Scopes - Any benefits/drawbacks to a 30mm tube?

Screwtop.243 · May 21, 2015

Guys,

Got a semi-custom .243 on the way w/24" fluted barrel (bolt action) and plan on using it for double duty (e.g., whistle pigs, coyotes & deer) out to 300 yds. I've always pretty much used 1" scopes w/ 40-42 mm objectives and I'm finding as I get older, the more magnification the better. I've been looking around and I think I'm going to go with a Leupold VX-3 6.5 to 20 with the 30 mm tube (40 mm objective). Anything I need to consider on this? (e.g., mounting height, clearance over ejection port, etc.).

Thanks!

ST.243

BradMacc82 · May 21, 2015

Disadvantages? Not that I'm aware of. Many optic manufacturers have been transitioning over to the 30mm scope body - and in some cases, the 34mm.

The 1" body has for the most part been relegated to rimfire and muzzleloader/shotgun scopes.

Pinecone · May 21, 2015

Larger scope tube means more adjustment range for longer range shooting.

If you don't need it, it doesn't hurt anything.

Pmbspyder · May 21, 2015

Disadvantage is weight. That's about it.

traveller · May 21, 2015

Screwtop.243 said:
Guys,

Got a semi-custom .243 on the way w/24" fluted barrel (bolt action) and plan on using it for double duty (e.g., whistle pigs, coyotes & deer) out to 300 yds. I've always pretty much used 1" scopes w/ 40-42 mm objectives and I'm finding as I get older, the more magnification the better. I've been looking around and I think I'm going to go with a Leupold VX-3 6.5 to 20 with the 30 mm tube (40 mm objective). Anything I need to consider on this? (e.g., mounting height, clearance over ejection port, etc.).

Thanks!

ST.243

That's funny. Today I test-mounted a 30mm scope with a 50mm bell on my .243 'double duty' X-bolt. With my LOP and head position, it actually fit with the low Talley rings I had ordered for it. After everything was in place, I thought, 'dammn, there is no room left to eject a case'.
I dont load live rounds in my house and I dont have any .243 cases lying around so I couldn't test it, but yes it is awfully snug with the low bases and a 30mm tube.

Screwtop.243 · May 24, 2015

traveller said:
That's funny. Today I test-mounted a 30mm scope with a 50mm bell on my .243 'double duty' X-bolt. With my LOP and head position, it actually fit with the low Talley rings I had ordered for it. After everything was in place, I thought, 'dammn, there is no room left to eject a case'.
I dont load live rounds in my house and I dont have any .243 cases lying around so I couldn't test it, but yes it is awfully snug with the low bases and a 30mm tube.

Thanks for the information. This particular scope will be going on a Cooper Custom Classic. I was thinking about low vs. medium rings and I'll probably be better off with the later. I'm surprised you had a problem with the 50 mm objective. Seems like that would have lifted it higher off the axis of the bore. At any rate, thanks for the input!

traveller · May 24, 2015

Screwtop.243 said:
Thanks for the information. This particular scope will be going on a Cooper Custom Classic. I was thinking about low vs. medium rings and I'll probably be better off with the later. I'm surprised you had a problem with the 50 mm objective. Seems like that would have lifted it higher off the axis of the bore. At any rate, thanks for the input!

Took it to the range and cycled a couple of rounds through it. Although it fits snug, there was no issue ejecting. I actually ordered the medium height rings (that Browning recommends) to gain the ability to move the scope back a bit if I wanted to.

Scopes - Any benefits/drawbacks to a 30mm tube?

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