Fixed 4x or 6x?

[jason miller]

I just bought a sporterized Mauser 98 in 30-06, and I was thinking of getting an older fixed power scope to go with the old gun theme. I can't deer hunt in Indiana with this rifle, so I don't know what it might end up getting used for, but I was wondering what kind of thoughts most people have on 4x vs. 6x scopes. What kind of range can you expect to be accurate with a 4x scope? How much does a 6x hurt your short range field of view? Right now I'm leaning towards an old Weaver K4 or Leupold M8 4x. Any advice or opinions, especially on those two scopes, would be much appreciated.

[The Rifleman]

>>>>>>>> shakes his head and wonders why you would want to do that?


A cheap $99 scope will probably serve you better than a 30 - 40 year old Weaver.

All the ones that I had either fogged up or was not very bright and usually they didn't let you see the cross hairs until it was light outside. Not good for low light conditions.

A 4 power of that vintage would be better than a 6 in my opinion because it would have a wider field of view and would be better in low light conditions.

[jason miller]

Alright, well what about a Leupold M8? They can be had in either 4x or 6x for a decent price.

[trailer]

I"™ve never used a fixed 6x for hunting but I have used 4x for years hunting deer and found the power to be adequate for close and long range...

[bugsNbows]

IMO, fixed power scopes are great. A 4X is good for short to medium ranges (say up to 200 yards or so) while a 6 X can go longer. For years that was the standard usage. I have experience with the fixed Leuppys and I like them alot. Almost bombproof. Other fixed models I'd check would be Sightron (not particularily vintage though) and Weaver.They are both very usable for the intended purpose and are a good value. Don't believe anybody that says fixed scopes are unworthy of use... that's hogwash! Good luck with your selection.

[Pygmy]

I love Leupold M8 scopes... I have two 4x and a 6x..All three are wonderful optically and you'd be surprised how well they transmit light at dawn and dusk..

For years, my pet M70 .280 wore a Leupy 4X...Killed lots of critters with it at ranges up to 400 yards and never felt I needed more magnification, at least not on something as big as a deer or a pronghorn.. I eventually came across a great deal on an M8 6X and put that on my .280...Just because..The 4X now sits on a CZ-550 in 9.3 x 62...

All that said, the old El Paso Weavers were good, rugged old scopes...I have two that are over 40 years old, a K-10 and a K 2.5 and both work as well as they did when they were new..

[falcon]

"I love Leupold M8 scopes... I have two 4x and a 6x..All three are wonderful optically and you'd be surprised how well they transmit light at dawn and dusk.."

So do I. They are now called the FX series. I have a FXII 6X36 andtwo FXIII 6X42 scopes from Leupold. These 6X42 Leupold scopes are just as good in low light as my Zeiss 6X42.Pig hunted recently with some hunters from Germany. They told me that lots of Germans are buying the Leupold 6X42 scopes for night hunting.

[stalkingbear]

If it's within range(game animal),you can shoot it easily with a 4x scope. A 6x might not have enough field of view to shoot a close running deer.

[skeeter 7MM]

I don't think you can go wrong with a Leup M8. I have owned 2 myself, though in my family has been over a dozen M8's at one time or another with the same results as I experienced - rock solid. I still have a M8 4x, it is the scope I reach for when determining: gun or optic issue!!

Sounds as though this rifle & scope will be a range/show piece vs hunting??? If so, I would personally opt for a 6x even at100 yards I like more mag now. If 100+yards even better IMHO. If not and it may see hunting duty a 4x is the safest option better for close and doable for longer (of course you'll be well practiced to take such a shot and know what to expect/do).