40mm vs 50mm how much advantage

nltrapper

nltrapper

New member
I am going to purchase a new scope for my new Remington 700 vs sf , 22-250. The rifle is primarily for coyote. Most of my hunting will be done using an e-caller with shots ranging from 200 to 350 yards with an occational longer shot. The terain where I hunt is very thick scrub and black spruce with large bogs (open marsh). Most hunting will be done very early mornings and very late evenings. I am going to purchase a Leupold vx 111 long range - 4.5-14 - with a varmint hunter's reticle but I'm hung up on the objective lens size. Is there much difference between the 40mm and 50mm other than the cost and the big bell ?

Any insight or suggestions will be appreciated
 
I shoot all 50 MM AO's and if I had it to do over again, might choose a smaller one. The big AO plays hell with getting high enough scope mounts and being able to turn the AO when you need to.
 
I could see no advantage to putting a 50mm on an already fairly heavy and bulky calling rifle. The added few seconds of light the bigger objective might give you wouldn't be worth the extra weight and bulk. I had the almost exact setup you just described on my first coyote rifle with 50mm Leupold on it. One of the best things I ever did was trade the whole package off on a rifle scope combo that was a better fit for calling coyotes.
 
Your eye only uses the added light for a very short period of time on either end of the day (unless it's an extremely DARK day).

After that your eye's pupil contracts and DOES NOT use the extra light gained from the 10mm larger Objective.

It is also much more difficult, therefore expen$ive, to make larger precision optics.

There are also the previously mentioned drawbacks of the taller and bulkier scope.

And remember this, the larger diameter Objective bell is weaker and much more prone to denting and damage than the smaller diameter one with the tighter radius. In addition it's "out there" more, where it can easily get damaged also.

For early Dawn and Late dusk hunting there is an advantage. After that it doesn't make any difference.
 
I got the same scope on my AR and I'd say go for it especially if your hunting during low light hours. no matter what others say a 50mm of the same quality as a 40mm will produce a brighter image especially on darker/cloudy days and if you plan on shooting long range you'll need all the benefits from the optics that you can get
 
With a good quality scope, the larger objective will provide a few minute'sadvantage early in the morning and late in the day. The rest of the day its a wash.

I prefer the 40 MM so you can mount the scope lower on the rifle, including AR's. Lower scope mounts are sturdier and the 40 MM bell provides less chance for banging a big scope bell on something. Also, I like the look of a more streamlined scope that the 40 MM objective gives. - BCB.
 
I have the best of both worlds and went with a 44MM objective on my 25-06 bench rifle.

My problem with the larger scopes is that when you want it to be mounted close to the barrel, you are restricted because the taller rings needed to mount the scope. Therefore, it takes the bullet a furthar distance to enter the scope axis as opposed to how far a smaller scope would need at the same zero.
 
I would get the 40 mm. I currently have the 50 mm Leupold 4.5-14X50 and it is difficult to maintain consistent cheek weld with the higher scope. I would be willing to sell you my 50 mm if you don't want to take my advice. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif It is not the long range and just has the duplex reticle but it is only a year old without a scratch. If you would like to buy it, I will be replacing it with a 40 mm.
 
I bought a 4x16x50AO to put on my Rem. 700VS .223 and have regreted it every since. I have such a problem with the sun glaring in it that it makes it almost impossible to see though it on a bright sunny day without some kind of sunshade. This was the first scope I've owned bigger than a 40mm and it'll be the last
 
NLTRAPPER,
If you call Leupold and ask them "how much more light does the 50mm provide"? They will tell you NOT ONE SINGLE BIT /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gifWhy then do they make them....They tell me that they are trying to compete in the Europen market and hunters in that area just require a larger objective...Recently I mounted a 50mm scope for a friend of mine...Took it out to my "box Stand" along with my 40 mm...Put them both side by side on sand bags and waited until very late...When you look thru each of them, its like looking thru the very same scope....The only thing you get with the 50mm is: more weight, more bulk and more expense....Nothing else....Stay with the 40 mm and you won't regret it.....
 
Quote:
NLTRAPPER,
The only thing you get with the 50mm is: more weight, more bulk and more expense....Nothing else....Stay with the 40 mm and you won't regret it.....



I'll second that! A couple years ago, I traded a 40mm Leupold for a 50mm Leupold thinking I would be able to see better through it in low light conditions. The first time I took it outside right at dusk, I couldn't believe it wasn't any brighter than the 40mm I had just traded off. That will more than likely be the last 50mm scope I will ever purchase. Stick to the 40-44mm scopes and you'll not have to learn the hard way like I did!
 
I see a difference in the 40 vs the 50 and we use the 50's on all of our rifles. However, it does depend on a few things. One, the scopes need to be set on the same power range when comparing. Second, it depends on the quality of the optic. I use Leupolds on my rifles 6.5-20 x 50 mm with 30mm tubes. If you crank the variables down to 6 or 7 power you will get a much brighter sight picture than a higher mag due to the amount of light your eye can use. Just my opinion.
 
There are quite a few people who deem 50mm does not offer any better light gathering capability. What do you say about 32mm vs 40mm. Do you see the difference there?
My eyes are not that good and I cannot really tell the difference in bell size. However, I can tell the difference between a 40mm Nikon and a 50mm Simmons and 50mm Swift premier (all at same magnification setting). The 40mm Nikon came out way ahead of the other two.

Howard
 


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