Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 3.5x10 VXIII or 6X FXIII

Probably a redundent question for this board, but I am 2nd guessing myself.

I am 48 yrs old, the eyes are okay. The rifle is a .270 WCF on a Model 70 Classic. The rifle has standard action and barrel from Winchester, with Talley quick release rings w/levers.

This is my first adventure at a semi-custom gun. The metal work, and smithing is being done by Mark Penrod in a satin finish. All other aspects of the rifle are factory standard, including the wood stock. In the future, the stock will be either replaced, or refinished in oil.

My question on this forum is about the scope, and brightness. I had purchased a 3.5x10 VXIII, sitting new in the box. I have been reading more about the FX III 6X.

My interest in the FX III is more for the 7MM exit pupil, and if this scope is any brighter for early morning or late evening. As I get older, I notice I need more light.

Also, will the fixed field of view be an issue as majority of my hunting is in the foothills in WV. I also have a 2.5x8 VXIII that could go on the rifle also.

Is is worth selling the 3.5x10 and ordering a FXIII 6X. I have always had variable, but use them in the field at the lower settings.

Recommendations?

A large exit pupil may not be an advantage if your pupils don't dilate enough to use all of it. The outer edge will merely be illuminating your iris, rather than your retina.

I've got an older VariXIII, 3.5-10X40 and a couple of the older 6X42 Leupolds. Both of which I've used a good bit.
If you are planning to hunt at night much, the 6X42 would have a very slight edge at night, assuming a heavier than standard reticle. That is only on really dark nights, however. On a clear night with some moonlight, there isn't any. During twilight, the variable, because it can use more magnification, will show you more.
The variable works better for shooting small varmits at the longer ranges. Again, thanks to more magnification.
That's a good point about eye sight. Most people have lost some of their night vision by your age. Your eyes many not be able to open to a full 7mm pupil size. If so, for night work, the extra exit pupil on the 6X42 will do no good.
I actually prefer the 6X42 becasue of it's very large eye box and ability to mount it further forward than the variable. I don't need the extra magnifcation of the variable for big game or large varmits.
Both scopes are pretty big. Many have found that as a practical matter, the smaller, lighter, 33-36mm variables or fixed magnification scopes perform as well as ever needed. E

i'd pop that 2.5x8 on it and go.. then decide... love the 6x. 3.5 too.. but if you got the used one wanting a home i'd start there first.. cant see you givin' up a thing...

woofer

I asked the same thing last month. Lots of excellent advise here:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...owflat/Number/1668847/page/3#Post1668847

There's a FX3 6x heavy duplex in the classified section for sale.

The 3.5-10x40 and the 6x42 are two great choices. Since you already have the 3.5-10, I would go that route and try the 6x on the next rifle. If you've got the hankering for something new to try, put an M1 elevation turret on the 3.5-10 for some fun.

I have both. As E stated, the 6x has a more forgiving eyebox making it my favorite of the two for big game hunting, at least for when things can happen up close and quick. For longer ranges I don't find the 6x as being a detriment. If it were more of a dual purpose rifle the 3.5-10x40 would get the nod. IMO,.

umm . . . .

What they said.

BMT

I think the long eye relief on the 6X42 takes away any advantage it might have had in brightness. Still a good scope though. Easy to use, easy to live with.

Terry

270 can stretch out there if needed, I've got 2 of the 3.5-10's and appreciate the extra magnification when needed. Plenty bright under any normal hunting conditions too.

J

Thanks for the replies.

I had not thought about the eyebox issue.

I have a pair of .270's. One for looks (blue & wood) and the other stainless and plastic. The plastic/stainless will get the 2.5x8 as it will be the lightweight rifle.

The woodie is the one I am trying to settle the scope on.

Talley Quick release with levers may look a little odd with a small scope.

easy, get the gloss 6x36.. classic lines......

woofer

For me, I'm happy with 6x at the top. On most rifles, a 1.5-6x is a perfect hunting scope, since I can shoot big game as far as I can hit it with a 6x, most is done on the 2-3x setting. On a .270 a 2.5-8x or 3-9x is probably preferable.

I thought about a 1.75x6 from Leupold. The front objective I believe is a 33 which I think is a little small.

I also don't know enough about low light conditions, and if that is a mistake. I do agree, however, that the 6X is the maximum I would see my self ever using in the field.

Thanks SteveO for the reference to the prior thread. Very useful.

I have both and hunted with both. I like the Leupold 6x, but it don't compete with the 3.5-10x40 Leupold scope. I got a Leupold M8 6x42 for sale if you anyone is interested.

Huh?

It's part of Eremicus' 101 reasons why Leupold's aren't as bright as others, too much eye relief. Go figure....

What about this one?

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-...escope/3-9x40mm-century-limited-edition/

I picked one up for my Kimber 270.

I'd go with the 3.5x10. I have a 6x42 on one rifle and like it a lot, but it does give up some versatility the you'd probably miss. Where I hunt I don't have any place where there's an opportunity for a shot over 200 yds so the 6x is fine. I would want more magnification if I were shooting farther than that. I know guys will say they make 350 yd shots with 4x scopes but not me, I like the magnification.