Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold 4.5 x 14 VX 3 30 mm vs. 1" Tube

Who has experience with CDS in both 30mm and 1" tubes for the 4.5 x 14 Leupold 40 mm objective? If I'm reading the spec sheets correctly,one has 116 clicks and the other has 76.I'm looking for a "range toy" scope for a 25-06 that will shoot 85 gr. NBTs and 100 gr. Sierra Match Kings at varmints and paper.Would the 1" tube with 76 clicks get me to 700 yds?

Trying to decide if the 30 mm scope with side focus is something I need.I'm not looking for a competition scope to shoot out to 1200,just a way to do more LR shooting.Thanks guys!

With a 25-06, you'll need about 20-25 minutes of correction to get you out to 700 yards. Those scopes have 116 minutes (not clicks) and 76 minutes of total elevation available to them. Half up, and half down. So with some adjustment needed because your scope almost never is perfectly centered in that range at zero, you should have enough to get out to 700 yards with either scope.

If you get the 1" version and find you want to go out farther and you're running out of adjustment, you could always set up your base and rings with a 10 or 20 moa canted base.

That being said, with the 30mm version, you could go out to 1000 without an issue as you need 40-45 minutes of adjustment at that range. Gobs to spare.

Above 10x, esp at that range, an AO is really needed for parallax correction, and side focus is a lot more user friendly than trying to reach your front bell from a field position...

Best,
C.

Charlie,Thanks for the explanation! I do like the 30 mm for the side focus.Hope to someday build a 6.5 or 7mm of some sort but for now I'm going to get started at the bottom of the learning curve.Thanks Again.

Check FOV on the 1" version.

DF

Just remember,

With the side focus you have to start over again if you run past your setting.

All the way back, then dial it in again.

JM,

Why so?

I don't doubt you, just need an explanation.

Thanks,

DF

DF. Please explain the FOV issue. I am looking at one of these myself.

Roy

DF, FOV looks very close to me. 19.9 - 7.4 for 1".The LR is 18.7 - 7.3 ft @100 yds.John, thanks for the SF info.Going to keep researching!

IIRC, the FOV on the 4.5-14's is a good bit less than on the 3.5-10x40's. Just compare them.

For LR and target work, that may not be a problem. But, for hunting and general use, I prefer the VX-3 3.5-10x40 CDS.

Beyond 10X, I like Swaro or other choices.

DF

Got it Dirtfarmer.I thought you were referring to 4.5 x 14 vs. 4.5 x 14.Not to the 3.5 x 10.Does your 3.5 x 10 have an AO ?

What do you think the max range of the 3.5-10 would be to be considered effective??

Roy

You might look into the 4.5-14x40 with AO (front bell). it's the 1" tube but has I believe 116 of travel.

I got one to use on my 6.5-06. Rifle isn't built yet so don't know how it works.

No doubt on the AO for Long Range.Same for 30 mm. with a gain in extra minutes of elevation.I was sold on side focus too until John Moses post.I would rather have too much scope for this type of gun than not enough regarding elevation.

I can see a 6.5 or 284 on the horizon already! Damn the 'Fire!

No AO on the 3.5-10x40. I don't think you need it for a 10X.

DF

Both the 25.4mm and the 30mm Leupold scopes have the same 1 inch sized eyebox in them, Therefore there is no real light gathering advantage to paying extra money for the Leupold 30mm scope. Usually I would recommend the 30mm for the larger eye box design but in case of the Leupold, they are the same.

Maybe this is apples to oranges but here goes.

I have a 30mm Bushnell with a lowest power of 4 1/2 and a 1" Swarovski with a lowest power of 5. The 1" scope has a wider field of view.

I have th 30mm LR version and I personally didn't like anything about the 1", if the 30mm didn't have side focus I wouldn't own a 4.5x14,for a LR scope for what your going to do with it I would skip the CDS and go with an M1 turrett you will be much happier...Good luck!

Thanks Ackleyfan!