Scope Reccomendations for Pellet Rifle

Hamm0ckjames · May 4, 2013, 07:12 PM

Howdy All,
Today I picked up a Gamo Silent Cat Pellet Rifle at a yard sale for $47.00 with no scope in very good condition. I thought this was a pretty good deal for the price even with out a scope. I shot it a few times when I returned to the house and it's pretty accurate across the yard with the little fiber sights on it but I would like to put a scope on it so I thought I would ask you folks out there what would you might recommend.

Thank you for your input,,,,

Ruger480 · May 4, 2013, 07:25 PM

I don't have any manufacturers to recommend. However, I have read that one should not use a regular hi-power/centerfire scope. Only use scopes made for pellet guns.
It has to do with the way the pellet rifle "recoils". Centerfire guns push backwards where as the pellet guns have a slight jump forward. This forward motion affects the crosshairs because of the way they are mounted inside the tube.
I'm sorry I don't remember the exact details but basically if you don't use a scope made for pellet guns, the scope wont hold zero after a while.

Hamm0ckjames · May 4, 2013, 07:33 PM

I heard something like that a long time ago. I wasn't sure if that still applied today. I bought this pellet gun for when the grandkids come to visit. I suppose I'll have to drag out the target boards to see just how accurate this thing can be. I don't know at this point if it's worth putting a scope on it or not. Maybe tomorrow I'll put some time into it and find out.

Oh, by the way the pellets I fed it are some pointed Crossman Pointed pellets.

PetahW · May 5, 2013, 01:40 PM

FWIW, it's just as true today as when pellet guns first started destroying standard riflescopes - get a specialized airgun scope, especially since it's not like they're hard to find (online) or ultra-expensive.

.

Evan Thomas · May 5, 2013, 03:37 PM

You definitely need a scope that's made for air rifles. Any of the big online suppliers carries them. I'd recommend Air Gun Depot -- bought both of my airguns from them, and their service was excellent. PyramydAir has a larger selection of inexpensive scopes (starting at $10

), but you pretty much get what you pay for, and I'd trust AGD not to be selling anything that's absolute junk -- theirs start around $35. If you don't want to spend at least that much, you might as well stick with the sights your rifle came with...

http://www.airgundepot.com/airgunscopes.html#paging

http://www.pyramydair.com/a/Accessor...F10CC021.app03

Hamm0ckjames · May 5, 2013, 06:12 PM

Thanks PetahW, I wouldn't have known better and would have probably killed a scope. And Vanya I appreciate the links. I noticed a Leapers 4x32 that looked pretty good. It looks like its affordable so I will do some homework on the quality and read some reviews. Thanks again folks for the support.

This pellet rifle might just get some use before the grandkids come this summer,,, ha.

hodaka · May 5, 2013, 08:16 PM

I've always hear that it was bad to use a standard scope on a springer. I put a 2x Tasco on my RWS 34 a couple of years ago and it is still going strong. It was a free, cheap scope but it seems to work just fine and maintains a zero. I doubt that I would have put a Leupold on it. Just for what it's worth.

Hamm0ckjames · May 5, 2013, 08:34 PM

Hodaka,
I've a few "Storage" scopes in the garage, but they are/were used on some older 22lrs. I am glad to hear a springer operated pellet rifle isn't where they belong. I sure would hate to kill one of em'
So I've been looking online at a Leapers 4x32 that is built for this app.

I sure do appreciate the input from everyone.

Boomer58cal · May 5, 2013, 10:15 PM

Cartridge rifle scores are fine for air pumpers, but spring or nitro piston guns will kill them. If it's a break barrel get a air rifle scope.

Good score! Don't shoot your eye out kid!

Boomer

El Bango · May 5, 2013, 10:46 PM

I just picked up a BSA .22 Special scope at Big 5 for $25.00.It is a 4x, 1" tube, 3/8" rings , duplex reticle and says on the box "for use on air rifles or rimfire.I'll mount it on my Sheridan as soon as the mounts come in.Michael

hooligan1 · May 6, 2013, 05:40 AM

We have a Gamo "Big Cat" and up on top is a Hammers 3-9x40 I believe,, only paid 50-60 bucks for it.....

tuck2 · May 6, 2013, 06:05 AM

Scopes for air rifles should have AO because most are for short range shooting. Spring powered air guns need scopes made for the extra recoil from the spring expanding. I have two Beeman spring powered and Benjiman, Sheridan, and Crosman pump up air rifles. Look at scopes with AO in the $ 100 range that is if you wont one that will last the life of the air rifle.

cecILL · May 6, 2013, 06:23 AM

Kids are better off without a scope.

Hamm0ckjames · May 6, 2013, 06:58 PM

Just came in from chasing a golf ball around the back yard with this Gamo pellet rifle. I forgot just how much fun these can be. It's pretty accurate even though the rear sight seems to move around a bit. I just push it down after each shot and it seems to be pretty close.
Managed to chase two golf balls out through the fence, about 25 to 30 yards out. I'll have to figure out what's up with the rear sight before long.

Brain just shifted into gear so I disassembled the rear sight and found the Torx mount screw was loose. Tightened it up and eliminated the rear sight play. I'll have to shoot it some more tomorrow " Wife says dinner is ready.

Priorities, Priorities, priorities,,,,,

Toolman · May 7, 2013, 07:01 PM

Get a Leupold air rifle scope. I have a VX-2 air rifle scope on my .308. Don't laugh, has double springs & it works great and no more crosshair recoil turbulation problems.

444 · May 7, 2013, 07:13 PM

I have Leupolds on both of mine.

May 4, 2013, 07:12 PM	#1
Hamm0ckjames Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Posts: 44	Scope Reccomendations for Pellet Rifle Howdy All, Today I picked up a Gamo Silent Cat Pellet Rifle at a yard sale for $47.00 with no scope in very good condition. I thought this was a pretty good deal for the price even with out a scope. I shot it a few times when I returned to the house and it's pretty accurate across the yard with the little fiber sights on it but I would like to put a scope on it so I thought I would ask you folks out there what would you might recommend. Thank you for your input,,,,

May 4, 2013, 07:25 PM	#2
Ruger480 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 720	I don't have any manufacturers to recommend. However, I have read that one should not use a regular hi-power/centerfire scope. Only use scopes made for pellet guns. It has to do with the way the pellet rifle "recoils". Centerfire guns push backwards where as the pellet guns have a slight jump forward. This forward motion affects the crosshairs because of the way they are mounted inside the tube. I'm sorry I don't remember the exact details but basically if you don't use a scope made for pellet guns, the scope wont hold zero after a while. Last edited by Ruger480; May 5, 2013 at 11:12 AM.

May 5, 2013, 03:37 PM	#5
Evan Thomas Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 5,631	You definitely need a scope that's made for air rifles. Any of the big online suppliers carries them. I'd recommend Air Gun Depot -- bought both of my airguns from them, and their service was excellent. PyramydAir has a larger selection of inexpensive scopes (starting at $10 ), but you pretty much get what you pay for, and I'd trust AGD not to be selling anything that's absolute junk -- theirs start around $35. If you don't want to spend at least that much, you might as well stick with the sights your rifle came with... http://www.airgundepot.com/airgunscopes.html#paging http://www.pyramydair.com/a/Accessor...F10CC021.app03 __________________ Never let anything mechanical know you're in a hurry.

May 5, 2013, 10:15 PM	#9
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	Cartridge rifle scores are fine for air pumpers, but spring or nitro piston guns will kill them. If it's a break barrel get a air rifle scope. Good score! Don't shoot your eye out kid! Boomer __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

May 6, 2013, 05:40 AM	#11
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,586	We have a Gamo "Big Cat" and up on top is a Hammers 3-9x40 I believe,, only paid 50-60 bucks for it..... __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

May 4, 2013, 07:33 PM	#3
Hamm0ckjames Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Posts: 44	I heard something like that a long time ago. I wasn't sure if that still applied today. I bought this pellet gun for when the grandkids come to visit. I suppose I'll have to drag out the target boards to see just how accurate this thing can be. I don't know at this point if it's worth putting a scope on it or not. Maybe tomorrow I'll put some time into it and find out. Oh, by the way the pellets I fed it are some pointed Crossman Pointed pellets.

May 5, 2013, 01:40 PM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	FWIW, it's just as true today as when pellet guns first started destroying standard riflescopes - get a specialized airgun scope, especially since it's not like they're hard to find (online) or ultra-expensive. .

May 5, 2013, 06:12 PM	#6
Hamm0ckjames Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Posts: 44	Thanks PetahW, I wouldn't have known better and would have probably killed a scope. And Vanya I appreciate the links. I noticed a Leapers 4x32 that looked pretty good. It looks like its affordable so I will do some homework on the quality and read some reviews. Thanks again folks for the support. This pellet rifle might just get some use before the grandkids come this summer,,, ha.

May 5, 2013, 08:16 PM	#7
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	I've always hear that it was bad to use a standard scope on a springer. I put a 2x Tasco on my RWS 34 a couple of years ago and it is still going strong. It was a free, cheap scope but it seems to work just fine and maintains a zero. I doubt that I would have put a Leupold on it. Just for what it's worth.

May 5, 2013, 08:34 PM	#8
Hamm0ckjames Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Posts: 44	Hodaka, I've a few "Storage" scopes in the garage, but they are/were used on some older 22lrs. I am glad to hear a springer operated pellet rifle isn't where they belong. I sure would hate to kill one of em' So I've been looking online at a Leapers 4x32 that is built for this app. I sure do appreciate the input from everyone.

May 5, 2013, 10:46 PM	#10
El Bango Member Join Date: December 23, 2012 Location: SW Colorado Posts: 42	I just picked up a BSA .22 Special scope at Big 5 for $25.00.It is a 4x, 1" tube, 3/8" rings , duplex reticle and says on the box "for use on air rifles or rimfire.I'll mount it on my Sheridan as soon as the mounts come in.Michael

May 6, 2013, 06:05 AM	#12
tuck2 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Posts: 208	Scopes for air rifles should have AO because most are for short range shooting. Spring powered air guns need scopes made for the extra recoil from the spring expanding. I have two Beeman spring powered and Benjiman, Sheridan, and Crosman pump up air rifles. Look at scopes with AO in the $ 100 range that is if you wont one that will last the life of the air rifle.

May 6, 2013, 06:23 AM	#13
cecILL Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: central IL Posts: 769	Kids are better off without a scope.

May 6, 2013, 06:58 PM	#14
Hamm0ckjames Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Posts: 44	Just came in from chasing a golf ball around the back yard with this Gamo pellet rifle. I forgot just how much fun these can be. It's pretty accurate even though the rear sight seems to move around a bit. I just push it down after each shot and it seems to be pretty close. Managed to chase two golf balls out through the fence, about 25 to 30 yards out. I'll have to figure out what's up with the rear sight before long. Brain just shifted into gear so I disassembled the rear sight and found the Torx mount screw was loose. Tightened it up and eliminated the rear sight play. I'll have to shoot it some more tomorrow " Wife says dinner is ready. Priorities, Priorities, priorities,,,,,

May 7, 2013, 07:01 PM	#15
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	Get a Leupold air rifle scope. I have a VX-2 air rifle scope on my .308. Don't laugh, has double springs & it works great and no more crosshair recoil turbulation problems. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

May 7, 2013, 07:13 PM	#16
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	I have Leupolds on both of mine. __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.