Fixed 6X Riflescope obsession.
- Thread starter Savage99
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Mine was 30+ years ago. I was working for a gunsmith while finishing my degree, and a gentleman brought in a Interarms Mark X sporter in .22-250 with an older Western Field 6X scope. I was looking for my first project rifle, and hoping for a varmint caliber. The gentleman stated that the rifle wouldn't group and he was done trying to make it better. He wanted $125 for it. The gunsmith looked it over and told me I should buy it to learn on - we could always rebarrel it if needed. I offered the seller $100, and we settled at $110.
I took it to the range and found the previous owner was correct. Groups ran 4-5". Back to the shop for tools and supplies, then I spent an hour or so opening the barrel channel and bedding the action. Loctited the scope bases and torqued everything properly. Let it sit a couple days, then back to the range. It loved Federal 55gr factory loads ( anyone else remember Best Products?) and shot them under 3/4" at 100 yards off bags.
The gunsmith encouraged me to leave the 6X on it and learn to shoot the gun, so I did. I learned the ballastics of the .22-250, and held over as needed. I learned to estimate distance through that scope, and got pretty good with it. My longest paced-off shot was 527 yards on a ground squirrel - the crosshairs covered the target.
When that rifle was stolen from me, I replaced it with a Ruger M77V, topped with a fixed 6X. Still have it today.
I took it to the range and found the previous owner was correct. Groups ran 4-5". Back to the shop for tools and supplies, then I spent an hour or so opening the barrel channel and bedding the action. Loctited the scope bases and torqued everything properly. Let it sit a couple days, then back to the range. It loved Federal 55gr factory loads ( anyone else remember Best Products?) and shot them under 3/4" at 100 yards off bags.
The gunsmith encouraged me to leave the 6X on it and learn to shoot the gun, so I did. I learned the ballastics of the .22-250, and held over as needed. I learned to estimate distance through that scope, and got pretty good with it. My longest paced-off shot was 527 yards on a ground squirrel - the crosshairs covered the target.
When that rifle was stolen from me, I replaced it with a Ruger M77V, topped with a fixed 6X. Still have it today.
I have two fixed power scopes, a 4x ACOG and a Weaver K4. My other scope is a Leupold VX3 2.5-8
I understand the why. I just don't want one.
Lots of folks have more confidence in fixed power scopes. I understand, but Variable power scopes have been working quite well for a long time now and as long as a decent brand is chosen I've never had an issue.
The Leupold 6X42 gets a lot of praise as being a good compromise between light weight, light transmission, clear optics and plenty of magnification. Fair enough. And for folks who do most of their shooting in fairly open areas at ranges greater than 100 yards on a regular basis it is probably a good option.
My shooting is more varied with a lot of very close shooting in dark timber so I prefer the option of much less power. While not as common, 300-400 yard shots are also possible with the same rifle. With that in mind a 2-7X or 3-9X is my preference.
But for some people a fixed power scope is a good option.
Lots of folks have more confidence in fixed power scopes. I understand, but Variable power scopes have been working quite well for a long time now and as long as a decent brand is chosen I've never had an issue.
The Leupold 6X42 gets a lot of praise as being a good compromise between light weight, light transmission, clear optics and plenty of magnification. Fair enough. And for folks who do most of their shooting in fairly open areas at ranges greater than 100 yards on a regular basis it is probably a good option.
My shooting is more varied with a lot of very close shooting in dark timber so I prefer the option of much less power. While not as common, 300-400 yard shots are also possible with the same rifle. With that in mind a 2-7X or 3-9X is my preference.
But for some people a fixed power scope is a good option.
I like to have a scope that allows more flexibility in magnification. Modern variable power scope designs have come a long way. I see no need to limit my field shooting. Now if I'm at the range and only shoot a specified distance than sure I see the distinct advantage of a single powered eye glass.
I used to have fantasies about an M70, chambered in .25-06 Rem, with a Leupold (or other) 6X scope to be used on antelope. Then, my daughter enrolled in the university in pre-med. So, now "Dear Ol' Dad" is broke, and won't fulfill that fantasy for another 6 years. Some day...some day...actually, 2,190 more days. 
Geno
Geno
browningguy
Member
I have a fixed Weaver Grand Slam 4.75 on a Roger 77RSI in .308, and a fixed Seeadler 6 on a Sako 30-06 full stocked rifle. It's all they need, seem to fit the rifles well and you can get better glass for fewer dollars, so why not.
I also have variables from 1-4 to 8-32, horses for courses. My tired old eyesight is corrected with regular visits to the optometrist. I can afford pretty much anything I want.
I also have variables from 1-4 to 8-32, horses for courses. My tired old eyesight is corrected with regular visits to the optometrist. I can afford pretty much anything I want.
Gordon
Member
A 6x scope likes to be prone or rested but has a large enough field for running targets over say 100 yards. So for many field conditions in the Western US it works well for those 150-300 yard shots so common on non heavy forest game. And the fixed power scope are stronger than variables.
bainter1212
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I have a Weaver K4 on my favorite hunting gun and I appreciate the simplicity. Once it is sighted in I know any mistakes are mine and not the scope adjustment. I have other rifles with variable scopes but I can always rely on that K4 to hold zero.
My Burris 6 X Target AO scope is mounted on a Ruger 10-22 T rifle. The field of view is large for running jack rabbits and for me the 6 X power gives me the detail needed for head shots on prairie dog pups to 80 yards. My first scope was a Weaver J 4 X mounted on a Rem slid action 22 RF rifle back in 1950 and in 1953 had a Weaver K 4 X mounted on a Winchester Mdl 70 270. When Redfeild first came out with 3-9 X scope back in the early sixetys I mounted it on the 270 rifle. Since then most all of my center fire rifles have varie power scopes on them. But for the big game I have shot a 6 X scope would have worked as well. Now I like the 6-18 x AO Leupold scope on my center fire prairie dogs rifles. Most of the time they are set at 18 X..
Bullet Bob
Member
I'll tell you why I like fixed 6x if you'll enlighten me as to why so many people like 6x100x with 60mm bells and more internal doodads than DOS (proves I'm old, doesn't it?).
X-Rap
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- Sep 23, 2006
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- 6,657
I hunted for years with 4x Weavers as my primary scope. This was probably back when the variables had a bad reputation. (some of it being deserved)
I came upon the 6x Leupold and it was love at first site, very robust quality scopes for the money and excellent for most Pronghorn or Mule Deer applications.
Even today I won't pass up a quality fixed power 6 or 10x Leupold if the price is right and have a number of them mounted although I have succumbed to the variables as well.
I came upon the 6x Leupold and it was love at first site, very robust quality scopes for the money and excellent for most Pronghorn or Mule Deer applications.
Even today I won't pass up a quality fixed power 6 or 10x Leupold if the price is right and have a number of them mounted although I have succumbed to the variables as well.
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