Pistol Scope Choices for FT or EFT

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cavedweller

cavedweller

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Dec 5, 2018
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If only a true "PISTOL SCOPE" was made that took care of the nuances of field target.... sigh... AND still had that generous eye relief.

The Sightron S-tac 4-20x50 FFP MH4 reticle 25.6 oz, is currently mounted on my two main FT / EFT pistols. To date the S-Tac has been my choice HFT pistol scope, because it ranges quite well and it isn't all that heavy in comparison.
But
I'm getting ready to start testing the following scopes which i have in house now:

A) Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 FFP 2-12x42 with the AHMR2 reticle 25.4 oz

B) Vector Veyron 3-12x44 FFP 26.4 oz

C) Discovery Optics 2-12x24 FFP which comes in at 16.6 oz (lightest and cheapest at <$200.00) with a 24 inch objective i don't imagine it will be very bright in dark lanes for pistol field target but ya never know.

If any of you are using any of the above scopes for Pistol Field Target - 10-55 yards chime in and let me know how things are going
or
what scope you are using that "works for ya".

meanwhile here is three reviews:
Athlon Review of the 2-12x42:

Vector Veyron 3-12x44:

Discovery optics 2-12x24:
 
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Cameron built this pistol for me using a scope and mount he had on hand. It has a UTG 3-12x44 mini SWAT with mildot reticle. Said for the money the scope ranges very well and I have to agree.

I am with you wishing there was a true pistol/long eye relief scope made with side focus down to 10 yds. I am new to air pistols and after shooting pistol FT and rifle silhouette targets out to 45 yards a few times I appreciate how accurately one can shoot resting one's arms/elbows on the knees and cozying up close to the gun. Couldn't do with a long eye relief scope.

image1 (27).jpeg
 
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r1lover said:
Cameron built this pistol for me using a scope and mount he had on hand. It has a UTG 3-12x44 mini SWAT with mildot reticle. Said for the money the scope ranges very well and I have to agree.

I am with you wishing there was a true pistol/long eye relief scope made with side focus down to 10 yds. I am new to air pistols and after shooting pistol FT and rifle silhouette targets out to 45 yards a few times I appreciate how accurately one can shoot resting one's arms/elbows on the knees and cozying up close to the gun. Couldn't do with a long eye relief scope.

View attachment 512105
Click to expand...
1720 T is a mighty fine pistoli.
 
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jps2486 said:
The S-Tac and the Athlons are proven quality scopes. I've considered a Veyron for one of my springers but I'm goosey about cheap scopes. Have you looked at Optisan CP series?? Short, light, FFP or SFP and moderately priced.
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I see Utah air carries this one: https://utahairguns.com/product/optisan-cp-3-12x32p-mil-mh10x-rifle-scope/

$320 plus some tax and shipping i would imagine... didn't find Optisan as a stand alone web site? link @jps2486 ?

it weighs a hefty 2 lbs!
 
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cavedweller said:
I see Utah air carries this one: https://utahairguns.com/product/optisan-cp-3-12x32p-mil-mh10x-rifle-scope/

$320 plus some tax and shipping i would imagine... didn't find Optisan as a stand alone web site? link @jps2486 ?

it weighs a hefty 2 lbs!
Click to expand...
the optisan 3-12 weights only 17.17 oz,, the 2lbs under UA web sounds like the shipped weight
www.trenierairguns.com

Optisan Optics 3-12x32 CP MIL-MH10 | Trenier Airguns

The Optisan 3-12x32 CP with MIL-MH10 Reticle is the perfect partner for compact and lightweight rifles and airguns. Parallax adjustment range is from 10 yards to infinity and a 30mm tube. Springer and centerfire rated with a sleek design and stainless steel low profile turrets with 0.1 mrad...
www.trenierairguns.com www.trenierairguns.com
optisan site

Optisan Optics – Precision Sports Optics

optisansportsoptics.de optisansportsoptics.de
 
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Contrary to most scoped pistols (and a few comments here) long eye relief isn't something you need for a pistol field target rig. And that's cuz the pistol in pistol field target is held and shot like a rifle, not a pistol.

Eyebrow contact with the scope (ocular) is allowed in pistol field target, and Ive found that it aids greatly in stabilizing the gun during shooting. Most guys do this via the semi-rigid "eye cups" that can be added to a scope. "Bisley" is one brand name that comes to mind.

BUT I kinda lucked into a super oddball scope (won it at a raffle) with zero eye relief. It's a MTC Viper Connect or something like that. Not the clearest glass, not the most convenient reticle, and sure doesn't range all that great. But it does those three things well enough. It's saving grace as a pistol field target scope is that zero eye relief. It has a rubberized ocular that sits on the eyebrow when shooting, and, aids in providing another point of stability. At the AZ State FT match a few months ago I went 36/36 on the stool sticks shots with my little 8.5fpe 1720T and the MTC Viper Connect. I quite literally put myself out of 1st and 2nd place by missing 3 of the 4 offhand shots. I tied for 2 and 3rd and lost the shootoff to get a 3rd place medal. Similar the previous year, I think I was 2nd or 3rd that year too, same rig.

So, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the Viper Connect as the ideal pistol ft scope, just using it as an example that long eye relief isn't really a factor for pistol field target like it might be for other scoped pistol uses.
 
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Franklink said:
Contrary to most scoped pistols (and a few comments here) long eye relief isn't something you need for a pistol field target rig. And that's cuz the pistol in pistol field target is held and shot like a rifle, not a pistol.

Eyebrow contact with the scope (ocular) is allowed in pistol field target, and Ive found that it aids greatly in stabilizing the gun during shooting. Most guys do this via the semi-rigid "eye cups" that can be added to a scope. "Bisley" is one brand name that comes to mind.

BUT I kinda lucked into a super oddball scope (won it at a raffle) with zero eye relief. It's a MTC Viper Connect or something like that. Not the clearest glass, not the most convenient reticle, and sure doesn't range all that great. But it does those three things well enough. It's saving grace as a pistol field target scope is that zero eye relief. It has a rubberized ocular that sits on the eyebrow when shooting, and, aids in providing another point of stability. At the AZ State FT match a few months ago I went 36/36 on the stool sticks shots with my little 8.5fpe 1720T and the MTC Viper Connect. I quite literally put myself out of 1st and 2nd place by missing 3 of the 4 offhand shots. I tied for 2 and 3rd and lost the shootoff to get a 3rd place medal. Similar the previous year, I think I was 2nd or 3rd that year too, same rig.

So, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the Viper Connect as the ideal pistol ft scope, just using it as an example that long eye relief isn't really a factor for pistol field target like it might be for other scoped pistol uses.
Click to expand...
Shot one in PFT "Hunter" for a couple season ... ultimately selling it as the focus NEVER brought the viewed image into being sharp :mad: It ranged well and the no eye relief being able to face check the eye cup did add some stability, but ultimately the lacking of a crisp image started to make my eyes sore after a match from the struggling with focus blurriness.

Since then went back a more traditional rifle scope with a shorter relief Of @ 3" and use a STIFF Bisley eye cup for the face check and added stably.

Mid year & sold the Custom Scorpion pistol and built a new PFT rig using a vintage Theoben MFR ... scoped with a USO TS 3-12x40 that has a very short eye relief, at 12X ranges very well even out to 55 yards shockingly ;)
It set up mounting scope LOW as It would go with forward canilever and using a Bisley eye cup as well. Killer set up and of all the FT pistols I've made the last 10 years think this Theoben pistol is the best yet.
ScottPistol 1.jpg


109319534_157324345869577_6426374910945919930_oa.JPG
k.jpg
 
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jps2486 said:
Nevermind Element. What about the others?
Click to expand...
Well, you could call/contact Discovery Optics as they seem to be fairly receptive to new innovation that no one else is doing (for example, the new Discovery HD 2-12x24 SFIR). Give them a list of needed specs like longer eye pistol relief, magnification power options, and a few desired reticle options.
 
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Airgun-hobbyist said:
Well, you could call/contact Discovery Optics as they seem to be fairly receptive to new innovation that no one else is doing (for example, the new Discovery HD 2-12x24 SFIR). Give them a list of needed specs like longer eye pistol relief, magnification power options, and a few desired reticle options.
Click to expand...
I'm too old. I don't have the time to wait.
 
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So I have the Vector Veyron 3-12 and 2 of the 4-16 FFP and Im using the 4-16FFP on my PFT setups. They do just fine out to 29yds for me. Seems from there they struggle and it has cost me a few shots. Now this could be my eyes. I want to try a larger wheel and see if that helps but thats also a trial and error and cash grab. Its hard to find for a reasonable price!
I wanted a light and compact scope and not a full size rifle 6-24 on my pistols. I just picked up an Accushot 4-16 and it struggles too from mid 20s up. Its not repetitive either. Im tired of buying and trying scopes. Its hard to find a compact scope thats budget friendly and works well.

I went with the Veyrons due to size, length was only 10", 30mm, weight wasnt bad and had side focus. No IR though. I believe I have the FFP versions. Set it at 12x and leave it. SFP would do fine for this as well. When I compared the 3-12 to the 16x the 16x scope on 12x had a larger view of the target, like I was closer so I went with it. I haven't tried to range the 3-12x so for that its a good scope on plinkers.
 
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My eyes focus fluctuates during the day which can be a hassle for FT. If I want the image and reticle focused clean I need to adjust the diopter throughout the day. It became frustrating to me so I now shoot in a Unlimited class and LRF locally for FT.

However the reticle is large enough in the Athlon Helos G2 2-12x42 DMR that I leave the diopter alone during the match because changing the reticle focus changes the ranging precision.

For me this scope has been as good as one could be for PFT-H as far as ranging from 10Y to 35Y by helping win the two matches I used it in. I don't understand exactly why, I mean besides the reticle, that it does so well but it works great with my eyes??? I haven't played with many other scopes though for ranging at 12x and that was a decade ago when attached bipods were allowed in Hunter FT. It's my Not Broken - don't try to fix it situation, so I'm not looking for any alternatives. All I gotta say is it's one awesome PFT-H scope!

Also supreme among my scopes for speed plinking on steel mounted on a semi auto Steyr ProX. .
It works fantastic for shooting at Black paper bullzeyes especially with the illume on. I like using 10M targets.
It focuses closer than 10Y on lower magnifications.
Almost daylight bright illume.
Pretty ideal for small game and varmints.
Certianly works fine at extreme distances. Darn near as well at 1143Y on a AR in 6mmFatRat as my S&B 5-25 mounted on the 6mmBR.
More than fine out to 120Y on steel using pellets in the 28 fpe ProX.

Actually it could be considered among the most versitile of scopes ever made.

Man I like this scope!!!!
 
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steve123 said:
My eyes focus fluctuates during the day which can be a hassle for FT. If I want the image and reticle focused clean I need to adjust the diopter throughout the day. It became frustrating to me so I now shoot in a Unlimited class and LRF locally for FT.

However the reticle is large enough in the Athlon Helos G2 2-12x42 DMR that I leave the diopter alone during the match because changing the reticle focus changes the ranging precision.

For me this scope has been as good as one could be for PFT-H as far as ranging from 10Y to 35Y by helping win the two matches I used it in. I don't understand exactly why, I mean besides the reticle, that it does so well but it works great with my eyes??? I haven't played with many other scopes though for ranging at 12x and that was a decade ago when attached bipods were allowed in Hunter FT. It's my Not Broken - don't try to fix it situation, so I'm not looking for any alternatives. All I gotta say is it's one awesome PFT-H scope!

Also supreme among my scopes for speed plinking on steel mounted on a semi auto Steyr ProX. .
It works fantastic for shooting at Black paper bullzeyes especially with the illume on. I like using 10M targets.
It focuses closer than 10Y on lower magnifications.
Almost daylight bright illume.
Pretty ideal for small game and varmints.
Certianly works fine at extreme distances. Darn near as well at 1143Y on a AR in 6mmFatRat as my S&B 5-25 mounted on the 6mmBR.
More than fine out to 120Y on steel using pellets in the 28 fpe ProX.

Actually it could be considered among the most versitile of scopes ever made.

Man I like this scope!!!!
Click to expand...
Athlon could use this write up to sell a lot of scopes
 
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