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Let me start by saying that these conversations are reflections of our opinions and I respect opinions that differ from mine. I hope to receive the same consideration. I also base the following date on 3x9x40 and a 3x9x50 Elite scopes.

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Get a 40mm, no need for a 50mm for 99% of hunting situations.

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Just hope that the deer you've been hunting all your life shows up within that 99%.

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A 50mm is heavier and also has to be mounted higher, which for most people the lower to the gun the scope can be mounted, the better that person will shoot.

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Yes, the 50mm is heavier. It weighs 6 oz more and it's 3" longer. However, it doesn't necessarily have to be mounted higher on the rifle. The difference in the radius is 5mm. If the 40mm is sitting higher than that above the rifle barrel, the centerline of the scopes will be essentially the same. The only way the 50mm would sit higher is if you had the 40mm sitting 1mm or 2mm above the barrel and had to buy higher rings.

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The SLIGHT advantage in low light of the 50mm is not worth the other negatives in my opinion.

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The exit pupil on the 40mm varies from 13.3 to 4.4 depending on the magnification setting. The exit pupil of the 50mm varies from 16.7 to 5.6 depending on the magnification setting. The average human pupil will expand to ~7mm in darkness. If the scope has an exit pupil of 4.4mm, then it is providing less light than the eye can accommodate. While the same is true if the exit pupil is 5.6, it is bigger and does provide more light. There is more to "light" than brightness. There is also color definition. That's what allows you to pick out the color of a deer standing in the woods or brush. Being completely fair about this part, you can adjust the magnification settings on either scope to provide the most efficient light transmission. The difference is that on the 50mm, the magnification setting can be higher to allow the same amount of light.

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If its too dark to make a good shot with a quality 40mm scope then its to damn dark to be shooting at a big game animal.

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If the animal is standing in an open field, that could be true. If it is standing 20 feet back in the woods, not so sure.

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I did say in my post it was "my opinion", and I respect your opinion.

As to the 1% animal I might not get, after taking over 100 big gamee animals including WT, mule deer, sheep, antelope, etc. in more than a couple states. I think I'll take my chances on that 1%.

Don't know here you got your specs but your wrong on the obj. only being 5mm larger on a 50mm scope. On almost all 50mm scopes the obj. bell is a min of 10mm larger, or about a 1/2".
With most 40-42mm scopes you can usually use low rings and you can definitely use medium rings. With most 50mm scopes you MIGHT (and that a big might) be able to use medium rings but you usually have to use high rings. The cheek weld difference between low rings and high rings is very noticable for most peeople. BTW I've mounted ALOT of scopes.

The length/weight issue I agree is not a big deal if your sitting in a plywood box staring at a barrel of corn 75 yds away. But it is a big difference if you hike ten miles a day or try to stick a 50mm scope in a horse scabbard.

I agree the color definition and resolution will be SLIGHTLY better with a 50mm.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is folks who don't know alot about scopes seem to think they will see some astonishing difference with a 50mm scope. They get to caught up in "its bigger so it must be way better" IMHO I just don't think its so.

The nice gentleman who started this thread seems to be one of those folks who doesn't have alot of experience with riflescopes so he asked everyones opinion here. So I gave my opinion with a good bit of experience to back it up.

If a person likes 50mm scopes then I say go for it. I won't ridicule anyone for it. I just think people get to caught up in the its bigger so it must be better theory. Yeah, they are a slightly better in some areas, but that comes with alot of trade offs in my honest opinion.

And I still stand by my "if its to dark to see with a quality 40-42mm scope then its to damn dark to be ethically shooting at a big game animal"

Bill

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On almost all 50mm scopes the obj. bell is a min of 10mm larger

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