I am starting a long(ish) range build based on a Stevens 200 in .308. Right now I am picking up the pieces needed for the build and trying to figure out which optic to go with.

I would like to be able to shoot out to 600 yards with the potential to go further. Would also like to learn to use a mildot reticle, never had one. My budget will be about $500.

Does anyone use fixed power optics for this purpose? I was considering a SWFA SS in 10 or 12x fixed. I know there is another company that makes a similar scope, but cannot find it.

Any ideas, or recommendations from the experts on here?

This is the SS I was thinking about:

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42M-Tactical-Riflescope-P53713.aspx

My 700 '06 has always worn a 4X scope that has served me well...(first a Burris now a Weaver)...my DIL's 7 243 has a 6X Leupold and my grandson's H&R 243 has a 4X Burris...they hold zero and are fool proof...we limit our shots to reasonable ranges (under 200 yards for us)...email Skylar @ SWFA...he is a treasure of info...

rick

I used a fixed 6 power for a few years, and it worked just fine. Longest shot was a coyote at 365. Still, I moved toward variable scopes and have no reason to go back to fixed power.

I also had a fixed 10 power on a rifle I bought used. It was a Ruger 77V in 220, and I did just fine with the 10 power, but now a 6.5-20 Leupold is on it.

But...I'm just a hunter and not a target shooter. I know full well that if I was a target shooter, even though I have plenty of accurate rifles, I am not equipped for long range target shooting.

I've got an SS fixed 12X on a budget truck gun, 243. I picked it up used for $250. I'd recommend it for what you are doing. 16x may be another good option. They have plenty of parralax adjustment, from 20 yards to infinity. I've got the 5-20 HD, and absolutely love it. The fixed 12x is top quality as well.

Thanks for the feedback guys. In the opinion of you all who have or have had fixed power, would you recommend it for me? Or should I go with something more like a 3-15? One reason I was thinking fixed power was the simplicity of nothing changing. Would it be easier to understand mil-dot this way?

I can't help you with the mil-dot issue, but I do recommend a variable scope. You can do just fine with a 4 power or a 6 power, but you have more options with a 3-9 or with my favorite range of 4.5-14 or 4-16.

At 100 yards, with a 4 power scope, you can't even see the tiny dot bullseye that I shoot at. That info alone should be enough to get you to consider a variable scope.

Snipers in Europe used nothing but fixed 6. I have used the 6 to take whitetail out to 500. Beyond that I would use a variable.

Understanding Mils won't change with a fixed or variable power, if you get a first focal plane, which the SS 3-15X is a first focal plane. With a variable power, second focal plane, a Mil is only a Mil on one setting, often max power = not good in my book. A first focal plane scope, a Mil is a Mil at every power setting.

Probably true. I bet if the technology were there, those Snipers would've paid two months pay for a 5-20 x 50 Mil/Mil FFP. Why make things harder than they have to be now days?