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Rifle Scopes Need help finding right airgun scope

Curnow26

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 17, 2010
654
1
42
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hi
i didnt know where else to post this. I am looking for a new scope for my gamo varmiter airgun. If i couldfind one with target turrets that would be great. Any ideas 3X9 or 10X would be great. Looking for somthing reliable.
I used a barska air gun scope for a year but it wont hold zero any more.
Thanks any imput is appreciated.
 
Re: Need help finding right airgun scope

Look at the Hawke line of scopes. They are pretty much dominating the airgun world right now. The new models for this year are quite superior to those of the past as far as glass goes. Their durability has always been top shelf. Many have target turrets of some kind.

They lag a bit behind as far as reticle/turret congruency goes, ie they have MOA turrets and MIL reticles but other than that they are a good option. Their 1/2 MIL reticle is very nice if you are looking for a holdover/ranging reticle. They also have some unique reticles designed specifically for airguns.

HTH,
 
Re: Need help finding right airgun scope

Just because a standard, centerfire rifle scope is .50BMG rated does not necessarily mean that it is air rifle rated. I know it sounds funny, but many modern air rifles will DESTROY centerfire rifle scopes. Even though air rifles are nowhere near the "power" offered by rimfire or centrefire cartridges, spring driven air rifles have a very unique, two-stage recoil that CAN damage conventional rifle scopes.

When you fire an air rifle, there is a backward recoil effect that is immediately followed by a snapping forward recoil effect that combines with the vibrations produced by powerful springs and places an enormous, but unusual stress on both scope and mounts. A lack of perceived recoil (like with an air rifle) really has zero to do with the impulses that can be exerted on a scope and mount from this spring effect.

Scopes designed for air rifles have lenses and a reticle that are braced/reinforced forward and aft to so that recoil doesn’t shake them loose. Most scopes (not all) designed for rimfire and centrefire rifles are not reinforced at the lenses and reticle on both sides. Because of this...a standard scope can get damaged and fail under the recoil impulse from an air rifle.

I would try running a google (or similar) search on some of the air rifle clubs/competition websites and see what the serious air gunners are running these days and what they can recommend in the 3-9x or 10x class of optics with the target turrets you want/need.
 
Re: Need help finding right airgun scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just because a standard, centerfire rifle scope is .50BMG rated does not necessarily mean that it is air rifle rated. I know it sounds funny, but many modern air






rifles will DESTROY centerfire rifle scopes. Even though air rifles are nowhere near the "power" offered by rimfire or centrefire cartridges, spring driven air rifles have a very unique, two-stage recoil that CAN damage conventional rifle scopes.

When you fire an air rifle, there is a backward recoil effect that is immediately followed by a snapping forward recoil effect that combines with the vibrations produced by powerful springs and places an enormous, but unusual stress on both scope and mounts. A lack of perceived recoil (like with an air rifle) really has zero to do with the impulses that can be exerted on a scope and mount from this spring effect.

Scopes designed for air rifles have lenses and a reticle that are braced/reinforced forward and aft to so that recoil doesn’t shake them loose. Most scopes (not all) designed for rimfire and centrefire rifles are not reinforced at the lenses and reticle on both sides. Because of this...a standard scope can get damaged and fail under the recoil impulse from an air rifle.

I would try running a google (or similar) search on some of the air rifle clubs/competition websites and see what the serious air gunners are running these days and what they can recommend in the 3-9x or 10x class of optics with the target turrets you want/need. </div></div> + 1000
 
Re: Need help finding right airgun scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just because a standard, centerfire rifle scope is .50BMG rated does not necessarily mean that it is air rifle rated. I know it sounds funny, but many modern air rifles will DESTROY centerfire rifle scopes. Even though air rifles are nowhere near the "power" offered by rimfire or centrefire cartridges, spring driven air rifles have a very unique, two-stage recoil that CAN damage conventional rifle scopes.

When you fire an air rifle, there is a backward recoil effect that is immediately followed by a snapping forward recoil effect that combines with the vibrations produced by powerful springs and places an enormous, but unusual stress on both scope and mounts. A lack of perceived recoil (like with an air rifle) really has zero to do with the impulses that can be exerted on a scope and mount from this spring effect.

Scopes designed for air rifles have lenses and a reticle that are braced/reinforced forward and aft to so that recoil doesn’t shake them loose. Most scopes (not all) designed for rimfire and centrefire rifles are not reinforced at the lenses and reticle on both sides. Because of this...a standard scope can get damaged and fail under the recoil impulse from an air rifle.

I would try running a google (or similar) search on some of the air rifle clubs/competition websites and see what the serious air gunners are running these days and what they can recommend in the 3-9x or 10x class of optics with the target turrets you want/need. </div></div>

It's really difficult to read sarcasm, but it sounds like you are serious... I would have never guessed this.
 
Re: Need help finding right airgun scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Boomstick308</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just because a standard, centerfire rifle scope is .50BMG rated does not necessarily mean that it is air rifle rated. I know it sounds funny, but many modern air rifles will DESTROY centerfire rifle scopes. Even though air rifles are nowhere near the "power" offered by rimfire or centrefire cartridges, spring driven air rifles have a very unique, two-stage recoil that CAN damage conventional rifle scopes.

When you fire an air rifle, there is a backward recoil effect that is immediately followed by a snapping forward recoil effect that combines with the vibrations produced by powerful springs and places an enormous, but unusual stress on both scope and mounts. A lack of perceived recoil (like with an air rifle) really has zero to do with the impulses that can be exerted on a scope and mount from this spring effect.

Scopes designed for air rifles have lenses and a reticle that are braced/reinforced forward and aft to so that recoil doesn’t shake them loose. Most scopes (not all) designed for rimfire and centrefire rifles are not reinforced at the lenses and reticle on both sides. Because of this...a standard scope can get damaged and fail under the recoil impulse from an air rifle.

I would try running a google (or similar) search on some of the air rifle clubs/competition websites and see what the serious air gunners are running these days and what they can recommend in the 3-9x or 10x class of optics with the target turrets you want/need. </div></div>

It's really difficult to read sarcasm, but it sounds like you are serious... I would have never guessed this. </div></div>

He's serious, and I was aware air guns had more of a "hard shake" than a recoil motion, but I did not know that about scope lenses/reticles needing reinforcement, good info.
 
Re: Need help finding right airgun scope

Good to see that you had a GREAT experience with Airgunsofarizona. As a local I've had the experience of dealing FTF with this operation. Won't go into details of how I was lied to and fleeced of $110 for a supposed "Re-build" of my Sheridan Blue Streak. Just can't pass up cautioning someone whenever I see that name pop-up. A guy that really was GREAT to deal with finally was Tim at Mac1 Airguns in California. BTW, he concurred that my rifle was never opened up before. YMMV
 
Re: Need help finding right airgun scope

Go for the Leupold VX-3 6.5-20x40 EFR Target Scope. Nothing says "I'm serious about keeping bunnies out of my garden" like 650 bucks worth of glass on an air rifle.
 
Re: Need help finding right airgun scope

The negative/forward recoil and spring harmonics are unique only to spring air guns and ram air guns which don't induce the spring harmonics. do Require spring gun rated Rifle scopes.

Pneumatic precharged airguns and pump airguns and Co2 gas guns have no recoil/practically no recoil(no forward recoil whatsoever) when compared to rimfire/centerfire guns, therefore you can use any make/model of rifle scope available. An Air rifle scope (spring gun rated) is not required, but can be used, if you so desire.

Sam