Experience with 20 & 24 mm objectives

@Cam300 - I've used a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20 on my 375H&H to good effect, however there is no comparing this to the top quality glass of the big three of Zeiss, Swaro & Leica.

After seeing the difference side by side, with any of the Leupold products vs the higher end models of the big 3...it's not even close. All of my rifles are now fitted with Swaro Z8i's and my 375 has a 1-8x24 illuminated reticle scope. If your budget allows for such a purchase, I highly recommend taking a up close and side-by-side comparison look at these. Here's a picture of my rig...

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If it's out of your price range, either save up to buy one...or don't torture yourself with the knowledge of knowing what you are missing and don't look through any of the big 3 scopes. My wallet paid the price for me seeing the difference. Best of luck with your decision.
 
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Reading the posts reminds me of the old scam of showing used cars for sale only at night so the buyer can’t see the flaws.

With optics, it’s the opposite. Any proponents of the vx3 1.5-5x20mm could be persuaded at noon on a sunny day that $300-$500 scope is nearly as good as swaro 1-4x or 1-6x. 95% as good for 1/10th the price. But try them at dawn or dusk and you’ll find one unusable and the other better than gen2 night vision.

There was once a time when Cabelas carried nice glass and would encourage you to go outside with an associate at night and compare them. It was good for German glass sales but bad for credibility of their highest profit margin Mid-price scopes.

To not rip completely on Leupold scopes, there are gems out there including their fixed 6x and their 2-7x33mm (not straight tubes), but their vx3 straight tubes are wholly unsuitable for my uses. Any of my uses. I loathe the fact my last one is on a crossbow but I’m too cheap to toss it in the trash.
 
Hello everyone, would like to hear what you all think of the low magnification scopes made by Zeiss, Leupold, Swaro, etc. with smaller objectives (20 and 24 mm). Any issues with light gathering out of these smaller objectives? Intended use would be plains game and buffalo.
They are a bad idea and will handicap your safari. Go with a standard objective and something like my Leupold VX6 2-12X or Swarovski Z8 1.3-13X scopes. These are far superior and more versatile.
 
They are a bad idea and will handicap your safari. Go with a standard objective and something like my Leupold VX6 2-12X or Swarovski Z8 1.3-13X scopes. These are far superior and more versatile.

That is not my experience. I find that the high quality straight tube scopes work just fine. In fact, my Z6 1-6x24 EE is a very good low light scope. It’s not what I would grab for a leopard hunt, but it will never handicap you on buffalo or plains game. The VX6 1-6x24 is not as bright as the Swaro, but I have found them perfectly fine for buffalo and plains game as well.

The big advantage I find with straight tube scopes is that they can always be mounted in the right position. Too often large objective lenses result in high scope mounting and poor cheek weld. The Z6 1-6x24 EE may be the best scope ever manufactured for use on a Ruger No 1. It allows absolutely perfect scope positioning, not something that you see often on a No 1.
 
That is not my experience. I find that the high quality straight tube scopes work just fine. In fact, my Z6 1-6x24 EE is a very good low light scope. It’s not what I would grab for a leopard hunt, but it will never handicap you on buffalo or plains game. The VX6 1-6x24 is not as bright as the Swaro, but I have found them perfectly fine for buffalo and plains game as well.

The big advantage I find with straight tube scopes is that they can always be mounted in the right position. Too often large objective lenses result in high scope mounting and poor cheek weld. The Z6 1-6x24 EE may be the best scope ever manufactured for use on a Ruger No 1. It allows absolutely perfect scope positioning, not something that you see often on a No 1.

Not to be contrarian, but as I discussed earlier they are all the scope you need. I’ve hunted hundreds of animals all over the world with a 1-6x24mm scope. Especially well suited for croc hunting, leopards, bear over bait, or late day white tails.

I’ve never failed to have the clarity or light gathering for the task at hand with a quality straight tube scope.

The math doesn’t lie. The scenario where you need a 4-16x50mm scope are few and far. I suppose if I was building a 22-250 or 6.5 just for coyote shooting at twilight, where shots are over 300 yards, that would be the only time the light gathering at needed magnification would justify it. Or running boar at dusk perhaps, but even then, how far of a shot would you take on a running animal?
 
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Agree that a medium size bell will gather more light and may be all around more versatile if you are satisfied with 1.5 power upward. Many straight stocked rifles are not handicapped with scope height of say a 1.5-6x42 or similar. The straight tubes seem to be the ones with true 1power when close up and personal is called for with dangerous game. Haven't noticed a lot of difference between 20 and 24mm straight tubes except in quality of glass overall with the alphas.
 
Why not get quality quick detach capability and have one of each type?
 
Not to be contrarian, but as I discussed earlier they are all the scope you need. I’ve hunted hundreds of animals all over the world with a 1-6x24mm scope. Especially well suited for croc hunting, leopards, bear over bait, or late day white tails.

I’ve never failed to have the clarity or light gathering for the task at hand with a quality straight tube scope.

The math doesn’t lie. The scenario where you need a 4-16x50mm scope are few and far. I suppose if I was building a 22-250 or 6.5 just for coyote shooting at twilight, where shots are over 300 yards, that would be the only time the light gathering at needed magnification would justify it. Or running boar at dusk perhaps, but even then, how far of a shot would you take on a running animal?

Agreed. I have a number of 1-6x24 and 1-8x24 scopes. They are outstanding scopes. I am not against the larger scopes and use them pretty extensively. But to say a Swarovski Z6 1-6x24 or Z8 1-8x24 is a handicap is simply not true.

Personally, I think that the Swarovski Z6 1-6x24 EE is one of the finest scopes ever made. I sure wish they’d bring it back into production.
 
I have a VX5 1-5x24 on my 9.3x62. I haven't shot anything with that rifle yet, but that should be remedied in ID on a bear hunt week after next.
 
A 24mm objective scope is very small and when it is about light gathering and

exit pupil size, the FOV and other things are limited with such a small choice.

If you have any experience with binoculars anything with a small objective size down

to 20 or 25 is limited in its usefulness.

Bigger is often better, and that is why a 40-42mm objective is the biggest seller

by far. Not many use a 24mm scope, but a good place may be your .22 LR.

Right now, I am swapping out a 2-7x28 for a larger 3-9x40 as the small one will

not get it done hunting, often in low light.
FOV on 3X doesn't exactly lend itself to close shooting. At 25 yards, FOV is down around 7-8 feet, give or take a little. In low light and in fairly thick brush, I don't see how it is of any real aid.
 
I like Williams Guide Receiver Sights on most of my rifles, with fiber optic front beads.
I wisht I could see like I did 30 years ago...
 
Why not get quality quick detach capability and have one of each type?

I have a straight tube 1.5-4.5x20 Zeiss Diavari in claw mounts and a swaro Z6i 1.7-10x42 also in claw mounts for the same rifle.

The former for daylight driven hunts, the latter for twilight high seat hunting.
 
I understand we all have our preferences and get married to expensive glass we’ve bought but I don’t think, based on the comments, y’all understand what I am saying about my scopes.
I shot a charging leopard in the mouth with the Leupold VX6 2-12 on 2X. The Swaro on 1.3 is no different than the 1X mentioned here by some yet goes to 13X.
Versatility!
I’ve got a VX6 1-6 sitting in a drawer of someone wants to buy it!
 
I understand we all have our preferences and get married to expensive glass we’ve bought but I don’t think, based on the comments, y’all understand what I am saying about my scopes.
I shot a charging leopard in the mouth with the Leupold VX6 2-12 on 2X. The Swaro on 1.3 is no different than the 1X mentioned here by some yet goes to 13X.
Versatility!
I’ve got a VX6 1-6 sitting in a drawer of someone wants to buy it!
I agree with your reasoning. I had a vx-3 1.5-5 on my 375 until recently. I just upgraded to a vx-5 2-10 this year. I really can’t tell the difference on the low end and took several 300+ yard hunting shots on 5x but just felt I was limiting rifle for no reason.
 
I understand we all have our preferences and get married to expensive glass we’ve bought but I don’t think, based on the comments, y’all understand what I am saying about my scopes.
I shot a charging leopard in the mouth with the Leupold VX6 2-12 on 2X. The Swaro on 1.3 is no different than the 1X mentioned here by some yet goes to 13X.
Versatility!
I’ve got a VX6 1-6 sitting in a drawer of someone wants to buy it!

I think we understand perfectly, we just disagree. I’m glad it works for you.
 

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Hi Jay,

Hope you're well.

I'm headed your way in January.

Attending SHOT Show has been a long time bucket list item for me.

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I know you're some distance from Vegas - but would be keen to catch up if it works out.

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