Fixed Power Scopes

Another element often overlooked is the loss of light through each set of lenses. A plain Jane fixed scope only has two lenses-one at each end. A fixed power with AO adds one more. A plain variable has at least three lenses, and the fourth for the AO or paralax ring. You will lose light with each pass through a lens--no doubt about it. More $$$ is required to put extra polishing and coatings on these lenses to reduce reflected light loss. Not many people are willing to do that. Those same people wind up complaining about them most of the time. In the the end, the old parable "you get what you pay for" almost always applies with optics.

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I am a Nikon guy but if you can't afford a $4000 Unertl scope you can go Bushnell Elite 3200 Tactical 10x 40mm scope, very hard to beat for $200 and mil-dots etc. target turrets- for the money and your choice it would be hard to beat this with a stick.
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I bought one of those a few years back and can't say enough good about it. Mine is the mil/mil scope, and I can't believe how good it has been overall. It's definitely an exceptional scope for the money.
 
I've made some real bragging shots using a plain 4X scope in my younger days. Now, I use 2.5, 4, 6, and 10X fixed power scopes apprpriate to the firearm's use. I still use mostly variables since they're so popular(and many times are cheaper). The reliability of the better quality variables negates many of the historical issues of POI change or fogging.
 
I was at the range today and found I couldn't shoot at 100 yards with 9X zoom. Drove me crazy that that I could never get the reticle to sit totally still on the bulls eye. I had to lower it to about 5 and my shooting improved significantly. IF I was shooting a target moving at all I would probably drop it back to three. The 9x was GREAT for checking my target though. Almost worth the extra money I paid.
 
"I was at the range today and found I couldn't shoot at 100 yards with 9X zoom. Drove me crazy that that I could never get the reticle to sit totally still on the bulls eye. I had to lower it to about 5 and my shooting improved significantly. IF I was shooting a target moving at all I would probably drop it back to three. The 9x was GREAT for checking my target though. Almost worth the extra money I paid."


There you go. Being able to "check targets" is the only advantage to high magnification, at least at moderate distances.



"This is true as you state- The movments are there even if you can't see them as well so that is a null statement. The closer view ( in target shooting) is a very big advantage to have. I will keep your groups much tighter than low magnifaction. As you state for hunting a 3-9 power is all you need unless you go after those little dogs at 600 yards"


Hardly a null statement. The "shakes" ARE magnified....the higher the magnification, the worse it gets..... and the MORE difficult it is to shoot accurately. Just having a close view of the target face does NOTHING for accuracy. It may "feel good"....because you can see the grain of the paper....but that doesn't equal accuracy. Accuracy is about replication.... doing the same things, the same way, for each shot. High magnification is useful (and needed) for truly long range shooting, yes. For targets at 1000 yards, for example, of course one needs high magnification. But it is a handicap at moderate distances. The lowest magnification one can use to shoot accurately, at a given distance, the better....period. That WILL vary somewhat with the individual. But, for example, using 9X, where 4X will do....will NEVER make for more accurate shooting.

If one is blind and NEEDS 9X to shoot targets at 100 yards....well, that is a different matter.

This concept, that being able to see the grain of the paper, or count the hairs on the side of the deer you are about to shoot... somehow makes for better shooting.....is nonsense. It is a fallacy - a "hole" - that many fall into. It ain't so. If you don't believe it, then run some tests on this yourself. If you are honest with the results, you'll see.
 
This concept, that being able to see the grain of the paper, or count the hairs on the side of the deer you are about to shoot... somehow makes for better shooting.....is nonsense. It is a fallacy - a "hole" - that many fall into. It ain't so. If you don't believe it, then run some tests on this yourself. If you are honest with the results, you'll see

No comment as it would be a waste of time
 
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Most of my scopes are variable power however I keep them set on 6 power most of the time.

I do have a fixed 6 power Leupold on a custom mauser. I could get along just fine if all my scopes were fixed 6 power, especially if they have a lock ring eyepiece.

For still hunting through the timber I like iron sights and leave the scope guns at home.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms
 
I was at the range today and found I couldn't shoot at 100 yards with 9X zoom. Drove me crazy that that I could never get the reticle to sit totally still on the bulls eye. I had to lower it to about 5 and my shooting improved significantly
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Are you shooting off the bench? When you see yourself wiggle with too much power, it's very hard to call your shot. 4x at 100 yrds would be more than enough in more circumstances.
 
Scsov I can't figure out how to quote people so I did not quote you but I wanted to say I am glad you are happy and can provide some backup... My experience with Bushnell was the cheapo one that came with my Savage Mark II .22LR . a 3-9x40mm and it was AWESOME .

I really was going to get into Bushnell at Christmastime 2010 and there was a ton of closeouts on MidwayUSA and beyond... and I kept going back from the basic ones and lesser 3200 Elite models to higher end to 4200 Elite models and was at scopes that were like $400-$500 bucks (That were $700-$1000+ regularly priced before closeout) and I was like, These ARE WAY TOO BIG AND TOO MUCH MONEY/MAGNIFICATION for the .22LRs , a Mark II Savage and 597 Remington lol... I then found a ProStaff sale, a ton of positive reviews, and I ;pulled the trigger; so I loved it so much, bought another, and have been a Nikon guy. But I would be totally into Bushnell and this scope we talked about, $250 but on sale for $200 right now, you COULD NOT GO WRONG, makes me want to buy a rifle to use the scope! LOL.
 
Nothing you don't probably know, but you need to sand bag it so all you see wiggling is your heartbeat. The higher magnification will help you shoot tighter groups.
 
Fixed power rifle scopes are old hat but still fun for the hair shirt types online to promote and get others to kick it around.

Back when I started in the early 1950's all we had were fixed powers and they got by.

Today the variable is king. Get a 2-7 or say a 3-9 and it will work fine.

There was a sub group on the forums pushing a 6X fixed. I think they just have poor eyesight and want us all to wear that shirt.
 
Coyota,
The rifle is for hunting. The best rest I will have in the field is a log or the aluminum support for my pop-up chair blind. The reticle was only moving a few inches max. With iron sights or even a 3x scope I would have never noticed. I have one scope with a "shotgun" diamond reticle that is 2X or something and it is perfect for deer hunting. More or less put the diamond over the kill zone and pull the trigger.

3X on the variable scope is OK for field use.
Luckily, since it is an inline muzzleloader, the scope is elevated and I can still use the iron sights. So inside 75 I am using them.

I also hate shooting off the wood benches available at ranges. Seems like they are too short for me, but I am not a tall guy at all. Always feel super awkward. Next time I will probably take a shooting mat.
 
I also hate shooting off the wood benches available at ranges. Seems like they are too short for me, but I am not a tall guy at all. Always feel super awkward. Next time I will probably take a shooting mat.
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I recommend bringing some 2x4's or something solid, maybe doubling up on the sand bags. That may bring you up higher without making things wobbly. Where I shoot, the benches are not firm enough. I think I'll bring it up at the next meeting.
 
Like most things, scopes have evolved. I have a couple of rifles with some K-4's on them and one with a K-6. With the introduction of the variable, scopes became more versatile. I like the option of being able to change the magnification power. Low power for the close shots and higher power for longer distances. While hunting, I use the low power setting and when the distance becomes further I am able to up the power to view my quarry better.
 
no hair shirt, but...

I'm running 3 fixed 6x scopes, and in the market for a 6x42 for on the .270, if I can find one used at the right price.
-the .223 mini-mauser
-.243 Mossberg 810M
-Rem 581 5mm Mag rimfire

Also a 2.75x Scoutscope on a Savage Scout, a 2.75 on a Ruger .44 carbine (old model) and a 4x on a Win Model 88. The Win 88 had a cheap fixed 6x for a while, but I moved it along when I got distrustful of the brand in general. Oh yeah, and a dandy Weaver K12 on a .22-250. Oh...and a cheap fixed 10 on a .22 F-class trainer.

Yeah, I own variables, one BIG one, on a very specialized rifle. But in no instance have I been unable to make a shot on game with the old fixed powers, that a variable would have allowed.

I hunt east
 
I have a Weaver 4X on my Rem 700 in .308. It hasn't failed me yet.... I tried to find a Nikon 4X38 but they quit making them awhile ago...
 
My daughter bought a used Savage 110, 25-06, and it came with a Pentax 4 power, my son traded her a 3-9x50 for it and put it on his 45-70 Handi-Rifle barrel, he can hit a bullseye at 100 yds consistantly with two different factory loads, and it's holding up so far.
My eyes don't like the 4 power setting at 100 yds and further, but it's nice under that distance.
 
A good target for 4x 100 yrds is to take a 4" lid to a coffee can or what ever, lay it on a piece of white paper, and spray paint around it. You can see the cross hair very clearly, and it's easy to center it. If I do my part I can shoot 1/2" groups.
 
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