Fixed vs variable scopes.

I like fixed powers. I wish there were a lot more to choose from. I like the clarity and large eyebox. I feel as though my money is getting me the things I value the most - clarity, sharpness, large eyebox. I feel like I am not paying for the features I value the least - zoomability
 
This could be a long term discussion. In my opinion, the variable is invaluable...not only can it be dialed down and left at the lower setting thus becoming a fixed power ..but it can be dialed up when necessary to see clearly what you are shooting at in the distance. With the stronger power view, it is possible to see where you should hit the quarry , not having to guess where you may hit it, when the cross hairs cover the complete animal.

if you intend to shoot short distance or targets, the fixed may be appropriate, but the 6x or 8x power really does not "do it" past 100 yards. I have had up to 10 power fixed and at 200 it is marginal . Depending on how big your target is. i would much rather see where the bullet will hit , than having to guess if it will hit.
 
Winnipeg Toymaker said:
This could be a long term discussion. In my opinion, the variable is invaluable...not only can it be dialed down and left at the lower setting thus becoming a fixed power ..but it can be dialed up when necessary to see clearly what you are shooting at in the distance. With the stronger power view, it is possible to see where you should hit the quarry , not having to guess where you may hit it, when the cross hairs cover the complete animal.

if you intend to shoot short distance or targets, the fixed may be appropriate, but the 6x or 8x power really does not "do it" past 100 yards. I have had up to 10 power fixed and at 200 it is marginal . Depending on how big your target is. i would much rather see where the bullet will hit , than having to guess if it will hit.
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Leaving it on the lower setting doesn't make it a fixed power. Nor does leaving it on the higher setting. It's still a variable power scope.

What is "it" that 6x or 8x doesn't do past 100 yards? I usually try to get within 100m of my quarry when deer hunting, but I have been successful at just over 200 ... with a fixed 2.5x scope. I won't make a sweeping generalisation that the fixed low power that serves my needs will equally serve all of yours, but while a variable power offers a facility that can be more useful in some situations than a fixed power, that isn't a facility that I can't do without in any situation.

Just being able to see a particular spot on your target with 36x magnification doesn't make the bullet hit there, your good shooting skills with an accurate rifle does.
 
I have some of each. They all have their place. The fixed I like on the muzzleloaders and slug guns, .22's and anything that will never be shot past 100yds.

On my centrefires, I see no reason not to use a variable. I usually hunt with them on 2 or 3 power, but have the option of 9 or 10 power if I want to smack some paper at 3 or 400 yds. Trying to shoot groups at 400yds on 4x doesn't work that great for me...I'm not one to play around with the magnification while I'm hunting...
 
I have almost all variables but still like fixed for a couple of things. One of those things is keeping life simple for my boy. I keep his rifles equiped with 6Xs, everything is the same and he won't get caught on 14X on a 40 yard shot. For myself, a 2.5-8, 3-9, 3.5-10 or 4.5-14 suits me just fine. I'll carry it on 6 and most likely crank it right up when its time to shoot.
I'm thinking about fixed on some of my varmint rifles. Some of those haven't come off top power in years.
 
I'm leaning to fixed 2.5, 4 and 6 power scopes depending on application:

  • I was surprised how easily I can keep 5 shots in less than an inch at 50 yards with the FX-II 2.5x20 Ultralight. I bet magnification is a hell of a lot less important than people think.
  • Fixed magnification scopes are more rugged, smaller, lighter and lower on the gun for the most part. They also tend to let in more light with less distortion by virtue of less glass and less complexity. No chance of wandering POI with changing power either.
  • Fixed magnification scopes are like prime lenses in photography. The zooms are complex and less sharp than the fixed focal lengths, and generally let in less light at any given aperture at equal price points.
 
A friend used a scope topping out at 6x on a 338 for a 3 shot group under 1/2" @200yds. I've used the same scope on a 308 for 5 shot groups just over 1" also @200yds. A 10x scope let me get a 1 1/8" 3 shot group @300yds. From the bench when you can control everything a high power scope is nice to have. However for shooting from any field position I just can't control anything over 14X on a very good day and usually find 10X to be best out to 200yds. For hunting deer I prefer 4X, plenty for 200yds. Just my preference, yours may be different.
 
This thread has given me some good ideas for a scope on wife's rifle. Was having a hard time finding something appropriate power, size, weight wise. Didn't know about the Leupold fixed scopes. The 6x FX-II looks like it could do the trick.

Lately have been trying to shoot with my scopes dialed down much lower than I usually do. Once you get used to it its not that bad. I think a lot of it is about getting over your mental perception which is what I think philthygeezer is trying to say.

Just did a little experiment looking at items of various sizes about 575 meters with my variables set at 6x. 4x seems like its pushing it at that range but 6x looked doable. Have to try it out.
On that note, the Israeli's used the fixed 6x Nimrod scope on their M14's and I'm sure they must have been shooting beyond 100 yards consistently and accurately.

600 Mohawk
 
philthygeezer said:
I'm leaning to fixed 2.5, 4 and 6 power scopes depending on application:

  • I was surprised how easily I can keep 5 shots in less than an inch at 50 yards with the FX-II 2.5x20 Ultralight. I bet magnification is a hell of a lot less important than people think.
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I agree with you completely, the higher magnifications are more of a hinderance than a benefit, I much prefer the wider field of view and brighter images that the lower power scopes offer. Except for varmint hunting or target work. When I use variables they are usually lower power scopes and my favorites hover around 1.5-6 power for most of my big game hunting needs.
bigbull
 
Looks like you had your mind made up before making the post :)

As for optical qualities of variables, I can tell you that if you are willing to spend some coin, you will find that variables are every bit as good optically as a fixed power and offer you more options.

As for accurate aiming, 50yds is not that far off. Try 1500yds.

With everything, it is about matching application with desired performance and the compromises dictated by budget.

They both have their place and their strengths.

Just depends on what you want to do...

Jerry
 
600 Mohawk said:
Lately have been trying to shoot with my scopes dialed down much lower than I usually do. Once you get used to it its not that bad. I think a lot of it is about getting over your mental perception which is what I think philthygeezer is trying to say.
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Yes.

mysticplayer said:
Looks like you had your mind made up before making the post :)

As for optical qualities of variables, I can tell you that if you are willing to spend some coin, you will find that variables are every bit as good optically as a fixed power and offer you more options.

As for accurate aiming, 50yds is not that far off. Try 1500yds.

With everything, it is about matching application with desired performance and the compromises dictated by budget.

They both have their place and their strengths.

Just depends on what you want to do...

Jerry
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I agree, and I generally find 16x-32x nice for seeing bullet holes off the bench at 50 yards. However, I was surprised that I could group tightly with much less magnification. For a field gun, I'd want something simple, rugged, bright and clear that's small and compact on my gun. If it were variables, I would lean to 2-7x32's in variables on hunting guns, and say a 4x12 AO for a varmint scope.

The realization is that I give up next to nothing with a fixed scope while enjoying the benefits of extra ruggedness, compact form factor, often lower and/or more forward mounting to the comb (no power adjustment ring to bump the mount) and lighter weight together with often better optics at a given price level. I hate taking my cheek off the stock to peer through a scope. A 4x28mm/32mm or 6x36mm fixed scope is a wonderful tool. Also, you get used to the distances and the mounting of the rifle through consistent field of view and consistent eye relief.

At 700 yards, I hear one needs plenty of adjustment range and say 10-20x magnification. Repeatable adjustments are also critically important. Wouldn't a fixed power lens be just as effective? The US army used a 10x Unertl for decades for those 1000 yard hail Marys. That said, I know almost nothing about shooting beyond say 300 yards, and have never tried it.

I'm still drooling over the 6.5-20x40 EFR for rimfire target work, but have cottoned to the 2.5x20, 4x32 and 6x36 scopes for walking out-bush. My 22 will likely wear that tiny, quick and lightweight 2.5x20mm Leupold mounted on a Weaver picatinny base with Weaver low Top Mount rings. It doesn't get much better than that for a quick and accurate sight setup.
 
The US forces are now fielding variables with different top mag but mostly in the 20X range.

As soon as the scope makers could prove their variables would work under field conditions, all armies that I am aware of have switched to variables.

Jerry
 
One word, Mirage!

When the sun is boiling the air and you can't really make out the target through all those wavey lines, theres nothing like the ability to dial it back.

My first 4 scopes were all fixed power. I recently purchased my 5th scope, and decided to try a variable. I'm Lovin it!
 
Both types have their place. I like to shoot paper with lots of magnification, but any hunting inside of 600 yards can be taken care of with 6X. I have a couple of good variables on hunting rifles, but seldom change the power setting once happy with where they are set. Having the option to lower the power in a target scope in heavy mirage may have some virtue, but learning to read that mirage is preferable. The majority of my pure "hunting" rifles wear a 6x42 Leupold, with a 3.5-10 being the biggest variable on a hunting rig. Varmint rifles often wear 6.5 - 20 VX III's or straight 24's. My rimfire target rifles have lots of power on them, as do 1000 yard rifles. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Eagleye said:
Both types have their place. I like to shoot paper with lots of magnification, but any hunting inside of 600 yards can be taken care of with 6X. I have a couple of good variables on hunting rifles, but seldom change the power setting once happy with where they are set. Having the option to lower the power in a target scope in heavy mirage may have some virtue, but learning to read that mirage is preferable. The majority of my pure "hunting" rifles wear a 6x42 Leupold, with a 3.5-10 being the biggest variable on a hunting rig. Varmint rifles often wear 6.5 - 20 VX III's or straight 24's. My rimfire target rifles have lots of power on them, as do 1000 yard rifles. Regards, Eagleye.
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I sort of lean the same way. Field rifles are mostly 2.5x or 4x or 2-7x in smaller objectives like 20, 28 or 32mm. Rimfires I use for target work usually wear some sort of adjustable objective variable up to 32x to watch each bullet hit. IMO these scopes are way too bulky for walking out bush and unless it's gopher culling, I'd rather have a compact something_x32 or something_x36 to mount low on the receiver for light weight and ease of use. I think the average 3x9x40 is bulky on most rifles, but they are wildly popular...
 
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