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Scope weight: light vs heavy? |
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Optics Apprentice Joined: February/20/2009 Location: Hubert NC Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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Posted: April/23/2009 at 07:34 |
Which is more subject to the effects of recoil?
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RONK
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: April/05/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3199 |
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No real clear cut and dried answer here , because some scopes are intentionally built heavy to withstand recoil shock better. Some others are just plain heavy, but no tougher than some good lightweight scopes.
A heavy scope always puts more stress on the mounting system than a light one does, all else being the same. Simple physics.
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Consider the weight of the scope AND the weight of the rifle.
1/2 mass x (velocity x velocity): Lord Kelvin was right. |
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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Exactly. This is the reason that with what might called "conventional" scopes, the smaller, lighter scopes tend to be more recoil-resistant, especially fixed-power scopes. The really heavy-duty "tactical" type scopes such as Nightforce and others are also very recoil resistant, but keeping them connected to the rifle precisely also requires heavier-duty mounts, as RONK pointed out. |
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Optics Apprentice Joined: February/20/2009 Location: Hubert NC Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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Ok, so how does a standard Zeiss match up to a Leupold in this regard?
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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Twenty years ago I would have definitely given the edge to Leupold, but today's Zeisses are a lot tougher than they used to be. What sort of rifle are you planning to put it on?
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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I've seen a Conquest die, I have sen MANY Leupolds die, all is frame of reference. The Conquest was on a Barrett .50cal - where it should not be.
What is the rifle? What is the caliber? What is the "need" and the want - and thee are usually quite different. |
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Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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jetwrnch
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/03/2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Status: Offline Points: 294 |
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Sir Isaac Newton I believe once said "a body at rest tends to stay at rest." Point being as the rifle recoils the scope wants to stay where it is. The heavier the scope is the more it wants to argue and not move. The scope mounts and ring friction have to resist this and force the scope to comply. A light weight scope puts up less of a fight. The same applies for each internal part of the scope. A heavy lense will want to stay put as the scope moves. In this case rifle weight is your friend as it also wants to stay put as the bullet moves forward. The heavier the rifle is the less force that is applied to the scope, mounts, lense, 'et all. Scope longevity is determined not only by manufacturer but by bullet weight, rifle weight, and velocity of said bullet. The worst combination is an ultra light rifle of large caliber with a heavy scope. Doesn't do your shoulder much good either :)
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Optics Apprentice Joined: February/20/2009 Location: Hubert NC Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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Model 70 Winchester, about 30 years old......not entirely sure how well the rifle shoots as I've not had much range time with it. If it shoots tight groups I'd like to put good scope on it that will last a lifetime.
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RONK
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: April/05/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3199 |
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VERY well stated!
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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pass-thru,
We need to know the chambering of the rifle, not just the brand.
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Optics Apprentice Joined: February/20/2009 Location: Hubert NC Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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It's a .30-06.
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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Either a Leupold or Zeiss should hold up pretty much forever on a .30-06. |
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Optics Apprentice Joined: February/20/2009 Location: Hubert NC Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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Thank you sir for the information. I'm always very impressed with the knowledge of the posters on this forum and their willingness to share it.
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Big Squeeze
Optics Master Extraordinaire GOOGLE NINJA Joined: August/30/2007 Location: Anaheim, Calif. Status: Offline Points: 3143 |
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Regardless of a cartridge`s recoil, I prefer a lighter scope. There are many ways to offset heavier felt recoil on the bench without adding more overall weight to a hunting rifle by adding a heavier scope.
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rifle looney
Optics Master Joined: November/21/2008 Status: Offline Points: 2553 |
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Except for the Super Sniper I have never held a scope that was heavy enough to matter, un less it was going on a really light 5.5# or 6.5# rifle, for hunting sheep?
Edited by rifle looney - April/23/2009 at 17:55 |
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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I have some heavy scopes, best to buy really good mounts, else they do tend to move on recoil.
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Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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