Help Me Decide on the Right Scope

All,
I just took delivery of my first adult airgun, a Gamo CFX .177 and I need help in choosing the correct scope.  I plan to use this rifle for general plinking, some target shooting in my backyard (30-50 yds.), and also quite a bit of pest elimination/small game hunting.  I am trying to keep it below $150, so I narrowed it down to the following two scopes, which would you choose? Any recommendations on mounts?

1) The Hunter Wicked Optics 3-12X42MM W/AO MATTE with a free 20x50 spotting scope from Natchez for $129

or

2) The Nikko Stirling 4-12X42 Air Rifle Scope with one piece mount and dust covers from Air Gun Depot for $104

Thanks,
Eric

[SDale]

I'd go with the Nikko Sterling.

[daved]

Just read a review on the Hunter scope on the YF.  Guy who did the review was really impressed with it, said it compared well to the Bushnell Elites and the Leupolds.  Hard to beleive at the price, but that's what he said.  Based on personal experience, I'd lean toward the Nikko Stirling.  I have a Platinum Nighteater that's very good, much better than the last few Leapers I've had.  I've reviewed several scopes in the Product Review gate, and Gene recently reviewed the NS you're thinking of.  Of course, if you go with the Hunter, you can review a new scope for all of us :-)!  Good luck, and keep us posted.  BTW, welcome to the Gateway!

Dave

[Gene_SC]

Dave, try and wait till the Simmons Master Series comes available.. If you like your Nikko Sterling, you will really like the Simmons.. My opinion is the Simmons is much clearer and sharper.. Thats my opinion.. At least the 4-12-40 AO is.

Gene

[gercourt]

I'm going to vote for the Nikko Sterling 4-12x42. I just bought my second one of these because I think they work well for me and they are a bargain for their price (clear, bright and sharp with good controls and build quality). I have one of the NS scopes on a CFX and it fits perfectly lengthwise giving me plenty of access to the breech for loading pellets. The free one-piece mount that comes with them is very nice, but does lack a scope stop pin which you will definitely need on the CFX. I am using the Accushot High mount  1"rings with a stop pin and they are strong and work perfectly on this gun with the NS scope. Medium height probably would also work, but the high rings keep the scope further away from the breech opening.
In all fairness to Gene's choice I have never used a Simmons scope so I can not compare the NS with them. Good Luck!
Gerry

[Gene_SC]

Hey Gerry, like I always say.... Scopes are a personal preference. I have tried several different scopes out including Leapers, BSA, Tasco, Bushnell, NS, Simmons and a few that I can't remember... It took me a year to figuere out what worked best for me an a whole lot of money.. hehe..

Best of luck with your NS

Gene

[3n00n]

I like mildot scopes on airguns and bothmy DAQ .308as well as the .22 Diana 52 sportthe Leapers 4x16x56 with the wheel.The DAQ groups around 2" at 100m andthe Dianagroups cp about 1.5" at 55m offhand.

The BSA 6x24x44 platinumsidewheel is ona .177Sumatra carbine and hasnice optics to about 20xthoughabove thatit gets slightly grey. Gottaexplain this was an $89 scope from Midway. For that price a good mildot6x20 sidewheelis a steal . . .

[Gene_SC]

I got that BSA Platinum for my Sumatra... Good for distance but I never go past 18. Neve noticed it getting dark at high magnification. But I will take your word for it.. hehe  

Gene

[daved]

Can't argue with Gene on this one, just bought a used Simmons 44 Mag 6.5-20x44.  Much as I dislike the heavy crosshairs and HUGE mil dots, I love everything else about it.  It's certainly the brightest, sharpest scope I've bought to date.  The target turrets are outstanding, and you can reset them to zero once you're sighted in with your primary pellet, then adjust from there for others.  I currently have it on my HW 77, zeroed with Predators at 30 yards (loves the Preds, BTW!), set the elevation at 66 (that's up 7.5 minutes) for JSB Lights, no change in windage.  Gotta love it!  And the best thing?  Set it back to zero, and the Predators are right on again.  These things still show up used at a good price, if you get the chance, grab one.  Later.

Dave

[3n00n]

Does it witha sunshade too, so itprobably hassomething to do with optical transfer alignments or 'bouncing' at the edge of thelens. . . been quitea while since I used anylens alignment formulae though.

That platinum is a light, inexpensive andeasy to use sidewheel mildot scope. Makes the Sumatra shine . . .

[Gene_SC]

Ya J, mine come with a sunshade but have not used it.. One thing is for sure. The platinum is big but lite weight.. Don't need to add any more weight to that Sumatra..

Gene

[3n00n]

Without the scopethe Sumatrais probably still heavier than the diana 38 with a BSA2x7on it . . .

[Gene_SC]

Ya, your right J..

Gene