Small, Light Scope for AA Pro Sport Underlever

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bowwild

bowwild

Member
Dec 28, 2015
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Lawrenceburg, KY
I've never owned a springer but I'm getting close to buying an AA Pro Sport underlever in .22. The gun is a bit on the heavy side before the scope so I want to keep the scope down in weight and length. The rig will be used for under 50 yards plinking and squirrel hunting. It appears a lot of the AR scopes are compact. This one below seems highly rated. At $116 it would be the least I've paid for a scope in 40 years. That low price concerns me because so often one gets what they pay for. I've never paid much more than $400 and would love it if I can keep this one under $250 so I'm not a high-dollar scope buyer.

I have a MCT Viper Connect, zero-eye relief scope on my Daystate Regal XL and like it a lot - I should have bought another when AoA was selling two used ones for $329. Now they are $499- holy smoke.

Nikon and Burris make a scope that seems to be similar to the UTG I list below. The UTG bug buster seems not to have consistent good reviews.

My concerns: 
- Compact
- I want clarity
- 10 yard focus
- 2x7, 3x9, 3x12 or maybe even a fixed 6
- No trouble on a springer (durable)

Any suggestions?
Thanks!UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope, AO, 36-color Mil-dot, Rings
 
Anyone use this one on a Springer?Nikon Prostaff Target EFR 3-9x40AO
I've been using scopes for 45 years. I've never been so concerned in reviews before, I simply bought Leopold and was satisfied. However, these were for rimfire and centerfires. When I got into air rifles four years ago I "discovered" lots of other brands of AO scopes. 

Here's the rub, the reviews for air rifle scopes are all over the map. Leapers, UTG Leapers (??), Hawke, Clearidge, etc. (I'm not considering paying more than $400 so a bunch of the 1st plane scopes are out of the question). 

I am considering the Clearidge Ultra RM recommended above. However, the reviews on this one are wildly varied and 95% glass compared to 98% glass on the Nikon?

Right now I have a Leapers on my Pyramid order because the salesperson said he has one on a springer and loves it. The thing is only $129 so not a very expensive experiment. But, I don't want to waste time getting, not liking, and then returning a scope (if even possible to return).

So, I'm planning to either cancel this Leaper (it isn't even a UTG, which again I have no idea if that's bad or not) and order something else.

I like the glass clarity reviews of the Niko above although it is about an inch longer than I'd like (have to be careful with the Pro Sport not to get a long scope or loading port access will be hampered). 

I want a small, clear scope with AO (prefer side focus but not a deal breaker), that will not be damaged by a Pro Sport springer. I don't know if this rifle is medium or heavy recoil -- on the scale of air rifles. 

I do appreciate the feedback and consider all of it.

Thanks
 
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Leupold VX-II 3-9X33mm EFR is a scope I use on one rifle and I use the VX-II 3-9X40mm on a 223.



this is the 3-9x33 EFR and it is an AO scope but not a side focus. You can find them from $359 to $399. Its very light at 12oz, length is 11.60 inches, and if you have ever watched the video of leupold filming one of their scopes in a front load washer for 20+ mins a springer is not a problem.

I have the same style loading port on my AA tx200 and it never seems to be a problem with the scope getting in the way. And I have a larger hawke airmax on it. The port is more on the right side to access it than from the top?
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This is a great scope. I have one of these on a rimfire. I thought about taking it off the RF but I hate to do that because then the firearms is more difficult to get up and running again. 

I canceled the Leaper (by e-mail) a couple of hours ago. I bought a Nikon PROSTAFF® Target EFR Riflescope: 3x9x40 earlier today Cabelas. I'm hoping the 12.5" length of this Nikon doesn't interfere with the loading port of the Pro Sport.

Thanks for the suggestions here.
 
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I have a Mamba Lite for sale at $250 (shipped) here in the Member Classifieds forum. From the site where I bought it:
  • Reticle: MTC SCB
  • Proprietary ETE Microlux™ Fully Multi-Coated optics
  • Actual magnification: 4X to 16X with side focus
  • Objective diameter: 44mm
  • Eye relief” 4” (4x), 3” (16x)
  • Field of view: 27 feet @ 100 yards (4x), 7 feet @ 100 yards (16x)
  • Tube diameter: 1″
  • Turret: Low Profile
  • Adjustment graduation: 1/4 MOA
  • Center-fire and spring-piston rated
 
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I was not able to verify about the Nikon being ok for this Prop Sport spring piston. I know that great scopes can be hammered by springers. It is supposed to be rated for "airguns" but of course not all air guns are the same (PCPs vs. Springer). I put the Nikon on the rifle today. It is my hope that this Pro Sport is more mild than some springers and will treat the Nikon ok? The scope is a good fit on the rifle; not to big and quite clear. It doesn't have all the mil dots that my other two air rifle scopes have (on PCPS: Hawke and MCT).

Maybe I should put the Nikon on one of the PCPs and move the MCT Viper Connect to the Pro Sport springer? Anyone know if the MCT or the Hawke will be ok for the springer?

I really like the look and feel of the Pro Sport. The slight "kick" is sort of neat too. I have noticed immediately that my accuracy with the Pro Sport isn't a single hole (at 12 yards on my in-home range) that my PCPs are. It may be that "hold thing" I read so many write about. I have it in a Caldwell lead sled as I shoot it the first few dozen times. I'm ok with the charging lever but those who say it requires a hefty force are right. I've only done it sitting down (I'm 62 but in ok shape-I'm a small person and not a weight lifter) and I don't have it down to a single, smooth, effortless stroke yet. The rifle reeks of a quality build just like my AA S410 PCP.
 
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I paid $189 from Cabelas for my Nikon. I couldn't find it for less.

Thanks for the tip on the Lead Sled. I'll get this rifle off that device when I shoot next. Makes sense.

I'm going to try to call Nikon tomorrow and see if they can verify whether or not this particular model of scope is ok or not for the Springer. 

I'm not used to knowing so little about a hobby, but I'm very new to this. I love the information here!

Thanks
 
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30cal,

LeadSleds are designed to work with high power rifles with alot more recoil than a springer. If scopes can handle that, why couldn't a scope on a springer? I've shot Leopold gold rings on .223 .270 and .308 powder burners from "Lead sled like" rests for 30+ years with no issues.

I think the main thing here is more along the lines of is a scope designed to take high recoil or is it a scope made to go on a .22 LR that is now being forced to handle more than it was designed for.
 
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Well I think 30cal may have been talking about the double action of a springer? In magnum springers its not the backward recoil like most high power center fire its the double action recoil? I have a Benjamin Trail NPXL 1100 that would break an anvil. And most of the time I have a Leopold or a Hawke on it because of the warranty they both have. and in a lead sled you don't get to let the rifle move a little. I have a number of shooting aids and the sled is one of them and its not something I use much? 

Someone else can explain the reason some scopes have wire reticles or etched reticles and why springer air guns can really effect some wire reticles. But a number of mine are wire with no issues.
 
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I called and talked to Nikon tech support. The fellow tried to help but he did not inspire confidence. He tried to explain that the scope was suitable for even .50 caliber rifles. I already assumed that. He said if the scope would handle such powder burners it would be fine with air rifle. I tried a couple of times to alert him to the bi-directional recoil, even if light, of a springer. He never did get it or appreciate the possibility of damage. 

He left me on hold for a bit, probably googling the same things I googled, and returned. He assured me the scope would be fine on an "air rifle". I am no more assured than before I called but the Nikon does have a lifetime warranty and so if I damage it I'll just go through the hassle of having it repaired or replaced. I am placing a note with the date and time (today at 10:30am) that I made this inquiry just in case.

On an interesting side note, I talked to some folks at a large distributor back in December. I asked him about this springer and scope issue. He said that much of this is urban legend. (Please don't kill the messenger here.) He said it is true that many believe springers to be hard on scopes but he said most people will never shoot one enough to experience the damage. However, I have a very good and highly competent air rifle friend who did damage a Leopold on a springer that was supposed to be rated for it. 
 
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