Rifle Scopes Would 1inch or 30mm tube really make a big diff?

[Fenix Mike]

I ended up buying a Leupold LR/T 4.5-14x50 for my 308 AR because I intend to shoot it far...

But I have another AR in 223 that I want to shoot 500 yards and under, maybe once in a blue moon go out far for fun, but rarely... Seeing as how I just dropped some nice coin on the leupold, and just finished these two guns, I was hoping to save a few bucks on the 223 scope...

Ive narrowed it down to a few in the price range I want to spend (open to suggestions, but prefer the ones I get LEO discounts on)
Vortex 4-16 (either the midway HS or the viper PST) which has 30mm
Leupold Mark AR 4-16x40 1 inch tube
Leupold Mark 4 LRT Target 4-14x40 30mm

I was hoping to get the Leupold Mark AR but the only draw back is the 1 inch tube where as the others have 30mm. I dont plan to do any night shooting nor low light shooting, and I save about $150 going with the Mark AR over the Vortex scopes, and $200 by not going to the Mark LRT Target.

Will I actually notice a difference ? Unfortunately I tried this same argument a week ago and the $400 scope turned into the $600 Viper, which turned into the Leupold I ended up buying, and I dont want to spend that much again.

 

[redbullitt]

Re: Would 1inch or 30mm tube really make a big diff?

You know what they say about buying once...

If it is just a pissing around rifle, then snag the cheapest one that will work out of that bunch IF it has the features you want. None of those are bad scopes, and I think any of them will work just fine.

Personally I like the features on the Vortex, but I also like the smaller objective bells on the leupolds. Vortex can be had in FFP, nice reticle, parallax adjustment, matching turrets and reticle. Just depends what you are after I suppose.

As far as the one inch tube, I would not let it be a deal breaker if it is saving you cash. I'd just really compare the features and see which one fits you better. I have used a 1 inch tube on a budget 223 bolt for over 5 years now. It has done all I have needed it to out to 600 yards.

 

[Genius.]

Re: Would 1inch or 30mm tube really make a big diff?

I had the Mark AR on my AR and really liked it.

For what I used it for it was plenty adequate, 100-200yds

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Would 1inch or 30mm tube really make a big diff?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fenix Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would 1inch or 30mm tube really make a big diff?</div></div>

The purpose of a 30mm tube has nothing to do with night or low light shooting.

The purpose of the 30mm main tube is to maximize the available travel of the erector tube, and to allow for a thicker, stronger body.

If a 1" scope has enough travel to get to the ranges you wish to shoot, you do not give anything up to a 30mm of similar construction.

I personally prefer having a side-focus on my scopes for longer-range shooting so that I can correct parallax. I've never been able to shoot a fixed parallax scope as well at extended ranges.

When buying a scope, I first look for a scope with adequate durability and reliability for the task at hand.

Then I look for a scope with enough travel to shoot the ranges I intend to shoot.

Then I look for an appropriate reticle.

I next want to make sure it is a usable magnification range for the task.

I then want to make sure that the scope has features I need such as a reticle that matches the knobs, the appropriate focal plane for the task at hand, side-focus (if needed), fast focus eye-piece, etc.

Then I look at clarity/resolution and lastly, weight.

So far I've owned S&B, Zeiss, Leupold, Nightforce, Meopta, Swift, Tasco, Mueller, and a few other low end scopes.

For short-range big game rifles, I've got a Zeiss Conquests and one VX-III.

For varmint hunting, I've got some VX-III LR/Ts.

For my match rifle, I have an S&B on top.

I've also got a used Mark 4 coming for my AAC-SD that is a "truck gun" or utility gun per se. I also intend to use it for some hunting. I went with a Mark 4 because my Zeiss Conquest didn't have enough elevation range to shoot the ranges I intended to shoot it. Its a low-budget rifle compared to some of my others, therefore I could not justify the scope I really want for it. I'm not a big Mark 4 fan, but for the budget, a used Mark 4 was the cheapest thing that would meet my goals.

 

[Fenix Mike]

Re: Would 1inch or 30mm tube really make a big diff?

As far as what its worth, its just a plinker for paper... I have my SBR with an eotech, the 308 AR with a leupold, this is my mid range fun gun. i thought about something nice on it, but if the Mark AR or similar in that under $400 range will work, id rather save the money.