Post by: AWS on December 09, 2015, 07:57:24 PM
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' "
Post by: kukusya on December 09, 2015, 08:21:18 PM
Post by: Eric M on December 09, 2015, 08:24:15 PM
Post by: syoungs on December 09, 2015, 08:33:40 PM
Post by: Piscatory_5 on December 10, 2015, 07:59:52 PM
Post by: jackelope on December 10, 2015, 08:40:51 PM
Post by: Bob33 on December 10, 2015, 08:54:07 PM
"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
Post by: TheSkyBuster on December 10, 2015, 08:55:47 PM
One word answer: Simplicity :tup:
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 10, 2015, 09:02:31 PM
Post by: Skillet on December 10, 2015, 09:05:15 PM
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.
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on December 10, 2015, 09:13:57 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on December 11, 2015, 07:31:57 AM
Post by: JDHasty on December 11, 2015, 04:08:36 PM
That is a good enough reason for me.
Post by: AWS on December 11, 2015, 07:20:42 PM
Weaver V-3 25-204 100gr NBT at 70 yards
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FPICT0015.jpg&hash=f01ec0d9dffa140b5f2e300ccb65ec1327e70ceb) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/PICT0015.jpg.html)
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.
Post by: JDHasty on December 11, 2015, 08:09:23 PM
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
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FPICT0015.jpg&hash=f01ec0d9dffa140b5f2e300ccb65ec1327e70ceb) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/PICT0015.jpg.html)
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.
Post by: Bango skank on March 09, 2016, 06:53:55 PM
I have a 4x SWFA on my Grendel, it shoots well.
Im seeing 6x listed on their website, but no 4x. :dunno:
Im looking for a quality fixed 4x scope. So far cant find one with nightforce zeiss swarovski or vortex. Still looking around.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on March 09, 2016, 06:58:08 PM
I have a 4x SWFA on my Grendel, it shoots well.
Im seeing 6x listed on their website, but no 4x. :dunno:
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 !! :chuckle:
Post by: j_h_nimrod on March 09, 2016, 07:26:12 PM
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.
Post by: Bango skank on March 09, 2016, 07:33:59 PM
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
Post by: j_h_nimrod on March 09, 2016, 07:44:54 PM
Post by: Bango skank on March 09, 2016, 07:48:54 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on March 09, 2016, 08:04:19 PM
I have a 10x42 SWFA on my Grendel, it shoots well.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on March 09, 2016, 08:05:40 PM
I have a 4x SWFA on my Grendel, it shoots well.
Im seeing 6x listed on their website, but no 4x. :dunno:
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.
Post by: 2labs on March 09, 2016, 08:08:49 PM
Post by: slm9s on March 09, 2016, 08:11:45 PM
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/966987/valdada-ior-hunting-rifle-scope-4x-32mm-7a-reticle-matte
Post by: Alpine Mojo on March 09, 2016, 08:13:43 PM
Post by: slm9s on March 09, 2016, 08:14:50 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on March 09, 2016, 08:18:16 PM
Post by: JDHasty on March 09, 2016, 08:42:31 PM
I'll own another some day.
Post by: jayrod9528 on March 10, 2016, 05:26:29 PM
Post by: predatorpro on March 10, 2016, 05:49:26 PM
Post by: timberfaller on March 28, 2016, 08:17:15 PM
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.
Post by: Taco280AI on March 31, 2016, 02:07:13 AM
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.
Post by: Gringo31 on March 31, 2016, 08:50:20 AM
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.. :chuckle:
Post by: NWShooter on April 07, 2016, 09:00:08 PM
Post by: AWS on April 08, 2016, 08:58:38 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2Fcoyote%2520with%2520driling_zpsay4xpbfm.jpg&hash=0a9a18a06db31e1e506cce4b2d809afd4d4f6d9b) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/coyote%20with%20driling_zpsay4xpbfm.jpg.html)
And they are more than accurate enough. Target shot with rifle above.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2F65x58rangeday002_zps0d50a89e.jpg&hash=6bdb16f2ca790b56d5ca408331b31a37d21c579a) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/65x58rangeday002_zps0d50a89e.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2F003_zpsxsb3jlvb.jpg&hash=9c14b838832d8de0d47c212e6bc930350b5fc20e) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/003_zpsxsb3jlvb.jpg.html)
Shot with the above rifle.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2F.6x52R%2520001_zpsijw1lif2.jpg&hash=d71eaf106584bb5d80db72a95d0a27a937ea1a39) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/.6x52R%20001_zpsijw1lif2.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FAz%2520and%2520NM%25202013%2520012_zpsyne4wcvh.jpg&hash=fc3827c48edaf30b16698cf379a979519023b418) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/Az%20and%20NM%202013%20012_zpsyne4wcvh.jpg.html)
Post by: birddogdad on April 08, 2016, 09:27:27 AM
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.
:yeah: another example toward "why" , for my father, he cant see well enough thru open sights, pretty much a low power 4x requirement for him.
Post by: Henrydog on April 08, 2016, 09:31:21 AM