fixed power scope

[sgtbpm]

Are fixed power scopes like a 4x32 to be more specific good to put on high power rifles?

[Zachary]

Kinda depends on what you mean by high power, and also what your hunting applications will be, as well as personal preference.

For smaller caliber varmint cartridges, a 4x power is, in my opinion, too low for long range shooting (200+ yards at small game).

If you use it for hunting for big game,  like deer, and shots will be within 100 yards or so, then 4x is fine, although some people, even under these circumstances, still like higher powered scopes.

The advantages of fixed power scopes is that they are, all else being equal, lighter and shorter, and have fewer lenses internally.  Other than that, the variable 3x-9x (or thereabouts) is ideal for most hunting applications, and with today's manufacturing are just as reliable.

Zachary

[Vern Humphrey]

Bigfoot Wallace, my elk rifle in .35 Brown-Whelen wears a Leupold M8 4X scope.  I also have a Ruger M77 (the old style) in .30-06 with an old all-steel Weaver K2.5.  I have no complaints with either scope.  I also have an all-steel Weaver 6X on my .22 Hornet.  In my opinion, that's a  tad too much power for offhand shooting, but fine for varmits from a rest or a solid sitting position.

I have see some scopes fail, and can't say the failure was due to the variable power -- but simpler is better when it comes to reliability.

Four power, in my humble opinion, is about as high a power as you can use in most hunting situations.  Yes, if you can see a feeding animal at 300 yards, and get a solid rest, then more power might help (if by turning up the power ring, you didn't change zero.)

But in the dark timber, with an elk crashing through the brush just fifty or a hundred yards away, you want a scope that you can pick up the target quickly.  And for off-hand shooting, even at a standing target, a 4X doesn't have all the wobble effect of say, a 6X.

[Lawdog]

As 'Zachary' stated;

although some people, even under these circumstances, still like higher powered scopes.

I too prefer the higher powered variables.  My favorite deer rifle is a old tang safety Ruger M77V in .25-06 and it wears a 6-24X 50mm scope.  No problem using one as with any scope it just takes practice.  Once you get so you can pick-up a running Jack Rabbit with it set at a higher power, getting on a deer is no problem.  Lawdog
 

[sgtt]

I think Vern Hunphrey is a wise man.  I have been gravitating back to the fixed power scopes.  The simpler the better.  I think the old Leupold 3X is about perfect.  But alas, it is no longer made.

[Greybeard]

Once upon a great long while ago we ALL used fixed power scopes or iron sights for hunting. Game was killed quite well in those days. So will it work today? You better betcha if you're a HUNTER. Now if you are instead a long range game plinker you'll definitely want more. But inside of 300 yards which is further than most hunters have any business shooting to begin with it's plenty.

I generally use varibles on my rifles as I like the higher magnification while working up loads on the range and like the lower powers and wider FOV while hunting. Most of my scopes have 1.5X, 1.75X, 2X or 3X as the lower end of the power range. I can set them at 3X which is what I normally do and have a wider FOV than a fixed 4X scope and still be able to use the higher magnifications for sighting in and load development on the range. I hardly ever crank one up prior to making a shot but if I do take a long shot I can if I chose. I just seem to never chose to.

[Redhawk1]

I have more variable scopes than fixed power. I almost always shoot on one setting. But I do like to turn it up if needed or I just want to pick out a spot to shoot. On my fixed power scopes, I picked a fixed power to my shooting. I have a Leupold 4X33mm on my Encore M/L that I use in heavy cover. If I am hunting on an open fields, I take my other Encore M/L with the Leupold 2X7X33mm. If I use a rifle I always like to have the option to turn it up for a long distance shot.  

[anthony passero]

A 4x scope will handle 90% of big game hunting situations grandly. Look on the lever site in these forums, they mostly use iron sites and seem to be bringing home the meat! I used a 270 with a 4x leopold quite a bit out west and never felt under scoped. A fixed power has fewer things inside to go wrong. They are more reliable. I use a 2.5x power on my 35 Whelen and am going to put a 4x or a 6x on my next rifle which will be some 7mm jobbie. But remember, most people like variables even though I think they are mostly a marketing ploy. Good luck and good shooting with whatever you decide.

                              Anthony

[Vern Humphrey]

I gotta go along with Anthony.  The main reason I have variables on many of my rifles is that fixed power scopes are getting harder and harder to find.

[anthony passero]

I love that your Whelen is named big foot Wallace!! Is one of your fast shooting jobbies named Bruce or Chuck? Anthony

[Vern Humphrey]

The only fast shooter I have is Sergeant Dophet -- my drill sergeant a long time ago.

[longwinters]

I started out with straight 4x.  But as I started to reload and shoot an awful lot more I found that I liked the variables much better a/c like GB said it is easier to shoot at the range with.  I never hunt with my scopes at more than 3x - 4x unless I am in Wyoming (antelope) and then I generally start at 4x and adjust up as need be.

Long

[sgtbpm]

how about a fixed 4x32 scope for a 45-70 Marlin?

[Big Tom]

I put a Weaver K-4 on my .356 Winnie Mod 94 and loved it. Shot a buck on the run right through the boiler room a few weeks ago. I'm hooked!

[De41mag]

I've always used fixed power scopes.
Just a matter of opinion, I guess.
I have more fixed power scopes on my rifles than variables. In fact, my Leupold Vari-X III, 2.5X8X36 is not even on a rifle right now. Sitting by the computer, gathering dust.
In my opinion a 4X or 6X is all the power a person needs for animals in the southeast.

Dennis