I am looking into getting two leupold VX-II 3-9, however I am not sure about which objective lens size to get, either a 40mm or 50mm. I was wondering what some pros and cons were on each one.

I realize that the 50mm will allow more light in and also create a larger FOV, however what are some downfalls of it? is it too heavy or too awkward.

I will be using them for deer and pigs as well as varmints, and of course at the gun range for practice. They will be going on a .243 and a .270. I was going to get one of each and compare that way but my fiancee wanted the same scope as the one I am getting so that is why I am looking at 2 of them. Thanks!

-9r

The size of the objective (40 or 50) does NOT effect the field of view.
What the 50mm might do, over the 40mm, is give you a bit more light if you hunt at night. During typical situations of dawn to dusk hunting, won't be any difference.
One other difference: the 50mm will have a slightly larger exit pupil than the 40mm, which means that there's a bit larger area you can put your eye, and see thru the scope.
The trade off is that the 50mm weighs more, and usually costs more.

I like the 50mm objective for those reachout type rifles, takes in more light than the 40mm,seems easier to look into as well, be sure to get the right hight mounts, so the bell of the scope is just off the barrel. Aim small hit small RAMbo.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/100178.jpg

That is interesting, I guess I was misimformed. I am not sure I will be doing much night hunting, though I do have friends who like to go spotlighting. Thanks for the help I think I will stick with the 40mm.
-9r

How old are you and how good is your vision? The 50mm scopes are larger and heavier, and have to be mounted higher, but they can be a great aid for low-light shooting. If you're in Texas you can shoot pigs at night.

Right now the 'standard' 40mm objectives are all I need for night hunting, but that'll probably change in a few years....

40mm / 9 (objective divided by max power) yields an exit pupil of 4.44 mm... in theory, your eyes can use up to 6 or maybe even 7mm exit pupil. So the 50mm ups that to 5.55mm.... doesn't sound like much, but every little bit helps.

Alternatively, you can just drop the power on the 3x9 say down to about 6 or 7 power and then your exit pupil is up over 6mm which is probably all you'll ever need, anyway.

The 50mm version will cost more, as well.

A bigger difference, FYI, is the quality of the lens coatings. I'd make sure you get the version with the full Multi-Coat 4 or whatever it is that Leupold is using these days. That is probably worth more than the extra 10mm on the objective. I think that the new VX-II line is fully coated - but best be sure, there could be some old stock laying around and the older Vari-X II scopes weren't fully multi-coated, I think...

". in theory, your eyes can use up to 6 or maybe even 7mm exit pupil."
True, with a great BIG but.......your eye will open to 7mm (if your young and healthy) IF (!) your eye is in TOTAL darkness for a minimum of 30 minutes. In other words, not gonna happen unless you are a coal miner.
The max figure of merit is 5mm. That's about the maximum a young healthy eye will open in dark conditions of the real world -like a dark night. Even a dark night has some residual starlight, moonlight, or light from civilization......
If the subject is shooting in really the dark of night, as you apparently can do with pigs in Texas, and they do in Europe, what you need is a really thick reticle. You'll find that the standard US duplex reticle gets tough to see in real dark, even when the scope is pulling in light pretty well.
My experience with good quality 3-9x40mm scopes is that you will lose the reticle before the scope gets too dark to see thru.
For example, the 3-9 Zeiss Conquest has a thicker than normal reticle. You can see that well enough in the middle of the night to shoot. The regular US duplex, you can't.

Well I am 24, have horrible eyes but I wear glasses and I will be in Texas, for the next few years anyway, no telling where I will be when I graduate (about 2.5 more years, then I will be Dr. 9r).

I did want the multi-coat on the lenses which is why I am looking at the VX-II. I am looking at

http://www.riflescopes.com/products/LEU56780/leupold_vx-ii_3-9x40.htm

and

http://www.riflescopes.com/products/LEU56880/leupold_vx-ii_3-9x50.htm

because of free shipping and free bases/rings. The bases for the 40mm is the low version and the bases for the 50mm is the medium, so I am assuming that it has the leupold sizing chart incorporated into the website. Now alot of the gun stores around town will throw in bases/rings if I get my rifles and scopes from them, however I am getting my rifles from an out of town independent dealer.
If any one knows any other websites where scopes are cheaper than these please let me know. Thanks

9r

Jack, I'll agree, the reticle can make or break your shot.

If it's too dark to see the duplex crosshairs, I just turn on the spotlight :D

So how do you get those nice pictures nested in your message?