Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Fixed Power Scope Recommendations

I'm looking for a fixed power (6.0) scope for a rifle I'm putting together. I've been considering the Leupold FX-3 6x42; however, I don't want to make a purchase decision until I've evaluated other options.

Any recommendations or comments are sincerely appreciated.

Thanks.

You're good to go.

Lots of good words for the leupold. If cash is an issue the Weaver K6 runs about $140. Mines easily the best glass I own. (Not saying a whole lot though )

Leupold FX-3 is a good scope but personally I like the FX-II 6x36 better.

Own more 6x42mm Leupolds than any other scope.

They have always worked GREAT for me.

Virgil B.

Schmidt & Bender 6x42mm!!!!

For the bucks the weaver can't be beat. I also have and like fx's in 6x36 and 6x42.

What do you want to do with the rifle, and under what conditions? These answers would help to refine your choice.

Doesn't matter what you do, the 6x42 is king of the fixed and then some.

Thanks for the comments - keep them coming.

Intended to be mounted on a 6.5-06 rifle that will be used for Deer, Antelope, Sheep, on down to Javalina.

Private message sent.

I have about 6 6x scopes and am really liking them. My 6.5-06ai is riding one and I am really liking it!

Disagree completely; would much prefer a 6x36 Leupold on a light hunting rifle. The extra 6mm objective doesn't gain you much (not me, at least). Certainly not worth the extra bulk. Horses for courses, pay your money and take your pick.

If I was only a tree stand hunter, with shots nearly always in pre-dawn or dusk, didn't have to pack the rifle much, didn't care what it weighed, didn't have to pack it horseback, I'd sure consider a bigger objective. The purpose for the rifle makes all the difference.

If a 6X36 FXII meets your needs, by all means, do it. Me, I prefer the 6X42, FX3. Why ? Because I find the extra night time performance handy. Wouldn't want to bump into something on the trail and in the dark w/o a scope that worked. Never saw the conditions where it wouldn't work. Might not work very far, but it has always worked 6X further than my eyes have.
I appreciate the finger tip adjustments. They have always worked perfectly for me. And I like the super hard coatings. I'm kinda hard on my equipment and find myself cleaning my lenses alot. E

What one does or doesn't prefer don't change the fact of the 6x42 being best.

either of the 6x leupold's are good medicine.

many claim that the 6x42 is the "better" scope--and they may be right--but i have always preferred the 6x36, as the bell is smaller--in my judgement, the smaller diameter bell is somewhat less likely to end up being knocked off of zero.

i've used fixed 6x glass since the early 70's (along with 4x and 10x, with 8x coming later, in the mid 80's), and the 6x is easily my favorite. if you can ever find a B&L trophy b model balsix, they are really good scopes, and the tapered hairs in them are light years ahead of the leupold cpc...i've got about a half dozen of both the 4 and 6 x B&L's, and not one has ever failed--ever. and although i believe that the leupold's are ultimately far better scopes than these old B&L's--i've had one leupold fail--a 4x made in 1987. leupold repaired it for nothing--my only cost was that of shipping it to them. that particular scope developed a leak.

E, I don't see how 1mm of exit pupil will matter either way.

I have x3 older M8 6x scopes ... favourite is the one I had a German No1 reticle placed into it. The Leupold 6x scopes are just about perfect for me.
Cheers...
Con

Used M8s, FXIIIs and FX II and 3s.......

None let me down in performance or reliability.

I must not hunt so hard, b/c I don't have to clean my lens that often, but if I did, I do it carefully w/o scratching 'non- diamond coated' lens.

Is the 42 better by a smidgeon on 'eyebox?' Sure, but the 36 has a better eyebox than many other scopes I have peered thru......its not a contest about which is better.

Fact is the 36 is a Darned good optic in all regards.

The question I must ask the 42 lovers is:

Have you ever had a 36mm model FAIL to take an animal in the field and you 100% believe that having a 42mm model would have changed the outcome?

For me the answer is no. The 36s have NEVER let me down. Again, I have owned, used, and enjoyed 42s....but I just don't see the difference great, nor a 36 lacking to accomplish it's task. The 36 has a 6mm exit pupil as we know, and as most know, many eyes dilate to a max of 5mm unless you are 12 years old or very young.

If a scope is properly mounted for the shooter, when you throw up a rifle on your shoulder quickly, you should have a nice bright view w/o any issues.

YMMV.

Sightron has fixed power in SII and SIIB, but 4x32 and 6x42 are the only size options.

In SIII they have 10, 16, and 20x42 mil dot type with some sort of half way marks between the dots that they call MMD.

They also have a SI 1x20. Guess you could read the letters on the barrel with that one.