Springer vs NP on scopes?

[Trucker3573]

I was just curious if NP guns were easier on scopes. I have a hawke vantage ir 2-7X32 scope. I have a Ruger airhawk elite 2 177 and a crosman vantage in 22 cal. Both are gas piston systems. Do you think that model hawke scope will hold up on either of the above guns?

 

[nervoustrig]

Generally a gas piston produces a sharper recoil than a coil spring, assuming similar FPE.

 

[MScottLeeman]

Nope!

My .20 Beeman RX2 has sent several "Springer rated" scopes (UTG included) to the grave/warranty dept. It actually blew the AO ring right off a UTG 4-16X40! (Replaced via warranty,btw.)

Nervoustrig summed up the recoil characteristics nicely.

Mike

 

[nervoustrig]

FWIW, I enthusiastically bought a gas piston rifle a few years ago and enjoyed it quite a lot. But looking back on it now, I can see it was a solution looking for a problem.

1. harder cocking compared to a coil spring’s progressive force
2. sharper recoil more punishing to scopes
3. sharper recoil less enjoyable for me
4. questionable reliability...a gas piston will eventually leak (individual experiences will vary but it’s a complicated assembly compared to a coil spring, and with complication comes more opportunity for quality and reliability issues)

What lured me in was the idea that it could be cocked indefinitely without losing power but what I didn’t know at the time was that the concern of coil springs taking a compression set was vastly overstated.

Granted I don’t shoot piston guns much these days but I don’t think I would ever buy another gas piston in a model for which a coil spring is available. 

 

[DualMagMike]

Unless something has changed the Vantage line is only rated for UP TO 12fpe on piston guns.

 

[Trucker3573]

Kind of crazy as they bundle the guns with cheap crap and all the review videos all the shooters have them scoped. Guess I will open sight these rifles as I don’t want to ruin the scope. I will put the hawke on a rim fire instead. Honestly the open sights are fine for the 30 yards I might shoot with these. Thanks for the replies. 

 

[Guest]

The recoil from your Crosman can't be any worse than the recoil from my gas rammed Hatsan rifles and mine have all had or still do, Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO IR scopes on them.

I know Hawke says not to use them on anything over 12 fpe, but mine are all 15-20 fpe guns and I've always figured it was in large part to the fact the IR versions have etched glass reticles which seem to hold up to springer recoil better.

Your mileage may vary but I've had no problems with any of mine and that's for 1000's of shots on them.

 

[Fischer]

I have the Weaver V16 on a Theoben Eliminator .25 since the year I got it (1999). They (Theoben) have Dampa Mounts installed and Weaver is a good scope. But there is a place to spend more on a better scope if possible instead of comparing all the time a "new" scope.

Get the scope you would never sell before the rifle itself and then you are set up for optics for life.

 

[Septicdeath]

For 20 to 50 yards you will shoot with a Springer best choice are iron sights. Red dot, SeeAll or a peep. I can't see the purpose of a scope. And your never going to ruin a scope again. 

 

[Odoyle]

Check the Leupold VX Freedom Rimfire 3-9x40 I posted heads up on $184.99.

On 2 replied threads.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/sometimes-less-is-more/page/2/?view=all#post-960704

 

[JayJay]

Whoa! that's a good price for a Leupold. I have a Leupold VX Freedom 3-9×33 on my HW100. I chose that scope to keep the weight down.

I don't think I would take a chance putting it on my HW95 Field Pro. The HW95L has already popped the objective ring off the Weihrauch scope that came with it. The scope works fine, I glued the ring back on and looks exactly like new. But I don't want the same thing to happen to the Leupold. 

Presently I'm using the HW95 with a Primary Arms 2moa red dot. It only weights 3.9 ounces, which makes a world of difference when lugging the gun around. There's no way to mount iron sights on the Field Pro, it doesn't have the holes in the breech block or barrel. The red dot is almost indestructible, you could probably put it on a 16" naval gun. 

Springer recoil is not to be trifled with. I bruised the bridge of my nose a couple of times. Without thinking, I rested it against the back of the stock's cheek riser. BAM... watery eyes. 

To be honest, the HW95 has a Vortek PG3 kit.