Greetings all,

I must admit, I'm guilty of being a slave to variables. However, I recently purchased a rifle that is begging for a fixed 4X.

Over the past couple of years I have become a big fan of the Weaver Grand Slam series. Naturally, I initially thought of the 4.75 x 40 GS. Now I'm starting to contemplate splashing out on the Kahles C4X32 4A. I have yet to actually look through a Kahles, but have heard nothing but positve.

Any recommendations? Are there other fixed 4's that I should be looking at?

The rifle is a Sako Finnbear chambered in .30-06. I will be primarily hunting whitetail deer in the north woods of Michigan, US (200 yrds or less) with the occassional trip out West for elk or mule deer (300/350 yrds or less).

Cheers!

Well you mention the GS 4.75x which I haven't used. But if anything like the GS variable I have. It is a fine choice.

Another worth looking at is the Nikon Monarch 4x. I don't have one of those, but I do have a Nikon Monarch 6x which is a very nice scope.

Haven't used a Kahles so cannot give any useful comparison to that brand.

Check out IOR/Valdada 4x hunting scope.

Leupold FX-II 4x Wide Duplex.

J Scott

I have a fixed 4x Swarovski that is the brightest scope I own. The Kahles is almost as good. As to the "best", probably Schmidt & Bender, pretty pricey though.
If not one of those, a Leupold.

my favorite is the old German zeiss 1" 4x.. I understand that they are now making the conquest in 4x but it's not on their web page.

I have an IOR Valdada in 4x (1 inch tube/hunting model). Very bright and sharp.

IOR also makes a"tactical" 4x. A fixed 4x on a 30 mm tube. It has a bullet drop set up (for 308 Win-so not that different for a 30-06).

Leupold's F11 have the longest eye relief at 4".

In short, if you get new 4x for about $110 or higher, you will have a good scope. That includes the new Weaver K4 at ~ $110. I have a nnew K2.5x, and it is VERY bright and sharp. Don't overlook these.

Nikon Buckmaster ($150ish, Monach ($225ish) will be great too.

I applaud your choice of a 4x. You really can't beat it. Simple. rugged, and enough for any non-dangerous game at reasonable hunting distances (less than 300 yards).

Let us know what you select, and why.

Thank you all.

The suggestion of the Valdada (very impressive FOV) has given me something to think about, as has the suggestion that the Zeiss Conquest is available in a fixed 4X. I was not aware of this. I just have zero familiarity with the Valdada. It seems a great price for German glass. I'm amazed that they are often compared to the Swaros. Are they really that nice? I have found it for right around $380 US. My only concern with the Conquest is that it is Zeis' entry level scope. Maybe this is unfounded, but I just feel like maybe they cut corners to get into this market???

Yes, a Schmidt and Bender would probably be the best. That's why I typed "best." I understand the concept of diminishing returns. I have looked through a fair amount of glass, but would most likely be unable to appreciate the supperiority of a S&B.

I would like to keep this scope under $500. The Valdada does that nicely, as does the Weaver (both K4 and Grand Slam), Monarch, and Leup. The only one in excess of this mark is the Kahles (I have not yet found a price on the Conquest 4X). I'm starting to question if I will ever see $300 difference in the Kahles. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own that Kahles C4X36 A4. Just not sure it is in the cards right now.

I'm not looking past the K4. It's history of durability and dependability is legendary. I'm still trying to sort out the difference between it and the Grand Slam 4.75. In fact, the history of the K4 is one of the things that is nudging me toward it. I have seen used ones VERY reasonable. I kinda like the idea of finding a used classic scope to go on my "used" (it was NIB, never fired) classic rifle. The opperative word there is "was" NIB. I remedied that in a hurry Wow! what a sweet shooting rifle. The iron sights are very serviceable - maybe it doesn't even need optics....

Thanks again for the suggestions. Next week I am going to begin tracking down these models and looking through the glass. I will let you know what I find.

Thanks to all for NOT telling me that I need a variable! I had a hunch I wouldn't get that from this class. Cheers!

Regarding the K4 and GS, the GS has their Micro-trac system for better W&E adjustments. It also has better coatings, and probably glass. The coatings on the GS are superb. The K4 is fully-multicoated, and not bad at all. The GS is better. And getting up into a very high level of optical performance.

http://www.usaoptics.net/hunting.html

New IOR Valdada 4x hunting scope: $228 (with free shipping to boot).

Can't beat that deal with a stick

I live in Michigan and went to a fixed 4x several years ago for my 30-06. Like you, most of my hunting will be in MI but I dream of trips out west.

I went with the Leupold. Why? I don't think you can ever go wrong with a Leupold; very bright; very light weight; and, American made.

DOUBLEGUN-You and I seem to think along the same lines.

Check out sturmgewehr.com parts and accessories I see great deals all the time.

WTS: SWOROVSKI 8X SCOPE & SSG PII RINGS $750

Posted By: OZARK ARMORY (MO) <dawandoa@earthlink.net> (mo-67-77-57-140.dyn.sprint-hsd.net)
Date: 2/19/06 15:19

I am placing this ad for a friend. He has a 8x Sworovski, German "sniper style", three post reticle, scope on a Styre SSG P II set of factory quick detachable rings, that is in excellent condition(he bought it new this way and shot it a couple of times). He will settle for a mere $750 + shipping for the set-up.

This is a real bargain as Styre 1" QD rings are $250+(if you can find them) and a new Sworovski 8X scope is over a grand.

I have seen the scope and everything is as stated.

My friend is kind of a hermit, so alas, you must deal through me :-) and I am not making a cent on the deal (bummer).

Don @ Ozark Armory
Lincoln, MO
660-547-3068

Parts and Accessories Market Board

WTS: Hensoldt/Wetzlar ZF 500 10 x 42 Scope $ 640.0

Posted By: Ron Smith (PA) <ronsmith2@suscom.net> (ip70.251.23.209.suscom.net)
Date: 2/25/06 17:59

WTS: The following pristine German optic:

1 Hensoldt/Wetzlar ZF 500 10 x 42 scope with original see through lens covers. Unit has a 1" tube, Mil Dot reticule, 1/4 Minute of angle adjustment, fine focus on occular, BDC'd for 7.62 168 grain. Came off a Knights Armament Mark 11 Mod 0 (SR 25). 98% condition 100% on optics.
$ 640.00 shipped

*** 717-332-2320 ***** Ron

WTS: Kahles ZF 84 6x42 Austrian scope-$575

Posted By: gl in TX <sofgl@yahoo.com> (ip68-1-222-83.dl.dl.cox.net)
Date: 3/4/06 10:03

This is an Austrian made military scope. Manufactured by Kahles the model is ZF 84 AND IT IS A 6 POWER SCOPE. It has a ranging reticle and has a .308 elevation cam. It is flat black and comes with the see thru scope covers which are factory. It is in excellent condition. I will accept paypal without a fee or a postal money order. Nice scope, I hope it goes to a good home.

$575 plus shipping and will sell only in the CONUS.

quote:

Originally posted by 300 H-H:
DOUBLEGUN-You and I seem to think along the same lines.

I'll take that as a compliment.

Thank you.

Had an old K4 for 20 years. Never had a problem until I hunted in the rain last year, idiot me!

Replaced it with a GS 4.75 and love it. Great scope.

Lots of good choices out there, you can't go wrong.

I would imagine the best buy out there is a new Leupold 4x...The Kahles is grossly overpriced and heavy with little eye relief. The WEaver and pretty much everything else out there has way too little eye relief or not compact or too heavy.Leupold has the best compromise of all of them. Although I would not rule out the new Conquest when it comes out

quote:

I would imagine the best buy out there is a new Leupold 4x...

Or a used one on Ebay for between $90 and $120.

quote:

Or a used one on Ebay for between $90 and $120.

I am talking about the FX-II. Not the old noncoated lense, non click adjustment 4x that was still the most troublefree scope Leupold sold at the time.

IMO Kahles glass is overrated. This is from someone who owns and has used extensively a roughly $1500 Kahles scope.

For the money, I'd vote for the Weaver GS but have no experience with that model. I'm very happy with a 1.5x5 Weaver GS tho.

i'll sell a NIB IOR valdada 4x32mm for $225, shipping and insurance included. see my classified listing..

I have an old Husqvarna FN 9.3X62 on its way with Recknagel mounts and a steel SCHMIDT&BENDER 4X scope waiting.
The S&B are the best I have used..
ozhunter

Sightron S2 4x32 - beautiful little scope. Lightweight, compact, excellent optics and very very good value.

They're a little pricey, but the "best" 4X out there is the little S&B 1" tube scope.

Terry