What makes a good GP air rifle scope?

[malkiserow]

What criteria do you set when chosing a new air rifle scope for general purpose use (not hft)?

[FalconFN]

If you aren't going to be using night vision then a simple moderate zoom 3-9x40 or 50 will be fine. I like a duplex ret but mil dots can be useful.

 

I have a Nikon prostaff 3-9 x 40 on my day rifle which does the job just fine but any scope that is clear enough at dawn and dusk will do. A good secondhand scope would be the Philippines made Simmons Whitetail Classic 3-10.5x50.

 

Don't bother with illuminated rets or fancy side focus nonsense, they will just slow you down , keep it simple but good quality.

Edited May 28, 2015 by FalconFN

[demonwolf444]

For a no nonsense scope a nikko sterling 6 x 40, enough mag, not too much when you might want less like when lamping.

 

I like mildots all my scopes on spring rifles are 3-9x50 nikko sterlings with parralax adjustment, on my gas guns they are all Leupold knock offs (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cvlife-10x40-Tactical-Optics-Hunting/dp/B009J7KX34) which you used to be able to get reasonably cheap, some people question the quality but out of five i have had one was non functional the rest functioned as intended, were zero'd once then left with no issues i have used the adjustable turrets out to 100 yards for plinking using chair gun, and never suffered any loss of zero when using all its functions.

[secretagentmole]

I first find a make where the glass suits my eyes, happens my eyes like Hawke glass. Then I find a reticle I can use, happens I like the SR reticles. I then chrono my gun and pellet combination and using Chairgun set my scope up so that the magnification gives 5 metre steps on the marks.

 

My guns are set up so the .22s are zeroed at 25 metres and the .177s are zeroed at 30 metres. Hunting becomes a lot easier.

 

So first find scopes your eyes like!

[Les*1066]

First and foremost is the quality of the glass. There's no point having a high magnification if it looks like you're looking through a glass of milk, and that applies to all my scopes, not just those on my air rifles.

 

An etched reticle is ideal, but if a scope has everything else going for it and the reticle isn't etched, then it must at least be as unobtrusive as possibe. 'Xmas tree' reticles are a definite no-no fo me. Mil-dot reticles are OK, and so are 30-30/Duplex, but I really prefer just a simple 'dot' - i.e., a 'target' type reticle - in the middle, with a minimum of surrounding support.

 

I never want to spend more on a scope than I do on a rifle, so price is always a consideration for me, too.

 

A scope that holds zero is a must. There's nothing worse than going out on a hunting/plinking session and then spending the first 20 mins trying to re-zero your scope ....... especially in low light conditions.

 

 

 

It shouldn't weigh more than my rifle.

[colin lad]

A simple 3x9x40 Hawke is all you will need for under £100 had you of said before the Cotswold meet I have a few I could of brought along for you to look through and you could of had one at mates rates, if your not in a rush you can have a look when you come stalking later in the year

 

 

 

Colin

[Staffy1]

A simple 3x9x40 Hawke is all you will need for under £100 had you of said before the Cotswold meet I have a few I could of brought along for you to look through and you could of had one at mates rates, if your not in a rush you can have a look when you come stalking later in the year

 

 

 

Colin

Id agree Ive tried all kinds of fancy illuminated reticule AO, different reticules etc , currently got a Hawke HD 3-9x40 ,bog standard cross hairs , focus ok from 30 meres down to ten and if a really close shot comes up I just spin magnification down to x3. Good in dull light , nice scope got mine for 26 pounds second hand on flea bay

[Savhmr]

For an air rifle, I would always recommend a fixed 6x42 or 7x56 for low light. No need for zooms and optics on fixed mag tend to be clearer and sharper. Also, reticule must be designed to take into account air rifle recoil (spring guns only) so not all are suitable.

 

I tend to giggle when I see fancy long range scopes with massive zoom etc used on rifles for hunting when 25 yards is about it for humane kills (ok, if you can hit what you're aiming at every time, maybe out to 40 yds for bunny head shots).

 

That Niko Sterling 6x40 is a great little scope for the money but in used scopes, there's decent ones from Walther and Simmons to be had quite cheaply.

[secretagentmole]

I got an MTC Mamba today, 3-12x40 RIR, secondhand admittedly and with a non working IR, but it only cost me £20...