??? Do springers group better with smaller scopes??

[kirby999]

I removed a Simmons 6.5-20x50 WTC and one piece mount from my R9 in anticipation of my TX200HC coming next week and replaced it with a Tasco Golden Antler 3-9x32 and two piece mounts . After sighting in at 10 meters , I sat down at 30 yards to fine tune my sight in and started shooting the best group I've shot with the R9 . Close to 1/2" after final sight in shots . I was pleasantly surprised . I'm wondering if the extra weight of bigger scopes add to the recoil and disrupts the shot . BTW I shot the Simmons on 12x most of the time . either way i think the Golden antler has found a home. LOL . kirby

[Meann-Machine]

No.

[kirby999]

Would you care to elaborate ? I've found with my R9 that it does group better with a lighter weight scope . I was just wondering if others have noticed this. My guess is you haven't .  kirby

[Jerrycup]

I have not tried or noted the difference in practice, but seems to me that the higher mass and the greater inertial moment resulting from a larger or more massive scope (or any attached outboard weight) would tend to stabilize the gun.

[tjk]

Beats me Dave,...but if it works better on that rifle,..then I'd stay with that set-up. Sounds like you found the right combination!!!!! tjk

[North Pack]

Probably had a lot to do with the pellet and weather conditions.

[kirby999]

Some other data that might be important in determining if it matters is I'd been shooting the same pellet combo since i got the rifle , CPL's ; and I had just finished shooting the rifle for a bout 30 minutes before I changed the scope and mounts . The group was more than 10 shots too . kirby

[North Pack]

Only way to tell for sure, is to continue the "test" a number of times - and check the results. One event isn't really conclusive. You might put that scope on a different rifle and see if that rifles groups improve also.

[ronbeaux]

My 2 cents is no. The scope either works or it don't. What you see is what you get. As far as lighter verses heavier, well that depends on how you shoot it, across a bench or off hand. I shoot tighter groups the better I can see. Although having a lower power scope may make you be more relaxed without all that wiggling like shooting at 32 power or higher.

On a side note. I was scope mount poor recently and couldn't put a large objective scope on my HW77 cause I had robbed it to put one on my new B26-2. So I stuck a 4 power Center Point on there and it still shot the same. I just had to walk down there to see where I hit. I actually think walking down there after each 5 shot group is a good thing because it allows you to re-group between groups. Walk and check, come back and make an adjustment, shoot a group, then repeat.

I wasn't worried about trying to hit the same hole since all I wanted to do was get it setup for a <1" kill zone. It still shot like before anyway.

So maybe it boils down to how comfortable you feel when shooting?

[SDale]

I've noticed the same phenomena. I think that that weight of the scope above the center line is part of the reason. No matter how much spring torque is removed with a tune, there is still some left no matter how imerceptable, and the addition of weight outside the centerline would most likely amlify that torque. It would also amplify any torque applied to the rifle by trigger pull, pressure from a good cheek weld, a shoulder muscle flexing in anticipation of the shot etc.

There's also the matter of of the mass of the scope dampening the recoil. This is true that more mass would dampen the recoil effect. But when you add that much mass to the rifleyou also slow down the movementl of the entire rifle giving it more of a window to be effected by body movment or some other outside force. When unscoped, or scoped with lighter glass the recoil will be a bit sharper and the movment of the rifle overall is faster giving less oppertunity for outside influence.

That much weight added to the rifle would also change it's center of balance and along with the overall slower movment of the rifle during recoil,  may exaggerate any vertical stringing due to the rifle wanting to pivot to the heavier end.

Could be taken as the ravings of an idiot who doesn't have a clue what he's talking about... But that's my take on it! LoL  

Then again, Ronbeaux has some pretty solidly valid points too!

[elmer fudd]

The bigger the objective lens, the greater the potential parallax and in my experience, just because you have a nice sharp image doesn't mean you don't have parallax.   Airgunners like to use the parallax adjustment like a focal adjustment in order to get the clearest image possible, but I find that the focus and the absence of parallax often don't coincide.   So perhaps that is one reason why your smaller scope is grouping better.

[Graham]

I would think it has more to do with you shooting on 12x all the time when 6 is usually better. What do you have your smaller scope set at?

[kirby999]

The smaller scope is turned all the way up 9X . I have shot the bigger scopes for over 2 years on my PCP's and they have been great . I'm very familiar with them and never had a problem with them . I'm also use to shooting at 12X . I shoot field target with the WTC's . Sam; I think you have something there , just what I was thinking but couldn't put it in words like you did. kirby

[Meann-Machine]

Kirby,
Do I understand from most of the correspondence that you shoot PCPs a majority of the time?  I own only one PCP, a Crossman Disc,but it is significantly lighter than even my lightest springer or gas ram.  I note that when I shoot a heavier air rifle my muscles tire more quickly and much more quickly if am shooting during an evening after I have worked out.  Muscle fatigue causes me to be unable to hold on target as well and for as long.  A lighter scope/rifle combination causes less muscle fatigue and allows you to hold the rifle steadier, easier.  My favorite scopes are 4-12s or 2.5-16:  large scopes, and they are on magnum riffles.  If I don't do my part and keep my body toned enough to comfortably hold them it doesn't matter how much I practice.  I do most of my shooting off hand, indoors, late at night because that is the time I have.  But my bulls eyes are usually some where between the head of an eraser and a penny ;  on a good night my shots are inside the penny or dead center on Ob***'s forehead.  On a night I am tired my shots are inside a 50 cent piece. Good Luck.

P.S.  Many springers benefit greatly by use of an artillery hold.