I am looking to put a good quality scope on my Remington Sendero 300 Win MagI am torn between a fixed power and a variable power scope I am looking hard at the US optics st-10 or the vortex Viper pst I will be using this gun for hunting deer and also getting into long range shootingmost of my shots on animals will be 80 to 250 yards. I just don't want a scope with a fixed power of 10 to be too powerful up close can anyone help me with my decision thank you
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Rifle Scopes fixed power scope?
- Thread starter tacdriver2014
- Start date
that is a tough one but IMO 10X is a little too much for 80 yards, field of view is just not large enough especially if you are in a wooded area (i am in the north east). 10 x is great for distance work (really high powers tend to show too much mirage at times), but i think you should go variable power bottoming out at 3-5X. if you shoot or hunt with both eyes open you might get away with the 10, but in the heat of the moment you might squint the other eye and if you start swinging to find the 10 pointer he just might catch a glimpse and turn tail.
then again buy both, or buy another rifle for the other scope.
then again buy both, or buy another rifle for the other scope.
10x is way too powerful in my opinion for a hunting scope in those ranges. Here is the scope MANY are looking for as the new hotness in hunting optics: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/snipers-hide-rifle-scopes/225830-new-optic-bushnell-lrhs.html
High quality variables have caught up to fixed scopes in terms of durability and light transmission. You can't beat the versatility of a good variable for hunting. For mid to long range shooting and hunting, the scopes on my short list in the price range roughly of the st-10 are:
The new Gap-spec'd Bushnell LRHS 3-12x44 mentioned above, looks to be a new standard among LR hunting scopes.
And, the newer Nightforce 2.5-10x42 dual illum. The new SHV 4-14x56 could be interesting too, but might be more at home on a low light oriented setup.
The ST-10 is a great scope, but you give up too much flexibility by limiting yourself to only 10x, IMO. At least, in that application.
The new Gap-spec'd Bushnell LRHS 3-12x44 mentioned above, looks to be a new standard among LR hunting scopes.
And, the newer Nightforce 2.5-10x42 dual illum. The new SHV 4-14x56 could be interesting too, but might be more at home on a low light oriented setup.
The ST-10 is a great scope, but you give up too much flexibility by limiting yourself to only 10x, IMO. At least, in that application.
I disagree.
A fixed power scope will have a better eyebox and better glass for the same amount of money.
A fixed power scope will have a better eyebox and better glass for the same amount of money.
I also disagree. I have a variable 3.5-10x scope I have had on a hunting rifle for 20+ years. It has NEVER been dialed less than 10X. I have made shots from 50-500 yards. Never regretted it being set at 10X.
i also forgot to mention, after looking at the prices of the USO buy yourself a NXS 5.5x22 and call it a day. i wont get into the what scope (there must be 500 threads) is better but a NXS is really hard to beat. and the power range is all you will ever need unless you are going CQB. lifetime warranted, and the uni mount is really nice. they do have a tactical look so if the rifle still looks like a "hunting rifle" you might look elsewhere.
and i know this is a very pro george/gap site, so don't take this as i am bashing GAP etc..
also if you want to save a few bucks and keep the hunting feel of the scope, take a looong look at a sightron. glass is very good and prices are more than competitive for the quality of the image.
and i know this is a very pro george/gap site, so don't take this as i am bashing GAP etc..
also if you want to save a few bucks and keep the hunting feel of the scope, take a looong look at a sightron. glass is very good and prices are more than competitive for the quality of the image.
I agree with that mostly, such as the SS 10xHD hanging with variables costing twice as much.
Let me clarify what I meant in my post though.
Two identical scopes of same lens quality and coatings all else being equal, one being fixed, other variable, glass will be a little better on the fixed due to fewer lenses and no erector system, and at a lower cost. Such as the ST-10 vs MR-10 from USO.
I was referring to fixed scopes in general not holding the huge edge over variables in clarity and durability that they did 20 years ago. The $1500ish price point of the ST-10 has some variables that have equivalent glass, and equivalent light transmission with the flexibility of variable power. The variable Meopta R1's will likely transmit even more light than the ST-10, for instance (though not a tactical scope). I'd love to stack up the new Nightforce 2.5-10x42 against the ST-10 to see how they compare for the heck of it.
I love fixed power scopes for their simplicity. But, I have encountered running animals up close in woods hunting too much though, for my style of hunting to trade simplicity for versatility. Just my personal preference.
Nfoley, who has hunted for 20 years without dialing down is very practiced at hunting with 10x. I have read countless other posts from hunters who have never in 20 years dialed their 3.5-10x off 3.5x. It's about Personal preference and what works for you. I'll not try to dissuade the OP from the ST-10, it is an excellent scope.
And I'll clarify why I say a fixed 10x is NOT the way to go... My experience is not necessarily big game hunting but a different sort, with a 10x Unertl on my M40A1. Yes, the eyebox is supreme on that rifle, low light performance is a dream, and its durability and simplicity (once set-up) is unmatched. But for years we were dying for a scope that would dial below (or above) 10x. We made it work, but asking a limited tool to pull multiple duties is far from ideal.
I don't like 10x in close ranges because of the field of view limitations. Presentation on target, without a lot of training, can be moderately delayed, especially in a wooded area. The view of the target's surroundings is hampered. You have no option of opening up your exit pupil in low light. At long distance 10x becomes a liability as well. And one feature I'm really liking on that LRHS is the knobs and markings. It absolutely will find itself on at least one of my rifles.
Everyone is going to pick what they feel is best for themselves. If the OP is already thinking he is going to be hampered, then I recommend going with the variable instead of having buyers remorse later, having both more on the bottom end and top end in magnification. For wanting a scope to be dual duty hunting and long range precision, in the (assumed by potential scopes) price range the OP has, there will be few better options if any.
I don't like 10x in close ranges because of the field of view limitations. Presentation on target, without a lot of training, can be moderately delayed, especially in a wooded area. The view of the target's surroundings is hampered. You have no option of opening up your exit pupil in low light. At long distance 10x becomes a liability as well. And one feature I'm really liking on that LRHS is the knobs and markings. It absolutely will find itself on at least one of my rifles.
Everyone is going to pick what they feel is best for themselves. If the OP is already thinking he is going to be hampered, then I recommend going with the variable instead of having buyers remorse later, having both more on the bottom end and top end in magnification. For wanting a scope to be dual duty hunting and long range precision, in the (assumed by potential scopes) price range the OP has, there will be few better options if any.
For what you intend to use it for a fixed 10x can be used but I believe you'll be happier overall with a variable.
How sensitive the scope is to showing scope shadow when moving around behind it. The Unertl/MST-100s with their huge ocular housing are great on this, allowing you to have a lot of flexibility to hasty positions. Other scopes, especially those with small exit pupils, are very sensitive.
all joking aside, why not get yourself a mini red-dot and attach it to the side of your scope. we use them in 3 gun all the time, they work great off at 10:30, cheap enough, and if you are looking for a 150 yard shot a 2-3 moa triangle or dot will only be 3-4 inches on a deer, still well within the vitals. i even keep one on my ELR rig for getting me close to the target, looks a little tacticool but better than finding a specific rock on a hillside full of rocks!!
I was wanting to get an ST-6 before they did away with the fixed and went strictly with the variable 1.5-6x, SR-6.
Now, in your position, I would go with the ST-10. That's what I use on my tactical bolt gun.
I like the fixed power scopes as it's one less thing to mess with. Get used to hunting and shooting on 10X and you'll find finding your target, without having to zero in on it at low power, much easier.
I will say that, as noted above, there is a lot of scopes out there that can fill the bill for you, for less money. Scopes with good glass and variable powers. I see getting top notch glass in several brands, but the biggest thing you'll get is a personally chosen 'most usable' reticle with USO. That's the really big advantage with USO. No one offers the reticles they do in a standard scope at the same price. Top glass, best reticle choice.
Now, again, that said, you can get other reticle choices that can work. I've used the NF NP-R2 reticle. In fact had it not been for the reticle I could not do what I planned to do. That scope got sold however as magnification was too high with it. And no where near enough travel.
So, bottom line for me is, that is a lotta scope for the minimal distance you plan to shoot. But, I make my case for USO for the said reasons. You can get a lot more features on lower priced scope but no where near the reticle selection with lesser priced, more variable scopes. Which IMO will work just fine for the ranges you suggest, but start to lose out when you stretch your selected range out to what your rifle will shoot to. Lot's of people never get the best they can for a few dollars more because, "they'll never need it." It's a mistake. If you get too much scope without being able to short range it, it's a mistake as well.
-good luck with your choice.
Now, in your position, I would go with the ST-10. That's what I use on my tactical bolt gun.
I like the fixed power scopes as it's one less thing to mess with. Get used to hunting and shooting on 10X and you'll find finding your target, without having to zero in on it at low power, much easier.
I will say that, as noted above, there is a lot of scopes out there that can fill the bill for you, for less money. Scopes with good glass and variable powers. I see getting top notch glass in several brands, but the biggest thing you'll get is a personally chosen 'most usable' reticle with USO. That's the really big advantage with USO. No one offers the reticles they do in a standard scope at the same price. Top glass, best reticle choice.
Now, again, that said, you can get other reticle choices that can work. I've used the NF NP-R2 reticle. In fact had it not been for the reticle I could not do what I planned to do. That scope got sold however as magnification was too high with it. And no where near enough travel.
So, bottom line for me is, that is a lotta scope for the minimal distance you plan to shoot. But, I make my case for USO for the said reasons. You can get a lot more features on lower priced scope but no where near the reticle selection with lesser priced, more variable scopes. Which IMO will work just fine for the ranges you suggest, but start to lose out when you stretch your selected range out to what your rifle will shoot to. Lot's of people never get the best they can for a few dollars more because, "they'll never need it." It's a mistake. If you get too much scope without being able to short range it, it's a mistake as well.
-good luck with your choice.
