Sometimes, having the best fixed power scope is better. You just point, center the crosshairs, and squeeze the trigger. There is no fidgeting with knobs and no adjusting your focus. You just need to place the crosshair over your target as soon as you see it.

However, this is only applicable when you have one use in mind for the riflescope. For instance, it is appropriate if you will be using it for hunting one particular kind of animal, one that you know you can get in range of your rifle. These might not be jacks of all trades but fixed power scopes are great at that one particular thing that they do.

If you think that this type of scope is what you need then you might want to check out these nine options reviewed in this article.

Best Fixed Power Scope Reviews of 2021

Best Overall
Our Score 9.4 Out of 10
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Featured
Our Score 8.9 Out of 10
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Featured
Our Score 8.3 Out of 10
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Our Score 8.0 Out of 10
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Our Score 7.4 Out of 10
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Our Score 7.1 Out of 10
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Our Score 6.6 Out of 10
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Our Score 6.1 Out of 10
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Our Score 5.7 Out of 10
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CVLIFE 4×32 Compact Riflescope

Our Score 9.5 out of 10
CVLIFE 4x32 Compact Rifle Scope Crosshair Optics Hunting Gun Scope with 20mm Free Mounts
CVLIFE 4x32 Compact Rifle Scope Crosshair Optics Hunting Gun Scope with 20mm Free Mounts amazon.com Check price

Magnification:4x;Objective Diameter: 1.26" (32mm); Eye Relief: 3.3" (83.82mm) Length: 7.48"(190mm);
With the fully coated optical glass, the rifle scope would give you a bright and high-contrast im...

Another beneficial feature of the CVLIFE 4×32 Compact Riflescope is that its lenses are fully multi-coated. This means that it can allow a lot of light into the tube, thereby giving you a bright and high contrast sight image. This is great in case you are using the scope in low visibility conditions.

The thing I like about the scope is that it is made of one single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, which is then purged using inert gases and sealed off at both ends using multiple thick O-bands. This makes the scope completely waterproof, fog-proof and dustproof.

Also, because there are no moving parts at all, the scope is somewhat shockproof to a certain degree. The biggest downside of this scope is that the eye relief, which was advertised as a little over four inches, is actually more like three inches.

This is not much of a problem, though, since the scope is meant for short to medium distance shooting. This means that the eye relief does not necessarily have to be that long.

Pros
  • Compact size, allowing it to fit small-caliber rifles and crossbows
  • The fully multicoated lenses have excellent light transmission
  • The scope is very durable and has great waterproofing feature
  • The scope is shockproof – It can withstand falls from shoulder height onto concrete
  • Truly affordable
Cons
  • The eye relief is not as long as advertised

Just like what has been mentioned earlier, the short eye relief is not really that big of an issue mainly because the scope is not meant for high-powered rifles or for scout rifles anyway.

Nikon P-Tactical .223 3×32 Matte BDC Carbine

Our Score 9.2 out of 10
Nikon P-Tactical .223 3x32 Matte BDC Carbine (16526)
Nikon P-Tactical .223 3x32 Matte BDC Carbine (16526) amazon.com Check price

The BDC carbine reticle provides a 200 yard Crosshair with "hash marks" at 400 yards and 600 yards
One inch body tube
Spring loaded instant zero resets turrets
Elevated windage and elevation turret...

Both external lenses are fully multicoated to allow the maximum amount of ambient light into the scope to brighten up the sight picture. They are also capable of preventing the light from reflecting back, which might give away your location to your target.

I liked that the adjustment turrets are ergonomically designed and spring-loaded. This allows the turrets to reset to zero after you finish sighting it. The scope is constructed from a single piece of aluminum tubing that is purged using nitrogen gas and then sealed at both ends using beefy O-rings.

Such construction makes the scope completely waterproof, fog-proof and dustproof. The one downside that I want to point out about the Nikon P-Tactical is the weak retaining screws for the windage and elevation adjustment turrets.

Pros
  • Fully multicoated lens lets a lot of light into the scope
  • Features ergonomic adjustment turrets make it easy to aim
  • Completely weatherproof and fog-proof, making it ideal for every weather condition
  • Ideal for short and medium-range shooting
  • Reasonably priced
Cons
  • Somewhat weak retaining screws of the adjustment turrets

Despite the issue with the retaining screws, Nikon does consider them as factory defects and will take care of them for you, so it is not really a big problem. With that, the Nikon P-Tactical is surely a great fixed magnification scope that anyone would be happy to have in their arsenal.

Monstrum Tactical 3×30 Ultra-Compact Riflescope

Our Score 8.9 out of 10
Monstrum Tactical 3x30 Ultra-Compact Rifle Scope with Illuminated Range Finder Reticle (Black)
Monstrum Tactical 3x30 Ultra-Compact Rifle Scope with Illuminated Range Finder Reticle (Black) amazon.com Check price

High optical clarity at 3 times magnification and 30 mm objective diameter
Glass range finder reticle for on-the-fly range estimation and long distance targeting
Dial controlled reticle illuminatio...

What I like about this scope is that it is only six inches long and 12 ounces in weight. This makes it perfect for use on compact rifles and even on crossbows. Another neat thing about this scope is that it has an illuminated reticle with a brightness that you can adjust. You are even given the chance to choose from red and green colors.

It is also possible for you to adjust the appearance of the reticle according to the condition of your environment. This scope also has a built-in rail mount that can attach to any kind of flat or Picatinny rail system tightly. This makes the scope much more secure and more capable of keeping its zero.

There is one tiny issue with the scope and that is that the fact that the screws on the base tend to get loose after a couple of rounds. This is not really a major problem because you can just put a drop of Loctite into the holes before inserting the screws.

Pros
  • Compact design, allowing it to fit on most small caliber firearms
  • Illuminated reticle with levels of brightness that you can adjust accordingly
  • Reticles can change color from red to green
  • Has a built-in rail mount that fits flat top receivers and Picatinny rails
  • Comes at a one-piece design that makes the scope more stable
Cons
  • The screws on the base tend to get loose after a couple of rounds of shooting

Despite the minor issue regarding the screws, the Monstrum Tactical 3×30 Ultra-Compact Riflescope is still a good quality scope that is worth more than the price it sells for.

Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5x28mm Scope

Our Score 8.5 out of 10
Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5x28mm Duplex
Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5x28mm Duplex amazon.com Check price

You just acquire a target, adjust for windage and bullet drop if you want and then squeeze the trigger. This is invaluable when you need to make quick decisions, like when you are hunting deer. What I liked about the Leupold FX-II Scout is that it is simple to use while still remaining highly accurate.

This scope is purged using Leupold’s signature blend of Argon and Krypton and then sealed at both ends using robust O-rings to make sure that not even an iota of water will get into the scope.

One gripe that I have with the scope is that there are people who reported that Leupold actually charged customers for the delivery fee in case they want to send back the item for repairs or refunds. There have been no further incidents of this thing happening again, so it seems that the customer helpline must have changed for the better.

Pros
  • Sleek, single-piece design
  • Features a clear, diamond-coated objective lens allows a lot of light into the scope
  • The inert gas purged tube has excellent waterproofing and fog-proofing capabilities
  • Robust construction, which makes the scope shockproof
  • The Duplex reticle makes target acquisition faster and more accurate
Cons
  • The customer service of Leupold requires a bit of improvement

Regardless of their poor customer service, which might have received a major overhaul as of late, there is absolutely no reason why you should not get the Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5x28mm Scope for your collection.

Primary Arms Classic Series 6×32 Riflescope

Our Score 8.2 out of 10
Primary Arms Classic Series 6x32mm Rifle Scope - ACSS-22LR
Primary Arms Classic Series 6x32mm Rifle Scope - ACSS-22LR amazon.com Check price

6x second focal plane riflescope features a non-illuminated ACSS 22LR reticle ideal for plinking, hunting, or competition
ACSS 22LR reticle design utilizes bullet drop compensation correlated with ...

The Primary Arms Classic 6×32 is a 6x fixed magnification scope that utilizes a unique reticle design called the ACSS (Advanced Combined Sighting System) 22LR. This design uses BDC correlated with range estimation and windage, all of which are combined in one easy-to-use system. This reticle makes this scope fast at short range and highly accurate at medium range target shooting.

What I really liked about this riflescope from Primary Arms is its optics. The sight images that I got from the scope are always clear and bright. Primary Arms really took great lengths to ensure that this scope is unlike other fixed magnification scopes out there but in a good way.

The only thing that I found slightly lacking is that the reticle was smaller than I first thought it was. It is still sharp and readable but you might have some trouble if you do not have 20/20 vision.

Pros
  • Features an innovative reticle design that combines different functions into one
  • Compact design that fits perfectly on any
  • 22 caliber rifle
  • Clear optic and sharp and bright reticle image
  • Easy to sight and holds its zero effectively
  • Maximizes the range of
  • 22 caliber rifles
Cons
  • The reticle should be a bit bigger

The problem with the reticle size is actually more subjective than technical. Some people, like me, would have liked it a bit bigger but others would be fine the way it is. Anyway, you can adjust the scope until you can see the reticle clearly.

Leupold FX-I Rimfire 4x28mm Scope

Our Score 7.7 out of 10
Leupold FX-I Rimfire 4x28mm Fine Duplex

The thing that impressed me about the Leupold FX-I is the DiamondCoat II lens coating. This unique lens coating lets in a whole lot more light into the scope and gives a clearer sight picture than any other options I have used so far. In addition, the DiamondCoat II provides impressive abrasive resistance.

This means that you can use this scope for years and you would be hard-pressed to find even a scratch. Another neat feature of the Leupold FX-I, that is actually standard in all modern Leupold scopes, is the Argon-Krypton purge, which gives the item unbeatable waterproofing, weatherproofing, and fog-proofing ability.

With that, you have an assurance that you can use the scope in any kinds of weather condition. The only gripe that I have about it is that it is a bit on the expensive side, especially for a fixed power scope. However, this is highly subjective as some people might not find any issue about the price as long as it is a quality product.

Pros
  • Clear optics – This allows you to get a clear sight picture regardless of the weather condition
  • Comes with an abrasion-resistant lens coating
  • Top-notch waterproofing and fog-proofing, thanks to the Argon-Krypton purge
  • Highly-visible Duplex reticle
  • Ultra-lightweight and compact design
Cons
  • Much more expensive than variable power scopes offered by other brands

The price is subjective, though. You might find that the scope is worth the price, all things considered. However, some might not have the same opinion and that’s okay. One thing is for sure, Leupold worked tirelessly for years for their reputation, so you can be sure that this scope is worth the price.

Weaver K4 4X38 Riflescope

Our Score 7.1 out of 10
Weaver K4 4X38 Riflescope (Matte)
Weaver K4 4X38 Riflescope (Matte) amazon.com Check price

Made of the highest quality materials
Hunting scopes rifles
Another quality Bushnell product
Fully multi-coated lenses for optimum edge-to-edge clarity
1-inch tubes aircraft grade Aluminum tube (mo...

What I like about the Weaver K4 4×38 is its toughness. Weaver has tested the K4 with 10,000 rounds of 375 H&H and it still held its zero. If you are looking for a scope for 30-30 rifles and the like, one that can take a lot of punishment and still ask for more, then the Weaver K40 is the one for you.

Aside from its durability, the Weaver K4 4×38 has fully coated external lenses that have one of the best light transmission properties available today. You will always get clear and high-contrast sight pictures even when there is not much light available.

The K4 also uses a Dual-X reticle that has ¼” MOA adjustments at 100 yards. This makes it quite accurate when used for long-range shooting. Although it will not be as accurate as variable powered scopes if you will only be shooting targets under 250 yards, then this scope might do you well.

There is one thing that I didn’t like, though. It is the short eye relief. The K4 only has just a little over 3 inches of eye relief, so it is not really meant for high-powered rounds.

Pros
  • Highly durable
  • Equipped with Dual-X reticle that promotes ease in making short-range and mid-range shots
  • Excellent light transmission, thanks to the lens coating
  • Clear and crisp sight picture
  • Holds zero for 30-30, for 30-06, and even for 308 even after dozens of rounds
Cons
  • Short eye relief, making it unsuitable for those looking for AR-15 scope

Although it is quite unfortunate that it has short eye relief, the Weaver K4 is still a commendable rifle optic and you can really benefit from having it in your collection.

SWFA SS 10×42 Tactical Riflescope

Our Score 6.6 out of 10
SWFA SS 10x42 Tactical Riflescope Mil-Quad Reticle 1/10 Mil Adjustments Rear Focus SS10X42MQ

As its name suggests, the SWFA SS 10×42 is a tactical scope, which means that it is more robust and can take a lot more punishment than your regular hunting scopes. This is what I really liked about the SWFA SS. You can take dozens of shots of high-caliber rounds and it will still hold its zero perfectly.

The SS in SWFA SS 10×42 is short for “Super Sniper”, which means that this is actually a sniper scope that you can use for making long-range shots up to 300 yards. The great thing about using a fixed power scope is that you do not need to fidget with the turrets as much.

You just need to gauge the distance, adjust the windage and BDC and you are good. Another neat feature of the SWFA SS is the rear focus controls. This allows you to sharpen the image without having to reach all the way to the front of your scope, and possibly losing your target in the process.

The one thing that I did not like with the SWFA SS is that the far end of the turret adjustments does not line up perfectly.

Pros
  • Works as a high-powered scope that sells for a bargain price
  • Highly durable and holds its zero really well
  • Great for long-range shooting up to 300 yards
  • Comes with user-friendly rear focus controls
  • Clear mil-dot reticle at any light condition
Cons
  • The far end settings of the turrets do not line up perfectly

I have been nitpicking trying to find something to complain about the SWFA SS 10×42 Tactical Riflescope, but there is really nothing that bad to say about it because of its good quality.

Bushnell Tactical 10X40 Riflescope

Our Score 6.1 out of 10
Bushnell Tactical 10X40 Rifle Scope, Mil-Dot Reticle
Bushnell Tactical 10X40 Rifle Scope, Mil-Dot Reticle amazon.com Check price

Mil-dot reticle & target turrets
Fixed-power 10x magnification tactical target scope with 40-millimeter objective lens
Mil-Dot reticle and target turrets; blacked-out finish for concealment
Ultra W...

The external lenses are fully multicoated using Ultra Wide Band coating for top-notch light transmission and image clarity. The thing that I really liked about the Bushnell Tactical 10×40 is the RainGuard HD anti-fog tech that keeps the lenses clear regardless of the weather condition.

Add to that the single piece tube construction that is purged using Argon gas, guaranteeing that the scope will be completely waterproof and dustproof. The scope also utilizes a Mil-dot reticle that makes windage and BDC computation a whole lot easier. This makes this sniper rifle scope accurate up to 300 yards.

One tiny thing that I did not like about this scope is the lack of parallax adjustment. However, this is just a minor issue as most people including me would rarely use this scope to shoot at distances where parallax becomes an issue.

Pros
  • Provides a bright and crisp sight image, thanks to its excellent lens coating
  • The RainGuard HD tech guarantees that the scope will not fog up
  • Highly durable construction
  • Accurate up to 300 yards
  • The mil-dot reticle is highly visible and easy to use
Cons
  • There is no parallax adjustment

The issue about the parallax adjustment is a very minor one. If you check around the internet for reviews of this scope, you will find mostly happy customers. The ones that have complaints are those who bought a fixed power scope but wanted the functionalities of a variable power scope, which makes their arguments invalid.

What is a Fixed Power Scope?

A fixed power scope is one where you cannot adjust the magnification power. For instance, a 4x fixed power scope is one that is permanently set at 4x magnification. You cannot dial it down nor up.

Why would anyone want to buy a fixed power scope when there are variable power scopes available, you ask? That is because there are certain things that fixed scopes can do better than variable scopes. For instance, fixed scopes are faster at target acquisition because you do not have to fiddle with the magnification settings.

To find out if a scope is fixed power or not, you need to look at its model name. If the scope only has two numbers (for example, 4x30mm), then that is a fixed power scope (4x magnification with 30mm objective lens).

If there are three numbers and the first two are separated by a dash, then that is a variable power scope (for example, 3-9x30mm, which means 3x to 9x variable magnification with 30mm objective lens).

Fixed Power Scope vs. Variable Scope

If you are wondering which one between a fixed power and a variable power scope is better, you need to ask yourself what you will be using the scope for.

First of all the biggest difference is that fixed power scopes have, in fact, a set magnification power while the variable power scopes have the benefit of turning the magnification up or down.

However, the problem with variable power scopes is that they are like jacks-of-all-trades. They can do short-range, medium-range and long-range shooting alright but not that many can do all excellently. On the other hand, if you get a fixed power scope, you can be sure that it can do its intended purpose well.

In addition, fixed power scopes can acquire targets much quicker because the operator does not have to make any adjustments to the magnification. They just need to place the crosshair over the target and then squeeze the trigger.

Fixed power scopes are usually much more durable than variable scopes, mainly because there are fewer moving parts in fixed power scopes. This means that they can take a beating and they will still not lose their zero. This is the reason why most tactical scopes are fixed power.

Another advantage that fixed power scopes have is that they are usually much more affordable than variable power scopes. However, the downside here is that you have to be certain about what you will be using the scope for while variable scopes allow you the luxury of versatility.

Factors to Consider when Buying a Fixed Power Scope

If you are on the market for fixed power scopes but you do not know what to look for, here is a quick guide to help you find the best one for your use.

Lens coating

When you are shopping for scopes, you might run into terms like fully coated, multi-coated, and similar terms. This means that the lenses are coated with an anti-reflective film. This coating allows more light into the scope to give you a clearer sight picture

At the same time, it also prevents light from reflecting and giving out your position to your target. When shopping for a scope, look for ones labeled “fully multi-coated”. This means that both external lenses have multiple coatings of anti-reflective film.

Weatherproofing

If you will be using your scope for hunting then you need one that is weatherproof. Most, if not all, scope manufacturers use some kind of inert gas to purge the inside of the scope and then both ends are sealed with O-rings.

The inert gas (usually Argon) inside the tube prevents water from getting inside the tube. In addition, it prevents the lenses from fogging up when it is humid outside. The scope you get should be fully weatherproof so you can use it regardless of the weather condition.

Eye relief

The eye relief of riflescopes is the longest distance that you can place your eye away from the focal lens of the scope and still see a clear sight picture of your target.

This is important because this prevents “scope bite”, which is when the eyepiece of the scope gets slammed into your face because of the recoil of the rifle. Longer eye reliefs also mean that you can mount the scope forward beyond the action of bolt-action rifles so that the expelled cartridges will not hit the scope.

Objective lens size

The objective lens is the one that you can find in the front part of the scope. It is responsible for gathering enough light from the environment to give you a brighter and clearer sight image from the focal lens.

One would think that getting the largest objective lens possible is the best option but that is not the case because it will make the scope a whole lot heavier than it should be. Get a scope that provides you the best combination of light transmission and weight that suits your need.

Reticle

Also called the crosshairs, the reticle is the superimposed image in the scope that allows you to aim at your target. The most common reticles used in riflescopes are the Duplex reticle and the German No.4 reticle.

There are many different kinds of reticle designs that you can choose from. However, if you are not that experienced with rifle shooting, it is suggested that you settle with the Duplex and German No.4 reticle as they are the easiest to use.

Magnification

This is the most important detail that you have to take into consideration, especially since you are looking for a fixed power riflescope. You need to consider what you will be using the scope for since you will not have the benefit of magnification power adjustment later.

For instance, if you intend to use the scope for your homesteading rifle, a 2x or 4x scope is ideal because it is within the effective range of your chosen rifle, which is usually chambered for 20-20, 30-30. It also suits other small caliber arms.

These are only part of the things that make a good fixed power scope but they cover all the important parts. When you find a scope that has all of these things covered, then you can be sure that is the scope you need.

(Source: [1], [2])

Conclusion

There are some people who scoff at the idea of using a fixed power over a variable scope but the thing about them is that they do not know how to use fixed power scopes effectively. Fixed power riflescopes are not jacks-of-all-trades. These are highly specialized tools that are great for their intended purposes.

If you have a particular use in mind for your scope, then it is better that you find the best fixed power scope for the task rather than the variable version. When you find the right one, you have an assurance that it will serve you well.

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