I would like to hear from folks out there who have had experience with fixed power scopes. How do they compare to variable power in terms of clarity? Draw backs? What brands/models do you like? I'm thinking about putting one on a 22 Hornet to shoot mostly prairie dogs. Should I use an 8X or more powerful? 12X? What do you think?
Fixed power scopes
- Thread starter Sniper66
- Start date
- Status
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Years ago I used Weaver K6, & K10's on my varment rifles because they were more accurate and more reliable then the variables of the day.
Today, I don't know what to tell you.
Not that many good fixed power scopes being made.
All the R&D money is going into very very good variables.
Was it me, I say get a good 4-12x or 3-9x variable for your .22 Hornet.
It will cover all the range your Hornet is capable of.
300 yards / 12x is only 25 yards away.
200 yards / 8x is 25 yards away.
100 yards / 4x is 25 yards away.
You can chuck rocks 25 yards!
rc
Today, I don't know what to tell you.
Not that many good fixed power scopes being made.
All the R&D money is going into very very good variables.
Was it me, I say get a good 4-12x or 3-9x variable for your .22 Hornet.
It will cover all the range your Hornet is capable of.
300 yards / 12x is only 25 yards away.
200 yards / 8x is 25 yards away.
100 yards / 4x is 25 yards away.
You can chuck rocks 25 yards!
rc
Last edited:
Shadow 7D
Member
I still like the fixed power, unless you NEED the magnification
they are simpler, tougher, and cheaper (usually)
Do you really need 32x for a 100m shot, and if you do zoom it all the way up, do you know where you are hitting.
they are simpler, tougher, and cheaper (usually)
Do you really need 32x for a 100m shot, and if you do zoom it all the way up, do you know where you are hitting.
There are less parts involved with a fixed power so many tout them as more reliable.
I have owned two older Redfield 6X scopes in the past and liked them except at that power they are over magnification for fast up close shots you would make walk hunting deer or hogs but since you are going to be using it for dirt dogs they should work fine.
Not sure of the range or ballistics of the Hornet so I cant comment on 8X vs 12x.
Although it would seem the 8X power would probably do pretty good.
I have owned two older Redfield 6X scopes in the past and liked them except at that power they are over magnification for fast up close shots you would make walk hunting deer or hogs but since you are going to be using it for dirt dogs they should work fine.
Not sure of the range or ballistics of the Hornet so I cant comment on 8X vs 12x.
Although it would seem the 8X power would probably do pretty good.
T Bran
Member
I have a fixed 3 power on a front stuffer and am amazed at the lite gathering on a cheap BSA scope. I would love to try a quality fixed 3 or 4 power on one of my center fires as ranges here seldom exceed 200yds.
T
T
DNS
Member
Half my scopes are fixed fours.
Simple and less can go wrong.
Lower cost too.
Simple and less can go wrong.
Lower cost too.
I've used fixed power scopes for years, still have a few and like them. I don't know if there is any advantage to them any more. Don't see where they cost any less for equal quality.
If you want one, better get it. There are fewer of them every year.
If you want one, better get it. There are fewer of them every year.
Gun Show Scopes
I have seen a few older fixed powers at gun shows, but since I don't know a lot about them, I don't know what to look for. I hear there are some really great ones. Visited with a vendor at the Tulsa show and asked him how to tell if they were rebuilt appropriately and he said with conviction, "because I rebuilt them myself." I believed him. I know I can buy great variables; I own several, but still plan to try a fixed...probably 8X on the new Hornet. Most of what I see are rebuilt Weavers, which I hear can be really good if you get a good one. I'll let you know what I end up with.
I have seen a few older fixed powers at gun shows, but since I don't know a lot about them, I don't know what to look for. I hear there are some really great ones. Visited with a vendor at the Tulsa show and asked him how to tell if they were rebuilt appropriately and he said with conviction, "because I rebuilt them myself." I believed him. I know I can buy great variables; I own several, but still plan to try a fixed...probably 8X on the new Hornet. Most of what I see are rebuilt Weavers, which I hear can be really good if you get a good one. I'll let you know what I end up with.
wleggart
Member
Leupold has a M series in fixed power. I have one on my .17 M2 and am very pleased with it for squirrels. I have a Swift 6X on a .308 deer rifle that is excellent for the money.
DM~
Member
Like many others, i use to use a lot of straight power scopes, then the variable power scopes got better and better. Today the better variable power scopes are so good, i have no use to buy a straight power scope.
I buy scopes to keep, and that means it may end up on different rifles, so a variable scope it is, cause it can do it all!
I don't mind buying a high quality scope, so why sell it? Why not buy something good in the first place and then KEEP it.
DM
I buy scopes to keep, and that means it may end up on different rifles, so a variable scope it is, cause it can do it all!
I don't mind buying a high quality scope, so why sell it? Why not buy something good in the first place and then KEEP it.
DM
X-Rap
Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2006
- Messages
- 6,657
If the price is I buy every straight power Leupold I can find and the Burris AO target scopes as well.
I have a couple 6x Leupolds on deer and antelope rifles and a 10x on a 220 swift. A couple of the Burris 10x on other varmint rifles.
The quality is very good on these older scopes IMO and 6x works fine for the game I hunt with those rifles.
The high power scopes are a bit specialized but prairie dogs at 100 or 500 show up fine with 10x and the fine cross hairs.
I have a couple low powered single bell Leupolds an 4x steel weavers that I like but make sure the weavers are clear because service with the back up of Leupold is non existent.
I have a couple 6x Leupolds on deer and antelope rifles and a 10x on a 220 swift. A couple of the Burris 10x on other varmint rifles.
The quality is very good on these older scopes IMO and 6x works fine for the game I hunt with those rifles.
The high power scopes are a bit specialized but prairie dogs at 100 or 500 show up fine with 10x and the fine cross hairs.
I have a couple low powered single bell Leupolds an 4x steel weavers that I like but make sure the weavers are clear because service with the back up of Leupold is non existent.
I use a fixed 6X Leupold on a .243, a fixed 6X Zeiss on a .223, and a 4X Burris on a .22 rimfire. All are over fifteen years old and no problems. Most of my variables have a top power of 6X. There are times I like less power and then a variable works. For almost all the open country shooting I do a 6X is plenty of magnification.
I cannot see any difference in the clarity, brightness, or contrast between the fixed and variables that I have. For your stated use I would probably go at least 8x, maybe 10x. I like the Leupold scope, its a good quality for the money. The drawbacks are simply not many are being made. Leupold still does and they fix them too.
I cannot see any difference in the clarity, brightness, or contrast between the fixed and variables that I have. For your stated use I would probably go at least 8x, maybe 10x. I like the Leupold scope, its a good quality for the money. The drawbacks are simply not many are being made. Leupold still does and they fix them too.
- Status
