Rifle Scopes Tunnel vision in scopes?

[fireEMT5]

I'm looking at putting some glass on my S&W MP-15 in 5.56. I shoot mainly 55 gr bullets. Realistically 300-400 yds. Target shooting and some hunting - deer and coyotes.

The scopes I am considering are:

SS 3x9
PST 2.5x10
IOR 2.5x10
Nightforce 2.5x10

I've read where the SS and IOR have some tunnel vision around 3-4 power. Is this due to the fact that they are FFP scopes or due to the design of that particular scope?

The PST isn't out yet as we all know.

How bout the nightforce? Does the 2.5x10x32 suffer from any tunnel vision at low power?

Considering the range (300-400 max), which scope would you choose and why?

FFP sounds cool and all, but I really don't "need it" for the range of this gun. I do however want to have an all around good scope. I've read, read, and read some more, and used the search function. I'm to the point of info overload and more confused than ever. No, I don't have the option of trying any of these out beforehand...... I wish I did. So, what say you?

 

[dcjs]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MP15</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is this due to the fact that they are FFP scopes or due to the design of that particular scope?</div></div>
If you want to determine wether tunneling will occur from the scope specs, check the FOV figures for high and low power. A scope with a 4x magnification ratio should have four times more FOV on low power than it has on high power, otherwise there will be tunneling visible on the low end.

FFP scopes tunnel more often on low power because of their construction. The reason for this is that the "bottleneck" for the FOV on low power is the physical diameter of the first focal plane inside the scope tube, and putting a reticle there requires some space for mounting and adjusting the reticle. This is why some scopes that are offered both with FFP and SFP reticles show less tunneling in SFP configuration. Not all makes of FFP scopes show tunneling, as a tendency, tunneling is becoming obsolete in recent/modern designs because the scopes are designed from the ground up with more generous internal dimensions to eliminate this behavior.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

I have the IOR 2.5-10, it is effectively a 4-10. The SS tunnels a little, but not as pronounced as the IOR.


Both are great scopes.

The PST is vaporware, at this moment.

 

[fireEMT5]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

Anyone care to commnet on the Nightforce 2.5x10, any tunnel vision with this one on the lower end?

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

"Tunneling" and "Tunnel Vision" are two different things.

Tunneling is an equipment issue. Tunnel Vision is a psychological/training issue.

I can't comment on the 2.5-10x NXS because I have not used one. If you run the scope with both eyes open it will reduce the effects. Even with a 5x optic I keep both eyes open to limit Tunnel Vision.

 

[SkaerE]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

all my SS 3-9 tunnel at 3x. its gone by 4x. to be honest, i just run them as 4-9x's

 

[kz45]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

No tunnel with the NF!!

 

[fireEMT5]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

Thanks guys, that's what I needed to know!

 

[BFD711]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

I was thinking about how to calculate amount of tunneling and came up with:

High Magnification / Low Mag. = Zoom Factor
Zoom Factor * Low FOV = X
X - High FOV = Amount of Tunnel
Amount of Tunnel + Low Magnification is where tunneling would end.

How is my math? Works perfect with the S&B 5-25 and Hendsoldt 4-16 I had.

 

[edward r homeyer]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

I never really noticed tunneling in my scopes. A pretty good optic on a 5.56 platform is the Horus Blackbird. It is 1.5 to 8 power and has a H58 reticle. Most of the guys I work with run a Blackbird on at least on of their 5.56 guns. It only costs 960$ if you go to their website. We mainly run it on 4 to 8 power. In the extreme low range the reticle is to faint.

 

[hk9176251]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

my 3.2-17 us optics sn-3 does this untill around 6x after spending that much and never seeing this on cheep scopes i was concerend so i e-mailed them im waiting on a reaspons when i get one i will post it

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

I already spoke with John about this some time ago.

I asked him if the 3.8-22x SN-3 had the same issue. Here is his reply:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JBW#3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Yes, all of the variable power scope have the tunneling effect. I could get around that if I was to make the reticle bigger, but there isn't enough room inside the scope to do so.</div></div>

My 3.2-17x does it from 3.2-5x after 5x the FOV shrinks with the magnification.

Remember that if they increases the size of the reticle you will loose elevation. OR they can shrink down the FOV at higher magnification so that the tunneling is not apparent.

I think the tunneling is not an issue on the Razor HD I have because the scope was designed from the get-go with the large tube. This way they had more room to work with overall.

 

[hk9176251]

Re: Tunnel vision in scopes?

my old bushnel dosnt do this