I’m just looking for some people‘s opinion on what is the best all-around air rifle scope for as first focal plane scope just looking for some opinions before I spend some money.
The best All around Air rifle scope
- Thread starter Butch5454
- Start date
WOW such a broad topic Can you narrow it down a bit ? what would be the average lighting you shoot in just after sunrise , mid day indoors ? how about targets ? soup can size or dime size dot ? See what i mean ?
Generally i recommend Any Athlon scope that fits your budget
Generally i recommend Any Athlon scope that fits your budget
Upvote 0
If I was going to buy a scope today it would be an Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2 Mil 2-12x. You get nice glass, nice turrets, nice reticle, nice zoom range for most air rifle uses, illumination, decent weight, decent parallax wheel, decent price $400-$500.
But it looks like Athlon is starting to roll out the Gen 3 series and I might wait for an updated version of the Helos.
But it looks like Athlon is starting to roll out the Gen 3 series and I might wait for an updated version of the Helos.
Upvote 0
My 2cnts, I had started my air gunning w/ a 3x12 Athlon ( price was right). Next gun got another Athlon, but 4x12 of another series . I've moved to 4x16 & 6x24
all second side focus & 2nd focal plain, 1" & 30mm. I have now determined that I prefer 6x24 , side focus ,30mm tube first focal plane w/ an IR reticle of choice for my all around airgun scope. For night pesting I use ATN scopes , lower models that have more bells & whistles than I'll ever use, I just wanted night vision.
The power factor works for (me) small to medium pests at short to 70 ish ( max for me) yards. All guns are .22. Hawk & Athlon are in my budget @ under $400.
YMMV ,of course.
all second side focus & 2nd focal plain, 1" & 30mm. I have now determined that I prefer 6x24 , side focus ,30mm tube first focal plane w/ an IR reticle of choice for my all around airgun scope. For night pesting I use ATN scopes , lower models that have more bells & whistles than I'll ever use, I just wanted night vision.
The power factor works for (me) small to medium pests at short to 70 ish ( max for me) yards. All guns are .22. Hawk & Athlon are in my budget @ under $400.
YMMV ,of course.
Upvote 0
I would really help if you let us know what kind of rifle or pistol it will be mounted on. The normal range you plan to shoot it. Big difference between a scope for a break barrel and a PCP. What are you planning to target? Paper, critters, etc.?
Upvote 0
Maybe he figured “all around air rifle scope“ covered it but price range is a must and I have wondered myself about this brand you mentioned. i will look over models in that brand again and try one of them out. I was raised on open sites , literally denied permission to put a scope on anything until i was able to preform on a certain level with open sights. This irritated me to no end at my father but now im glad he did it that way. I only recently learned you could buy scopes with cross hairs etched on the actual glass in the scope and there are 2 types of focal planes and exactly what that means, lol. I just bought a range finder, what an amazing device, I discovered I don’t need it from around 150 yards and closer and I don’t really shoot much beyond that range, hahaha, its still a cool little device, I got a hawke brand that will read out to 800 yards, lol, that’s naval gun ranges to me,
. I know this isnt my thread but thanks for the brand recommendation. I have a 50 cal Megalodon, I’m going to get something with a longer barrel in 25 or 30 cal to shoot now I just have to chose something , it’s way worse for me on that part than even chosing an optic really there is just so much out there. you have narrowed down the optic brand for it though , I feel closer to the finish on it now! Thanks again!Upvote 0
For an optic that is more on the budget side and has side focus, IR, and is FFP, I really like the DiscoveryOpt HD 2-12x24SFIR. Fits perfect on my FX Panthera Hunter Compact perfectly and is under $200. The parallax can go all the way down to 10 yards. 
Upvote 0
Vector Veyron for budget around $250, Chinese-made with clear glass and performance of higher priced scopes. Super subcompact and light weight, ideal for bullpups. Own seven, six are 6-24x44, one is 3-12x44. All varieties, IR, SFP,FFP, various reticles. WM
Upvote 0
I have had the same $400 Athlon scope (4 years now ) on a 306 PB , several springers , Anschutz .22 PB . plus 3 PCP ;s Not one problem . I own 6 of them now .Maybe he figured “all around air rifle scope“ covered it but price range is a must and I have wondered myself about this brand you mentioned. i will look over models in that brand again and try one of them out. I was raised on open sites , literally denied permission to put a scope on anything until i was able to preform on a certain level with open sights. This irritated me to no end at my father but now im glad he did it that way. I only recently learned you could buy scopes with cross hairs etched on the actual glass in the scope and there are 2 types of focal planes and exactly what that means, lol. I just bought a range finder, what an amazing device, I discovered I don’t need it from around 150 yards and closer and I don’t really shoot much beyond that range, hahaha, its still a cool little device, I got a hawke brand that will read out to 800 yards, lol, that’s naval gun ranges to me,
Upvote 0
This is only one guy's opinion. Element Helix 6-24x50 FFP. It changes sometimes for me. I have decided this is the ultimate scope FOR WHAT I DO. It suits me. But I am still learning this scope. I need some longer than 25 to 47 yards practice time. Be Well Brothers, Bandito.
Last edited:
Upvote 0
We just love "What's the Best" questions here 
Ask a hundred people, you'll get a hundred different answers! The best is what works best FOR YOU & your setup. That could take trial & error or plain dumb luck til you find something. I'm more of a make-do & be grateful for what I can afford kind of guy. The best for me are any that allow me to accomplish the task at hand.
Ask a hundred people, you'll get a hundred different answers! The best is what works best FOR YOU & your setup. That could take trial & error or plain dumb luck til you find something. I'm more of a make-do & be grateful for what I can afford kind of guy. The best for me are any that allow me to accomplish the task at hand.Upvote 0
Arken line hands down best for the dollar. Ive have owned many scopes from Hawke to Athlon and Arken EPl4 or Ep4, or LH..
6-24×50....glass carity is comparable to optics well above its price point...
6-24×50....glass carity is comparable to optics well above its price point...
Upvote 0
A lot depends on your eyes, everyone's eyes see things different especially in low light or sun/shadow conditions. Best thing is find a big sporting goods store(if possible) and look thru a bunch of different scopes.
Some guys can get by/love a 250-300 scope while others swear by 2,000.00 scopes.
Some guys can get by/love a 250-300 scope while others swear by 2,000.00 scopes.
Upvote 0
I agree with the Arken Scopes, I just bought my first one, the EPL4 in 6x24x50 and it is really nice!
If you go to the Arken Optics site and decide on getting one type in Cyclops, and you will get a 25% discount
Last edited:
Upvote 0
These "best all around" questions are tricky. Assuming that you have a primary use in mind, then buy for that need and compromise on the secondary needs. Otherwise, you compromise on everything.
Upvote 0
I grew up with Leupold scopes to the point I always wondered why my parents never called me Leupold?
Vortex is another great brand I have learned to love and comes in a bit cheaper. Both have no questions asked and unsurpassed warranty. Many will claim it until your nice scope is broke then you're left on your own!
I broke down last month and found a Vector Continental scope with only 20 shots fired in MRAD FFP and the guy hated it. I paid him 60% of new price and he accepted. Really, I mean really nice clean scope for the money. I'm so happy with it that I installed it on my Sniper XR Magnum.
Vortex is another great brand I have learned to love and comes in a bit cheaper. Both have no questions asked and unsurpassed warranty. Many will claim it until your nice scope is broke then you're left on your own!
I broke down last month and found a Vector Continental scope with only 20 shots fired in MRAD FFP and the guy hated it. I paid him 60% of new price and he accepted. Really, I mean really nice clean scope for the money. I'm so happy with it that I installed it on my Sniper XR Magnum.
Upvote 0
Just my opinion, but a best "all around" scope for me would be SFP, not FFP . . . I'd want a wide zoom range on it, and it would get used at both extremes of magnification. I bought a wide zoom FFP scope to try and I find the reticle so small at minimum zoom that it simply does not function well for me. I'd rather have a SFP and mentally make the calcs to holdover appropriately at the different ends of zoom.
Upvote 0