scope choices

[WhittTX]

Just getting into shooting and would like some opinions.  I am a little overwelmed by all the scope brands and was wondering if I could get some help grouping them.  I was thinking of four classes.

Avoid at all cost

Value for the money

Quality but not the best

Ultimate

Thanks in advance, Ron

[daveshoot]

Are you putting this scope on a springer, or "other"? And are you shooting critters, paper, both, neither? Budget?
Ultimate might be different things to different people, usually means Swarovski, Zeiss, Schmidt & Bender. You can buy a decent motor vehicle for some of the "ultimate" class stuff. I don't hate ground squirrels quite that much, but that's why the application and budget are good to know.
You can't hardly go wrong with Leupold but there are some big bucks for a 50 yard gun. Same with Burris.
Bushnell makes such a broad range that you'd have to get more specific.
Hawke is good for air guns.
BSA is ok, fine on a lot of air rifles.
Some Tascos are Ok on medium springers (Golden Antler).

[WhittTX]

Well that was an oversight on my part.  Springers are my main interest and I do have a few that have a reputation for damaging scopes.

[daveshoot]

Then I do recommend the Hawke line as value for the dollar. There are plenty other great scopes, but Hawke is very supportive of their gear, with a great track record on springers.

I have BSAs that I like. The Bushnell Trophy line has springer ratings, I believe.

Oh, yeah: the Centerpoint they sell (sometimes) at Walmart is really good for the money. I think they have both 3-12 and 4-16, with illuminated reticle, for around $70. They are heavy but they hold up and work pretty well for a budget scope.

Be sure to look for Adjustable Objective and focus down to 10m for air rifles. All of the brands will have a lot of different choices.

[geewhiz380]

always think about a good mount that wont have the scope move .nikko starlings r also clear and crisp i have a 4-16x44 and its a great scope and u cant miss pricey but well worth it u could have it for years while other scopes is like every 5 to 6 months .there r many but the mount counts so much more cause of movement ........

[daved]

I'm going to fly in the face of a lot of popular opinion here and put Leapers on the "Avoid at all cost" list :-).  Maybe just bad luck on my part, but I had problems with all the Leapers scopes I owned, 6 scopes in 3 different models.

Even though the Center Point scopes are just rebadged Leapers, they seem to be better scopes, maybe it's QC.  The Walmart models mentioned already are a hell of a bang for the buck.  I think the BSA's and some Tascos also fall in this category, I'm sure there are others.

Quality but not the best is a good description of the Hawke, Nikko Stirling, and Bushnell Legend series.  Another good one in this category, especially if you like compact scopes, would be the Burris Timberline series.  The 4.5-14x32 is less than 12" long and under a pound, very good optics, and I have it direct from Burris that ALL their scopes are springer rated.  Might be a good choice for those scope eaters you have.  MTC also makes some very nice scopes, I currently have one of their 10X44's.  Best optics I've owned yet, but big and heavy.

Ultimate has already been covered, most of those cost more than most of the vehicles I've owned over the years :-).  Unless you're shooting for LOTS of money, most of these are ridiculous on a springer, no matter how good.  Later.

Dave

[TCups]

Low-end, air gun rated, and pretty good value for $ - BSAs (less than $100)
Bushnell Trophy or Legend - good mid range scopes - (~$100 -200 range)
Burris, Hawke, Sightron, Nikon - good "high" end scopes (. . . and up)

I typically put less expensive scopes on my air rifles until I satisfy myself that I can shoot them well and that they are very accurate.  Then I spend the higher cost scope money only on my most "deserving" air rifles.  I keep several of the BSA 2-7X 32mm AO's on hand - decent little $50 dollar sopes - to have something to mount quickly if I need to.  They work well and are great 10-meter to 25 yard "back yard varmint" scopes.  BTW, at the recent SC Fun Shoot, I was shooting with a BSA 2-7X 32 mm on my CZ-634 with good results.  Check out the 100-yard 10-shot group.

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=17322&posts=43&highlight=CZ%20634&highlightmode=1#M141285

[sshewins]

Just went to Wally world yesterday.  Two different Center point choices.  One $70 the other $50.  The $50 version's class was the AR22, vet both were rated as '100% shock proof'.  I'm assuming the AR stood for 'air rifle', but I have no way to verify.  

Don't forget mounts, though thats another debate altogether.

[longislandhunter]

I agree, the BSA's are good scopes and have served me well.  

I know Dave has had bad luck with the Leapers/Centerpoints .... but I've had just the opposite.  Most of my scopes are Leapers and every single one I own has worked great for me since day 1.  The scope I use the most is the Leapers 3x9x32 AO which is available from OpticsPlanet.com for a great price.  

Jeff

[WhittTX]

Appreciate all the input.  Suggestions on places to shop...........

Ron

[johnp]

I have the hawke airmax 3-9x40 on my .25 cal gas ram webley patriot and it has performed flawlessly.