Fixed power scopes

[sbe2]

Has anyone on here run a fixed power scope as their primary scope on a hunting rifle? I am working up a Howa 1500 right now in 308 in a high tech specialties stock and so far it's looking good. I was going to put a 3-9 vx2 on it that I had laying around but was thinking of trying either a fixed 4x or 6x since in the woods the scope power doesn't get moved much anyway.

Looking at a leupold fixed power any thoughts?

 

[eyexer]

had a straight 4x once and wouldn't own another for my type of hunting. I'm sure there are certain hunts it would be alright but I'm not sure why one would want a fixed over a variable.

 

[SDMF]

I run a couple of Leopold fixed 6x42's on Kimber Montana's in 243Win and 7-08. One of the better shots I've ever made on a coyote was with the 7-08 @ 394yds trotting quartering away. No problem keeping either rifle on 12" tall by 20" wide steel plate out to 600.

 

[ISELLGUNS]

I used a $30 4x32 scope on my 7600 Rem. .243 pump for about 25 years. Took a lot of deer with it. A few at 300 yards. Only the last couple years that it wouldn't hold zero so now it goes on a 22 rimfire.

 

[Bed Wetter]

I've also been considering fixed power scopes. For decades the military stuck with fixed power scopes. You can get very high quality glass for a small fraction of the cost if it's fixed power. Also, because you don't have so many moving parts inside that tube you could damn near drop it out of an airplane without losing zero. Weight is also substantially reduced with a fixed power. The last 3 rifle tags I've filled have been at 4x.

There are a lot of long range enthusiasts out there who slap a $3-500 10x on their rifle and ring steel at 1000+ yds. Based on my vast (Internet) knowledge, I surmise that a proper reticle and shooting fundamentals makes a fixed power an excellent choice.

 

[257Bob]

I've been very happy with my 2 Leupold M8-4X compacts and an M8-6X for many years.

 

[svnmag]

I used a $30 4x32 scope on my 7600 Rem. .243 pump for about 25 years. Took a lot of deer with it. A few at 300 yards. Only the last couple years that it wouldn't hold zero so now it goes on a 22 rimfire.

Tried this once. Shi'ite on the .22 also.

 

[2400]

A lotta years back I had a Weaver 4X on one of my 270's. I used it for at least 20 years and killed a lot of game with it. I had a Weaver 6X on my 257 Ackley improved and loved it. But then variables weren't the best and most reliable then either.

I've got a Leupold 2 1/2X on my 45/70 and for me it's perfect. If I can't see what I'm shooting at then I don't need to shoot it.

I've got a couple of 22 LR's with Leupold 2 1/2X's on them too.