Scope Recommendations?

[thebookdoc]

I use a few Bushnell scopes, and they seem nice enough...Got them off ebay. Two I think I pretty much got a steal on (2 Bushnell Banner Dawn& Dusk Illuminated 3-9x40 for $60 -- total), and one I perhaps got ripped off buying a copy (Bushnell 6-24x50 AOE Illuminated $65 -- didn't come in a Bushnell box, and no B insignia on the adjustment caps, very similar to the banner scopes beside that). I also have a TF 2-7x32 AO ($60). I use the latter on my TF89 and the 2 Banner scopes on a TF97 and Daisy 953.

I got the 6-24x50 for a new rifle I'm going to get -- a TF87, not yet available. But now I'm worried that it is a copy and likely to breakdown with use on a more powerful gun. The TF87 in .22 is suggested to be 950fps, which I realize might be over-rating...But I guess in the event that the scope I have fails, what people recommend without spending 10 times the price of the rifle on the scope.

A few questions:

*What scopes do you have and use as your favorites on a powerful springer?
*If you needed to be budget minded, and not cheap, what would you recommend?
*Have you ever used a sidewheel, and is that a very desirable feature?

I'm still a little green in my exploration of scopes and rifles, as you can tell, but I'm shooting a LOT and want something that I'll realistically grow into.

Thanks for any recommendations!

[Bogey]

Richard, if I have not welcomed you before now then consider it done.   Regarding your scope questions.  Personally I use what works for me and I do not worry too much about if the scope will hold up or not.   I do try to keep the price reasonable for my $ range.  I don't have the best vision anymore so I want scopes with variable power such as 3x9 or better. A large Objective 40mm or more and last but not least AO abillity.  AO is the best feature for myself.   I avoid too cheap scopes.  $100 to about $150. is my price point and this is cheap to many people.

I would rather have a $100 scope on a $100 AG than a $40  scope on a $500  AG.


Your did not mention this but Scope mounts are ,in my opinion,  very important to resolving many scope 'problems' that people have.( at least me)  Cheap mounts do not hold the scope properly and allow movement on the rails because of poor clamping ability.  Cheap mounts will make a good scope perform poorly.

I have never used a side wheel .  It would probably get in my way as most of my AG use is pest control.   And unless I was  at a bench with a scope with 1/8th clicks I just can't see where it would benefit me.

So far I have not had any scope damaged by use on an AG.  But  now they will all probably fail tomorrow.
Really can't recommend any scopes by brand, as I said I just look for what works for me regardless of brand. I do look for water proof and fog proof ability. And the  other features  I stated above. I  would ,  if I was you,  give the scopes you have a work-out and not worry about things.

[thebookdoc]

Bogey,

What charming advice. I appreciate your sense and sensibility. I have yet to experience a more expensive scope...so I guess what I wonder specifically is as you say a more expensive scope and less expensive rifle may be the way to go...I am more famliar with Photography than shooting guns, and the glass is almost always more important than the camera...so long as it fits. I wonder if shooting is th same way.

I do have so much to learn. Thanks for your patience and interest.

[ronbeaux]

Most of my scopes cost as much or more than my airguns. But there are some out there in the $150 range that will do the job.

I guess it's best said like this. My Burris 8x32x40 has been through hell and back for 12 years and so has the Leupold 6.5x20 EFR. They both cost over $500 but they can take it whether it be an elephant gun or an airgiun.

I also have an old Tasco 6x24 that been miss treated by being subjected to many thousands of shots from a medium springer. Still kicking.

I just bought two Bushnells and am in the process of abusing them. So far so good. I also have an old Simmons airgun scope that is still hanging in there..

Point being. Make sure you research which scopes hold up well on which guns. Otherwise you will end up buying another and it would have cost you the same money as buying the good one first.

[Bogey]

Richard,   Your comment that in photography the importance of a good quality lens makes a difference also applies to scopes.  Scopes are like a lot of other things in life. " The Nicer the Nice the Higher the Price" , or my favorite, "Speed is just a matter of how much you want to spend".  I need the extra magnification because I want to be able to see the hits on a target without stopping to pick up the binoculars.  Also I can find the squirrels hiding in the trees much easier with a stronger magnification scope.  And an  adjustable objective feature is the best for my use.   Doubt that I will buy any scopes in the future without AO.  Not having AO would be like having a camera lens that you could not focus at different distances.


In the past I have owned some very expensive scopes for high powered rifles, mainly from Germany.  Also Burris and Leupold. All are good scopes, I just don't want to spend that much for a scope on a $150. AG.

Many people on the GTA use Center Point scopes from Wal-Mart and are quite satisfied with them.  At the moment I am using Bushnell scopes and BSA scopes.  May try a Center-Point in the future.   Again use good quality scope mounts.  2 screws on the base that clamp to the AG.  And 4 screws in the cap.( 2 on each side of the scope).  Anything less will not secure the scope properly, at least for me.

[thebookdoc]

Quote: "I just don't want to spend that much for a scope on a $150. AG." That is, I guess, what makes me hesitate to buy more scope...I want to justify it. But if I already have 6-24 magnification and it doesn't fall apart as I shoot or go out of alignment, I'm not sure how to justify the big potential cost of something like a Leupold...

I use single piece mounts that have 4 screws in the base and 4 on each cap More contact on the rail would seem to me to inherently cause more contact and less movement...

[fisherdude]

I have a BSA 3x12 44 airgun rated scope on my CFX that has held up well for me.  I also have their 4X AO scope on another rifle that is holding up OK.  I like the large easy to adjust turretts.  An all round good scope for less than $100.  Best place to buy one IMHO is Natchez shooter supply.

[bcshooter]

Hi Richard, I guess scope selection is based on individual personal wants. I use Leapers and Centerpoints, same company different marketing agenda. I try to spend the least and get most out of what I spend. My primary choice is a Leapers 4-16x50 AO/IR scope. They cost $71.97 plus shipping from Opticplanet.com. This has a decent range for me to use, 10 to 25 meter paper punching. The perfect scope for my needs......Bill

[ibud2020]

I just ordered BSA Air 3-12x50 AO TT from Natchez. Discounted from 120.00 to 60.00.
The only way you can find it,  is under "what other people also ordered". Will not show up under "search".
I hope it is good scope. Never had a BSA. So far only Leapers, Leo and Nikon.
If someone used this scope, would appreciate his comment.
Thanks,
Ivan