Rifle Scopes Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10X50 or 4-12X40?

[Resbum]

This is my first post here and I want to thank everyone who posts all the great info.

Back in 1996 I bought a Savage 110 30.06 with a P.O.S. scope on it. After 4 years of messing around with it I finally put the gun in its case and it hasn’t seen the light of day since. I did that for three reasons. It kicked so hard it wasn’t enjoyable to shoot. After many hours with jewelers files and polish I couldn’t get rid of a “click” in the trigger. And finally, I couldn’t get that P.O.S. scope to hold zero for more than three shots. After ten years my interest in this gun has rekindled and I’m now buying the parts to fix those problems.

This post is about the scope issue. Normally I am very open to other peoples suggestions of “have you looked at…”, “you should check out…”, or “XXXX is a great scope”. However, that’s not my interest here. After two weeks of hardcore looking, with a lot of the info coming from this forum, I am 99.99% sure I’m buying a Diamondback.

I enjoy hunting, as well as, long distance target shooting. “Long distance” being relative to the equipment I’m using.

I have a good layman’s knowledge of scopes, but I’m no expert.

I have narrowed my choices down to a 3.5-10X50 or a 4-12X40.

Here’s the question.

I live in Washington State where you can expect to take a hunting shot at either dawn, dusk, or dreary grey/rainy, low light conditions. Is it better to go with the better low light performance of the 3.5-10X50mm, or have the extra x2 magnification of the 4-12X40mm for when I really want to stretch the legs of the gun.

To cut through all the extra info in my post, all I'm asking is:

When all else is equal between two scopes; <span style="text-decoration: underline">To the naked eye</span>, is there more performance gain from 10 more mm of objective, or 2 times more magnification?

Just curious

Thanks. Resbum

 

[jasonk]

Re: Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10X50 or 4-12X40?

Resbum, what's your description of really stretching its legs?

I have 3.5-10x40s on all my hunting rifles, I've shot deer at 500+ yards on 10x and never wanted more magnification. For paper the extra 2x would be nice, but for hunting I'd say it makes no diffference.

If it were me, I'd go 3.5-10x50 for no other reason than the greater eye relief for hunting.

 

[Resbum]

Re: Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10X50 or 4-12X40?

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the quick reply.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Resbum</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I enjoy hunting, as well as, long distance target shooting. “Long distance” being relative to the equipment I’m using.</div></div>

By "relative to the equipment" I meant that if I'm shooting my friends match rifle, 1000+ yards. If I'm shooting my 10 22, as far as I can get it to make relatively accurate shots. With my 30.06, once in a blue moon I might have a long hunting shot, but once in a while I'd like to throw stuff down range as far as it can somewhat accurately do it.

That's kind of why I'm in the dilemma of light gathering over magnification. I have a relative idea of how much 2 extra mag helps, but I really don't have a clue how much the extra 10mm of objective makes a difference when all else is equal. I'm just soliciting opinions.

Thanks again. Resbum

 

[montana3gunner]

Re: Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10X50 or 4-12X40?

I might do a lot of very similar hunting to you - and in similar conditions. My personal preference on big game guns is the 40mm bell, because I don't like those big scopes on my big game guns.

I actually like a little extra power though, sometimes it's handy when you are scanning long distances, checking out horns, etc and don't/can't switch to your binos.

The 50mm will pull in more light (all things equal), no doubt, but a good 40mm is fine and doesn't cause the other problems.

 

[g0cherr]

Re: Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10X50 or 4-12X40?

If low light shooting is what you are concerned about go with the 3.5-10x50. One thing I have noticed when hunting at dawn and dusk is: The higher your magnification the less light it gathers. Several times I have had to drop my magnification down to 4X to have enough light to see at these low light times so the extra 2X of magnification will not gain you anything during these times.
I also have a friend who shoots out to 800 yards all the time and he shoots at 10X even though he has a 5-20X50, and he says it is plenty for that range.