Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics who uses lower powered scopes? (1-4x, 1-6x)

I enjoy using vintage weaver fixed 4x power scopes on older rifles. Haven't had problems with shots out to 300 yards with them. Even with the low power, I was used to seeing 1-1.5" groups at the range frequently.

Here's a couple examples of usage.

Pre 64 FWT 243 Win.

I dunno, it's nice, I just grabbed my second one, sold a green triangle long ago, this time German #4 green dot to compare to the trijicon accupoint 1-6 German and leupold vx5hd 1-5 firedot cds....and while it's nice, its the trimmest of the 3 in dimensions and weight, close to the leupold but bit shorter, bit less bulky turrets/eyebox, the 1-6 trijicon is the tank of the 3. But when all 3 of them are on 1x the fov isn't comparable to the 1-5 and 1-6, its much larger with those, also the eye box on the 1-4 has much thicker black ring. The heavy bars are heavier and a little closer into the center than the 1-6 and the center section and dot are a little heavier also .9 moa vs .6 moa sort of thing and the glass is sharp and bright like trijicon and a very useable scope and for the price bracket a top choice but they 1-5 and 1-6 are in a completely different league imo and their price bracket reflects that.

I was expecting to love the 1-6 trijicon over the leupold more than I do, I have made pros and cons lists and have come to the realization that they pretty much wash each other out. If the leupold proves to track, rtz, and hold zero its one heckuva scope, amazing glass, eye box and the fire dot reticle highly intuitive.

I'd say 30% of the deer I've killed were with the scope set at 2x.

I like the 1-4 Triji better than my 1-4 Leupolds, which I prefer over the 1.5-5 Leupold. While there might be more to gain by going to the 1-6, I’d also gain size/weight over the 1-4s. I might throw a 1-6 on my 9.3x62 build, but I general find most Xs past 4-5 are waisted for me on a straight tube scope….early and late. The conquest 1.8-5.5 beats a lot of stuff on features/capability, but it is big and heavy for what it is….even so, I like the heck out of it for woods deer/hogs. I shoot most stuff without ever coming off 1x. I have cranked up for some long shots though. It’s all subjective preference, but I never liked fixed 4x or 6x stuff. Neither has ever been ‘better’ than an equal quality LPV for me….that’s me. I’m fine with 2-7/3-9/2-10, etc on stuff. Never needed to own more. I had stuff with more Xs to use when if I needed them elsewhere, but not hunting.

Learn to mount the gun correctly. Both eyes on the target, move the gun into your field of view. On 12X you would be on the deer even.

That said I see nothing much wrong with low power. Though in thick stuff I actually like a bit more so I can see where the vines etc... are that have screwed me a few times running red dots....

1-4 Nikon about 5 years old... it was purported to hold up to mag power. It sits on my brown bear guide gun. 458 win mag. So far so good.

As a general scope, I like 2-7s the best. I recently put a Leupold 1-4 heavy duplex on a 45 Colt lever gun. Opening weekend I used it to take a doe at 80 yards at last legal light. The scope was on 2x power and I had no problem putting the crosshair on the deer and dropping it. I will use more of these type scopes in the future.

Typically, my higher power range scopes are set on 5-6x and left there.

^^^those little 1-4s are highly underrated. I have one with the heavy duplex and one with a German #1. They work and are way small/light.

My Kimber with a Leica Amplus 1-6x24. Like low powered scopes for hunting in woods. Try to shoot with both eyes open on 1x magnification

1.5-5 or 2-7 here.

I like the lower magnifying scopes on my hunting revolvers. Its a good balance between additional challenge of handgun hunting and optical assistance.