30mm scopes. What am I missing?

[Newtosavage]

Probably like most folks, I've only ever used 1" scopes. They seem to do the job just fine for hunting whatever I hunt. Always have. So I honestly have no idea what I'm missing with 30mm scopes. They seem pretty popular now though.

What am I missing?

 

[Antares]

Probably like most folks, I've only ever used 1" scopes. They seem to do the job just fine for hunting whatever I hunt. Always have. So I honestly have no idea what I'm missing with 30mm scopes. They seem pretty popular now though.

What am I missing?

I think you’re missing all the scopes that are only available in 30mm.

 

[TxLite]

They allow for more elevation adjustment on your turrets. That’s about it as far as I know. People have claimed it helps with light transmission but that is false.

 

[nobody]

I don't think you're necessarily missing anything, I think they've just taken over as the "industry standard." Technically it gives more room for erector travel and light transmission (supposedly), but honestly I think it's just the way the market has gone over time.

If you're in the camp of "I will ONLY ever use 1" scopes," then you're missing out on some fantastic optical options, since I would dare say the vast majority of modern optics are available only with 30mm tubes. But if it's the type of thing that "I mostly have used 1" tube optics because they work for me, but I would use a 30mm scope if it fit my use case," then I say it's not an issue.

I guess the only other thing you're "missing out on" is the scope mount/ring options. There are a ton of quality rings that aren't available for 1" scope tubes, so you're automatically excluded from using them if you'll ONLY use 1" scopes.

I personally don't care what the tube diameter is, as long as it has enough erector travel and is durable and fits my use case. In my safe, all the optics that check those boxes happen to be 30mm options. But if they were 1" and still checked my boxes, I wouldn't care at all and would happily use and carry them and not think twice.

 

[Macintosh]

I think you are asking why all those scopes are only made in 30mm as opposed to 1”?

A larger tube made of thinner material can be the same or similar weight as a smaller tube, but stiffer. There may be other tradeoffs, but the size is relevant for rigidity.

Everyone thinks they need to dial to hit at a mile, so the additional elevation is theoretically relevant.

 

[venado mula]

I use them and they provide me with three things. They are usually more durable than a 1" tube (I pack my rifle on the side of a backpack and in a horse scabbard), they allow more light into the scope without having a huge objective (I don't run anything bigger than a 40mm objective), and I can get the variable range I want and one that is under 16 oz. I hunt nothing but the backcountry mountains and they provide me with what I need for the type of hunting I'm doing.

 

[TaperPin]

Mainly it’s marketing, at least as far as mountain rifles go.

It used to be the only reason for a 30mm tube was extra elevation adjustment for super long range shooting. As others have said, there are some fun scopes and mounts that only come in 30mm.

For mountain hunting they are heavier and generally bulkier so I don’t see one on one of my light weight rifles anytime soon.

Having said that, if someone built a 30mm scope that was twice as durable as a comparable 1” tubed hunting scope I’d think about it, but that could be built into the 1” tube.

 

[Macintosh]

It’s only 4 and a half mm larger, I dont think doubling anything is part of the conversation—we’re talking incremental differences. Stiffer is stiffer, more surface area is less likely to slip in rings, etc, even if it is heavier. At this point I only own one 1” diameter scope, everything else is 30 or 34mm. My light rifles are still too light to shoot easily. I think my 30mm 12x hunting scope is only like 5 ounces more than my 9x 1” scope, so again we’re talking incremental differences in both directions.

 

[Newtosavage]

5 oz. more would be a deal breaker for me. If 30mm scopes came in 3-9x40's that weighed 13 oz. then heck yea I'd consider them.

 

[SDHNTR]

5 oz. more would be a deal breaker for me. If 30mm scopes came in 3-9x40's that weighed 13 oz. then heck yea I'd consider them.

If 18 oz is a deal breaker to you, you are missing the vast majority of well built, reliable scopes.

 

[Newtosavage]

If 18 oz is a deal breaker to you, you are missing the vast majority of well built, reliable scopes.

mkay. Guess I never needed them then. My VX-2 Leupys just keep making meat. What do I know?

 

[SDHNTR]

mkay. Guess I never needed them then. My VX-2 Leupys just keep making meat. What do I know?

Well, you did ask the question.

 

[Mojave]

I think you’re missing all the scopes that are only available in 30mm.

Main tube sizes go up to and beyond 30mm, 34mm, 36mm, 40mm, 35mm, and there are others.

 

[Antares]

Main tube sizes go up to and beyond 30mm, 34mm, 36mm, 40mm, 35mm, and there are others.

I understand that. I’m saying if you’re stuck on 1” tubes, there’s a lot of good 30mm offerings you’re missing out on.

 

[2-Stix]

bigger tube more adjustment for dialing

 

[sndmn11]

Reliable, durable, functional, are missing adjectives for 1"scopes.

 

[Newtosavage]

Well, you did ask the question.

So you're saying my VX-2's are not well built or reliable. And that's your argument for 30mm scopes? Mkay.

 

[Newtosavage]

Reliable, durable, functional, are missing adjectives for 1"scopes.

Really? How did anyone ever kill anything with 1" scopes then. Just got lucky?

 

[amassi]

Well, you did ask the question.

Per the usual he’s just trolling. All his started threads are baseless emotional nonsense. Fudd level 100


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[SDHNTR]

So you're saying my VX-2's are not well built or reliable. And that's your argument for 30mm scopes? Mkay.

I’m just gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.

You know there’s a term for someone who asks for advice and then proceeds to tell everyone why their advice is wrong.