Thanks. So if I go for a S&B 8x56 then is there really much difference between the 1" & the 30mm tube?
no, but you may have a closer shave with the bolt handle on the 30mm, also 30mm mounting systems for some rifles can be a nigthmare, esp. CZ/BRNO.
personally, I'd go 1" every day of the week.
also you make reference to it being a good 'newcomers scope'...don't be fooled, a S&B, swaro or zeiss fixed mag scope between 4x and 8x X 36-50 with an A7 or duplex reticle is all you will ever need for 99% of stalking. all the other sh*t like variable mags, illuminated dots, fany reticles, milldots, massive objective lenses, parallax adjustments, and esp. target turrets are really just a waste of time and money unless you shoot targets or running boar in poor light, or like some, you insist on not being able to stalk within 250yds to take a shot...all this 'stuff' just distracts you from the one thing that matters, squeezing the trigger at the right point in time and right place on the deer..and I suspect that by faffing about with all the 'stuff', a lot of opportunities are missed, or deer deer are spooked by excessive messing about prior to the shot.
I was out the other week with someone(s) that had all the 'stuff'..expensive rifle(s), expensive mounts, expensive scope, expensive clothes...I was carrying my cheap Mauser 98 with an old zeiss 4x32 in warne mounts. I was the only one to take deer (numerous) as I was able to 'get on' the deer within seconds for a shot. the others was about taking off scope covers, getting a round chambered (safety!! suss..), setting distance and parallax, etc.
well they went home with having a few missed opportunities and a few missed shots as well.
had a woodland stalk with my brother in law too, hoping he could get a deer deep in the woods. sadly, before he even got the rifle shouldered the deer were off all morning (he's reasonably experienced). finally I had to take a doe kid in front of him that sprung out from behind a tree, I suspect I was on the deer and pulled the trigger within 3-5 seconds, I looked back, he was trying to untangle the scope harness from the rifle sling, just to get the rifle off his shoulder....
as soon as you have to think about anything BUT the shot, you know your gear is not right for the task...I'm sure any DG hunter or PH will second that!