Question about optics (& sights)

[.22 coyote]

I have a .22 Benjamin pump air rifle that I use for small game hunting and plinking.  I'm looking for an improvement over the open sights on the rifle at low cost (<$50).  Most of my shooting is between 25 to 60 feet.  I like the ruggedness of the rifle, and want to maintain that aspect, that is to say, the optics have to be able to take a bit of getting knocked around.

So, went to a local sporting goods store and was told that I needed to put an "air rifle scope" on the Benjamin because air rifles will destroy regular rifle scopes.  Is this really true?  They had an inexpensive scope ($40) for an air rifle, but it was huge.  I want something small and tough.  I have been thinking red dot because I have a Millet 3 MOA red dot on a .22LR pistol that I really like:  quick acquisition and seems rugged.  The guy at the store did not know if an air rifle would damage a red dot made for powder guns.  Anybody have any information on this unknown?  The retail guy suggested I try Cabela's for a red dot for an air rifle.  I have visited their site, but did not see anything specific to an air rifle.

Went over to Wally World to see what they had for air rifles.  Daisy makes inexpensive scopes and a red dot.  Bought the red dot for less than $10, and tested it about an hour ago.  No good!  It's not like the red dot on the .22LR pistol in that one has to align crosshairs with the dot -- that is NOT quick acquisition.  Also, I could shoot better with the open sights than this "red dot" because: 1) the dot is rather large and obscures the target, 2)  the lens is tinted and reduces visibility, and 3) dot has to be lined up with crosshairs.  I will see if they will take it back.

Hopefully, I've explained fairly clearly what I am trying to accomplish.  Should I just stick with the open sights?  Should I upgrade to a peep sight?  Or is there an optics solution that will meet my needs?

Thanks for your time.

[Wise Master]

On a pump gun you can use any scope. They don't have to be airgun rated because pump guns don't recoil. Red dot sight might be okay but you have to mess with batteries. Only problem with a non airgun scope is that the parallax is set for longer ranges so the crosshair might be blurry.

[Lawdog]

.22 coyote,

The person at your sporting goods store has springer rifles in mind when telling saying you needed an air rifle scope "because air rifles will destroy regular rifle scopes".  You can put a regulator scope on your .22 Benjamin but an air rifle/rimfire scope would work better due to the focus being set for closer ranges than regulator scopes.  The only problem I see is the mounting system you are going to need for your Benjamin.  The B Square mount you can get for the Benjamin/Sheridan seems to be flimsy.  I mounted a pistol scope, 2x-7x Burris, on my Sheridan using the Crosman B272 mounts along with a good 1 inch dovetail rings.  Outfit works great.  Lawdog

[Duane]

I use b square mounts also but reciently epoxied them down because of movement .4x32 BSA scope runs about 25.00 at academy down here .Lawdog your the second person I talked too that has a pistol scope on a benjamin also know someone who has a shot gun scope on his really compact.I here the williams sight has to be brought all the way down to get it close to range ?

[.22 coyote]

Thanks for your input Wise Master and Lawdog.

I think I will try mounting my .22LR’s red dot on the Benjamin to see how I like it now that I know I won’t be damaging it.  If I’m not happy with how that set-up works, then I will think about a scope.  Before I read your posts, I was googling “air rifle scopes”, and came across information similar to what you have shared.  I’m going to cut & paste it into this post to supplement your information with the idea that anyone else who might find themselves in a similar situation might appreciate the additional information.  I’m still open to any input if you think of anything else, or if anyone else has ideas they would like to share.

When fired, Break-Barrel Airguns induce a high frequency vibration uncommon to other weapons.  These vibrations can quickly destroy the crosshairs of scopes not designed for this shock.

Xxxx Air Rifles Scopes are built to handle the unique reverse recoil of today's magnum spring power air rifles.

The xxxxx is finished in matte black, and is recommended for use with break-barrel airguns and shotguns.

Be wary of putting any "firearm" scope on your air rifle as most will be broken within a handful of shots (even many of the more expensive brands!) due to the unique vibrations and double recoil of spring piston airguns. Many firearm scopes are parallax corrected for distances of 100 yards or further, well beyond normal airgun ranges. Airgun scopes are designed to withstand the punishing double recoil of spring airguns, and have been parallax corrected to work in the 10 to 50 yard normal airgun range. When you purchase a scope from Xxxxx, you can rest assured it is built for airgun use.

Easy to see through 30mm diameter body tube and 4 MOA red dot put you on target fast.  Includes integral, easy-to-install dovetail clamp with dual thumbscrews that fit both 11mm and 3/8" dovetails found on most air powered and rim fire rifles and pistols.

[.22 coyote]

Forgot to mention that I picked up the B272 Benjamin scope mounts today, and they seem to be solid.

[.22 coyote]

Duane, you slipped in a post while I was working on my long-winded one.  I appreciate your ideas as well!

[big6x6]

"The B Square mount you can get for the Benjamin/Sheridan seems to be flimsy."

Yes.  The B272 Intermount IS the mount for the B/S rifles.

[Lawdog]

Duane,

My reason for mounting a pistol scope was because I happened to have this one laying around doing nothing.  Though I would put it to good use.  Lawdog

[.22 coyote]

My rig:

http://www.hunt101.com/img/091029.jpg

[Deaf Smith]

Crosman/Wi;;iams peep sight that mounts on the rear of the breech where the factory has suppilied two drilled and tapped holes for the mounting screws this is a really clean looking sight mounted on the gun and doesnt get in the way of pumping the gun up or manage to catch on things becouse its too high either. so if you feel the need to give irons another try any time check with crosman they sell the sight for about $25. Works well with the factory front sight  to