30mm vs 1 inch tube for scope
- Thread starter akodo
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Deanimator
Member
That depends entirely upon what you goals are.
For bullseye pistol shooting, I only use 1" red dot scopes. The target is stationary at a fixed, known distance. I don't need to see anything besides the target.
For bullseye pistol shooting, I only use 1" red dot scopes. The target is stationary at a fixed, known distance. I don't need to see anything besides the target.
Jackal
Member
The 30mm is pretty much superior, with the exception of weight and looks. They kind of overpower a lot of small rifles.
Deanimator
Member
I gave you one downside. Depending upon what you're doing, a 30mm tube may show you a distracting amount of irrelevant scenery. Like I said, I only care about the target itself and nothing else. A 1" tube is far better for that.
If you're hunting, a wider field of view allows you to acquire a moving target, as well as see what's beyond it.
More adjustment for elevation adjustments. Not a bad thing on a long range target gun. Some say they may be stronger, I don't know. Field of view, maybe a little more with 30mm, but the best way to increase FOV is with lower magnification.
But the extra cost and weight are more a hindrance than help on a hunting rifle in my opinion. They are also require them to be mounted much higher. This may cause fit issues depending on the stock design
But the extra cost and weight are more a hindrance than help on a hunting rifle in my opinion. They are also require them to be mounted much higher. This may cause fit issues depending on the stock design
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I've noticed that 30mm tube scopes sometimes have a larger magnification zoom range. Such as 1-6x or 1-8x, which is greater than a traditional 1" scope that may zoom only 3 times from its lower power.
I'm not sure if the 30mm tube is part of the reason for this capability or not.
I'm not sure if the 30mm tube is part of the reason for this capability or not.
MadMurdock85
Member
30mm tubes are stronger, allow more room for elevation adjustment, and CAN with proper lenses and coatings provide better depth of field at higher magnification. But they are bigger and heavier, cost more, and are overkill for most short range hunters. 1" are lighter, smaller for ease of carrying through the woods, cheaper, easier to find a variety of rings for at most local shops, and do more than most will ever need. I own several of both on various rifles and unless you use 15x + magnification and are looking into the shadows at long range (600m +,) or are a professional marksman dragging it behind you, the 1" is fine for everything but bragging rights.
One disadvantage of 30mm tubes, they do not make low or low enough scope rings which is a total PITA when trying to mount a low power straight tube scope. Scopes end up way higher than they should be.
For big objective high power scopes this is not an issue.
For big objective high power scopes this is not an issue.
Tract Optics
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30mm Scopes
Pros:
Greater internal adjustment range
Cons:
Heavier
Generally, more costly
1" scopes
Pros:
Generally lighter weight
Larger ring selection in terms of height and locally sourced.
Cons:
Less internal adjustment range compared to similar 30mm scope.
I usually chalk it up to 1" scopes have always been and still are ideal for hunting in most cases. 30mm scopes have begun to reign supreme on target and 'tactical' applications for the adjustment abilities over the past 10 years or so.
Pros:
Greater internal adjustment range
Cons:
Heavier
Generally, more costly
1" scopes
Pros:
Generally lighter weight
Larger ring selection in terms of height and locally sourced.
Cons:
Less internal adjustment range compared to similar 30mm scope.
I usually chalk it up to 1" scopes have always been and still are ideal for hunting in most cases. 30mm scopes have begun to reign supreme on target and 'tactical' applications for the adjustment abilities over the past 10 years or so.
cougar1717
Member
One of the greatest benefits of the 30mm tube are several more minutes of additional time deer hunting at dawn and dusk.
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
THIS^^^^^^^
bangswitch
Member
Tract Optics
Member
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- 70
Lots of people mentioning light transmission.
If you have identical glass, identical coatings, identical magnification, identical objective size... a 30mm scope will not allow for more light transmission.
A 30mm tube can dictate a larger ocular housing being used which then can translate to a wider FOV, but only if the housing is constructed so, assuming the same conditions as above.
If you have identical glass, identical coatings, identical magnification, identical objective size... a 30mm scope will not allow for more light transmission.
A 30mm tube can dictate a larger ocular housing being used which then can translate to a wider FOV, but only if the housing is constructed so, assuming the same conditions as above.
TRX
Member
> low enough scope rings
I have an oddball rifle; the only scope rings available are "high" and "medium." With the 30mm tube, the "medium" rings move the centerline of the scope a hair above a 1" scope with "high" rings.
Now I'm looking for a 1" scope...
I have an oddball rifle; the only scope rings available are "high" and "medium." With the 30mm tube, the "medium" rings move the centerline of the scope a hair above a 1" scope with "high" rings.
Now I'm looking for a 1" scope...
MadMurdock85
Member
This ALL DAY LONG!!!
HankB
Member
Quite correct - light doesn't flow through a tube the way water flows through a pipe. What governs how much light is transmitted through a scope is the amount of vignetting, the glass transmission, and the reflection losses at each surface. (Purists will note the reticle blocks a little light too.) Objective diameter and magnification - which govern exit pupil size - don't affect the percentage of light transmitted, but they do have an effect on apparent brightness to the eye.Tract Optics said:
A 30mm tube allows for more adjustment and potentially a more robust construction, at the cost of a bit more weight. Some 30mm scopes look brighter than run-of-the-mill 1" scopes because of better glass & coatings, NOT the larger tube diameter.
35 Whelen
Member
That only holds when comparing scopes with objective diameter equal to tube diameter with quality of lenses and coatings being same. Since low light scopes are made with objective lenses of 56mm or more this is irrelevant because tube can not transmit more light than what is gathered by the objective lens.
Tract Optics
Member
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- Jul 6, 2016
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- 70
Not quite...
There are cases where a 30mm diameter scope will be advantages to the North American Hunter. Largest from my experience is when you run out of adjustment when zeroing a rifle with a 1" tube scope. Not all holes are drilled correctly every time, in proper alignment, nor are all bases manufactured to exact tolerances. Some times machinists and operators have bad days, tools arent sharpened, etc... 30mm scopes with more travel in elevation and windage can correct for these errors in manufacturer and be more forgiving and still allow you to have the adjustment you want, especially if hunting longer ranges.
Another circumstance I came across in my days at OP was quite a few shooters having medical conditions where they simply could not get the cheek weld they once had...some of which not by a long shot with some neck damage. These hunters still wanted to get out and with today's knowledge on reloading found calibers that fit their recoil needs but needed the ability to have more adjustment in a scope due to it being mounted much higher than normal. Sometimes extra high rings on a riser.
Most hunters do not 'need' 30mm scopes, but some do need them. However, its not about what you need in our world...its what you want for the task at hand.
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