Leupold VX III 40mm or 50mm

Jhedges

Jhedges

New member
I know there has been alot of debate and I do not know where to start but I am looking into replacing the old Nikon on my 700 .308 and I am wanting to get one of the new VX III in the 3.5-10 power range. I mostly target shoot and deer hunt with this rifle but I'll take it out coyote hunting occasionally.

My question is what would benefit me more the 40mm or the 50mm? Is the main debate between these two sizes mainly based on light transmission? The nikon I have on it right now is a 50mm but I just dont know which would work best.

Which ever one I buy, I am sending it off to get the M1's installed on both elevation and windage knobs.

Thanks for your help.
 
It depends somewhat on your age, I think. If you're under about 50, your eyes can dilate to about 7 mm. If you're older they can't dialate beyond about 5 mm. If you're younger and hunt beyond dusk then go with 50 mm. Otherwise, go with 40 mm.
 
I don't know how this sits, however when I talked with a Leupold rep at an NRA show about the size of optic, he told me the eye can only bring in 37mm of light period. Take that for what it's worth so i said a 40mm is what your saying he said anything over that is marketing. Like i said that is what i was told by a Leupold rep. Now I'd say to Jhedges is how high do you want your mounts on your rifle?
 
I will run the same ring and base combo I have once for the new scope either will work. I have TPS TSR low rings with a TPS 20 moa base. It currently Puts a 50 mm bell down close to the barrel and the 40 mm wont be too high for comfort.
 
I was playing around last week with a VX-II 3-9X40mm and
vx-II 3-9x50mm. The 50mm was just very, very slightly brighter at dusk, but not enough to make me feel handicapped with the 40mm.
 
Originally Posted By: Yukon21I don't know how this sits, however when I talked with a Leupold rep at an NRA show about the size of optic, he told me the eye can only bring in 37mm of light period. Take that for what it's worth so i said a 40mm is what your saying he said anything over that is marketing...

From a physics point of view, that statement makes no sense without stating the magnification. If he was referring to 6X mag, then I would generally agree.
 
Originally Posted By: JTBI was playing around last week with a VX-II 3-9X40mm and
vx-II 3-9x50mm. The 50mm was just very, very slightly brighter at dusk, but not enough to make me feel handicapped with the 40mm.

It what magnification?
 
I have a VX III 6.5x20x40 and its all the scope a person would need for anything. As far as light goes you can see great in low light the 50 will just make for a higher mount which i personally dont like.
 
I bet i buy a 40 kyle... haha I just wanted to get opinions from other leupold scope owners. I am graduating college this year and Ive been building my rifle up since I bought it when I was 18 and new scope is next. So I imagine after the spring I am going to order the vx-III 3.5-10x40 from the custom shop with the M1's.

Thanks for all the help like always guys..

Jon
 
I have had XXX Leupold scopes, both 40 and 50 mm sizes, and 40mm is all I ever will buy in the future. Have never needed more than a 40mm, under any and all hunting conditions.

NB
 
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