okay, now is a good chance for you all to help me form an opinion...

I already know what I'll buy if I get a variable power scope, but I'd like your opinion on a fixed power...

here is what it iwll go on and why:

Ruger M77, 7mm Magnum

Stainless/Laminate

Used for: everything from Michigan whitetail to Western Elk, Muley, Antelope...

What is your fixed scope of choice? (I'd like a silver one if possible)

Thanks!!!

6 power would be about the most I would go on a fixed power. Will do you good for just about everything.

you just can't beat a Leupold Vari X II 2-7, or a Vari X III 2.5 -8 and the 3-9 is great too.

On a 7 Mag, I would have a fixed Leupold FX III 6X 42, but I would use it only in open country!

Michigan whitetail? What if the deer are 30 yards away? All you will see is fur!

...

Used for: everything from Michigan whitetail to Western Elk, Muley, Antelope...



Wow! I have to agree with Charshooter. A fixed 6x scope might be O.K. for antelope out west, but would be almost worthless for Michigan whitetail, particularly in the U.P. For heavily wooded areas, I wouldn't want more than 2x to 2.5x. IMO.

I personally would go with a Leopold straight 6X M8. my father has one and I love it! I will brobably buy one to replace my pine ridge straight 6X. It is very durable and gives good definition

Redwing - I'd consider a 4X Leupold because: it is light (under 10oz); extremely durable (no fault warrantee you don't have to use); pleanty of magnification for the occassional long shot (and you will know when you are stretching your abilities by the size of the annimal in relation to your cross hairs); more than adequate for those close Whitetail shots (26ft FOV or better @ 100yards) and plenty for 300+ yards; less internal parts than a comparable "variable" (theoritical reliability issue); great "eye relief for those "snap shots" on close deer; brighter sight picture because of "exit pupil" relationship: and lighter weight and slimer profile affects the balance and looks of your rifle less than a "big bell" scope. Of course there is no personal bias here :D . If you are an experienced "scope user", the 6 power might work just as well for you; I'd rather have to get closer to the game than to get further away to see what I'm shooting at (don't like to guess at what patch of fur I'm shooting at :D ). Good luck! Riley

I'll have to agree with riley on this one. If you are not willing to go with an adjustable power scope and will only look at a fixed power for BOTH close and long shots the Leupold 4X is about the only one that I would consider. Any more than 4X when you get up very close is just to much. 4X will still work for distance shooting fairly well up to a point. Its about as close as I know of that will work doing what you have outlined. I would simply go to an adjustable power scope if it were me personally. I like to have a little more power for distance shooting than 4X. But each to their own. You must have your own reasons for wanting a fixed power scope and since you are the one paying for it and using it, by all means, buy what YOU want.

I bought a cheap 6x bushnell scope years ago. This thing has been on many guns, with good success. This has been the only bushnell I have not had problems with. I have killed deer and other critters useing this scope from close bow range to 200 yards. This 6x power scope now sits on top of a remington .22, squirrels beware. Think what a good Leopold 6x scope would have achived.Q

I'll have to agree with riley on this one. If you are not willing to go with an adjustable power scope and will only look at a fixed power for BOTH close and long shots the Leupold 4X is about the only one that I would consider. Any more than 4X when you get up very close is just to much. 4X will still work for distance shooting fairly well up to a point. Its about as close as I know of that will work doing what you have outlined. I would simply go to an adjustable power scope if it were me personally. I like to have a little more power for distance shooting than 4X. But each to their own. You must have your own reasons for wanting a fixed power scope and since you are the one paying for it and using it, by all means, buy what YOU want.

+1

I'll have to join the chorus here - you aren't leaving much wiggle room on this one I'm afraid. Woods to prairie range in a decent silver anodized fixed power is a tall order. Tasco anyone? - - - Just get the variable.

Leupold 4x33 FX II is the only one I can think of that fits all of that. There are other black anodized 4 power fixed scopes a couple to consider are a Weaver 4.75x40 Grand Slam and Nikon 4x40 Monarch

Well, I ended up buying a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9. I liked the eye relief and how quickly I could raise it and immediately see through it. It has pretty good reviews and a solid warranty.

Thanks for all of your help.. now on to my next question and post...

+1

I'll have to join the chorus here - you aren't leaving much wiggle room on this one I'm afraid. Woods to prairie range in a decent silver anodized fixed power is a tall order. Tasco anyone? - - - Just get the variable.

Leupold 4x33 FX II is the only one I can think of that fits all of that. There are other black anodized 4 power fixed scopes a couple to consider are a Weaver 4.75x40 Grand Slam and Nikon 4x40 Monarch

6x too much for close range; 2 x too little for counting horns at any range; 4 x has to be the best; any more than 5 is too much for moving close shots. \IMHO
dk

To Try to fit your requirements into a single Fixed Power for the 7mm Magnum:

- varying light conditions
- a fine enough centre cross hair to make out smaller targets at distance
- bold enough 'framing' cross hair posts to centralise a target when close up
{particulary a moving target in extremely poor light}

= the answer is simple, really.....

1. Fixed Power 4x

2. Best 'Glass' you can afford

3. German #4 Cross Hair

You probabley do need a 1.5-6x42 variable but you wouldn't go wrong with any quality European 4x

I suggest Khales, Schmidt & Bender, Swarovski, Zeiss, Pecar (Dr Optics don't seem as good to me)

Then if your budget is a bit less but you still want real quality glass, Meopta (Czech Republic).

No expereince with the fixed Leupold's but the write-ups on this web-site seem to rate them well - and the Mutli-Coat4 glass I have owned in their variables isn't too bad.

Cheers mate.