Author Topic: Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER SCOPES?????  (Read 1216 times)

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Offline Steelhead

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Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER SCOPES?????
« on: January 07, 2005, 02:00:57 PM »
I am in the market for a new scope for my 6.5/06. I have been thinking about a 3-9x, since such a cartridge warrants such magnification. Then I did an inventory of rifles on hand.

2.5x Leupold, 2.5x Weaver, 3x Scopechief, 4x Scopechief, 4x Nikon, 4x Leupold, 1-3x Weaver, 1-4x Leupold, 2-5x Pentax and the 2 REAL BIG scopes 2-7x Leupolds.

I never realized what a low power nut I am. Perhaps a 1.75-6x or maybe (GASP) another 2-7x for the 6.5/06. You know I have ALWAYS WANTED A VXIII in 1.5-5x.  I would love to give a 4200 1.5-6x a try but the damn thing is half again as big as the Lupies in 2-7x. Maybe when I am younger again.

I have only shot a rifle 2 times with a scope that could crank past 7x and that went to 10x, seemed like WAY too much, even for targets.

Now if Leupold would make a 3x again.......................
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Offline sgtt

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Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2005, 07:41:55 PM »
There is something about that 3X Leupold.  I have two.  I do have a couple of high power scopes.......12X that I use for load development.
"Freedom, for some, is problematic.  It does not grant emancipation from responsibility."

Offline Dave in WV

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Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2005, 06:46:42 AM »
I would say buy what YOU like to anyone buying a scope. Me, I like lower power and more field of view. When I started using better quality scopes I was amazed how well I could see at 6x and couldn't at 10x on a lesser quality scope.
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means
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Offline JoeRobbins

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Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2005, 03:36:44 PM »
Hunting guns get 2-7 or 3-9s. Varmint guns get on up to 16 or 20 power. I like the 4-16s the most for varmints and the 3-9s for deer size.
Joe

Offline De41mag

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Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2005, 06:17:32 PM »
Steelhead;

You should not be so rough on yourself.
Sitting on my Rem. Model 7FS right now is a Leupold 4X32, and that is the most accurate rifle I own. Most of my scopes are of fixed power, and none are of greater power than 6X. And the variables I own are no greater than 9X. Sitting at the computer right now is a Leupold VariX-III in 2.5X8X36, not even mounted on a rifle.
I cannot tell you why but I seem to get better groups with a lower power scope. The best groups I got with the Rem. Model 7FS in 7mm-08 have been with a 4X scope.
So, I don't think your a slut for choosing a lower power scope for your useage. I think that all this great magnifaction for rifle scopes is just more money for the scope makers.
Heck... as I get older, I seem to favor iron sighted rifles sucn as my Marlins.

Dennis  :D

Offline Dand

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I like lower power
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2005, 11:11:22 PM »
I have a 1.5-5 Leup on my 300 win mag - its compact, gets through the brush easier and keeps me from making silly long shots.  And I can shoot .75 to 1 inch groups at 100 yds with it.  Have a Leup 3x on the 30-06, and a Weaver 2.5 on my Marlin 39A.  I like the looks of these scopes too - the don't overload the rifle.  Have a Weaver 2-7 on a Win 52 (Jap), and my big scope is a 6-18 Burris on my Ruger 1 in .223.  I feel that the big power on my .223 gave me false confidence to make a lousy shot on a fox at 350+ yards once.  Had to chase that poor wounded thing a half mile up a mountain before I could finish him.  Until recently I was happy with a 2.5x beeman on my .22 pellet rifle - but for hunting with pellets I'm headed up with a 2-7 Beeman and a 4-12 Swift.  Pellet placement is so critical for hunting and I need to see the exact spot I want to hit.  And for the pellet rifles, I'm finding with a lot of practice, small target spots and higher power, I can make some amazingly small groups - again with a lot of practice.
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Offline Kurt

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Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2005, 11:04:22 AM »
I have a 4x Leopold on my main deer/elk rifle now it's a 280rem. If I were to win or be given a new variable of any power or make, it would immediately go up for sale, NIB. I wish someone made a 1x (no power) scope about 2 inches long. I would consider it for the 94win in 44mag, that isn't in yet :(

Offline quickdtoo

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Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2005, 11:24:04 AM »
Quote from: Kurt
. I wish someone made a 1x (no power) scope about 2 inches long......


They do, they're called red dot scopes! Some have multiple reticles and most have no magnification. They're closer to 4" long, though...... :roll:
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline poncaguy

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scopes
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2005, 02:18:01 PM »
My next deer rifle scope will be a 6X and no more than a 4X12 on my 22-250, 223 and 204 Ruger varmit rifles :-)

Offline Rmouleart

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Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2005, 04:25:46 AM »
Fixed scope's are more reliable, less things to go wrong, like vari's. I have a few fixed, the one I like the most is for my 10/22 4x32,thats all you need when shooting a 22lr in a wooded area, works great, and if I can't see what I'm lok at through the scope, it too far too shoot;) I also have a fixed scope on my TC Black Diamond it is made bye TC its the Hawkings 2x32 fixed, at first I was not sure Id like it, now that I have used it in the field I like it allot. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

Offline Brasso

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Why does anyone even bother with LOW POWER
« Reply #10 on: March 28, 2005, 05:54:25 AM »
I've only killed one deer with my Nikon Monarch 1.5-6x42, but it was on the low setting 1.5x.      It gave great field of view.     There were 4 does in a line and I could see them all at the same time.     I picked the biggest one, which wouldn't be possible with a 9x setting.