Scoping an air gun

[PlanoDano]

I am new to air guns.BI bought an entry level PCP air rifle (benjamin Marauder .22). What do I need to know about scoping a PCP air gun. My bolt actionrifles are scoped with Nightforce which seems overkill for an air gun as I do not see the air rifle taking a beating. I dial elevation on all my regular rifles. Is there any need to dial an air gun. I am guessing you need to find a scope that can focus at a short range. Knowledge and tips will be enthusiastically welcomed.

[M16]

Airguns have a different recoil impulse than traditional rifles. They are actually harder on scopes. Get one that is rated for airgun use. Depending on distance parallax adjustment and being able to dial would be useful features .

[PlanoDano]

I have a SWFA fixed 6 laying around. Those things are tough as nails. I don't know how close it will focus though.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Airguns have a different recoil impulse than traditional rifles. They are actually harder on scopes. Get one that is rated for airgun use. Depending on distance parallax adjustment and being able to dial would be useful features .

This is not true for PCP airguns. This applies to spring or nitrogen piston guns, and yes, they'll tear up many of the high dollar scopes used on powder burners! PCP air guns have little to no recoil in the smaller calibers (OP has a .22 cal.).

[SaltwaterSlick]

I have several PCP guns and most of them are fitted with either night vision or if conventional glass, Hawke Sport Optics. All the Hawke scopes are actually springer rated and guaranteed for life. For that Benjamin, I'd recommend a Hawke with magnification in the 6-24 range. With the adjustable third turret for Parallax and a big focus wheel, you can do some amazing things with it out to yardage you won't believe.
That gun you chose is probably THE MOST modifiable PCP on the market. It's a fine gun right out of the box, but it can be customized, upgraded, changed in so many ways!! The other good thing about it is that it operates at a somewhat lower pressure than many of the "high end" PCP guns. What this does is make it easier to charge. It is not unreasonable to even charge it with a hand pump (3 stage Benjamin works pretty well). If you do use air, be sure whatever you use to pressurize it, make sure you use a desiccant/dryer on the pump/compressor. Here on the gulf coast, is usually wet and moisture is death on these guns!

Just as an example of scope, you can get a 3-9X40 with adjustable Objective lens from Hawke for around $100 or so. If you can swing it, like I said earlier get the magnification up in the 20X range. When you get it up a bit, you'll have 3 turrets instead of a focus on the objective lens. That makes using it SO much better, faster and more accurate.

That gun should shoot 1/2" group at 50+ yards with the right pellets. Go to Pyramid Air (pyramidair.com) and order yourself a pellet sampler. It's a tin of pellets of differing sizes, weights and designs. Pick the one your gun shoots best and stick with that. All my .22 cals. shoot the JSB 15.89gr diablo pellets really well.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction that is PCP airguns! They're far more addicting than black guns (AR platform) ever were!!

[PlanoDano]

Thanks for the info Artos and SS

[Chase4556]

I’ve got a Bushnell of some sort with a lot of magnification on mine(Marauder 25cal).

You don’t need anything special, and you don’t need anything too expensive but it is nice if the parallax is adjustable down to 10-15yds.

Two options I quickly found:

https://www.eurooptic.com/Like-New-Athlon-Talos-6-24x50mm-CSF-1-BDC-600-SFP-IR-Riflescope-215012.aspx

https://www.eurooptic.com/Like-New-Athlon-Talos-4-16x40mm-CSF-1-BDC-600-SFP-IR-Riflescope-215008.aspx

[tazhunter0]

I have several PCP guns and most of them are fitted with either night vision or if conventional glass, Hawke Sport Optics. All the Hawke scopes are actually springer rated and guaranteed for life. For that Benjamin, I'd recommend a Hawke with magnification in the 6-24 range. With the adjustable third turret for Parallax and a big focus wheel, you can do some amazing things with it out to yardage you won't believe.
That gun you chose is probably THE MOST modifiable PCP on the market. It's a fine gun right out of the box, but it can be customized, upgraded, changed in so many ways!! The other good thing about it is that it operates at a somewhat lower pressure than many of the "high end" PCP guns. What this does is make it easier to charge. It is not unreasonable to even charge it with a hand pump (3 stage Benjamin works pretty well). If you do use air, be sure whatever you use to pressurize it, make sure you use a desiccant/dryer on the pump/compressor. Here on the gulf coast, is usually wet and moisture is death on these guns!

Just as an example of scope, you can get a 3-9X40 with adjustable Objective lens from Hawke for around $100 or so. If you can swing it, like I said earlier get the magnification up in the 20X range. When you get it up a bit, you'll have 3 turrets instead of a focus on the objective lens. That makes using it SO much better, faster and more accurate.

That gun should shoot 1/2" group at 50+ yards with the right pellets. Go to Pyramid Air (pyramidair.com) and order yourself a pellet sampler. It's a tin of pellets of differing sizes, weights and designs. Pick the one your gun shoots best and stick with that. All my .22 cals. shoot the JSB 15.89gr diablo pellets really well.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction that is PCP airguns! They're far more addicting than black guns (AR platform) ever were!!

Very true. I run Cabela’s Convent scopes on several of my pcp hunting guns.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Here's the pellet sampler that I started with on my .22 cal. guns

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/jsb-match-diabolo-test-sampler-22-cal-round-nose-pointed-4-pellet?p=959

If you can swing it, this is what I'd consider topping it with.

https://us.hawkeoptics.com/airmax-30-sf-compact-6-24x50-amx-ir.html

I use the Burris one piece mounts (quick cam lock style).

I also have one of these on a .22 cal. Really like it too.

https://us.hawkeoptics.com/sidewinder-30-sf-65-20x44-20x-half-mil.html

The AirMax scopes will be a tad lighter, but the Sidewinder has the added accessory side wheel for the parallax/focus and it can even be used somewhat as a range finder (once you get used to how it works).

[SaltwaterSlick]

And finally, here is the scope mount I use on all my PCP guns.

https://www.burrisoptics.com/mounting-systems/ar-pepr-scope-mount

Also, you can do a quick search using the part numbers for the scopes/mount I posted and find a better price from online dealers as opposed to buying direct from Hawke or Burris.

[SaltwaterSlick]

OK, one more....
If you are looking for a very good entry level scope, this will fit the bill very nicely. I have one of these on a springer and it's been shot no telling how many times... Scope holds its zero and has been flawless. The only thing that makes it cumbersome is when you have to adjust the parallax/focus, it's a ring on the objective lens rather than the third turret. It can be awkward to adjust it quickly when trying to take a shot that is different than what your last shot was (different distance, lighting, etc.).

https://us.hawkeoptics.com/vantage-3-9x40-ao-3030.html

[PlanoDano]

Thanks guys. I will be doing some ordering tonight so products will arrive by the time I get back from fishing. Hitting SPI for a couple of weeks, maybe a little longer

[SaltwaterSlick]

Good luck with the fishin'! Perfect time of the year to be there!

[PlanoDano]

Man, I had no idea pellet guns were that accurate. I know the range is less that 30 yards but nearly every shot is touching. Very consistent and great practice for everything but recoil management. It is also very quiet. I built a pellet trap from a 27 gal back yellow storage bin and rubber mulch. Able to practice all the positions Uncle Author will allow me to get into.

[Chase4556]

Man, I had no idea pellet guns were that accurate. I know the range is less that 30 yards but nearly every shot is touching. Very consistent and great practice for everything but recoil management. It is also very quiet. I built a pellet trap from a 27 gal back yellow storage bin and rubber mulch. Able to practice all the positions Uncle Author will allow me to get into.

They really are little tack drivers. At 35yds we were trying to come up with things to shoot because drilling the bullseye out of the targets was too easy. So much fun.

Check out https://nielsenspecialtyammo.com if you are interested in slugs. I use pellets for target practice and slugs for hunting critters. I found a slug my .25 marauder LOVES, and is a little heavier than any pellet I could find. Might be something you want to take a gander at.