Was always taught that glass should be better than gun.
Seen some really nice guns here, havent seen much impressive glass.
Show me your best.
Seen some really nice guns here, havent seen much impressive glass.
Show me your best.
Glass equal or better than gun?
- Thread starter Pestkillah
- Start date
Good topic. Currently my best glass is a Vortex Viper PST 2 FFP 3-15x44
Been thinking about upgrading my glass. The kicker is (as some of you may have figured out) is that higher magnification doesn't necessarily mean a better picture. For example: a 15x scope with great glass and a larger tube diameter has the potential to be much better than a 25x scope with good glass & a smaller tube.
There aren't many scopes (with a distinct advantage) that are above $1000 & below $3000 that have a short (10-20y) parallax and high magnification.
Curious to see what other members are sporting on their favorite airguns.
Been thinking about upgrading my glass. The kicker is (as some of you may have figured out) is that higher magnification doesn't necessarily mean a better picture. For example: a 15x scope with great glass and a larger tube diameter has the potential to be much better than a 25x scope with good glass & a smaller tube.
There aren't many scopes (with a distinct advantage) that are above $1000 & below $3000 that have a short (10-20y) parallax and high magnification.
Curious to see what other members are sporting on their favorite airguns.
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There is a saying from the archery community which supposedly originated with native americans, "Any bow is a good bow. An arrow is a lot of work." Glass is important but I don't think it needs to cost more than the rifle. It should be more accurate though. Sometimes "accuracy" takes a lot of defining and I am not going to bother folks with that. Suffice it to say my stable of tuned Diana's is probably worth about $2000.00 counting all the tuning and shipping. There is a D48, D460 and Model 36 in that line up. All of them will shoot around 1 MOA (which is roughly every shot on a dime at 25 yards (and I do mean ON the dime)). Hands down the best glass I have ever owned are my SWFA SS 10x and 6x scopes. This is not the most expensive glass I have owned but it is the "best" glass I have owned. They are a very good match for the rifles in my closet and they did not cost as much as the rifles. YMMV
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Delta stryker hd 4.5-30x56 FFP on my laminate FX crown. Slightly more expensive than the gun and so far at least, much more impressive. Has absolutely amazing glass and rock solid, pinpoint accurate turrets
It has an advertised minimum parallax of 25 yards but at 30x it'll focus down and be parallax free to about 22. At up to about 8x it focuses down to 12yards before there is some, barely discernible, parallax error - and certainly nothing that is going to come close to saving a close range pigeon or Indian mynah (Starling on steroids here in SA).
On my Vulcan I have Sightron-siii 10x42 mmd. While a good bit cheaper than the gun it's also very clear and has great turrets. Very light as well. Great pairing I think.
On my cheapy P15 I have an Optisan EVX 10x44i. Just slightly cheaper than the gun and also a good pairing overall
It has an advertised minimum parallax of 25 yards but at 30x it'll focus down and be parallax free to about 22. At up to about 8x it focuses down to 12yards before there is some, barely discernible, parallax error - and certainly nothing that is going to come close to saving a close range pigeon or Indian mynah (Starling on steroids here in SA).
On my Vulcan I have Sightron-siii 10x42 mmd. While a good bit cheaper than the gun it's also very clear and has great turrets. Very light as well. Great pairing I think.
On my cheapy P15 I have an Optisan EVX 10x44i. Just slightly cheaper than the gun and also a good pairing overall
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Since coming back to airguns a year ago I have thought (and said) the same thing! how people can use the rubbish that is marketed for airguns I have no idea.
I used March almost exclusively, due to high mag combined with superb glass and low parralax ability on every model! finding a scope with quality glass and less than 25 yds parralax ability is almost impossible and if they do the reticles are wrong!
However as Macros says above I recently discovered the Delta range, I have the 5-50 SFP & the 30X FFP with the xmas tree reticle, these scopes next to my March have very very close optical abilities, quality of the knobs & tracking etc. is very good and they tick all the other boxes.
Only ownside is the weight, but at less than half the price of the March they are a force to be reckoned with.
I think John from Optics Warehouse in the UK just won some world FT title last week using the Stryker didn't he?
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They're apples and oranges, there is no equal to or better. That said, I have Vortex Viper PST's or SWFA SS scopes on all my air guns. I had a bug buster that came with my Leshiy and I thought about mounting on my granddaughter's Nerf gun but I just sold it instead....
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I have got many high end Airguns like daystate Russo 30cal high power, inpact x, fx crown, edguns. Ok you get the idea? When I got my first pcp daystate renegade I was told by Airguns of Arizona staff. To put on a Aztec scope I said $400 scope why they told me it's a $1,000 scope for $400.00 quality wise.
After my 2end pcp inpact I got a hawk side winder. And payed $600.00 after going to the 100 yard range and shooting I seen the difference right away. Then got my red wolf daystate Russo. Put on a night force scope at $1,200.00 ok now I Really see the difference.
next to me at the outdoor range was a sharp shooter from the military he was asking about my Airguns and never seen any lime that he told me I only thought red rider kind hahaha. But the one thing he told me was the are a big difference in glass so I ask him what do you think of my scopes I had all them with me.
he said the night force is good quality and the Aztec is so so the side winder was not bad but he said I believe as a sharp shooting gay that get good glass sometimes more money isn't always better you can get good glass at good prices but the one thing I did not understand was he ask me why do you have high magnification like 44 to 55 on a airgun that only shoots at most 150 yards? I said what do you mean he told me I shoot at 1,000 yards and out to 3.000 yards and we don't use that high of magnification Hahahaha wow you kidding me.
so I learned that yes you need a good scope good glass for sure, a good airgun only cost from $500.00 to 3,500.00 most of us only spend about 1,000 for a good Airguns but scopes at that price point is not that good so getting a airgun at $1000.00 or less and putting on a $300.00 to $500 scope is what most do and then the look though the glass and say I don't like this scope.
get good glass and you will never regret it is the point I was the same way when I started out getting cheap glass and Aztec is good not saying don't get it it's better then most at that price point but good glass makes a big difference at 100yards and out. John
After my 2end pcp inpact I got a hawk side winder. And payed $600.00 after going to the 100 yard range and shooting I seen the difference right away. Then got my red wolf daystate Russo. Put on a night force scope at $1,200.00 ok now I Really see the difference.
next to me at the outdoor range was a sharp shooter from the military he was asking about my Airguns and never seen any lime that he told me I only thought red rider kind hahaha. But the one thing he told me was the are a big difference in glass so I ask him what do you think of my scopes I had all them with me.
he said the night force is good quality and the Aztec is so so the side winder was not bad but he said I believe as a sharp shooting gay that get good glass sometimes more money isn't always better you can get good glass at good prices but the one thing I did not understand was he ask me why do you have high magnification like 44 to 55 on a airgun that only shoots at most 150 yards? I said what do you mean he told me I shoot at 1,000 yards and out to 3.000 yards and we don't use that high of magnification Hahahaha wow you kidding me.
so I learned that yes you need a good scope good glass for sure, a good airgun only cost from $500.00 to 3,500.00 most of us only spend about 1,000 for a good Airguns but scopes at that price point is not that good so getting a airgun at $1000.00 or less and putting on a $300.00 to $500 scope is what most do and then the look though the glass and say I don't like this scope.
get good glass and you will never regret it is the point I was the same way when I started out getting cheap glass and Aztec is good not saying don't get it it's better then most at that price point but good glass makes a big difference at 100yards and out. John
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Ior Crusader for the rifle, Minox ZP 8 (mr 10+) for the pistol. No doubt!
Dang @Gunnertrones, IOR Crusader huh! That thing is a beast. 40mm tube right? I was wondering if they made 40mm adjustable rings. Given the downward slope of your scope it looks as if there is some elevation built into those rings. Do tell.
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This is my March 1-8x24, FFP on Steyr Hunter Scout
I have heard that advice about rifle and scope being of equal "value", however one would evaluate both? I have to say, I've ignored this most of my nearly 50 years of shooting (mostly PBers). I always thought my Leupolds, Burris, SWFA, and even a Conquest were good enough...and frankly, they were and are. I'm sure I've never missed a shot because of the quality of my glass. I have plenty of other reasons to explain my misses.
But, after fully committing to this Steyr Hunter Auto Scout I decided I was going to see what all the fuss was about with FFP and higher end glass.
While I haven't used the March a lot, as soon as I unboxed it I was immediately impressed with the quality of the view and I love the reticle. Frankly, I did not expect to be able to tell the difference because I didn't think I was that discerning. Folks talk about great stereo systems, they are a waste on me because I hear in AM rather than FM thanks to lots of muzzleloader shooting in my 20's. I doubt I'll ever put the money I have in the March in a scope again. Same goes for the rifle (unless Steyr comes out with the same thing in .25).
I bought the 1-8x version because I knew, as a woodland squirrel hunter (I'm not a pester), I wouldn't always have a rest and I would leave the scope set on 6-8x almost all the time. I wanted short length and a power range that was practical for my needs.
I was intrigued with the 6x SWFA but I don't like the extra length the built in sunshade presents.
...
I have heard that advice about rifle and scope being of equal "value", however one would evaluate both? I have to say, I've ignored this most of my nearly 50 years of shooting (mostly PBers). I always thought my Leupolds, Burris, SWFA, and even a Conquest were good enough...and frankly, they were and are. I'm sure I've never missed a shot because of the quality of my glass. I have plenty of other reasons to explain my misses.
But, after fully committing to this Steyr Hunter Auto Scout I decided I was going to see what all the fuss was about with FFP and higher end glass.While I haven't used the March a lot, as soon as I unboxed it I was immediately impressed with the quality of the view and I love the reticle. Frankly, I did not expect to be able to tell the difference because I didn't think I was that discerning. Folks talk about great stereo systems, they are a waste on me because I hear in AM rather than FM
thanks to lots of muzzleloader shooting in my 20's. I doubt I'll ever put the money I have in the March in a scope again. Same goes for the rifle (unless Steyr comes out with the same thing in .25). I bought the 1-8x version because I knew, as a woodland squirrel hunter (I'm not a pester), I wouldn't always have a rest and I would leave the scope set on 6-8x almost all the time. I wanted short length and a power range that was practical for my needs.
I was intrigued with the 6x SWFA but I don't like the extra length the built in sunshade presents.
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I have a Vortex Razor HD LH, 3-15x42 on my .22 Cricket mini Carbine. Both about the same value within a few hundred $. Its the best scope I own, but others are very close including a 4-16x Sightron Big Sky, a Hawke 6.5-20x Sidewinder, and a 2.5-10x Bushnell Engage... But side by side the Vortex has the best clarity and contrast.
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Ior Crusader for the rifle, Minox ZP 8 (mr 10+) for the pistol. No doubt!
Dang @Gunnertrones, IOR Crusader huh! That thing is a beast. 40mm tube right? I was wondering if they made 40mm adjustable rings. Given the downward slope of your scope it looks as if there is some elevation built into those rings. Do tell.
Correct Michael. 40 mm tube. Adjustable rings not available in 40 mm, and I certainly searched all over the word market. Hard enough to find 40 mm rings at all. Many have them listed, but not in store. A lot of elevation built in the scope, but nevertheless I put some hard rubber risers in the bottom rings, sanding down and even out........ and a bit thicker at the back ring of course. No need for holdover at any shootable distances really.
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Probably China
Oh yes, the silver Atlas Bipod.... E-bay some time ago, and a cheap China production. Ok bipod for the money, but some wobbly feel to it. Didn`t last long before I changed it with the real thing.
But to be honest. For the price - not that bad really.
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Yes he's shooting 1000 yds (maybe once in his career, that matters) at man size target. The rest is practice. With a quality rifle and quality round. Your shooting @ eraser head @ 100 yds.
2 totally different disciplines! He won't understand.
2 totally different disciplines! He won't understand.
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This is my March 1-8x24, FFP on Steyr Hunter Scout
I have heard that advice about rifle and scope being of equal "value", however one would evaluate both? I have to say, I've ignored this most of my nearly 50 years of shooting (mostly PBers). I always thought my Leupolds, Burris, SWFA, and even a Conquest were good enough...and frankly, they were and are. I'm sure I've never missed a shot because of the quality of my glass. I have plenty of other reasons to explain my misses.But, after fully committing to this Steyr Hunter Auto Scout I decided I was going to see what all the fuss was about with FFP and higher end glass.
While I haven't used the March a lot, as soon as I unboxed it I was immediately impressed with the quality of the view and I love the reticle. Frankly, I did not expect to be able to tell the difference because I didn't think I was that discerning. Folks talk about great stereo systems, they are a waste on me because I hear in AM rather than FMthanks to lots of muzzleloader shooting in my 20's. I doubt I'll ever put the money I have in the March in a scope again. Same goes for the rifle (unless Steyr comes out with the same thing in .25).
I bought the 1-8x version because I knew, as a woodland squirrel hunter (I'm not a pester), I wouldn't always have a rest and I would leave the scope set on 6-8x almost all the time. I wanted short length and a power range that was practical for my needs.
I was intrigued with the 6x SWFA but I don't like the extra length the built in sunshade presents.
...
I have always tried to end up with a scope on my guns that was it's equal. I had the exact same scope that Michael has above before recently switching to a Nightforce ATACR FFP 4-16x42. Although the ED glass and wider tubing is an upgrade, it probably isn't quite worth the big increase in cost. I strongly considered the March 1-8x24 FFP too, in fact it was the only other one in the running.
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