Considering Fixed Power vs Variable 1-6 Scope

[FlyingPen]

Having a bit of a analysis paralysis on this as I consider the Primary Arms 4x fixed and the Primary Arms 1-6x Gen 2.

Rifle is a 16 inch Noveske barreled upper with a 13 inch NSR on a VLTOR MUR. I will be mostly running XM193 and 75gr BHA reloads. My previous experience in magnified scope shooting was with a Remington 700 and a Burris 10x.

The purpose of the rifle will be general purpose and I want to tip toe into 3 gun.

The idea of a fixed scope appeals to me. It should be more rugged and it'll be easy for me to get consistent with it because of the fixed magnification. Theoretically it should be brighter and clearer due to fewer lens elements and a less complicated design. It's also smaller.

The variable scope appeals to me for the practically of having a decent 1x view although with added controls and complexity, there's just more to go wrong. This optic however isn't a FFP scope so there's even more to fiddle with.

[jonzer77]

Why settle for PA when you have a noveske?

[ElvenSoul]

You might still be able to get a Leoupold 3x

http://swfa.com/Leupold-3x20-FX-2-Riflescope-P50855.aspx

[Fjold]

Anything that you can do with a fixed power scope, you can do with a variable but the reverse is not true.

The variable gives you the power to turn it down to a lower power to give you a larger field of which makes it a lot faster acquiring moving and or small targets. Turning it up gives you the advantage of a more precise aiming point.

That's why the vast majority of experienced hunters advocating lower power scopes for hunting applications and why everyone in benchrest shooting uses extremely high power scopes for precision shooting.

[PrimaryArms]

If your 3 gunning 1-6x

-Dimitri

[HK Dave]

Why settle for PA when you have a noveske?

This ^^^

You have one of the most accurate uppers money can buy, give it what it deserves. Vortex Razor 1-6

[jonzer77]

If your 3 gunning 1-6x

-Dimitri

If he had a Delton then PA would be a solid choice but he has a Noveske. He should put a quality optic on a quality rifle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Paperchasin]

My vote goes to a 1-6x scope. Next step is deciding a budget and which 1-6x you want. Budget 1-6x = PA. One step up is the Vortex Razor. Climbing higher you have the Trijicon VCOG, Swarovski Z6i, Leupold Mark 6, Kahles K16i, US Optics SR-8C, and S&B Short Dot. Good luck!

P.S. I ended up going with a VCOG because I found one at a great price.

[MrPlink]

Well it sounds like you have all the pros and cons hashed out.
The rest is up to you really

[JMP]

You should check out some of those 1-6x scopes. The image is not great compared to a full size scopes. So, you really don't want to skimp on glass.

[FlyingPen]

Thinking it through, I think I might wait for the PA 5x scope and use an offset 1 o clock mount and a Burris Fastfire type of red dot for my 1x.

[ExtremeX]

Thinking it through, I think I might wait for the PA 5x scope and use an offset 1 o clock mount and a Burris Fastfire type of red dot for my 1x.

And how much of that shooting is really going to be 3 gun?

I got a lot of respect for people like Jerry Miculek, because I cant stand shooting with offset sights.

You mention its going to be more of a general purpose rifle... without a doubt I would go with a quality lower power variable like a 1-6x.

I really like the Vortex Razor recommendation... you might also want to know it was originally designed as a gaming scope for 3 gunners.

Its one hell of a scope, even at that price.

You also have a theory about fixed scopes having better optics than their variable counterpart.... that's generally true with all things being equal, but something like a 1-6x Razor recommended above would blow both your original picks out of the water.

This video had some good reticle shots to give you an idea what its like.

[ExtremeX]

My vote goes to a 1-6x scope. Next step is deciding a budget and which 1-6x you want. Budget 1-6x = PA. One step up is the Vortex Razor. Climbing higher you have the Trijicon VCOG, Swarovski Z6i, Leupold Mark 6, Kahles K16i, US Optics SR-8C, and S&B Short Dot. Good luck!

P.S. I ended up going with a VCOG because I found one at a great price.

I really like your recommendations... lots of quality stuff listed, but there are a few steps between them worth considering before going from a PA to a Razor if you just don't have the budget for it...

Vortex just came out with a budget 1-6x called the Strike Eagle and there is always the SWFA SS HD 1-6x MIL/MIL FFP.

Both of scopes falling between the PA and Razor but still on opposite sides of that price bracket.

[FMJBT]

Another option worth considering:

[FlyingPen]

And how much of that shooting is really going to be 3 gun?

I got a lot of respect for people like Jerry Miculek, because I cant stand shooting with offset sights.

You mention its going to be more of a general purpose rifle... without a doubt I would go with a quality lower power variable like a 1-6x.

I really like the Vortex Razor recommendation... you might also want to know it was originally designed as a gaming scope for 3 gunners.

Its one hell of a scope, even at that price.

You also have a theory about fixed scopes having better optics than their variable counterpart.... that's generally true with all things being equal, but something like a 1-6x Razor recommended above would blow both your original picks out of the water.

This video had some good reticle shots to give you an idea what its like.

Great points.