Fixed power scope

[1894]

I've found that fixed is more efficient at killing deer.

When I see a deer I want to be concentrating on getting the rifle up and shooting it. I have a zeiss ht 3-12x56 and love it but really I wish they made an HT 8x56. Having to screw around with zooming, turrets etc is not for me.

When I first used the 3-12x56 I used to carry it on 4x in the woods. I constantly had to turn it up on find the neck etc I had located in a window of twigs with my bins. Now I just carry it on 8x all the time. I would revert omy swarovski 8x56i but its not quite so bright or clear and the reticle not quite dim enough at last light.

 

[kenbro]

I've found that fixed is more efficient at killing deer.

When I see a deer I want to be concentrating on getting the rifle up and shooting it. I have a zeiss ht 3-12x56 and love it but really I wish they made an HT 8x56. Having to screw around with zooming, turrets etc is not for me.

When I first used the 3-12x56 I used to carry it on 4x in the woods. I constantly had to turn it up on find the neck etc I had located in a window of twigs with my bins. Now I just carry it on 8x all the time. I would revert omy swarovski 8x56i but its not quite so bright or clear and the reticle not quite dim enough at last light.

Hi 1894,
You say your fixed power scope isn’t up to the job and you leave your variable (That you love) on 8 all the time. I can’t see where you have a problem!
Ken.

 

[Chasey]

Hi 1894,
You say your fixed power scope isn’t up to the job and you leave your variable (That you love) on 8 all the time. I can’t see where you have a problem!
Ken.

Exactly, that's a daft reason to criticise a variable


When I am in our low seat my max shot is 80m but I can have them appear left and low (steep bank in front of me) so I have the zoom at about 5 and leave it there. Good enough for 80m wide enough for close up quick pick up

When I am in the big field i have it on max as the first time I see a deer it will be 180m+

When walking through the thick pine & berch wood, Ill have it on min zoom (2.5) so I can get on the animal quickly from the sholder

I was woodland stalking two weeks ago and spotted movement on min zoom at about 75m. The deer was so well hidden I could only see the front two legs. I paned around and thaught I could see something and so i zoomed in to max power. Yes it was an eye.

Couldent see the whole head, just the eye and about 2" around it

So i shot it in the eye

8 X 56 would be too powerful for quick reaction woodland shooting and not powerful enough for confident 150m head shots. I don't think it would have let me pull off that shot last week either.

 

[kenbro]

This thread is interesting.
Lots of people extolling the virtues of fixed power scopes, yet, in another thread on here quite recently, folks were saying the fixed power scope as had its day and manufacturers are stopping making them...because nobody wants them anymore!
My highest power scope is a cheap one (Weaver Grand Slam) 6-20, fine crosshair with 1/8th target dot. It’s nice to use on the range, but, the minimum 6 is too much for where i stalk, for most of the time.
I had a Ziess 3-12x50i, I should have kept that but kept changing for something “Better”.
Recently bought a 2-8 variable off a member here, i think it will be ideal for where i stalk.
Still have Bushy fixed 10 mildot and fixed 12 Loopy. All nice to use, at the right time.
Ken.

 

[Dalua]

folks were saying the fixed power scope as had its day and manufacturers are stopping making them...because nobody wants them anymore!

I think another argument was also being made: that no-one wants to buy them any more because the manufacturers are stopping making them - or at least, are more inclined to promote more complicated stuff.

 

[kenbro]

Agree.
Though can’t understand why manufacturers wouldn’t still offer (Some still do) them IF there was strong demand.
Having said that, if you buy quality you won’t need another one (So no repeat sales) and, if you didn’t like it, there is always the 2nd hand market to snap them up.
Ken.

 

[1894]

Hi 1894,
You say your fixed power scope isn’t up to the job and you leave your variable (That you love) on 8 all the time. I can’t see where you have a problem!
Ken.

The reason I love the HT is because if it's optical clarity, low light performance and configuration of the illuminated reticle plus it's ability to go extremely dim. It's a necessary evil to have the 3-12. As a result of that zoom facility I don't use the HT weighs a lot more and is a lot bulkier not too mention more expensive.

 

[1894]

Hi 1894,
You say your fixed power scope isn’t up to the job and you leave your variable (That you love) on 8 all the time. I can’t see where you have a problem!
Ken.

The reason I love the HT is because if it's optical clarity, low light performance and configuration of the illuminated reticle plus it's ability to go extremely dim. It's a necessary evil to have the 3-12. As a result of that zoom facility I don't use the HT weighs a lot more and is a lot bulkier not too mention more expensive.

 

[scrumbag]

Hi folks,

Just started a new thread asking about fixed scopes: Who uses a fixed scope

Scrummy

 

[willowbank]

Exactly, that's a daft reason to criticise a variable


When I am in our low seat my max shot is 80m but I can have them appear left and low (steep bank in front of me) so I have the zoom at about 5 and leave it there. Good enough for 80m wide enough for close up quick pick up

When I am in the big field i have it on max as the first time I see a deer it will be 180m+

When walking through the thick pine & berch wood, Ill have it on min zoom (2.5) so I can get on the animal quickly from the sholder

I was woodland stalking two weeks ago and spotted movement on min zoom at about 75m. The deer was so well hidden I could only see the front two legs. I paned around and thaught I could see something and so i zoomed in to max power. Yes it was an eye.

Couldent see the whole head, just the eye and about 2" around it

So i shot it in the eye

8 X 56 would be too powerful for quick reaction woodland shooting and not powerful enough for confident 150m head shots. I don't think it would have let me pull off that shot last week either.

Rather says it all, personally I prefer the lowest mag setting because it gives a nice steady picture and as Mark says (often) head shots are entirely possible within a reasonable range.

Willowbank.

 

[silverstoat]

I use a S&B 8x56 for foxes, it is really good in low light. Have just bought a S&B 6x42 that will be used for stalking. I started off with variables but now used fixed mag.

 

[Karhumies]

late to the party but as a lover of fixed scopes i cant resist!

My winning combo: 8x56 Zeiss diatal ( looking for a possible upgrade

and either 4x 7x or 10x binos depending on where i am hunting. once the target is located the 8x56 is the only format i want.

when i pack light its the drilling or 222 with a 6x42 meopro

 

[Koenig]

Edinburgh rifles have new S&B 8x56 Hungarians for £399.
I paid £440 from Optics Warehouse before Xmas.

For most stalkers one of these is all you need. I have three variables and yet always defer to the 8x56mm S&B.

 

[Bowland blades]

6x42 would be my choice I have 2 and a variable ( that i have wound down under 6x more than i have wound to its top . ) Thinking on i cant even remember how high that actually is