Field target scopes

[Stuart.B]

Having just got back into the wonderful world of air rifles i am discovering just how much i have missed in the last 30 yrs or so!!
One thing that has moved forward is the quality and quantity of scopes available!
What is your favourite for Field Target work?
How did you make the decision?

[JerryD]

Now that's a question with a verrrrrrrry long answer!!

For FT, ability to range consistently is key, together with reliable and repeatable dialling. Execept for a few scopes, 40x minimum is needed as the need to resolve with 2 yds at 55yds is needed. Then weight, tube size and accessories come into play. Don't get caught up too much in tube size, as lens quality will have an impact. Also, whether the focus fades in out or snaps in can bw a big factor, depending on what you prefer.

Popular scopes in royghly ascending cost
The "big nikko""10-50*60, but it's just been discontinued. Plenty 2nd hand though. Probably won more ft comps than any other.
The Falcon X50 is a comparable alternative, and a bit lighter as well
Sightron SIII next, very similar to Falcon X50
Delta Stryker 5-50*56, built like a tank but a solid performer if you can deal with the very fine reticle
Vortex Eagle next, but not very many being used

Then you're into the silly money territory of the Khales 1050i, March Highmaster and Schmidt&Bender PMII, all north of £2500ish.

Best bet: get to local FT club and see what folk are using. Look through a few, try the parallax/focus to see how snappy they are and which you prefer. There are plenty of 2nd hand out there, but it's still a big outlay.

All scopes take time to learn as well: it's not a case of bolting it on and away you go. They all have their foibles, particualrly in respect of how they deal with changes in temperature. All to be learnt!!!

[Craig-P]

Top advice from Jerry.
Get along to a decent FT club and have a peek through a few different models. You’re going to be parting with the bare minimum of £500 on the secondhand market (possibly a bit less if you take a wild punt on a Tasco Custom Shop, or the less magnification spec Bushnell 8-32) so take your time in deciding.

[gsxrman]

Some good advice already, chance is you wont get it right first time.
Personelly I hate the "super big scopes", lots of weight, bulk and generally poorer glass.
I like a crystal clear picture, so i cant get away with "milk bottle lenses". With practice a quality 32x with good glass and eyes is just as good at ranging.
Have used Leopold EFR powered up to 40x, Leopold Bench Rest Fixed 35x etc, but my favourites are the 32x, Burris and Bausch & Lomb.
The bausch has outstanding clarity, but as mentioned earlier the Bushnell Elite 4200 8-32x is a very good scope.
The scope choice is a massive part of the rig, not just a range finder, it can aid or disrupt balance of the rifle, i know its only a few shots but you have to kneel and stand to shoot too.
Then there are the 20x sillies to shoot which is all standing, great fun they are.
You watch people giving up half way through or just dont bother because their rig is 20lbs.
Lots to consider, defo buy a used unit, but most of all have fun and enjoy the learning curve.

[JerryD]

Some good advice already, chance is you wont get it right first time.
Personelly I hate the "super big scopes", lots of weight, bulk and generally poorer glass.
I like a crystal clear picture, so i cant get away with "milk bottle lenses". With practice a quality 32x with good glass and eyes is just as good at ranging.
Have used Leopold EFR powered up to 40x, Leopold Bench Rest Fixed 35x etc, but my favourites are the 32x, Burris and Bausch & Lomb.
The bausch has outstanding clarity, but as mentioned earlier the Bushnell Elite 4200 8-32x is a very good scope.
The scope choice is a massive part of the rig, not just a range finder, it can aid or disrupt balance of the rifle, i know its only a few shots but you have to kneel and stand to shoot too.
Then there are the 20x sillies to shoot which is all standing, great fun they are.
You watch people giving up half way through or just dont bother because their rig is 20lbs.
Lots to consider, defo buy a used unit, but most of all have fun and enjoy the learning curve.

Agree on the Bushy - that's why I have 2! Brilliant springer scope.

One of the nicest opticswise is my Leupy 20-50*50, but it's a bit too elastic with temperature. I got a Delta Stryker as that's a lot more reliable with temperature, but it does have a very fine reticle. The 10MOA per full turret turn means never being a turn out though!

[gsxrman]

Agree on the Bushy - that's why I have 2! Brilliant springer scope.

One of the nicest opticswise is my Leupy 20-50*50, but it's a bit too elastic with temperature. I got a Delta Stryker as that's a lot more reliable with temperature, but it does have a very fine reticle. The 10MOA per full turret turn means never being a turn out though!

Stryker sounds good, is the glass as clear as the Leo?
I wouldnt "down grade" the Bushy to a springer scope, they good full stop, 2-3m of ranging is accurate enough at long range with a 40mm target!
I used to have a sticky on fish tank thermometer on the rifle with the EFR Leo, but again its what you get used to and you adapt to different situations.
I use a Rapid 17FT for HFT and FT when I fancy a change with the B&L mounted, it never moves, zero never alters at all.
Never have to re zero before a shoot like a lot of others, i just have a few practice shots, for me, practice hold breathing timing etc.

[Jesim1]

Now that's a question with a verrrrrrrry long answer!!

For FT, ability to range consistently is key, together with reliable and repeatable dialling. Execept for a few scopes, 40x minimum is needed as the need to resolve with 2 yds at 55yds is needed. Then weight, tube size and accessories come into play. Don't get caught up too much in tube size, as lens quality will have an impact. Also, whether the focus fades in out or snaps in can bw a big factor, depending on what you prefer.

Popular scopes in royghly ascending cost
The "big nikko""10-50*60, but it's just been discontinued. Plenty 2nd hand though. Probably won more ft comps than any other.
The Falcon X50 is a comparable alternative, and a bit lighter as well
Sightron SIII next, very similar to Falcon X50
Delta Stryker 5-50*56, built like a tank but a solid performer if you can deal with the very fine reticle
Vortex Eagle next, but not very many being used

Then you're into the silly money territory of the Khales 1050i, March Highmaster and Schmidt&Bender PMII, all north of £2500ish.

Best bet: get to local FT club and see what folk are using. Look through a few, try the parallax/focus to see how snappy they are and which you prefer. There are plenty of 2nd hand out there, but it's still a big outlay.

All scopes take time to learn as well: it's not a case of bolting it on and away you go. They all have their foibles, particualrly in respect of how they deal with changes in temperature. All to be learnt!!!

Jerry has pretty much nailed it and I'd have to agree with everything he said, to start with a Big Nikko is probably a very sensible way to go, you can get them for around £450/500 and will get your money back when you upgrade if you stick it in the future and want to experiment with higher ticket items.