Scopes on break barrel bad idea?

 



...or get a PCP...there could not be a better time to enter the market, except every thing is backordered or aboot to be released...

Best I can think of based on your budget here. Buy a $189 Vortex Crossfire2 4-12x40AO Dead Hold BDC and a $59.95 BKL .007 1 piece Droop compensating mount for it. Add a box of 10.5gr CROSMAN BROWN BOX 1250 count PREMIERS and that's right at your budget. You can use this for your future upgrade better spring gun too when and if that time ever comes. This set up shouldn't give you any scope shifting problems with this specific mount. Good Luck.

Included scopes on break barrels are usually junk and never last long. There are any number of airgun rated scopes out there (and that's what you're looking for, "Airgun Rated") that will get the job done without breaking the bank. I have a Hammers 3-9x40 AO scope that's magnum springer rated, included the mount, mildot reticle and came in under $100 bill that's worked very well and I've had no issues with. $69.90 plus about $5 shipping. I know quite a few people that have them and have no complaints.

https://www.amazon.com/Hammers-3-9x40AO-Magnum-Spring-Rifle/dp/B0099XIJKC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4MMD1MQNZ1B&dchild=1&keywords=hammers+3-9x40ao+magnum+spring+air+gun+rifle+scope&qid=1594141521&sprefix=hammers+3-9x40%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1



They also have it in a 4-12x40 AO version for $79.90 and free shipping and the $170 you save not buying that Crossfire scope will buy a lot of pellets.



https://www.amazon.com/Hammers-4-12X40AO-Magnum-Spring-Built/dp/B015YN8QTE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=4MMD1MQNZ1B&dchild=1&keywords=hammers+3-9x40ao+magnum+spring+air+gun+rifle+scope&qid=1594141604&sprefix=hammers+3-9x40%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-2

Two ideas-

As stated, the scopes included with break barrels are often "questionable" at best.

There is probably a reason manufacturers mostly put their rear open sights on the breech block on break barrels. Lockup is a mechanical process and as such can change. With sights on the breech block/barrel that is less of an accuracy concern (sights would follow any change caused by lockup variance) than is a scope mounted on the main tube (much more accuracy concern with any variance in lockup position).

My Diana 45 break barrel trashed six scopes and my 52 sidelever a couple more until I found the Bullseye scope mount. I have not had a problem with my scope since I installed the new mount. Actually bought a second Bullseye a few months back but have not installed it since I stole the one from my 52 and put it on my 54 which is the springer I usually shoot these days. The 45 although a break barrel was locking up very tight and I saw no problem with adding the scopes other than they could not take the punishment. On guns that will not lock up as well adding a scope might be a problem.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Bullseye_ZR_1_Pc_Mount_Fits_1_and_30mm_tubes_11mm_Dovetail_0_04_Droop_Compensation_Recoil_Compensation/5495

Shot some pretty good groups with this combination.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/shot-some-targets-50-yards-with-the-diana-54/

Cheap springer = bad idea. Cheap scope = bad idea. Cheap mounts = very bad idea. Cheap springer + cheap scope + cheap mounts = recipe for disaster!

My Diana 45 break barrel trashed six scopes and my 52 sidelever a couple more until I found the Bullseye scope mount. I have not had a problem with my scope since I installed the new mount. Actually bought a second Bullseye a few months back but have not installed it since I stole the one from my 52 and put it on my 54 which is the springer I usually shoot these days. The 45 although a break barrel was locking up very tight and I saw no problem with adding the scopes other than they could not take the punishment. On guns that will not lock up as well adding a scope might be a problem.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Bullseye_ZR_1_Pc_Mount_Fits_1_and_30mm_tubes_11mm_Dovetail_0_04_Droop_Compensation_Recoil_Compensation/5495

Shot some pretty good groups with this combination.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/shot-some-targets-50-yards-with-the-diana-54/

Click to expand...

I use UTG BugBuster as they are cheap and hold up really well for me. I am a little UTG fan. That being said I really like that mount with the recoil compensator. I will be buying this probably soon, especially if u end up buying an HW80. Thanks guy!

It sounds like the OP is asking what fixed barrel nitro piston rifle could be had for about $275. I think the first question is what are you shooting and at what range? There are a lot of options between the power of a daisy 880 and some of the NP cannons that you can buy at a big box store. Also regular spring-pistons powerplants are still the preferred technology behind most high-end guns, so I wouldn't consider only consider the "nitro piston" guns in the first place. Which brings me to the next point:




Cheap springer = bad idea. Cheap scope = bad idea. Cheap mounts = very bad idea. Cheap springer + cheap scope + cheap mounts = recipe for disaster!




Very well said - it's important to keep in mind is that there is a huge range in quality available out there. Most of the big box break barrel guns can shoot a pellet at ridiculous velocities, but their quality is not very good. A quality spring piston gun (like a German-made Diana/RWS or Weihrauch) is in a completely different league and can offer incredible accuracy. Just as an example, a Weihrauch HW30 or HW50 can be had for about $300 (little more than your budget, but well worth it). These guns wouldn't have as much power as what you would find at a big box store, but do have more than enough to easily take a squirrel at 25 yards (HW30) or considerably farther in the case of the HW50. If that met your needs and you're good with open sights, you'd be all set with a gun that will last a lifetime. If you later decide you want to get a scope, they will both reward you with even better precision - my HW30 is good for dime-sized groups at 20 yards and I'm not a very good bench shooter! 

Bottom line: There are a lot of quality guns out there that cost 50-100% more than what you might find at Walmart, but they are totally worth the premium you pay and then some!

The Gamo Swarm Maxxim .177, which Dad shoots, and my Crosman Nitro Venom Dusk .177 have both turned out to be good shooters. The trigger on the Gamo is definitely better, but it's scope was terrible; the Crosman trigger is aweful but workable (once I shoot a dozen or so warm up shots), and the Crosman scope is a wonderful though cheap scope. Both guns are accurate out to 25-30 yards, and I've killed pests (squirrels) with both guns. The Gamo loader and magazine are not long term capable: I've already replaced a loader and two mags. Both guns shoot in the upper 950s and both are pellet picky. The Gamo is less hold sensitive but the Crosman is more demanding in being held the same on nearly every shot. 

Hope my experience with these two entry-level pellet rifles help you. Out of the six I tried, only these two really worked well enough to keep. One had a bent barrel; two were way too LOUD; one was great but had parts falling off--and these two keepers were almost just right.



I've bought some German springers--and they are fantastically worth the greater expense. OTOH, you can get a solid PCP currently for under $300 and use a cheaper Asian pump to fill it. PCPs (I do have CO2 guns to compare) are simply wonderful to shoot and much easier to achieve precision in accuracy. My spring coil air rifles challenge me in this regard--but I do like a challenge.



Arch_E