Variable vs fixed

[Chuckman]

Should one mount a scope for 50-600, maybe 700 yards, would one want a variable, or a fixed? In this day and age with all the choices, is there a good reason to have a fixed like a 10x?

 

[BurnedOutGeek]

Fixed for the cost factor.
Variable for convenience and adjustability.

For 700 and less a fixed 10 is fine, used them out to 1k, but now I'm getting to old and blind for that so I need a bit more magnification.

What kind of budget are you looking to stay in?

 

[Howland]

If you are only punching holes in paper, fixed is fine for 25-1,000 yards.

If you are sitting on stand and need to be prepared for a deer busting out of the brush at full speed forty yards away, a fixed 10x will only show patches of alternating green and brown.

I'll sit on stand with the scope at 3x. If he's hanging in the brush and I have to thread one between trees, I'll have the two seconds I need to crank it up to 9x.

 

[CZfool68]

Following this one closely. I've got a very nice 1-6 on a rifle that really needs more mag and was thinking a 10x also. May have a scope for sale or trade soon.

 

[Climberman]

A variable gets really handy when you need a wider field of view for target acquisition and then zoom in for the shot. Depends on the type of shooting you plan on doing as everyone has said.

 

[Mightyox04]

I only use a 4X fixed for most everything that i have scoped. I dont shoot past 200 yards hunting. For fun if i shoot past 200 i use what i got.

 

[two77]

I have a 3x9, three 2x7s, and a 2.5x8 that could all just as well be 6x fixed because that's where they stay set. I have also a 4.5-14 that gets moved around some.

 

[Charlie]

I have gravitated to VX III 3.5/10/40mm Leupold scopes for almost all my hunting. I have and use other sizes and brands, but that particular scope has given me the best service. I can hunt near and far with the appropriate magnification just a twist away. I have them on a half dozen rifles that I use the most in the field.

I have several scopes with higher magnification but find them awkward for general hunting. They are mounted on special purpose rifles. I have several scopes with 50mm objectives but have never found that the benefit justifies the bulk. I have several fixed power scopes, a 4X, a 3X, and a 6X, mounted on rifles used for specific applications.

 

[Chuckman]

I was thinking no hunting, strictly bench, maybe some competition, AR10 pattern .308.

 

[Tailhunter]

Variable for the ease of locating targets.

Fixed is convenient for not worrying about focal plane, it usually has better glass for less money (cheaper to manu) and of course the "cost factor".

I find most of my lower power variables stay on the highest power all the time.

A fixed 4 is a great lever gun scope.
I like higher power for target identification and accurate neck shots.

Bench banging steel at know distance the straight 10 should get the job done.

Both have their advantages, it's a tool, pick the right one for the job.

The fixed is a box end wrench, the variable is a Crescent.

 

[Chuckman]

Variable for the ease of locating targets.

Fixed is convenient for not worrying about focal plane, it usually has better glass for less money (cheaper to manu) and of course the "cost factor".

I find most of my lower power variables stay on the highest power all the time.

A fixed 4 is a great lever gun scope.
I like higher power for target identification and accurate neck shots.

Bench banging steel at know distance the straight 10 should get the job done.

Both have their advantages, it's a tool, pick the right one for the job.

The fixed is a box end wrench, the variable is a Crescent.

Thanks. Thanks, everyone, for the info. Stuff to chew on. I have the opportunity to get via trade an AR in .308, so application is strictly punching paper, maybe getting into competition (because, well, I want to be like most of y'all). Budget $300-$400.

Mel at Sniper Central has a very favorable review of the Redfield Revolution TAC 3-9, but I 'know' fixed, and of course the SWFA SS has a quality 10x. Opticsplanet rightnow has a Bushnell Elite 5-15 mil-dot for a tad under $400.

Choices, choices.

 

[billyh]

The new internet boner is Anthlon Optics. They seem to be decent scopes from the reviews. From their facebook page they had a ton of shops asking about becoming dealers.