GTA
General Discussion To Gateway To Airguns => Airgun Gate => : July 22, 2006, 09:50:14 PM
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Group:
I'm something of a gun snob, and have pretty much used nothing but Leupold scopes on my powderburners, and I've even used a Leupold 3-9 X 33 EFR on an air rifle in the past.
Several years ago, I bought a Bushnell Sportsman 4-12 A.O. scope on the off-chance that it might get me through a weekend of shooting after my Shadow ate up the Simmons Pro Air that was mounted on it.
Well, that scope -which I believe is something of a Wal-Mart exclusive- got me through more than just a weekend. I kept it on the rifle for three seasons, whereupon it survived over 10,000 shots from my Shadow. It is still going strong in my brother in law's hands.
I liked that scope so much that I didn't hesitate in installing one on my wife's Shadow, and on my .20 R-9. I even replaced the Bushnell Banner 4-12 that came on my .177 R-9 "Goldfinger" with one of these Wally-World gems. I've also got one these scopes mounted on my .20 R-1.
I'd rate this scope as being just as clear, optically, as the late-production Trophy models are that Bushnell makes, and obviously feel it is a step up from the Banner, or I'd have left it well enough alone and it would still be affixed to my .177 R-9. The elevation and windage adjustments are repeatable. The objective focus and power adjustments function smoothly at temps down to 20 degrees F. and lower, too.
While I think that this Wally-World Sportsman is one of the best bang-for-the-buck scopes out there, I am curious as to what others have found acceptible in the sub $100.00 price range for use on spring-piston air rifles in the mid-magnum class.
I'm also curious about what you've tried that didn't work so well.
-JP
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I have about 12 scopes now and all but one I have bought for under $100.00. The scopes are BSA, Leapers, Barska, Simmons, Accushot, and Tasko. I have never looked through a 3 or 4 hundred dollar scope so I do not know the difference.. :) I probably will never pic up an expensive scope and look through it... he he he, because I may be tempted to purchase it... lol.
One of the Barska Scope I purchase for $25.95 on closeout is a gem. I have not had one problem with any of these scopes. They are all on Gamo springers excep for 4 of them and those are on QB's and a B26-2. I really don't think there is alot of difference in any of the scope except for some have adjustable objectives and some don't. :) The most important thing is that they are holding up well.
On my Hunter 1250 .22, I have had a couple different scopes on it and that's got to be the pudding of proof that they can stand a shock. :)
If anyone needs the exact models of these scope, I would be glad to name em off for ya..
Gene
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The scopes that I really enjoy are well under $100. Think about it I will not shoot past 50 yards with my airguns (all Springers) So I don't need a 24x scope. I have in the past been known to spend a lot on my hobbies so its really not a question of money, but a question of the best fit.
The best deal I've come across was this
http://www.opticsgiant.com/ta3goanri2.html
Bart
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Hello,
I tend to agree with you , mostly. I currently have 5 Bushnell scopes on air rifles. In my opinion the " Trophy " model is the top of the line and the " Banner " model is next and the " Sportsman " model is next. I have had outstanding service from all of these scopes and for the money they can't be beat. When I have had a problem Bushnell has always replaced the scopes with no questions asked. I would highly recommend any of these scopes for any airgun use. Best of luck...
Rabbit :) :)
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After multiple people telling me that I was a moron for even considering it, I purchased a Leapers 3-12X44 30mm SWAT Mini Size A.O. Range Estimating Mil-Dot Scope for about $125.
Ok this isn't sub $100, but it's close.
I was told that my 52 would shred it, etc.
I've put about 250 rounds through it so far and I absolutely love it to death. The look and feel of it just hit all the right spots for me.
I put a side wheel on it and am slowly learning how to use that to my advantage.
The only problem I have had is on my accushot mounts, I've had to tighten them a few times, but that's hardly a fault of the scope. I need a little lock-tite on em I suppose.
The size of the scope is a godsend, allowing for easy loading with the side-cocking action of the 52.
Don't be fooled by the adjective "mini" in the name, however. This is not a tiny little scope by any means.
If you're in the market for a ~$125 scope, give it a look.
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Well I don't like Big Glass, seems like a waste because most air rifles shoot 30 to 50 yards anyway. Besides they weigh so much keeping them from moving is a problem without a one piece mount. I have 6 Tasco Golden Antler 3X9X32 scopes mounted on my Gamo's, I have not had a problem with them, Clear optics, AO, Target turrets that you re-center to zero after sighting in. Total price for all 6 scopes 162 bucks.
I have a 4X12X52 30 mm tube Barska that is not as clear as the Tasco's, 50 bucks and I'll send it to you, with a one piece mount.
I have used the mounts that came with the scope on all but 2 of the rifles, and they are the rifles without scope rails, s1k and the silver s1k, no way to lock them on without a hole in the scope rail.
They can be had for 28 bucks from Opticsgiant with free shipping, scopes have a life time warranty so what more do you want?
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Jerrold,
You said that your Shadow ate - up a Simmons Pro Air scope. In defense of Simmons scopes, I have had a Pro Air 4 x 12 AO on a RWS model 36 for six years and many thousand pellets thru it and it is a very hard shooting rifle. The scope has done an outstanding job for me. As a matter of fact, I just purchased another one last week to put on the next rifle I buy. The price of the Pro Air series has come down to well under the $ 100 mark. I wouldn't hesitate to put a Simmons Pro Air scope on any rifle I have. I guess there is a bad apple in all barrells. Best of luck...
Rabbit :)
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Rabbit:
The Pro-Air was only my second Simmons scope. It worked just fine on the rifle it was on before I transferred it to the Shadow. I mention the carnage not to impune the reputation of Simmons, but to point out how rude and crude my Shadow was out of the box. My wife's Ruger 10/22 (used to me mine.... she sort of took it over.... now it has a pink stock, so she can keep it!) sports a Simmons .22 Mag that has worked well on the rifle since the mid-80's and provides a bright, clear sight picture. Lots of folks use the Simmons "44 Mag" on guns that are a whole lot rougher on scopes than my pair of R-9's are, and I know folks that have used the same Pro-Air model that I had on harder-kicking guns and the scopes have provided stellar service to them thus far.
My intention with the Simmons, which I liked, was to ship it off for repair. After a period 9of use, I found I liked the Wally-World Sportsman a little better, though, so I didn't bother sending the Simmons back and eventually tossed it in the dumpster.
It was indeed a nice scope. But it was around $160.00 or so and more expensive than arbitrary dollar limit I placed on this thread.
As for the bad apple in all barrels, I know of a fellow who bought one of those Wally World Sportsmans that I am so enamoured with and it failed him in a relatively few shots, so I'd agree that any company can put out a blooper.
-JP
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...have people had with the Daisy Powerline 3-9x32? I suspect that the same unit is also being sold under a variety of other brand names, given the proliferation of 3-9x32's that cost around $30...
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I have 2 BSA scopes, 3x12x50 and a 4x, and also 3 Leapers mildot scopes with the illuminated reticles 4x16x50 and 2 of the 3x9x50. All were purchased for less than $100 and I love all of em.
I haven't had any problems of any kind and they are very bright, clear and accurate. I will say that while I love my BSA scopes I like the Leapers much better and if I buy another scope it will probably be another Leapers. Although,,, that Tasco Golden Antler scope for $28 shipped does look like a tempting bargain.
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What rifle do you use the leapers on and roughly how many shots have you put through them?
Just curious about how it's held up under use.
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I have the Leapers 4x16x50 on my .22 cal RWS 350, have fired about 500 shots through it so far. As for the 3x9x50 scopes, I have one on my .22 cal. Gamo 1250 and the other on my .177 CFX with about the same amount of shots through them. I used the Accushot 1 piece mount on all 3 rifles and so far no scope creep or problems. I'm still breaking all 3 rifles in, but like I said, so far no problems and I really like the Leapers.
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I've had 4 of them and all have functioned well except one and that was a clarity issue. I figure if they hold up to a stock Daisy/Winchester 1000, thay will probably hold up to anything LOL.
Russ S.
vinceb - 7/23/2006 9:19 PM
...have people had with the Daisy Powerline 3-9x32? I suspect that the same unit is also being sold under a variety of other brand names, given the proliferation of 3-9x32's that cost around $30...