Scope Breakers - Reverse Recoil

[POLO]

I had a BSA Supersport in the 1990s which killed two cheap scopes: a Bushmaster 3-9x40 and a Tasco Silver Antler 4x32, both broken reticles.

I occasionally think of putting a scope on a FWB300S, which although low powered has a sledge anti-recoil system, which I think would be hard on scopes. If I ever do, I'll use a modern scope.

Hi

I used a 300s with a scope, absolutely no problems. Just enjoy the incredeble accuracy.

[gsxrman]

The harshest rifle I ever owned was a Diana 52. Bought it 2nd hand. It broke the spring guide twice as it was only plastic. Someone had shoved an Ox kit in it badly. When we eventually got it chronoed it was neat 20ftlb with .177 Bisley Mags. Fully stripped, had a spring guide made out of metal, chopped spring, weights in piston, ported cleaned and polished and it was a different animal.
The 52 was a cracking rifle even if the balance was iffy, but even at its worst it never broke a scope.
I think luck or rather being unlucky with a Friday afternoon build is a real possibility but not again and again.
Lots of people like myself have had no problems at all, some people have had lots if issues with scopes. Some people have had the odd one which will be the unlucky ones.
The ones who have had lots of broken scopes are probably not looking after the scope properly and that's what's causing the repetitive failures.

[evert]

Hi

I used a 300s with a scope, absolutely no problems. Just enjoy the incredeble accuracy.

Yeah, its a max 8fpe gun, with a quite heavy barrel/action and a synthetic buffer at the end of the piston. Not much chance for brutal movements.
I would'nt worry about a 300 breaking scopes unless it has a bad buffer or worn piston rings.

[glam69]

I had a Nikko-Sterling Gold Crown eye piece fall a part on a sub 12ft/lb Weihrauch HW97K. Have various Hawke scopes which have been great and the life-time guarantee with the proof of receipt is worth it’s weight in gold.

[evert]

New one on the list: BSA 4x32 Deerhunter on a Webley Xocet with factory setup. Reticle broken.

[flyingfish]

New one on the list: BSA 4x32 Deerhunter on a Webley Xocet with factory setup. Reticle broken.

Xocets didn't take prisoners, especially the k

[evert]

Xocets didn't take prisoners, especially the k

But why do they break more scopes than Vulcans? They are basically the same gun? Perhaps transfer port differences?
Hmm, I need to measure som ports now.

[flyingfish]

Mine shook teeth loose
Fitted a Vmach spring and guide set and it transformed the gun
Regret selling it when I went FAC
So I can only think poor spring guides along with a short barrel needing more spring power

[TonyL]

Yeah, its a max 8fpe gun, with a quite heavy barrel/action and a synthetic buffer at the end of the piston. Not much chance for brutal movements.
I would'nt worry about a 300 breaking scopes unless it has a bad buffer or worn piston rings.

Good point and very reassuring.

[evert]

Mine shook teeth loose
Fitted a Vmach spring and guide set and it transformed the gun
Regret selling it when I went FAC
So I can only think poor spring guides along with a short barrel needing more spring power

Probably true. All my Vulcans have softer Maccari springs and fitted guides.
Time to rummage through the spring boxes and look for something suitable and make a guide kit.

[kevin j]

its the same old story with scopes he who pays cheap pays twice

[flyingfish]

its the same old story with scopes he who pays cheap pays twice

I had about 10 years out of air gunning
The biggest improvement I saw on my return was in the quality of cheap scopes
My Airmax costing £160 is so close the the optical performance of my Sidewinder at £300+ that I see no real difference
All backed by the Hawke guarantee

[evert]

its the same old story with scopes he who pays cheap pays twice

Well, I've broken airgun rated Weaver rimfire scopes on recoiling springers.

Which expensive scopes do you think will stand up to nasty springer recoil?

[simesgee]

...bought a new BSA Lightning .22 years ago new, with a nice new BSA 3-9x40. Little balls from the click adjust turrets fell out . Quite funny when you think about it (BSA gun breaking a BSA scope). Was cheap rubbish tho. Scope wasn't much better