Switching back to Fixed Power Scopes

[Zeke Menuar]

As a result of the "Buffalo Classic Domino Principle".  The game of musical scopes ended at my prized M700 .270 Tupperware Special.  It sits left, lonely and neglected in the safe as most of the other rifles in the safe get new goodies.  

I bought the Tupperware Special in 1997.  It was a Remington package gun that came equipped with a 3x9x40 Trashco Scope.  I am positive the scope is seriously defective.  It holds zero inspite of being bashed on several stumps, doesn't fog up, it is bright and clear, traits not normally associated with Trashco scopes.  Generally it has been an excellent scope.  But, I am sure the "Murphy's Law Dept of Enforcement" was in the plant when the scope was made.  It is only a matter of time that the scope's lineage will rear its ugly head.  

I am considering trying a 4x40 Buckmaster or a decent 6x scope.  I am very impressed with the 4x40 Buckmaster on my BC.  I think it would do just fine on the Tupperware Special.  I rarely if ever crank the Trashco above 5x.  No real need even when plinkning at clay targets at 200yards+

How many of you fixed power scopes on your 270, 30-06's etc and what do you think?

Thanks
ZM

[Atomic Chicken]

Greetings!

How many of you fixed power scopes on your 270, 30-06's etc and what do you think?

I personally am an AVID fan of fixed power scopes.  I like the reliability, lower weight, fewer moving parts, brighter image, and not having another "thing" to adjust and mess with.  In my opinion, the simpler a weapon can be made, the better.

I have mounted a fixed power 10X mil-dot scope (Bushnell Elite 3200) to my Ruger M77 MKII .243 Win. all-weather rifle, and absolutely LOVE it.  I also have a Nikon 4X fixed rimfire scope on my Ruger 77-22 .22LR rifle, and while I have only shot the gun a few dozen times, the scope is holding up beautifully and maintaining it's zero perfectly.  In the past, I have owned dozens of rifles, but have only owned one variable power scope (a Leupold VXIII Tactical 3.5-10X Mil-Dot).  Through the entire life of that rifle/scope combination, I think I adjusted the scope power TWICE... once when I initially mounted the scope to test for zero at the two power extremes, and once when demonstrating the setup to a friend.  The rest of the time, (a period of almost 10 years until I sold that rifle 2 weeks ago), I kept the scope on 10X power and often wished that I had purchased a fixed 10X scope instead and saved the extra money.

I wish there was a wider selection of fixed-power scopes on the market, it seems that there is a bigger market for variable power despite the advantages that fixed power scopes offer.  I have been looking for a good 4X or 6X fixed scope with mil-dot reticle, so far without success.  Maybe someday the manufacturers will start offering more fixed power options, but unfortunately I think it is probably more likely that fewer and fewer fixed scopes will be offered in the future.

Fixed power scopes have these benefits, from what I can see:

Mechanically simpler - more rugged and reliable
Fewer optical elements - theoretically brighter
Lighter weight - not as many lens elements
Easier to waterproof - no "adjust knob" gaskets required
Less expensive to manufacture
Less expensive to design and prototype
Generally less expensive to buy
Easier to use all-around, what you see is ALWAYS what you WILL see in the future

Variable power scopes have the benefit of selecting the width of the field of view, but at the expense of all the above.

When it comes to some things in life, less really is more... and I personally believe that fixed power scopes fall into this category.

Best wishes,
Bawko

[Zeke Menuar]

I couldn't resist.  I was lured over to the darkside by free internet shipping.

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=2313

Should be an improvement on the Trashco.

ZM

[mparks]

I bought a used Rem 700 ADL .270 that was mounted with an old Weaver K4.  I don't know how old it is but the scope doesn't have click adjustments.  The combo has been great for the last 20 years that I've owned it.

[Zachary]

Greetings!

How many of you fixed power scopes on your 270, 30-06's etc and what do you think?

I personally am an AVID fan of fixed power scopes.  I like the reliability, lower weight, fewer moving parts, brighter image, and not having another "thing" to adjust and mess with.  In my opinion, the simpler a weapon can be made, the better.

I have mounted a fixed power 10X mil-dot scope (Bushnell Elite 3200) to my Ruger M77 MKII .243 Win. all-weather rifle, and absolutely LOVE it.  I also have a Nikon 4X fixed rimfire scope on my Ruger 77-22 .22LR rifle, and while I have only shot the gun a few dozen times, the scope is holding up beautifully and maintaining it's zero perfectly.  In the past, I have owned dozens of rifles, but have only owned one variable power scope (a Leupold VXIII Tactical 3.5-10X Mil-Dot).  Through the entire life of that rifle/scope combination, I think I adjusted the scope power TWICE... once when I initially mounted the scope to test for zero at the two power extremes, and once when demonstrating the setup to a friend.  The rest of the time, (a period of almost 10 years until I sold that rifle 2 weeks ago), I kept the scope on 10X power and often wished that I had purchased a fixed 10X scope instead and saved the extra money.

I wish there was a wider selection of fixed-power scopes on the market, it seems that there is a bigger market for variable power despite the advantages that fixed power scopes offer.  I have been looking for a good 4X or 6X fixed scope with mil-dot reticle, so far without success.  Maybe someday the manufacturers will start offering more fixed power options, but unfortunately I think it is probably more likely that fewer and fewer fixed scopes will be offered in the future.

Fixed power scopes have these benefits, from what I can see:

Mechanically simpler - more rugged and reliable
Fewer optical elements - theoretically brighter
Lighter weight - not as many lens elements
Easier to waterproof - no "adjust knob" gaskets required
Less expensive to manufacture
Less expensive to design and prototype
Generally less expensive to buy
Easier to use all-around, what you see is ALWAYS what you WILL see in the future

Variable power scopes have the benefit of selecting the width of the field of view, but at the expense of all the above.

When it comes to some things in life, less really is more... and I personally believe that fixed power scopes fall into this category.

Best wishes,
Bawko

Poor Atomic Chicken...all that information and pursuasion, and yet he bought a variable.  Oh well, for what it's worth, I agree with everything that you said Atomic. :wink:

Zachary

[coyote 2]

I personally am an AVID fan of fixed power scopes

I totally agree - although I have some nice scopes that have the variable power - I would switch all of them to a fixed power.. I am into the Weaver KT15. Very nice scope.

[Zeke Menuar]

I have a Nikon Buckmaster 4x40 on the BC and a ancient K4 on my M99 Savage.  The 6X in my price range that I could find locally was a Sightron.  I didn't care for the Sightron.  The next step is a Monarch which is out of my price range.  The Meuller is the best bang for the buck that I could find.

ZM

Atomic Chicken does have a way with words, doesn't he.