What Is Fixed Power?

• Fixed power scopes are available in a range of magnifications, most commonly from 4x to 8x. The best magnification depends on what type of shooting you will be doing. A fixed power scope is optimized for a specific range window; only look for fixed power scopes if you are doing all your shooting at the same or very similar ranges. A 4x power scope works for 50- to 100-yard ranges; an 8x power scope will work to 300+ yards; magnifications in between fall in to corresponding range categories. Choose a magnification appropriate for the range you will be shooting at.
  
  

Aperture

• The aperture is the size of the objective lens (the front lens on the scope). Most 4x scopes are 4 x 32, that is, they have a 32 mm objective lens. As magnification increases, aperture tends to increase as well. Most 8x scopes have an aperture in the range of 45 mm. A larger aperture allows more light and a better view into darker areas and at darker times of day. But a smaller aperture sits lower on the gun and is easier to sight in, holding zero more consistently at a greater range of distances.
  
  

Brand names

• Research the scopes that you look at, or start your search with some of the better-known brands. Leupold makes many models of fixed power scopes, for example, and are a leading brand in the United States, providing scopes to multiple branches of the U.S. Military. Schmidt & Bender are a leading European manufacturer.