Convince me I need a 30mm rifle scope

Right now, I have a Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x cds on a Tikka T3 rebarreled to 280ai. There seems to be some concern regarding the dependability of the Leupold according to several different threads on this site. There are numerous recommendations for Nightforce and others that are 30mm. From my understanding, the only real advantage over a one inch scope is more potential adjustment as the erector assembly is the same and therefore no real exit pupil advantage. So, to me, a 30mm scope is bigger and heavier with the potential to have more robust components because of its larger size but not necessarily better outside of possibly a better brand, per se.

I have both and never even notice the difference. You won't either. Also, not all 30mm scopes are heavy.

I ran a Nikon Buckmaster 1" tube a couple decades ago. Nothing wrong with 1". The glass that comes on them is usually mediocre as they are more budget oriented.

PS All my current glass is 30mm (and one 34mm).

My Leupolds are some of the best scopes I have. From the Rifleman 3x9x50 1" to my Mark 5 HD 7-35x56 .35mm
And a lot of .30mm inbetween.
If your looking for a excuse to buy a new scope, I recommend a .30mm Leupold.

30mm main tubes resist flexing better, especially when you drop your prized rifle off a stone cliff.

If you like your current setup, stick with it.

Last I heard... the main reason for a 30 mm scope is for better light transmission in order to get a sharper image and less distortion. The smaller the tube, the smaller the lens collecting the light and focusing the image and thus the image quality drops. Consequently, a 34 mm tube is just that slight better again.

I would assume there is an associated reduction in erector adjustment but then that's why we have 20 and 30 MOA bases.

If you are interested at all in the drop test evals on rokslide, the trijicon Huron 3-9 is apparently a pretty robust scope with a 1" tube

If you just want a set it and forget it scope for MPBR distances, that would probably be the one Id get. Other than this application, 1" tubed scopes on the market don't have any appeal to me personally

30mm tubes do not transmit more light. They generally have more vertical and horizontal dialing range. Weight is both a curse and a blessing. We have to carry it around but a heavier scope usually means less plastic parts and is more robust. I have both 1" and 30mm scopes on my hunting rigs. The 1" tubes are all set it and forget it scopes. There is enough room to sight in and then it will stay there. My long range rigs have 30mm tubes. They are only slightly heavier and I really do not notice a difference in carrying them. My 34mm scope is a brick but that rig is just for targets and never gets carried very far.

Realize too that FFP scopes are generally quite a bit heavier than a comparable SFP scope. Everything is a trade off so you must decide, how heavy, how much ($) and how will it be used.

Im a fan of the Leupold vx5hd 3-15 30mm tube 44mm bell 19.7oz windplex reticle. 4 of the last 5 scopes I bought.

dustbag said:

Im a supporter of the Leupold vx5hd 3-15 30mm tube 44mm bell 19.7oz windplex reticle. 4 of the last 5 scopes I bought.

Click to expand...

I almost went with that scope and reticle. But ended up with a VX6 HD 4x24x52mm TMOA reticle. For my 280AI rifle.

Choose the type of scope you want… reticle, glass quality, turrets etc, and get it regardless of tube size. This is of little importance, but there is the best selection of good mounts made for 30mm tubes.

a good vx5 similar power with 44mm isn't as bulky as one might think - i have many as well as vx6, swaro's and a NF. I do like an illum reticle on most things now be it a dot or whatever helps in low light or point out fine reticles. But that is too each is own, it's been my experience until your willing to try something with an open mind for yourself we are hard creatures to "convince" otherwise. I speak from great experience lol - if someone sold me on something and i bought it on a whim didn't go well the first time it's probably been sold off or sitting somewhere collecting dust and i keep using what works! We all have our twerks as I call them, on a daily basis i prefer a pretty wooden gun and i'd buy all the old glossy leupolds i can to mount on my collection of weatherbys.

with the capabilities of the 280ai if it were me a vx5 dot in 44mm end would be a great upgrade from your vx3 - get a dial and have fun! It's not that big of a difference - you can often find great deals here in the optics forum, cheers and good luck hunting!

wilehunting said:

Right now, I have a Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x cds on a Tikka T3 rebarreled to 280ai. There seems to be some concern regarding the dependability of the Leupold according to several different threads on this site. There are numerous recommendations for Nightforce and others that are 30mm. From my understanding, the only real advantage over a one inch scope is more potential adjustment as the erector assembly is the same and therefore no real exit pupil advantage. So, to me, a 30mm scope is bigger and heavier with the potential to have more robust components because of its larger size but not necessarily better outside of possibly a better brand, per se.

Click to expand...

Gunsmith and I were talking about that yesterday in fact. He mentioned the older pre-cds higher magnification was the problem as I have the same optic as you. But he also mentioned once the were sent in Leupold honors the warranty fixes them. Problem solved