Variable Scopes or Pardon My Ignorance

[GonnePhishin]

Never having handled let alone used a variable scope (I've shot with a fixed power scope). Question is this: if the scope is marked 3x9 does it only have two (2) power settings (the 3 and 9) or can you set it at 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 or anywhere in between?

[new pig hunter]

Anywhere in-between from low to high.

Cheers,

Carl

[Hagler]

UncleBuck,

Are you asking about a scope that is marked "3x9", or a scope that is marked "3-9"? I am accustomed to seeing a variable-power scope that is marked something like "3-9x40", indicating a variable power of between & including 3-to-9.

Shawn

[Sixgun]

Uncle Buck,
Please pardon my ignorance, but have you been living under a rock? ----6

[AJMD429]

Yep - Continuous variability from the "3x" to the "9x" would be the norm - HOWEVER, sometimes the REAL magnification may be more like 2x to 8x or 3.5x to 10x or who knows what.

[Chuck 100 yd]

"Uncle Buck,
Please pardon my ignorance, but have you been living under a rock? ----6"


6 , you are a card!!! When I crack one, my wife calls me a COMODian !

[jkbrea]

Never having handled let alone used a variable scope (I've shot with a fixed power scope). Question is this: if the scope is marked 3x9 does it only have two (2) power settings (the 3 and 9) or can you set it at 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 or anywhere in between?

Yes, you can set it at any magnification between 3 and 9. 3x9 is the magnification and the 40 is the size of the lense. The bigger the objective, the more light it lets in. I usually set mine at around 4 or 5 and power up if I'm in wide open country and turn it all the way down in heavily wooded areas. Variables nowadays are very well made.

[GonnePhishin]

NO Sixgun, I don't live under a rock, but actually have been residing in this LOG. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Kinda a tight fit but it works.

[GonnePhishin]

Thanks to those who replied and explained my question. A variable scope is kind of like a telephoto camera lens, in other words.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving

[Sixgun]

Uncle Buck,
That was good and a very snappy comeback! Hey, you got electricity and running water in that log? -------------6

[Chuck 100 yd]

Yes , like a zoom lens on a camera.

[GonnePhishin]

Hey, you got electricity and running water in that log? -------------6

Nah, a potty and kerosene lantern

[Pete44ru]

.

FWIW, "3-9" = "3x9" - samo-samo.

Many 3x9 variables have a Obj diameter of at least 40mmm - muchlarger than a typical 32mm diameter (of a 4x scope).

If you're contemplating aquiring any of the variable scopes over 2x7, I would advise that you take that OD of the objective bell (front) into consideration, as it may be large enough to contact the barrel (or open rear sight) causing installation (higher rings needed than most fixed-power scopes) and/or accuracy issues (from slight contact pressure).

Also, some "modern" variable scopes (especially "compact" scopes) have a main tube length that's too short to install the scope properly, w/o going to rings that are extended forward and/or back from the normal vertical positioning.

I like the log........................... .


.

[pwl44m]

One thing to remember, keep it on low power when not scanning. U don't want that Big Buck @ 50 yards on 9 power.
Perry

[3leggedturtle]

NO Sixgun, I don't live under a rock, but actually have been residing in this LOG. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Kinda a tight fit but it works.

+1 Do you spend more time in it and sleeping OR sitting on it and reading?

[Pete44ru]

One thing to remember, keep it on low power when not scanning.

U don't want that Big Buck @ 50 yards on 9 power.

Perry

With all due respect, "scanning" with any riflescope isn't a good idea, moreso if other hunters may be in the area.......... A set of binoculars and/or a spotting scope is the better/correct tool for scanning.

I get the chills, just thinking about crosshairs on me.




.

[pwl44m]

One thing to remember, keep it on low power when not scanning.

U don't want that Big Buck @ 50 yards on 9 power.

Perry

With all due respect, "scanning" with any riflescope isn't a good idea, moreso if other hunters may be in the area.......... A set of binoculars and/or a spotting scope is the better/correct tool for scanning.

I get the chills, just thinking about crosshairs on me.




.

Ur absolutely right ! I should have been more clear, I'm sure We have all looked at something in a distant place and forgot to turn it back down and couldn't find the campfire in front of Us. I wasn't thinking clearly and for that My apologies.
Perry