FX .22 Dreamline Lite--What magnification do I need?

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GunshipGuy

GunshipGuy

Member
Mar 27, 2020
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Collierville, TN, United States
I have a Dreamline Lite that I am having a blast with. It is dead-on out to about 40 yards in the backyard using a little 3-9x32 scope. I'd like to push it out to 100 yards and beyond (which requires going to a range). I'm not looking to break any records, but I'd like to see what the practical range is for this rifle. That said, 90% of my shooting will probably be 40 yards or less.

So...I'm wondering what magnification I need to shoot 100-150 yards. I'm looking at two categories of scopes. They seem to fall into two categories: roughly 4-14x or 6-25x or so. I'm tempted to go for the higher magnification range, but I don't want to to take the fun out of popping paper and squirrels at 20-40 yards in the backyard with an over-scoped rifle. Also, I love the light weight of the Dreamline and don't want to make it any heavier than I need to. How much magnification do I need?

Thanks in advance for your input.
 
Agree with the 20x top end. The custom shop unless is in stock is out of the question. They have been closed since the forst of the year and can not even speculate a opening date. Juat called Leo today wanted to put a mildot or similar in a 6.5x-20x 50mm 30mm barrel and its a no go dang!

I have a Crown with the 4-14x FFP scope $1500 and it is great but wish every once in a while for the 20x-25x when I want too shoot a squirrel in the eye at longer ranges So the scope YO suggested would be close, saw it for $660.
 
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There are so many great scopes these days... Leupold, Vortex, Bushnell, SWFA, Athlon, Discovery, just to name a few. You have a lot of great options. If you go with something like a 6-24 or 5-30, you'll have plenty of magnification for 100yds(aim small, miss small) and can turn it down to 5x or 6x at 30-40yds. They are heavier though, well worth it in my book. Keep in mind, with a FFP scope cranked to 24 or 30x, your reticle will get big and sometime obtrusive, so take that into account if going the FFP route. Unless you shoot at twilight a lot, most scopes these days will be plenty bright and clear for normal usage. Good luck, let us know what you decide!

Stoti
 
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Good question. On another airgun web site there is a "Long Range Club." To qualify, you must hit a 4" circle at 100 yards. And, of course, there is room for improvement after that. I've never owned an air rifle that was capable of this until I got my FX, so this sounds like a great challenge and a lot of fun. I'm getting 1/2" groups at 40 yards now with my 3-9x. I'm over 70, so I think I may need a little more magnification to get to 100 yards and hopefully beyond. What think?
 
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I think the lowest magnification you use on your 3-9 could help in making your decision. For example I hardly use 1-3x on the various variable power scopes I have but I do use 4x if at all possible when I'm rabbit hunting. BUT I dislike 6x for hunting rabbits or squirrels for snap shooting because the FOV is getting too small for me for a quick shot. I definitely prefer a SFP scope on low power for regular small game hunting because the reticle is getting tiny in a FFP scope. Your 3-9 is a SFP scope so the reticle appears to stay the same size regardless of magnification. 

On the other hand I like as much magnification as I can get away with at 100Y when shooting at paper. A problem that presents itself is usually the image quality on the cheaper/sub $500 scopes is starting to suffer above 30x. I recently sold a $3600 S&B 3-20x50 with awesome glass for these reasons, #1 I found That I chose the wrong reticle in FFP after using this scope for a while. #2 this reticle was super hard to see on 3x or 4x, #3 I struggled to see 22 caliber holes in dark colored paper targets by 75Y on 20x

A 5-25 SFP strikes a good balance. Call Doug at cameraland because he'll barter a bit on price most of the time and could make a good suggestion but be sure to tell him you need close focus for airgun use.


 
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You're welcome.

Another thing is I always recommend extending the budget as far as possible, and fully researching before you make a purchase. 

If you won't be hunting close in and on low power I suggest looking into FFP scopes because the reticle hash marks are always true no matter which magnification the scope is on, which is "NOT" how SFP scopes are, SFP hashes are only true on one magnification. 

Most of my scopes are FFP because I use mid to high magnification most of the time. It really comes down to the intended use, for me I hardly hunt anymore, and can tolerate the reticle being small the few times I do hunt. There are many airgunners that shoot their small game at longer distances so a FFP scope is perfect for them.

A super good all around scope is Athlon's Midas TAC 6-24x50, it's FFP. 

I have a SFP 4-16x40 on my centerfire Coyote/varmint rifle because I need a thick easy to see reticle on 4x and most shots will be point blank and quick. Though I can put it on 10x for holds to be correct in mils, or dial on 16x for prairie dogs, etc.
 
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Steve123,

Thanks again. You are a wealth of helpful info. I'm really enjoying the "chase" right now. For me, researching all this is at least half the fun. Appreciate your mention of the Midas TAC 6-24×50. That's one I've been looking at. I do wish it had an illuminated reticle, but it looks like a great scope. I shoot in shaded areas with regularity and the illumination seems to make it a little easier. Will continue to look. Many thanks. 
 
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I've been researching since my first post. Finally decided on an Athlon Optics Midas BTR Gen 2 4.5-27x50, Second Focal Plane, 30 mm. $90 over budget. It should arrive next week. Also, I just purchased a Crown .25 from a friend on the forum. I think I'll put this Athlon on the Crown and look for something like a 4-14 for the Dreamline. But I'm in no rush on that one. For now, I'll leave a 3-9 on the Dreamline. 

Thanks for all your input. Everything I saw in your posts was helpful. 
Athlon Optics Midas BTR Gen2 4.5-27x50.1599321411.jpg

 
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