Henry Rifle Forums

What is members thought on standard power or variable power scopes for just an every day use target or pull out of safe and shoot a varmint

Really depends on what caliber you're shooting, what distance you're shooting from, how good your eyesight is, and the lighting conditions of your target/varmint shooting (and probably some more factors, but that's the short list).

My opinion is that if you're over 45-50 yds, a variable magnification scope will be more versatile at various distances.

100 yds and less 1-8x or 1-10x variable.
75yds and less 1-6x variable.

I'm a fan of fixed power scopes for many applications. While I have variables on a lot of my rifles, it's at least partly because there aren't a lot of fixed power scopes available anymore. Fixed 3x Leupold M8, anyone ? Regardless of the power range, whether its 1.5-5x or 3-9x, I find myself setting them at about 4x and forgetting about it, while hunting. And I seldom dial up more than 6 or 7x even when sighting in. Fixed power scopes can be both optically brighter (fewer lens elements stealing light, and tougher (fewer moving parts). That's why my single shot 45-70 wears a Leupold 2.5X, with which I can see as well as I need to for the effective range of a 45-70 for hunting. After all, a scope is just a sight. If I really want to look at something, I use binoculars or a spotting scope. Of course, target shooting or long range varmit hunting is a whole different deal .

As above, I enjoy and like fixed power scopes, but there are so few fixed power scopes available, now, that the fixed versus variable scope issue is pretty much a dead duck. When you do see a fixed model, now, it's usually at the bottom end of the brand's price line. Too bad, because fixed power scopes are still very useful for many applications.

I have two Weaver K-4 fixed power scopes. These are the "Japanese" models. This is good glass. One on my Mod 94 30-30, other is in the safe. If you can find one of those, buy it. I believe Burris and Leupold make fixed 4X, or at least used to.
Have a Weaver V1-3x20mm on my Henry BB brass .357. Perfect!

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Sorta happenstance the same here. Most of my shooting is 50-75yds and 4x on my 1-6x variable seems to be the sweet spot. I do on occasion dial up/dn, so having the variable option is nice to have at hand.

Yornoc3 wrote:... I find myself setting them at about 4x and forgetting about it, while hunting...

I can't be sure, but those Japanese Weaver fixed power scopes appeared to have been made by Nikon. A Monarch fixed 4X and a weaver K4 I had appeared to be identical in both configuration and dimensions, and I kinda vaguely remember reading that was the case, too. I still have a K6 Weaver on a single shot .270, the Nikon is on a compact .308 youth rifle waiting for my grandson to get a little bigger (another benefit: kids can't jack around with the magnification of a fixed power scope ) and the K4 was gobbled up in a trade. I wish I had picked up one of the "new" Weaver steel tubed K4's when they did that limited run a few years back, but I snoozed on 'em .

My preference is 3 X 9 variable. I have scopes on 3 rifles and 1 slug barrel - all are 3 X 9 variable.

Dont over look a red dot. Not sure what distance you are talking about but I like the dots as well.

Good point on the red dot. Totally agree. Under some conditions, I do prefer a red dot to a scope. Last range trip, for instance, lighting conditions were such that even with my good scopes, the crosshairs were disappearing against the black bullseyes I was shooting. Hard to shoot with accuracy when that happens. A red dot solves that one, beautifully. Always visible and very easy to use, too.

April 2019. Lot of scopes on sale...
https://www.opticsplanet.com/s/scopes?_ ... st-savings
Pricing on Amazon for some of the scopes is little better. Others are on par. (without consideration for shipping costs)

I have Simmons Whitetail 1-5.5x20 that seems pretty good over short distances on my .44 big boy

That seems like it would be an ideal scope, Firefly, for that rifle. Show us some pics!

Photos as requested

Nice, that scope looks great. What's the "tail" you've got attached to the lever? Looks interesting...

It is a leather wrap

I have had a lot of luck with picking up old Unertl Hawk 4x scopes at gunshows. They have some really clear optics. For a modern scope take a look at the SWFA SS series. They have a variety of fixed powered ones from 6x to 20x. HTH.

Welcome to the forum from CT, and thanks for adding to the conversation. Glad you joined us.

AMraider wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 10, 2019 11:54 pm

I have had a lot of luck with picking up old Unertl Hawk 4x scopes at gunshows. They have some really clear optics. For a modern scope take a look at the SWFA SS series. They have a variety of fixed powered ones from 6x to 20x. HTH.

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Welcome and thanks for the scope tip.

AMraider wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 10, 2019 11:54 pm

I have had a lot of luck with picking up old Unertl Hawk 4x scopes at gunshows. They have some really clear optics. For a modern scope take a look at the SWFA SS series. They have a variety of fixed powered ones from 6x to 20x. HTH.