Why do 4x and 6x scopes still exist?

[AWS]

While I still use a couple of fixed powers Weaver K-1.5's for still hunting anything larger than a 2.5  IMO just doesn't belong on a hunting rifle.

I will say that most of my big game hunting was done in the forests of northern WI and MN and started using scopes in the 1960's. Now I just hunt predators and have been hunting in at least four states a year for a while now.  Why limit yourself to the small FOV of a 6x or 4x when you can have the best of both worlds with 1-4, 1-6  1.5-5, 1.5-6, 2-7 and 2.5-10's.

A fixed 6x has a FOV of only 17' at 100 yards, get a hard charging coyote coming into the call at 10 yard and you can't even get the whole coyote in the scope let alone try and put the crosshairs on him jinking through the sage.  Run a 1-6 and you have a 108' FOV at 100 yards and and you could get 3 coyotes in the scope at 10 yards plus I've picked up a second coyote on the edge of the image that I wouldn't have seen with a narrow FOV and am able to spot openings for a shot without having to take the scope off of moving coyotes.  If one hangs up out there a ways I have everything a fixed 6 has.  I works just as well when tacking or still hunting deer, having bedded deer break cover within a few yards of me and only have a few yards for the shot before they disappear in the brush again.  I still have the option of cranking it up to 6x if I spot one on the far side of the valley.
 
I've been using scopes on my rifles since the mid 1960's and they have become so reliable that the fixed scope is "more reliable" is down the tube , even most of the big guns(338-378, 338-406 etc.) are running variables.

6x Leupold  17' FOV at 100yards

4x Leupold   24'       "

1.5-6 Leupold  51'-19'   FOV at 100 yads

1.5-5 Leupold  66'-29'            "

1-4   Leupold    75'-30'            "

2-7  Leupold       44'-17'            "

1-6 Alpen   108'-30'                 "

[kukusya]

I still use it x4 but nothing larger, relatives in Germany using x6 and x8 for drive hunts. With fix power scopes you get better quality glass for price, if you look at x4 have 4 to 6 lenses vs 1-4 have 7 to 10 lenses at average. Fix power scopes less weight and poi did not change vs SFP scopes.

[Eric M]

Your question asks why they exist, but you only discussed your hunting needs. I'd venture to say they're used a lot for target shooting still. Shoot a rimfire with a fixed 12X and you'll be hooked. The ACOG on my M4 in the military is also a fixed 4X. I think ACOG makes them from fixed 1.5 to a fixed 6X with Trijicon sights. Having said all that, I don't think I'd want a fixed power scope on a hunting rifle generally, but for quick shots the 4X still works for me, at least in a military application.

[syoungs]

I imagine the most simple answer, is people still buy them. Supply and demand, of someone didn't buy it, they won't make it

[Piscatory_5]

Ironically, I have all variable scopes but use them all in 5 or 6 power all the time. Only change them when sighting in or target shooting. But that just me. Guy I work with always wants to shoot his 3x9 at 9x.

[jackelope]

Check out Taco280ai's recent posts in his rbros rifle thread. Doing work with a 6x.

[Bob33]

www.rifleshootermag.com/optics/optics_rs_0108_10/

"I’ve long favored fixed-power scopes, for several reasons. They’re lighter and more compact than variables, less complicated and less costly. They’re optically superior (less glass and no erector movement) and can be mounted farther forward on the rifle. Another reason is that, in 40 years of hunting, I’ve never shot an animal that couldn’t have been taken with a 4X scope. Its popularity, and that of the 2.5X, during the formative stages of the scope industry is not surprising. Hunters killed game with both."

Read more: http://www.rifleshootermag.com/optics/optics_rs_0108_10/#ixzz3tz7brrbn

[TheSkyBuster]

One word answer:   Simplicity    

[BOWHUNTER45]

Aim small ---hit small ...I would rather use a lower power scope than say a 12 power scope ..Even at longer ranges !

[Skillet]

Yeah, I don't know why they exist anymore either. We all know that none of the hundreds of thousands (probably millions?) of deer killed with a .270 or 30-06 bolt action with a 4x Weaver or Leupold on it couldn't possibly be killed with that setup in today's woods. 

I inherited my grandfather's 1957 Model 70 FWT in 30-06 with a 4x Leupold on it. That thing has got more notches than Charlie Sheen's bedpost. Still works just fine.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Wayne Van Zwoll still loves them.  I almost never change my scope from 5 power, I would not hesitate to put a quality fixed scope on a good working rifle

[CAMPMEAT]

I have a 4x SWFA on my Grendel, it shoots well.

[JDHasty]

Leupold 6x42 FX3

That is a good enough reason for me. 

[AWS]

I've killed a couple of truck loads of deer with my old K-4 and K-3 but once I started using my first Weaver V-4.5 you could never get me back in a 4x, even a 3-9 on 3x makes me feel closed in.   I lived where we could take up to six deer a year  living a subsistence lifestyle at the time, venison, rabbits, raccoon and beaver were our daily staple.   I like my game close, the closer the bigger the rush and a much surer kill.  Sniping them at long range is pretty boring, been there and tried it, not much different than going out in the pasture and killing a steer.  Spending the day on a track learning a deer and then out thinking him for a shot or still hunting slowly through the forest, relying on stealth and ability to spot a deer before he sees you to the kill, that's satisfying.  Sitting in a stand and killing one over a pile of apples, grazing in an alfalfa field  or ambushing one on the other side of a valley, no thanks.   Shooting in a rifle match is more of a rush at least you can lose to someone that is a better shot that day, hunting at longer range or from a stand you only lose if you make crappy shot and you sure don't want to admit that..  Having a critter outsmart you after spending time on a track or still hunting is worth a story back in camp.

Weaver V-3 25-204 100gr NBT at 70 yards


 

 My target scopes used to be fixed powers, 10x, 12x, 15x and 24x they are all gone in favor o 6-18x, 6.5-20 and 8-32x and have never wished one of the fixed ones back.

[JDHasty]

I've killed a couple of truck loads of deer with my old K-4 and K-3 but once I started using my first Weaver V-4.5 you could never get me back in a 4x, even a 3-9 on 3x makes me feel closed in.   I lived where we could take up to six deer a year  living a subsistence lifestyle at the time, venison, rabbits, raccoon and beaver were our daily staple.   I like my game close, the closer the bigger the rush and a much surer kill.  Sniping them at long range is pretty boring, been there and tried it, not much different than going out in the pasture and killing a steer.  Spending the day on a track learning a deer and then out thinking him for a shot or still hunting slowly through the forest, relying on stealth and ability to spot a deer before he sees you to the kill, that's satisfying.  Sitting in a stand and killing one over a pile of apples, grazing in an alfalfa field  or ambushing one on the other side of a valley, no thanks.   Shooting in a rifle match is more of a rush at least you can lose to someone that is a better shot that day, hunting at longer range or from a stand you only lose if you make crappy shot and you sure don't want to admit that..  Having a critter outsmart you after spending time on a track or still hunting is worth a story back in camp.

Weaver V-3 25-204 100gr NBT at 70 yards


 

 My target scopes used to be fixed powers, 10x, 12x, 15x and 24x they are all gone in favor o 6-18x, 6.5-20 and 8-32x and have never wished one of the fixed ones back.

That is the way with my varmint scopes.  I want to be able to dial it down and find a target and then turn it up.  But even though I hunt big game with a 3-9 Burris Signature - I could be content with a 6x42 VX-3. 
I had one once and gave it away and often think I should get another one.  I don't think the one I had was a VX-3, the VX-3 would just be that much better.   But that Burris works well enough and if I am going to spend money it is going to be on something I think will be an improvement over what I have currently.   

[Bango skank]

I have a 4x SWFA on my Grendel, it shoots well.

Im seeing 6x listed on their website, but no 4x. 

Im looking for a quality fixed 4x scope.  So far cant find one with nightforce zeiss swarovski or vortex.  Still looking around.

[CAMPMEAT]

I have a 4x SWFA on my Grendel, it shoots well.

Im seeing 6x listed on their website, but no 4x. 

Im looking for a quality fixed 4x scope.  So far cant find one with nightforce zeiss or vortex.  Still looking around.

Mine is a 10x42, I was just guessing off the top of my noggin'....dah !!

[j_h_nimrod]

Leupold still offers a 6x42mm scope last I knew.

Old thread but interesting to see an opinion contrary to current trends where people think they can't hit a deer at 100yds without at least a 10x scope. People seem to think magnification makes up for skill. I believe Carlos Hathcock made his mile long shot using an 8x Unertl.

[Bango skank]

Leupold still offers a 6x42mm scope last I knew.

Old thread but interesting to see an opinion contrary to current trends where people think they can't hit a deer at 100yds without at least a 10x scope. People seem to think magnification makes up for skill. I believe Carlos Hathcock made his mile long shot using an 8x Unertl.

So who offers a high quality 4x?  I still cant figure it out.  I want one for part of a night hunting rig im working on.  Light transmission and fov are of utmost importance here

[j_h_nimrod]

Leupold offers a 4x33mm as well. Not my first choice for a low light scope, I would trend toward a lower magnification since I could never see far enough to need a higher mag scope. A 1x is more than adequate past 100yds.

[Bango skank]

Most of my hunting is up close, but im looking to make 300 yard shots in the dark doable if the situation arises.  Ive been spending some money on this.  I dont think that 1x is good enough for 300 yards, not for me at least.  Im sure it is for some others, but im not setting this up for the other guys.  I want a 4x with good glass.

[CAMPMEAT]

I have a 10x42 SWFA on my Grendel, it shoots well.

[CAMPMEAT]

I have a 4x SWFA on my Grendel, it shoots well.

Im seeing 6x listed on their website, but no 4x. 

Im looking for a quality fixed 4x scope.  So far cant find one with nightforce zeiss swarovski or vortex.  Still looking around.

I was guessing, but guessed wrong, sorry.

[2labs]

Old 700, I regret taking the 4x fixed power off of it! The last and only Rem ill. Own! Garbage , and they earned it,

[slm9s]

IOR scopes have great glass
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/966987/valdada-ior-hunting-rifle-scope-4x-32mm-7a-reticle-matte

[Alpine Mojo]

Variable power scopes are aid.

[slm9s]

And if you want the BEST, not too long ago schmidt and bender made a 4x.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

They exist because the work and work well. Same as Iron sights.

[JDHasty]

I have had a couple 6x42 Leupolds.  The latest was a FX3 and the earlier I don't remember.  Both were gifted, not because I was not totally thrilled w/them, but because I wanted to give something really great to someone who appreciated it.  Both were on a Mod 52C sporting rifle when I had them and both were given to friends who had used that rifle in the field for a day. 

I'll own another some day. 

[jayrod9528]

I use a 6.5x20 on my predator rifle and have shot coyotes from 10 yards to 350. It's never been an issue and I kill plenty of yotes every year. I could see if you were in thick stuff, but the stuff I hunt and my stands are mostly open country calling them out of the thick stuff. To each their own.

[predatorpro]

Everyone of my rifles is a 3x9...I use 9x more than I do 3x by far...but I rarely shoot under 100 yards but I've killed a pile of dogs 20 feet away no problem on 3x...

[timberfaller]

Got rid of all my variables when I started having bolt issues with the bigger power ring adjusters!

Only have fixed power on everything now,  mostly 6x but did find a nice 8x.

So to answer "Why", because some of us still like and prefer them.

[Taco280AI]

It's easy, simple, reliable, less parts to break, less to go wrong, and it works. FX3 6x42 with an added CDS (standard dial and not load specific).

I ended up going that way because most of the time I hunted I kept my scope on 5x-6x anyway. My closest was 20ish, longest 430, average shot was around 173 yards I figured a while back, don't need anything really low or really high.

It isn't ideal, but will work up close. Isn't ideal at long distances, but I easily pop rocks in the 400-500 range and all the way out to 589 so far. From 200-400 has been too easy. I do wish for more X at the range, but when I'm averaging sub .4" groups at 100 with my best of .189"... I guess I do just fine and anything else is just for bragging and not hunting.

Why do they still exist? Because they work and people still buy them.

I like to keep it simple. For big game hunting I use one rifle, RBros  280AI. I use one load, 55.5 IMR4350 145 LRX.  I use one mag on the scope, 6x.

[Gringo31]

I archery hunt (in this state anyway).... but my favorite scope is a VX3 4.5x14x50.

I shoot a fair amount of coyotes and usually have it on 7-8 power.

I find it an odd stance that people don't see the use for them.  For no other reason, when I am at the range, I can see the bullet holes without having to walk up and see for myself.  Call me lazy or cheap..

[NWShooter]

Hard charging coyotes get the shotgun 0x front bead.

[AWS]

Yup, hard to beat a shotgun for close in coyotes.  Hang a rifle barrel under the shotgun barrels and add a 1-4x20 scope and you have the best of both worlds.  Set it on 1x shoot with both eyes open and you can even take birds on the wing, crank it up to 4x and coyotes across the pasture or clear cut are in mortal danger.



And they are more than accurate enough.  Target shot with rifle above.





Shot with the above rifle.

[birddogdad]

Your question asks why they exist, but you only discussed your hunting needs. I'd venture to say they're used a lot for target shooting still. Shoot a rimfire with a fixed 12X and you'll be hooked. The ACOG on my M4 in the military is also a fixed 4X. I think ACOG makes them from fixed 1.5 to a fixed 6X with Trijicon sights. Having said all that, I don't think I'd want a fixed power scope on a hunting rifle generally, but for quick shots the 4X still works for me, at least in a military application.

  another example toward "why" , for my father, he cant see well enough thru open sights, pretty much a low power 4x requirement for him.

[Henrydog]

Weaver k4 on my M70 and I have never had any problems getting lead to go where it need to go.