Over-Scoping Air Rifles

[Beretta303]

What is the best size scope for a sub12 ft.lbs Air Rifle?
4X32, 6X42, 8X56, 10X42 or any one of the zooms available from 1.5X6X24 to 10X50X60?
Surely for an Air rifle it is the reticule that is important rather than a large zoom range.
Are we all guilty of overscoping our Air Rifles?


A.G

I would agree totally with this, I use a Falcon 4-14x44FFPSF-MOA, it has an extended lower leg on the ret and with careful zeroing enables shots from 8 yards to 120 yards (dependent on shot elevation). I shoot at 10x zoom regardless.

The reticle was the main consideration when buying the scope (I actually have two) as I wanted a scope that would work with a sub 12ftlb .22 at extended ranges. The tradeoffs are its heavy, quite long and has a bulky saddle with large oversize turrets, but at the end of the day these are minor issues when you consider the luxury of marked aim points all the way out to 120 yards.

So yes, for me, the reticle is the single most important reason for buying any scope, quality glass and other features are then secondary issues that more often than not add serious cost and often go hand in hand with the ret you're after anyway, then it just depends on your bank balance.

As for overscoping, I think most shooters, especially beginners, have at some point gone down the 6.25-24x56 (etc) route and then at a later date having gleaned knowledge and advice then changed to glass that suits their particular need best, whatever that may be.

[zephyr]

I would agree totally with this, I use a Falcon 4-14x44FFPSF-MOA, it has an extended lower leg on the ret and with careful zeroing enables shots from 8 yards to 120 yards (dependent on shot elevation). I shoot at 10x zoom regardless.

The reticle was the main consideration when buying the scope (I actually have two) as I wanted a scope that would work with a sub 12ftlb .22 at extended ranges. The tradeoffs are its heavy, quite long and has a bulky saddle with large oversize turrets, but at the end of the day these are minor issues when you consider the luxury of marked aim points all the way out to 120 yards.

So yes, for me, the reticle is the single most important reason for buying any scope, quality glass and other features are then secondary issues that more often than not add serious cost and often go hand in hand with the ret you're after anyway, then it just depends on your bank balance.

As for overscoping, I think most shooters, especially beginners, have at some point gone down the 6.25-24x56 (etc) route and then at a later date having gleaned knowledge and advice then changed to glass that suits their particular need best, whatever that may be.

A good measured reply that recognises 'what's right for one won't be right for all'.

A plinker shooting a can at 10yds, perhaps open sights is good enough. A person shooting rabbits / pigeons or similar at, maybe 30yds, should be achieving 1/2" group, so some sort of magnification would seem appropriate to ensure a humane kill. A Benchrester needs a higher magnification to see the 2mm 'bull'.

[lensman57]

I would agree totally with this, I use a Falcon 4-14x44FFPSF-MOA, it has an extended lower leg on the ret and with careful zeroing enables shots from 8 yards to 120 yards (dependent on shot elevation). I shoot at 10x zoom regardless.

The reticle was the main consideration when buying the scope (I actually have two) as I wanted a scope that would work with a sub 12ftlb .22 at extended ranges. The tradeoffs are its heavy, quite long and has a bulky saddle with large oversize turrets, but at the end of the day these are minor issues when you consider the luxury of marked aim points all the way out to 120 yards.

So yes, for me, the reticle is the single most important reason for buying any scope, quality glass and other features are then secondary issues that more often than not add serious cost and often go hand in hand with the ret you're after anyway, then it just depends on your bank balance.

As for overscoping, I think most shooters, especially beginners, have at some point gone down the 6.25-24x56 (etc) route and then at a later date having gleaned knowledge and advice then changed to glass that suits their particular need best, whatever that may be.

One of the reasons that I don't touch the Nikon range that despite having superb glass and construction are totally useless for my kind of shooting which is long range target, 90 yards is the max that I attempt for now .

The other point that I always consider is the effect of the scope on the balance and handling of the rifle. I find large scopes in addition of being too heavy and requiring high mounts which in combination with the weight totally alter the balance of the rifle and even make it unstable.

A.G

[Steyr]

its a tool
you have more than one choice
up to you to choose the tool for the job.
nobody is the same so the choice of tool may vary from one to another
becomes more complex if the scope is to be used for more than one role like FT/HFT/Hunting/Bench etc

[wanderer]

Ok, having read the 3 pages of replies and being on the lookout for a new scope, what would be the best scope for killing rats at 15-25 yards and target shooting up to 35 yards.

I need something that will provide clear images to help with clean kills and must be as simple to use as possible.

Budget... up to £350ish

[Rapidnick]

Ok, having read the 3 pages of replies and being on the lookout for a new scope, what would be the best scope for killing rats at 15-25 yards and target shooting up to 35 yards.

I need something that will provide clear images to help with clean kills and must be as simple to use as possible.

Budget... up to £350ish

For ratting I reckon the Nikon Prostaff 2~7x32 is actually better than the older Simmons 1.5~5x20 which is still a great scope. For 35 yard targets the Prostaff will still be excellent but will only cost you about £100 'mint used'.. As for £350 if you really want to spend that much I have a Leupold 3-9x40 mildot which does a fantastic job. I also love my Nikon Monarch 4~16x42 mildot which cost me £250 mint used. This is also a superb scope with more magnification when your eyes start to deteriorate.
You are going to get a lot of different answers to your question so be prepared for complete confusion.

[Artfull-Bodger]

You buy a scope to suit the job your doing with it.

Do you need a 10-50x60 to shoot rats in a barn? no, in fact it's useless for it.

Do you buy a 6x40 to shoot FT competitions, no, it's useless for it.

Do you need a 6-24x50 for plinking mints in the garden, no.

do you need a 6-24x50 to shoot small targets at 60yds yes.

Can you use a Leupold 3-9x40 later into the evening than a cheap JSR? yes, so you buy the Leupold if that's what you need!

Zoom scopes are more versatile as you can wind the mag down when you need a wider FOV, you cant wind up a fixed 6x mag if you need to.

Scopes are entirely dependant on the use , the quality your prepared to pay for and the reticle or mechanical specification you require!

Sounds to me half the guys who get so worked up about other peoples scopes have an inferiority complex!

[Muskett]

This^

All my farmyard range rifles have pretty KISS easy scopes with pretty low magnification.

My benchrest, shoot a nat, rifles have all the toys high mag scopes.

My best scopes did cost a lot. Best glass is worth the investment and its the quality of glass that drags in the most light in tricky conditions.
(30mm scopes are not brighter than 1" tubed scopes, just makes it easier o build and give loads of adjustment. The objective lens and quality of glass is what does the clarity).
Build quality matters, and there are a lot of pretty poor high feature scopes being pushed that really aren't much cop. Some jems to be had, though often because they are fixed powered.

Lastly I do like a scope to match the rifle in scale. If it looks right on the rifle then its probably fine.

[rhyslightnin]

Ok, having read the 3 pages of replies and being on the lookout for a new scope, what would be the best scope for killing rats at 15-25 yards and target shooting up to 35 yards.

I need something that will provide clear images to help with clean kills and must be as simple to use as possible.

Budget... up to £350ish

I'd say a 4x32/6x42/2-7x32/3-9x40.. high quality up to £350!
Try £150, £200 tops!!
Save your cash & look at vortex Diamondback & Nikon prostaff. I had a prostaff 4x32 which had an excellent Plex Ret. I've had a few vortex's now.. Diamondback is deffo the best value. But if I was building a dedicated ratting setup from scratch, I'd get a Nikon 4x32 Plex, or 2-7x32 Plex

[wanderer]

Cheers guys, if I was just out killing rats, forgetting target shouting, at a short to medium range, what would the recommendation be?

Again, I could spend upto £350.

(I have problems with my eyes so I need very good clear optics)

[Artfull-Bodger]

If your after rats then it's going to be low light conditions, a zoom scope will allow you to drop the mag down and brighten the image, but then allow you to increase the mag and shoot farther when it suits you.

Mildot reticle so easy to see in low light and good build quality/lenses for the money - http://www.uttings.co.uk/p112248-bus.../#.WU1ipU2WyUk

[Geezer]

Cheers guys, if I was just out killing rats, forgetting target shouting, at a short to medium range, what would the recommendation be?

Again, I could spend upto £350.

(I have problems with my eyes so I need very good clear optics)

Leupold 3-9x33 EFR. Would also meet your longer-range target shooting requirement.

[mark410]

Cheers guys, if I was just out killing rats, forgetting target shouting, at a short to medium range, what would the recommendation be?

Again, I could spend upto £350.

(I have problems with my eyes so I need very good clear optics)

Tasco AG 4x40 AO, Japanese lens and very good with NV add-on if you go down that route. Quite rare these days but well worth a look if you ever get chance.

[Muskett]

MTC Mambalite as then you can stick a WDV on the back at some point. One of he best ratting set up there is. The Mamba has the features for the NV digi add ons. Not the most fantastic day scope in the world but it does fine at air rifle normal ranges.

[rhyslightnin]

Cheers guys, if I was just out killing rats, forgetting target shouting, at a short to medium range, what would the recommendation be?

Again, I could spend upto £350.

(I have problems with my eyes so I need very good clear optics)

Diamondback 3-9x40 BDC