Leupold fixed power optics for bolt action carbine, close shot question ...

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madashell

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have a couple near identical 18.5" bolt actions, one needs an optic. Both are standard position, not scout position.

First one just ordered a Trijicon RMR 1 moa red dot. It's a walking around the bush angry wolverine defense gun ... :p

Second one was going to purchase a Leopold low power variable (VX-3i 1.5-5x20mm) but now thinking a simple fixed power might be the way to go. It's mostly thick bush region but those increasing number of log cuts present some fairly long shots. Thinking about the Leopold FXii 4x33mm.

I have no problem on 4x taking longer shots 4-500+m (have a 1-4x on a semi-auto so used to that, but always dial down when scouting).

Question is on the close shots with a 4x. What's your experience with a 4x and something pops up say within 50 m ? Too much power to work well ? Was contemplating the Leopold 6x at first but of course this would only make the close in issue worse.

Any fixed power hunting optics advice appreciated.
 
An option may be the variable VX-R models?
Illuminated Firedot reticle, 2-7x or 1.25-4x . Fast acquisition and sub-4x for those close quick 50m shots. I find 4x at 50m a bit slow to focus my middle-aged brain.
 
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I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've got a few fixed 4 and 6 powers around and never seem to catch myself wishing they had less magnification. I'm writing this from a whitetail stand with a 4.5-14 leaning in the corner.

If you do happen to go with a low powered Leupold variable, the 1.75-6 is twice the scope as the 1.5-4.5.
 
Chose fixed Leupold 2.5x or 4x for my heavy kickers on the perception these wouldn't break under recoil. Still use a 2.5x on my .358 BLR and .458 WM. Not really disadvantaged with the low magnifications and have use used these for intermediate and long range shots no problem.

Also have low power variables such as the Leupold 1-4x and 1.5-5x. The low power settings can be handy in the thickets.

Turns out one of the few scopes that broke under recoil so far was the 1.5-5x. Maybe just a coincidence?

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.458 Win. Mag. Remington 798 with Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20mm
 
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All the reviews I've read reference how much clearer/brighter image is on the fixed optics. Is it that much more than comparable sized variables ?

Maybe I should do a little scouting with my 1-4x on the high power setting for a change to get a better feel for it.

Thanks for the advice & information so far. Keep it coming !
 
I'm sure impressed with the Weaver Classic 4x's.
The clarity is werthy of consideration ........................... if you can find them.
 
A fixed 4 is adequate for just about any reasonable distance. My wife shot a whitetail at bout 15 yards this year with my muzzleloader which has a 4 leupold m8 and I've taken mule deer at 300 yards+ with an identical scope on a 7-08. For my hunting rifles with variable scopes I set them to 4x or 5x and never touch them during a hunt though at the range I crank them up.
 
I use a leupold vx2 1-4x on my main hunting rifle. Do most of my target shooting on 4x , mostly hunt at 2.5x , & if im in really thick stuff walking around i sometimes have it turned down to 1x. I used to use a 3-9 but now prefer the smaller lighter scope. I really dont understand the arms race to bigger & bigger scopes.
 
Yeah, other than very long range shooting I'm liking the lower power stuff more and more.

Guess the next question on say the Leopold FXii 4x33mm is regular Duplex or Wide duplex ? I can see the merits of both.
 
The fixed 6 Leupold is a really nice scope, in both the x36 and x42 versions.

I shot a pile of whitetails over the rattling antlers over the years with a Simmons 6x, and a pile more with a 6x Leupold. Shot a few more still hunted whitetails at up close an personal ranges on the run with it (ie, archery ranges, so WAY closer than 50m), as well as called in black bears and coyotes.

I never felt restricted with a wide field of view 6x. However, I also shoot with both eyes open and don't have any problems getting behind glass when it's time to shoot either.

I doubt you could go wrong with a good quality 4x for the scenario you describe, but if you tried the Leupold 6 and found you didn't like it, it would sell fast on the EE.
 
I have used fixed 2.5X, 4X and 6X for four decades... but I have noticed that over the past ten years or so, most of them have been replaced by the VX-3 1.5-5X20mm... probably a reason for that.
 
Although it is at times nice to have the Nikon Monarch3 mildot 4-16x42mm on my .308. It's relatively compact and lightweight for a 4-16x scope and has very good clarity and brightness throughout the magnification range. Plus it's parallax-adjustable. Got it on sale for not much more than the price of the 6x Leupold.

A bit of a trade off in terms of weight and size for higher magnifications. But handy for those real long range shots that sometimes need to be taken. Otherwise it works just fine set at 4x. ;)

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4-16x42mm mildot Nikon Monarch3

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6x36mm Leupold FX-II
 
I have a fixed 6 on my 270.

Shot a blacktail deer at 20 yards no problem.

I have Leupold 4-power scopes on other rifles, a 270, a 300 Win. Mag. and a 7x57.
 
The fx-ii 4x is a great scope IMOP. I've used it on my Contender for shots out to 150yds to close in tree stand stuff. I've had low power variables in the past but find as I get older, I have to crank up the volume a bit more to be able to see animals better. My only complaint with the fx-ii 4x is that it is a bit short in tube length when it comes to mounting to get proper eye relief... for me anyway
 
The only time 4x has been too much for me was trying to shoot a skunk at <10yd. I found fur, but fur is all I could see in the scope when I let the shot go. He scuttled into tall grass. Not sure if I even hit him, and I still feel bad about it. I took the scope off after that (and it was a 1-4x - just happened to be set at 4). My .22 wears open sights now... Since you have that base covered with the red dot, go with 4x!
 
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