Leupold 3x9-40 or 3x9-50

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Bimmon

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Hi,

I am choosing between the following Leupold models:

VX-Freedom 3X9-40

VX-R 3X9-40

VX-R 3X9-50

Wonder if you guys can provide any feedbacks on these 3 scopes. It will be mainly used for target shooting up to 100 yards, and maybe for hunting once a year.

Thanks!
 
For hunting, I prefer the 40mm models.

For target, the VXR scopes have the firedot I think most of the reticles are 1MOA minimun, which means the cross hair would cover a 1" circle at 100 yards. I love the firedot scopes for hunting, when I sight it, I make triangle shaped bulls and shoot for a corner to be more precise.

A fine duplex would usually run 1/4MOA and be a little more precise, but less easily seen in low light. Different tools for different uses...
 
I don't like how high 50mm scopes need to be mounted on most guns with factory stocks that don't have an adjustable cheek piece. I have one on my Rem 783 and the cheek weld isn't the greatest.

For your stated purpose, I don't see a need for a 50mm objective, but I'm clearly biased.
 
Thanks guys.

Do you notice the brightness difference between the 40mm vs 50mm, as my eye is not as sensitive as before :)
 
VX-R 40mm is going to be better optics than the Freedom line but you'll pay a higher price.
I have the 1.5X4 Freedoms mounted on a couple rifles and they're decent scopes but they aren't in the same league as the VX-R's.
50mm gains you very little advantage IMHO.
 
If it’s primarily for target shooting and a bit of hunting, you might consider a 4-12x40 or 4-16x40. I have a 4-12x40 on my hunting rifle, I like the higher power when I’m at the range sight in or shooting groups. I hunt more with it than anything so I’m going to put a 2-7x32 or a 2.5-10x40 on it for the spring hunting season, I find myself wanting a lower magnification when I’m hunting most times. When I’m shooting targets I dial it up to x12 for the most part.
 
Suther said:
I don't like how high 50mm scopes need to be mounted on most guns with factory stocks that don't have an adjustable cheek piece. I have one on my Rem 783 and the cheek weld isn't the greatest.

For your stated purpose, I don't see a need for a 50mm objective, but I'm clearly biased.
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Sometimes you just gotta let them figure it out for them self.
The amount of light isnt controlled by the objective lens, but the body or the tube.
A 30 mm tube will allow more light into the ocular lens than a 25 mm tube.
The choice in manufacture is a great choice though.
Rob
 
50mm is an advertising gimmick.
I haven't been convinced there is 'nuff gain for size.
Most of us have walked this trail.
Sometimes bigger isn't always better.
 
For lower magnification scopes, such as a 3-9X, most shooters find that a 40mm objective lens diameter is good.

For a good comparison of pros and cons of larger and smaller objective lens sizes in rifle scopes, see h t t p s ://www.targettamers.com/guides/rifle-scope-objective-lens-diameter/
 
FLHTCUI said:
Sometimes you just gotta let them figure it out for them self.
The amount of light isnt controlled by the objective lens, but the body or the tube.
A 30 mm tube will allow more light into the ocular lens than a 25 mm tube.
The choice in manufacture is a great choice though.
Rob
Click to expand...

Light transmission has ZERO to do with tube diameter and objective lens size. This is an old fudds tale based on 50 year old technology. Tube diameter impacts strength and adjustment range. There are no lenses or light transmission around the ID of the tube. Objective lens size is aesthetic and you only see functional changes in Objective lens size because of needed exit pupil size which is a ratio of objective lens and the highest magnification of the scopes system. Light transmission to your eye is the responsibility of the lens coatings (which parts of the light spectrum are either enhanced or diminished) and the system.

Objective lens size choices is marketing and ignorance.
 
gwes2003 said:
Of those three id take the 3-9×40 vxr (have one on my go to deer rifle). It compares nicely to my vx3i on another rifle in the hunting rotation. Which you should also consider
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VX3i is lightyears ahead of the VX-R line. The VX-R uses the same system as the VX-2, has less coatings than the 3i, has inferior adjusters used, has a 2 piece tube unlike the one piece on the 3i and the reticle isn't collimated to the system like in the 3i. There is a reason the VX-3i is more money.
 
Recce21 said:
Light transmission has ZERO to do with tube diameter and objective lens size. This is an old fudds tale based on 50 year old technology. Tube diameter impacts strength and adjustment range. There are no lenses or light transmission around the ID of the tube. Objective lens size is aesthetic and you only see functional changes in Objective lens size because of needed exit pupil size which is a ratio of objective lens and the highest magnification of the scopes system. Light transmission to your eye is the responsibility of the lens coatings (which parts of the light spectrum are either enhanced or diminished) and the system.

Objective lens size choices is marketing and ignorance.
Click to expand...

According to some other sites, a 50mm objective lens's image is the same as a 40mm lens at one power lower.

so 50mm set at 5 power will be just as bright as a 40mm set at 4.

whether one can see the difference, i guess it is personal.
 
I prefer the 40mm objective lense scopes as they are lighter and can be mounted lower than a 50mm scope.

Light transmission has to do with the quality of the lenses and their coatings.
Exit pupil determines how much light gets to your eye, and is determined by dividingt he objective lense size by the power setting.
So a 40mm scope set at 3 power is 40/3=13.3mm and 40/9=4.4mm, whereas the 50mm scope is 50/3=16.7mm and 50/9=5.6mm. So the larger objective lense will allow more light to enter your eye under low light conditions and will appear brighter.
The down side is, it is larger, heavier, cannot be mounted as low so may affect your cheek weld on the buttstock when trying to center your eye behind the scope, and can be bumped out of alignment easier as it is not as slim compared to your rifle's profile.

This being said, the human eye pupil can only dilate to a max of 7mm when we are younger and the pupil muscles are more elastic. As we age, this elasticity deteriorates to the point that by the time we are in our 60's may only dilate to 4 or 5mm. So regardless of the scope's exit pupil, your eye may not be able to accept all of the light coming through the scope and will affect how bright the scope seems to you under low light conditions.
So for a younger person the optimum power setting for the scopes under low light conditions would be just under 6 power for the 40mm scope and just over 7 power for the 50mm scope.

A common myth out there is that a 30mm tube scope allows more light through the tube and ii brighter. This in fact is NOT true, as verified by the engineers from a variety of scope manufacturers!

As with all things, you get what you pay for, and the quality of the glass you buy is no exception! But as always, budget comes into play for many of us. Buy the best you can afford!

Hope this helps you make your decision!
 
The system would be the same in both scopes if they are the same manufacturer and the objective size would not equal more light transmission. If anything, it might cause a small shift in the exit pupil at max magnification. I would have to pull out my old notes to know the exact equation but if I recall, exit pupil is ideal around 5mm. FOV might be slightly more but it would depend on the multiple other lenses than make up the system inside the scope. Im always open to being incorrect but I was taught this by eggheads with letters behind their names that design optics and technology does change. However, the myth of tube diameter and light transmission is completely false.

Bimmon said:
According to some other sites, a 50mm objective lens's image is the same as a 40mm lens at one power lower.

so 50mm set at 5 power will be just as bright as a 40mm set at 4.

whether one can see the difference, i guess it is personal.
Click to expand...
 
I'm surprised on everyone's choice 40 over the 50. Everyone I have talked to swears by the 50. I have both 30mm and 25 in 50 and 40 and have never been able to tell the difference
 
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