Fixed Power Riflescopes

[jpost]

If that rifle will strictly be your caribou/open country rifle a 6x fixed power scope would be fine. However, if you intend on using the same rifle for hunting moose, bear, or anything else that may live in brushy areas where shots may be well under 100 yds you may want to re-think your choice of a 6X fixed scope. I would NOT want a 6X when facing a grizz at 25 yds or making a quick of hand shot at a moose in the bush at the same distance. I have one big game hunting rifle, a 300 WSM with a Leupold 2x7x33, and the scope works well from 25 to 500 yds. Good luck.

[theunseenowl]

If that rifle will strictly be your caribou/open country rifle a 6x fixed power scope would be fine. However, if you intend on using the same rifle for hunting moose, bear, or anything else that may live in brushy areas where shots may be well under 100 yds you may want to re-think your choice of a 6X fixed scope. I would NOT want a 6X when facing a grizz at 25 yds or making a quick of hand shot at a moose in the bush at the same distance. I have one big game hunting rifle, a 300 WSM with a Leupold 2x7x33, and the scope works well from 25 to 500 yds. Good luck.

your well-made point is precisely why I recommend the practice of instinctive shooting, even with a bolt-action.

[akatvn]

Thanks guys. Yes this is my only big game riffle and will be my all around rifle. I will also use it for moose and blackies out at the cabin. Can only afford one scope for all purpose. Plus I cant hit nothing way out anyways. The cabin keeps me tied up pretty good but every time im there im hunting. I also have a Ruger 10/22 with a BSA Sweet 22, and Smith and Wesson 44 Mag. Thanks for all the responses

[Smitty of the North]

This is an interesting thread.

I usta have, and still do have, but don't use, an Old Weaver K2.5 rifle scope. It served be well for years, but I don't like it anymore. Now, the Power is not enough for my eyeballs, and the cross hairs are too thin. I find that 4X is better for me.

Nothing beats a Variable, if you can afford one, and who can't these days when they are the rule and fixed scopes are the exception.

They probably weigh more, but that doesn't seem like an issue to me. I carry on 4X, and if I have a shot at distance, and time, and can manage a steady hold, I've always used 6X.

If you like 6X ONLY, you might want to reconsider. Shoulder your rifle, and look through your 6X scope at a doorway. Then check the distance you have to be away from the door, and see both sides of it. A door is about 3 feet wide.

Whatever distance that is, the FOV is less the closer you are. Bears are so common here in the Greatland that I'm not comfortable being stuck with a small FOV. I'd rather carry my Variable set on 3 or 4X and crank it up if I needed to.

Besides, I can't shoot at 6X off hand worth a hoot. It SEEMs to wiggle too much. I do much better with 4X.

Smitty of the North

[hodgeman]

If you like 6X ONLY, you might want to reconsider. Shoulder your rifle, and look through your 6X scope at a doorway. Then check the distance you have to be away from the door, and see both sides of it. A door is about 3 feet wide.

I hear what you're saying Smitty...I've looked at it and an inbound griz would get awful big in a scope pretty quick. I'm not so sure that you could pick up a charging bear in any scope except the lowest powered 1x or 1.5x variables or red-dots with thick reticles or illuminated dots. My 3-9x wouldnt get you much on an inbound furry. At alder thicket or DLP distances you're already pretty much at bayonet range and shooting over the top of the scope actually does pretty well that close.

I've got a rifle with a fixed 6x and open sights....thinking if I ever wandered down into the thick stuff I could just remove the scope. Decent idea, just haven't tried it in the field yet. For dedicated use in the thick nasty tangles an aperture sighted rifle is hard to beat.

[iofthetaiga]

If you like 6X ONLY, you might want to reconsider. Shoulder your rifle, and look through your 6X scope at a doorway. Then check the distance you have to be away from the door, and see both sides of it. A door is about 3 feet wide.

This is one of the very reasons I like a fixed power scope. Especially with a simple reticle such as a 4A, you can learn to very accurately and quickly judge distances, antler size, etc. and the "need" to cary and fiddle with a range finder is eliminated.

And I agree with hodgeman, in that if I need to deal with old fuzzy butt at close range, I don't really want to be looking through any scope, not even my one and only variable dialed down to 1.5x. At that point, I'd rather barrel sight if I had to.

[Smitty of the North]

One time ago, as an experiment and a test, I took the scope off my 7 Mag. and blasted a gallon milk jug of water at about 10 yards.

I just looked and pointed like with a Shootgun, and I hit it, so I quit while I was ahead.

The point is, however, that one may not have the TIME to remove a scope, or shoot at distance, and could be caught having to shoot at a bear at very close range, where the scope doesn't have sufficient FOV to allow a quick acquisition of the BARget.

Smitty of the North

[Smitty of the North]

At that point, I'd rather barrel sight if I had to.

I've been operating on the theory that the scope would get in the way, but sighting along side the scope mounts, and down the barrel may be an idea. I'll have to try it, and see.

Can't let them bars get the upper hand, ya know.

Smitty of the North

[patrickL]

Why hasnt anyone mentioned the utility of a variable? Im a fan of 3x9 or 4x12 because I can use the high power to glass game at long range and decide if I want to put a stock on them. Then I screw it down to 3 or 4 power for the hunt. I cant even guess how much time Ive spent glassing game on high power and then shooting them at low power....caribou are best example. Id go varible any day and save the weight of treking around a spotting scope each and every day. I just get good quality and Ive never had a problem.

[.338 mag.]

4 or 6 power Leupold.

[1Cor15:19]

Thinking about putting one on a 7mm. Any thaughts anyone hunt with one. I was thinking a 6x. Caribou hunt this fall unit 13 with everyone else.

I've several 6x42 Leupold scopes and will buy more as the opportunity arises. Can't think of a situation where its a bad choice and lots of times its among the best. I just bought a 6x42 FX3 for a 7mm STW I'm renovating; I can't see where it'll be lacking.

[c04hoosier]

I don't buy the argument that the fixed scopes weigh less than the variables. Take a look at the Leupold Ultralight series. The 2-7x Ultralight weighs LESS than the fixed FX-II 4x. And I have yet to find a fixed 6X that weighs less than the 3-9X Ultralight. Not saying there's anything wrong with a fixed power, in fact I've considered that option myself, but I don't agree that they, by definition, weigh less than the variables. Of course that is just one of many factors to consider.

[hodgeman]

I don't buy the argument that the fixed scopes weigh less than the variables. Take a look at the Leupold Ultralight series. The 2-7x Ultralight weighs LESS than the fixed FX-II 4x. .

One thing to consider is the UL series Leupolds are (at least to my eyes) pretty poor optically....narrower FOV, shorter and more critical eye relief. Not saying it's a bad scope but for nearly the same weight my 4x is brighter and easier to shoot with.

The great thing with fixed powers is that without the power ring you can mount them farther forward on the rifle and reduce your change of a crescent shaped scar in the eyebrow...I've got a couple and don't want another!