Parallax for Rats

Status
Not open for further replies.
SavingNolanRyan

SavingNolanRyan

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2019
Messages
81
A few nights ago, was out in the back and discovered rats were getting into the birdseed on the ground. There were quite a few running around 10+. The wife suggested getting rid of the seed, (good call) but I reverted back to my childhood and said we need a pellet gun. (8 year old in 1977 Calif drought). Shooting roof rats that were coming in for water, birdseed and the lemon and grapefruit trees. All my pellet guns are sadly long gone, but I borrowed my friends Crosman model 66 in .177 and we started trying to shoot the rats at night. They have since gone away, (or smartened up and return when I am not stalking at midnight). Might also be the fact my wife took away the food source..LOL

Anyhow, me and my son have had a great time shooting targets in the backyard. My eyes are not the best anymore, and I struggle with blurry images and if the iron sites are lined up, etc. I can still hit the bullseye at ~10yards, but much further and it is really difficult to focus and see clearly a target the size of a dime.

I am thinking of using a scope I have in a box - Leupold VX Freedom-2-7x33. These are factory set with Parallax at 150yards.

How much is that going to affect close shot? Do I really need to get a rimfire scope, (parallax set at 60yards) or even go so far as to get one with AO parallax adjustment down to 10m? This is going to be used to shoot targets in the backyard and general plinking, (and rats around 15-30 feet).

Thoughts?

Mike
 
Scope parallax vanishes if you keep you eye centered in the ocular, so you can drive that behaviour. You can also mount the scope at the edge of it's eye relief, then use the shadow ring to make sure you're centered.

In my experience with very close/small targets (chipmunks), scope to bore offset is the overwhelming problem.
 
Advertise wanted a "night vision ratting sniper." There are tons of them in Great Britain, there must be a few here in the U.S.
I watch all the ratters on You Tube. A few are real professionals. Big game hunting from the easy chair! :)
 
I have seen a few of those vids. I have to say the thermal scopes were fun to watch.

I get the issue will be having the scope over barrel and either hold under for close shots or zero at ~10yards. I bought myself a Diana RWS 34 and will start with the iron sites on that one, (might be easier that the old iron sites of the Crosman 66).

Mike
 
I find even rimfire scopes aren't adequate for sub 20yds. My airguns all carry scopes that can focus down to 10yds, but with a sub 4x scope Its less critical.

I also like grid/mil reticles, as they help gauging hold over/under.
 
LoonWulf,

What are some of your favorite scopes for a springer that focus down to 10yards. I have seen many options, but not sure which to purchase. UTG Bugbuster and Hawke Vantage, others??
 
SavingNolanRyan said:
LoonWulf,

What are some of your favorite scopes for a springer that focus down to 10yards. I have seen many options, but not sure which to purchase. UTG Bugbuster and Hawke Vantage, others??
Click to expand...

I used to really like the bugbusters, but the last few i used werent as good as i the first few i got. I havent had one in the last two years or so tho. Ive also had good luck with the Hammers 3-9x40 MAGNUM. The only Hawk i have is an old prosport that isnt springer rated.
Im finding I still dont deal with springer recoil well, otherwise Id probably spring for a Clearidge Ultra RM for the XS25 I picked up recently.
 
Well, it was weird, I originally tried to buy a Hatsan 95 that comes with a scope, (that apparently is not good at all). The rifle was on backorder until 9/7 and then when I checked the website, they extended the backorder. I then decided to go with the Diana RWS 34 .22 as it was in stock. They said they shipped it Friday, but the FedEx site showed the shipment was cancelled by sender. I sent them numerous emails and was on the phone today trying to get customer service to see what was up. Could not get through, it would disconnect after 20min or so on hold. Knock at the door....FedEx with a box.....bam...Diana RWS 34!!!! I was surprised at the size and weight, (feels like my Marlin Model 60 Glenfield .22 LR). I immediately took it out back and shot it. I was surprised at the accuracy and the power. This is not a Crosman pump .177. I really like the "iron" sites...I guess I will call them open sites. The colored fiber optics make it easy to align the site. I wish my vision was better to see 20feet, but my target is blurry as hell.

I think a scope will help, so I decided on a Bushnell Banner 4-12X40. Will see how it goes with that scope.
 
SavingNolanRyan said:
Well, it was weird, I originally tried to buy a Hatsan 95 that comes with a scope, (that apparently is not good at all). The rifle was on backorder until 9/7 and then when I checked the website, they extended the backorder. I then decided to go with the Diana RWS 34 .22 as it was in stock. They said they shipped it Friday, but the FedEx site showed the shipment was cancelled by sender. I sent them numerous emails and was on the phone today trying to get customer service to see what was up. Could not get through, it would disconnect after 20min or so on hold. Knock at the door....FedEx with a box.....bam...Diana RWS 34!!!! I was surprised at the size and weight, (feels like my Marlin Model 60 Glenfield .22 LR). I immediately took it out back and shot it. I was surprised at the accuracy and the power. This is not a Crosman pump .177. I really like the "iron" sites...I guess I will call them open sites. The colored fiber optics make it easy to align the site. I wish my vision was better to see 20feet, but my target is blurry as hell.

I think a scope will help, so I decided on a Bushnell Banner 4-12X40. Will see how it goes with that scope.
Click to expand...
The r-34s a very nice gun, I think you'll be happy with it.
 
I have a Diana 34 in .177 and really like it. It has been a sweet shooter for me for a lot of years. Just make sure that Bushnell Banner is rated to stand up to the spring piston recoil of your 34.
 
joneb said:
....make sure the scope is airgun rated.
Click to expand...

I found some reviews and happy people using this Bushnell Banner on springers and thought it was airgun rated. AFTER I ordered the scope I found a few posts that state they contacted Bushnell and the Banner line is NOT airgun rated.....Trying to cancel to order something different....yikes.
 
SavingNolanRyan said:
I found some reviews and happy people using this Bushnell Banner on springers and thought it was airgun rated. AFTER I ordered the scope I found a few posts that state they contacted Bushnell and the Banner line is NOT airgun rated.....Trying to cancel to order something different....yikes.
Click to expand...
I was about to post that I've had a Bushnell Banner on a heavy chinese Springer and it held up fine, but I couldn't remember if I ever actually found out if it was airgun rated. There actually arnt that many cheaper scopes that ARE, the bugbusters, hammers, and a few "house" brands sold by airgun dealers. From the majors Leupold, and Clearidge, were the only ones that replied to me that those scopes are Springer rated.
 
It was impossible to reach the vendor yesterday as my order was about to ship out. The system wouldn't let me cancel as it was ready for shipment. I was going to try to cancel, but this AM I told them to ship it as ordered. This is right on the vendor's website as a description for the scope.

The Bushnell Banner 4-12x40 Rifle Scope Matte Multi-X 714124 belongs to well-known Bushnell Banner Riflescopes series. This high-power, variable scope from Bushnell is great for long-range centerfire shooting, and is also ideal for adult break-barrel airguns. They'll tell you more tags are filled in the low-light hours than any other time. That said, it's wise to have a scope designed to excel in early-morning and late-evening light. Featuring Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses for clarity and brightness in low light, you'll add precious minutes to every hunting day with the Banner Dusk & Dawn series. With one-piece tube design, the Banner Dusk & Dawn line includes a full assortment of specialty scopes for big-game, varmint, .22 rimfire, slug, black powder and turkey hunting.
 
I did take shipment of the Bushnell Banner 4-12x40mm. I wrote to Bushnell and never got a response about it being springer rated. From what I have read, the newer ones might be OK for springers, but I decided to hold that scope until I know for sure, (maybe I can use it on something else that I don't yet own....LOL). I didn't want to ruin a scope, so I got a Leapers UTG True Hunter 3x9x40mm. It came today and it seems solid. Took a few offhand shots before dark and spun the turrets to get it close. Tomorrow I hope to get it zeroed. For $110 it seems to be a winner, (assuming it lasts). The LED reticle is pretty nice too...turn it down to the lowest setting and it is subtle and useful to help see the crosshairs at dusk/dark.

It is fun as hell to shoot, (a little noisy compared to the pump Crosman 66) but powerful. It feels more like a firearm than a kids toy that the .177 Crosman 66 BB pump. I think this weekend I will spend some time making a proper backstop. This thing is busting out the back of my 1/2" plywood. The pellets are embedded, but the wood is fragmenting. At some point the wood will fall apart. I don't want any ricochets into the neighbors yard.

Anyhow, with the two scopes I bought, I probably should have just bought a Leupold Rimfire, but I really like the objective lens focus down to 5 yards on this UTG. I hope it lasts.

Mike
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Mr. Tactical Rat Versus The Air Rifle
Replies
6
Views
2K
Baltimore_900
B
JEBruns
  • Locked
Parallax focus
2 3 4 5 6
Replies
127
Views
3K
JEBruns
JEBruns
L
  • Locked
What is parallax?
Replies
3
Views
553
Lightsped
L
S
  • Locked
Scope parallax
Replies
5
Views
488
adelbridge
A
joneb
  • Locked
Hatsan 87 QE 22 cal.
Replies
8
Views
540
joneb
joneb
Back
Top