Scope recommendations for my HW97K

[Stormin-Normin]

I've got a Sightron S1 4x12x40 AO on my HW97k. I like it a lot. It replaced a Hawke Airmax 3x9x40.

The Airmax is a good scope and has lasted about 40k shots. I'm not crazy about the reticle for hunting or dark backgrounds but I like it for targets. It has served me well.

I think the Sightron is a better scope as far as glass is concerned and I like the reticle a lot better. They are both reasonably priced and have a lifetime warranty.

Neither have illumination.

When a scope goes bad does it go all at once? Or what are the symptoms?

 

[Bedrock Bob]

When a scope goes bad does it go all at once? Or what are the symptoms?

I'm no expert. On mine the zero jumps around. It's either a shotgun pattern or groups that move around on the paper.

It's common to be 3-5 clicks off the dot at 25 yds. and need to re-zero once in a while. A scattered pattern or zero that moves around and settles in a different spot 10-12 clicks off is generally the scope. I have a couple scopes that won't group at all (2-3"@25) and others that group nicely but walk to a new spot 2" off the dot every 50-60 shots.

I've had a couple that didn't adjust at all anymore because the spring collapsed or fell out. And one with a broken crosshair too.

The 97k is heavy. It's probably easier on a scope than a lot of springers. The smaller the objective lens and the lower you mount the scope the longer it will last. The heavier and higher a scope gets the more shock it absorbs. I keep them 40mm or smaller and get them down against the rifle as low as possible. With good mounts you shouldn't have many problems.

 

[PumaCarl]

When a scope goes bad does it go all at once? Or what are the symptoms?

Good question! Hillarious answers are sure to follow. It can be catastrophic, turrets coming apart, reticles spinning or broken, frozen adjustments, and of course just not holding a zero. This stuff use to be very common, scopes have gotten way better, especially the cheaper ones.

 

[Stormin-Normin]

I'm no expert. On mine the zero jumps around. It's either a shotgun pattern or groups that move around on the paper.

It's common to be 3-5 clicks off the dot at 25 yds. and need to re-zero once in a while. A scattered pattern or zero that moves around and settles in a different spot 10-12 clicks off is generally the scope. I have a couple scopes that won't group at all (2-3"@25) and others that group nicely but walk to a new spot 2" off the dot every 50-60 shots.

I've had a couple that didn't adjust at all anymore because the spring collapsed or fell out. And one with a broken crosshair too.

The 97k is heavy. It's probably easier on a scope than a lot of springers. The smaller the objective lens and the lower you mount the scope the longer it will last. The heavier and higher a scope gets the more shock it absorbs. I keep them 40mm or smaller and get them down against the rifle as low as possible. With good mounts you shouldn't have many problems.

But the AIRMAX has a lifetime warranty?

 

[Stormin-Normin]

Good question! Hillarious answers are sure to follow. It can be catastrophic, turrets coming apart, reticles spinning or broken, frozen adjustments, and of course just not holding a zero. This stuff use to be very common, scopes have gotten way better, especially the cheaper ones.

OMG!

 

[Bedrock Bob]

But the AIRMAX has a lifetime warranty?

Yes it does. And the Sightron as well.

 

[Stormin-Normin]

Yes it does. And the Sightron as well.

But when the AIRMAX calved though it had a lifetime warranty you switched to Sightron?

 

[Bedrock Bob]

But when the AIRMAX calved though it had a lifetime warranty you switched to Sightron?

I switched from the Airmax to a Sightron.
They both have a lifetime warranty.

Im using the Airmax on another rifle. I switched because I like the reticle much better on the Sightron. I'll replace the Airmax with a Leupold when the Airmax starts rattling around inside.

 

[thevinoman]

Lots of great info here, thank you.