Rifle Scope Durability

[HenryFan]

I wonder if fixed power rifle scopes are more durable than variable power rifle scopes?

Does a fixed power survive longer being carried around and beaten to death by shock and impacts in a side-by-side UTV than a variable power since the internals are more simple?

It might be hard to definitely say since one can't compare a 4x chinese made scope to Zeiss but I wonder if anyone has an idea.

[North Country Gal]

There was a day when variables were less reliable and dependable and had issues with POI changing as you switched powers, but that was many, many years ago. Variables have gotten all the research and development since then and as long as you stay away from the cheap stuff, you'd now never notice any difference between fixed and variables as far as reliability and performance.

One place fixed power scopes still have an advantage is field of view at a given power. All else equal, a fixed 6x will have a wider field of view than a variable at 6x. That's basically a design advantage of going fixed power. I don't notice it much with rifle scopes, but I definitely notice it with handgun scopes, given how fussy handgun scopes are about eye placement.

Fixed power scopes can be sharper at the same power than a variable and cost you less in the bargain, but you have to compare apples to apples as far build quality. A cheap fixed power is still a cheap scoop. Don't expect miracles.

Another place going fixed power is a plus is less weight, though the difference doesn't always amount to much.

Unfortunately, variable or zoom scopes get all the press and attention, so fixed power scopes are disappearing. In fact, a lot of shooters have never even used a fixed power, now. I think that's really sad, because those fine old fixed power Leupold, Burris and so on were some of the best scopes ever made (and now bring top dollar on the used market).

[HenryFan]

A year or two ago, a Zeiss 4X rimfire scope was listed for sale in the Rimfire Central Classifieds and by the time I saw the listing, it was gone. I still regret missing that one.

I recently bought a Savage 64 rifle in .22 LR as a gun to carry on my Kawasaki Mule or a tractor. It is synthetic (plastic/polymer?) stocked and the metal is probably painted. $150 out the door. I didn't want to subject one of my nice walnut stocked, blue steel rifles to what the Savage may be subjected to, the weather and hard knocks and such. In any event, I didn't want to put a Leupold on a $150 rifle and I bought a Tasco 4X32 fixed power scope. I received it in today's post. It is surprisingly clear for a cheapo which surprised me. The Savage is not drilled and tapped for scope mounting so I bought Warne dovetail rings to mount the scope and it seems secure enough. Time will tell about the endurance of the Tasco but I think they offer a warranty.

[North Country Gal]

Love to hear how the Savage shoots for you with the Tasco scope.

[HenryFan]

It showed some promise last week when I test fired it with just the iron sights but old eyes confirmed I needed a scope.

I hope to get to the range next week to zero the scope and shoot some different ammo brands/bullet types to see if the Savage has the accuracy some claim they do. If it is accurate, it is somewhat miraculous for such a cheap rifle.

I've got my fingers crossed.

[HenryFan]

On June 13, North Country Gal asked me to advise how the Savage Model 64F and the 4X Tasco scope performed. Here is my response.

I finally got a chance to go to the range earlier today and there are some surprises.

1.) I have read comments in the past about problems with Savage magazines but I had not one problem with the magazine which was delivered with the rifle. No failures to feed. The magazine is a 10-round stick magazine and is surprisingly stout for a rimfire magazine. It is all steel and it is substantial.

2.) I have read comments in the past about Savage accuracy but I found accuracy of this particular rifle to be so-so. I don't know if it is the rifle (cheap lightweight synthetic stock?) or cheap .22LR ammo or poor marksmanship but the best I got was one or two very good 5-shot groups at 25 yards but most were 2 inches or more, usually with a flyer. I got the best accuracy with Federal Champion 40 gr. round nose ammo which surprised because none of my other rimfire rifles seem to perform well with Federal Champion. Federal Champion performed much better than CCI Blazer round nose, CCI Mini-Mag 36 gr. HP and CCI SV.

3.) As far as function, I had not one failure to feed, not one failure to extract and not one failure to eject. I expected some function problems from probably the least expensive (yes, cheap) rimfire of which I am aware but I was pleasantly surprised. I probably fired 100 rounds today in total of the ammo mix described above.

4.) The magazine release is odd and somewhat awkward but since this is not some sort of tactical rifle, it doesn't matter to me. Use will make it more familiar. Again, it is a cheap rifle.

5.) The Tasco 4X fixed power scope is sufficient. The glass is not great quality by any means but the adjustments worked and didn't shift around. You can tell that Zeiss or Swarovski didn't have a hand in the production of the scope but since this rifle is destined for use on a Kawasaki Mule or a farm tractor, it will do.

6.) Would I buy this rifle again? Not unless I needed an inexpensive rifle for use as a truck gun or for transport on a Mule. Will I spend time and money to make it accurate? No, not for the purpose I intend.

[daytime dave]

That's a nice, fact filled review. Thank you. I hope it serves the purpose well for the use you got it for.