Air rifle scope advice.
Discussion
Quite a few threads coming up for air rifles with the search facility, but nothing on scopes.
BG junior is getting a BSA Meteor MK7 (because his mate has got a BSA Comet, and he wanted the same but with the wooden stock rather than the plastic one) it has the fibre optic sights, but we'll get a scope too.
So what scope?
I was thinking of something straightforward like a 4x32 Mil-Dot, probably a budget Chinese item from SMK.
He's gone for .177 as he wants to do target and longer range stuff, rather than killing small furry things.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
BG junior is getting a BSA Meteor MK7 (because his mate has got a BSA Comet, and he wanted the same but with the wooden stock rather than the plastic one) it has the fibre optic sights, but we'll get a scope too.
So what scope?
I was thinking of something straightforward like a 4x32 Mil-Dot, probably a budget Chinese item from SMK.
He's gone for .177 as he wants to do target and longer range stuff, rather than killing small furry things.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
I had a Hawke scope on my 77k, but i forget which one it was now, it was bloody years ago, i do randomly have picture of it though:
I know its not of much help, but i think it only cost about £55 and it was the best scope i've ever had, so hawke is well worth a look if your looking for a budget item.
I know its not of much help, but i think it only cost about £55 and it was the best scope i've ever had, so hawke is well worth a look if your looking for a budget item.
My Old Scope was a Tasco - which zoomed between 3-9 x40
It suited me fine easy to aquire a target then bring up the magnification.
Low Magnification better for poorer light
Downside for Higher multiplcation is also multiplys the movement so any shake or breathing is amplified through the sights.
When you're buying a scope be aware "mounts" for between the scope and the gun may or may not be included within the price.
It suited me fine easy to aquire a target then bring up the magnification.
Low Magnification better for poorer light
Downside for Higher multiplcation is also multiplys the movement so any shake or breathing is amplified through the sights.
When you're buying a scope be aware "mounts" for between the scope and the gun may or may not be included within the price.
4x32 is a bit light imho. Most of my airgun use is in barns or wooded areas so light can be an issue. To combat this you need a whacking great objective in the 42-56 range.
As to magnification fixed mag 8x or variable 3-9 is perfect for an air rifle. Don't be too concerned about paralax adjustment, illuminated reticule etc. as these are not essential for plinking or pigeons.
Red dot sights are not something i'd bother with either as a good set will cost more than the rifle. Cheap ones often have a large "dot" which makes any sort of precision very difficult.
I use a Nikko Stirling 4-16x50 which is verging on overkill. IIRC this was under £100 from BAR.
Lastly ensure that the scope is fitted properly and don't skimp on mounts.
Hope Jr. has a ball!
As to magnification fixed mag 8x or variable 3-9 is perfect for an air rifle. Don't be too concerned about paralax adjustment, illuminated reticule etc. as these are not essential for plinking or pigeons.
Red dot sights are not something i'd bother with either as a good set will cost more than the rifle. Cheap ones often have a large "dot" which makes any sort of precision very difficult.
I use a Nikko Stirling 4-16x50 which is verging on overkill. IIRC this was under £100 from BAR.
Lastly ensure that the scope is fitted properly and don't skimp on mounts.
Hope Jr. has a ball!
Hawke stuff is cheap and cheerful, it is looked down on by many but I've had a couple of good scopes from them.
Avoid the cheap chinky stuff sold by SMK and similar, you want a decent scope on a springer as it will have a lot of hammer, Hawke is chinky stuff but ok quality.
Your best bet is go to one of the big mail order airgun suppliers (eg. BAR, JSR) and buy a springer rated scope that suits. I wouldn't advise buying any smaller than a 40mm scope, incase you don't know scopes are sold in the following format 3x40, 3-9x50, 6x52 etc. The first number/s relate to magnification I.E. a 3-9 is a zoom scope with 3 times up to 9 times mag. The second number is the actual size of the lens on the end of the scope, the bigger it is the more light gets in and therefore the later you can shoot and the nicer the picture is. Bigger the better!
Just make sure it is springer rated.
Avoid the cheap chinky stuff sold by SMK and similar, you want a decent scope on a springer as it will have a lot of hammer, Hawke is chinky stuff but ok quality.
Your best bet is go to one of the big mail order airgun suppliers (eg. BAR, JSR) and buy a springer rated scope that suits. I wouldn't advise buying any smaller than a 40mm scope, incase you don't know scopes are sold in the following format 3x40, 3-9x50, 6x52 etc. The first number/s relate to magnification I.E. a 3-9 is a zoom scope with 3 times up to 9 times mag. The second number is the actual size of the lens on the end of the scope, the bigger it is the more light gets in and therefore the later you can shoot and the nicer the picture is. Bigger the better!
Just make sure it is springer rated.
Following the advice on here, and doofing about on the 'net, we will probably now go for a 3-9X50WR Mil-Dot, BSA's own at around £70, or something very similar.
Thanks for the advice on the SMK scopes, we did look at SMK's rifles too, but the equivalent to the BSA Meteor MK7, the SMK XS-19, was only £25 cheaper.
Thanks for the advice on the SMK scopes, we did look at SMK's rifles too, but the equivalent to the BSA Meteor MK7, the SMK XS-19, was only £25 cheaper.
When I first was looking at Air Rifles 10 or so years back, I went to SMK which was down the road, the finish on the guns was truly awful. You'd get splinters from the stock whenever you used it.
I've had both Simmons and Tasco - both been good quality and lasted ages. I've had a few guns now, but only 2 Scopes - Simmons 3-9x40 first, then moved into FT and got a Tasco 4-16x40 Parallax, I still use the Parallax for plinking/hunting now - well worth having if you're past the basics of shooting.
IMO.
I've had both Simmons and Tasco - both been good quality and lasted ages. I've had a few guns now, but only 2 Scopes - Simmons 3-9x40 first, then moved into FT and got a Tasco 4-16x40 Parallax, I still use the Parallax for plinking/hunting now - well worth having if you're past the basics of shooting.
IMO.
For your needs, it sounds like anything from the Hawke stable will be good 
Don't be overly taken in by massive objective lenses, for these you'll need huge mounts, and undoubetdly the scope will be long, perhaps too long if you're using a springer. Also, the closer you can get the scope to the barrel, the less errors you'll introduce
I have an MTC, a Nikko and a Hawke - they're all very good indeed, the Hawke more than holding it's own against the big Nikko and highly rated MTC Viper.
If you're looking at a very slim budget, try JSR (JS Ramsbottom) - they'll never compete openly with Nikko, but huge value for money
Don't be overly taken in by massive objective lenses, for these you'll need huge mounts, and undoubetdly the scope will be long, perhaps too long if you're using a springer. Also, the closer you can get the scope to the barrel, the less errors you'll introduce
I have an MTC, a Nikko and a Hawke - they're all very good indeed, the Hawke more than holding it's own against the big Nikko and highly rated MTC Viper.
If you're looking at a very slim budget, try JSR (JS Ramsbottom) - they'll never compete openly with Nikko, but huge value for money
http://www.porcheairgun.com/catalog/item/6656251/6...
suggest 20ftlbs.
Looks like I'll have to speed up my FAC application at this rate.
Mexico I'll email you shortly.
suggest 20ftlbs.
Looks like I'll have to speed up my FAC application at this rate.
Mexico I'll email you shortly.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff