Got a newbie scope question

[Rabbit Slayer]

Just gettin back into the air hobby. Just purchased a gamo socom extreme. Came with a bsa scope.HM39X50RGBD Is there different settings for sighting in to different distances? Would the zoom affect the aim for distances? I've started sighting in at 60 ft...whats a good distance to start off at?

[longislandhunter]

Welcome to GTA Randy,,, nice to have you with us  

I use my air rifles for hunting and  I usually sight them  in for 25 or 30 yards.   Most of my small game hunting is 40 yards and under, however I will stretch that distance on occasion depending on the specific rifle I'm using and the situation.  As for whether increasing or decreasing scope magnification can effect your point of impact/aim the answer is yes.  Spend some time with your rifle and scope shooting at different distances and at different magnification levels.  The more you practice the better you will be able to fully utilize the capabilities of your rifle and scope.  

I'll be looking forward to  your future posts and remember, if you hunt with that shooter be sure to post the stories and pics in the "Hunting Gate".....

Jeff

[shadow]

Welcome to the GTA FAMILY Randy and Jeff has got you going in the right direction with the scope. The Extremes will reach out there to get game so more shooting time you spend with it and the scope the bigger your smile will get. Ed

[Rabbit Slayer]

Thanks for the advice! That is surprising to hear. So, I guess when I'm sighting in at a smaller distance like 20-25 yards, I should have the magnification at lower or lowest level. It's got a scale of 3 - 9. And the focus eyebell is to just adjust the picture at different magnifications...for fuzzyness...(focus)..I take it? So I could have the mag set to 3 for say 20 yards..and move out to 40 yards and increase the mag. and have the same aim at target and have the same results without aiming higher...Is that right? Thats awesome. Thats like storing different sight settings in ur scope for different distances...but you only have to sight it in once...

[longislandhunter]

3 x 9 variable power scopes are my favorites.  Most of my scopes are 3x9's.  For me I find that they are perfect for most of the small game hunting I do.  I do have rifles that wear scopes with much greater magnification, but those are my long distance shooters, like my Air Force Condor where taking shots at game out to 100 yards is do-able, but the majority of my regular small game rifles wear 3x9 scopes.  I'm sure every shooter has their own preferences when it comes to sighting in a scope but for my 3x9 scopes I sight them in at either 25 or 30 yards and I do it with the magnification set to 9x.  Like I said, most of my small game hunting is done at ranges of 40 yards and under and most of my shots wind up being between 20 and 40 yards.  At that range I find the 9x magnification gives me a nice sight picture to easily target the animal and the magnification gives me the ability to pick out that small sweet spot on the head easily.  There are occasions where all of a sudden I'll have a target that is much closer, say 10  or 15 yards, when that happens I know that the 9x magnifications smaller field of view might be a problem as far as quickly finding the target in the scope so I'll just quickly dial down the magnification to a lower setting to give me the larger field of view so I can quickly acquire the target in the scope.  

My advice would be to sight in the rifle at 25 or 30 yards with the scope set on maximum magnification (9x).  Doing so will set the rifle up to handle 95% of the hunting situations you're going to run into in the field.  After you sight it in at 9x then spend some time shooting at closer distances using the lower power settings and see how the point of impact is affected.  

Others may of course have a different opinion, but that's my advice....

Jeff

[Rabbit Slayer]

Thanks...I'll try that out. Just came in from shootin..My arm is killin me now..haha She's pretty hard to cock. I guess the accuracy will improve over time..only got about 60 shots out of her so far. Keeps snowing here..Don't wanta get her wet. I'm gettin about 2" groups so far..some of it surely is to do with my shooting too...it's been awhile since I've been out shootin, and it's pretty windy too.
Thanks again

Randy

[longislandhunter]

That's a fine looking shooter you have there.  Just curious,,, is it .177 or .22 ??  

As for the accuracy....  get yourself a good pellet sampler pack and find out what pellets the gun likes.  Finding the right pellet makes all the difference in the world.  Each air rifle has it's own likes and dislikes when it comes to pellets, finding the right pellet is absolutely crucial to getting the most accuracy out of your particular rifle.  StraightShooters.com has a very nice pellet sampler pack that should suit your needs.  As you have found out by now shooting an air rifle is completely different than shooting a powder burner.  With air rifles you are dealing with the "double recoil" that powder burners do not display.  The more you shoot you rifle the better you will get with it.  Also, if you have the stock trigger in the rifle that may be having an effect on the accuracy as well.  If your rifles trigger blade is metal then you should be able to replace it with the GRT III drop in replacement trigger blade.  It will make such a huge difference in your accuracy that you simply won't believe it.  If your stock blade is plastic then the GRT won't work.  

Well, keep shooting and having fun.....  that's what it's all about  

Jeff

[Rabbit Slayer]

It's a .177 Gonna check out that sampler. I'm using crosman wadcutters now. They seem to fit nicely. I got a tin of crosman premier hollowpoints that I believe are too tight. I'm guessing it's pretty hard to explain whats too tight. I have to press them in fairly hard. They do fit, but I haven't fired any. I put one in..but I think it's too tight, so i poked it out with some thick weed wacker line. Hard to tell to me..I think the wadcutters are how they are suppose to fit. Not hard to push in and not loose enough to fall out. Gonna try some others, but there arn't alot available around here. Wally mart has only Daisy hollowpoints and crappytire has crosman wadcutters/pointed/premier hollowpoints/and I think domed. I'm gonna pick up some domed. Otherwise I'll have to order some off the net, but I'll get a sampler first. The Trigger is metal..I did check out the GRT III. Not sure how hard it will be to install. Looked over the instructions...doesn't look too bad at all other than I'm not sure what all is involved in removing the stock. Will any parts come off other than the stock when I remove the three stock screws? Little parts? Or springs, or spacers? The instructions don't detail removing the stock..I guess all guns are different. The problem with being in Canada is I can't ship it over the border to be tuned or upgraded. I couldn't purchase from the US either. I had to find a retailer in Ontario...which is half way accross the country from me.

Thanks for the info
Randy

[Rabbit Slayer]

Just went out to take a few shots. Before even shooting the cross-hairs in the scope are turned sideways! The scope hasn't moved and is still tight...If you turned the scope, the knobs would be sideways?! Does this mean the scope is screwed up? Not having any luck with this gun as of yet... :0   The scope was fine this morning.

[longislandhunter]

Definitely sounds like somethings wrong with the scope  

I'd contact the dealer you bought it from, or BSA if the dealer won't replace it, but somebody should replace it for you since it's still under warranty.  

As for the Crosman premier hollow points..... give em a try.  Sometimes the tight fitting pellets fly the best.  Your rifle, being so powerful will definitely benefit from using the heavier .177 pellets.  Those wadcutters you're shooting are no doubt helping to create those 2 inch groups you've been shooting.  Load that shooter with some quality domed pellets, like the 10.5 gr Crosman Premier Heavies and I'll bet you your accuracy shrinks considerably.  

AS for the trigger replacement..... it is so easy to do it's amazing.  The only little piece that might come off when you remove the stock is a small plastic roller that fits onto a small metal post on the side of the cocking arm.  When you cock the rifle the roller, which sits in a groove machined into the inside of the stock, guides the cocking arm.  When you remove the stock just make sure you lift it straight up out of the stock, then take a look at the side of the rifle and you will see the little cocking roller I'm talking about.  I'm tellin ya,  the trigger replacement is a breeze and it will literally transform your gun...

Let us know what happens with the scope....

Jeff

[Rabbit Slayer]

Yea I figured I would have to send it back. I don't see any way of adjusting that...The scope has to be mounted one way without twisting it and it was straight before. I'll probably look into that trigger once I get the scope sorted out. Thanks for the support.

[djmyers]

Congrats on the new rifle. I looked long and hard at that one before I got the Hunter. Its a nice rifle. Definatly recommend the GRT trigger. They are easy to install. Takes about 10-15 min max. I have one in both my Gamo's and they are worth every penny. The GRT triggers are very light so make sure you have it pointed at the target before you touch the trigger especially with the cannon you got. That thing would make a mess out of dry wall. lol

When it comes to pellets I have about 20 kinds now. I have ran all of them through my Gamos and most through the RWS for grouping and velocity through the chrono. Most group really well at 35 ft which is my start point then when I moved back to 25 yards and farther that when the true charactar of each pellet comes out. SO dont get frustrated it you shoot 1/4 in groups at 10-15 yards then 2 in at 25  or more. My gamo hunters shot touching groups at 35 ft then 4-6 inches at 30 yards. Drove me crazy.

I run JSB 8.4 gr or H&N 8.9 gr crow mags through the RWS 350 and they have same POI. In my Gamo Hunter I shoot JSB 8.4 or 7.33 gr. depending on the target. They both hit very close. In the Gamo big cat I shoot JSB 8.4 gr. Thats for all my serious shooting, so far my best is matches at 25 yards and a card at 35 ft. For knocking out beer cans I will shoot my RWS sampler pack and the rest till they are gone. All my gamo pellets went to the kids or get used for targets on the tip of tooth picks.

For scope selection I like my Leapers Tactedge scope. It has an illuminated mil dot reticle and zero locking target turrets. The zero locking turrets means when you take you gun out and "zero it" then you loosen the locking screw in the turret turn them back to 0 on the dial and if you have to add wind for one day you can set it back to your known zero when there is no wind. Its a great concept. The mil dots are nice also because when the range changes I know how many mils I have to aim up or down to compensate.  Hate to hear yours broke that is frustrating. My 350 mag screwed my new one up too. I have a 3x9 AO leapers scope and it wouldent adjust. the 3-9 knob locked up.  I think I got it fixed but will see next time I get to shoot. High recoil rifles beat the scopes to peices and I will be replacing the broke one with another leapers tactedge if I didnt get it fixed. Its a nice scope.

SO to sum it all up Sample alot of pellets, get the GRT trigger and the manufacturer should fix the scope since its new or just replace it with a better one. And later on down the road a tune job or buy the tune kit and do it all at home yourself either way that will smooth out the gun and improve accuracy. Hope this helps and good luck!

[Rabbit Slayer]

Thanks for the information. Got a replacement scope on it's way. Kind of hard shootin without a scope or sights....haha lookin threw some scope rings isn't really the same. Will be gettin some more pellet samplers. The crosman premier hollow-points seem pretty good...(without a scope or sights anyways....)

Randy