Leupold European-30 1.25-4x20mm: what gives?

[philthygeezer]

Why a 30mm tube and a 20mm objective? Is there any advantage to this scope?

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-...opean-30-riflescopes/european-30-1-25-4x20mm/

 

[canuckgunny]

'expansive field of view' seems to be their selling point explanation....

 

[ben hunchak]

Normally if you look into a scope backwards the image is much smaller, with this arrangement if you look into it backwards, the image will be larger.

 

[jjohnwm]

I'll bet that's a typo. I think it should read 24mm.

 

[Amphibious]

I had the 2-7x33 Euro 30 for a while. amazing scope, super bright. but the lack of a rear focus lock ring drove me nuts. the back of the scope would spin, moving my BC caps so that it stopped my bolt halfway. almost cost me my goat.

 

[philthygeezer]

I'll bet that's a typo. I think it should read 24mm.

Specs say:

Obj. Clear Aperture 0.8 in / 20 mm

Same as the VX2 1-4x20mm.

 

[tjhaile]

30mm tubes are more widely used in Europe because that is what most of the European manufacturers originally adopted as standard, just as the 1" tube is standard here. That said, I don't see why they chose a 20mm objective when a 24mm could easily be made to fit without an objective bell.

Leupold's other low magnification 30mm scopes (VX-7 1.5-6 and VX-3 1.5-5 illuminated reticle) use a 24mm objective.