X-Bolt and 50mm scope question
- Thread starter scandmx5
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303 hunter
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On my A-Bolt it took the high rings to clear a 50mm.
Just get the high rings. Good cheek weld and 50mm don't often go together anyway. I like the smaller objective scopes for good cheek weld and have never felt the need for a (light gathering) 50mm optic.A tenth of an inch won't be much lower and you might need the height.
The only reason to go with a 50mm is if you need to make longer shots in darker conditions.
The brightness of a scope depends on the glass quality and it's exit pupil size.The human eye can only utilize the light from an exit pupil of about 7mm at best.That is young perfect eyes.Most of us fall in the around 5mm catagory.The exit pupil size is calculated by dividing the objective by the power.A 40mm objective scope set on 5X will have an exit pupil size of 8mm which will allow more light than a human eye can utilize anyway.A 40mm on 8X will give an exit pupil of 5 which is as much as most of us can utilize.
I don't need more magnification than 8X to make any shot,even in the last legal hours at the ranges I hunt.A good scope will take you well past legal light,even at higher magnification, with an exit pupil smaller than 5mm. You may not be able to see the rack quite as well, but that's what good binoculars are for.
I would much rather go with the smaller objective scope,mounted as low as possible.That way I can get my scope positioned so that I don't need to adjust my head position during a fast mount.I have killed a lot of jumped deer,that I would never have got a shot at,if I couldn't find them fast in the scope.I actually like 36mm scopes for most situations and 40mm on rifles that have higher cheek stocks.
The brightness of a scope depends on the glass quality and it's exit pupil size.The human eye can only utilize the light from an exit pupil of about 7mm at best.That is young perfect eyes.Most of us fall in the around 5mm catagory.The exit pupil size is calculated by dividing the objective by the power.A 40mm objective scope set on 5X will have an exit pupil size of 8mm which will allow more light than a human eye can utilize anyway.A 40mm on 8X will give an exit pupil of 5 which is as much as most of us can utilize.
I don't need more magnification than 8X to make any shot,even in the last legal hours at the ranges I hunt.A good scope will take you well past legal light,even at higher magnification, with an exit pupil smaller than 5mm. You may not be able to see the rack quite as well, but that's what good binoculars are for.
I would much rather go with the smaller objective scope,mounted as low as possible.That way I can get my scope positioned so that I don't need to adjust my head position during a fast mount.I have killed a lot of jumped deer,that I would never have got a shot at,if I couldn't find them fast in the scope.I actually like 36mm scopes for most situations and 40mm on rifles that have higher cheek stocks.
Woah. Interesting stuff there. I guess you Alabama boys aren't too slow afterall RH LOL! Thanks again. To be honest, I've always used cheap Tasco scopes...(which I just can't put on an X-Bolt Medallion) so if I up it to a higher quality scope now, a 40mm will be an improvement over the cheap 40mm's I've used in the past. I can't bring myself to buy nor do I buy into that "a scope should cost as much or more than the rifle it's on" jive. I like Redfield and Nikon, those are the two I've been considering. I had a .338 Win Mag I bought that had an old Redfield from the 70's on it, and it was still zeroed in and held zero with that kick!
jogar80
Member
High rings, medium will not clear. I tried the medium and had to return them. It will not clear, period.
303 hunter
Member
If I had it to do over,I'd have gotten the 40mm. I have a Burris Tactical;great glass,but it is BIG!
I know it's hard to spend the money,after spending so much on a fine rifle, but good glass is worth the price.After about the $400 mark though,you are paying a lot more $$$ for small increases.All the major brands,Nikon,Leupold,Zeiss have very nice scopes in the $400 range.
The 3-9X40 Zeiss Conquest is a great bargin,and can still be found under $400.The new Leupold VX2, not to be confused with the Leupold VXII, is also a scope that performs greater than it's price point and may be slightly better in price VS performance than the Conquest.
Even bargin basement scopes perform well under ideal conditions (inside the store.) With the better scopes,you are paying for better tracking and better performance in difficult lighting situations like,near dark,into the sun,and sun directly behind you.You also should get better reliability,it that your scope doesn't suddenly,without reason,loose it's zero.
Good luck,lots of good choices these days.I am partial to Zeiss and Leupold simply because they have had the best warranty track record in the business.Do not be afraid to buy used Zeiss or Leupold.I personally think you would be best served to get to a shop ,try several scopes on the mount of your choice,and choose based on the ability to properly mount it to fit you,and the way it feels and balances on your rifle.
Some scopes may make your rifle feel top heavy,so that it wants to roll over in your hands.Some may need more or even less eye relief,to get a perfect sight picture when you mount the rifle fast.I feel a well balanced rifle,that I can mount fast is better for a hunting rifle,at least the way I hunt.If you are mostly shooting from a rested position,it won't matter as much.
The 3-9X40 Zeiss Conquest is a great bargin,and can still be found under $400.The new Leupold VX2, not to be confused with the Leupold VXII, is also a scope that performs greater than it's price point and may be slightly better in price VS performance than the Conquest.
Even bargin basement scopes perform well under ideal conditions (inside the store.) With the better scopes,you are paying for better tracking and better performance in difficult lighting situations like,near dark,into the sun,and sun directly behind you.You also should get better reliability,it that your scope doesn't suddenly,without reason,loose it's zero.
Good luck,lots of good choices these days.I am partial to Zeiss and Leupold simply because they have had the best warranty track record in the business.Do not be afraid to buy used Zeiss or Leupold.I personally think you would be best served to get to a shop ,try several scopes on the mount of your choice,and choose based on the ability to properly mount it to fit you,and the way it feels and balances on your rifle.
Some scopes may make your rifle feel top heavy,so that it wants to roll over in your hands.Some may need more or even less eye relief,to get a perfect sight picture when you mount the rifle fast.I feel a well balanced rifle,that I can mount fast is better for a hunting rifle,at least the way I hunt.If you are mostly shooting from a rested position,it won't matter as much.
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