Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Thinking about a 6X

I'm looking to build an all around hunting rifle package. I'd like to hunt out west, but mostly hunt in Mississippi. Most of my shots are well within 100 yards and 15 yards isn't uncommon.

I'm probably going with a Tikka stainless lite in 6.5 Creedmoor or possibly .300 Winmag.

I was going to go with an adjustable SWFA, but I have been contemplating a fixed power... so the 6X.

How is a 6X at short range?

I have used a 6x42 in Leupold and Meopta I’m thick woods with no problem. The closest was with the Leupold on a deer at about 10 feet and it worked perfectly

I also prefer the #4 reticle in both

That's pretty close. I'm worried about having too little field of view.

I haven't made a shot at 10 feet, my closest shot with a 6x power was about 25 yards. I am also with pacecars on the #4 reticle. 6x power does show detail in the shade and at dusk and dawn in the woods.


I do have some variables but the simplicity of the 6x keeps it relevant for me.


As far as the field of view, At 25 yards the deer pretty much filled the view. The location of the shot was very precise. Field of view would matter to me if I took running shots but I don't take running shots. I am therefore willing to trade field of view for detail in low light. That is each hunter's choice to make, I think.


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Most of my hunting is at short range in thick woods. I've never had a FOV problem with 6X scopes.

I shot a moose at about 15 feet with 6x36 it was just crosshairs against fur, until I opened my other eye. If you were likely to shoot a running deer 6x wouldn't be my choice but as long as its standing or walking it will be no problem. I have several rifles with either 6x36's or 6x42's and have a 6x42 meopta waiting for the next build.

I use a 6X on two 7mm-08s and have shot as close as 20 yds and as far as 300 yds(paper) without any issues with a standard duplex.

I also hunt in MS. I have a Leupold 6x42 with heavy duplex. I have not had any problems getting on deer from 20 to 130 yds. I have a Meopta 6x42 with #4 reticle but have not yet used it for hunting.

My two primary hunting rifles have 6x Leupold scopes.

The 30-06 has the 36mm version, the 25-06 has the 42mm version. I've used those rifles on elk, bear, mule deer, pronghorn, coyotes, and wolf. I find those 6x Leupold scopes to be quite good. Ranges from fairly close out to over 300 yards, no problem.

Recently put a 6x SWFA scope on my precision 308 Win as well. My goodness, that's a lot of scope for the money!

Regards, Guy

For the closer ranges at which you are expecting the majority of your shots, a 4x would be (and is) my choice. Much easier to use overall in those situation than a 6x.

And in the open "out West" most any thing will work adequately.

Here's a 6x Meopro and a Coke bottle at @12 feet.

If you know how to mount a rifle, you don't have to 'search' for stuff through the scope. If you're a 'searcher' through the scope, any magnification will be a problem at 10 feet.

Thanks guys for the thoughts. I got a little more thinking to do.

I'm very pleased with my 6 SWFA. Crystal clear at 10 yds. I went with 30 mm Warne mediums and scope clearance is about 3/16" on my 6.5X55 Tikka

Honestly though if I wasn't dialing for shots over 400 yds I'd go with a Leupold 6X36 for the big weight savings


Trystan

If your scope is mounted so you naturally look through it when you mount the rifle and keep both eyes open, a 6x is no problem at close range.

6x is my preferred scope for woods hunting. Enough detail to pick out small limbs and thread needles through openings, good in low light, enough field of view to see an entire deer at 25 yards, enough power I don't feel hindered at longer ranges. 4x works as well but given the choice I prefer 6x.

It will work just fine but if I had one rifle that I was planning to use for years In both thick and open my choice would be a 2.5-8.

Then open your other eye!!

Just get a 6x and forth and kill stuff. It works for me. 10 yards to 300.

Over the years, I've found that there is a lot of merit in the 6X42 Leupolds. I have two, currently. As far as magnification goes on deer, my longest shots were all done with 4X scopes.... As far as close shots, I killed my last buck, on the run at a tad over 25 yds. What I think makes the Leupold 6X42 work is their long eye relief and their large eye box. Far more important than some extra field over view. The large eye box makes it easier/faster to acquire the image, and the longer eye relief makes it easier to see past the scope when getting on a running buck. BTW, I've zeroed and rezeroed my FX3 6X42 many times, either to shift to a 300 yd. zero or for different loads. Never had it fail to move as it should, not once. Another advantage comes when the buck is in cover. Easier to find a hole in that cover to shoot through. E