Q: I am a keen deer stalker but can’t decide whether I should opt for a fixed-power rifle scope or a variable one. In your opinion, which is the better option for roe stalking?

Fixed-power rifle scopes vs variable rifle scopes

A: It depends entirely on what you are comfortable shooting, the ranges you shoot at and the power (for example, magnification) and light-gathering capabilities you need.

I like fixed-power rifle scopes because they have fewer moving parts to go wrong, such as loss of zero or the seals between the lenses failing, which cause the scope to fog.

A 6x42mm is a good choice. It gives enough magnification for most 
stalking needs and the field of view is not too narrow at closer ranges for woodland use if a deer pops out right 
in front of you.

Having said that, a variable scope is handy for the same reasons — you can set a variable scope on the lowest magnification for woodland shooting, where a lower power gives a wider 
field of view, but you can then change the magnification through the power range to maximum for a longer shot 
to be taken.

The classic 6x42mm scopes are pretty much bombproof, especially those manufactured by Zeiss, Swarovski or Schmidt & Bender. I like the 7x50mm or 8x56mm fixed-power scopes for vermin or foxes.

Do we rely on rifle scopes too much?

Alasdair Mitchell wonders if they’re hindering our rifle handling

I once went out on the hill with an old stalker who bemoaned the use of bipods. This struck me as odd, because I would have thought using bipods meant fewer missed shots and, more importantly, fewer wounded beasts. But according to him, in using a bipod, 
his guests tended to raise their heads 
too high, risking detection.

He was rather set in his ways, that old stalker. He was also against sound moderators and I got the impression 
that he barely approved of telescope 
sights. In response to a question about 
his culling selection policy, he said: 
“If it stands sideways, it’s selected.”

A scope can alter the balance

I remembered him the other day, 
when I had to take the German scope off one of my rifles. The handling when the rifle was left with open sights only was a revelation. You forget how much a big scope can alter the balance and handiness of a rifle until you remove it. I suspect 
that most rifles used for hill stalking 
are over-scoped for the job.

Many of today’s scopes have huge object lenses, variable power, illuminated reticles and the like. A lot of them were designed for shooting from a high seat, with a need for optimum performance at dawn or dusk. It seems to me that they are not necessarily the right tool when you are out and about on the hill, or walking quietly through the woods, where a more compact, fixed-power scope fits the bill.

Non-shooters sometimes think 
a telescope sight confers an “unfair” advantage, imagining the idea is to shoot from a huge distance. In fact, the benefit 
of a telescope sight when stalking is the ability to place a shot more accurately 
at a reasonable range. For most of us, 
the distance at which the shot is best 
taken is probably not vastly more than 
it was in the days of open sights.

Fundamental skills of stalking

The skill in stalking lies in the use 
of fieldcraft to get within range of the deer so as to be reasonably sure of putting the bullet in the right place. The telescope sight and the bipod make shot placement more certain — which can only be a good thing. But the fundamental skills of stalking haven’t changed significantly since the 
days of the bow and arrow.

The professionals, when out on serious hind culling, sometimes take shots at ranges that are way beyond the ability 
of most of us. For me, a hind at 200m is a long shot. Beyond that, bullet drop becomes significant and difficult to judge, not to mention cross-winds.

Getting too close

Mind you, the old stalker I mentioned above believed there was such a thing as getting too close. He said that if he got his guest closer than 100m on the open hill, 
the deer were too likely to be spooked 
by a noise or a movement. He reckoned 
that 130m to 150m was the ideal distance. 
I tend to agree — though much depends 
on the terrain.

Curiously, despite carrying 
a rangefinder, I use it very rarely before taking a shot. Perhaps I would use it more 
if it was incorporated into my binoculars 
or sight. However, given the modest distances involved, I know full well 
when a deer is in range anyway.