Leupold (35, 40, 45) x 45 competition scope selection help needed

[Quigley_Up_Over]

I have pretty much decided on a Leupold 35, 40, or 45 x 45 competition scope for my Remington 40X bench build. This gun (will have) an H-S Precision PSC100 smooth stock, a 40X .308 action, and a 20" barrel. I will do the majority of my shooting at 100 yards using a Sinclair Bench Rest Competition front w/ an Edgewood 3" reinforced bag and a MiniGator rear bag. (I like to include as many details as possible in my question posts even if some are inapplicable).

I can't decide between 35x, 40x, or 45x magnification on my scope. I think I am ASSuming there is a trade-off in eye relief and exit-pupil characteristics between the 3 models? If there's not, would there by any reason to not go with the 45 x 45? On the 45, will my eye have to be absolutely PERFECTLY on-axis with the scope to see anything? The strange thing is, looking at the specs between the 3 different model, I don't see anything different. Can this be?

(BTW, is "eye relief" or "exit pupil" the characteristic that describes how perfectly on-axis the eye must be to see properly through the scope?

I have a Zeiss Conquest scope that requires my eye to be in a VERY tiny window of space and quite frankly its not much fun to shoot at all.

 

[Taildrag15X]

I'd go with the 45X45.........

 

[Quigley_Up_Over]

Thanks. Turns out that's what I did. I ordered a 45x45 customized my Leupold from OpticsPlanet. For fun, am having the scope cobalt blue anodized, gloss coated, with my name on the turret, initials on the adjustment caps, and 24 gold plated "Golden Rings". I never had any gun stuff customized before, so I thought it would be fun to do so.

Any idea on what the wait time for the Leupold Custom Shop is?

 

[clannagael]

Exit pupil affects how much light comes through, thus how much "off" you can be and still see. Eye relief is related to exit pupil but describes how far back your eye can be to get the full picture. If you've ever shot a 12 gauge slug gun with a scope then you'll remember what eye relief is. ;D

 

[Taildrag15X]

Thanks. Turns out that's what I did. I ordered a 45x45 customized my Leupold from OpticsPlanet. For fun, am having the scope cobalt blue anodized, gloss coated, with my name on the turret, initials on the adjustment caps, and 24 gold plated "Golden Rings". I never had any gun stuff customized before, so I thought it would be fun to do so.

Any idea on what the wait time for the Leupold Custom Shop is?

I ordered direct from Leupold Custom Shop in the Fall before, took 6 weeks and 2 days, wasn't anodized a special color, just Reticle and Target Knobs.