5 Common Myths About Rifle Scopes

What Have You Never Been Told About Rifle Scopes? In recent years, we have witnessed a significant rise in specialized shooting sports, leading to massive competition among manufacturers of rifle scopes and other accessories. The market is flooded with a wide range of scope designs, each accompanied by marketing campaigns claiming that Product A is better than Product B. But is everything we hear actually true?

Discover the biggest myths and understand what truly matters when choosing your rifle scope.

Of course, there is some truth to certain aspects, but unfortunately, much of the information we learn is simply repeated from person to person without proper verification.What Have You Never Been Told About Rifle Scopes? A large number of people believe something just because it seems to make sense. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common misconceptions and understand why things may not be as simple as they seem.

1) A Larger Main Tube Increases Light Transmission

This is probably one of the most misleading claims circulating out there, which is why it’s important to clarify. The truth is that light transmission does not solely depend on the size of the tube but rather on the objective lens, optical coatings, and internal design.

Light transmission depends on several factors. When light enters the scope, it does so through the objective lens, which then focuses that light onto the erector system. From there, the light passes through a series of optical elements before exiting the scope through the ocular lenses. The optical design plays a major role in how much light is lost (either through dispersion or reflection) along the way. A larger objective lens allows more light to be focused into the erector system, making scopes with larger objective lenses appear brighter to the human eye.

A great example of how lens coating quality impacts light transmission can be seen when comparing the Helix and the Nexus. On paper, the Nexus is very similar to the Helix—both have a 30mm tube, a 50mm objective lens, 4x zoom (6-24, 5-20), and comparable lengths.

However, one of the reasons why the Nexus is more expensive is its superior glass quality. The Nexus features an Advanced Fully Multi-Coated system, meaning each optical element has five layers of anti-reflective coatings, reflecting less than 0.3% of the light per layer. Additionally, hydrophobic anti-fouling coatings are applied to the external surfaces of both the objective and ocular lenses. As a result, the Nexus achieves an impressive 91.3% light transmission.

So, what does a larger tube actually do? Simply put, it creates more space for the erector tube. The erector tube is held in place by turrets at the top and right side, while a spring applies pressure in the opposite direction. More space around the erector tube allows for greater adjustment range, which translates into increased elevation and windage adjustment. That’s why most extreme long-range shooters opt for scopes with 34mm or even 40mm tubes. However, if you don’t need an extensive internal adjustment range, a 30mm alternative may be preferable. In terms of optical quality, there is no difference!

2) A Larger Objective Lens Creates a Brighter Image

This statement is not entirely accurate. If you compare a 1-6x scope with a 24mm objective lens to an 8-32x scope with a 56mm objective lens, you might not notice much of a difference in brightness. This happens because the objective lens is designed in combination with the magnification to produce a specific exit pupil diameter (the light disc that reaches your eye when looking through the scope).

Thus, while the objective lens diameter is important for light transmission, it would be a mistake to compare a 3-12×44 with a 6-24×50 and assume that the 6-24×50 is automatically superior just because it has a larger objective lens. Does that make sense?

It’s also important to remember that several factors influence light transmission and the perceived brightness of a scope. Having a large objective lens doesn’t necessarily mean the scope will be brighter. If light is scattered, absorbed, or reflected inefficiently before reaching your eye, a bigger lens won’t make much of a difference!

3) Longer Scopes Have Better Optical Quality

While the length of a scope can impact its performance, it doesn’t always work the way people assume. One key aspect to consider is that light within a scope needs to be redirected multiple times—this is where lenses come into play.

So, what’s the advantage of a longer scope? If you think about it, the light entering through the objective lens needs to be directed to the ocular tube. In compact models, this requires an extremely precise design with high-quality lenses and meticulous adjustments because the light must be bent at sharper angles. Longer scopes, on the other hand, are a bit more forgiving since the light doesn’t need to be bent as drastically, providing more room for minor misalignments. However, this doesn’t necessarily make them better.

4) I Need More Magnification for Long-Range Shooting

When it comes to long-range shooting, many people assume that higher magnification is essential to hitting their target. After all, the more zoom, the better we can see the details, right?

While magnification is an important factor, it’s not the only one to consider. One major issue with excessively high magnification is that even the smallest vibrations or movements become amplified. This means that unless your setup (rifle + mount) is extremely stable, higher magnification can actually cause more harm than good. Additionally, a narrower field of view makes it harder to quickly locate your target, especially in dynamic situations.

Another often-overlooked factor is optical quality. Excessive zoom can expose flaws in a scope, such as chromatic aberrations and image distortions. A high-quality scope with moderate magnification can actually provide a clearer, more usable image than an extreme magnification scope with inferior glass.

In the end, the ideal magnification for long-range shooting depends on several factors, including the actual distance to the target, atmospheric conditions, and the quality of the scope.

5) Heavier Scopes Are More Durable

Is this true? While extra weight can sometimes indicate stronger materials, the durability of a scope is not just about weight.

What truly determines a scope’s resilience is the materials used, the quality of construction, and the internal design. For example, a scope made of aerospace-grade aluminum can be extremely durable while remaining lightweight. On the other hand, a scope with thicker walls may be heavier, but if its internal components are poorly secured or made from low-quality materials, the extra weight won’t necessarily make it last longer.

Another key factor is how well the scope handles impacts and vibrations. Lighter, well-designed scopes tend to absorb shocks better, while heavier scopes may transfer more force to internal components, increasing the risk of misalignment or damage to the optical system.

So, instead of assuming that “more weight” means “more durability,” it’s best to evaluate the overall construction of the scope. High-quality brands invest in strong materials, solid internal mounting systems, and rigorous manufacturing processes to ensure their scopes withstand heavy use—regardless of their weight.

At Mundilar Airguns, you’ll find a wide selection of scopes, accessories, and shooting equipment, always with the best expert advice.

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