Fixed power

GMC403

GMC403

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Who here uses a fixed power scope on their hunting rifle?

I've used the Leupy 2.5x20 before on a 308 Pump and a couple 45-70's, but I'm curious about the fixed 4x or 6x.
I find I usually walk with my scopes turned to the lowest power and turn it up to high if the shot warrants it. I seldom use the scale between min and max.

Pro's / Con's / Experience?
 
I have a couple of 6x. I usually leave my scopes set at 5x so I don't feel handicapped using a fixed scope. I have a luep 6x fx on my 35 whelen and a sightron big sky 6x on my 338 fed. neither are long range rifles. I also use 1.5x8 , a couple of 2x7 and mostly 3x9's. the only big scopes I have are mounted on range guns. I have never felt the need for huge scopes for hunting.
 
I have mentioned it a few times here, but I love the Leupold FX II 6x36mm as an all round hunting scope. 6x is just at the limit of too much mag for a close shot, while still being easily capable of a shot at several hundred yards. 6mm exit pupil makes for a very bright image. It's small and light at 9.6 oz, simple, great eye relief. Optically it is a match for any VX 3 (simpler to make a fixed scope with good optics.) Reasonably priced too. I think they make a much better mountain rifle scope than the optically unimpressive Leupold ultralight series.
 
I have about six fixed low power scopes on my rifles . Three rifles , a 9.3X57 , a 303 and a soon to be completed 358 W , have Leopold M8 4X scopes on them . The others are two steel weaver 2.5's and a fixed 6 . I do own a few variables and have them on my general purpose rifles ( 30/06 ) but even then I usually use them set at about 4 to 6 power . It may be my hunting style , but I've never felt handicapped by low power scopes . In fact , I think they keep me honest . If it looks to far away in a 4 power scope , it probably is . Just one mans opinion .
 
I don't often hunt with a scope but when I do I prefer a 4 or 6X.
I currently have a 6X Leupold in QD mounts that I keep in my pack if I want to take shot past 200 meters with my rifle where the open sighs would cover too much of the target.
If the animal is that far to need a scope, have the time to take it out and put it on the rifle.
And YES I have tested it extensively and the set up holds its accuracy on and off the rifle.
Cat
 
I've made some of the longest shots of my hunting career with a fixed 4x scope. I've never felt that I needed more or less power for the majority of hunting situations.
 
Many of my hunting rifles have that excellent Leupold 6x42 mounted on them.

Never have I felt in the least handicapped by the fixed power, and these scopes are bright!

While I also use variables, the fixed power scopes make sense on heavy recoiling numbers for several reasons. [IMHO]

1. They have fewer internal moving parts, thus less to go wrong.
2. They are lighter than most equivalent size variables.
3. On the Leupolds at least, they have a lot of eye relief, which lessens the likelihood of a "Weatherby eye"

I actually made my longest successful shot on game with a 270 Winchester and a 6x42 Leupold. One shot, all done!

Regards, Dave.
 
Good to hear all the positive comments.

I think I'll give a Leupold 6x42 a shot on my M70 30-06. I want a rock solid setup for Black bear and Elk, 0-300y
 
GMC403 said:
Good to hear all the positive comments.

I think I'll give a Leupold 6x42 a shot on my M70 30-06. I want a rock solid setup for Black bear and Elk, 0-300y
Click to expand...

This is the same set up that I have on my Remington 700 30-06, which is my go to hunting rifle. The Leupold 6x42 has a nice amount of eye relief and field of view. There's a certain aesthetic simplicity to a 30-06 bolt action rifle and fixed 4x or 6x scope that speaks to me: it's rifle that's ready to work without any frills. I think you'll be happy with that choice.
 
I don't think fixed power is a handicap, unless the magnification is too high.
One of our guys was presented with a black bear at ten feet. His rifle had no irons, and his massive scope showed only hair at that range. Not sure what power it is, but I think the objective is 50mm. It's a big scope. He did manage to get the bear, I think he sighted along the barrel, but I don't remember his story.
 
The one thing I miss more than any other is the abundance of fixed power scopes which used to be available. Today's offerings are rarely stocked and, in some cases, have some limitations due to physical dimensions.
Leupold scopes, in particular, are now being made with a tube which is a bit short for use on some rifles or actions. Still, the Leupold FX series is about all there is and even they are hard to find. The Weaver scopes are fine but are also too short in the tube.
If the scope fits your rifle though, there are some real benefits to the fixed power scope. It is lighter, more compact, more simply made, and more rugged. To me, many of todays scopes are like modern cars, there may be some excellent mechanical engineering there but it is hidden behind all the fluff. A good fixed power scope can be made better and stronger for less money but todays hunters would rather have variable power, a multiplicity of aiming points and a great, big objective. Build in a cell phone, GPS, and bluetooth and they wouldn't care if it had lenses.
 
I use Leupold 2.5x20, 3x20, and 4x33 fixed scopes.
Their light weight, slim profile, and simple, robust nature appeal to me.

300-ish yds is about the longest poke I've ever taken at an animal, and I haven't found 3-4x to be lacking at that range for big game hunting.
The 2.5's get used in heavier bush type hunting where the longest shot might be roughly 200yds.

To me, higher magnification can have a confidence robbing effect if my wobble is noticeably magnified.
I'm most often not any more stable with a lower power scope, it just looks that way. :)
 
Thanks to those who shared this info. I got one ( either Burris or Bushnell I can't remember) included in a rifle purchase and stupidly sold it, not recognizing its value. I had been thinking about this as an option and I think I need to take a close look into it
 
I just put a Burris 2.5x20 on a savage 24 22/20 ga and never having a low powered fixed before I was a little hesitant about it. After sighting it in yesterday at 50 yds with the 22 I am getting the best groups I have ever shot with a 22. It has totally changed my mind on fixed low power scopes. I thought of going 4 power but for the shotgun I think I need the lower power.
 
Leupold fixed 4 power on a 270, a 7x57 and a 300 Win. Mag.

Fixed 6X on another 270.


Got a deer at about 20 yards last fall using 6X and didn't feel I was over-powered. It was in focus at that distance.

Next one was at about 45 yards. Again, no problem.


I had a bull elk in my 4X scope at about four yards one time, it came walking around a tree. Now that WAS out of focus!
 
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I have several 4x fixed here.

1. Rem 700 257Roberts FXII 4x
2. A-Bolt 22-250 Weaver Classic 4x
3. BRNO 204 7x57R/12ga M8 4x
4. Rem 700 30/06 (soon to be 35 Whelen) FXII 4x
5. Bushnell Scopechief 4x spare scope for my next safari.
 
I like low powered fixed scopes. I have a 2.5x and a couple of 4x scopes mounted on some of my hunting guns. I do use low powered variables on others though. My favorite variables are Nikon Monarch 2-8's. I keep them set on the lowest settings and I can only remember one time that I turned it up, and that was for a long shot.
I would not feel handicapped using only fixed power optics through. The problem is usually finding them for sale.
 
Leeper said:
The one thing I miss more than any other is the abundance of fixed power scopes which used to be available. Today's offerings are rarely stocked and, in some cases, have some limitations due to physical dimensions.
Leupold scopes, in particular, are now being made with a tube which is a bit short for use on some rifles or actions. Still, the Leupold FX series is about all there is and even they are hard to find. The Weaver scopes are fine but are also too short in the tube.
If the scope fits your rifle though, there are some real benefits to the fixed power scope. It is lighter, more compact, more simply made, and more rugged. To me, many of todays scopes are like modern cars, there may be some excellent mechanical engineering there but it is hidden behind all the fluff. A good fixed power scope can be made better and stronger for less money but todays hunters would rather have variable power, a multiplicity of aiming points and a great, big objective. Build in a cell phone, GPS, and bluetooth and they wouldn't care if it had lenses.
Click to expand...
Here a few shots of several 4x fixed I have and or had.

Weaver Classic next to a FXII. Same LOP. Note how short the Weaver is in the tube.

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Leupold left. Weaver right.

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M8 top, Weaver Classic middle, FXII 4x bottom. The later M8s were the same size as the current FXIIs. I have one of those later M8s. They are nice scopes but lack click adj.

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