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Difference in 1" vs 30mm " scope tube?

11131 Views 20 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  ASSAULTFUN, 
N
Can anyone explain the benefits if any of 1" vs 30mm" scope tube? It seems higher end scopes come in 30mm.
Benefits? Cost Considerations? Magnification ?
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TheProfessional
30mm is better for long range because they have more elevation/windage adjustment
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PeepSight
25.4mm = 1 inch = 0.000126 furlongs
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CommackBoy
30mm is becoming a standard for high-end scopes used by military. TheProfessional already mentioned additional adjustments that are allowed by a larger tube, the tube itself is usually thicker, allowing for a more rigid scope.
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A
TheProfessional said:
30mm is better for long range because they have more elevation/windage adjustment
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Not always true....as your power goes up typically your adjustment range diminishes hence 20 moa canted rails for long range shooter. The main advantage to 30mm is you can squeeze more magnification out of a scope. IE on a one inch scope you typically only see a x3 multiple ex 3-9 whereas on a 30 mm scope you can get a x4 multiple ex3-12. I don't want to hear anyone talk about low light gathering either. The exit pupil on a scope is measured by the objective diameter in mm divided by the power. Example....Johnny has a 3-9x42 scope on 3 power his exit pupil is 14mm on 9 power the exit pupil is 4.66 mm. Follow? Now for Biology...your pupil can dialate from 2-8 mm most older folk levels off around 5-6mm, 8 is uncommon. Now the only thing that will make a scope better for light transfer is the glass and most importantly the coating on the glass. I know for a fact here at Meopta we have the best light transmission in the industry at 99.8% per lens. I've said before if anyone has a question id be more than happy to answer you and if I don't know I can get you an answer. Knowledge is free quality glass will cost ya ;)
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O
The biggest reason most people op for the 30mm tubes are it looks cool. Everyone in one way or another thinks there a sniper at heart. Set up a Remington 700P in 308 with a Leupold Mk-4 scope, mil-dots of course and your good to go. The 30mm are tougher than 1" scopes, have more adjustment and usually more magnification. 99% of all shooting needs will be handled by a good quality 1" scope.
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N
What makes it look cool? The Turrets?
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A
Ahhhhh. MILDOTS!  How many users here own a scope with MILDOTS that actually know how to use them?  And not as a holdover for Target distance estimation.  Or could give off the top of their head how many MOA are in Mil?
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Mad Russian
ASSAULTFUN said:
Ahhhhh. MILDOTS! How many users here own a scope with MILDOTS that actually know how to use them? And not as a holdover for Target distance estimation. Or could give off the top of their head how many MOA are in Mil?
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Yesterday I could have.... :X
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Lemming
ASSAULTFUN said:
Ahhhhh. MILDOTS! How many users here own a scope with MILDOTS that actually know how to use them? And not as a holdover for Target distance estimation. Or could give off the top of their head how many MOA are in Mil?
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Well, the folks who read this thread. . .

http://www.longislandfirearms.com/forum/m-1277714876.83948/
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CommackBoy
ASSAULTFUN said:
Ahhhhh. MILDOTS! How many users here own a scope with MILDOTS that actually know how to use them? And not as a holdover for Target distance estimation. Or could give off the top of their head how many MOA are in Mil?
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I don't understand why you need to start bashing people here. There was a legitimate question asked and answered. If you can calculate mildots, fantastic. More power to you. If I have money, I can also buy whatever I choose. A lot of people who are not real soldiers or snipers own sniper rifle simply because it is a cool thing to have and it is also a fun sport.
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CommackBoy
oldreliable45120 said:
99% of all shooting needs will be handled by a good quality 1" scope.
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99% of the shooting can be done with iron sights, especially at most ranges that we have on Long Island and at most hunting situation someone will face in the Northeast.
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CommackBoy said:
I don't understand why you need to start bashing people here. There was a legitimate question asked and answered. If you can calculate mildots, fantastic. More power to you. If I have money, I can also buy whatever I choose. A lot of people who are not real soldiers or snipers own sniper rifle simply because it is a cool thing to have and it is also a fun sport.
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Don't misinterpret a bashing here it's not meant to bash being in this industry I see day in and day out people wanting what they don't understand. If by any means I can help you understand I'd be more than happy to. I am not a soldier nor sniper but if I were to purchase a MILDOT scope you could bet your ass I'd study how to use one. It's all in good fun my man, we all support the same sport I'd just like to educate those who don't know. BTW one mil is about 3.4 MOA
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ASSAULTFUN said:
Don't misinterpret a bashing here it's not meant to bash being in this industry I see day in and day out people wanting what they don't understand. If by any means I can help you understand I'd be more than happy to. I am not a soldier nor sniper but if I were to purchase a MILDOT scope you could bet your ass I'd study how to use one. It's all in good fun my man, we all support the same sport I'd just like to educate those who don't know. BTW one mil is about 3.4 MOA
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It's 3.6 MOA
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A
1 MOA is not exactly one inch
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A
This may help some of you
http://www.mil-dot.com/media/1027/the_derivation_of_the_range_estimation_equations.pdf
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B
ASSAULTFUN said:
1 MOA is not exactly one inch
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Your right its 1.047, what does that have to do with the distance of 1 mil?

http://www.eabco.com/Reports/MildotRep01.htm
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A
@100yards 1 mil = 3.6"
@100yards 1 moa= 1.047"
@100yards 1mil= 3.438 moa
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T.Webb
Think about what you're going to do with the gun. The larger tubes usually have a higher quality, but also weigh a bit more. My hunting guns which get carried a lot, wear 1 inch tubes.
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Ghost Hunter
All of my scopes are 30mm or more. I prefer the extra
magnification, more MOA range & extra strength. I don't
mind the main drawback which is the extra weight.

As for the other stuff...
Ron will explain it the best, he's great at making things
so clear that non-shooters could understand.

About Minute of Angle (MOA):

About Mil-Dot (Milliradians):

About Elevation & Windage:

About Proper Scoping of your Rifle:

For Mils, I live by this formula:

Height Of Target (inches)
---------------------------- x 27.77 = Distance Of Target (yards)
Image Size (in mils)

OR, to cheat, I use my Bushnell 1600 ARC Rangefinder... hee hee hee.
http://bushnell.com/products/rangefinders/Elite-1600-ARC/205110/

Welcome to rifle school. ;)

Peace,
GH-07
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