Fixed 4x scope options

[high country]

I am looking at putting a better scope on a .30-30 handi rifle. I currently have a 2.5x barska on there.

As I get that rifle dialed in, it has become my go-to general purpose rifle for a lot of reasons. The Barska, although compact, is only 2.5x and leaves me wanting for just a little more magnification. Also, because I have grown to like the rifle so much, I want something nicer than a barska on there...

Because of the way I have it mounted, with the ocular bell ahead of the hammer, the scope needs to have about 4 inches of eye relief. I can just fit a 2-7x crossfire on, but it has to be all the way forward, and leaves less clearance than I would like for the hammer (also, it looks weird on there, which shouldn't really matter, but it sort of does).

In looking around, the obvious choice is a leupold 4x28, but it is pricier than I would like at ~$300. I also thought about an old weaver K4, which would look really nice but I am thinking the eye relief will be shorter than I need.

I thought I would throw it out and see if anyone had any other suggestions that I should look into.

 

[jmr40]

IMO 4X is more magnification than needed on a 30-30. And there are very few options for fixed 4X scopes anymore. I think Leupold makes one. I'd put a 1.5-4X2 VX-Freedom on it.

Eye relief is 4+" and it only weighs 9.6 oz. You'll probably never use it above 1.5X after you zero it.

Buy Leupold 1.5-4x20 VX-Freedom Riflescopes at SWFA.com - SWFA Outdoors

 

[Robert]

Weaver K4? I have an old K4 on my 45-70 that works like a charm.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Have you considered a dot optic?

 

[high country]

Thanks for the suggestions. I know this is a very specific niche application I am trying to fill, and there may just not be a perfect choice.

IMO 4X is more magnification than needed on a 30-30. And there are very few options for fixed 4X scopes anymore. I think Leupold makes one. I'd put a 1.5-4X2 VX-Freedom on it.

Since this is a single shot break action, I load some spire points for it (basically Elmer Fudd's 300BLK). The range with those is comfortably 200 yards. For my eyes, I tend to find that 1x per 50 yards works well with enough magnification to deal with low contrast targets but not so much that I can't hold it steady. So, for 200 yards 4x works nicely for me.

When I bought the rifle it had an older cheap 4x on it that I liked power wise. But, it has low eye relief so it has to hang out over the hammer to work. I prefer to put the scope further forward because it makes access to the hammer much better eliminating the need for a hammer extension. Mounting further back also makes the barrel assembly longer so it doesn't fit in my 24" Skinner breakdown case as well.

The challenge with adjustable scopes like the 1.5-4x VX-Freedom is the length of the power adjuster and ocular bell. Ideally, I need something that is 5" or less from the front of the elevation/windage adjustments to the back of the scope. The vortex crossfire 2-7x I sat on there yesterday is about 5.75" for that measurement. It fit, but barely, I would like to have a little more clearance. Leupolds seem to have very long adjuster/ocular bells. I am using an acme machine rail and rings. I might need to get more creative with mounting solutions, but I would prefer not to drill more holes for mounting and it is already cantilevered out fairly far.

Weaver K4? I have an old K4 on my 45-70 that works like a charm.

A weaver K4 would be great, but the eye relief is a bit short. I was looking at a Unertl 4x hawk too, which seems to have better eye relief but the windage/elevation adjusters are really far forward which would force mounting it further back even though the eye relief was available. I love older things, but scope technology has come a long way and I tend towards using more modern tech for optics. That said, I am not against the idea of an older scope if there was one that fit the bill.

Have you considered a dot optic?

As nice as that would be for quick acquisition, and it would definitely fit, I would really like to have magnification for this rifle.

I may just have to pony up for the Leupold, although it looks like the one currently offered is a rimfire scope with a 60 yard parallax. Anyone know if there is there a model with a longer parallax setting for centerfire? It may not matter, I don't have any experience using a rimfire scope for centerfire at 2-3 times the parallax setting.

Barska also makes a 4x scope with good eye relief that would fit fine I am sure. I can't find a parallax spec for that one so it may be shorter too, and I would prefer something nicer than that for this particular rifle. The barksa 2.5x I have on there is fine, decently clear and bright, and seems to hold zero well, but it just feels a little chintzy on an older steel and wood rifle (just my subjective opinion, obviously the aesthetics are a "want" rather than a "need").

Again, thanks for the suggestions, all of those are definitely contenders. I am going to keep digging to see if I happen across the perfect answer (cheaper than the Leupold, with the right power, dimensions, eye relief, and aesthetic... probably a fool's errand).

 

[LoonWulf]

Leopold M8, Newer weaver 3 or 4X fixed, Nikon 3 or 4X fixed.
There's actually quite a few options that I think would fit what you're looking for but the Leopold's and the weavers are without probably purchase.

Another option might be the Burris short mags or compact scopes that you're basically the same thing just name differently.

 

[.38 Special]

In looking around, the obvious choice is a leupold 4x28, but it is pricier than I would like at ~$300.

I regretted buying the Leupold for a week or two. Then the pain of the cost faded. That was 25 years ago. The scope is still a favorite and I'm glad I didn't try to save a few bucks.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Rarely will paying more for a good optic not end up being a good decision in the long run.

 

[high country]

Leopold M8, Newer weaver 3 or 4X fixed, Nikon 3 or 4X fixed.
There's actually quite a few options that I think would fit what you're looking for but the Leopold's and the weavers are without probably purchase.

Another option might be the Burris short mags or compact scopes that you're basically the same thing just name differently.

I am likely missing something, but most of the fixed 4x options seem to be either rimfire/shotgun scopes with fixed parallax at 50-60 yards (like the FX-Freedom 4x), or have eye relief that is likely to be a little too short (like the Weaver K4 at 3.3"). If I am missing some models from either of those manufacturers, let me know, it has been known to happen...

I am leaning in the direction of tracking down a nice Leupold M8 or FX-II. As several of you point out, even if it is a little more than I planned to spend and will likely be darn near the amount I have in the rifle itself, that will fade quickly and it is something that will probably serve well for decades to come. I really like this rifle, and will probably never sell it.

It looks like there is an older style M8 4x28mm and a newer M8 4x33mm that then became the FX-II 4x33mm. The 4x33mm version looks like has around 4" of eye relief, and would likely fit. If anyone has the dimensions of the mounting areas (specifically the front of the adjustment block to the back of the scope) that would be great. Has anyone used one of the older 4x28mm units? A nice vintage Leupold would look amazing on this rifle, and it looks like I could find a decent example for a slightly more reasonable price with a little legwork. I know they are a little longer, but I would be curious to know the eye relief and dimensions on those too if someone has one.

 

[CapnMac]

Ok, I have to admit my first thought was a 4x ACOG, which would meet the requirements, other than being a thousand dollar glass on a .30-30 break-action.
So, I have no good answer for this.

 

[high country]

Did a bit of looking around at the available offerings from Leupold in 4x, and am definitely leaning that way.

Looks like there were two M8 4x28mm versions, the long tube one and a compact one. The long tube one changed to 4x33mm at some point, and got a little shorter. That version ultimately became the FX-ii 4x33mm before it was discontinued. The compact model ultimately became the 4x28mm rimfire scope that is still offered.

The parallax setting can be changed by sending it to Leupold and paying some nominal fee, or even fairly easily by the owner if one has the inclination, so a new FX-i rimfire model may be my best option. If I could find one of those in gloss finish, that would probably be about as close to a perfect scope for this rifle as I will find. They discontinued the gloss finish some time ago, but it seems like they are still out there if you look hard.

The 4x33mm versions, both M8 and FX-ii, are a bit harder to come by and seem to be more in the $400 range, they are also a bit longer so would be a tighter squeeze between the front scope ring and the hammer. The older 4x28mm model in gloss finish would look great on my old rifle, but are even longer so may not fit at all in the space I have.

Anyway, thanks again all for the input, it was very helpful. Plus I learned a lot about vintage Weaver, Unertl, and Leupold scopes. Now to track down a decent deal on a gloss black FX-i 4x28mm...

 

[DustyGmt]

You talking about a break 30-30 like this? Thanks for posting, I too have been wanting to scope my 30-30 HR. Never got around to it but now I've got some food for thought....