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Truth or Fiction???

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Fulldraw™ View Drop Down
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    Posted: August/07/2006 at 11:19

This is my first post on this forum, so please be gentle with this virgin. I have looked for an answer to my question and I not find the answer...if it was overlooked please forgive me.

 

Here's my question, one of a technical nature.

 

For 30 mm tubes use a factor of 4..

For 1 inch tubes use a factor of 3.

 

I have been told that in regards to a true 30 mm variable powered scope you divide the lowest magnification number into the highest magnification number by the factor of 4, for example a scope such as the Swarovski PH 4X16X50 P, 4 x 4 = 16 or 16 divided by 4 = 4.. This appears to be the rule on the better 30 mm tubes.

 

Now consider the Leupold 3.5-14x50 LPS 30mm  using the same formula as above 3.5 x 4 = 14 or 14 divided by 4 = 3.5, again this formula seems to work.

 

Now let's take a look at the Leupold 4.5-14x50 VX-III 30mm Riflescope using the same formula for a 30 mm tube. 4.5 x 14 = 18, 14 divided by 4.5 = 3.11. duh? Huh? What? Let's try the one inch formula on the same Leupold 4.5-14x50 VX-III 30mm Riflescope. 4.5 x 3 =13.5, 14 divided by = 4.6.

 

Using this information it would appear that the Leupold 3.5-14x50 LPS 30mm Riflescope is a true 30 mm tubed scoped, and the  Leupold 4.5-14x50 VX-III 30mm Riflescope appears to be a 1 inch tube scope hiding out in a 30 mm tube. Is this correct?

 

Thanks for any information.


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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2006 at 12:33
A 30mm tube has a little more space in it which theoretically allows for a larger erector assembly (that is the mechanism responsible for the magnification ratio).  However, there is absolutely not hard rule defining which magnification ratio is in which tube.  There are plenty of 1" inch scopes with a 3x ratio and 30mm scopes that have a 3x ration.  I have a 35mm tube scope that has a 6x ratio.  There are other 35mm and 34mm scopes with ration anywhere between 4x and 6x.  There are 30mm tube scopes with a ratio of 5x, etc.

Typically larger diameter tubes offer more elevation/windage adjustment and a little higher magnification ratio, just because there is more space inside.  There is no such thing as 1" formula or 30mm formula.  I've seen this rumor in the internet and it is basically a figment of somebody's creative and uninformed imagination.

I think you get my drift.

Here are a few more comments:

-The magnification ratio does not really have to be an integer.  It can be any number. 

-The actual magnification range is not necessarily the same as the scope designation suggests (although it is close).  For example the 30mm VX-II scope that you refer to actually has amagnification range of 4.9x to 14.4x which result in a magnification ratio of 2.94x.  The LPS scope is actually 3.6x to 13.8x which means the magnification ratio is 3.83x.

ILya
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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2006 at 15:46

Oh Boy!!

Koshkin's kind of forum member!!!!

I can't read his post's without getting dizzy!!! 

 

Welcome to The OT, Fulldraw!!

(Nice handle by the way.)

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Fulldraw™ View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fulldraw™ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2006 at 19:38

Koshkin,

 

Thank you for the quick and informative reply! I had wondered what the skinny on this theory was, having heard this for many years from various optics pundits, company reps, and even during a company's optical school seminar.

 

Just found this forum, and I like it! So much to learn here.

 

Thanks!


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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2006 at 19:58
You are welcome Fulldraw.

I am not sure where you stand with scopes, but these are generally very informative threads for new users of the forum: 

http://opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=80&PN=1

http://opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2169&PN=1

Cheaptrick, you get dizzy far too easily.  Old age setting in ??

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JamesR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2006 at 20:55
BSA Platinum 1" tube... 8-32X44.  According to your theory, it should be a 30mm tube.  How did they do that and still get it to fit in a 1" ring?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2006 at 08:20
   Well spoken Koshkin.

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
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