Rifle Scopes General durability inquiry

[Newbiesupremo]

I have searched and been unable to find a single source of information regarding my question(s).

Do specs like tube size have a determining factor in the riflescope's overall durability? I have seen various marketing pages for rifle scopes mentioning '30mm main tube for ultimate durability'. I have also seen other ads mentioning the same but for 34mm tubes.

What about a flared objective (like razor II or K16i), focal plane (extra glass more durable?), or extra room between body and glass/erector (mk6 1-6 comes to mind with 20mm obj and 34mm body).


I am always interested and curious about riflescope technology and could ask an engineer questions all day if allowed.

 

[NineHotel]

A larger diameter tube of the same wall thickness as a smaller diameter tube is more rigid. A larger diameter tube with a thinner wall, using the same total amount of material, is more rigid than that same amount of material used in a smaller tube, but is less dent resistant. Of course the material itself plays into this as well. Different grades of aluminum have different strengths and properties.

So, yea, the 30mm statements in isolation can be somewhat true but don't for sure mean one 34mm tubed scope is more rigid than another 30mm scope.

I'd consider 30mm a minimum, then from there, it's about standardization (available mounts/rings) and the practical application and size for intended use rather than seeking the optimum tube diameter main tube to objective ratio for strength. I favor smaller/moderately sized objective lenses in that I'm not trying to squeeze the last 5 minutes out of the legal hunting day to take an animal.

 

[patriot07]

Technically speaking, perhaps it could play some role in an MTBF calculation. Realistically speaking, component quality, assembly methods, overall process control, and QC play a much larger role in product reliability.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Not really. Most optic failures are mechanical.

 

[AIAW]

I have searched and been unable to find a single source of information regarding my question(s).

Do specs like tube size have a determining factor in the riflescope's overall durability? I have seen various marketing pages for rifle scopes mentioning '30mm main tube for ultimate durability'. I have also seen other ads mentioning the same but for 34mm tubes.

What about a flared objective (like razor II or K16i), focal plane (extra glass more durable?), or extra room between body and glass/erector (mk6 1-6 comes to mind with 20mm obj and 34mm body).


I am always interested and curious about riflescope technology and could ask an engineer questions all day if allowed.

Ehh, some of this is marketing. A company that markets a 30mm tube as "ultimate durability" is making a feel-good stab full of marketing-wank. Sure, it's stronger, maybe. Anything can be made to be durable - they use 4mm as a balance point for "durability". Ask their marketing team what is above "ultimate". Ultra, super, mega, hyper? Hell, why isn't it made out of Inconel? Titanium?

I know what you mean though - just a little rant from me above. So many factors play into all of this. I'd say one would damage an erector or dislodge elements before the outside body became a burden (minus any serious denting that might press against internals).