"Cheap" Scope Options

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Dan25

Member
Apr 1, 2015
838
70
LA, United States, NW Louisiana
As we all know the cost buying the air rifle is just the start. Then you need a hpa tank setup and a decent scope. It can get quite expensive and most of us are on a budget and cannot afford a $1,000 first focal plane scope like Ted uses. My current scope is a Hawke Varmint 2.5x10 half mil dot I picked up for around $165. I have the itch for another air gun and have been trolling the net for affordable ideas and stumbled across this.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_4_14X44_FFP_Scope_p/pa4-14xffp.htm

I got the lead from the Military Arms Channel. I checked out Amazon and did not find it. I did find other scopes from this Chinese company and they got very good ratings. The above is a $230 first focal plane scope. Does anyone have experience with this manufacturer? What would be your pics for "Cheap Scopes" with cheap being under $300.

Here is something else I found at the upper end of cheap. It is a fixed 10x made to NATO specifications. Looks to be very high quality and reviews claim fantastic repeatability. These have a huge range of adjustment, 30mm tubes and a bit heavy at 21 oz. Again anyone with experience with this please chime in.

http://www.snipercentral.com/swfa-ss-10x42mm-tactical-rifle-scope/

Here's the link to the Lucid scope specifications for the scope that Bobsegals wrote about.

http://mylucidgear.com/riflescopes.php
 
Hi.

My experience in the past with 1st focal plane scopes was that the reticle is very difficult to see at low power. It has the benefit of no reticle/image shift with a variable power scope, but shooting out to 100 yards or so, makes it "not necessary" unless you are group shooting. Even then, keeping a 2nd focal plane scope set at a constant power, will eliminate the point of impact issue. Perhaps today's 1st focal plane scopes are better for reticle visibility at low power, but I will pass.

Take a look at Lucid (mylucidgear.com) brand 30mm tube scopes. They are 2nd focal plane. I am using the 4-16x. It has 1/8" clicks, sells for about $300, is clear, and you can focus parallax down to 15 yards. The reticle is etched, and the design is simple but very effective. It has a mini-dot in the center, which floats, along with windage lines and cross points, but is not crowded. The scope is short (13.25 inches), has side parallax focus, has a 44mm front bell and weighs 18 ounces. They also have a 6-24x which has longer and larger dimensions. It is not as clear as a Bushnell Elite 2.5-16x, but is lower in cost and is very good. It does not have an illuminated reticle...something I also don't need. I got the best price on opticsplanet.com, when they offered their 10% discount.

If you want to save even more, check out the 6-24x offered by MidwayUsa. I believe it is a version of the BSA 6-24x, focuses to 10 yards and is a little sleeker. It is not as good as the Lucid, comes with a mil dot reticle, is 2nd plane, and is about $130, and works very well.

Good luck.

Rob

 
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"deroosea"The leapers UTG scopes seem have decent. I think I paid around $350 Canadian for mine, which is 8-32x56 mil dot reticle.

Yep, I have a fixed 4x mil dot with a UTG anti droop mount that I am going to put on my RWS 34 for springer torture test. I am working my way through the gun cabinet putting scopes on most of my guns due to my 51 year old eyes having problems with irons.

Thanks for all comments. I think this thread will be useful for people just getting into air gunning as well as a good source of info for others.

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https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_4_14X44_FFP_Scope_p/pa4-14xffp.htm

I got the lead from the Military Arms Channel. I checked out Amazon and did not find it. I did find other scopes from this Chinese company and they got very good ratings. The above is a $230 first focal plane scope. Does anyone have experience with this manufacturer? What would be your pics for "Cheap Scopes" with cheap being under $300.
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The above scope looks a lot like the BSA FFP scope that Midway sells and has similar statistics. Link below.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/456482/bsa-tactical-mil-mil-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-4-14x-44mm-side-focus-1-10-mil-adjustments-first-focal-mrad-reticle-matte

I own that BSA scope and it functions well and the glass is ok, but it is heaver than I like to carry for a hunting scope. (pm sent)

I think the swfa-SS scope is very interesting and I consider buying it.
 
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The only 1 I can personally speak to is the SWFA Super Sniper 10x, and up fixed powers, the 1 for 300.00 has a rear parallax adjustment, the 400.00 gets you side focus. If you adjust your scope a lot, it rivals 1000.00 dollar scopes, the accuracy and repeatability is superb, the glass is very good, the mildot is accurate for ranging and their new quad reticle is great for holdover or holdoff. There is a guy on YouTube called tybyrasaurusrex, he has about 80 long range videos, and 5-6 on just scopes, really great info, not necessarily recommendations, but what to look for.
Good luck
 
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After spending a few more hours researching this topic I have elected to go with the SWFA 10x fixed power scope. Many reviewers report excellent repeatability in the turrets, good glass for the money, and its Not made in China, (Japan). I leave my Hawke on 10x and find it the best fit for my shooting. I expect the Hawke will find a good home on my next air gun or one of my rim fires.
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