Well, it's been a while since I last launched a quest for solid info on springer rated scopes. Having stated then that all manufacturers have a predilection for...shall we say..amplifying the ratings of their products I am as yet unable to discern exactly what constitutes "magnum springer rated". I have diligently perused all the responses from the many informed people on this forum and still cannot obtain any info on exactly which scopes are liable to destruct when used on magnum springers. I know they all advertise their scopes as "shock proof" or otherwise able to withstand heavy recoil, but with what? A magnum rimfire? A 458 Rigby? Can anyone provide actual experience as to what scope can truly be depended upon to survive a magnum springer? Or, at least, advise as to (from personal experience) which ones can be depended upon to dissolve under the recoil?
still looking for springer rated scope info
- Thread starter grampagunz
- Start date
All I can tell you is that my Gamo destroyed a BSA 3-9 and a Redfield 3-9. I put a Centerpoint 4-16 on it, and so far so good. The CP is advertised as being rugged enough for springers.
It seems to me that an etched reticle would be more durable than a wire reticle.I guess it should be lighter and more solid. All 3 of my scopes on the Gamo were wire.
I have a Leapers 4-16 on my AA TX200. It has an etched reticle, and so far so good. The manufacturer says it's stout enough for springers, but that is 1 awfully heavy scope.
I figure knowing what doesn't work can also be helpful. Good luck in your quest.
It seems to me that an etched reticle would be more durable than a wire reticle.I guess it should be lighter and more solid. All 3 of my scopes on the Gamo were wire.
I have a Leapers 4-16 on my AA TX200. It has an etched reticle, and so far so good. The manufacturer says it's stout enough for springers, but that is 1 awfully heavy scope.
I figure knowing what doesn't work can also be helpful. Good luck in your quest.
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BSA airgun scopes are very solid. I had a 2-7 on a heavy recoiling springer for many years. The center point 4-16x40 at wally world is a very rugged springer rated scope. The Hawke sport hd's also served me well. Any standard rimfire or firearms scope will usually be destroyed due to the reverse recoil of springers and gassers. I learned the hard way and destroyed a very nice Leupold VX3. I am sure there are plenty of other great springer scopes, but what I listed are the only ones I had first hand experience with.
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Aj I bet that was a painful lesson with the VX3!
Here is a listing of some from a very reputable dealer: http://www.straightshooters.com/heavy-recoil-scopes.html
Here is a listing of some from a very reputable dealer: http://www.straightshooters.com/heavy-recoil-scopes.html
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There's a lot of misunderstanding about air gun recoil out there. I don't know how many times I have heard people say "That scope will withstand a ,375 H&H magnum, so no problem with an air gun!
I tell them to think of a 20 pound watermelon on a rope, swung 10 feet into a glass bottle. It will knock the bottle off its perch, but will not break it. Now swing an 8oz ball peen hammer 10 feet against the bottle. It will break, guaranteed. That's the way springer recoil gradually deforms and breaks almost everything attached to it. I've had double recoil pins deform the holes, although the base and rings were very tight and dosed with green Loctite. 5000 taps with a tiny hammer will do things like that.
I tell them to think of a 20 pound watermelon on a rope, swung 10 feet into a glass bottle. It will knock the bottle off its perch, but will not break it. Now swing an 8oz ball peen hammer 10 feet against the bottle. It will break, guaranteed. That's the way springer recoil gradually deforms and breaks almost everything attached to it. I've had double recoil pins deform the holes, although the base and rings were very tight and dosed with green Loctite. 5000 taps with a tiny hammer will do things like that.
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Look at a model not just a brand. Perhaps BSA's of old could handle reverse recoil but TODAY see if a model is rated as AIR. Strangley some MTC's are not rated for powder. Hawke isnt bad but a friend said Mueller is a great scope for what they cost. I would ask them if a model is rated springer or not.
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Thank you all for the helpful info. I am led to believe though that some advertisers who rate their scopes as suitable for 'air' don't necessarily add the qualifier 'springer'. This would of course leave them free of any repercussions as they can simply state that PCP rifles are what they meant. I note that many are rated as "heavy recoil' but I guess I'm still wary, as I really want to see 'magnum springer rated'. Is there some reason I don't see such?
This is why I do appreciate any info from those who have discovered to their chagrin which scopes indeed won't stand up under that. Again, thank you for responding. It is greatly appreciated.
This is why I do appreciate any info from those who have discovered to their chagrin which scopes indeed won't stand up under that. Again, thank you for responding. It is greatly appreciated.
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I see and understand your concern, AIR vs Springer. Find the size, type, magnification and the models that fit all your needs...then look at each one and if the rating is obscure call the maker of said scope get verification. Or switch to PCP hahaha
Or switch to PCP hahahaUpvote 0
There are many reasons you don't see companies openly advertise "magnum springer rated". The biggest of which is the lack of market for it. Many of these large scope manufacturer's bread and butter scopes cost more than most springers out there. Another reason is the lack of testing.
Ultimately you have to be wary about spending $$$ on a scope for a springer. Most of the scopes built for springers are pretty cheap. Cheap enough where putting the effort into testing and advertising isn't worth it. Just slap "shockproof" on there and be done.
For your problem specifically, what are you looking for? General questions to the world are fine, but it wont give you a scope. What do you need? What price range you looking at? Gonna target shoot, hunt, competition, all of the above? Give us some info to work with, you'll get answers. I can show you good picks from $20 to $3000 for air gun scopes.
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Hi Valerike: i have a Gamo whisper fusion 2. It easily destroyed the bundled scope it came with. I don't really do much besides plinking, a bit of paper-punching and such, and that at ranges around 30 yards or so. I'm rather new to airgunning, but have spent 50 years or so with powder burners. So, I am not really familiar with the scopes one finds necessary to withstand the different recoil of a springer. Moreover, I am not too clear as to what differences there are between a spring or a gas piston regarding the different magnitude of recoil. I am willing to go upwards of 200-300 bux for a scope as long as I won't have to buy a replacement after 100 rounds or so. I would like to get one that lasts a while. As I said, I became a bit confused by the fact that some have said "No scope with survive a springer" and then those who've said "there are those which will stand a springer if it isn't 'magnum', and then those who say a gas piston will be kinder to a scope than a springer. Have I clarified any, or just muddied the water?
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I would call a dealer such as AOA, Precision air, Straight Shooters or Pyramid Air and ask them what they recommend. They know what scopes they have the most returns and complaints with and those with the least. And again the link I gave you earlier in this post is for scopes rated for spring guns. The heavy recoil means magnum spring guns. Here it is again; http://www.straightshooters.com/heavy-recoil-scopes.html
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If you want a scope that will withstand anything you put it on and wont break, then I have a recommendation for you. I took my own advice and can post a picture if you need. Go for the Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 AO. Here is the thing, if the scope breaks, then Vortex will repair or replace it every time, for free. They give an unlimited lifetime warranty on their optics. http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-diamondback-4-12x40-ao-riflescope-v-plex-reticle
I put that on my Crosman Nitro Venom Dusk that blew out the Centerpoint bundled with it before it was sighted in. I've put 100's of rounds through the Vortex and it still shows no signs of wearing out.
Now, if Vortex isn't your thing, you can opt for the Nikon EFR, Hawke Air Max line (other lines work, but the Air Max is designed for springers). Leupold EFR scopes and a few others. I work for a retailer that has most of its business come from hunters and Vortex rarely has issues.
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