Best scope for HW30 targets @ 25 yards?

[Kingpin]

 Just ordered an HW30, will be used primarily for offhand targets at 25 yards on an indoor range, may occasionally get pressed into service to dispatch a rabbit raiding the garden. Old eyes mean an optic, looking at options.



Light transmission and clarity will be very important. Won't be dialing for different ranges so that isn't critical, neither is a mil or ranging reticle. 



A simple duplex reticle in a fixed 4x would be adequate but the market doesn't lean that way. A 2-7 or even a 3-9 would certainly work, especially as options will be more available.



Suggestions?

 

[MikeAndrews]

An absolutely excellent rifle. Mine wears a hawke air max 2-7x32

 

[GunshipGuy]

I put a Leupold Freedom 3-9x33 AO on mine. Compact. Light weight. Good glass. Simple duplex reticle. 

The Hawke that Mike mentioned above would also be a good choice, and at a lower price. 

 

[Scouty]

Leupold makes a fixed 4x with duplex reticle. It has a fixed parallax of 60 yards.

If their custom shop has reopened they could possibly adjust the parallax for 25 yards or it may be a scope that can be easily adjusted at home. Or with the small objective lens it may not matter.

I have an HW30 & that Leupold does sound like a great option for it. 

 

[SteveP-52]

Your mileage may vary since some dislike the AMX reticle while others, myself included, very much like them. I have 6 German rifles, all 6 wear Hawke Airmax scopes. No doubt there are other great scopes out there for the variations I see others use, I've just had great luck with Hawke and stuck with them.

My R7 .177 has a 3-9x40 set to 8x in medium Hawke rings. Target was the 10 Dimes challenge which is the 10 targets in the picture, shot from 25 yards, 3 shots to each of the 10. Yeah, it's gonna stay put...lol.

 

[Kingpin]

Thanks for the replies. 

With this rifle being a springer is it known for being hard on glass, needing springer rated scopes or are higher quality "regular" scopes ok to use? 

 

[Kgphotos]

I also recommend the Hawke Airmax line. I have the 3-9 Airmax on my HW50 and it’s just perfect for me. The Airmax line is springer rated and I don’t think the low powered HW30 is too hard on scopes. My HW30 has a receiver mounted aperture sight and the HW50 gets the scope.

Kenny

 

[Scouty]

Thanks for the replies. 

With this rifle being a springer is it known for being hard on glass, needing springer rated scopes or are higher quality "regular" scopes ok to use?

I have read of several Leupold 3-9x33 EFRs being used on HW30s so I assume with the HW30's low power it isn't a problem. 

That is likely the scope that will end up on mine. My indoor range is 14 yards so being able to focus close is nice. 

 

[c_m_shooter]

The HW30 shoots pretty soft, so easy on scopes. It is worthy of the Leupold 3-9 EFR if your budget allows. The Hawke 2-7x Airmax is a good fit for a little cheaper.

 

[RWSx3]

Kingpin,,, The HW30 is not a scope killer, if your budget allows, there are many more expensive options already mentioned by fellow shooters willing to help spend your $. As to your described usage, the Hawke Vantage 4x mildot with AO will do everything you need. I own two of these scopes on my grandsons' HW30 and R7 and the rifles will stack JSB 7.33gr pellet on pellet at your designated range. I also own a pair of Airmax AMX scopes in the above mentioned 2-7 and 3-9 models on other pcp rifles and they too are very nice scopes, with a much more extravagant etched reticle. Either way you choose ALL mentioned scopes have excellent warranty backing, if needed.

 

[Deepbass9]

I have read of several Leupold 3-9x33 EFRs being used on HW30s so I assume with the HW30's low power it isn't a problem. 

Leo's can take any power level springer. They are tanks. I have one on my R7 and it's a great weight match, if you can swing the cost.

They say you should always spend more on your optics than your arms, but when it's a limited range rifle I'd think there's a diminishing return factor unless your resources are unlimited. For some, that's a March scope, for some a Leo, for some a Vector Marksman 10x44 for some a Centerpoint. 

 

[AirShot]

The Leupold 3-9x33 is springer rated....in fact Leupold will warrant all there scopes on springers! Warranty is lifetime even if your not the original owner. You can even get warranty service on a used one!! This is why they hold there value. You will never go wrong with Leupold!!

 

[Kingpin]

Looked through a leupold 2-7 yesterday and liked the glass well enough but it had a "ballistic drop" reticle that was too busy. I also looked through a Vortex with a simple duplex and liked it too. 

 

[Keyman62421]

 

[jccams]

I have a Hawke Vantage 2-7x32 AO IR on my R7. Step down from the Airmax but it is a mildot scope with etched glass reticle, nice compromise IMO.

 

[Deerstalker]

I have been happy with my Hawke scope on my HW95L which I mounted with Hawke medium tactical 2 piece 30 mm rings. https://us.hawkeoptics.com/airmax-30-sf-compact-4-16x44-amx-ir.html

 

[jimaok]

I have an HW30s, R7, and R9 and i have the same model scope on each. A Bushnel Banner 4x12AO. I have had good luck with them so I stick with them. 

 

[Kingpin]

Thanks for the replies. The doevetail on the HW30 has the two "dimples" for the retention pin of a springer base, think it will be necessary?

 

[c_m_shooter]

Yes they will. The RWS lockdown mount is great if the scope you choose is long enough for it. My R7 has a very short scope on it, so I use these.



Amazon.com : UTG 1"/2PCs Medium Profile Airgun Rings w/Stop Pin , Black : Hunting Air Guns : Sports & Outdoors

 

[Vincent10]

I just put a Leupold 3-9x33 EFR Freedom on an older Beeman HW97 .20 cal. The scope is really clear and bright for having a smaller objective. I set up targets from 13 to 50 yards and found the AO markings we're accurate. At 9x the crosshairs are thin enough to allow for precise shot placement. On my scope the windage & elevation adjustments are not really audible clicks, but each turn can be felt. That's okay since I plan to zero and leave it set. The matte finish is alright for field use and looks good with BKL rings. Overall I think its a well built scope that should last.