Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Fixed power scopes

Am I the only one who wants a basic, solid, reliable fixed power scope any more? Seems like nobody is making them and everything now has 30mm tube and 5x variable range. Would it be feasible to get a group of us together looking for some fixed powers to see if we could get a bulk order from Leupold? I see their FX-3 6x42 has been available but was hoping they would make them available through their VIP program. No such luck. May just bite the bullet and pay retail for the scope, but either way I am a bit torqued by the lack of options in this field.

I Hear ya. Would love a 6x42LRD at a reasonable price...

^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^

Last Leupold I bought was a Vari X IIIi 3.5-10x40 and it’s going back to Leupold. Won’t stay in focus and has an obvious parallax issue. Never had these issues with a fixed Leupy. Only reason I bought this particular scope was because there weren’t any FX available. Come on Leupold! Get it together!

Do you mean VX-3i ?

I was thinking yesterday that I would love Trijicon to take the 3-9x40 platform and make it a straight 6x

Me too!

I guess not enough of us bought them when they still marketed them. I lucked onto a used straight six Meopta here on the classifieds...after hunting with it one season, I can say comfortably that I could convert my whole damn inventory to something like that. I just don't need a variable in the country I hunt, I don't need big clickety click knobs, I don't need nautical twilight lenses, I would run hard to avoid anything illuminated, 100 yard parallax works goodenuff for me. I'm glad the long shooting became popular...it raised the bar on optics, bullets, precision...we all benefited to a lesser degree, but too bad the sales people blew right on by what I would call basic workhorse optics.

I'd love for Leupold to unscrew themselves and start selling a decent 4x again. Failing that, I'd take https://www.nightforceoptics.com/riflescopes/competition/competition-sr-fixed-45x24/ with the Forceplex reticle, ideally illuminated.


Okie John

I started hunting, in 1956, with a 2.5-4X B&L on their adjustable mounts. Later I went to a 2.5-8X B&L that I used for many years. Didn't get a fixed power scope until 1972. It was a 4X B&L. In 1987, I bought a Remington Mtn. Rifle and mounted a 4X Leupold on it. Jack O'Connor liked the 2.5-4X stuff for his rifles, so I thought I'd try some. Later, I went back to variables. Had a 6.5-20X Leupold on my "long range magnum," a Mk.5 Weatherby. Still have a few, but none are on my serious big game rifles. I've learned the deer I hunt don't stand around, broadside, and wait for me to range them, make a wind call, and assume some sort of solid shooting position. I'm sure some people hunt in places where that is the way it works, but I haven't hunted like that for sometime.
The four year old class bucks I hunt, all take off running, stay down in the wash, and duck in and out of cover, as I try to hit them. Never have I killed one over 150 yds. out. E

Not too bad but $2K?

I literally signed up for the VIP program with the intent of getting an FX3 6X42. This is what I want on my newly acquired MKV .270WBY.

I called Leupold and spoke to a couple of different people none of which had any answers.

My search for an appropriate scope for that rifle continues.

I lucked up and scored a nib meostar R1 7x56 last year.....sweeeet....worth every penny.

Recently picked up a FX3 6x42 from Gritr.....got it zeroed on a .308.......hoping the crosshairs stay put.

Looking forward to how it does in ow light next fall.

I wonder if most folks know how much point of impact can shift as you change magnification. A simple, svelte scope that works doesn’t sound like too much to ask. I’ve several swfa fixed power scopes that work but I hate the Mattel toy clunky look.
One scope I was messing around with, doing some short range 22 rimfire shooting and the groups shifted so much between power settings that I literally wanted to take the scope off right then and there and smash it with a hammer so nobody else would have to deal with its frustrations.

Which Reupold was it? Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!.............

A 6 X42 with "duplex" crosshairs is, in my opinion, the best scope/ power available for the normal guy/normal use. Whatever that is, other than me. 4X would be second. Most of my scopes are variables, however, because that's what is/was most commonly available at reasonable prices before I learned better.

They work, and I'm too lazy to sell them off and rebuy 6X42 scopes all around. But variables are what sell (and what has been "sold") to "the common man" - i.e, the most scope buyers.

I've a 3X Leupold I should hang on something, but it has very fine crosshairs, which I am not fond of.

Yes, probably.

I’m in the same boat as you. Looking to scope my Montana in 280ai. Leupold service told me to sign up for email notifications and be quick to buy when the notification came. I’m seeing the scope at carious retailers over the last couple of weeks, but still not from Leupold. I sent another message asking if they would have any available through the VIP program and got ghosted. So much for “VIP”.

I prefer to use the Kahles 6x42 and the Meopta 6x42 both with the #4 reticle. Alas the used market is the only way to get them now

I've briefly considered a bent fender klassic 6x42 but at around $1k it's too rich for my blood.

I have two of these and wouldn't part with them for most anything else. On a plain old "huntin' rifle" you couldn't ask for anything better

i bought a japanese weaver 6x38 the other day off gunbroker $65 to my door no one would bid on it its about 98% glass was dirty but cleaned up (no swirls or scratch marks) a couple of nicks in the finish on the turret caps but its super light and glass is great i think i am going to mount it on a model 7 308 or 7mm08 in some lightweight talley's

I’ve got two of these and they definitely outperform. That’s another scope that is no longer produced.

My favorite fixed power is the Zeiss Diatal C 6x32. I have three mounted on various rifles and wouldn't trade them for anything. I do have a Leupold 6x36 on a #1 and that works out great also. I have shot many deer with these scopes from 10-150 yards with no complaints. When I was younger and my eyes were better my go to scope was an older Burris Fullfield with a post crosshair. I wish I could get a straight 6 with the same reticule.

I have two Tikkas in .223 Rem, they each have a Leupold FX-3 12x40 AO with target turrets. Love them.

Discontinued, unfortunately.




P

The Reupold 12x is a Goat Fhuqk. They won't/don't/can't hold zero,track or repeat. On top of that,erector travel is hilariously dismal. Hint.

A 12x MQ simply fhuqking crushes them,but is a poor choice for a Utility 223. I only have (4) Teeker 223's,all 8". 2-12x BTR Gen 2 FFP Mil/Mil,Barkin' Arken 4-16x 30mm LW FFP Mil/Mil,Bushie LRHS 4.5-18x FFP Mil/Mil and 6x MQ. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!...............

Hey, the Fugktard from Far North has chimed in. He knows as much as any man can know about said scope. I’m just saying he has Botox on his face and chin. LMAO.

Pardon wares that exist,as you Google aloud and steal content. Hint.





Fortunately for you,Imagination and Pretend are free,so you can "afford" to "contribute". Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!...............

With the hunting I do, I'm generally not zooming in and out trying to pick some optimal level of magnification. Single-digit magnification is almost always more than adequate simply because I don't encounter much wide open space. The variable scopes that I do have max out at what today is probably considered moderate values of 8x, 9x, 10x & 12x.

So I get a lot of good usage out of my Leupold Big Bore 3x20, FX-3 6x42, Meopta R2 8x56 RD, a Malcolm 6x for my 1885 primitive setup & then a pair of older Weaver & Tasco 4x32's in excellent condition. Whenever I get a new rifle, I generally have a good idea of what it's intended usage is going to be & I always consider a fixed scope as my first option. That choice would be easier to make if the fixed options were more abundant because I do like them.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with scopes that have wide zoom ranges, lots of dials & busy reticles for the shooters who are skilled enough to use them properly or take demanding long-range shots. For me, it injects a level of complexity that doesn't translate into value for the lower requirements of the tasks I'm trying to accomplish. I prefer simplicity because it works better for me.

The big, heavy variable power scopes of today are simply a marketing gimmick to people who all want to play sniper. My elk rifle is a 338Fed Montana with a Laupild 4x and I can shoot an elk sized target as far as the round is useful. My bolt action deer rifles tend to be topped with fixed 4x or 6x scopes and they too are perfectly adequate for any shot I would take at a distant deer or pig.
The bells and whistles on scopes today can serve a purpose, but considering that most hunters have no business shooting more than a couple hundred yards at a live game animal in hunting conditions anyway, they become a moot point when implemented by such hunters. Yet, more and more that’s what I see on these rifles. Go to the range and you have some Fudd with a whizz-bang rifle and a scope that can see into next week. Walk to the targets and you’d think this was their 3rd time ever at a rifle range.
The simplicity of a fixed power scope has many advantages, particularly ruling out stupid mistakes like walking around with your zoom maxed out or having target knobs spun around to who knows where. There is a lot going for the hunter who uses a good fixed power scope sighted in for MPBR.

^^^ This! ^^^

I have a Leupold M8 6x on my Ruger 77 30-06. The rifle is ceracoted matte black and has a B&C synthetic stock that fits me perfectly. It's my go-anywhere, do-anything rifle.

A Leupold M8 4x is going on my Marlin ,357 lever action and it is just lightning quick in the dense woods I occasionally hunt. Practicing and plinking with 38 special ammo is also quite fun.

Gals who say schit that fhuqking STUPID,shoot VERY little and routinely hail from Texas...you "lucky" kchunt. Hint. Congratulations?!?

Mechanical integrity,is neither a "bell" or a "whistle",if only to the chagrin of Crying Karens the World over. "MPBR" is The Retard Swan Song. Read that again. Now one more time. Hint.

You CLUELESS Crying Dumbfhuqks are a hoot! Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!..............

He’s on ignore for me.

I like my FX-3 12x40 AO Target scopes. We really slayed the sage rats and marmots last week with them.





P

PhartSmeller,

Besides being a CLUELESS Fhuqk,what were the "odds" that you just also "happen" to be a Lying Piece Of Fhuqking Schit to boot...you "lucky" kchunt. Hint. Congratulations?!?

The Reupold 12X's are frail fhuqks,just like you. Hint.





Pardon my simply shooting it all and then some,as you Google aloud. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!...............

Any variable I have gets set on 5X and stays there.

Leupold is about the last company I'd hang my hopes on in regards to fixed scopes. Remember when they came on here and basically told people their scopes are awesome and we're just morons? I have some older fixed Leupolds I like and trust, but between the goofy looks and lackluster reliability of their current production stuff they don't even enter into my mind as an option. They just can't help but make a mess of things. For example, does anyone really want their 2.5 with a wide duplex reticle? For that matter, do that many people really want a CDS install on a 1.5-5? No! Most people who want a scope in this power range, whether fixed or variable, want either a normal duplex or something useful for the woods like a #4 or HD.

I wonder who's driving the bus for scope makers. It brings to mind something Jack O'Connor wrote years ago, I believe in his last book: Executives from one of the big gun makers came to him with questions about product request letters they were getting from supposed customers asking for some kinda off the wall stuff. They wanted to know what he thought of the ideas coming forth. It turned out the ideas and requests they were getting were coming from 12 year old boys who were excited to be new hunters and gun owners. So I must ask, in our time, are the 6.5 CM dudes doing alot of emailing?

Agreed. The wide duplex reticle is better than no reticle, but that's all it has going for it. I can't give a blanket like to "#4 reticles" because many of them have their thick parts ending too far away from center just like the wide duplex.


If it was reliable I wouldn't mind an elevation turret on a 1.5-5x20.

With complete respect, I do want, and like, my 2.5x with a heavy duplex. In the deep woods of Northern New England, that heavy reticule is just excellent for picking out what I'm aiming at from twigs, branches, understory, etc. in the deep woods. Especially so in low light situations. Might not be PC, but give me the braille method anytime. It's fast and helps result in a sure outcome, if one is to be had.

I believe you're confusing wide duplex and heavy duplex.

I do not distinguish any difference between the wide and the heavy duplex. Please clarify, so I can clear this up!

When I got a 308 Win I put a NIKON 4x that I had laying around on it. It has been a good combination and offers all the magnification I need out to 300 yards.

In the wide duplex the wide refers to the spacing between the tips of the thick parts of the reticle, not the thickness of the thin bars in the middle of the reticle.

In the heavy duplex the heavy refers to the line thickness of the bars in the middle of the reticle.

i really like these new to me Burris 1-6 x 24 - 30 tube with illumination if needed , i have one hit the cement floor twice from 8 feet and this scope has the marks to show ,second time it fell the Laminated wood Ruger stock had to take it to a gunsmith to get stock fixed but this Burris still holds zero . i am considering putting one of these Burris 1-6 x24 - 30 tube on my new to me Winchester 70 338 Win. mag with picatinny mnts. too ?

There are a lot of variations. Some are subtle. Others more pronounced:

The German 4 as depicted there is dumb.

Just doesn't speak to you?

My favorite Leupold reticle is the post & duplex. The thick part isn't as bold as the heavy duplex and the center is the same thickness.

4X scope, the truck is about 120 yards away.

Trijicon knows how to make a German #4!

DaveinWV, your reticle looks like Leupold's take on a #4, not a post and duplex.