• The AGN App is ready! Search "Airgun Nation" in your App store. To compliment this new tech we've assigned the "Threads" Feed & "Dark" Mode. To revert back click HERE.

Best $200 scope for a magnum springer

Jump to latest Follow Reply
zrman27500

zrman27500

Member
Apr 21, 2023
258
226
grand island
As the title states....I'm looking for the best $200 scope I can get for magnum springers. How's the new utg op3? ($197) I bought a gorgeous beeman 68r that came on a rifle, unfortunately the cross hair was broken when the scope arrived. The seller made good and sent me a check for $200 to buy a replacement....what would you buy? And why?
 
Keep an eye on a company called Dvor.com. They're the clearance/overstock side of Optics Planet and you can get some seriously good deals on scopes when they have sales listed. Free to join and shipping is a flat $9.95.
I just got a pair of Hawke Airmax 3-9x40's for $179.99 each the last time they had them. Saved me $70 each on them and the money I saved on just one paid for the 2 sets of BKL Double Strap rings I also bought to mount them with.
I've never had any of the scopes JP listed above, but very regularly read good things about both the Vortex and Vector scopes. The Mizugiwa recoil mounts I can owning a couple, they do work as advertised and for a lot less than the Diana Bullseye ZR mount they're copied from.
You might also keep an eye on the website Cameraland. They have pretty good prices and occasional sales.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PasadenaMike
Upvote 0
You are going to get a lot of recommendations for cheap scopes, and in many cases the poster has never actually mounted a scope to a beefer springer. I have demolished several scopes on my Gamo 33mm Gas Piston rifle in short order. At the suggestion of a few forum members that have been there and done that, I mounted a fixed zoom SWFA and has been great for several months. Keep in mind the gas piston guns are a little easier on scopes than a similar mechanical springer. If you take the time to email or call any of the old go-to scope manufacturers; you will find that almost all of the scopes that used to be "springer rated" are no longer. And there are a few that now claim to be "springer rated", but when pressed they will tell you that does not include the magnums. There are also some guys that have success with a dampening mount as suggested above. You might be fine with a cheaper scope and a good soft mount, or you might watch the reticle break apart in the scope tube. I would at least stick with a company that has a great track record for quick no questions asked warranty practices such as Vortex and Athlon. I would not recommend companies like UTG or Hawke etc. Also a glass etched reticle would be mandatory for me, stay away from anything with a wire reticle.
 
Upvote 0
MongooseV8 said:
You are going to get a lot of recommendations for cheap scopes, and in many cases the poster has never actually mounted a scope to a beefer springer. I have demolished several scopes on my Gamo 33mm Gas Piston rifle in short order. At the suggestion of a few forum members that have been there and done that, I mounted a fixed zoom SWFA and has been great for several months. Keep in mind the gas piston guns are a little easier on scopes than a similar mechanical springer. If you take the time to email or call any of the old go-to scope manufacturers; you will find that almost all of the scopes that used to be "springer rated" are no longer. And there are a few that now claim to be "springer rated", but when pressed they will tell you that does not include the magnums. There are also some guys that have success with a dampening mount as suggested above. You might be fine with a cheaper scope and a good soft mount, or you might watch the reticle break apart in the scope tube. I would at least stick with a company that has a great track record for quick no questions asked warranty practices such as Vortex and Athlon. I would not recommend companies like UTG or Hawke etc. Also a glass etched reticle would be mandatory for me, stay away from anything with a wire reticle.
Click to expand...
I do really like the swfa scope, and honestly might be what I go for, the fixed power kinda bothers me, but it is what ot is, they are I nice scope. I was curious about those new utg op3 scopes because they are a etched reticle, I've had decent luck with other utg scopes, but I don't shoot each gun I have a lot either (I have a sh*t ton of rifles) so scopes probably last gor me way longer just to the low use. But I definitely think I'm going to go with a 10x swfa, I wanted 16x, but I heard the eye box is pretty terrible once you get I'm to the higher mag models?? Thanks for the reply.
 
Upvote 0
zrman27500 said:
I do really like the swfa scope, and honestly might be what I go for, the fixed power kinda bothers me, but it is what ot is, they are I nice scope. I was curious about those new utg op3 scopes because they are a etched reticle, I've had decent luck with other utg scopes, but I don't shoot each gun I have a lot either (I have a sh*t ton of rifles) so scopes probably last gor me way longer just to the low use. But I definitely think I'm going to go with a 10x swfa, I wanted 16x, but I heard the eye box is pretty terrible once you get I'm to the higher mag models?? Thanks for the reply.
Click to expand...
Yeah the eyebox is horrendous on the 16x and 20x models. The 6x is great, obviously the 10x is the standard. I have never been behind the 12x personally, but Ive seen some promising footage on the ol youtoobs. Arken might be a good consideration too, but havent tried one on a springer myself.
 
Upvote 0
JP806TX said:
I would invest in a recoil free scope mount.


That should leave you with $180 to spend on almost any scope on the market within that price range.

At this price point, look at
Bushnell
monstrum
Simmons
Vortex
Vector
Click to expand...
I have a few zr mounts, I had seen that cheap one, bit I also heard they have accuracy issues, and you have to modify them before they are really usable, plus need a dovetail to picatinny adapter, because I couldn't find thr mount in dovetail
 
Upvote 0
I used this scope on a lot of rifles....built like a tank!! Never had a issue...
Screenshot_2024-05-09-22-30-37-59_f85a7746433a8c33f1d172fe7bfc71e4.jpg
 
Upvote 0
zrman27500 said:
I have a few zr mounts, I had seen that cheap one, bit I also heard they have accuracy issues, and you have to modify them before they are really usable, plus need a dovetail to picatinny adapter, because I couldn't find thr mount in dovetail
Click to expand...
In dovetail:
Haven't had any accuracy issues yet and I haven't had to modify it at all, although there are several posts on the forum from owners who did because they wanted to.
As far as Hawke's warranty, I haven't had to make use of it yet and I own quite a few Hawke scopes, but from shooters that have, Hawke has taken very good care of them.
If in doubt about any other companies, email or just straight up call and ask.
 
Upvote 0
SteveP-52 said:
In dovetail:
Haven't had any accuracy issues yet and I haven't had to modify it at all, although there are several posts on the forum from owners who did because they wanted to.
As far as Hawke's warranty, I've never had to make use of it yet but from shooters that have, Hawke has taken very good care of them.
If in doubt about any other companies, email or just straight up call and ask.
Click to expand...
That's awesome! I couldn't find that exact model....I'm literally going to order 2 dozen of them ( I have been looking for a cheap mount like this (I have a lot of rifles!🤣) And this mount checks a lot of boxes for me.... Thanks for the tip! Even if I have to go through and accurize every single one if them....it's still a great deal!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: SteveP-52
Upvote 0
zrman27500 said:
That's awesome! I couldn't find that exact model....I'm literally going to order 2 dozen of them ( I have been looking for a cheap mount like this (I have a lot of rifles!🤣) And this mount checks a lot of boxes for me.... Thanks for the tip! Even if I have to go through and accurize every single one if them....it's still a great deal!!
Click to expand...
I bought one to put up against the 2nd gen Diana ZR mount I also have and spent a lot for. Only differences I can find between them are cosmetic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JungleShooter
Upvote 1
The first Gen mounts had slop issues and why shooters were making the mods to them. Diana apparently addressed them, since the box mine came in says New Version on it and the mount has a Made in China sticker on the bottom. Random guess is the same Chinese company Diana got to make their "New Version" mounts made a few minor cosmetic changes to not violate the copyright stuff and started making and selling their own cheaper.
ZR mount on top, Mizugiwa on the bottom along with the pic of the box and that Made in China sticker.
recoil scope mounts.jpgDiana ZR box.jpgDiana ZR Made in sticker.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: MongooseV8
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu