Vortex 1.5X4X32 Crossfire or 1.75X5X32 diamondback for a Mar

[afish4570]

Marlin 3030 or Win94AE......Poor light hunting and/ or shooting cast boolits in these rifles....Wondering what the Vortex brand is and if is suitable ,acceptable and practical.See they run about 105 to 169 $$. Seems like they "fit" better than the bigger scopes too, on these types of rifles. The Burris Timberline 2x7x26 looks like a keeper too. Lets face it, old eyes, poor lighting in the deep dark forests require a scope.afish4570

[mescalero1]

A caution I keep proferring,
but it goes unheeded,
stay away from variable power scopes,
it seems the lessons of the past go unheeded, when the advertising dept takes control of R&D.

[Alan Wood]

A caution I keep proferring,
but it goes unheeded,
stay away from variable power scopes,
it seems the lessons of the past go unheeded, when the advertising dept takes control of R&D.

Ok what are the problems with variable power scopes?

[mescalero1]

All variable scopes must move the inverter lenses on a variable cam system to accomplish the power change.
This introduces both error in the manufacturing process and introduces un-needed weight to the scope, couple this with multiple moving parts, and you are ASKING for failure at critical time.
Now complicate the hunt by electing to chose a power setting for a given shooting situation.
Buy a LOWER powered scope than you think you need, and SHOOT it, at different ranges.
There is a parable, in New York, tourists ask how to get to Carnige Hall, local musicians; reply;
PRACTICE.

[flatnose]

afish4570,
If you are shooting at dusk or low light, I would tend to go with the largest objective lens I can get. I have used 32mm lenses, and its hard on my eyes as the light goes down. Find a scope with good eye relief, there is nothing worse than chasing or trying to find an image in the rear lens. I use both, but I prefer fixed magnification.
Try a few scopes at the store in the late afternoon.

[Terry Murbach]

All variable scopes must move the inverter lenses on a variable cam system to accomplish the power change.
This introduces both error in the manufacturing process and introduces un-needed weight to the scope, couple this with multiple moving parts, and you are ASKING for failure at critical time.
Now complicate the hunt by electing to chose a power setting for a given shooting situation.
Buy a LOWER powered scope than you think you need, and SHOOT it, at different ranges.
There is a parable, in New York, tourists ask how to get to Carnige Hall, local musicians; reply;
PRACTICE.

LISTEN TO THIS MAN !!!!!!
HE IS NOT WHISTLING DIXIE HERE ABOUT THIS. I HAVE IN ALL PROBABILITY BOUGHT MY LAST VARIABLE POWER SCOPE. THERE WAS SOMETHING GOOFY ABOUT THE FIRST I BOUGHT 50 YEARS AGO AND THE LAST WAS WEIRD TOO. I HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE PROBLEM WITH A FIXED POWER SCOPE IN 4X, 6X, 8X, 10X, AND 12X, ALL OF THESE HAPPENING TO BE WEAVERS AND STILL IN SERVICE YEARS AFTER WEAVER WENT T/U. I LIKE 2 OR 3 POWER SCOPES ON SHORT RANGE RIFLES AND 6X ON LONG RANGE RIFLES. ALL THE REST CAN DO JUST FINE WITH A 4X SCOPE OUT TO HECK AND GONE, AND THERE IS NO GAME ANIMAL IN NORTH AMERICA THAT IS OUT OF RANGE OF A 4X SCOPE ON A 30/06, 338WINMAG ETC ETC HUNTING RIFLE. MY OLD CUSTOM 264WINMAG HAS AN OLD WEAVER 3-9X ON IT AND AT 4X I HAVE HEAD SHOT GROUNDHOGS SO FAR AWAY YOU BETTER PACK A SANDWICH AND EXTRA WATER WHEN YOU GO TO RECOVER THE VICTIM.
I AM WILLING TO MAKE A SLIGHT WAGER THAT THE PRICES OF SCOPES [ OUTLANDISH RIPOFFS IN MANY CASES ] COULD BE CUT IN HALF IF WE WENT BACK TO FIXED POWER SCOPES.
THEY WORK !!! YOU DO NOT NEED A VARIABLE SCOPE !!! THIS WILL BE A LOT MORE UNDERSTANDABLE TO THE YOUNGER GUYS HERE WHEN IT DAWNS ON 'EM YOU CANNOT BUY SKILL.

[Alan Wood]

Thank You Terry and Mescalaro. Truth be known my weapons are strictly for self defense and targets. Hitting where I aim is everything. Wether the issue be my skills or sights or... a problem is completely unacceptable. Your input on the issues with variable power scopes is most welcome!

[mescalero1]

Terry is right,
fixed power is easier, cheaper to build.

[76/444]

All variable scopes must move the inverter lenses on a variable cam system to accomplish the power change.
This introduces both error in the manufacturing process and introduces un-needed weight to the scope, couple this with multiple moving parts, and you are ASKING for failure at critical time.
Now complicate the hunt by electing to chose a power setting for a given shooting situation.
Buy a LOWER powered scope than you think you need, and SHOOT it, at different ranges.
There is a parable, in New York, tourists ask how to get to Carnige Hall, local musicians; reply;
PRACTICE.

Mescalero,... does this include "etched glass reticle" scopes, as well?

[mescalero1]

If it is a variable power scope, Yes

[76/444]

If it is a variable power scope, Yes

Thank you sir !!

[edsguns]

If it is a variable power scope, Yes

Welcome to Y2K, we are there now, if you had not noticed.

[mescalero1]

We were complacent.
We let the advertising guys aell us a bill of goods we did not need.
It seems that once Pandora's box was opened, we could not reverse the trend.
This is not true.
Do NOT buy a variable scope.
Write to the manufactures and demand a fixed power line up.
Consumer dollars rule.
You can make it happen.