Scope for an air rifle?

398 Views 20 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Daniel556, 6 h ago

Clark

Discussion Starter · 8 d ago

I have an older Marksman model 55 .177 caliber pellet rifle that I am considering putting a scope on. In a brief bit of research online I found numerous scopes ranging from $125 to over $500. I also found what is claimed to be a fully automatic capable, 1000 rounds per minute cyclic rate compressed air rifle in .22, .30 and .35 caliber but that can be a separate post.

Does anyone here have experience with scoping a pellet rifle and what brand of scope did you use?

Thanks in advance..

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

nicholst55

· #2 · 8 d ago

Look for a dedicated air rifle scope, if your air rifle is a break-barrel spring piston model. The piston slamming forward will kill most regular rifle scopes - especially budget models. Unless the lenses are secured against counter-recoil, they WILL come loose. Another consideration is how close the scope will focus; many go from 50 yards to infinity, which gives you a fuzzy image at 10 meters - typical air rifle shooting distance.

Air Rifle Scopes

Reactions: 5

OMCHamlin

· #3 · 8 d ago

I have an old RWS Diana 48 and it's had a Hawke Airmax EV 3-9x40 AO, that's a big honking side lever, and it (the Hawke) has held up fine. I doubt that gun would be too gentle on a cheap scope.

Reactions: 3

Scott in Texas

· #4 · 8 d ago

I have a Benjamin Marauder "Precharged pneumatic" .22 caliber with a Nikon P22 scope on it. Since it's not a springer I can get away with this.
Apparently Nikon bailed out of the rifle scope business so only used P22 scopes are available.

I suggest you go to Pyramidair.com's website and see what they recommend and stock.

Reactions: 1

Caederre

· #5 · 8 d ago

I don't know your air rifle's model but a Hawke airmax is a good call. They are build to withstand Springers.

That's my field target set up:

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Reactions: 4

Chingon

· #6 · 8 d ago

Schmidt and Bender 1-8x24mm PM II ShortDot Dual CC. If that ain't in the budget, a Tasco will do.

Reactions: 1

Walnut and Steel

· #7 · 8 d ago

The people who run Element scopes are apparently air gun afficionados. not cheap though.

Jackofalltrades03

· #8 · 8 d ago

OMCHamlin said:
I have an old RWS Diana 48 and it's had a Hawke Airmax EV 3-9x40 AO, that's a big honking side lever, and it (the Hawke) has held up fine. I doubt that gun would be too gentle on a cheap scope.

There are scope mounts that have spring loaded rails on Pyramids site for the aggressive pellet guns.

I have a RWS 52 and I had to stake the rails to keep the scope in place. I was using one of the better old Bushnell scopes and it took the beating.

Reactions: 2

nicholst55

· #9 · 8 d ago

Jackofalltrades03 said:
There are scope mounts that have spring loaded rails on Pyramids site for the aggressive pellet guns.

I have a RWS 52 and I had to stake the rails to keep the scope in place. I was using one of the better old Bushnell scopes and it took the beating.

Typically, a recoil stop will solve this problem. You place it in front of one of the scope rings, butted right up against it.

Recoil Stop

Reactions: 2

M11293

· #10 · 7 d ago

I've got a Beeman R9 0.20 cal that could use some glass... this thread reminded me of finding one.

OMCHamlin

· #11 · 7 d ago

M11293 said:
I've got a Beeman R9 0.20 cal that could use some glass... this thread reminded me of finding one.

This place will help vacuum up ANY extra $$$ you have lying around...

Reactions: 4

unkola

· #12 · 7 d ago

RWS Diana 34 springer here. I put on a cheap Barska scope 10 years ago. Taken out a lot of squirrels in my peach trees. Surprised it's lasted as long as it has. -Lloyd 🍻

Reactions: 1

M11293

· #13 · 7 d ago

Can a spring rated air rifle scope be used on a conventional rifle without damage/issue?

Reactions: 1

unkola

· #14 · 7 d ago (Edited)

Actually, the cheap Barska that that I put on my RWS was listed as a .22 scope. I did put a small .22, 4x32 Lupy on it that I owned first when I bought it. It failed the 3rd time I used it, with the reticle shifting. After every shot, the poi shifted, which made the scope a pos!! Lupy did repair it and suggested that I limit using it on a springer air gun. It's on a .22 again. -Lloyd 🍻

Reactions: 1

Jackofalltrades03

· #15 · 7 d ago

M11293 said:
Can a spring rated air rifle scope be used on a conventional rifle without damage/issue?

Probably, but I don't know why you would do that other than a experiment. The turrets are usually waaaaay over sized and may get in the way

Clark

Discussion Starter · #16 · 7 d ago

Caederre said:
I don't know your air rifle's model but a Hawke airmax is a good call. They are build to withstand Springers.

That's my field target set up:

View attachment 516545

What is the wheel on the side?

Reactions: 1

Clark

Discussion Starter · #17 · 7 d ago

nicholst55 said:
Look for a dedicated air rifle scope, if your air rifle is a break-barrel spring piston model. The piston slamming forward will kill most regular rifle scopes - especially budget models. Unless the lenses are secured against counter-recoil, they WILL come loose. Another consideration is how close the scope will focus; many go from 50 yards to infinity, which gives you a fuzzy image at 10 meters - typical air rifle shooting distance.

Air Rifle Scopes

It is a break-barrel model that I've had for around 30 years. Squirrels in my apple tree are 50 to 60 feet away. 80 or so to the cherry tree. I took one out yesterday with the irons.

Reactions: 1

OMCHamlin

· #18 · 7 d ago

Clark said:
What is the wheel on the side?

I'm not sure, but it MAY be something to do with precise parallax dialing? (or, completely not...)
Anyhow, thanks! Now I'm piddling around with a old pellet gun as heavy as a damn M1 on my porch as the sun is getting full up, after scrounging through the garage, and finally unboxing and planting a flea market treasure, an old metal Crossman resetting squirrel target at the edge of the fire pit.

Reactions: 1

Caederre

· #19 · 7 d ago

Clark said:
What is the wheel on the side?

That big wheel is used to precisely parallax, it helps to identify the range to the target.

Once you got the range you can adjust the scope or use milldots.

I am on duty today, I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow, once home from work.

Reactions: 2

Caederre

· #20 · 5 d ago

As promised here is the follow up picture.
Once you adjust the parallax you can check the distance on the wheel.

In my case everything is in meters. Look it up on your sheet, adjust scope and you're set.

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Reactions: 1

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