Air Rifle Scopes

[Amateur 0]

Can anyone recommend a decent scope for my (mint but old) HW80. It has 4 x 32 Tasco's on 2 piece mounts and stop blocks but is only useable in good light. I am convinced that the scopes move over time with these mounts too as I have to zero regularly.

I have seen nikko sterling 3-9 x 40 ao's at £40 and 1 piece mounts around £20 and 3-9x42 airkings at £70. Anyone rate these? This is about my budget for now.

Also - my old scopes have plain cross-hairs. Most of the stuff advertised is mil dot reticle. I've not used this type before - what are the advantages?

Many thanks.

[RAMCAM 4]

Can anyone recommend a decent scope for my (mint but old) HW80. It has 4 x 32 Tasco's on 2 piece mounts and stop blocks but is only useable in good light. I am convinced that the scopes move over time with these mounts too as I have to zero regularly.

I have seen nikko sterling 3-9 x 40 ao's at £40 and 1 piece mounts around £20 and 3-9x42 airkings at £70. Anyone rate these? This is about my budget for now.

Also - my old scopes have plain cross-hairs. Most of the stuff advertised is mil dot reticle. I've not used this type before - what are the advantages?

Many thanks.

 

 

Hi

 

Nikkon sterlings are good quality scopes, but for the same price you could buy an Hawke scope with an illuminated recticle. If you want a scope to use in low light conditions go for one with a larger bell like a Hawke Sport HD IR Scope 3-9x50 for £52 or 4-12x50 £56.95 these scopes are more than adequate for hunting.

 

http://www.saddleryandgunroom.co.uk/gunroom/sg_scopes.htm

 

Mildots provide useful aiming points holdover/holdunder. A pellets trajectory is a curve that increases sharply with distance so you have to lift the muzzle to compensate at longer ranges. With my 11.5ft/lb .177 zeroed at 35 yards and the scope set to 6x magnification using a 8.4 grain pellet I would need half a mildot below the cross hair for a 45 yard shot and one mildot below for 55 yards. At 12x mag I would need one mildot below for 45 yards and two mildots at 55 yards.

 

 

Alan

[psb_74 0]

You could also have a look at the mtc cobra 3 9x42 scope it is a mil-dot scope and really good value for £55 with mounts and flip u cover. I have just brought on to go on my aa s410 to use with nv ad-on and it performs just perfect. As RAMCAM as said above mildot scope are really good for getting to know your aim points. Atb Paul

Edited November 22, 2010 by psb_74

[andyfr1968 772]

Hi, mate.

 

I've a Leapers 2-7x32 on my HW90 and I really rate this little scope. The optics are fantastic for the price and in spite of it's lowley 32mm lense, it works very well with a lamp or in low light. It's strong as feck and designed for springers. It's been on the gun now for over two years.

 

I've used much more expensive and higher spec scopes over the years but this one really works for me. It's got IR and mil dots too.

 

I've never been a follower of fashion, only what works.

 

Cheers.

 

Edit to say.... Any half decent scope will do just fine when lamping so long as the lamp's any good...

Edited November 22, 2010 by andyfr1968

[pianoman 3,587]

Spot on advices there RAMCAM As a devout HW80 shooter myself I can vouch for the Nikko stirling and Hawke scopes for your own rifle. Both makes are really well suited to recoiling spring rifles. The two-piece mounts you are using should be fine. I use them exclusively too and without problems. They can adjust and set the scope perfecty to the rifle with more play for ballance, than one-piece mounts. You just need to check they are securely tight on the HW80's scope rails perhaps, after prolonged shooting. The shift in zero will probably be due to changes in atmospheric temperature, from outdoors to indoors, rather than the mounts you are using.

 

 

Also, as an idea, have a look out for a good condition, secondhand Simmons Whitetail Classic 4.5-14X40 scope. The Simmons company no longer makes this particular riflescope alas, but, I bought one when I bought my HW80 .22 standard rifle from brand new. I still proudly have it fitted to my rifle. It is a truly fantastic scope, perfectly matched for the HW80 and I wish I'd bought a second one!

 

They were priced at £230:00 new, ten years ago and mine is as reliable in retaining zero and accuracy as the day I fitted it to my HW80. And it features a straightforward Duplex reticle you'll be more accustomed to, if mildots are not to your liking. You could find one for a bargain price now and, if you come across one, snap it up!

 

Pianoman

[Amateur 0]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I know which way I'll be going now.