Starting to regret getting a variable power scope

[cHaOs ReX]

So I've been watching the Sniper 101 series on youtube. Tons of info. I'm currently watching the episodes dedicated to scopes.

One episode shows current military scopes around the world. The most common seems to be a 10 power. The range seems to be from about 4-12. I think in the list of 25 shown maybe 7 were variable.

My long range rifle is an R700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD sitting in an AICS 2.0. My current scope is a Vortex Viper 4-16 PST PST FFP Mil/Mil.

I'm thinking now I want a 10 power. I'd still like an illuminated reticule.

Thoughts?

[sharxbyte]

military scopes are probably all fixed power to simplify windage adjustment, simplicity, and reduce cost. having a variable scope for punching paper or even hunting as its primary use shouldn't be a problem.

mil-spec, as has been previously determined, is not the best, just the cheapest reliableish that can be mas produced.

[cHaOs ReX]

I lost my train of thought when I mentioned my rifle. The main idea of this rifle is to be as reliable and rugged as possible. This is kind of why I'm regretting the variable power. More moving parts equal more than can go wrong.

I understand the advantages of variable power. I just did not consider the disadvantages in the scope of what I built this rifle for.

[hermosabeach]

nope-
Set your scope to 10X and move along


I have never used any of the illuminated reticle option on my scopes....

There is a time of day it works well.... But not a needed item in CA...

You have a decent scope... I think the fixed 10X was standard when technology made it standard....


You can drop down to 10X for walking around and shooting targets under 200

Or crank it up to really evaluate the antlers before you shoot...


Prairie Dogs at 300-500 yards... I prefer more magnification than 10 power



and yes +1 on Rex's reviews

[as_rocketman]

Military 10x scopes are more rugged, but they're also for a specific mission. In civilian hands, there are quite a few things that a 10x scope isn't the best choice for -- it's awesome for shooting steel at 600-1000 meters, but that's about all that it truly excels at.

And I say this as someone who loves fixed power scopes. I have a K4 on my favorite rimfire, and a 3x ACOG on my go-to rifle.

The real beauty of a fixed power scope, in my opinion, is simplicity. Not performance. It's a mental thing.

Anyway, in your shoes I'd wring out the 4-16x thoroughly before making any rash decisions. It's a perfectly acceptable piece of equipment. Take a class or a long-range clinic, and go from there. Don't worry about what the paid killers are using, their gear was, after all, supplied by the lowest bidder.

[Merc1138]

You have an FFP scope, so that eliminates the SFP "issue". You have to remember that FFP scopes have become much more common(and a hell of a lot cheaper) within just the past few years.

Just because you have a 4-16 power scope, doesn't mean you need or even want to use it at 16x all the time. Dial it back to 10x, hell, dial it back to 4x.

You don't need an ultra durable scope made for people jumping out of helicopters into rivers. Your vortex viper PST will do you just fine as long as you don't start abusing it.

The thing about tiborasaurusrex's videos, and specifically the stuff about scopes, is that it's decent advice for someone who hasn't spent the money on a scope yet. You already have, and you didn't end up with something mediocre. He doesn't even list every scope on the market at the time he made those videos, let alone anything recent. Also, if you actually look at some of the gear in his videos, it isn't like he relies on a fixed 10x scope.

Replacing your existing scope will do nothing for your shooting. Stick with what you have, and build your experience from there.

edit: When you can figure out exactly what is wrong with your current scope on your own, that is holding your shooting back, without someone having to tell you "what is wrong with it", then consider replacing it(and odds are it won't be with a fixed 10x scope). Could be the turrets, maybe the vortex style zero stop, might be the magnification range, weight being an issue in the future, who knows. But tossing money around right now isn't going to help you at all.

[Josh3239]

That was standard issue for many years. Many of those guys are no longer running a 10x fixed scope. The only reason the military is still running them is they are far behind what is modern. I've got a buddy who was a sniper attached to, I think, cavalry. I am not sure how many tours he did but he went to Afghanistan a few times. I could ask him and I am pretty sure he was issued quite a few different scopes.

[CSACANNONEER]

Depends what you are doing with it. Are you shooting people at 100-600 yards? Are you trying to shoot for precision (small groups)? I know I've seen a 5.5-22X NXS that was used in the sandbox. It took a round through the tube and held zero for several more days until the mission was complete and it could be replaced. Personally, I like shooting XLR for precision and a variable power scope really helps.

[Merc1138]

Ok, CSACANNONEER did make a point, so here's an addendum to my comment about replacing your scope doing nothing for you shooting.

Assuming the scope you currently have is totally inappropriate for the shooting you're doing, then yes you should replace it. But, I seriously doubt that's actually the case for now.

[RuggedJay]

Thats what they use cause that what they are issued and deemed "adequate" for the job. Do you think most of those guys wouldnt pick something with more capability if they had the choice? The US military USED to use fixed power scopes for snipers across the board about 30 years ago. Theres a reason they all use variable now. Think about it. The rest of the world is lagging. Fixed power scopes are fun to mess around with though. Ive seen used fixed power leupold mark IV go for cheap lately. And the reason is because the owners went to variables.

[Manh3]

If you want a good fixed 10x scope go with a US optics ST 10 or Schmidt and Bender PM II 10x. Some people like fixed scopes and I'm one of them, I also have variable scopes but I like the simplicity of a fixed scope on a purpose built rifle that I can just grab and shoot whether it's for long range, or hunting.

Also not all variables are true to their advertised final magnification. Like a 16x may only truly be a 12x because of the Chromatic aberration or lack of clarity. This is doesn't affect ffp as much but imagine a sfp scope with mil dot reticles being that the mils are made to be ranged at max or final magnification.

At the end of the day, buy and use what you are comfortable with. Swfa also has a decent 10x scope for less than 400 bucks.

[Mute]

Today's top quality variable mag scopes are every bit as rugged and reliable as fixed scopes. Don't let a few internet videos and some pre-conceived notions about what the military use decide what you have on your rifle. Base that decision on your actual use of your rifle. I'm never going back to fixed magnification on any of my long range precision rifles. I've owned and used a good number of variable scopes over the years and I've beaten some of them into the ground. Haven't had one fail me that wouldn't have also failed simply because it was a fixed magnification scope.

In addition, most, if not all, of our active duty snipers in the army and marines are in fact using variable scopes now.

[vintagearms]

So I've been watching the Sniper 101 series on youtube. Tons of info. I'm currently watching the episodes dedicated to scopes.

One episode shows current military scopes around the world. The most common seems to be a 10 power. The range seems to be from about 4-12. I think in the list of 25 shown maybe 7 were variable.

My long range rifle is an R700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD sitting in an AICS 2.0. My current scope is a Vortex Viper 4-16 PST PST FFP Mil/Mil.

I'm thinking now I want a 10 power. I'd still like an illuminated reticule.

Thoughts?

I have seen variable NFs and Leupolds in the sandbox. I have not seen many fixed 10x.

[Divernhunter]

^^^ Yes And do you believe everything you see on U-Tube?

The Nightforce and Leupold Variables are what is common now

[MrSam]

I owned a fixed 10 power, and fixed 4 power for some time. Both scopes are long gone. For their intended purpose (plinking at the same distance, shooting the same target) they were fine. It wasn't until I tried using the rifles for other tasks (run and guns, steel that was placed much closer, or much further, etc.) that I realized how much I dislike fixed power scopes. I now own both a 1-4x, and 3-9x. Much happier now.