from short range to longer distances.
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A 36X scope would give a clear view of the POI of a .25 pellet at 50 or 100 yards, probably even further. It's unclear, however, why a "red dot scope" would be desired for "up to 50". The same scope that is good at 25 yards will be good at 50 and at 100 as well. In any case, air rifle benchrest shooters typically don't shoot to 200 or 300 yards. The "Extreme Benchrest" competition south of the border, for example, are at 50 and 100 yards. More generally, air rifle benchrest is at 25 and 50 yards. Shooting to hit steel plates at longer distances is possible, but the relative light weight of .25 pellets -- under 30 grains -- makes it a very challenging proposition.

My best guess the most use of variable power scope is to cut the mirage or at least to play with it around. At our place as it looks like we don't need to concern it further for the rest of the year so for the season is safe to stay with fixed power. I don't have a budget limit only I don't want to pay unnecessarily for high Brands neither royalty fees to importers if any of unknown scopes can reach out to expectations. I don't prefer one style over the other, I am just trying to educate myself before spending a large chunk of hardly earned cash.

I got the red dot only for reason to give me time to pile up my cash for a real nice long range target scope, so actually I was buying time (instead of buying cheap glass that I cannot sell it anymore)....I like toys and never had one of these red dots before. I am learning the in and outs and just saying these can be used below 50 for sure, also for quick games.
My FX is tuned for 34.9 JSB's but hoping to start a range season soon with slugs in 40g range. I know that youtube videos from content makers we shall take with grain of salt, but technically these machines are capable of hitting targets @ 300 if we can minimize the human errors.

 

[AP]

the purpose of a rifle scope is to aid in improving repeatable accuracy. To do this a rifle scope has to provide a clear image and the reticle has to remain undisturbed from its set position after being exposed to recoil. If you examine the internal design of fixed vs variable and first vs second focal plane it becomes apparent which design(s) are most likely to achieve a satisfactory level of repeatability at least cost. Benchrest shooters invariably chose fixed power scopes

 

[TheTooner]

... Can I assume the fixed power glass shall have more clarity = higher quality glass vs adjustable power scopes? ...

A fixed power scope is simpler, therefore cheaper to manufacture, than a variable power scope. It is safe to assume that all else being equal the maker could choose to use the savings to afford better quality glass in the fixed power scope. But there is no guarantee that they did or will choose to. They might decide instead to use that cost saving on the fixed power scope to keep the profit margin higher while selling at a lower price, or increase the profit margin while selling at a higher price.

 

[big boar]

I'm not a bench shooter but I do shoot Target Rifle (no scope, peep sights only) and at our matches we shoot next to F-class people. A good friend is a quite high up in the F-class world and I've noticed they seldom use FIXED scopes. When it's hot, the mirage can totally ruin the target image, so they dial DOWN in power to get a clear image of the target. Mind you they shoot out in a field without any cover. I suppose bench shooters always shoot from a COVERED bench BUT on a HOT day, would the mirage not still affect the target if you're using a 36-45X scope???? Curious??