Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 30 mm vs 1"

Let's summarize the vast forum knowledge and provide an answer for the original poster.

Assuming that we are comparing the same size 1" and 30mm scopes made by the same manufacturer using the same quality optics, same magnification, same eye relief, same objective size etc.

Glass Clarity
By using identical optics, there is no benefit to larger diameter scopes

Light Transmission
Light transmission is always identical as long you maintain the same exit pupil and 30mm, 34mm, 36mm or any larger tube will not transmit more light through the scope.

Weight
Obviously, the smaller diameter one-inch scope should provide weight savings and you would be foolish to carry anything heavier around.

Target Acquisition / Getting Behind Scope
While I disagree, the forum agrees that one-inch scope will be as fast and easy to get behind as any larger tube. MuleDeer can explain and we all agree that one-inch Loopy 6x fixed scope is the easiest scope to get behind ever produced.

Exit Pupil Size
This one is the kicker. As long you maintain the proper pupil size, you will be able to shoot wild hogs under very limited moonlight or even in complete darkness and there is no benefit to larger tube scopes and it is all about exit pupil size.

Elevation/Windage Adjustments
Larger diameter tubes may (not always) provide more elevation/windage adjuments and we all agree that this is the only reason why one should consider larger scopes. That being said, even a one-inch scope can get you very far and you should only consider anything larger than one-inch scope if you are planning on shooting way past 1000 yards. It has been done with one-inch scopes and even with iron sights, so don't waste your time/money on bigger scopes.

Durability
Some members were arguing that larger diameter tube may provide an increased durability but we all know that even one-inch scopes can be made very durable so I would say there is no benefit to larger tubes.

Summary
Other than the extreme elevation/windage adjustments for long range shooting, the only reason why manufacturers make larger diameter scopes is because that is what consumer demands(@smokepole) and any benefits to larger glass is a myth and marketing scam produced by an advertising agency back int he 90's (@Mule Deer).

Clearly, only long-range shooters should consider a scope with a tube larger than one-inch and anyone else owning anything bigger is a fool that fell for a marketing scam.