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40 mm vs 50 mm

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Steveg View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steveg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 40 mm vs 50 mm
    Posted: April/09/2010 at 17:37
I'm looking to purchase a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14 scope but can't decide between the 40mm or the 50mm.
 
The scope will be mounted on a Browning X-Bolt in 300 Winchester Magnum.  The primary purpose for the rifle is to hunt out west.  Whether I ever get there or not is another subject.  (Excuse to buy the rifle!)
 
I currently own a Browning A-Bolt with a Leupold 40mm 3x9 so I'm leaning to another 40 mm so the rifles will be as similar as possible.  But, that is also not a overly big deal.
 
Also,  any mounts better than others for the X-Bolt?
 
Thanks.
 
Steve
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2010 at 17:43
Steve,


Define, "better than"?

Also, why leupold?  You can get better scopes for less money, if interested, I can elaborate, won't if you are settled on Leupold.

14X with a 40mm objective ain't gonna be spectacular.  That said, I had a Conquest 4.5-14x44 and it was a good setup.  I often wished I had the 50mm tough, since the rifle was used on hogs in low light, and I lost a shot or 2 due to not great low light performance.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bboy623 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2010 at 18:44
Mounts: Talley
 
I'm with Rancid on advising a better scope than Leupold. Zeiss Conquest or even a Nikon Monarch I'd prefer.
 
As far as 40 vs 50, I honestly don't think you could tell the difference. Yes, you'd have a slightly larger field of view with the 50 but it ain't gonna do much as far as low light performance. Very minimal gains. IF low light is your concern, get a 30mm tube scope vs a 1 inch scope. THAT's where you'll gain the low light performance. And you said something about going out west. I think I'd take the 40 so it'd be a tad lighter and easier to carry---Bboy623
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2010 at 18:54
Originally posted by Bboy623 Bboy623 wrote:

Mounts: Talley
 
I'm with Rancid on advising a better scope than Leupold. Zeiss Conquest or even a Nikon Monarch I'd prefer.
 
As far as 40 vs 50, I honestly don't think you could tell the difference. Yes, you'd have a slightly larger field of view with the 50 but it ain't gonna do much as far as low light performance. Very minimal gains. IF low light is your concern, get a 30mm tube scope vs a 1 inch scope. THAT's where you'll gain the low light performance. And you said something about going out west. I think I'd take the 40 so it'd be a tad lighter and easier to carry---Bboy623

Bboy, you've got that just exactly BACKWARDS...
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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2010 at 19:00
No disrespect, Bboy, but there are many things wrong with your post.

Steve, read his first sentence, then disregard the rest.
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davelandefeld View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davelandefeld Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2010 at 19:10
What's on the rifle now?
 
40MM = Low rings (possibly) = better cheek weld.
 
Leupold is awfully pricey. I'm with the group that says you can get as good or better scope for much less money.
 
If you save money on the scope purchase that trip out west may come sooner than you may think.
 
On a good hunt I look through my binoculars for hours yet I am looking through the scope at game for maybe 30 seconds.  Get an adequate scope and THE BEST BINO'S MONEY CAN BUY.
 
Just my 2 cents...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davelandefeld Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2010 at 19:14
Oh yeah, I second the Talley Rings recommendation.
The one-piece aluminum for your hard-kicking rifle.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2010 at 19:17
The 30mm tube only gives you more elevation and windage adjustment without getting to close to the edges of the scopes limitations. The fifty mm objective is going to gather more light. Better Glass trumps magnafication, I too would go with something other than the leupy because I think you can get more for your buck as mentioned above.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2010 at 19:38
I won't get into the whole Leupold vs Conquest/4200/Burris/etc etc, so I will just say that the only real difference between a scope with a 50mm obj vs a 40mm is that the 50 will allow one power setting higher to achieve the same size exit pupil diameter. For me, I use the 40/42mm class and smaller on all my rifles and muzzleloader. Personally, in low light, I am not going to see any realistic benefit to a scope setting that is at 6 power or if I was able to use a 50mm scope with it set on 7 power (assuming that we can all use a full 7mm exit pupil setting).
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bboy623 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/10/2010 at 15:08
Rancid---enlighten me as to what is wrong with my post. (no offense taken either)
 
I have research for over a year and a half on multiple optic forums and the consensus was 30 mm tube vs 1 inch tube is better for low light performance.
 
Bell size didn't matter as much.....with many people that had buth and gave 1st hand experiences...telling me to save my $$$$ and go with the 40 vs the 50!---Bboy623
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/10/2010 at 15:18
Originally posted by Bboy623 Bboy623 wrote:

Rancid---enlighten me as to what is wrong with my post. (no offense taken either)
 
I have research for over a year and a half on multiple optic forums and the consensus was 30 mm tube vs 1 inch tube is better for low light performance.
 
Bell size didn't matter as much.....with many people that had buth and gave 1st hand experiences...telling me to save my $$$$ and go with the 40 vs the 50!---Bboy623


This might help:

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3828


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/10/2010 at 15:22
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/10/2010 at 15:41
Bboy623, easy enough mistake to make, but to paraphrase Walter in the Big Lebowski, "Dude, your optical info troubles are over." You've finally come to the right place! These guys are right on about bigger tubes meaning more travel, not more light transmission. Although glass quality, lens design and coatings play a part, the main thing governing light transmission is the objective diameter.

Steveg, a 50mm objective will be better in low light but will also mean more difficulty getting a good cheek weld and a plain bigger scope. Aside from hog hunting, there aren't many situations where the light gets that low in most Western states and you're shut down for the day because of hunting regulations. I mostly hunt with a 2.5-10X32 and have seen plenty of shots I could take out to 200 yards or so by going down to 5X half an hour after legal hunting hours end here in Montana (half an hour after sunset).

I never advocate buying cheap rifles or optics, but from a technical standpoint, it's better to outgrow a trusty 3x9x40 than it is to sport a honkin' Tumor 5000 XL that leaves you tired after carrying it around for the first hour.

Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dhdoyle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/10/2010 at 18:31
Originally posted by Steveg Steveg wrote:

I'm looking to purchase a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14 scope but can't decide between the 40mm or the 50mm.
 
The scope will be mounted on a Browning X-Bolt in 300 Winchester Magnum.  The primary purpose for the rifle is to hunt out west. 

Steve,
For what it's worth, I live out west in elk country and use a 300 Win Mag for elk hunting. I use a Leupold 2.5-8X32 scope. In my experience, a big scope isn't going to help that much.
  • One rarely finds an elk that will require a long range shot. If you come to western Wyoming (National Forest and wilderness areas), you will be required to have a guide and I can't imagine them suggesting that you take a 300+ yard shot.
  • Most of my hunting is in heavy timber where a big scope and high magnification are not an advantage. If you're on horseback, a smaller scope makes it easier to fit in a scabbard.
You might come up on an elk at sundown coming out of the trees across the clearing from you, but I wouldn't set up my rifle to be ready for it.

Of course, this is just my 2¢ and my comment is worth every penny that you paid for it.
Dave

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/10/2010 at 19:46
I agree with dhdoyle.  I live in Utah and have hunted Elk for nearly 20 years.  I have never used or needed anything more than a 3-9x scope.  Never lost a shot because of my choice of scopes either.  3-9x is pretty much all I use on any of my hunting rifles, unless I choose a fixed 4x which I have on a couple of them.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bboy623 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/10/2010 at 19:56
Steve G----I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE as my info was incorrect. I guess you have to be careful of where you get your information. Evidently, just because other "optic forums" post information doesn't necessarily mean that its accurate.
 
I will say that I trustthe information on THIS forum as these guys are truely knowledgeable..and as a matter of fact I haven't been back to the other optic forums I use to be on since I found this one.
 
So again Steve G, I apologize for giving inaccurate information, but at least my heart was in the right place of trying to help out your problem! I personally would still go with the 40  over 50 to have a lighter,easier to carry rifle.
--Bboy623
 
Thanks everyone for setting me straight!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steveg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/10/2010 at 21:02
Thanks everyone for the advise.  Y'all have given me a lot to think about.
 
Steve
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