fixed power scopes?

jackG · 03-17-2006, 07:59 PM

I see where some very experienced hunters and career gun writers claim they do not use variable power scopes, except for target shooting or prarrie dogs. They suggest that most often, when hunting larger game, they leave the scope set at around 5X or 6X anyway. It's an interesting notion. I understand that fixed power scopes tend to be clearer. There are no moving parts and less chance of failure. There is no monkeying around trying to get things set up right when a target is in range.

I'm shopping for a 7mm mag and I'll need some optics. The rifle will be used for deer, elk and perhaps antelope. Does it make sense to consider say a 6X fixed power scope for this application Vs a variable?

Mooseman684 · 03-17-2006, 08:19 PM

I tell my customers that there are a lot of factors to consider when buying a scope, things like what size game you hunt, what range are most of your shots, are they Quick shots or can you take your time and have time to adjust a scope, are you in brush or open country ? these all come in to play when choosing a scope. I hunt Alaska's varied terrain and conditions with a 3-9 Redfield Wideview scope and it stays set on 4 X for most walking/brush hunting Quick shots so a Large animal Wont just "Fill" the scope and you cant see where to place the shot like on a Charging Grizzly or running Caribou or moose you just jumped. When I am on a stand watching an open area that may range up to 500 yards then I like to be able to bring up the Magnification when a target appears at the far side! Stay below 10X so as to avoid the Mirage effect of higher power Distortion and you should be very Happy with a 2x-7x or a 3x-9x variable for hunting !
Rich

BattleRifleG3 · 03-17-2006, 08:31 PM

NEVER hunt whitetail deer in PA at ranges of 100yd or less with a scope cranked up to 9x. This is not a response from a knowledgeable person. This is a response for someone who did just that.

lefty o · 03-17-2006, 11:32 PM

i use variables, 3-9, 4-12X. i do not however recall ever having shot large game with the power set at more than 6 or 7X.

wirehunt · 03-18-2006, 12:01 AM

I've got a vari, more than one in fact. The one on the deer rifle doesn't move from three, it's a 3-9x42. The one on the rabbit rifle stays on six. One time someone else had a shot on the range with ready state (The deer rifle) and tweaked the scope around to 9, took me a while to work out what was going on.

The lesson in that is always make sure the scope is set how you like it before going hunting

especially if someone else has been playing

pball942 · 03-18-2006, 04:32 AM

In the open plaines of Kansas I use a 32mm 3x9. Usually have it set to about 6. If I get into the brush I take it down to 3 or use the iron sights. My varmit scope is a different matter. 50mm 6x18. But that is usally done with a very stable platform to shoot from. Most of the time sitting in the back of my truck leaning on the cab. The pdogs don't know what hit them. But Moose hit it on the head you have to compensate for Mirage at the longer ranges.
It really is quite a sight; a little .17HMR with that big honken scope. I chuckle every time I look at it.

troy2000 · 03-18-2006, 11:53 AM

Pics, pball942, pics.

pball942 · 03-19-2006, 05:14 PM

I have someone to loan me a camera. So I need to go throught the archives and read on how to post the pics. Give me some time and I would love to. Like to show off my Mosin as well as some others.

Joey l mur · 03-20-2006, 11:46 PM

I use only fixed scops. My 91/30 sniper is fixed magnification just the T post moves.:nod:

Sav .250 · 03-22-2006, 08:40 AM

Fixed power scopes are fine but the higher you go in power the less field of view you have (at distance) plus if you hunt early and late in the day the light factor is a problem. The ability for the scope to "gather" light is directly limited by the power of the scope.
I have several "fixed" power scopes of various powers and they are fine but the advent of vari-powered scopes gives one the ability to select a power for the job and time of day. Low power for early and late and everything in between for the rest of the day. Just my opinion.

pball942 · 03-23-2006, 08:08 PM

As far as light grabing ability I really like the Banner line by Bushnell. Of course the larger you objective the more light you can gather as well.

SPEEDY · 04-02-2006, 06:12 AM

I use 2-7X36 Kahles scopes but I would like a 3-9X40 for a little more reach on smaler game.

bluesman1318 · 04-29-2006, 05:01 PM

Onb my dangerous gane rifes, a .375 H&H Whitworth mauser and a .458 WInchester magnum I use identicle scopes, both Redfield 3-9. Both are mounted in London Guns claw mounts and are mounted only when I am hunting plains game. I also have a second set of Redfield 23/4 - 4 scopes in the same mounts so that I can use these in the thick bush. Irons are the choice of the day for buffalo. It requires some practice but hitting a soccer ball four times FAST is light years ahead of hitting a golf ball three seconds too late!

I use several higher magnification scopes, most notably a Burris 8-32 with a custom reticle on several of my high accuracy rifles. I have found that there is always time to crank up the power when needed for 500+ meter targets.

For Pennsylvania deer hunting from a tree stand I use a 3-9, in the dense crud I stick with the 23/4 - 4 or 4.5 scopes on my .35 Whelen pump, Ruger #3 in .45-70, or my 1930 Mauser in .35 Whelen. I may rue this as we now have three or four point minimum legal rack size zones and it is bloody tough to see points at even 80 yards in the dense forest. I do carry a pair of 8x Zeiuss binos but when a deer is moving it is too time consuming to grab the binos, check the number of points, put the binos away, grab the rifle up, get the crosshairs on the boiler room and squeeze the trigger before the buck dies of old age or drifts off behind the cover that is everywhere in the forest. Heck, even making sure that a doe is a doe isn't easy. I have killed two button bucks by mistake - fortunately I had the doe tags that made them legal so the freezer got filled up but I would rather have had the scope that would have let me see that they had those buttons. I then could have let them go on their way in peace to grow bigger horns and added weight.

I guess all this adds up to the old suggestion that all hunting is different and that what you use depends on where you hunt, what you hunt, and how well you shoot. Hoipe this helos a little.

billyhornsby · 05-07-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackG

I see where some very experienced hunters and career gun writers claim they do not use variable power scopes, except for target shooting or prarrie dogs. They suggest that most often, when hunting larger game, they leave the scope set at around 5X or 6X anyway. It's an interesting notion. I understand that fixed power scopes tend to be clearer. There are no moving parts and less chance of failure. There is no monkeying around trying to get things set up right when a target is in range.
I'm shopping for a 7mm mag and I'll need some optics. The rifle will be used for deer, elk and perhaps antelope. Does it make sense to consider say a 6X fixed power scope for this application Vs a variable?

The old Tasco World Class Plus in 4x was perfect for anything within 250 yards. My son-in-law still shoots it. Billy

wirehunt · 05-07-2006, 04:19 PM

Bluesman have you tried a red dot scope on your short range rifles? I put one on my deer rifle this year because a lot of my shooting is short range and wet, it worked a treat! I beleive that their faster than open sights used with both eyes open and very user friendly.

James B · 05-16-2006, 08:46 PM

I like a 2x7 or straight 6X about the best. The 2x7 if I could only have one. Thats whats on My DG rifle.

03-17-2006, 07:59 PM	#1
jackG Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4	fixed power scopes? I see where some very experienced hunters and career gun writers claim they do not use variable power scopes, except for target shooting or prarrie dogs. They suggest that most often, when hunting larger game, they leave the scope set at around 5X or 6X anyway. It's an interesting notion. I understand that fixed power scopes tend to be clearer. There are no moving parts and less chance of failure. There is no monkeying around trying to get things set up right when a target is in range. I'm shopping for a 7mm mag and I'll need some optics. The rifle will be used for deer, elk and perhaps antelope. Does it make sense to consider say a 6X fixed power scope for this application Vs a variable?

03-17-2006, 08:19 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,637 Images: 2	I tell my customers that there are a lot of factors to consider when buying a scope, things like what size game you hunt, what range are most of your shots, are they Quick shots or can you take your time and have time to adjust a scope, are you in brush or open country ? these all come in to play when choosing a scope. I hunt Alaska's varied terrain and conditions with a 3-9 Redfield Wideview scope and it stays set on 4 X for most walking/brush hunting Quick shots so a Large animal Wont just "Fill" the scope and you cant see where to place the shot like on a Charging Grizzly or running Caribou or moose you just jumped. When I am on a stand watching an open area that may range up to 500 yards then I like to be able to bring up the Magnification when a target appears at the far side! Stay below 10X so as to avoid the Mirage effect of higher power Distortion and you should be very Happy with a 2x-7x or a 3x-9x variable for hunting ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

03-18-2006, 12:01 AM	#5
wirehunt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Otago New Zealand Posts: 651	I've got a vari, more than one in fact. The one on the deer rifle doesn't move from three, it's a 3-9x42. The one on the rabbit rifle stays on six. One time someone else had a shot on the range with ready state (The deer rifle) and tweaked the scope around to 9, took me a while to work out what was going on. The lesson in that is always make sure the scope is set how you like it before going hunting especially if someone else has been playing __________________ Happy Hunting

03-18-2006, 04:32 AM	#6
pball942 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 256	In the open plaines of Kansas I use a 32mm 3x9. Usually have it set to about 6. If I get into the brush I take it down to 3 or use the iron sights. My varmit scope is a different matter. 50mm 6x18. But that is usally done with a very stable platform to shoot from. Most of the time sitting in the back of my truck leaning on the cab. The pdogs don't know what hit them. But Moose hit it on the head you have to compensate for Mirage at the longer ranges. It really is quite a sight; a little .17HMR with that big honken scope. I chuckle every time I look at it. __________________ Running is not a plan. Running is what you do when your plan fails.

03-19-2006, 05:14 PM	#8
pball942 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 256	I have someone to loan me a camera. So I need to go throught the archives and read on how to post the pics. Give me some time and I would love to. Like to show off my Mosin as well as some others. __________________ Running is not a plan. Running is what you do when your plan fails.

03-17-2006, 08:31 PM	#3
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	NEVER hunt whitetail deer in PA at ranges of 100yd or less with a scope cranked up to 9x. This is not a response from a knowledgeable person. This is a response for someone who did just that. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

03-17-2006, 11:32 PM	#4
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,785	i use variables, 3-9, 4-12X. i do not however recall ever having shot large game with the power set at more than 6 or 7X.

03-18-2006, 11:53 AM	#7
troy2000 Resident Armed Liberal Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 9,406 Images: 9	Pics, pball942, pics.

03-20-2006, 11:46 PM	#9
Joey l mur Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 334 Images: 1	Fixed I use only fixed scops. My 91/30 sniper is fixed magnification just the T post moves.:nod:

03-22-2006, 08:40 AM	#10
Sav .250 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central Fla. Posts: 175	Fixed power scopes are fine but the higher you go in power the less field of view you have (at distance) plus if you hunt early and late in the day the light factor is a problem. The ability for the scope to "gather" light is directly limited by the power of the scope. I have several "fixed" power scopes of various powers and they are fine but the advent of vari-powered scopes gives one the ability to select a power for the job and time of day. Low power for early and late and everything in between for the rest of the day. Just my opinion.

03-23-2006, 08:08 PM	#11
pball942 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 256	As far as light grabing ability I really like the Banner line by Bushnell. Of course the larger you objective the more light you can gather as well. __________________ Running is not a plan. Running is what you do when your plan fails.

04-02-2006, 06:12 AM	#12
SPEEDY Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NSW Australia Posts: 73	I use 2-7X36 Kahles scopes but I would like a 3-9X40 for a little more reach on smaler game.

04-29-2006, 05:01 PM	#13
bluesman1318 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11	Onb my dangerous gane rifes, a .375 H&H Whitworth mauser and a .458 WInchester magnum I use identicle scopes, both Redfield 3-9. Both are mounted in London Guns claw mounts and are mounted only when I am hunting plains game. I also have a second set of Redfield 23/4 - 4 scopes in the same mounts so that I can use these in the thick bush. Irons are the choice of the day for buffalo. It requires some practice but hitting a soccer ball four times FAST is light years ahead of hitting a golf ball three seconds too late! I use several higher magnification scopes, most notably a Burris 8-32 with a custom reticle on several of my high accuracy rifles. I have found that there is always time to crank up the power when needed for 500+ meter targets. For Pennsylvania deer hunting from a tree stand I use a 3-9, in the dense crud I stick with the 23/4 - 4 or 4.5 scopes on my .35 Whelen pump, Ruger #3 in .45-70, or my 1930 Mauser in .35 Whelen. I may rue this as we now have three or four point minimum legal rack size zones and it is bloody tough to see points at even 80 yards in the dense forest. I do carry a pair of 8x Zeiuss binos but when a deer is moving it is too time consuming to grab the binos, check the number of points, put the binos away, grab the rifle up, get the crosshairs on the boiler room and squeeze the trigger before the buck dies of old age or drifts off behind the cover that is everywhere in the forest. Heck, even making sure that a doe is a doe isn't easy. I have killed two button bucks by mistake - fortunately I had the doe tags that made them legal so the freezer got filled up but I would rather have had the scope that would have let me see that they had those buttons. I then could have let them go on their way in peace to grow bigger horns and added weight. I guess all this adds up to the old suggestion that all hunting is different and that what you use depends on where you hunt, what you hunt, and how well you shoot. Hoipe this helos a little.

05-07-2006, 04:19 PM	#15
wirehunt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Otago New Zealand Posts: 651	Bluesman have you tried a red dot scope on your short range rifles? I put one on my deer rifle this year because a lot of my shooting is short range and wet, it worked a treat! I beleive that their faster than open sights used with both eyes open and very user friendly. __________________ Happy Hunting

05-16-2006, 08:46 PM	#16
James B Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 14	I like a 2x7 or straight 6X about the best. The 2x7 if I could only have one. Thats whats on My DG rifle.