Any distinct +/-'s in 30mm tube 'tween 50 & 56mm Objective's besides ring height?

My "cousin" in New York sent me a 2x10x50 on a 30mm tube yesterday and after looking across the Little Mineral Arm's close to a mile across distances in front of the house at Texoma yesterday and clearly seeing stuff I'd never seen before ... I'm looking at some of his other MOVING SALE goodies in the next power range larger, that offer a choice of x50 or x56 Objectives at close enough to the same dime that it is not an issue. Can only afford 1 at a time these days, so I can't buy both to run side by side comparisons on stuff anymore. T3's or M70 Fwt's will be the operating platforms for under 500 yard usage.

So, what say the better informed among us about the pro's & con's of each in a 30mm tube and a 3x15 power range 2nd Focal Plane scope?
Ron

Well I'm not your target (well informed) audience, but I do have a bit of scope experience. Between the two, on either the T3 or the M70 Featherweight, I'd go with the 50mm objective. At 56mm you may run into ring height issues pulling your cheek way off the stock. 30mm tubes may buy you a little more windage and elevation with more internal adjustment range depending on the scopes. Second focal plane doesn't bother me unless they're mil-dot scopes and you intend to use the ranging feature. 3-15x will do anything you want at 500 and under. Sorry for the vague answers. You might get more input listing the scope makes and models and the calibers of the rifles. Maybe my post cat rattle some brain cans and elicit some better replies? Best of luck and Happy New Year!

Minox ZA5 HD's are the targeted brand & series. The 2-10x50 ZA5 was less than half the MSRP to my door, and the 3-15x50 or x56 will be close to that also.
Ron

The laws of physics remain in effect. With all factors being constant except for objective size, the larger the objective the more light it will gather and the larger the exit pupil will be.

Had both x50 and x56's in NF 5.5-22's. Sold the x50 and now use x56's. Have shot hogs in the dark by moonlight without any lights on a couple of occasions with the x56's. Just turn the reticle to the lowest illumination setting.

Is there a major difference, no, but there is some added performance with the larger objective, again all other factors remaining constant. Also, image quality at lower magnification in a x50 will be superior to high magnification in x56. Just another variable.

Jeff, your comments bring to mind some the conversations I had many years ago at a SHOT Show in Phoenix or Houston I think, with some Spanish hunters - who repped GAMO & were working out of our Stoeger Booth - who chased critters at night in very high mountainous places...at night and only used a 56mm scope's. Thx for the input and insight.
Ron