scope help

[Patrick 2]

What do you mean by long range rabbits? I would say 40yds is the max distance for most competent shots and only then in favourable conditions.Remember you're shooting a living animal not some metal target so a misplaced shot would almost certainly mean a nasty wound and a slow painful death not just a low or no score.If you want to shoot rabbits beyond that distance get an FAC,subject to the necessary conditions, and buy a .22 rimfire which will have a much flatter trajectory and will be less affected by shooting conditions i.e any breeze/wind blowing, over a longer range.Paying £500 for a scope will give you a better sight picture optically,or it should, such as a brighter view in poor light but it isn't going to transform your shooting.

[DIGWEED112]

my apologies for not replying sooner - on reading my question again; i do agree it is a bit of a naff question and I should have thought more about it's contents; however, in reply to some of your questions. The rabbits are at about a distance of about 50yds - I can't really get any closer. And will be shot with my Daystate huntsman xl which is on a FAC - it has been detuned to 30ftlb. my desire for a brighter scope is purely to see more clearly in low light. I use 10 x 42 Bino's so the suggestion of 3 - 12 sounds ok - has anyone tried Bushnell's?

[rabbitwrecker]

To be honest, 50 yards is pushing it too far, FAC or not. It's all about placement, 30 ft/lbs will still only wound if you don't hit the spot. The only advantage you have over a sub-12 ft/lb gun is a flatter trajectory, it won't be any easier to hit the mark with. Set out some extra strong mints at 50 yards and try to hit every single one first time under real-world conditions. If you can't, leave the rabbits be - practice your fieldcraft till you can get a bit nearer, say 30-35 yards. That way, your 3-9x will be fine...

[Patrick 2]

You haven't explained why you can't get any closer, is lack of fieldcraft or what?

[johnbennett]

A late reply I know but you say you want a scope for hunting rabbits at range and for hft. Firstly I think the effective and safe range for rabbits has been answered but you say your rifle is fac @ 30ft/lb surely hft is a sub 12ft/lb limit so how do you shoot with 30ft/lb. As for scope good glass and front objective no bigger than 44mm for hft you need good depth of field because you have to preset your scope at around 25 yards and not allowed to use it for range finding.

[TORNADOS7]

Just wanna chuck this little gem into the mix here as we all seem to be giving 'digweed' a wee bit of a roasting, why is it that a certain airgunner who'll have to stay nameless is posting videos of himself on 'YouTube' shooting Crows and Rabbits at anywhere upto 75yds whilst claiming that the rifle he's using is 11.6fpe and in fact 'apparently' all of his air rifles are set at 11.6fpe with the emphasis on 'apparently' cos it sure as hell whacks em over with relative ease at those ranges, doesn't set a good example to other shooters/new airgunners now does it !...

Dare I suggest that he's either 'bullshitting us' and his rifles are running far hotter than he's letting on in which case he's in possession of an illegal firearm and covering his tracks or air rifles are are far more capable than they are given credit for !...

Your thoughts on the subject would be welcomed !...👍

[JLB]

Just wanna chuck this little gem into the mix here as we all seem to be giving 'digweed' a wee bit of a roasting, why is it that a certain airgunner who'll have to stay nameless is posting videos of himself on 'YouTube' shooting Crows and Rabbits at anywhere upto 75yds whilst claiming that the rifle he's using is 11.6fpe and in fact 'apparently' all of his air rifles are set at 11.6fpe with the emphasis on 'apparently' cos it sure as hell whacks em over with relative ease at those ranges, doesn't set a good example to other shooters/new airgunners now does it !...

Dare I suggest that he's either 'bullshitting us' and his rifles are running far hotter than he's letting on in which case he's in possession of an illegal firearm and covering his tracks or air rifles are are far more capable than they are given credit for !...

Your thoughts on the subject would be welcomed !...��

Got to agree there, is does get a bit holier than thow on here sometimes To answer the question, I would look at Vortex or Nikon, good 'glass' for the money & both have a choice of reticle styles.

John

[angrybear]

Just wanna chuck this little gem into the mix here as we all seem to be giving 'digweed' a wee bit of a roasting, why is it that a certain airgunner who'll have to stay nameless is posting videos of himself on 'YouTube' shooting Crows and Rabbits at anywhere upto 75yds whilst claiming that the rifle he's using is 11.6fpe and in fact 'apparently' all of his air rifles are set at 11.6fpe with the emphasis on 'apparently' cos it sure as hell whacks em over with relative ease at those ranges, doesn't set a good example to other shooters/new airgunners now does it !...

Dare I suggest that he's either 'bullshitting us' and his rifles are running far hotter than he's letting on in which case he's in possession of an illegal firearm and covering his tracks or air rifles are are far more capable than they are given credit for !...

Your thoughts on the subject would be welcomed !...��

Even for the best Olympic class shooter in the world, 75yds with a sub 12 is both stupid & immoral on live targets, fine to practice/show off at paper, but air time for the pellet gives too much chance of a live target moving.

[PCPShooter]

my apologies for not replying sooner - on reading my question again; i do agree it is a bit of a naff question and I should have thought more about it's contents; however, in reply to some of your questions. The rabbits are at about a distance of about 50yds - I can't really get any closer. And will be shot with my Daystate huntsman xl which is on a FAC - it has been detuned to 30ftlb. my desire for a brighter scope is purely to see more clearly in low light. I use 10 x 42 Bino's so the suggestion of 3 - 12 sounds ok - has anyone tried Bushnell's?

50 yards rabbits with fac air, off bipod/bag/rested up on tree, in still conditions comes down to your ability, it is imo around the range limited by type of rifle (fac air)
If you like your Binoculars - look for a Nikon Scope, lots around for under £500, all the models over the £300 mark are excellent glass, I really rate the EFR 3-9 which retails here at £175 ish. On one of my fac rifles I use a Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16 x, at the time the best glass for the money. Any Busnell Elite is going to be very very good, I've heard the ones that go from 2.5-16 are not as good as the older ones with 3 or 4 x zoom range.
For my 'dedicated' hunting stuff I tend to use Bushnell, Elite, or have a recent legend with rainguard coating. I do find that the rear not fogging up on a cold outing if breathed on accidentally is worthwhile. I think in the £250-£500 band, you'll not beat Nikon or Bushnell. Weaver knock out a few nice scopes, there are some Leupolds too, but you get less for the money, though the glass is very easy on the eye, and Burris too are worth a look -