If you are a hunter you probably have at least one rifle with a variable power s

1. 61

   hacsarposted 14 years ago

   If you are a hunter you probably have at least one rifle with a variable power scope on it. I have s
   
   Fixed power scopes are less trouble and more dependable in most cases, yet variables outsell them. Is the variable ability worth using or is it just a neat thing to have? I think I could get by just fine with a fixed power scope. I can get along fine with iron sights in many cases. What do you think? Most people in my opinion set their scopes for too high a power and lose out on field of view (the amount of area you see in the scope picture). After losing a deer in the woods because of a limited field of view I have begun keeping my scopes on their lowest power except in special situations.

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2. 0

   Jawa Lunkposted 14 years ago

   If you have weapons that you use specifically for one hunting style and area, then fixed are perfect for you.
   
   BUT, not everyone had 1 weapon for each hunt, like myself, I have 1 weapon...period.
   
   Therefore it makes sense to get a variable, then no matter what style hunt, or location I go to, I can adjust the weapon for the hunt.

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3. 48

   DJKrasnerposted 14 years ago

   I have a Leupold fixed 12x scope on a 22-250 that I have enjoyed shooting thousands of rounds with.  It has always performed extremely well.
   
   That said, there are times I wish I had a little less power, such as on a hot day the mirage issue can get pretty severe.  This is easily cured with a variable by simply cranking down the power.  I could always use just a little bit more magnification it seems like, but 12x has been plenty most of the time.
   
   I hunt in the woods as well as the open plains for big game so I appreciate a variable on my 30/06.  I currently have a 3-9 on it but will probably replace it at some point with one of the Bushnell Elite 4200 series 4-12 power. I was shooting one of these last fall and was very impressed with it.
   
   I have always heard rumors about variable scopes being less reliable than fixed power scopes but I have not seen this in action.  Many of the rifles I see being used spend most of their time being bounced around in a pickup truck on  farm or ranch.  They are usually a 3-9x variable.  In my opinion the fragility of variable scopes is a myth.

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