What Scope is on Your Springer?

[thebookdoc]

I have a little affliction with a photography bug and write books about photo-correction, so seeing through good glass might bother me more than most. I was toying around with the Swift just before and while I think it has some really interesting low-light characteristics as it was brighter than by naked eye, but it also seemed sort-a soft-focus and I was noticing some pretty heavy green chromatic aberration. That's made me a lot more curious about making the comparisons as I hadn't thought to look for photographic qualities like that before.

[steveiep]

I have a Walther 4x12x50 AO/IR which you chaps are more likely to find labeled as an RWS.
It's on top of a B26 with Accushot 2 piece high mounts & the kind of thing you guys will pick up for about $110
Unusually for the UK, I picked it up for £50 (which at current exchange rates is about $80)
Must have got in at the right moment as they're now a little less easily available & prices have gone up to UK£90 ($144 US)
It's only unusual in that we generally get stung in the UK & more often pay in £ what you pay in $.LOL
Any way, the point of the post is that, it's a reasonable utility scope, on a bit of a budget but absolutely rock solid & decent quality.

[thebookdoc]

Daveshoot,

I did some preliminary reviewing today and sorta surprised myself a little. Right at this moment, by comparison side-by-side, I'd have to say that Hawke is the best value so far. The only scopes I have not made part of the comparison yet are the Bushnell Trophy, Sightron SII AO, and Bushnell Banner 8-16. I think the Sightron is a better scope over-all, but it is also at least twice the price of the Hawke. I like the view on the Leupold I have the best of all of these, but without AO it isn't as useful as it might be. One surprise I had was that the swift had some pretty strong chromatic aberration. I'll have to be making a query to Swift about that and if maybe it warrants a repair...Leapers are clear enough, but I'm a little disappointed at some of the other features.

Frankly, I think the Hawke holds its own against the Nikon (?!). The Nikon looks slicker. However, they were built for very different things and it is almost unfair to play them against one another at the distances I am looking (10-40 yards). If I were hunting long-range, my perspective would probably change quickly.

I don't think after looking side-by-side that I'd hesitate to get another Hawke. If cash didn't matter at all, Leupold looks really nice, but I'd need to get an AO that is a LOT more expensive, and I hear they are not the same now. The model I have is slightly older.

It is curious how the comparison is changing my view of things and honing down to what really matters.

[Evo|ve_S|66]

I got a BSA 3-9x50 GE IR scope on my B-21. It's meant to be used on "traditional rifles", but it seems to be holding up on my springer pretty well. If not then I'll look into a Leapers or a Center-Point, I still have to do some rigorous testing as well....as I wait for my package from PA to come in some time this week. I need those darn compensators already! =]

Happy shooting,

-Jarred

[bugshotgta]

I wanted a high powered side focusing scope but I didnt want to spend a fortune.  So I did some searching and took a gamble.  I ended up with an A-1 Optics 6-24X50 Illuminated.  I emailed about springer rated and the guy said no problem for those itty bitty air guns???  LOL  I put it on my RWS 52!!!   I have a standard one piece scope mnt (no problem with droop) and the thing hasnt budged and has held up for well over  a 1000 rounds.
The scope was about $100.  The elevation and range focusing work great and it is holding up big time.  Many silo pigeons at 60 yds.
Check it out
Bugshot