Author Topic: Question regarding riflescope reliability (Read 731 times)

Atomic Chicken · « **on:** May 30, 2004, 12:52:06 PM »

Greetings!

I have posted a topic in the Bolt Action forum about a new rifle I am going to be building next week - a smaller caliber rugged, reliable rifle for backwoods "thrasher" use. It is here:

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=34467&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

I have a scope related question regarding this thread, so I thought I'd post it here in the Optics forum. Here is my question:

Are fixed power scopes any more reliable and rugged than variable power scopes? I am thinking of putting a fixed power scope on my new rifle, with the idea that there would be no moving parts to fail and that it might be better for long term reliability than if I installed a variable power scope.

Any thoughts?

Best wishes,
Bawko

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2004, 02:22:39 PM »

Maybe this will help answer your questions.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/optical_sights.htm

Atomic Chicken · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2004, 04:46:29 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo

Maybe this will help answer your questions.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/optical_sights.htm

Thank you for the great link! On that page, I found this:

Quote

Fixed magnification scopes still have important advantages when compared to variable power models. In scopes of the same quality and maximum magnification, a fixed power scope is optically superior. It is also simpler in design and construction, and therefore more durable. The fixed power scope is easier to seal against water and dust. It is usually lighter and more compact than a variable power scope. And fixed power scopes are less expensive than equivalent quality variable power scopes. For all of these reasons a fixed power scope may be a better choice than a variable power scope, depending on the application.

I guess I am on the right track if I am after the best in rugged construction and reliability, and the weight savings theory I had is also verified to be true. However, from the rest of the article, it seems to indicate that the 10X scope I was thinking of purchasing for the .243 rifle I am going to build might be too high a power. I am now leaning more toward a 6X or maybe 8X scope, with mil-dot reticle if I can find one.

Does anyone know of a FIXED power 6X or 8X scope that includes a mil-dot reticle? I would be very grateful if someone could point me in the right direction for this!

Best wishes,
Bawko

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2004, 05:41:11 PM »

If you can't find the mil dot scope of your choice, you might check with premier reticle for a reticle change in a leupold. They might even be able to change the power to 8x. I checked a few places, they skipped from 6x to 10x. Good luck with your equipment search and on the hunt!

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0002446181

http://www.premierreticles.com/

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2004, 12:50:59 PM »

Variables used to get a rap for that reputation but the new ones are pretty darn bulletproof. I would take anything Chuck Hawks says with a grain of salt and he is not the ultimate authority. Invest in a nice low powered variable for Woods hunting and be done with it . Something along the lines of 1.5-6 or something like that.

Zachary · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2004, 06:58:23 PM »

Very true!

Nowadays, the Variable are just as strong and reliable, if not more, than the fixed versions.

The only advantage, ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL, is that fixed scopes generally have fewer lenses in the scopes, which means that the optics will be a bit brighter. Still, with today's super high quality optics, you probably won't notice a difference.

Zachary

Dave in WV · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2004, 03:26:06 PM »

Atomic Chicken, I agree with oldelkhunter and Zachary. The suggestion of a 1.5x6 or maybe better a 2x8 or 3x9 is a better choice overall than a fixed magnification scope. If you buy a quality scope the clarity will offset the higher magnification needed with a low end quality scope. A Leupold VX 2 or 3, Burris Signature, Nikon Monarch, Pentax Lightseeker, Bushnell Elite 4200 series, or Zeiss Conquest are of the quality I'm speaking of. Dave

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2004, 03:59:03 PM »

I'm afraid I have to agree with ya all, I've had a leupold compact 2-7x33 on my BLR for over 20 yrs and it has always done everything I've wanted it to. I seldom set it to 7x, most of the time it's on 2x or 4x at the most. The few times I needed 7x, I had plenty of time to make the change, having it set at 7x would have cost me a lot of game, so having a fixed 6x-8x power scope would have been a poor choice for my hunting experience.