Fixed vs variable power scope?
- Thread starter Roch
- Start date
Orion
Well-Known Member
If it's for general stalking and you don't also want to drop foxes etc. out at a gazzillion metres, then I'd go for a fixed. I've a Swaro 2.2-9x42 on my .308 stalking rifle and I can't really remember a time when I've changed magnification. If I was buying again I'd get a fixed mag for that rifle.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Go for a fixed 6x42 swaro/s&b/meopta/zeiss. More than enough power for open hill, but not too much for close range woodland etc. Quality of image is far more important than magnification, and particularly in poor light (midday hind stalking, if yesterday was anything to go by) you want a bright image.
8x56 is a bigger heavier scope that cannot be mounted as low as the 6x42.
And with all the money you save from not buying a top of the range variable you can go stalking lots more and learn how to get within range!
I have both the Zeiss and Meopta and not a lot to choose between them.
8x56 is a bigger heavier scope that cannot be mounted as low as the 6x42.
And with all the money you save from not buying a top of the range variable you can go stalking lots more and learn how to get within range!
I have both the Zeiss and Meopta and not a lot to choose between them.
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
Sound advice
I own a Zeiss Victory Varipoint 3-12x56 T* for a few weeks now, and I can tell you that: Best piece of kit I ever owned. A fix mag scope would do the job just as well, I think, but having the freedom to adjust the magnification as you need it is quite nifty...
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
Normally I'd adocate a variable power as it gives more advantages. However, if you have budget constraints, I'd get the best fixed power you can afford rather than a cheap variable. I'd choose an 8 x 56 over a 6 x 42 if you are shooting longer range stuff too.
Worth looking at some of the mid-range priced variables though which will be similar priced to a top range fixed but are still good scopes. Leupold, Meopta, Minox, Nikon, Docter are all good makes which won't break the bank.
MS
Worth looking at some of the mid-range priced variables though which will be similar priced to a top range fixed but are still good scopes. Leupold, Meopta, Minox, Nikon, Docter are all good makes which won't break the bank.
MS
Paul at Fechan
Well-Known Member
either a fixed 8 or a 3-12 scope is ideal for 308 but the deciding factor is if you are likely to be stalking in woodland situations where the deer can appear very close or rather out on the hill where you control the distance of the shot better. The variable lets you zoom back or reach out which can be handy but is not that important.
Zeiss or S&B are your big name winners but a top end Leupold or bushnell elite is optically fantastic at half the price.
Zeiss or S&B are your big name winners but a top end Leupold or bushnell elite is optically fantastic at half the price.
black lab
Well-Known Member
Hi
I have been using 8x56 Swarovski for a good number of year's now and would never change it.
Have shot Deer and Foxes as close as 30yard's to 200yard's with no problem's with the 8x56.
Have had it on .243/270 and now .223.
And have tried a lot of scopes in the past, but the Swarovski comes out on top's in my opinion.
Regard's Wullie.
I have been using 8x56 Swarovski for a good number of year's now and would never change it.
Have shot Deer and Foxes as close as 30yard's to 200yard's with no problem's with the 8x56.
Have had it on .243/270 and now .223.
And have tried a lot of scopes in the past, but the Swarovski comes out on top's in my opinion.
Regard's Wullie.
Last edited:
caorach
Well-Known Member
All I can say is that I have a Hungarian 8X56 S&B on my 308 and have no need for another scope, though occasionally I might fancy something else.
I shoot sika in forestry and also occasional reds in Scotland on the hill and have never had to give the scope a 2nd thought, some shots have been very close indeed and some have been out to about 220 yards.
It is worth considering the difference between what you need and what you would like to have. Also it may be worth looking at a 2nd hand scope from a reliable dealer, Macleods of Tain get a great reputation for 2nd hand optics. Going 2nd hand but top notch fixed you can have a scope that you know has the absolute best glass available, giving you the best chance of getting that deer in low light, plus you have the confidence of knowing that no matter how bad the shot it wasn't a problem with the scope that caused it. You will also have a decent resale value - I paid £250 for my S&B and could probably get more than that for it today - and that is something you don't get with the various Chinese/American brands.
If you are going 2nd hand in 8X56 then a Hungarian S&B would probably be the lowest cost option. I've tested it against the 8X56 Swaro and there is nothing between them in terms of what you can see in low light though the Swaro has a slightly wider field of view making the image "feel" a little better. The difference in cost between the S&B and Swaro, even 2nd hand, would probably pay for a day stalking.
I shoot sika in forestry and also occasional reds in Scotland on the hill and have never had to give the scope a 2nd thought, some shots have been very close indeed and some have been out to about 220 yards.
It is worth considering the difference between what you need and what you would like to have. Also it may be worth looking at a 2nd hand scope from a reliable dealer, Macleods of Tain get a great reputation for 2nd hand optics. Going 2nd hand but top notch fixed you can have a scope that you know has the absolute best glass available, giving you the best chance of getting that deer in low light, plus you have the confidence of knowing that no matter how bad the shot it wasn't a problem with the scope that caused it. You will also have a decent resale value - I paid £250 for my S&B and could probably get more than that for it today - and that is something you don't get with the various Chinese/American brands.
If you are going 2nd hand in 8X56 then a Hungarian S&B would probably be the lowest cost option. I've tested it against the 8X56 Swaro and there is nothing between them in terms of what you can see in low light though the Swaro has a slightly wider field of view making the image "feel" a little better. The difference in cost between the S&B and Swaro, even 2nd hand, would probably pay for a day stalking.
Just bought a 4 - 12 x 50 Meopta for £320 from the Sportman Gun Centre in Dorset, think they normally retail for about £420 ? Quality is right up there with the premium brands but at a fraction of the cost so superb value for money. Put it on my 25.06 and took a nice Roe with it on Sunday.
Macleods of Tain have a Swarovski 8 x 50 4A reticule for £640 as new on their website just nowI have 2 of these, one on my .243 & one on my .270 and really happy with both quality, performance and field of view etc. I went down this road as a "keep it simple" type of attitude and would happily recommend them.
Cooter
Well-Known Member
I have used four scopes on the .308 and as someone that tried fixed mag years ago and couldn't get on with it, I always used variables.
After doing a lot more stalking in the last three or four years than in all the years before, I realised the disadvantage of variables all too quickly, so I bought a SH Meopta 7 x 50 and never looked back.
If it's just stalking and targets out to 200yds, then fixed is the way to go.
After doing a lot more stalking in the last three or four years than in all the years before, I realised the disadvantage of variables all too quickly, so I bought a SH Meopta 7 x 50 and never looked back.
If it's just stalking and targets out to 200yds, then fixed is the way to go.
I have S&B 6x42 on .308 and 6.5x55 for use on the hill. Plenty of scope, no messing about.
I've a Zeiss ?-2?x56 on the .22-250, though, for foxes and far-away small things. This one also has an illuminated reticle, which I usually forget to turn on.
Thos who are fond of reading old magazines and text-book related to stalking will perhaps have noted that when 'scopes became more common, 2.5x was considered plenty, perhaps with 4x as a high power for the hill. Then 4x became 'standard' (certainly the 'scope on my air-rifle in the early 80s was 4x) with 6x for the hill.
Now, it seems, 8x is considered fine for woodland! Whatever next?
I've a Zeiss ?-2?x56 on the .22-250, though, for foxes and far-away small things. This one also has an illuminated reticle, which I usually forget to turn on.
Thos who are fond of reading old magazines and text-book related to stalking will perhaps have noted that when 'scopes became more common, 2.5x was considered plenty, perhaps with 4x as a high power for the hill. Then 4x became 'standard' (certainly the 'scope on my air-rifle in the early 80s was 4x) with 6x for the hill.
Now, it seems, 8x is considered fine for woodland! Whatever next?
widows son
Well-Known Member
Paul at Fechan
Well-Known Member
I do like to use crank up to the 30x power with my bushy on the .308 to check zero on those long range rabbits. 'it's only too much mag when you can't hold a rifle steady'
JabaliHunter
Well-Known Member
The Zeiss 7x50 or the Swarovski 8x50 are good all-round stalking scopes, even better with illuminated reticles....
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