30mm vs. 1 inch Tube??
08-06-2008, 03:17 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location:
Posts: 18
30mm vs. 1 inch Tube??
I am looking at a new scope for my T/C Pro Hunter 300WinMag. I like the VX-III line in a 4.5-14x50.\
There is about a 200 dollar difference in the price of the identicle scope.....1 with 30mm and the other with 1 inch tube.
My question is does the 30mm tube let that much more light in? A clearer picture? Wider feild of view? None of the above??
Any help or suggestions would be great!! Thanks guys!!
There is about a 200 dollar difference in the price of the identicle scope.....1 with 30mm and the other with 1 inch tube.
My question is does the 30mm tube let that much more light in? A clearer picture? Wider feild of view? None of the above??
Any help or suggestions would be great!! Thanks guys!!
08-06-2008, 03:49 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,832
RE: 30mm vs. 1 inch Tube??
The only advantage a 30mm tube gives you is more clicks of
moa on your turret adustments.
If you plan on extremly long range varmit or target shooting you may want to consider you may want to consider it but for big game hunting its really not going to give you an advantage.
Its more than likely made from the same thickness of tubing, its just a wider piece of tubing so it ain't going to be any stronger.
As far as light gathering capabilities advantages, generally the answer is it won't be noticeable to the human eye in the field.
It would have to be done in a very controled environment using very soficticted equipment to see any difference if any.
And do that everything, would have to be the same except for tube size and it would be hard to compare apples to apples betwwen different companies makes and models.
To many other factors come into play such as size of objective lens,quality of lenses, type Lens coatings, single or multiple lens coatings and number of lenses being coated and are the lenses coated on both sides or just one side.
moa on your turret adustments.
If you plan on extremly long range varmit or target shooting you may want to consider you may want to consider it but for big game hunting its really not going to give you an advantage.
Its more than likely made from the same thickness of tubing, its just a wider piece of tubing so it ain't going to be any stronger.
As far as light gathering capabilities advantages, generally the answer is it won't be noticeable to the human eye in the field.
It would have to be done in a very controled environment using very soficticted equipment to see any difference if any.
And do that everything, would have to be the same except for tube size and it would be hard to compare apples to apples betwwen different companies makes and models.
To many other factors come into play such as size of objective lens,quality of lenses, type Lens coatings, single or multiple lens coatings and number of lenses being coated and are the lenses coated on both sides or just one side.
08-06-2008, 04:28 PM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: IL
Posts: 6,575
RE: 30mm vs. 1 inch Tube??
30mm, stronger, and wider range of clicks, has nothing to do with light transmission.
I have the vx-iii 30mm LR....the LR models have a side focus, vs. no focus or adj objective, and that side focus is very nice.
I believe they say anything over 10x you should have a adjustible focus....
I have the vx-iii 30mm LR....the LR models have a side focus, vs. no focus or adj objective, and that side focus is very nice.
I believe they say anything over 10x you should have a adjustible focus....
08-06-2008, 05:37 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MB.
Posts: 2,984
RE: 30mm vs. 1 inch Tube??
I’m not sure on the VX-III but I had the 3-9 x 50 mm Leupold Euro model with the 30 mm tube and it had no advantage over the 1” tube for low light conditions. The internal parts were the same as the 1” tube and they had designed this scope for the european market...
08-06-2008, 07:11 PM
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 240
RE: 30mm vs. 1 inch Tube??
That side focus is real nice. If money isn't a real issue get the side focus you will not regret it. If money is a little tight get the 1". you'll be pretty happy with that too I'm sure. I have both and I like both. The side focus is reallyconveniant when your shooting targets. I like the side focus more but I'm not throwing the AO in the garbage because it serves its purpose for all hunting applications just fine
08-07-2008, 05:27 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Clermont Florida U.S.
Posts: 4,970
RE: 30mm vs. 1 inch Tube??
+1 to other posted comments. Also, 30mm tubes are generally heavier... if that is a concern to you. As a general rule, I prefer lighter scopes, especially on the harder recoiling rifles. Clarity / resolution is more dependent on quality of glass and coatings. IMO, for "regular" hunting situations here in the good ole USA, 1" tubed scopes are just fine.
08-07-2008, 05:36 AM
#8
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canning, Ontario. Canada
Posts: 974
RE: 30mm vs. 1 inch Tube??
No difference in light, stronger tube, and the 30mm will allow for a wider range of zoom, lastly to allow the use of better optics. Not all companies utilize the extra space for upgrading optics, as mentioned above Leopold is one of them.
If you want a nice scope with significantly better specs than the one you are looking at you may want to have a look at the Bushnell 6500 2.5x16 42mm, it is much cleaner to look through than the VariIII, also it is 30mm, side focus and has a continuous eye relief, which the Leopolddefinitely doesn't.
Big decision to make, do yourself a favor and find a shop that will let you look through them outside, technology has taken huge steps in the past couple years, Leopold is no longer making the scope they once did.
Another bonus with the 6500 is the rainguard, this thing can go from cold to wet to warm, breath on it and you can still see your game, no other scope does that.
In the price range you are in you may want to look at a Zeiss too, another decent scope, minimum features though.
Good luck, pick something your eyes love!
If you want a nice scope with significantly better specs than the one you are looking at you may want to have a look at the Bushnell 6500 2.5x16 42mm, it is much cleaner to look through than the VariIII, also it is 30mm, side focus and has a continuous eye relief, which the Leopolddefinitely doesn't.
Big decision to make, do yourself a favor and find a shop that will let you look through them outside, technology has taken huge steps in the past couple years, Leopold is no longer making the scope they once did.
Another bonus with the 6500 is the rainguard, this thing can go from cold to wet to warm, breath on it and you can still see your game, no other scope does that.
In the price range you are in you may want to look at a Zeiss too, another decent scope, minimum features though.
Good luck, pick something your eyes love!
08-07-2008, 08:47 AM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,832
RE: 30mm vs. 1 inch Tube??
Contrary to belief.
Unless manufactures use a thicker wall in the 30mm tube over a 25mm tube, the UTS (Ultimate Tensile Strength) and Tensileelongation between the 2 will be very very close,when it comes to soft core tubes and hybrid tubes.
The only thing that makes tubes stronger is the material its made from , and the process its made by.
The whole point of a 30mm tube is to get more moa so the wall thicknesses should be the same weather the over all diameter is 25mm or 30mm or now the 34mm.
The exception will be like examples such as the Leupold. They probably have to use a thicker walled tube, especially if they use the same "internal guts" as they do on the 25mm tube.This is because it would give a more secure internal fit
so the gutts don't slop around.
In cases like this, the tube will be stronger because the tube wall thickness would be thicker.
Unless manufactures use a thicker wall in the 30mm tube over a 25mm tube, the UTS (Ultimate Tensile Strength) and Tensileelongation between the 2 will be very very close,when it comes to soft core tubes and hybrid tubes.
The only thing that makes tubes stronger is the material its made from , and the process its made by.
The whole point of a 30mm tube is to get more moa so the wall thicknesses should be the same weather the over all diameter is 25mm or 30mm or now the 34mm.
The exception will be like examples such as the Leupold. They probably have to use a thicker walled tube, especially if they use the same "internal guts" as they do on the 25mm tube.This is because it would give a more secure internal fit
so the gutts don't slop around.
In cases like this, the tube will be stronger because the tube wall thickness would be thicker.