What scope to use on a B28

[DMikeM]

Later this week I am considering buying a B28 in probably .22 cal. I have been reading all the forums and it seems this gun is a monster when it comes to scopes. I will either Tune it myself or get it tuned at purchase but since my shooting eye has gone blurry the only way I can shoot is either left handed open sights or glass for normal shooting. I don't really want to spend a fortune on a scope though. Robust, AO, Mill Dot variable to about 14 is fine. Also adjustable down to 10 yards would be preferred. Don't care about illumination and I don't mind weight as I am a pretty big guy so it is not much of a chore to carry a heavy gun. All my current guns have dovetail to weaver adapters on them and the scopes seem ok except the Leapers Bug Buster 3-9x32 which will not hold zero on one of my guns.

[JimL911]

Hawke Airmax 4-12X40. The map reticule is better than Mil-Dot.

[lil'feeby]

i agree with jim, have the same setup for mine. i have not been able to shoot lost the house and have been working too much. i have been able to get 50 plus yard offhand shots on ground squirrels with some practice.
have fun,
peace

[DMikeM]

Thanks, that Hawke Airmax 4-12X40 looks alright but that MAP6 reticle only has 3 small dots for elevation. I have been known to shoot out to 4 and 5 dots with my current scopes. Still it's worth a look at.

[JimL911]

Once you download the program and measure scope height and have fps at two distances you plug in the numbers and get your aim points for distances. For mine with a 30 yard zero, the top of the bottom line is on at 7.2 yds and 64 yds. Moving up to the bottom dot,8.1 and 58. Next dot up is 9.7 and 49. Next up is 12 and 40. Cross is 16.4 and 30. This is on my Panther shooting 14.93 grain at 694 fps. You should easily shoot 100-150 fps faster with the B28 and can set your zero at any distance along the curve and reach out farther.

[DMikeM]

Sounds good. Currently looking on Natchez and finding dozens of scopes that are to my liking including some etched glass MIL dot scopes. Friend of mine has a Simmons on his AA Pro Sport and I was able to zero it at 30 yards in 5 shots. Of course have to consider the gun too.
My current guns are all zeroed at 35 yards (End of my property) and I can hit just about anything inside my fence line with that.

Considering picking up a BAM B40 .177 as well, not as concerned with a robust scope for that if I have done my research well enough.

[michael90t]

centerpoint.... 4-16ao milldot  illuminated ret... the glass is VERY clear and frankly its an amazing scope for sub 70 bucks.....

I will have to say though.... think mines busted LOL oh well lifetime warrenty....

[DMikeM]

michael90t - 5/10/2010  4:49 PM

centerpoint.... 4-16ao milldot  illuminated ret... the glass is VERY clear and frankly its an amazing scope for sub 70 bucks.....

I will have to say though.... think mines busted LOL oh well lifetime warrenty....

Thanks Michael but I think I am not buying Centerpoint or Leapers anymore. They are difficult to zero and need constant adjustments to be of any use. All three of my Leapers scopes have issues and Centerpoint are the same manufacturer.

[Larry]

How about a Bushnell Banner 4-12x40AO. I Have put about 1500 rounds through my Diana 48, and the banner on it has worked perfectly.

[Progun]

Well Mike, since the B-28 and the model it's cloned after can be merciless on scopes, a good tune with good seals and a proper spring guide would improve the likelyhood of just about any scope surviving.That said, a scope that you hardly ever hear about that seems to be very recoil resistant on springers is the Barska Air Gun Scope. I have a couple that I can't seem to kill on 2 of my magnum springers and at the distances you shoot it wouldn't surprise me that it would work as well for you too. My 3X12X40 AO w/mildots Barska Airgun scope holds zero with no drifting even on my Webley Patriot and Gamo Hunter Extreme. My Patriot is so accurate that I keep telling myself it really deserves a better scope but that $55 Barska  just keeps doing the Timex thing so I will wait until I can really justify it before changing. Worst thing I can say about the scope is the glass isn't the brightest and the focus lock down ring can be a bear to loosen. Another bargain scope that I have on 2- 350 mags is the Bushnell Sportsman 4X12X40 AO that I bought at WalMart.Another Timex that just keeps on ticking.

[tjk]

Mike, David just made the best suggestion of all the replies IMHO. Like David, I have two Cloned Diana 350,.....except mine are B-28's. In pure stock form, they are a vicious, and merciless weapon that will bust any scope in no time. Best to tune this monsters asap. You'd  be amazed how much better they shoot after something as simple as a deburr/lube tune. My .177 is all stock, and is by far the fastest and hardest hitting  magnum in my collection. But it is tuned, and deadly accurate at 30 yards. With that in mind, you said you wanted a scope but didn't want to pay a fortune,.....I'm partial to the Center-point scopes from Wal-mart. Sure they're not the best scopes available,....I have better ones,...but for a rifle such as the B-28,...they are more than adequite. Both of my B-28s' sport a CP 3-12X40 (size ?!? Maybe 42 mm) on a UTG comp. one piece mount. What I like about them is that the turrets have a 'lock-down' ring that helps keep the rets from vibrating out of zero. Nice clear window with plenty of FOV.  The rets are fine, but I don't fool with the illumination features much at all. HTH, tjk

[Bogey]

I see that you have more or less ruled out the Center Point.   But,  I have 2 now and I am satisfied with them.   And have not had a problem zeroing them in and keeping them zeroed.

Just my 2 cents.

[DMikeM]

I have been considering a Bushnell Banner. Have looked at some BSA and Barska scopes. But a recent bad return policy situation with Barska has left a very bad taste in my mouth. I got the scope replaced but it took some real doing to get it done. The new one has to be adjusted every time I take it out by just 1 to 3 clicks.
As for Leapers and Centerpoint, for me 4 out of 4 scopes have issues. So they are out.

The gun will be tuned one way or another so it should be less brutal on the scope.

[DMikeM]

So I am again looking back to the Barska scopes. Non of them actually state they are air gun rated but there are so many flavors and every one has a MIL dot version. For the price of most you just get 2 and when you bust one send it back with the second one  mounted until the return.
Anyone know if any of the Barskas are not good on the springers?

[JimL911]

I have a 3-12X40 airgun scope on a soft tuned B 21. http://www.opticsplanet.net/barska-air-gun-scope-3-12x40-ao.html  Not the best clarity and Mil Dots are a little large but it will get the job done. I don't know how it would hold up on a B 28 at full power.