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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 28 |
First post, and I'm hoping a few experienced elk and whitetail hunters here can provide some insight, anecdotes, and musings on the 6x42mm Heavy Duplex from Leupy.
I'm still deciding on the rifle it will be sitting on, but I will be posting that in the firearms section to avoid chasing rabbits with caliber debates or barrel lengths, etc. Hypothetically, this will be sitting on something such as an M70 in 300WM. My experience is with a Sako 75 in 270 I used to have with a 3-9x40.
Over the years, one thing I have noticed is that I too fall prey to what some of the gun writers have warned about in these variables where I'm twisting and fidgeting with the cotton-picker and not quick or focused on the task at hand. I can appreciate all the benefits of going fixed power, but before pulling the trigger, want some reassurance or direction from those who've spent much more time than I behind a buttplate in relative applications to what I'm looking for. I expect to hunt KS, OK, CO, NE, IA, and GA.
A couple years ago I sold off my hunting rifles due to some personal hardship, and am looking for one do-everything rifle (again not to open the can of worms, but for the purpose of using that context in this scope being my shoe-horn optic) that will serve well for deer, pronghorn, and elk. Obviously low-light performance is something I'm considering in the 6x42 with the HD reticle, but observations and experiences with this or any other reticle are appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance, I'm enjoying the forum.
Last edited by SilentCrusader; 11/05/10.
FFE, Over
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
First post, and I'm hoping a few experienced elk and whitetail hunters here can provide some insight, anecdotes, and musings on the 6x42mm Heavy Duplex from Leupy.
I'm still deciding on the rifle it will be sitting on, but I will be posting that in the firearms section to avoid chasing rabbits with caliber debates or barrel lengths, etc. Hypothetically, this will be sitting on something such as an M70 in 300WM. My experience is with a Sako 75 in 270 I used to have with a 3-9x40.
Over the years, one thing I have noticed is that I too fall prey to what some of the gun writers have warned about in these variables where I'm twisting and fidgeting with the cotton-picker and not quick or focused on the task at hand. I can appreciate all the benefits of going fixed power, but before pulling the trigger, want some reassurance or direction from those who've spent much more time than I behind a buttplate in relative applications to what I'm looking for.
I expect to hunt KS, OK, CO, NE, IA, and GA. A couple years ago I sold off my hunting rifles due to some personal hardship, and am looking for one do-everything rifle (again not to open the can of worms, but for the purpose of using that context in this scope being my shoe-horn optic) that will serve well for deer, pronghorn, and elk. Obviously low-light performance is something I'm considering in the 6x42 with the HD reticle, but observations and experiences with this or any other reticle are appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance, I'm enjoying the forum. First off welcome. Secondly (and trust me on this one), it's very difficult to read an entire screen of words without a single paragraph break. Fiddling is something that is entirely up to you to fix, if you don't want to fiddle, don't. Leave the scope on 6x and carry on. Apparently what you are looking for is something that will help protect you from yourself, in that case I like the 6x42 much. I have them on several rifles and have never felt handicapped. Currently I'm only running one with a HD but I like HD for a pure hunting rig, ymmv.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
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Also, have you used/played with the 6x42 previously?
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Nov 2002
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 21,772 Likes: 2 |
I have severa Leupold 6x42s.
None of the newest ones (M8s and FX-IIIs), but they work EXTREMELY well for general purpose hunting.
BMT
"The Church can and should help modern society by tirelessly insisting that the work of women in the home be recognized and respected by all in its irreplaceable value." Apostolic Exhortation On The Family, Pope John Paul II
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
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Love the 6x42 and run several of them. Ran the HD on one and several other Leupolds... Hated them and dumped all HDs after giving them a good spin for better than a year.
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
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Funny how it works, cuzz I like the HD very much. It's not what I would run if my main goal were to punch paper etc.
Different strokes.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
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Love the 6x42 and run several of them. Ran the HD on one and several other Leupolds... Hated them and dumped all HDs after giving them a good spin for better than a year. Art, Please be specific here. What was there to "hate" on the HD scopes vs the older F-lll 6x42 scopes..?? Aren't the lens coatings the only difference?
To all gunmaker critics-
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.."- Teddy Roosevelt
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
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"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
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Thanks for that Steely..
I was thinking of "HD" lens coatings..
To all gunmaker critics-
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.."- Teddy Roosevelt
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,939 Likes: 3 |
I own a lot of scopes but the FX-3 6x42 HD is the scope I mounted permanently on my Borden 30-06. I love it's simplicity, clarity, brightness and easy to see reticle when dusk is settling and the target is hidden by brush.
Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master Guide, Alaska Hunter Ed Instructor FAA Master pilot www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.comAnyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 28
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 28 |
Thank you for the quick responses.
I tried to tune up that post a little, you're right - a bit of a hot mess on my corneas looking back at it.
Back on topic: I've handled a 4x fixed power and a few scout type fixed powers, and appreciate how much more intuitive they feel for a magnified optic. I've always liked things like iron-sighted 30-30s in the brush of GA because they felt quick and natural, but they don't do everything I want. I want that feeling in an optic. The 4xs and scout rifles I've shot felt this way. What I'd like is a little more juice, perhaps what the 6x has to offer.
I have not handled a 6x42. Best I can do is set a variable to 6 and play with it, but none of them have the eye relief that the 6x42 FX-3 apparently has.
The Heavy Duplex reticle interested me because of the low light application, for those who've used it and don't like it, I'm also very interested in your opinions.
FFE, Over
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
The 6x42 is about as generous a scope as there is. Bright, lots of eye relief and a great sight picture. You won't be disappointed and you won't have a problem finding a critter with it, assuming you know how to mount a rifle to your shoulder.
The reticle is your choice, I also like the Post and Duplex.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
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I run a Leupold HD reticle and it's one of their best for low light. Target shooters don't like em though.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
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Personally like the 6x36 over the 6x42. Unscientific reason is it fits my eye better. Weak, but that's the way it works. Hard to beat the HD when the light is getting dim, as long as you are willing to be a paste and shoot hunter and not worry about picking out an individual hair to hit. HD when light is almost blinking out: ![[Linked Image]](http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/toby0223/029.jpg) Post and duplex-which I like better-about an hour earlier: Things would have to get bad to lose either. ![[Linked Image]](http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/toby0223/030.jpg)
Last edited by battue; 11/05/10.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
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My other, more classic, 06 wears the newer Leupold 4x. I have found it to be brighter, clearer and with more eye relief than the variables.
Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master Guide, Alaska Hunter Ed Instructor FAA Master pilot www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.comAnyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,149 Likes: 11 |
I like the 6x42 Heavy Duplex and have hunted a lot with one. It has always worked, whether the range was 25 yards or 450.
Some shooters complain that they can't shoot 1/2", 100-yard, 3-shot groups with the HD reticle. There is also no doubt that one deer-hair can't be aimed with a Heavy Duplex. However, over the decades I have found that hair isn't a vital organ.
To slay even the smallest animals considered big game, all we have to do is hit an area the size of a volleyball. This is easy to do with a Heavy Duplex reticle, though we may not hit the left ventricle.
Lately I have been regressing toward 6x36 and even 4x28 Leupolds with (gasp!) single-coated lenses and plain Duplexes. I can still hit volleyballs out to 400 yards, even in fairly dim light. Maybe my eyesight is better than average, but I wear glasses to correct 20/400 myopia so this probably isn't the case. Yet I still kill at least one big game animal every year with iron sights--and it's the only one I shot at with irons.
One of my latest theories is that the Internet is responsible for the widespread belief that no human ever killed a deer before the introduction of multi-coated, variable scopes with "ballistic reticles" and turrets that can zero the reticle perfectly at any range from 25 to 1000 yards.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I recently picked up a couple 6x42's after reading about how great they are. They are as people say, and think I'll be going with them more and more on huntin rigs. I have duplex and post duplex. The duplex has the edge as far as holding on a smaller dot for paper work. Don't matter cause both scopes is on straight up huntin rigs and not for shootin paper.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
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My other, more classic, 06 wears the newer Leupold 4x. I have found it to be brighter, clearer and with more eye relief than the variables. 458, That is what I am thinking of topping this "Shoemaker Special" rough country-utility rig I am in the process of putting together- ![[Linked Image]](http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p241/willbergerwood/002-3.jpg) 1978 Mark-X Mauser 30-06 Barreled action(shoots really well) with a much tweeked Butler creek sythetic added. The forend has been much re-reinforced inside and the whole stock detailed for improved looks and function. The whole shebang will be Cerakoted in the near future-(Matte Black metalwork with an Olive green stock).. Question- What back up iron sights would you recommend (if any) and what QD ring base setup would you recommend if backup irons if chosen? I have not heard you opinions on those matters since reading some of your RIFLE articles a few years ago..
Last edited by jim62; 11/05/10.
To all gunmaker critics-
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.."- Teddy Roosevelt
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 32,312 |
Oh, I'm pretty sure Og and Ug argued about how best to aim an atlatl... the virtues of fast, light spears vs. heavy slow ones.... in between bites of mastadon....
The CENTER will hold.
Reality, Patriotism,Trump: you can only pick two
FÜCK PUTIN!
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,395 |
I'm a newbie to the 6x42 FXIII Heavy Duplex but I will say I believe I have found the perfect pure hunting scope for the type of hunting I do. Kinda like the first time I looked through my Swaro 7x42s.....I just knew and haven't looked back. Mine is mounted on of all things a Rem 700 in 300Win shooting 130TTSXs at 3,500fps. It's simply a point and click proposition. ![[Linked Image]](http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g114/Bruz69/8df1f16a.jpg) Robert
Bruz
"You can't scare me.........I have kids"
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