Best Air Rifle Scope

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Peter M. Eick

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I know air rifle scopes have to specially made to handle the recoil sequence. So I figured I would tap into your collective input to figure out a better scope for my R1.

I currently have a Bushnell 4-12x40AO adjustable that seems to be ok and does a reasonable job but I would like more clarity and crisp optics. The scope list for about $100 so you can't expect it to be as good as he Leupolds I am used to.

Nearly all of my centerfires have Leupold VX3, 40mm AO and either 4.5x14 to 6.5x20.

Looking at Leupold's web site I see they have ones they call "EFR" which seem to be made for air rifles. They are offering the following:

VX-2 3-9x33mm EFR ($500)
VX-3 6.5-20x40mm EFR ($939)

Are their other Brands and Scopes I should consider?

I am very open to alternatives, I would buy the Leupold just because it is easy and I know what I am getting.
 
I haven't seen one advertised for a while but Burris makes or made an air rifle/ rimfire 3-9x AO.

I had two BSA scopes on an R1 and both failed. BSA replaced them but the Burris has been trouble free.
 
I looked around a fair amount and am thinking about the Nikon EFR. Gets good reviews and is less than a Leupold. However, I have not had it in hand yet.

I looked at the Pyramid Air options but many of them have things I don't want/need on a scope (extra rails, illumination, etc). Those add ons also make them heavier than needed for me. I want a simple traditional scope.

Are there options you want for your scope? Illumination, etc? Price range you want to stay within? May help suggestions. I'll be watching the thread since I'm in a similar boat.
 
What I want from the scope is a fairly simple heavy duplex aiming point (I would call it a standard Leupold reticle) . I was good quality repeatable adjustments. I want a scope that can last through the recoil. I want it to be bright with some decent scope to eye distance. Some decent magnification is desired, but not too much.

I agree with the comment above that Pyramid Air has all sorts of stuff I don't really want.

I looked at Natchez (thanks for the suggestion) but again, there are so many brands and types how do you pick?

I will look at the Nikon's. I am a Nikon camera shooter so I have some experience with their quality level.

So any other brand, make and model of scope I should look at?

Thanks for the input.
 
BSA has scopes that are to live behind a gun like an R1....that is news to me. I have several BSA scopes, but not mounted on anything with any kind of recoil. That is like expecting a VW bug to win the Indy 500. Wrong tool for the job.

An R1 is a pretty stout gun.....you are going to want a scope that can live behind it. Those little cheap scopes are good for MSP, CO2 or PCP with not any recoil....or rim fire.

You buy a multi $$$ Nikon that is not rated to take the recoil behind a springer and it will too die a quick death....the money has nothing to do with it, it is the dual recoil that will kill it.
 
Well, reporting back on the research.

It turns out my bushnell scope that came with the R1 package is about $160 which explains why I don't think it is that clear. Optics are one spot where I believe money spent in general turns into quality returned.

I saw some nikons but non seem to stress they are air gun or spring eir gun designed. Maybe I messed that option, but that is where I got to.

Back to the Leupolds. Their 3-9 EFR is about $500 and the 6.5-20AO EFR Is about $750 but it is a 30 mm tube so I will have to change the mounts on the gun as the bushnell is a 1" tube.

So I will continue to search. I am thinking a 6.5 minimum is a bit high for an air rifle. I am thinking I should look for an older 4.5x14AO EFR which is currently out of production but was previously available.
 
My magnum springer killed 2 scopes, including a Leupold.

Hawke scopes with etched glass reticles are durable, clear and surprisingly affordable.
 
I like the big hawke sidewinder. It reminds me of an old steam boat on the mississippi.

What line would your recommend? I see they have the airmax that is specially made for Air Guns but the other ones like the sidewinder 30 tactical make more sense to me. I need to figure out if they are air rifle rated.
 
I've been watching this thread, but I don't have a good scope on my air rifle, so I have no experience.
I'm pretty sure Nikon says their rimfire models are ok for airguns.
Weaver says their rimfire models are ok for 'adult air rifles' or something like that. I have a couple recent Weaver scopes, and I like them.
If you have a question about Hawke, send them an email. I did that once, and got a quick, informed response.
 
Scopes

What did google offer you.?
Both airgundepot.com and topairgun.com have extensive lists of air gun rated scopes.
RE the Leupold VX-II and VX-III:
1/4 - MOA adjustments - the windage and elevation dials also feature audible, tactile "clicks" for precision.
Leupold ruggedness - each can easily withstand the deceptively punishing double recoil of spring piston air rifles.
Adjustable Objective - set focus as close as 10 meters.
Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee - the best consumer protection available.
Click to expand...
 
I like the Winchester brand on air rifles. You need a scope designed for air rifles. Rugged for the double recoil and parallax for extremely close distance. 15 ft to 50 ft usually for target shooting. 25 meters is a long air rifle shot. I don't know why you would spend that kind of money for an air rifle scope to see a few yards. I would get a scope from an air rifle retailer but not a GAMO, they are awful by any standard. Check air rifle sites.
 
Thanks for the advice. I did spend time on google and fired off a few emails.

Hawke can basically handle air rifles. Their tech rep emailed quickly.
Leupold does support air rifles on some of their VX3's and VX2's. The EFR ones. I am still interested in their air gun approved 6.5x20vx3-AO-EFT-Target.

I have been looking at winchester while I was at it. Pretty neat technology for a good price. I have been poking on the air rifle sites but it is hard to get a consensus with all the threads.
 
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I am looking at those along with several other in the Hawke line. I figure now let Christmas get over and see how the finances shape up then go buy. I expect there will be some post Christmas sales coming up that I can capitalize on.
 
Have a hawke and a beeman branded bushnell. The beeman is the better scope in terms of clarity. The hawke is a Goode scope that is feature rich.

I have 2 Nikon EFR Prostaff 3-9 scopes in the mail as I type this that will live on a HW97k and a HW30s. Hopefully they will be as good as reviews suggest.
 
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