40mm or 50mm???

[LEFTYM77]

just want to get everyones opinion here, I am looking for a scope for my target / varmint rifle (savage model 12 vlp 243) and I have a few scopes in mind: the leupold vxIII LRT 6-20x40 or 50 and the bushnell elite 4200 6.5-24x40 or 50 tactical...I have been told that it is pointless to have a scope with over 16 power without the 50mm objective because it can't gather enough light to work with the higher powers??:confused: is there any truth to this or is it a sales pitch to get me to spend the extra on the 50?? this rifle will be used 90% off the bench / prone shooting paper and gongs

[royinidaho]

Light transmission is directly proportional to the size of the objective lens thus the larger the lens the greater the light transmission.

Quality of glass and coatings is important also. My 42mm Weaver Tactical will stick with any 50 or 56mm I've compared it with after sun set.

HTH..

[Flybuster]

The bigger 50 mm will let more light in. On a varmint rifle your mainly hunting in broad daylight so thats not much of a factor, unless your state allows night hunting for coyotes and stuff.
I own the Leupold VX-III 8.5-25x50 LR with fine plex. I am really fond of this scope for what I use it for, varminting and long range target practice. I haven't had tracking problems that I hear so much about. Its plenty clear at 1000 yards enough to resolve my target. I find no hinderance having a minimum power of 8.5 and while deer hunting a couple of years back I remember how well I could see after the sun had set and was starting to get dark.
The long range series also has more elevation than the Bushnell 6-24. But I see that Leupold just raised their prices in Cabela's so I can see why Bushnell is looking so tempting. I think your on the right track, good luck.

[Down Under Hunter]

Go 50 plus. Cant go wrong.

Cheers

DUH

[LEFTYM77]

the bushnell 6.5-24x50 tactical is looking pretty tempting...anyone on here have any experiance shipping from optic zone ( or similar company) up to canada??

[J E Custom]

If you hunt in poor light the 50 or 56mm is the way to go.

But if you hunt in good light then a 40 or 44mm has the advantage
of costing less and being lower on the rifle .

J E CUSTOM

[PEI Rob]

Originally Posted by LEFTYM77

the bushnell 6.5-24x50 tactical is looking pretty tempting...anyone on here have any experiance shipping from optic zone ( or similar company) up to canada??

I ordered one through Fronteir Taxidermy. CGN dealer.

Cheers,
Rob