30mm vs 1" tube

[wgp]

Any suggestions whether a 30mm tube is worth it? Savage 10 BA Stealth, I'm not expecting to shoot at low-light much, I'm not in any serious competition. I like the scope low and have stayed away from 50mm objectives but many of the "long-range" scopes seem to be 50mm objectives in a 30mm tube instead of smaller in a 1" tube. Just curious for comments from those who have some experience in this.

 

[Varminterror]

Tube diameter has absolutely nothing to do with light transmission.

Since most brands use the same erector assembly for 1", 30mm, or even 34mm tubes, the larger body tubes offer considerably more internal adjustment. So if you're shooting long range and need to be able to dial a broad span, you'll get your worth out of a 30mm tube. If you're shooting whitetails at 200yrds or less, you'll have absolutely no advantage.

These things do tend to be related - high magnification requires a large objective diameter, because small bells leave you with exit pupils which are too small for our eye to accommodate. A 40mm is absolutely too small for 20x, and frankly, anything about about 13x, I'd rather have larger than a 40mm. If I'm shooting 13x or more, I'm probably shooting at pretty long ranges, where dialing for drop might dictate a need for extra adjustment of a 30mm instead of a 1" tube. A guy can choose to compensate for drop with angled bases, or with extra adjustment in the larger tube body.

 

[cdb1]

Very well said Mr. Terror.

From John Barsness:
"But in reality, 30mm tubes don’t “transmit” any more light because the light-path is controlled by the lenses, not the slightly larger tube. The trend started to die—until it was discovered 30mm tubes do allow significantly more elevation adjustment."

 

[s76]

Verminterror got it. It allows more turret adjustment for dialing long ranges.

 

[Krogen]

For me, a 30 mm tube is a disadvantage. I tend to swap scopes around and it would be aggravating to have different tube sizes. That would mean a mount change each time I "got a wild hair."

 

[wgp]

Comments much appreciated, thanks.

 

[Legionnaire]

I prefer 1" tubes. I have a number of 30mm tubes because the reticles I want aren't available in the 1" scopes. There are not very many MOA-based ranging reticles in 1" tubes.

 

[taliv]

for competition and target shooting the choices are 30, 34, 35, 40mm tubes. I'm not aware of anyone shooting 1" tubes except low power scopes on hunting rifles

 

[cdb1]

for competition and target shooting the choices are 30, 34, 35, 40mm tubes. I'm not aware of anyone shooting 1" tubes except low power scopes on hunting rifles

What is your definition of low power scope? By that I mean what zoom range?

 

[taliv]

scopes appropriate for hunting... like, 12x and below (I don't mean the competition type 1-6x scopes as those are also usually 30 or 34mm)

34x is pretty much the de facto standard the industry has settled on for "long range" scopes. that's what vortex, S&B, nightforce, etc use, in part because the larger tube diameter is a bit sturdier and has less flex. however, when weight and cost are issues, obviously 1" is going to be better

all else being equal, i couldn't say that 30mm would be better than an inch for long range, but I can say that all else probably isn't equal and I have very rarely regretted spending money on good glass, while I have often regretted spending money on guns.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

common tubes are 30 and 34 for long range...i have a little swfa 10x that has 120 moa of adjustment for both wind and elevation...plus a 20 moa base on the gun...i cant think of a 1in tube that is "better" for that purpose.

 

[cdb1]

scopes appropriate for hunting... like, 12x and below (I don't mean the competition type 1-6x scopes as those are also usually 30 or 34mm)

34x is pretty much the de facto standard the industry has settled on for "long range" scopes. that's what vortex, S&B, nightforce, etc use, in part because the larger tube diameter is a bit sturdier and has less flex. however, when weight and cost are issues, obviously 1" is going to be better

all else being equal, i couldn't say that 30mm would be better than an inch for long range, but I can say that all else probably isn't equal and I have very rarely regretted spending money on good glass, while I have often regretted spending money on guns.

I figured you meant that, not something like a 1-4. Just wanted to be sure.

 

[jmr40]

A 30mm or larger tube is supposed to be tougher, or so I've read.

 

[cdb1]

A 30mm or larger tube is supposed to be tougher, or so I've read.

I've always read the same thing.

 

[Varminterror]

Hoop strength; it's a good thing.