Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics What's the draw for a 6x fixed power

So maybe this is a dumb question, but what is the niche use for a fixed-power 6x scope? I totally get why someone would want a fixed 3x or 4x for hunting purposes but a 6x just seems odd to me. Too powerful for close shots, yet easily surpassed by a decent variable power for longer shots. What gives?

If you practice with both eyes open using a 6x at close ranges isn't difficult.

How close is too close? I had no problems with my first straight 6x deer at 44 steps.

What is a longer shot? With an appropriate rifle I can ring 1 MOA steel at 300 yards no problem.

Have used a fixed 6x on running game as close as 10 yards, and on standing game at 500. Never felt hampered either way. As a result, there's no dinking with the magnification ring, which I have seen cost quite a few hunters a good opportunity in the field--including some I've guided.

Uunlike the typical FFP variable's reticle, a fixed 6x's reticle is always the same size compared to the target, you can not only use it to aim higher on longer shots, but as an approximate rangefinder--without the scope ever being on the "wrong power." (That is, you can use it as a rangefinder IF you know how, and the method is sometimes more reliable than a laser rangefinder.)

Easy answer, at least for where I hunt in the Southeast. For dawn and dusk deer hunting I've found nothing better than a fixed 6x from a stand. Never a worry about distance. I can see things better, and make a more accurate shot placement, in lower light, than with anything else.

How do you know a 6x is "too powerful" for close shots? Have you used a 6x for 500 yard shots?

I'm not drawn to all 6X scopes, but the 6x42 Leupold has shown a lot of real advantages for a hunting rifle. The eye-relief is substantial and very forgiving. It is a bright, lightweight, and durable scope. I've shot running targets at less than 10 paces and hammered an elk at 573 yards. In both cases I don't believe a different scope would have made either shot "easier." I use all kinds of scopes, but most of my serious big game hunting rifles wear 6x42 Leupold scopes.

Thanks, guys. I've never used one and just figured it would be annoying at any distance 50 yards or closer but apparently I'm wrong.

I use variable power scopes and like them fine, but I generally set the power ring at six power and go hunting. It's for that reason that I use straight six's a lot. They are generally lighter than most variables, I like that too. I have several Leupold 6x's that have the hold over dots but have only needed to use them twice in the last 10 years to make a kill.

I had a Weaver k-6 on a .222 that I killed many woodchucks and crows with. Was adequate out to 250 - 275 yards or so. Beyond that I could have used more x's, particularly on crows. Made my longest shot ever on a deer at 440 yards with that same 6x Weaver mounted on a .243. Most of my scopes nowdays are variables and they're usually set at 4x during deer season and 8x -10x in the summer for shooting varmints. When hunting thick cover I've found 6 or even 4x to be too much sometimes so my favorite woods rifle wears a 1-4x20. The wide field of view on low power can be very beneficial when a running buck is weaving through trees, brush and blowdowns at very close range, particularly if it's a crossing shot rather than going or coming.

You may not be wrong for your hunting conditions. I find a lot of variance in what individuals on this forum consider heavy cover. I have hunted in Colorado a few times and Wyoming once and I can tell you that what they consider heavy cover in the areas I hunted is much more open than what we find in the South and East on some of these Laurel thicket covered ridges and mountains or the swamps in the South. Take what you read as honest advise from the posters perspective and his hunting conditions.

All of that said I can use a 6x scope fine in 90% of the hunting I do here in Virginia even in the woodlots and timber. Give one a try and see if it works for you, if not they are an easy sell.

All depends on what you're going to use it for.

I think they suck for a coyote calling scope.....got the t-shirt, sold the scope......

Good close in, enough power to shoot torso size targets out to 1K, good FOV, good low light performance (6x42 or similar).

What's not to like?

I’ve found 6x to be a wonderful “KISS” option which does it all well enough even tho there may be a few things it doesn’t do well.

My thoughts as well. They work excellent in the Northeast and the open west. Shooting with both eyes open they aren’t much problem. The only time I like lower power is on driven deer but even then, good old irons work for me.

I’ve killed less plain old 6x’s in general as well.

From 10 to 600 yards, I haven't had an issue with a fixed 6X. I really like them and have gone almost completely to them, save a few random oddballs like a 10X and some 2.5Xs. I think I have one variable left, a VXII 1-4x20.

I like fixed powers because I have never, ever had a variable keep POI when shooting at different powers, among other issues. The only variable I have any desire to try at this point in my life is a S&B PMII. Other than that I plan to stay with my fixed 6Xs.

I have gravitated away from the 6x because my aging eyes need the help of 8x and 10x. But the 6x is a KISS benefit others here have already stated.

It takes a licking and still keeps ticking

Less fiddling. More reliable. Less glass between you and the target means a brighter scope for the same or less money.

simplicity