Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 6x vs 10x fixed scope

I’m really liking my Swarovski Habicht fixed 8x with 56mm and 30mm tube, 4A reticle.

You can really appreciate it under low light conditions. I typically keep my Z3 (3x10x42) set on 7-8 pwr when I’m hunting so the 8x fixed was a very easy transition and the 7 exit pupil is about ideal for me.

One of the scopes in my past that gave me some of the most consistent field shots on small critters was a 7.5x non-ao on a Sako Forester 243.

It had a great balance of zoom and FOV for that set up and application. Never needed more than 6x in woods, but the 7.5 worked great. In the field, as others mentioned, higher zoom amplifies your wobbles as we know, if you are not on a solid rest, and that can be counterproductive to placing shots at times.

I'd say deer to 400 and elk even further are well within capabilities of a quality 6x. But if more shots are at a distance and or smaller targets, an 8x or 10x FIXED can be a good thing.

As others mentioned, no downside to quality variables that top from 6-10x. I still use both.

I much prefer the SWFA 3x9 MQ on my hunting rifles these days.
Left on 6x until needed.

Had a fixed AO 10x on a varmint rifle. Liked it fine
Even on the few offhand closer shots

Not sure I could run it now though.

Most of my hunting rifles wear variables. Something in the 2-7 or 2.5-10 gives the most versatility. I have a SWFA Ultralight 2.5-10 on my Barrett Fieldcraft .270 Win which is great glass for the money. I have no trouble hitting the 3" plate at 300 yards and the 12" plate at 600. It does get a bit fuzzy at top magnification as most scopes under $1500-2000 do so i stop at about 8- 9x when shooting distance. I recently put a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9 MilDot Green on my other Fieldcraft .270 Win and I'm loving it so far. No batteries. No knob twisting. Just know the trajectory and holding over.

I recently acquired a Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-12x42 MOA-Dot Green. I love everything about it, except the weight. If I were pressed to have just one scope to use for everything, this would be probably be it.

My primary “western” hunting rifle wears a S&B PMII 10x42. Lightweight, reliable, plenty of elevation on the turret, and simple.

I have both 6x and 10x SS scopes. They are both fantastic, but for my old eyes, the 10x is better. I have used both at last light, near and far. They are equally good in that respect, but the 10x is a bit better, when developing loads. I have several other scopes that are good, but the fixed-power scopes take all of the guess work and decision as to what power you need, out of the equation.

Even though I hunt some open country where game can be spotted over a mile away I don't think I have ever used any of my scopes set on 10x or even 9x much for hunting, paper yes, in the field no. For small rodents it might be a good choice. For me it amplifies how shaky I am and then trying to correct for it makes it worse. At less than 8x or less I can ignore it and concentrate on the shot.

I shoot with both eyes open so I can get on game fairly quickly even at higher magnification but the larger the field of view the easier and faster it is, I would not trade this huge advantage for higher magnification.