Help me choose a scope for PCP

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F

functor

Member
Aug 15, 2018
51
4
NC, United States
I would like your opinions on choosing a scope. I have narrowed down my requirements pretty well and need a few recommendations to look out for sales/ used market.

Intended use: PCP.

Magnification range:

Minimum magnification: No more than 5X.

Maximum magnification: No more than 16X. 10-12X will do just as well. Want clarity at highest magnification.

Objective diameter- 40-44 mm but no larger.

Tube diameter: No preference.

Parallax: Must be able to parallax down to 8 yards on lowest magnification. 10-11 yards minimum parallax preferable for all magnification.

Reticle: Definitely not Christmas tree type or anything too cluttered. Ideally crosshairs with a 1/2-1 minute dot at the centre with a few mildot/ moa marks to mainly allow windage hold. Illumination not necessary

Turrets: I want to click. I need to click 8-10 moa up from my zero for my range of shooting which is usually more than one full rotation of the turret. I need some sort of turret where I know how many revolutions off I am from my zero. Features like resettable zero is a plus but not mandatory. Would prefer exposed with push down lock turrets but capped would do just as well.

Weight: between 16-20 oz at most. Weight is probably one of my highest priorities because it's going to be used on an offhand gun. 

Eye relief: Should not exceed 4 inch at lowest magnification.

Budget: At most 400-500$, but of course lower would be better. The emphasis is on clear glass for low light shooting, repeatable clicking of the turret and low weight.

Let me know if I have left out anything. What are some of my options?

Thanks for all your help. ( This line got deleted when I first posted!) 
 
swfa 3x15 ffp is a good scope comes in mil quad or milquad I have 2 of them , last week was sale it is over now may run new one for xmas , here is link of one in their sample list it is demo , the tube yes you do want a preference you ant a 30mm tube for the $400 to $500 range the bigger tube and bigger objective is what gives you more light . What gun is it for a pcp or springer ? as springers recoil the opposite ways of firearms and only scopes designed for it will last , Many a good scope got toasted by springers



https://www.samplelist.com/swfa-ss-3-15x42-riflescope-demo-c.html
 
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+1 If you want to click then I would get an SWFA hands down. The fixed power SWFA's are awesome but like jwrabbit said, the 3-15x42 ffp or even the sfp version would work if you need variable mag.



Buuut, the only area where my SWFA 12x42 struggled was in low light. With the thin reticle and no illumination it was hard to see at dusk so I would take that into consideration... The 3-15x42 ffp may be better since it should have a slightly thicker reticle at higher mags? Not sure as I've never tried one.
 
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+1 for SWFA Haven't used the FFP so I can only speak about SFP. You can spend more or less but the quality is outstanding and they are always a top pick on every list. Best reticle for those that like a non cluttered scope and the turrets are just great with solid click and positive return every time. Such good glass I've never felt a problem in low light. Obviously this is my opinion and you need to continue with your own research.
 
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Thanks very much for the recommendation. I have been very keen on the SWFA scopes, but I was hoping for something less than 20 oz in weight, preferably closer to 16 oz, whereas the SWFA scopes are all in the 24 oz-- somewhat heavy- category. Also since I'll be clicking and not ranging with the reticle, or using holdovers, I'd rather save that money on the FFP reticle and spend that on glass or plain save it! 

Thanks anyway for the help. If nothing else comes up I will look for the 3-15 SWFA which checks almost all the boxes except weight and possibly reticle. 
 
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I have four Hawke Airmax scopes and a Hawke Sidewinder. Not only have the scopes been terrific, but the few times I had a question or needed service, it was available with a phone call and if something was needed or at issue, it was taken care of instantly with no questions asked. In my mind their customer attitude is worth a couple of hundred bucks.
 
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. Your requirements are very similar to mine however I also wanted illuminated reticle. I ended up with the sightron S3 3.5 to 10 however the price was a little higher than your range. I wonder are there any less expensive scopes that also meet these requirements.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the recommendation. I didn't consider the Sightron scopes, but that scope, though a bit out of my price range, seems almost exactly what I was looking for. I am looking through their entire line to see if they have a slightly less pricey scope with some of the more important features I want. Thanks again. 
 
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I have two 6.5-24 Sightron big sky scopes and really like them. I saw a used Sightron big sky 4-16 mill dot and thought I would give it a try. Man am I impressed and its small and light. I gave 300 bucks for it and if I find another I may grab it up. here are some specs in this link. 



https://www.adorama.com/sis2b41642ms.html?discontinued=t
 
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I have two 6.5-24 Sightron big sky scopes and really like them. I saw a used Sightron big sky 4-16 mill dot and thought I would give it a try. Man am I impressed and its small and light. I gave 300 bucks for it and if I find another I may grab it up. here are some specs in this link. 



https://www.adorama.com/sis2b41642ms.html?discontinued=t
Click to expand...

That would be almost the perfect choice pricewise and featurewise, but seems it's discontinued as far as retailers are concerned. But I suppose I can always look for one to show up in the Classified. Thanks for taking the trouble of finding the link.
 
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I'm looking for a scope as well.My criteria is a bit different.I just got a Hatsan Flashpup.And I want to keep it small and light weight as I can afford. And not out do the rifle lol. So I'm eyeing the 2-7 x 32 AIRMAX (AMX)The reticle is a key feature for me,,as you stated,something not to cluttered or busy with a bunch of dots and hash lines and graphs and #s The best reticle imo for an air-rifle is the Hawk AMX.I have the 3-9 x 40 on my Browning Leverage under-lever magnum springer.It's almost natural the hold-over points and holding off for wind.There is also the AMX IR but it's only on high dollar scopes ($400+). The AMX's are magnum spring rifle rated,so if ever u wanted to transfer to a magnum springer,,np.The next line of Hawk scopes are the Panorama model.It's reticle is a little simpler and they r illuminated.4 - 12 x40. $270.00,, Length 12.9"..weight 19.1 oz,,Eye relief 3.5"..10 yds to infinity ( fairly standard with this brand ).They do have a simpler reticle,illuminated mil dot and non,mil-dot. Check out the Hawk Vantage line.SF(Side Focus) 4-16 x 44,,1"tube,, 1/2" mil dot,Length 13.5",,weight 17.8oz,,eye relief 3.5"..$239.00. Check out the Hawke site.Very good selection
 
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This is not my scope! I don't know the seller. I hope this is ok to put a link to this used 4-16 big sky 



Jim
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Very kind of you for taking the trouble of finding a source. I will contact the seller and if I feel comfortable-- buying from a completely different forum makes me a bit hesitant to be honest-- I will buy it. In any case, I greatly appreciate your help and thanks very much. 
 
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I'm looking for a scope as well.My criteria is a bit different.I just got a Hatsan Flashpup.And I want to keep it small and light weight as I can afford. And not out do the rifle lol. So I'm eyeing the 2-7 x 32 AIRMAX (AMX)The reticle is a key feature for me,,as you stated,something not to cluttered or busy with a bunch of dots and hash lines and graphs and #s The best reticle imo for an air-rifle is the Hawk AMX.I have the 3-9 x 40 on my Browning Leverage under-lever magnum springer.It's almost natural the hold-over points and holding off for wind.There is also the AMX IR but it's only on high dollar scopes ($400+). The AMX's are magnum spring rifle rated,so if ever u wanted to transfer to a magnum springer,,np.The next line of Hawk scopes are the Panorama model.It's reticle is a little simpler and they r illuminated.4 - 12 x40. $270.00,, Length 12.9"..weight 19.1 oz,,Eye relief 3.5"..10 yds to infinity ( fairly standard with this brand ).They do have a simpler reticle,illuminated mil dot and non,mil-dot. Check out the Hawk Vantage line.SF(Side Focus) 4-16 x 44,,1"tube,, 1/2" mil dot,Length 13.5",,weight 17.8oz,,eye relief 3.5"..$239.00. Check out the Hawke site.Very good selection
Click to expand...

I will look into them. I like the Hawke reticle and have long considered the 2-7X 32 for my R1. Perhaps once I get my R1 set up again, I will get it. Thanks for the recommendation. 
 
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Doesn’t look like they are on sale much anymore but a good option would be the Weaver Grand Slam series. I would suggest the 4-16. Japanese glass, short and very light. The specs are hard to find, but I have the weight written down at work. I’ll look next week. I had one in the offhand 22lr because of the low weight and high quality. They have simple reticle options without a lot going on. I liked the V-EBX. They can be had as low as $400 but should easily find lower than $450.
 
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Doesn’t look like they are on sale much anymore but a good option would be the Weaver Grand Slam series. I would suggest the 4-16. Japanese glass, short and very light. The specs are hard to find, but I have the weight written down at work. I’ll look next week. I had one in the offhand 22lr because of the low weight and high quality. They have simple reticle options without a lot going on. I liked the V-EBX. They can be had as low as $400 but should easily find lower than $450.
Click to expand...

Weaver has no information about its scopes on its website-- in particular the closest parallax distance or even the weight. The Weaver website is designed by someone who doesn't use the internet very much! If you find those two bits of information that would be very helpful for anyone searching for that info on Google next time! 
 
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This is not my scope and I’ve never personally owned one, but they have received great reviews over the years and are made by one of the most respected scope plants in the world, LOW. It seems to have everything you are looking for: Magnification, size, 10yd focus, 17oz, price. It would be hard to find a better match.

I don’t know this seller and am not necessarily advocating for you to buy from them, but I am advocating for the scope. That being said, the guy does have over 450 posts. Another guy on a local forum has one for around the same price, so price is reasonable.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/wts-bushnell-6500-elite-2-5-16x42-sf-mil-dot/
 
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