Max Objective Size Scope on a Hunting Rifle?

[Jeff Johnston]

I can't stand a hunting rifle with a giant (50mm or greater) objective because I believe that top quality, smaller-objective scopes have more than enough light throughput for legal hunting conditions while also making the rifle much easier to carry and to shoot well due to the lower mounting possibilities and therefore lower stock comb that reduces felt recoil. But it seems everywhere I go these days I see guys shooting scopes that look like they were made by Hubble. Of course, large objectives have their place, but what scope size do you think is ideal for an all-around, average weight, do-all hunting rifle?

 

[Keith Wood]

I like a 40mm but will suffer up to a 44 if needed. My favorite all time scope is the old Nightforce 2.5-10x32mm.

 

[tprince]

Hate heavy scopes. Prefer 42-44 objectives and 1" tubes...for general use
My M40 A1 has 30mm rings and won't accept an objective that's large..
Tom in Texas, the hub of the universe.

 

[robmcleod82]

Im usually a 50mm and under type guy. Most of my rifles are setup for longer range open country hunting so they tend to wear higher mag optics with larger objevtives.

 

[kleinermatthew]

I can't stand a hunting rifle with a giant (50mm or greater) objective because I believe that top quality, smaller-objective scopes have more than enough light throughput for legal hunting conditions while also making the rifle much easier to carry and to shoot well due to the lower mounting possibilities and therefore lower stock comb that reduces felt recoil. But it seems everywhere I go these days I see guys shooting scopes that look like they were made by Hubble. Of course, large objectives have their place, but what scope size do you think is ideal for an all-around, average weight, do-all hunting rifle?

Couldn’t agree more about the notion that big scopes are clunky. That’s why I’ve stayed away from them. I like stay with 1” all around in either 32 or 40mm , makes it easy to trade between guns. Not that I do it often, but you never know when one might get dropped.

 

[deadeyejunior]

It really depends on the rifle and type of hunting you do. My go to is 3-15x50 Tangent Theta, weights 28oz and I dont find it overly cumbersome. Living in Wyoming shots out to 400+ yards are fairly common and I want a scope with some features to make those shots efficient. Pic L-300 winmag, R- 6mm Creed.


Now for a general hunting optic out to 300yds I prefer a Schmidt and Bender Klassik 3-12x42 or 1.5-6x42.
Model 70 338winmag