Fixed power scopes

[Leonard Barnes]

I’m thinking about going with a fixed power scope and was wondering if any manufacturer have one in a 30 mm tube and what are any thought on quality of optics thanks

 

[408w]

Swfa sells several of there brand scopes in fixed power. One of the best bang for your buck scopes.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

S&B PMII 10x42

 

[Leonard Barnes]

Thanks I will check it out I’m looking for something in 24 power or better and which has best clarity for these old eyes

 

[drwood96]

SWFA is a great option for the price. I believe they stop at 20x.

 

[Eustice]

Why 24 power? That seems really high. I think it would be really difficult to get on target at that high of a magnification. A 12x or 16x would probably be plenty to go to 1000 or 1200 yards and be able to see the marks on the reticle.

 

[Nik H]

Why 24 power? That seems really high. I think it would be really difficult to get on target at that high of a magnification. A 12x or 16x would probably be plenty to go to 1000 or 1200 yards and be able to see the marks on the reticle.

Agreed...most of the fixed powers stay below 20X or they become very dark. The SWFA 10 or 12X is impossible to beat for value. You can even try the SWFA 16X but I found it a little dark

 

[PAYDIRT]

Agreed...most of the fixed powers stay below 20X or they become very dark. The SWFA 10 or 12X is impossible to beat for value. You can even try the SWFA 16X but I found it a little dark

Yes the 16 is a bit much but the 12 I thought was fantastic

 

[Campguy308]

Id buy a swfa ss 12X. Built like a tank, can get zero stop shim kit. I do not recommend a fixed power scope above 12-16x.

 

[702lineman]

I happen to have a 12x for sale in the PX right now!! Just saying. Very good scopes!!

Us optics makes a nice 10s also

 

[Crang]

Even with a variable that goes much higher Ive only got it cranked up to about 12x when shooting at 1K. 12x should be plenty. I think the only time I actually shoot with it all the way up is tryng to shoot bugholes with a rimfire.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Thanks I will check it out I’m looking for something in 24 power or better and which has best clarity for these old eyes

You'll be limiting yourself in the ability to deal with mirage if you choose a high mag fixed power, just FYI.

 

[RTH1800]

Due to the market moving away from fixed power scopes the technology has not moved forward for many years. High fixed power went out first so they are the most dated. The S&B 10x42 is a very good suggestion. It has the most technology invested in a fixed power in a long time.

 

[steve123]

Plenty of BR shooters are using higher mag SFP benchrest scopes in moa with 1/8th moa turrets as well as F-class shooters and varmint hunters. I don't shoot BR or F class but their games are different than ours and needs are as well.

Bunch of old guys out there with no interest in the activity presented in tactical events and many convinced a fixed power scope is the way to go over a variable. Not me but just mentioning these mindsets are fairly common.

Sorry but If the OP wants clarity the $300ish SWFA fixed power scopes shouldn't be considered, that's the worst thing about them! BTW I've owned the 10x, 16x and 20x as well as three 3-15's so my opinion doesn't come from inexperience.

Glass is often equated to price so OP you need to set a budget and go from there.

 

[Leonard Barnes]

I used to shoot a old weaver 36 power in the old days when we had a lot of prairie dogs but it’s just a 1” tube and all I shoot now is steel in fact I just got back into shooting last year . But presently I’m shooting a vortex 6x24 viper PST gen 2 FFP and thought mabey a fixed power would be a little clearer for me , what are your thoughts and thanks for taking time to respond, when I first started shooting we didn’t have things like this and if you talked to someone it was too secret and the would not say to much so again thanks guys

 

[Pvt.Donut]

Less magnification will be clearer. A large magnification fixed power scope will have a small exit pupil. For aging eyes look at a larger objective with a larger exit pupils size.

 

[Leonard Barnes]

Thanks guys I sure appreciate it I will try a SWFA 12 or 14 power

 

[Eustice]

I guess we should have asked earlier what your intended use with it will be. Hunting, PRS style, F-Class, or just shooting with friends might all have different answers. I know you said 1000-1200 yards. Is that shooting anywhere from 100 to 1200 yards or will it be pretty much a strict 1000-1200 yards every time you go out?

 

[Leonard Barnes]

I shoot from 300 yrds to 1600 yrds is the most I think

 

[Leonard Barnes]

Right now I shoot a vortex viper PST gen2 5.5x25 and a Burris XTR 34mm tube 5.5x25 and have a new Athlon same power coming and I wanted to get a fixed power in that price range also so I could compare and see what was best for my aging eyes, because I don’t plane on stop shooting till I can’t see anymore lol

 

[Leonard Barnes]

I happen to have a 12x for sale in the PX right now!! Just saying. Very good scopes!!

Us optics makes a nice 10s also

How much for the 12 power

 

[sobrbiker883]

Fixed won’t give much optical advantage over a variable set to same power.
As with anything, define the job then pick the tool. The only time a fixed has served me really well was shooting silhouette where a weight limit restricted scope selection. Now my only reason to go fixed is if a FFP variable isn’t available.
I do like the SWFA SS fixed scopes, back in the day when Leupy MK4’s were the gold standard I had a SS16X and a mk4 M1 16X and for the life of me couldn’t figure out why the Luepy was $900 more expensive.

 

[RonA]

I have an old Steiner 8x Penetrator that I've had for years. 26mm tube 56mm obj. At 8 x I can see detail as well as most 12x scopes. At night I can shoot excellent groups on paper at 100 yards with the light from a 2 cell flashlight. Best hunting scope I've ever used. Discontinued for many years.

 

[Leonard Barnes]

Yes all the good ole things that were great are no longer made just like tasco world class plus with Target dot were good I appreciate all the good info and advice just think if we would had this in the good ole days

 

[Leonard Barnes]

I know what you mean I have the same Burris and I got to digging in my safe and found my old 10 power leopold I am going to give it a try thanks for the insight I appreciate it

 

[pineoak]

1600 yards 12x

would suck.

There aren't many advantages to fixed power scopes. Durability was the issue back in the day, but not an issue anymore.

S3 or other value variable might serve you better