What Scope is on Your Springer?

[thebookdoc]

interesting no one has mentioned the air-rifle-specific scopes I was considering...

Hawke Air Max 4-12X40
Nikko Sterling Gold Crown AirKing 4-12x42
Swift 6.5-20x44mm High Recoil Scope 686M

A bit more expensive, but if I can't see it I can't hit it.

[daveshoot]

I did mention the AirMax, and I have at least 3 of them (oh, dear, I've forgotten exactly). They are highly recommended for springer use. Again, not the top-drawer bestest if money is no object... but in most of our cases, it is. The Air Max is a great scope for spring powered airguns. It is one of the few quality scopes targeted at the airgun market and is very well supported. They were the sweet spot of cost for performance in my little ramble above.

[USNCop]

Have you seen http://www.legacysports.com.  Check out the Nikko Sterling Nighteaters.

[D R Greysun]

thebookdoc - 9/7/2009  12:37 PM

I just bought a few scopes probably without getting deep enough into what was required. I want AO, likely a sidewheel, 4-16 or so, large lens, and something that will withstand springer recoil. I got a Nikon Monarch 4-16x42, a Sightron SII 3-12x42, a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 and a Millett 4-16x56...but never checked the recoil ratings (well, first because I never saw any recoil ratings and also because I figured anything like that would only be an issue with a cheaper scope).

So what do you use? What do you prefer? What would you use if you could afford it?

I mostly shoot chinese springers.

Swift 685M http://www.opticsplanet.net/swift-3-9x40mm-high-recoil-scope-685m.html

Swift 685M http://www.opticsplanet.net/swift-6-5-20x44mm-high-recoil-scope-686m.html

Bullet Proof!

Info: http://www.straightshooters.com/navagationpages/scopeselections.html

D R

[thebookdoc]

Daveshoot, sorry, you did. There are a lot of names in your last post and I think Airmax didn't stick with me then where it would now. Glad you like them as it sorta encourages me in that direction. I could pay more, but I consider myself psychologically on a budget. I have a hard time picking a scope that will cost as much as the rifle...its like when you buy a camera body and have to put a lens on it. You can buy lenses that are more than the camera, and in that case it may make a huge difference. I don't need to count the hairs on a fly, but I do want to be sure he's there before I pull the trigger.

Certainly Hawke is under serious consideration.

[thebookdoc]

I didn't see that rated for springer use anywhere. The Nikko Sterling I mention is supposed to be specifically airgun rated. Do you have one on a springer?

[Doctone]

Leapers 3-9x32mm AO gathers light better than my naked eye for $40 a few years back

[USNCop]

Download the pdf catalog and look on pg.71.  The Nighteaters that have AG in the part number come with a large side wheel.
They come with a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser.
I don't have one on an airgun but I'm thinking of putting one on a .22LR.

[thebookdoc]

Just to update this...I decided to swap out to be sure all the scopes I had were springer rated. I also need AO, and prefer SF but decided that was the least of my worries. Here is what I ended up with:

Bushnell Trophy 6-18x40 AO (736184) ($177!)
Sightron SII 4-16 AO ($313!)
Swift 6.5-20x44 AO 686m High Recoil ($190!)
Hawke 4-12X40 Air MaxMAP 6 ($155 w/rings!)

Pretty happy with all these and the prices. I'll have a Leapers UTG 4-16x50 as a backup. Now I just have to get rid of these:

Nikon Monarch 4-16x42 AO SF (bought new, mounted and removed)
Sightron SII 3-12x42 (bought used, never mounted)
Leupold VX-I 3-9x40 (bought new, never mounted)
...and a few cheaper scopes. Interesting learning experience.

Back to selling those and concentrating on the custom rifle!

[thebookdoc]

I read this on the site: "Nikko Stirling rifle scopes are rated for use on airguns." I would bet that isn't all of them, but would think the AG means something. Those look pretty awesome...They are a bit pricey! But then almost any side-wheel scope is around $300.

Let me know if you get one and how it performs!

[pindog2000]

try the bsa scopes or leapers they re made for springers

[thebookdoc]

I have a BSA and a Leapers. The BSA seems to get grainy in lower light. The leapers has some weird locking turrets. I don't think they are bad scopes, I just like these others a good bit more -- and guess I should for the price difference.

[daveshoot]

bookdoc, that is some good comparison info and it is nice to see the follow-up on how some of these worked out for you.

Not counting the Sightron, how would you say the other 3 (sub-$200) stacked up for you? Ever compare side by side in lower light conditions?

Which was the overall best?

Which was the best value for the $$$?

[thebookdoc]

Daveshoot,

I was planning to do a real side-by-side comparison before I get rid of all the ones I am not keeping. I'll be using one scope as the comparison and hope to get accurate light measurements as well as the following:

Manufacturer:
Model:
Airgun Rated?: Y/N
Zoom range:
Reticle:
Turret type:
   Click val:
Special features:
---
Zoom Feel:
AO feel:
Turret feel:
Parallax on zoom:
Brightness:
---
View impressions:

If I'd had some of this info before shopping I'd have saved myself some trouble. I hope this will provide some sort of concrete means of comparison, but it will be useful for me as a reference as well.

Right now I like the Swift a LOT. That is not really a slight to the other scopes. I know you said "beside the sightron", but I like that best of all. I think I'll find some interesting things in the side-by-side comparison -- and I think right now my perception may be a little skewed as I haven't had them all out in similar conditions. For springer shooters some things are just not obvious. Like Nikon's min focus on the Monarch 4-16x42 AO is 50 yards! pretty useless for plinking. As nice as the scope is (absolutely love the reticle), I'm finding it a new home. I like the Hawke's reticle, and think those are a good value. But getting them all out in the same conditions will tell a lot. Some time this weekend I hope!

[daveshoot]

Yep, and that would be a fine service to your fellow springer shooters for sure.

I think a lot of guys with decent guns will go over a 100, but maybe not over $200, for decent glass on a spring gun. You have 3 of the nicer springer rated scopes in that price range, and I haven't tried the Trophy or the Swift. All 3 of them get talked up a lot by springer people. I am very happy with the Hawke but maybe I don't know what I'm missing for another $30 or $40.