Why the loooooooong scope body on target scopes?

**4V50 Gary** · November 6, 2004, 06:48 PM

Never understood it. Can anyone explain why?

FirstFreedom · November 23, 2004, 11:59 PM

I too would like to know....

mikikanazawa · November 24, 2004, 12:38 AM

I can't answer the question exactly-precisely, but I am a telescope nut.

Magnification is a function of the focal length of the objective (front lens) and eyepiece lens. The focal length is the distance between the lens and the point in space where the lens focuses its image when pointed at something at a distance of "infinity" (over 100 feet). So if you have an objective lens with a focal length of 100mm and an eyepiece lens with a focal length of 50mm, you have a magnification of 2x, objective of 400mm and eyepiece of 18mm you have a mag power of 22.222x, and so on.

So, more magnification means longer focal length of objective, shorter focal length of eyepiece. High-mag scopes could be put in a short package, but to do so would require an eyepiece with an extremely short focal length, which adversely effects image brightness and contrast. It also tends to amplify flaws in the scope, such as aberrant light in the tube.

Aardvark · November 24, 2004, 11:17 AM

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Mark\My Documents\My Pictures\gun\280-2.jpg[/IMG]
The scope on the gun above is a 6x24 power BSA. The front 6 inches is a sunshade.

1 shot, 1 hit · November 24, 2004, 02:51 PM

good example: bushnell elite 4200 6-24x40- i want to buy it but i think it might be too long for my rifle (in that case it might be because of the magnification)

November 6, 2004, 06:48 PM	#1
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Why the loooooooong scope body on target scopes? Never understood it. Can anyone explain why? __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 24, 2004, 02:51 PM	#5
1 shot, 1 hit Member Join Date: June 27, 2004 Posts: 46	good example: bushnell elite 4200 6-24x40- i want to buy it but i think it might be too long for my rifle (in that case it might be because of the magnification) __________________ precision is the way to success

November 23, 2004, 11:59 PM	#2
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	I too would like to know....

November 24, 2004, 12:38 AM	#3
mikikanazawa Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2004 Posts: 449	I can't answer the question exactly-precisely, but I am a telescope nut. Magnification is a function of the focal length of the objective (front lens) and eyepiece lens. The focal length is the distance between the lens and the point in space where the lens focuses its image when pointed at something at a distance of "infinity" (over 100 feet). So if you have an objective lens with a focal length of 100mm and an eyepiece lens with a focal length of 50mm, you have a magnification of 2x, objective of 400mm and eyepiece of 18mm you have a mag power of 22.222x, and so on. So, more magnification means longer focal length of objective, shorter focal length of eyepiece. High-mag scopes could be put in a short package, but to do so would require an eyepiece with an extremely short focal length, which adversely effects image brightness and contrast. It also tends to amplify flaws in the scope, such as aberrant light in the tube.

November 24, 2004, 11:17 AM	#4
Aardvark Member Join Date: November 6, 2004 Location: South Texas Coast Posts: 67	[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Mark\My Documents\My Pictures\gun\280-2.jpg[/IMG] The scope on the gun above is a 6x24 power BSA. The front 6 inches is a sunshade.