Over-Scoping Air Rifles

[cooper_dan]

Not me - 1.5x20, 2.5x20 and 1.5-5x32 are all that I use. Makes me laugh when people insist on fitting a mega-scope to an air rifle that likely only ever be used for garden plinking - maybe it's because they're lacking in some other department. The scope manufacturers love it...

I don't think it's any different from driving a Porsche or Ferrari in this country, can't use that power or speed but if that's what floats your boat go for it
I've seen people with massive scopes on backyard guns and they're having a great time

[mikewareing]

I mainly hunt and find 6 x mag is sufficient. I shoot up to 40 yards.
At the range, I shoot up to 70 yards at 9 x mag.
Seems to work well enough for me.

[vestlenning]

4x32 and AO for me.

[Rob Edge]

I have 2.5-10x42 Nighteater and a couple of 3-9x50 Panamax which double for NV use.

[Rapidnick]

The answer to the OP's question in my experience is 'yes'. I am always discussing this with new club members along the lines of 'why on earth are you fitting a 6~24x50 crappy scope with side parallax adjustment wheels when all you are doing is shooting on 12x on a range that is 55 yards long at maximum. It just isn't necessary. I suggest to them that they would be better off buying a really nice-or at least 'better' scope with a maximum of 12x magnification. Also although a 30mm tube lets more light through than the humble 25mm this is more than enough for shooting at any air rifle range. Sadly few listen but that is up to them. The 'arms race' in gun and glass continues and will continue for as long as we shoot. Pride of ownership of high end (that is high price) kit will be with us for ever.

[Rob Edge]

The answer to the OP's question in my experience is 'yes'. I am always discussing this with new club members along the lines of 'why on earth are you fitting a 6~24x50 crappy scope with side parallax adjustment wheels when all you are doing is shooting on 12x on a range that is 55 yards long at maximum. It just isn't necessary. I suggest to them that they would be better off buying a really nice-or at least 'better' scope with a maximum of 12x magnification. Also although a 30mm tube lets more light through than the humble 25mm this is more than enough for shooting at any air rifle range. Sadly few listen but that is up to them. The 'arms race' in gun and glass continues and will continue for as long as we shoot. Pride of ownership of high end (that is high price) kit will be with us for ever.

My 3-9x50 is used on my FAC in .25 out to 100 yards. AS Nick has said you just can't teach someone who has a closed mind.

[Portzy]

I am in the less is more camp but I can underststand and I do appreciate and agree with the "pride of ownership" thing.

I'm learning that, pound for pound, a scope with fewer bells and whistles where the expense has gone into better engineering and clearer glass usually results in respect for the item and better performance. So for me, I now flit between 32mm and 40mm, the exception being........

On talking to my target shooting team mates, (25yd .22 lr benchrest), who think nothing of having scopes up to or beyond 20 magnification with 50mm lenses, (but set them on 12x), they tell me that you don't want to be on your limits of magnification so it's best to have plenty in reserve. I can sort of see the logic in that but ideally I need it explaining in more detail.

[Solvo]

When I was still a member of a local airgun club there was a definite 'bigger is better' approach to scopes. Many of the folks used ridiculous scopes for the 30-50 yard range. Now i've moved on to mostly rimfire and the trend is the exact opposite with most people preferring the small scopes which top at about 6 mag with a 20 or 24mm objective. Also a surprising number of tactical style reflex sights which are still very under used on airguns, especially for things like barn ratting.

[phil384]

4x32 and AO for me.

Ditto

[MrGrumpy]

Grumps over scope a gun !!!! Never
well apart from the 4.5/30 x 50 bushnell elite scopes i have on my PCPs

[robs5230]

For hunting - 3-9x40 non AO. always left on 4x mag. K.I.S.S. principle. Same scope on all my rifles

[TORNADOS7]

I'm with 'Rabbitwrecker' on this one, had some absolutely ridiculous scopes (for an airgun) over the years 6-24x mags and 50/56mm objectives to name a few, now using a 'Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO/MD' which if I'm honest is more than I realistically need but it was the right price/availability at the time...

Only ever sits on 5-6x and stays set on 30yds but the option is there for a little more if I ever needed it, say long range rabbiting...

[Portzy]

For hunting - 3-9x40 non AO. always left on 4x mag. K.I.S.S. principle. Same scope on all my rifles

Coincidentaly, I'm drawn towards non AO lately. What is the K.I.S.S. principle if I may ask please.