Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold 6x36 or 2.5-8x36

I am debating what tube to put on my soon to be acquired Ruger tang safety 30-06. I currently do not have any fixed power scopes on any of my rifles and think I like the idea of having a simple, rugged scope.

This rifle will mainly be used for taking whitetails in swamps and hardwoods. I know I can flip a coin and not go wrong, but what your opinions?

Thanks,
CH

Can't comment on the 6X as I haven't used one. The 2.5-8X36 is my favorite so far, it can cover thick woods to more open terrain with ease and do it in a fairly light package. Great optics also.

You may want to consider a fixed 4x for the hunting you described.

2.5x8x36 hands down!

Another vote for the 2.5-8X36. Great scope.

I have both scopes and can see little difference for field use, though I have tried neither in a very low light condition. I think most would find the 6x to be quite adequate for game shooting somewhat beyond 300 yards. As for the variable, I leave the power setting at 8x.

+1 on the 4x, especially for the type of hunting you do. I've come full circle, back to fixed powers for nearly all of my hunting (reliability and simplicity are why).

I own both as well as the FXII 4x. I like them all but would recommend the 2.5x8 for versatility.

I know you said Leopold, but look hard at the Weaver K6 or K4 Classics at half the price. The ones I've seen are every bit the equal to fixed power Leopold scopes.

That would be my suggestion too.

I've used the K4 and liked it a lot. Sold it in a fit and regretted doing so.

I've had a Leupold M8 6x on my tang safety 270 since about 1982, never had a problem at either short range or long. That's shooting both deer and groundhogs with it. FWIW, I seem to set the variables at about 5-6x when entering the woods and leave them there.

Dale

2.5x8, hands down for where you hunt, no question. If you lived in WY, I'd say the 6X LRD

I never warmed up to the 2.5x8. The 6x36 has plenty of tube length to mount on a long action. Get a post & duplex or heavy duplex reticle and thank me later.

Re: Weaver, good scopes, do like the CDS and M1 options for Leupy...

A 6x would be the scope of choice if I had ONLY 1, it's what I have used the most and killed the most game. Never NOT killed when using, same for 4x.

Leupold 6x every time. I've had the 2.5-8 a few times and they're fine scopes for those who feel the need for a variable.

+1 After hunting the hardwoods and swamps in VA for 8 years I found I really needed the lower power. As I am sure you are familiar with, sometimes while hunting from a tree stand deer show up REALLY CLOSE to the stand. The fixed 6x makes that shot a lot harder for me. Especially in low light. If you like fixed, for your locale, I would go 4x. If not the 2.5-8 is the king!

............It may be a good idea to go with a simple and rugged scope, but not in your case with a fixed 6x imo. I wouldn`t go with a fixed 6x for use in the swamps or in the hardwoods where shorter ranged kill shots would be alot more common. You would be locked in with using 6x only. Some may differ, but having wider FOVS are better in less open terrains where ranges are shorter.

For the use you state, a 4x would be the better choice if you go with a fixed scope. In the terrain you mention, no fixed 6x would be able to do what a fixed 4x cannot do. A fixed 6x with its narrower FOV I consider to be more of an open country longer ranged scope.

But! I know two guys who use a fixed 6x for everything no matter what the conditions. I just happen to disagree with them.

To get the best of everything, just go with the 2.5-8x36 Leupold. If you need the 2.5x with wider FOVs for short range shots you`ll have that. Need 4x? You`ll have that too. See a deer at 300-400 yards, then 6x to 8x will easily handle that too.

Much better magnification versatility going with the variable.

Killed a buck in a southeast Texas swamp at about 10-12' some 35 years ago using a host furnished .270 Sako with a 6X. IMHO, that is way too many Xs for close up work. Four would be better, two and a half better still. Deer bounded into a clearing, I threw up the rifle, the deer's head was in the crosshair, venison.

I had been sitting on a stump and had used the tops from a recent hardwood harvest for a blind. Jack

^^^ This! ^^^

One of my all time favorite hunting scopes!