Scope recomendations?

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Gos

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Jun 30, 2023
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Washington State
I'm new to the AR world, but have over 50 years in centerfire. Regarding optics, I tossed a Simmons just to get me going on my first AR. The POI shifts depending on what power you're set on, so it's got to go in the trash. Now that I'm really getting into this rifle, I'd like to get a variable power scope with an elevation turret or mildot so I can plot out my POI from 25 to 75 yards. If it were on one of my centerfire rifles, the answer would be Leupold first, nothing second. I'm not looking to spend that much if possible. Any recommendations?
 
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Leupold is great. Why not use it? Of course, you can get by with something less expensive, like a Hawke Vantage or a Discovery scope. When people start to recommend high price, then Sightron.....of course people going to tell you Athlon, if shooting a PCP get what you fancy or just use our Leupold scope,if shooting a springer make sure it is springer rated, many are...Oh, spend not that much. Will a Hawke Vantage works; I never paid more than $120, or a Discovery. I buy most of my scopes used. Burris scopes can be used a lot cheaper. Leupold keeps its value.
 
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I don’t know any Leupold scopes that would be suitable for airguns. Assuming that AR meant AG. And you got spellchecked.

Most powder burner scopes have a parallax fixed at 100 yds. If your Leupold has side focus, just use it if it’s not too heavy or long.

You’ll want a scope with a side parallax adjustment turret. Most good AG scopes have this feature. If you’re set on a high quality scope and $$ isn’t a problem, then March, Vortex, Athlon..in order high $ to lower $. But scopes from Vector Optics are good starter scopes that are affordable. Discovery and US Optics are also good.
 
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It would help us to spend your money if we knew more information. What rifle and caliber? Intended use? Dollar amount? There are quite a few different vendors that have more bells and whistles. Digital scopes with built in range finder and hold over calculators are now available so no plotting needed any longer are on the market now.

'Cyclops" is a popular youtube channel that reviews only optics, great channel.
 
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maxtrouble said:
It would help us to spend your money if we knew more information. What rifle and caliber? Intended use? Dollar amount? There are quite a few different vendors that have more bells and whistles. Digital scopes with built in range finder and hold over calculators are now available so no plotting needed any longer are on the market now.

'Cyclops" is a popular youtube channel that reviews only optics, great channel.
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Avenge-x in 22cal. My Leupold's won't focus in as close as I'd like for starling shooting, and I'd like to end up with a turret for elevation so I can map out distances, or mil dot.
 
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Disclaimer: I am a Hawke fanboi. I have several Hawke Airmax scopes so that I "always come home" to the same reticle. I have three of these 3-12x40 scopes and I really like the reticle if you hadn't figured that out by now. 😀. Oh look, it is on sale! I might have too grab another, that is a sweet price!

www.pyramydair.com

Hawke Airmax 4-12x40 AO Rifle Scope, AMX Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on Hawke Airmax 4-12x40 AO Rifle Scope, AMX Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube at Pyramyd AIR. Shop where the experts do!
www.pyramydair.com

A set of medium BKL rings should work. Looks like the magazine is not too proud. BKL rings are made in the Great State of Texas and always center themselves when installed. Highly recommended. Don't buy cheap rings. Trust me.

www.pyramydair.com

BKL 1" Rings, 3/8" or 11mm Dovetail, Matte Black | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on BKL 1" Rings, 3/8" or 11mm Dovetail, Matte Black at Pyramyd AIR. Shop where the experts do!
www.pyramydair.com

Those should clear the magazine but not 100%.

These will for sure but might be too high. I suggest purchasing both for comparison. Return / Keep the unused set.

www.pyramydair.com

BKL 1" Rings, 3/8" or 11mm Dovetail, High, Matte Black | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on BKL 1" Rings, 3/8" or 11mm Dovetail, High, Matte Black at Pyramyd AIR. Shop where the experts do!
www.pyramydair.com
 
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Hawke has the Airmax compact models that are excellent for air rifles.

https://us.hawkeoptics.com/airmax-30-sf-compact-3-12x40-amx-ir.html

4-16 x 44mm on HW95K.

4naxtL8h.jpg
 
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Gos said:
I'm new to the AR world, but have over 50 years in centerfire. Regarding optics, I tossed a Simmons just to get me going on my first AR. The POI shifts depending on what power you're set on, so it's got to go in the trash. Now that I'm really getting into this rifle, I'd like to get a variable power scope with an elevation turret or mildot so I can plot out my POI from 25 to 75 yards. If it were on one of my centerfire rifles, the answer would be Leupold first, nothing second. I'm not looking to spend that much if possible. Any recommendations?
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$123.51


Might not fit in the case with it but you can add the $12.24 sidewheel and be extra cool.

TLDR adjustable parallax (AO) scope that goes from super close to super far. Most can only do as close as 30 feet so anything inside will just be a blur.
 
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Gos said:
I'm new to the AR world, but have over 50 years in centerfire. Regarding optics, I tossed a Simmons just to get me going on my first AR. The POI shifts depending on what power you're set on, so it's got to go in the trash. Now that I'm really getting into this rifle, I'd like to get a variable power scope with an elevation turret or mildot so I can plot out my POI from 25 to 75 yards. If it were on one of my centerfire rifles, the answer would be Leupold first, nothing second. I'm not looking to spend that much if possible. Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
I have 2 Meopta Optika 5's...a 4-20X44 and a 4-20x50 with parallax adjustment down to 10yds and simple MOA reticles. The 4-20x44 is on my FX King. The Meopta's are well made, but not as good as my Leupold VX3HD 6.5-20x40 EFR. I would put that Leupy on my FX King if it had a more suitable reticle. That model Leupold is only available with a fine duplex, and a fine duplex with a tiny diamond(and Leupold no long will change out reticles, their shop closed down permanently after Covid). That being said, if interested in on of my Meopta's, send me a pm. I am going to give a Zeiss V4 a go, they have that model available(not all, so shop carefully) with parallax down to 10yds.
 
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I have a Arken EPL 6-24 on my Caiman X. The elevation turret is exposed and the windage is under a cap. The glass is very good and adjustments are more crisp and precise than my other scopes although my Athlon Argos is also very good. Hawke, Athlon, Vortex, and Arken are known for good warranty performance. I had to return my Argos and it was rapidly replaced no questions asked. No receipt necessary.
 
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JimD said:
I have a Arken EPL 6-24 on my Caiman X. The elevation turret is exposed and the windage is under a cap. The glass is very good and adjustments are more crisp and precise than my other scopes although my Athlon Argos is also very good. Hawke, Athlon, Vortex, and Arken are known for good warranty performance. I had to return my Argos and it was rapidly replaced no questions asked. No receipt necessary.
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I have friend who had a G1 Argos which he sent back for warranty expecting repair but instead they sent him a new G2 Argos with way better turrets.
 
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I don't worry about the warranty much on an airgun because I expect to be able to fix it. But I can't realistically fix a scope. The only two I've needed fixed was a UTG bug buster and my Athlon Argos. UTG totally failed to honor their warranty. They communicated with me just long enough to give me a return authorization and address to send it to. All that did for me was let me waste more money on that scope. I sent it, they never communicated anything to me. Athlon on the other hand, posts the form to use on-line, asks for no proof of purchase, tells you to just send it, no authorization necessary, and then responds immediately, in my case with a new scope. Totally different performance. I have two Vector scopes and my main issue is neither has really good glass and both are a little wonky when adjusting but they also have a much more limited warranty. I hope they are not like UTG but I know they are not like Athlon.
 
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JimD said:
I have a Arken EPL 6-24 on my Caiman X. The elevation turret is exposed and the windage is under a cap. The glass is very good and adjustments are more crisp and precise than my other scopes although my Athlon Argos is also very good. Hawke, Athlon, Vortex, and Arken are known for good warranty performance. I had to return my Argos and it was rapidly replaced no questions asked. No receipt necessary.
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That's a solid setup! I’ve heard good things about the Arken EPL, especially in terms of turret feel. I had a similar experience with Vortex’s warranty—super smooth process. Recently tried a Gunnr Odin 1-8x24 on a buddy’s rig and was surprised by how clear the glass was, especially at dusk. How do you feel the Arken holds up in low light compared to something like the Athlon or even a good LPVO?
 
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The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x33 EFR Airgun scope (part # 175075) can still be found. I have two of these and one of the VX-II scope the Freedom model replaced. Excellent optics and focus down to 10 yards. I have one of these on my Ruger 7722, so work excellent on rimfire as well. Very light. The only downside is a fine duplex cross hair and no hash/mildot marks like the Hawke Airmax (I have two Airmax). They make an EFR (extended range focus) in a 40mm model that goes to 20x, but it is over $600. I have not seen any Vortex that focus below 25yds.
 
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