BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[starfish]

Looking at buying one of these. Any experience out there with these?

[Highflyer]

I have one and I personally think it is excellent. Nice and clear and great in low light.

[starfish]

Highflyer wrote: I have one and I personally think it is excellent. Nice and clear and great in low light.

Do you ever wish you had variable power when your using the fixed?

[WesternHunter]

In my opinion a 4X or 6X fixed power is the way to go. It's a more simple system and less prone to failure. It's what I prefere for biggame hunting. Besides, on my other variables I've never had a need to mess with the power settings.

[starfish]

Thanks for the input. I think I've made my decision.

[ChesterGolf]

I have all variableleupold scopes on my rifles and for no really good reason over the fixed. Mine stay on one setting for all my shooting so far. The very few times I changed it, I could have made due with the original setting. My stays on 4x is it matters at all.

[remington]

It always nice to have the option in the field or range.

[fuzzybear]

I prefer a fixed or lower power variable. I use a 4x on one rifle and a 2x-7x on another and a 1.5x -4x on a third. The 2x-7x pretty much stays on 4x but I will crank it up for more detail. The 1.5x-4x pretty much stays on 1.5x but i will crank it up for a bit more detail in heavy brush.

[ratltrap]

It really depends on how you will use the scope. I really prefer the simplicity of fixed power scopes and have several ranging from old steel tube Weavers on leverguns and .22s to the Leupold 6x42 that currently sits on a .280 alpine/tundra rifle. The 6x42 has been an excellent scope for open country hunts, but a poor choice for close cover because it won't focus at less than 20 yds like a low power fixed or variable scope will.

For mixed cover still hunts and spot 'n stalk I sometimes use low power fixed scopes, but really prefer low power variables. For that type hunt a variable lets me focus on close targets at low power and also gives me the option of 4 to 7x for detailed scoping or longer range.

I see that Leupold's new "tactical" 6x42 addresses the close focus problem with an AO.

[starfish]

ratltrap wrote: It really depends on how you will use the scope. I really prefer the simplicity of fixed power scopes and have several ranging from old steel tube Weavers on leverguns and .22s to the Leupold 6x42 that currently sits on a .280 alpine/tundra rifle. The 6x42 has been an excellent scope for open country hunts, but a poor choice for close cover because it won't focus at less than 20 yds like a low power fixed or variable scope will.

For mixed cover still hunts and spot 'n stalk I sometimes use low power fixed scopes, but really prefer low power variables. For that type hunt a variable lets me focus on close targets at low power and also gives me the option of 4 to 7x for detailed scoping or longer range.

I see that Leupold's new "tactical" 6x42 addresses the close focus problem with an AO.

Its going on a 7mm Rem Mag BAR for Elk hunting in North West Colorado, until I get drawn in Nevada. I think it will be perfect. I've got a lever brush gun, and a 6mm with a 3x9 Bushnell Banner II. I think I like the simplicity of a fixed power scope. It will take second guessing out of the equation.

[Highflyer]

I do not miss the variable capability at all and at this point it looks like I'll never go back. The variable scopes I've had in the past tended to stay on one setting regardless of distance. I did spend a lot of time sending them back to the factory (maybe just bad luck on my part?) and haven't ever had to do such a thing with a fixed power. Sounds like you've chosen already - YOU WILL BE PLEASED.

[starfish]

Got it!

I had it professionally mounted and bore-sighted by a local gunsmith.

I put 10 rounds through it at 25 yards and got it darn close to zero. The first 3 shots were 2 inches down and 2 inches right. I clicked it 16 up and 16 left. the next group of 3 were 1 inch down and about 1 inch right. I then clicked up 8 and 4 left. The third group of 3 had 2 shots on and 1/2 right, with the 3rd shot 2 inches low and 1/2 inch right. So I got it pretty close. I had 1 shell left and put it 1 inch low and 1 1/4 left. I must have flinched. :) Anyway, I only had 10 shells and had to check out the scope and rifle combo.

I probably will buy some shells and head back out this weekend to get it on.

[starfish]

I got my rifle sighted in with about 12 rounds. The groups looked solid, but as I shot more they started going all over the target. When I say all over, I mean 4 or 5 inches from center. Could this be from barrel heat?

[ChesterGolf]

I doubt a warm barrel would make it that bad unless it was really hot but you never know. Make sure the mounts/ bases didn't loosen up on you while you were shooting it.

[starfish]

Everything seems tight. I'm going to go out and shoot some more and see what happens.