Non AO Scopes

[keith2324]

This is just going to be a reaffirmation of something which was posted on this site or another but I think bears repeating. I read that heavy springers, such as my B-28, are notoriously hard on adjustable scopes and they are hard to keep zeroed due to the way they are manufactured. Invariably they have more moving parts and when shooting, some of the parts move ever so slightly. But enough to throw your shots off. It was stated you should only use non AO scopes on these rifles. Well I decided to put this to the test. I put my Gamo 3-9 scope on my B-28 and after about 175 shots the gun shot the same every time. You will get the occasional flier due to loose pellets, hold, etc. But I never had to re-zero the scope. I will continue to test this and let you know of any results if anything changes.

Someone with more expertise than I may surely chime in and surely my test was in no way scientific. I just wanted to see for myself.

Keith.

[airiscool]

Keith,
I'm a firm believer in "simpler is better" and I would also assume that the fewer parts in a scope, the stronger it may be, but it's more a case of quality of design, not quanity of parts.

I talked to one of the techs at Sightron awhile back. He said they test their scopes on AG's also, and that all their scopes are life-time warrenteed against breakage even if used on an AG.

Because all their non-AO scopes are set to be parralex free at 100 yards he recommended using one of their 3-12 AO scopes for my AG's because it wuill adjust down to 10 yards. When I mentioned I prefer a non-AO scope for hunting small game, he then recommended using their 3-9x32 Rimfire scope which is set to 50 yards parrelex free.

For what it's worth, he made no distiction about AO scopes being any weaker than non-AO scopes.  

I think whatever the advice was for sticking with a non-AO scopes on magnum springers has more to do with the level of quality of some scope brands, but should not be taken  as a general rule for all scope brands.

Paul.

[daved]

Paul makes some good points, I think size and weight of the scope is more important on the heavy recoiling guns than AO or non-AO.  One of the reasons I like the Burris Timberline 4.5-14x32.  You can still get a good power range, but it's small, under 11.5", and light at only 15 oz.  And because it's a 32 mm, low or medium mounts work well on most rifles, decreasing the leverage of the hard kickers.  That said, I've come to prefer fixed parallax scopes on my rifles, it's just one less thing to mess with.  I have 2 of the CP 3-9x32's with the 35 yard parallax setting, works really well from 10 yards out, although I think I may need more magnification.  I also have a recently purchased Bushnell Elite 10x40, fixed power, fixed parallax.  I readjusted the parallax on that to 50 yards, but I think I'm going to drop it back to 35 yards.  Because it's a fixed 10X, it's touchier about short range focus, and I can't turn the power down to compensate.  But I think a 35 yard parallax will give me what I want.  BTW, your Gamo is actually a BSA, and they've been making air gun tough scopes for years.  It may well hold up just fine on your 28, where a "better" scope would bite the dust.  It's worth noting that I killed several Leapers scopes on non-magnum springers, one of the reasons I don't do Leapers scopes any more.  Keep us posted.

Dave

[djmyers]

I have a ao scope on my 350 and the only part that broke on the first one was the magnification adjustment. Tha ao has stayed functional on both.

[keith2324]

I have unfortunately broken two AO scopes on my B-28. And this thing has been tuned btw. I finally had to send it back to the company for a refund as I didn't want to keep doing the same thing. I'm just hoping this holds out for a while. If not, I may just have to go back to iron sights.

Keith.

[KAZ]

I contacted Mueller and they tested their line with springers and only the scopes with glass etched reticles stood up in the testing. They said the regular reticles were where the scopes failed. Anyway I stuck their 4X16X50 AO Illuminated on my Trail XL and it did not fail for the time I had the XL. It is now on my NP and still going strong. Regards

[Magnum]

It does make sense to me and I have to agree that lighter/ less parts is less problems. Only thing is I have many 1000's of shots using Hawke scopes "airmax and mappro AO mounted on magnum air rifles and no problems at all. I do like the ability to have a nice crisp focus down to 10 meter distance especially with targets.  Here is a guide which I find useful as not all scopes are rated equal  http://www.straightshooters.com/navagationpages/scopeselections.html  last thing IMO the mount is most important part of a good scope. Tony.

[itsnotom]

how do you adjust the the setting on a non AO scope?

[RussL]

So can you reccomend a scope to use. With very little money to spend on it, cost is a real factor. I have a Ruger and the 3x9 scope puked. I spent the extra for the delux model because I thought the scope would hold up better. NOT, I got less then 300 rounds through it.
RussL

[keith2324]

As you can see in my signature I have two Leapers scopes. However, I put the 3-9 scope which came with my Whisper VH on the B-28. The jury is still out on how long it will last. My test was just to see if it held its zero. Hopefully someone else can chime in on a good recommendation.

Side note: I did previously have on my B-28 a BSA 3-12X44 side adjusting parallax scope. This is the one I had to send back twice and it was supposed to handle heavy recoiling rifles. And the mount I used was the UTG designed for the B-28 or RWS 350.

Keith.

[airiscool]

If you want a very good quality, light weight, non-AO scope that is parralex set for 50 yards, instead of 100 like many are, check out this one.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=147249

I have a Sightron 6-24x42 AO, true mildot on my .223 and it's clearity all across the entire view, at low and at max power is excellent. The Sightron scopes are unique in that they use their "ExactTrack" system - the elevation and windage adjustments are mechanically locked to the retical tube, not just pressing against it like most scopes. As a result, POI changes are very precice and stay where they are adjusted to.

I'm saving up for another Sightron to go on my Trail XL.

Paul.

[fxud]

Read Timmy's post:

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=20865&posts=13&highlight=AO&highlightmode=1#M167480