Fixed vs Variable scopes

maw

maw

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I would think a fixed zoom scope would offer better optics in general and more durability then a variable scope. I mean, no moving parts, less lenses, less things to go wrong. I am a new user of firearms and am looking for a good scope to complement my .30-06. I have two scopes in mind:

Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm
Leupold FX-II 6x36mm
Rifle = HVA1600 series .30-06

Can anyone provide detailed and insightful information regarding fixed vs. variable scopes?
 
For the same amount of money, yes, a manufacturer can produce a fixed power scope with better materials than if they have to spend on the complications of a variable power design. (Whether they actually do so or divert the savings to profit you must judge on a case by case basis.) And although this fact was significant when variables first came on the market, in the decades since then development of the designs and the general advances in manufacturing methods and equipment have improved the reliability of the variables to the point that the theoretical advantage the fixed scope could have is so small that it probably very rarely matters.

If you think a variable power will be so much more use to you than a fixed power that it seems worth the money and you believe it's a reliable make (I suppose most of us can believe that of Leupold), go ahead.

I have a couple of variables but most of my scopes are fixed power. Neither of the variables has failed yet, and I don't fear that they will. The reason I tend to use fixed power scopes is because they are simple for me to operate and the way I hunt and the guns I use tend not to produce situations where changing the magnification of the scope will be a great benefit.
 
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I shoot and compete with both types, and by the way, a fixed power scope still has MANY moving parts.

Fixed

Advantages: Weight and size are almost always considerably smaller than they variable counterparts. Costs can be very reasonable (ie Weaver T-36)
Optically they are simpler to manufacture and are not subject to the same types of distortion inherent in a zoom style scope.

Disadvantages: Cannot be dialed back for conditions of heavy mirage (this is a serious problem in 300+ yard competitions and is directly proportional to the degree of magnification). They are not usually constructed with large diameter objective lenses and thus their light gathering is sometimes poor with higher powered scopes. (again, T-36) Almost never sold with side focus.

Variables

Advantages: Variable power means you can adjust for mirage, and finding targets can be much easier... use a 45X scope at 100 yards and see what I mean! Scops with side focus/paralax can be used to judge mirage really well by dialing the focus back... way easier than an a A/O style. Wide continuum of quality to suit many budgets.

Disadvantages:

Weight, size, costs, huge amount of junk variable scopes on the market which make investment in a high quality scope the only real option.
 
While I own and use a number of Variable powered scopes, virtually none of them reside on my Big game rifles. I have pretty well completely switched over to the Excellent Leupold 6x42. I have yet to run into a situation where I was handicapped by too little power, even waaaaay out there. I like the long eye relief, light weight and sturdiness of this glass, and can heartily recommend it to anyone. The 6x36 is also good glass, but is a bit poorer at dawn & dusk than the 42mm Objective. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Sounds like this is for hunting. Either can work nowadays. A top end variable will do better in all areas then a low end fixed.

For a pure hunting scope, a fixed 6 is a great compromise. I felt a fixed 4 a bit low. I know a hunter who has taken his Leupold M8 6X into very rough hunting for a couple of decades with zip for problems.

He has however, forgotten to turn back a variable and all he saw was brown (he gets close to game).

Both styles now work well so whatever you feel fits your style better. Personally, I like variables but mostly just leave it at 6X. I can then turn up to 24X when the need arises :)

Jerry
 
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