Air gun scope: Tell me why.

Wild Bill Bucks · May 4, 2006, 11:05 AM

One of the guys here at work just asked me why your not supposed to put a rifle scope on an air rifle. I told him I did not know, but I had access to some people who do.
Tell us why they won't work.

FirstFreedom · May 4, 2006, 11:37 AM

on airgun scopes:

On PCP rifles (pre-charged pneumatics), or PUP rifles (pump up pneumatics), it doesn't matter - a rifle scope is fine.

BUT, on *spring piston* or the new 'gas piston' guns, particularly powerful ones, it can matter and these can destroy certain scopes' reticles very quickly, because the recoil is so-called "2-way" recoil instead of one-way recoil like firearms and PCP or PUP guns. On a firearm or PCP airgun, the recoil is 1-way - backward (an equal and opposite reaction to the bullet leaving the barrel). Even though it may be very powerful backward, it is only backward. OTOH, a spring piston airgun recoils in two directions...first, it recoils backwards like a rifle. Then, when the piston reaches the front of the cylinder, and stops, the inertia makes then gun the 'recoil' forward - secondary recoil. The problem with this situation arises when a scope's reticle is not supported on both sides. If it's supported solely on front side, this protects it from loosening/breaking from backward recoil. But if it's not supported by glass on the rear side (or just a heavy-duty, well-secured reticle), then this forward recoil will jar it and possibly disintegrate it. So, it's usually a safer bet to get a scope designated as being for an airgun; then you know the manufacturer has either made the reticle heavy-duty or supported it on both sides. Having said that, ALL Leupolds (all lines), and ALL Burrises are supposed to stand up to spring piston recoil, and I believe they put that in writing. In addition, all Bushnells Trophy & up are supposed to take the abuse as well (i.e. Trophy, Legend, and the Elites, but not the Sportsman, Sportview, or Banner). These 3 makers have certain models designated as airgun scopes, but ALL of them will be covered by their warranty if broken by a springer, if they otherwise have a warranty, even those not designated as airgun. Also, supposedly, the Swift Premiers are supposed to handle it. Also, BSA and Simmons both have a few scopes designated as airgun, as well as a couple other makers. Also, Nikon told my by telephone that ALL of their scopes will stand up to springer airgun recoil, but it's not specifically written anywhere that I can find such as their website, so I'm not sure if I'd trust this 100%. BUT, in reality, the OVERALL strength of a maker's warranty service in general is going to be far more important than whether you have to argue with them about whether you voided the warranty by putting it on a springer. Therefore, it is never a mistake to go Leupold on an airgun, since their warranty is so darned good, on all their lines. Ditto with any other makers with a super strong warranty because (a) the existence of a strong warranty reputation means that their scopes are going to be generally well-constructed, and thus less likely to break even if not specifically designed for an airgun, and (b) they'll just flatout give good quick service if you break it, no questions asked.

Now, all that has to do with scope construction/design. In addition, you will almost always want to get an AO scope for your airgun of any type, so that you can eliminate parallax at close range; which is why most (but not all) airgun-designated scopes have AO on them. I've used Burris and Bushnells with AOs on mine (and 1 BSA), and so far no problems - I cannot afford the Leupolds with AO, but if I could, that's what I'd get. Bushnell Elite 3200s and 4200s with AO are a real good value for springers, because they have a pretty solid warranty & construction.

C Philip · May 4, 2006, 11:41 AM

One reason is the consistency. If you have a air gun where you have to pump it to shoot, the point of impact will change depending on how much you pump the gun, making zeroing a scope pretty much useless unless you pump the gun the same number of times every time you shoot it. Same for CO2 air guns, as the CO2 runs out, the point of impact will change. Also, IMHO it's just unnecessary, you probably won't be using an air gun at any significant range, so iron sights are goon enough.

Harry Bonar · May 4, 2006, 01:55 PM

Dear Air Gun Shooter:
I've got two Chinese side cockers ($30.00 guns) and two bbl break, and some Sheridan and Benjamin air guns and I know well about scopes on them - I don't use scopes on then, as the gentlemam said, especially the spring guns.
I've got a Ruger 10-22 and I'll tell you they arent easy on scopes and they are the only guns in which I would use a recoil "buffer" on!
It's even hard to keep an air gun scope on which is the reason why they put a screw or block against which the mounts rest.
Really, air guns are such close range weapons open, or peep, sights are O.K. anyway.
An aside: I tested an air gun (bbl. cocking) on the chrono and it gave 1003 f.p.s.!!! It was rated at 1000!
Harry B.

May 4, 2006, 11:05 AM	#1
Wild Bill Bucks Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2005 Location: Southeastern Oklahoma, Next door to Sasquatch Posts: 1,266	Air gun scope: Tell me why. One of the guys here at work just asked me why your not supposed to put a rifle scope on an air rifle. I told him I did not know, but I had access to some people who do. Tell us why they won't work.

May 4, 2006, 11:37 AM	#2
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	I've done a little research on this issue... on airgun scopes: On PCP rifles (pre-charged pneumatics), or PUP rifles (pump up pneumatics), it doesn't matter - a rifle scope is fine. BUT, on spring piston or the new 'gas piston' guns, particularly powerful ones, it can matter and these can destroy certain scopes' reticles very quickly, because the recoil is so-called "2-way" recoil instead of one-way recoil like firearms and PCP or PUP guns. On a firearm or PCP airgun, the recoil is 1-way - backward (an equal and opposite reaction to the bullet leaving the barrel). Even though it may be very powerful backward, it is only backward. OTOH, a spring piston airgun recoils in two directions...first, it recoils backwards like a rifle. Then, when the piston reaches the front of the cylinder, and stops, the inertia makes then gun the 'recoil' forward - secondary recoil. The problem with this situation arises when a scope's reticle is not supported on both sides. If it's supported solely on front side, this protects it from loosening/breaking from backward recoil. But if it's not supported by glass on the rear side (or just a heavy-duty, well-secured reticle), then this forward recoil will jar it and possibly disintegrate it. So, it's usually a safer bet to get a scope designated as being for an airgun; then you know the manufacturer has either made the reticle heavy-duty or supported it on both sides. Having said that, ALL Leupolds (all lines), and ALL Burrises are supposed to stand up to spring piston recoil, and I believe they put that in writing. In addition, all Bushnells Trophy & up are supposed to take the abuse as well (i.e. Trophy, Legend, and the Elites, but not the Sportsman, Sportview, or Banner). These 3 makers have certain models designated as airgun scopes, but ALL of them will be covered by their warranty if broken by a springer, if they otherwise have a warranty, even those not designated as airgun. Also, supposedly, the Swift Premiers are supposed to handle it. Also, BSA and Simmons both have a few scopes designated as airgun, as well as a couple other makers. Also, Nikon told my by telephone that ALL of their scopes will stand up to springer airgun recoil, but it's not specifically written anywhere that I can find such as their website, so I'm not sure if I'd trust this 100%. BUT, in reality, the OVERALL strength of a maker's warranty service in general is going to be far more important than whether you have to argue with them about whether you voided the warranty by putting it on a springer. Therefore, it is never a mistake to go Leupold on an airgun, since their warranty is so darned good, on all their lines. Ditto with any other makers with a super strong warranty because (a) the existence of a strong warranty reputation means that their scopes are going to be generally well-constructed, and thus less likely to break even if not specifically designed for an airgun, and (b) they'll just flatout give good quick service if you break it, no questions asked. Now, all that has to do with scope construction/design. In addition, you will almost always want to get an AO scope for your airgun of any type, so that you can eliminate parallax at close range; which is why most (but not all) airgun-designated scopes have AO on them. I've used Burris and Bushnells with AOs on mine (and 1 BSA), and so far no problems - I cannot afford the Leupolds with AO, but if I could, that's what I'd get. Bushnell Elite 3200s and 4200s with AO are a real good value for springers, because they have a pretty solid warranty & construction.

May 4, 2006, 01:55 PM	#4
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	air gun reticle Dear Air Gun Shooter: I've got two Chinese side cockers ($30.00 guns) and two bbl break, and some Sheridan and Benjamin air guns and I know well about scopes on them - I don't use scopes on then, as the gentlemam said, especially the spring guns. I've got a Ruger 10-22 and I'll tell you they arent easy on scopes and they are the only guns in which I would use a recoil "buffer" on! It's even hard to keep an air gun scope on which is the reason why they put a screw or block against which the mounts rest. Really, air guns are such close range weapons open, or peep, sights are O.K. anyway. An aside: I tested an air gun (bbl. cocking) on the chrono and it gave 1003 f.p.s.!!! It was rated at 1000! Harry B.

May 4, 2006, 11:41 AM	#3
C Philip Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 784	One reason is the consistency. If you have a air gun where you have to pump it to shoot, the point of impact will change depending on how much you pump the gun, making zeroing a scope pretty much useless unless you pump the gun the same number of times every time you shoot it. Same for CO2 air guns, as the CO2 runs out, the point of impact will change. Also, IMHO it's just unnecessary, you probably won't be using an air gun at any significant range, so iron sights are goon enough.