Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 6x36 vs 6x42 Leupold.

I've currently got 3 6x36's on hand. You might say I like that particular scope.

Anyway, over the years I've occasionally and informally compared the 6x36 and 6x42, but only in various stores, which really isn't exactly a critical comparison.

So, about a month ago I got a good deal on a 6x42 VX3. I bought it to see if the hype here on the campfire about this scope had any merit.

I compared the two over several days in a variety of lighting, evening, morning, nearly dark, bright sunlight, on a variety of objects, animals to lettering.

What I found is my nearly 56 year old eyes can discern NO difference between the two. I doubt the larger exit pupil of the 6x42 has any meaning for my eyes. The 6mm exit pupil of the 6x36 is probably all my eyes can realistically use. Of course I couldn't see the difference in my 40's either. I find the much vaunted "eye box" superiority of the 6x42 to be non-existent for my eyes as well.

So really, at least if you're over 50, unless you just want a heavier, larger, more expensive scope, I'd steer clear of the 6x42.

My .02

6x36:



6x42:

I have several of each. Considering my non-expert status and using my eyes as the only guide, no difference.

I would expect one to only notice a difference on a dark night. And then only if one's eyes can see anything under such conditions. I found this valuable very early one morning on an elk hunt. Prevented me from spooking a herd of cows and two spike bulls.
I like the additon of the super hard lense coatings and the up graded dials on the 6X42. Last I heard, these were not standard on the 6X36. E

Thank you sir! I notice my 49 YO eyes ain't what they were ten years ago. Guess I will stick with my 6X36 scopes.

Most of us over 50 don't have pupils that will dilate much beyond 5mm, let alone the 6mm of the 6x36, so there's no actual way the 6x42mm's 7mm exit pupil could in any way be of an aid. None. To be a scope that makes any kind of sense for most of us, the 6x42 should really be a 7x42 or 8x42. That would be a scope I could get behind.

Tim, happy to offer my perspective!

I can appreciate that comment coming from a guy with the handle "lotech"!

My M8 6x36 seems brighter than it should given its single coating lenses.

I'll buy your 6x42's Brad, esp. if they have M1 turrets . . . and priced right. I'm shooting that 1x fired Nosler 300 WSM brass today at lunchtime.

LOL, sold it already.

Glad you've got the brass man!

My M70 300 WSM sports a 3.5-10x40 CDS.

Most accurate rifle I own.

My analysis of these two scopes, having owned multiples of each, is the same as that of the OP, with one exception. I see no need to "steer clear" of the 6X42. Now, if your sole purpose is to shave ounces everywhere you can, the 6X36 is then your huckleberry as between these two.

I guess, given that, why spend more for the heavier, bulkier, more expensive 6x42?

Something I didn't mention, and perhaps even more important, is the far more limited mounting latitude of the 6x42.

Brad, I've run full circle, and having owned 36/42s and even 33s, both M8 and newer versions, I am running an FX-II (proper duplex) 33mm M1 mod with no issue

Have a 6x42 and my 6x36 should be here this evening

And it is appreciated! Found a nice Montana in 7-08 that has Talley lightweights and Leupy 6X36 written all over it. Got to wait a while on the purchase, but the scope is ready to go!

Hmmm. SWFA's website says the 6x36 FX-II LRD is "discontinued." I wonder what that's about.

I have several of both 6x scopes, and lately I have preferred the 6x36.

I recently bought a couple on closeout

I had to search around for mine for a bit. Think it was $327 shipped, will have to see who I bought it from this evening when it comes in.

Guys, I'll make a WAG that Leupold is bringing out an FX2 version of the 6x36 with finger-adjustable windage and elevation dials, solving one of the foremost First-World-Problems.

I like em both.

To my eyes (I'm 39 and have always had perfect vision) the 6X42 isn't really brighter. I just feel it has a bigger box and more FOV.

I need a big box.




Dave

Two has always been a problem for me to. Congrats...

W

Wow

I have Leupold 6x36 and 6x42's. Nikon 6x42's, and sightron 6x42's. Maybe it's just me but I see a difference in them all with the sightron having the best glass and edging out the Leupold and Nikon when it's starts to get dark. The leupold 42 is the most forgiving to get behind for me. I also see a difference in the Leupold 42 over the 36. To each their own.

If anyone of you 6x36 lovers has a 6x42 w/a m1 ele turret I'll gladly trade you a 6x36 w/m1 ele turret. I'll cover the shipping cost on both ends.

Same 'view' here Dave except I'm blind as a bat without contacts.

For a hunting rifle it's pretty much a tie(IMHO).


This thread reminds me to send in a 6x36 that went to hell last year.

I have one of each, won't be throwing away the 6x42, but if I need another it will be a 6x36, not enough difference in glass to make up for how much easier it is to mount the 6x36 low on a long action.

That's interesting.

Even at 55 I have 20/20 vision (which is of course not the same as perfect).

Side by side I see no difference between the eye-relief or FOV of the 6x36 vs 6x42. To my eyes they feel identical compared to each other.

Just went and looked up the specs on Leupold's website, assuming I'm missing something. Apparently I'm not:

6x42
ACTUAL MAGNIFICATION 6X
FOV 17.3'
ER 4.4"

6x36
ACTUAL MAGNIFICATION 5.9X
FOV 17.7'
ER 4.3"

I think the "eye box" mantra of the 6x42 has been repeated so long on this website no one questions it. My eyes say there's no difference. Leupold's website says there's no difference.

Again, I had both to look at side by side over several days, which is cheating

I don't doubt someone younger than me can use the additional mm of exit pupil. I do doubt anyone could find any difference between them in terms of Eye Relief/Field of View (ie, "eye box").

I just put on a new FX-II 6x36 LR Duplex #63085 on my 84M .308. Immediately I notice that the two dots appear smaller and closer together than previous owned models. Also I observed that the length of the thinner crosshair for the bottom is shorter as it transfers to the thicker line.
Now unfortunately I do not have any earlier version to compare against. But my impression was immediately made.
Anyone else have a similar observation or am I hallucinating?

Joe, I've got three of them from three different years, including the most current that's still in its plastic wrap. When I get some time I'll pull it out and compare the three and get back to you.

Great! It'll be good to get a second opinion. I don't know if small variances are possible with their production methods. Look forward to your analysis.

Low light maybe? Dunno. I ain't parting with M8's.

I've got both like both. Serious rifles have 6x36.
Coyote AR has a 6x42 for night hunting.

Joe, they're all the same.

Well dang it Brad I got a heavy one



My first fixed scope so far. My thought is thought if I am stepping up to a 40 or larger objective it'll be on a variable power scope that I can take advantage of the larger objective with a higher magnification.

LOL, you got the wrong scale... it's making you pack around untold extra ounces

Likely cause of the LRD reticle Had it been standard duplex it would have made weight

You stop down a camera lens to improve visual acuity i.e. sharpen the image.

If your eye pupil does't expand to 7mm, the scope is effectively "stopped down" to your pupil size. Depending on the individual samples compared, the 6x36 may render a sharper picture

There is so little difference between the two it comes down to personal preference. Do also prefer the 6x36's creature features.

Increasing power would make a bigger difference in low light performance.

Probably the only advantage to growing older is smaller objectives perform better than they used to in low light and thin reticles no longer fade before it is too dark to shoot...:)

Ok, well that settles that!

To answer your question,I guess I could think of a few. One, if your (buyer's) eyes can see a difference and you prefer that, that could be a reason. Two, if your (buyer's) eyes can utilize and notice the larger exit pupil, that could be a reason. Three, if you like the look of that scope better, that could be a legitimate reason. Four, although I don't see it, what you refer to as the "much vaunted "eye box" superiority of the 6x42 (by others, not you) clearly exists to others and if it exists to a buyer, that would be a reason. Finally, if you can find a good deal on one and you're able to carry the extra weight without hurting yourself or don't care about the extra weight when you find a good deal, I suppose, that could be a legitimate reason.

I will agree that, if your criteria involves a lack of a need or desire about anything contained herein and you care about the extra couple of ounces, then, by all means, as you said earlier OP, "steer clear". I've been pretty lucky though. There are so many things on this forum that so many experts on this forum say to "steer clear of" that have worked for me.

I've owned both if I'm looking to save weight I'll take the FXII. If weight isn't a concern I prefer the Meopta Fixed 6 over both Leupolds. Their glass is better to MY EYES and I love their #4 reticle for big game hunting.

Must be humid right now in Alaska

The 6x42 seems easier to get behind to me. With the 6x36 I feel like I have to be set up just right. I've assumed that is what is intended when referring to the "eye box". The 6x42 just seems quicker and easier to shoulder and immediately find my target. FOV, eye relief, power don't seem to be different enough when I've used them to matter.

Got a panicked text from a buddy who says Leopold discontinued the 6x42,based on a conversation with Leopold.. It's his favorite scope. He got on line and bought a spare

he says no plans by Leopold to replace it.

Anyone know if this is true? Makes the whole conversation moot.....

The 2017 catalog shows their offering is down to only the wide duplex in both objective diameters.

Thats all those scopes need is a wide duplex... well or a #4

:]

musta been his reticle.

Seems like companies are so thick headed that one day no one will make whiskey any more because I happen to like it.

Nice of Leupold to sell more Weavers saving consumers 50% by having a true plex in a matte scope......

Wish Bushnell would make a 6x in the Elite line.

I've been surfing the net looking for fixed power scopes. There are more choices out there than I would have guessed. Nice to see this being discussed here-I am going to be in the market for several rifle scopes soon and I'm giving fixed powers some serious consideration.

Website shows three reticles including LRD:

https://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/fixed-power-riflescopes/fx-ii-6x36mm/

2017 Catalog shows only one reticle, Wide Duplex:

https://www.leupold.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ConsumerCatalog-2017.pdf

Glad I've got three 6x36's with LRD.

A Bushnell Elite 6x would be a very nice option to have.

What is Leupold's fascination with that wide duplex? It is one of the few reticule I genuinely dislike. I had one Redfield that came to me on a rifle I bought, and it had that same poor reticle or close enough. Got rid of that one.

Agreed

Couldn't send that Luppy down the road fast enough. If it has a red illuminated dot in the center, yeah that would makes sense, otherwise no thanks.

Have a S&B Summit with that same wide reticle and it ended up on a 22 for chipmunks/red squirrels

Yeah here's a chipmunk I killed with one of those S&B Summits....







And another

damn dark, too....

The Summit reticle will take you past dark easily. Ive aimed at hundreds of deer here to Kansas with it.

If I were worried, I wouldn't use it.

Same deer, minutes later. Killed in a Kansas river bottom at last light.

Shaking my head.

Look, I have had two and still have one. If someone offered me the 1200 bucks I had in it, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

Being younger than you my pupil dilates enough to watch reticles subtending 1/4" at 100 yards fade before the heavier versions do. It does not take me past dark...it may take you. Glasswise, the S&B possesses no low-light magic over its brethren.

S&B now offers a more competitive low light reticle in that model but unfortunately they won't change reticles in the Summit.

The wide reticle doesn't cut it for me in the S&B or the Leupold.

If it doesn't cut it for you then fine. After 35+ years of doing this I would not be bothered with a scope that that handicapped me.

Not a big deal anyway. Look at the dead deer.

Good luck.

The wide duplex is not good for holdover work, even in good light.

bob, have the same sled that is in the back of your truck, put a water
ski rope on it and have pull many a critter for a ride back to the truck!