Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mule Deer - 6x scope question

Which brand do you recommend? Do the weavers use the new erector tube set up developed by Meade Optics?

I have a .257 AI that I put together in the early 80's that is topped with a 6x Leupold. It's been my favorite rifle. I've shot a pretty big pile of mule and whitetail dear, antelope, sheep, caribou, elk, and coyotes with this rig. I have variable scopes on a 7mm RM and two .30 caliber magnums that I usually leave on the 6x power for hunting.

I have a 10x Weaver on a .22-250 and a 3-9x Weaver on my 7mm RM, but they are at least 10 years old. No complaints on either of them. The 7mm has been to Africa twice and north of the Artic Circle for caribou and musk ox.

I'm not Mule Deer, but I ove my FXII 6x on my .25/06. I also have a 6x42 M8 on a .250 Savage and a K6 Weaver that's going to go on a .270. Very nice scopes.

To my knowledge the only scopes with the new erector system are all Simmons models.

I like the 6x Leupolds. For quite a while I have used the 6x42's (everything from M8's to FX-III's) but if buying a new one today would go for the 6x36, which has Multi-Coat 4 lenses now, and is somewhat lighter than the 6x42.

I have a bunch of other 6x scopes as well, and they are all good deals, inclding the Weaver, Burris Fullfield II, Nikon, etc. I also have a Burris 6x24 mini-scope on a 7mm-08 a great little scope that unfortunately no longer made. For general hunting a good 6x is what I prefer.

Count me as another fan of the 6x scope. I have used several of the Weavers and Leupold M-8 with nary a bobble. In fact, I have a 6x Leupold M-8 mounted on a .340 Weatherby I bought from Mule Deer and it works like a charm.

I have always liked the 6X Leupolds..I like the smaller objective lens as I don't buy off on big objectives because I can't see that they do what they are claimed to do and the smaller lighter scope is always feasible IMO..that said I am a 20 mm objective person as they are tougher and don't get wacked out of zero and they suit any hunting situation..My favorites are the 1.5x5X, 1x4, and the old 3X, for big game hunting.

Ray,

I am also a fan of the small-objectived scopes, but have had very good luck with various 6x scopes (even the 6x42 Leupold) as far as them holding zero in tough hunting. I have used both the 6x36 and 6x42 for horseback hunting for long stretches and had no problem with them staying zeroed. Bigger scopes don't hold up so well in scabbards, though!

My favorite scope is a Leupold Alaskan 6x. I believe that Leupold only made them one year. The scope is made of blued steel and excellent glass. Mine is optically clear out too the edge of view. It's currently mounted in extra low rings on my model 70.
If you can find one for sale I think you'd like it. Just my opinion...
idahoguy101

for what it's worth, I own the following fixed x scopes

leupy 6x36
leupy 6x42
s&b 6x42 (two of them)
swarovski 8x56

the leupy 6x42 is a great scope and I much prefer it over the 6x36. I would need a really good need for a compact scope to choose the 36 over the 42 as I just dont see any downside. the basic 6x42, in any brand, may be just the most perfect scope out there. sure, there are scopes for particular applications but for light, simple and durable, its hard to beat.

I bought the swarovski and s&b scope in fixed x simply cause I saved several hundred dollars in the process and most of my shooting is in the 6-8x range anyway. the 8x is a "stand hunting" scope for sure but it is cool. I would take the 6x42 s&b anywhere.

idahoguy101--

I have one of the 4x Leupold Alaskans, and wish I had a 2.5x and 6x as well. But they are getting very hard to find--and quite expensive when you do find them!

Leupold was at the ACEG show and wanted to hear from folks about ideas for future offerings. I suggested the Alaskan's, along with the 3x and possibly offering the option of longer eye relief on some models.
They are always receptive to ideas so let them hear from you.

Speaking of new things and ideas, I've always wanted a 6X42 Leupold with Diamond Coat Coatings, but never thought they'd make one. It seems that they do now. The new FX-3 is such an animal. What's more, I'm getting one on my new custom mauser, '06 !
If I weren't so demanding about having a scope that will allow me to shoot on the darkest nights, I'd probably opt for the 6X36 over the 6X42. E

I just got in a new FX-3 6X42 with the LR reticle. It seems to be a very nice scope, Very bright, clear, and user friendly...

I haven't got to mount it up yet though as I am having troubld deciding on what to chamber my new rifle in that I getting ready to order...

I also have a 6X42 monarch that is a very nice scope...

Mike, I'm interested in hearing your opinion on that new FX3. I think they added some upgrades to that scope similar to what was done to the VX3.

Count me as a fan of the classic Leupold 6x42mm as well.
Didn't Mule Deer once write that the only issue with this scope is that if you position the scope ring too close to the occular lens that you can either ruin, or have problems with this particular scope?

I'm not sure, I just know that JB is a big fan of the Leupy fixed 6's. I hunted with the old version of the 6x42 that was on my friend's 280 Ruger and I was not all that impressed with it's optics. Their have been several upgrades to this scope since.

According to Leupold, you can mount it right into the threads for the ocular focus. both of mine are so mounted. However, you need to make sure you don't over tighten the screws on the rings. The reticle cell is there and can be damaged.
The original 6X42's were single coated scopes. Later, the M8's were given full multicoating. The later FXII's were given Index Matched Lenses. E

I am quite impressed with it so far... I have just looked through it outside a couple times. I haven't mounted it on a rifle yet. I am still trying to get myself to pull the trigger on a NULA 30-06 and thats what it will go on. I love the reticle in it..

Thanks Mike, I'm hoping someone can make some comparisons to a Conquest or something sililar to see if they really have improved them optically.

I have a 4 conquests, I'll go out back when I get time and set my 3-9X40 and 1.8-5.5 as close to 6X as I can get and see how they compare...