idea for Deer Hunting? Know of a guy that will use no other type scope. I think the power range is fine but field of view is not so great. Whats the consensus opinion on this ?

I prefer a variable so I can keep it down around 3x for heavy cover and thick stuff but have higher power to sit open bogs or fields. The 6x is too much magnification for me in close cover. I hunt Maine and you can go from needing 6-10x for shooting through tight holes and longer open shots.......but then jump a deer at your feet in thick regrowth or cedar bog where you can't see more than 20yds or so. No time to search for the deer with higher power and smaller fov.....I still hunt on 3.5x and only move it up if I'm in a stand or sitting a pretty long open area. If I had to use a fixed power I would compromise with a 4x.

woods

I've used the 6x42 and it is a very good choice if you are into fixed power scopes as I am. A couple of years ago, I switched over to Leupold fixed 4x32 scopes as we just don't have long shots in the swamp. I am happy with the 4x, in fact I just bought an older Leupold 3x scope as it will be fine for my hunting.
I got away from variables as I found I would set the power at some intermediate power and leave it there. That intermediate power was around 4-6x, so I decided to get fixed powers in that range. I'm talking Deer hunting, not varmint shooting where I do have variables on rifles.

Don

Edit to add: To show how consistently inconsistent I am, I just bought a Leupold VX-7 in 1.5-6X power. I bought it because of the improved glass the scope has. If Leupold had made a fixed power scope with the improved glass, that is what I would have bought. But, they only make the variables with the better glass, no fixed power scopes.
I compared the VX-7 with the fixed 6x42 and the 4x32 scopes I have, both Leupolds, and there is no comparison. The VX-7 set at the same power as each fixed scope was way better than the fixed ones. The fixed powers I used for comparison were the newer FX series, not the older M8 series.

After having read about the wonders of the Leupold 6x42 at 24HCF, I bought 1 with the heavy duplex reticle to use at dawn/dusk. After using a couple different 6x42 HDs for a couple of years, I'm happy with the results. I have my 6x42s mounted in QR rings so that I can swap to a 2-7x33 for still hunting in heavy cover. I don't shoot running deer, so a scope with a wide field of view isn't a critical decision point for me during the buy/don't buy decision making process.

Jeff

I don't tend to brag but I can tell you that after 10 years of culling UK deer I've reached the 1,000mark, 99.9% of them were shot with 6x42s.(I tried a 7x50 but hated it)

It's possible to shoot extremely accurately with them at extremely long range and yet still shoot moving at short range.

Look at it this way - you will never be at the wrong power, you might feel it's not ideal but you'll allways be able to make the shot. The same cannot be said of being caught at 9power with a deer under your seat or at 3x with a deer that pauses fractionaly at range.

The only time I ever wish for more power is a herd at range when I want to shoot a pricket or knobber and they change places too frequently to take the shot when I've put down my binos and picked up the rifle.

I find the field of view excellent with my Swaro 6x42s.

I have lots of other scopes in various brands, owning more Leupold 2.5-8x36's than any other single scope. But my "go-to deer rifle" is fitted with a Leupold 6x42, and I just ordered a Leupold 6x36 for another deer rifle. We are all different with different preferences. Almost every time this subject comes up, someone will express concerns about the field of view. I respect their experiences for themselves and have no desire to persuade them that I have "the way, the truth and the light." But in my experience, the field of view has never been a problem. Among other things, I think of it this way: The field of view of this 6x42 is 17 feet at 100 yards, or 4.25 feet at 25 yards. That "covers" a lot. Just my opinion for what it's worth. Good luck with deciding what's right for you!

Al

There used to be a Reliablety problem with variable scopes.I think that is a thing of the Past.I still like the fixed power scopes as they are lighter in weight .A 6X42 is a good all around scope.You would not go wrong to buy one!!!! OB

I used one for the first 12-15 years I hunted. Never gave me a hint of trouble and worked well at distance and in tight brush,all shots were under 100 yds,,,TOP CHOICE DON'T LET ANYONE TALK YOU OUT OF IT..regarding brand leoupold 6x42 with a number 4 reticle

Every variable I have spends it's time all the way up or all the way down.
But both settings get used.

Big game hunt: Hunt on the low power, but sight in on the high power.

Varmint hunt: acquire the target in binoculars, then acquire the target in riflescope on low power, turn up the power, adjust the objective, and shoot.

Go to the range:
a) High power scopes: acquire target on low power, turn up the power and shoot.
b) low power scopes: acquire the target on high power and shoot.


What does it all mean?
If I am using the variable power function that much, why buy a fixed power?