what's a 'very good' scope with fixed 4x power?

Mr. Friendly

Mr. Friendly

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I've a friend looking for a very good fixed 4x scope with long eye relief to use on his Ruger No. 1 in 30.06. He prefers to use iron-sights, was going to use a peep sight, but decided to go for a fixed low power scope instead.

He was considering the Leupold FX-II until I commented on how much the 20mm objective will limit his ability in darker settings (he bush hunts) and hinder his ability for the further shots.

he wants good light throughput...he compared a mid-range 4x32 scope against a 3-6x32 and was shocked at how much light the additional elements absorbed in the zoom capable scope. I pointed out how a lot has to do with the coatings and the glass being used and that if he compared that mid-range scope against a higher tiered zoom scope of the same aperture, he probably wouldn't see a difference. I'm just not sure he's ready to drop that kind of coin at the moment.

what would you recommend he consider?
 
Mr. Friendly said:
He was considering the Leupold FX-II until I commented on how much the 20mm objective will limit his ability in darker settings (he bush hunts) and hinder his ability for the further shots.
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Sounded odd, so I checked the Leupold website... they list a 33mm objective for the 4x, not 20mm. I have 3 old M8's and they're plenty bright.
 
Your friend needs a lesson in scopes from someone who understand them better. A 4x 20mm scope will have an exit pupil of 5mm. This is just about all that middle aged eyes can make use of. If you're looking for something that is even brighter you can go either with a fixed 2.5x or a variable like the 1.5-5x. I've used the 1.5-5v Leupold in nearly dark conditions (walking back to camp after dark and trying to avoid blundering into a meandering rhino) and was amazed at how bright it was. A little less power makes a huge difference.
 
i would forgo the fixed four and go to a luep vx2 2x7. in tight bush he could crank down to 2x and up to 6x or 7x for longer shots.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Your friend needs a lesson in scopes from someone who understand them better. A 4x 20mm scope will have an exit pupil of 5mm. This is just about all that middle aged eyes can make use of. If you're looking for something that is even brighter you can go either with a fixed 2.5x or a variable like the 1.5-5x. I've used the 1.5-5v Leupold in nearly dark conditions (walking back to camp after dark and trying to avoid blundering into a meandering rhino) and was amazed at how bright it was. A little less power makes a huge difference.
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Exit pupil is not really the be all and all of brightness measurement. It's useful when comparing glass of identical quality but that's kind of where it ends. A scope with high light transmission can will appear much brighter than a scope with poor glass and coatings with low light transmission, even if exit pupil is identical.
 
sheephunter said:
Exit pupil is not really the be all and all of brightness measurement. It's useful when comparing glass of identical quality but that's kind of where it ends. A scope with high light transmission can will appear much brighter than a scope with poor glass and coatings with low light transmission, even if exit pupil is identical.
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But it is important to understand so you don't buy something that isn't doing any good. E.g. a 4x28mm scope has as much light transmission as the dimensions can provide and it's time to spend on better quality glass and coatings if you want more out of it, not on a 4x40 which increases weight and bulk to no good purpose.
 
Denisb said:
Leupold is about the only manufacturer that still makes fixed power scopes. For big game it's all you really need.

Good luck.
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It's more than you really need, but if it pleases you to spend on that, enjoy. I think Nikon still makes a fixed 4x, though there may not be enough demand for any Canadian retailers to carry it, and Ar180shooter. is correct at post #3, Weaver offers fixed power in their classic K series: K4 (4x38mm), K6 (6x38mm) and K4Scout (4x28mm intermediate eye relief.) Cabela's in Canada stocks them and I am sure they are not alone in that.
 
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Mr. Friendly said:
I've a friend looking for a very good fixed 4x scope with long eye relief to use on his Ruger No. 1 in 30.06. He prefers to use iron-sights, was going to use a peep sight, but decided to go for a fixed low power scope instead.
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I'd look for an older/used Leupold M8 4x with 28mm objective. They are longer than current scopes, so it will fit better on a Ruger #1. I own two of them. One sits on a Browning FN with lots of room for adjustment either way. They don't go for big dollars. I just bought one used for $115/shipped. Nice and light, bright and still covered by Leupold's warranty, plus thay are gloss, so will look right on you buddy's rifle. One of those would be perfect for this.
 
I shoot a 6x36 Leupold on a Ruger No.1 RSI. Eye relief is about perfect and I can shoot at all legal times. That being said, I did have to mount the scope with two offset rings to have it comfortably come to cheek and shoulder - most of my hunting shots are 80-150 yards.
 
I would estimate that just about 50% of the popular manufacturers have fixed 4X scopes out there, just put a Sightron on my dads ML and it works very well and has no issues with the recoil.
 
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