I have three rifles a Remington BDL .243 with a Simmons 3x9x44 Presidential on it, BDL 25-06 with a Leupold 3x10x50 VIII, and a CDL 4x14x50 VX-3. They are all 1” tubes of course but I do not like the Leupold fine thread eye piece adjustment.
I am having an issue mounting the gun and seeing good through the 50mm scopes, especially the CDL while the 44 mm. mounts perfectly.
I am considering retiring the Simmons and putting the 3x10x50 Leupold on the .243, then moving the 4x14x50 to the 25-06, and placing the new scope on the .270.
I have been looking at the Vortex 4X16X44, however I have heard they may have a problem at high magnification during low light conditions, what are your thoughts? I use Leupold std. bases and rings. My budget is in the $500.00 dollar range.

1. Should I just get a riser to put on the stocks, if so what kind?
2. I don’t like the fine thread eye piece adjustment, I prefer the quick adjust style.
3. Is there any major difference in light transmission between the 42-44 vs. 50mm obj. Lens?
4. Will a 30 mm tube help with light transmission?
5. Is there any reason I cannot just buy some 30 mm Leupold ring and continue to use my existing base?

All scopes have a problem with high magnification and low light conditions. I use Schmidt and Bender, Swarovski and Leupold scopes. Both 1" and 30mm tubes. 42 and 50mm objectives. No scope will do well at high magnification in low light conditions. The higher magnification reduces the amount of light getting to your eye, but makes your point of aim larger and more clear.

While a 50mm scope gathers 55% more light than a 40mm, it's really only a major benefit at low magnification. The drawback of a 50mm objective is you have to mount the scope higher than your line of sight. Some can naturally compensate for this, others need a riser on the stock.

The 30mm tube may gather a bit more light than a 1", but this is typically due to the higher quality lenses inside the the 30mm tubes. Some also believe the 30mm tubes to be more durable. Can't answer that one. What a 30mm tube will allow for is more internal adjustments which are particularly useful for long range shooters.

Hope that helps.

The Leupold models you've mentioned are meant to be adjusted for clarity of the reticle ONE time and then locked down. No further adjustment should be necessary unless your vision changes (something I have been dealing with myself the last several years). It is not a situational field adjustment.

I am aware of how the eye piece works I just prefer the quick response style. I was just adding some justification for looking into another scope.

Many scopes under $1k with 30mm tubes have 1" internals so you don't get increased adjustment. Better glass triumphs bigger objectives in low light for me.

Beartooth makes an inexpensive riser that works well.

Able Ammo at least used to sell a very nice riser from England that I have on a shotgun.