Leupold VXIII 1-5X20 ??

[Varmint Hunter]

I am interested in putting an illuminated Leupold VXIII 1-5X20 on my 45-70 for black bear hunting and who knows what else.

I noticed that they are available with a 1" tube or a 30mm tube. However, they both have a 20mm objective lens. I "assume" that means they are equally bright. Other than more reticle adjustment; what would be the advantage of using a 30mm tube?

Any suggestions on this Leupold or similar scope for use under 200yds?

[Jon Jackoviak]

Yes the VX-III 1.5-5x20 is availabe in a 30mm tube (illuminated verison) and a 1" (non-illuminated verison). They are going to be equally bright. There will be no difference optically between the two. The only difference is the 30mm will allow for more elevation and windage.

[silvertip-co]

I am a big straight tube scope fan, mostly k1.5, k2.5, and 1.5-5x20 on some of my rifles. If more hunters used them they'd never lug their 20-60x80 rifle scopes around. But here I cannot for the life of me figure out how a 1.5-5x20 has a 30mm tube. Isnt that then a 1.5-5x30? I cant imagine the tube is necked down from 30 to 20mm.

???

[ScottBerish]

If the published specs on the scope are accurate (I've seen misprints in Lupy's website before), the two scopes have equal 120 MOA of adjustment. The only way this happens with disimilar size tubes is 1) the adjustments of the 30mm have some type of mechanical "limiter" in them or 2) the internal erector assembly is of a larger diameter in the 30mm tube versus the 1-inch tube. All else being equal (as in these scopes), a larger diameter erector lens assembly should result in a brighter and clearer sight picture. Whether the difference would be noticeable looking through the scope is hard to say.

[Jon A]

Originally Posted by Varmint Hunter

Other than more reticle adjustment; what would be the advantage of using a 30mm tube?

I could be wrong, but I believe the illumination is only available on the 30mm model.

Any suggestions on this Leupold or similar scope for use under 200yds?

Yeah, I'd have trouble paying that much money for the Leupold. Another choice you might consider that I'm really impressed with so far is the Falcon 1.5-5X30. Glass will be comparable, it'll be brighter in low light, resettable covered knobs, illuminated dot works very well, costs way less than 1/2 what the Leupold does....

[CS T]

I would recommend the 30mm tube Leupold but they will both do the job.

We are new to Long Range Hunting but we have been doing optics for a very long time.

[Jon A]

Damn, we've got everybody here now! Good to see you here, Mike. You too Scott. ;)