Another Question for Lawdog

[AirCajun]

Lawdog,

I am new to serious air gunning.  I have had a B-3 and Benjuman pump for years for plinking but just got "hooked" on serious shooting.   I just purchased a RWS 350M - due in a few days.

I just joined the forum today but have read your post in weeks past.  I respect your opinions.

My question is regarding a scope for the RWS 350M.  I have in hand a BSA 2-7X32 but am concerned it will not hold up on this gun.  I saw your post regarding the scope question on the RWS 46.

Would you recommend the same scope for the 350M?

Would a fixed power scope be better?

Can/will you recommend others ?   I'd like to keep the cost reasonable.

I can get a 3-9X32 Leupold at Wallyworld for around 184 bucks.  Would this be a better scope?   So far as I can tell, it is not an AO rated scope, but I have heard that that doesn't mater with Leupold.  Is that true?

I plan to mainly use the gun for hunting squirrels and maybe crows.  Will obviously punch some paper, but not in competition.  I am experienced with firearms, but this is a new adventure for me.

Thanks in advance,

Jim (AirCajun)

[Lawdog]

AirCajun,

First before we get into your questions let me Welcome you to Graybeard Outdoors(the very best forum on the net for hunters/shooters/outdoorsmen going today) and to the Air Guns Forum.  Pull up a stump. chair, rock or whatever and join in on the fun.  

Now back to business at hand;

My question is regarding a scope for the RWS 350M. I have in hand a BSA 2-7X32 but am concerned it will not hold up on this gun. I saw your post regarding the scope question on the RWS 46.

Would you recommend the same scope for the 350M?

If that BSA scope has a model #AR27X32 it is air rifle approved and should hold up.  The BSA model #AR312X44 that my son in-law has on his RWS 350M is working just fine.  Over 2,000 pellets down the barrel and no problems.  I have the same #AR312X44 on a Tech Force 99M that has over 2,000 pellets thru it and it too has had no problems.

Would a fixed power scope be better?

I personally don't care for fixed power scopes especially on air guns and only in a few cases on centerfire rifles.  I prefer the higher powered variables for serious shooting.  Most of my air rifles have 6-24X variables on them with the exception of two that wear 8-32X Burris R/A scopes that, unfortunately, have been discontinued due to lack of sales(bean counters at it again).  The higher power lets you see things that may interfere with where and what you want your pellet to do.  Example is taking a chest shot on a Brush Bunny at 40 - 45 yards you don’t want to hit the elbow on the front leg.  Chances are the pellet will deflect or just not reach the vitals.  You want to be able to see where the elbow is so you can aim to miss it.

Can/will you recommend others ? I'd like to keep the cost reasonable.

One I just bought and am really impressed with is the Leapers.  Check them out at http://www.leapers.com/pages/airgun%20sport/airgun%20scope.htm.  These have all the items I like on an air rifle scope.  Side wheel parallax adjustment, that is truly adjustable from 10 yards to infinity.  This will aid you in range estimation and allows the addition of sun shades and scope caps that you don’t have to worry about changing position every time you focus the scope.  Leapers says that their scopes are designed by airgunners for airgunners and I tend to believe them.  The one I bought(and more will follow) is clear, bright, sharp all the way to the edges.  For $150.00 it a great bargain.

I can get a 3-9X32 Leupold at Wallyworld for around 184 bucks. Would this be a better scope? So far as I can tell, it is not an AO rated scope, but I have heard that that doesn't mater with Leupold. Is that true?

Leupold scopes are one of the best(Burris and Leupold are tied for #1 in my book).  But that Leupold scope at Wal-Mart doesn't sound like one with an adjustable objective bell and believe me you will end up wanting this feature.  Another thing it isn’t designed to focus down to the ranges that airgunners shoot.  Most big game scopes are designed to focus down to 50 and that’s it(some not even that).  Air gun scopes focus down to 10 yards usually and some like Burris and BSA will focus down to 7 yards.  I don’t believe you’ll be happy with that particular model Leupold especially when you are trying to put a pellet behind a squirrels ear at 12 yards and the picture is to blurry to do so.

Jim, take the time and it will take a bit of time, to learn to shoot that RWS 350M correctly and you'll be amazed at the number of critters you'll start hunting.  Targets to shoot at are only limited to your imagination.  Harvesting pine cones to get the pine nuts from them by shooting them from the tops of the tall pines is one.  Make sure you come back and tell us how you are doing and again Welcome to Graybeard Outdoors.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[AirCajun]

I posted on another forum before I joined this one and no one answered.  Guess they thought I should know such stuff.  

I like Leupold scopes too.  Have them on several rifles.  I have the Vari-X ll on my .17 Ruger M77.  I LOVE to shoot that gun - took out some squirrels at our annual Great Mississippi Squirrel Hunt (GMSH) last year at EXTREME ranges just to see if I could.  I live in LA, but a friend has a great place in MS up on the Leaf River that is covered up in squirrels, turkey, rabbits, not to mention deer and abundant large rattlesnakes.  I really have to keep an eye on the grandkideouxs up there!  They think they are bulletproof.

I went to the website you referenced, but wasn't sure which scope you were referring to.  I'm guessing the 3-12X44 ?  What is the best place to get a good price?  I found the BSA AR 3-12X44 priced at 99 bucks at A.G.E.   Best price I've run across so far.

BTW, I ordered the RWS C-mount.  Hope that will do the job.

Thanks again for your response.

Air Cajun

P.S.  I see that you have a TF 99.  I ordered one but after I read all the negative stuff on some of the forums, I got concerened and sent it back without taking it out of the box.   I also noticed that several folks really like them, but I chickened out anyway and ordered the RWS 350M.  Hope it all works out.

Cheers

AirCajun,

First before we get into your questions let me Welcome you to Graybeard Outdoors(the very best forum on the net for hunters/shooters/outdoorsmen going today) and to the Air Guns Forum.  Pull up a stump. chair, rock or whatever and join in on the fun.  

Now back to business at hand;

My question is regarding a scope for the RWS 350M. I have in hand a BSA 2-7X32 but am concerned it will not hold up on this gun. I saw your post regarding the scope question on the RWS 46.

Would you recommend the same scope for the 350M?

If that BSA scope has a model #AR27X32 it is air rifle approved and should hold up.  The BSA model #AR312X44 that my son in-law has on his RWS 350M is working just fine.  Over 2,000 pellets down the barrel and no problems.  I have the same #AR312X44 on a Tech Force 99M that has over 2,000 pellets thru it and it too has had no problems.

Would a fixed power scope be better?

I personally don't care for fixed power scopes especially on air guns and only in a few cases on centerfire rifles.  I prefer the higher powered variables for serious shooting.  Most of my air rifles have 6-24X variables on them with the exception of two that wear 8-32X Burris R/A scopes that, unfortunately, have been discontinued due to lack of sales(bean counters at it again).  The higher power lets you see things that may interfere with where and what you want your pellet to do.  Example is taking a chest shot on a Brush Bunny at 40 - 45 yards you don’t want to hit the elbow on the front leg.  Chances are the pellet will deflect or just not reach the vitals.  You want to be able to see where the elbow is so you can aim to miss it.

Can/will you recommend others ? I'd like to keep the cost reasonable.

One I just bought and am really impressed with is the Leapers.  Check them out at http://www.leapers.com/pages/airgun%20sport/airgun%20scope.htm.  These have all the items I like on an air rifle scope.  Side wheel parallax adjustment, that is truly adjustable from 10 yards to infinity.  This will aid you in range estimation and allows the addition of sun shades and scope caps that you don’t have to worry about changing position every time you focus the scope.  Leapers says that their scopes are designed by airgunners for airgunners and I tend to believe them.  The one I bought(and more will follow) is clear, bright, sharp all the way to the edges.  For $150.00 it a great bargain.

I can get a 3-9X32 Leupold at Wallyworld for around 184 bucks. Would this be a better scope? So far as I can tell, it is not an AO rated scope, but I have heard that that doesn't mater with Leupold. Is that true?

Leupold scopes are one of the best(Burris and Leupold are tied for #1 in my book).  But that Leupold scope at Wal-Mart doesn't sound like one with an adjustable objective bell and believe me you will end up wanting this feature.  Another thing it isn’t designed to focus down to the ranges that airgunners shoot.  Most big game scopes are designed to focus down to 50 and that’s it(some not even that).  Air gun scopes focus down to 10 yards usually and some like Burris and BSA will focus down to 7 yards.  I don’t believe you’ll be happy with that particular model Leupold especially when you are trying to put a pellet behind a squirrels ear at 12 yards and the picture is to blurry to do so.

Jim, take the time and it will take a bit of time, to learn to shoot that RWS 350M correctly and you'll be amazed at the number of critters you'll start hunting.  Targets to shoot at are only limited to your imagination.  Harvesting pine cones to get the pine nuts from them by shooting them from the tops of the tall pines is one.  Make sure you come back and tell us how you are doing and again Welcome to Graybeard Outdoors.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[dave]

The RWS C-mount is one to steer clear of. It doesn't stand up well to high power airguns. It is an adjustable mount, and has a number of tiny screws used for setting elevation and windage. These tiny screws almost invariably come loose quite regularly, and as a result its hard to keep the scope zeroed properly. C-mounts are best used on low power spring guns and non-recoiling pneumatic or gas guns.
For use on the 350, the Beeman one piece 5039 is a good choice, and BKL also makes a very good one piece mount.

[AirCajun]

Thanks Dave.

I will save it for the RWS 46 I am planning for my next purchase.  Is the Beeman 5039 adjustable to compensate for barrel droop?  I am assuming that will be a likely possibility with the brake barrel.   The local gun shop said they could get one of those in a few hours.  I think he has a stash close by.

Jim

[ed1921]

I'm not in love with the RWS 'C' mount either, but Airgun Express has/had an upgrade srew kit, that helped to fix the wondering zero on my RWS model 48.

[dave]

Yes, the 5039 is fully adjustable in all directions. It actually has an adjustment screw for elevation, unlike the RWS mounts. Those have a "manual" adjustment- theres a small screw that goes through the base, with a larger hole in the ring mount. You loosen the screw, and (hopefully) push or pull the scope up or down to where you think it should go, then tighten the screw again to keep it from moving for the next dozen or so shots, at which time you'll have to move it again, because there nothing to hold the rings in place except the compression from the sides of the base and that little screw. Not exactly a precision instrument, its best use is as a paperweight or a sinker. I wouldn't use it on any spring rifle, even the Diana 46.

[Lawdog]

Air Cajun,

I went to the website you referenced, but wasn't sure which scope you were referring to.

If you mean the Leapers I bought it is the 4-16X56 30MM AO model #SCP3-416AOMD.  The BSA scopes I have bought are all 3-12 44mm the #AR312X44.  Of the two I really like the Leapers better mainly because of the side wheel focus.

P.S. I see that you have a TF 99. I ordered one but after I read all the negative stuff on some of the forums, I got concerened and sent it back without taking it out of the box. I also noticed that several folks really like them, but I chickened out anyway and ordered the RWS 350M. Hope it all works out.

Yes there are some that don't think that ANY Chinese products are any good.  Mainly they are close to being right.  The Tech Force is the exception.  Tech Force is the name that Compasseco, Inc. gives to their line of air guns(just like Beeman does to all their imports).  While I can't tell or swear about their whole line I do know that their top of the line models that I have shot/bought are well worth the money.  They are well made, powerful and accurate.  As with every air gun manufacture out there lemons do show up every so often.  Compasseco, Inc. will stand behind their product unlike some manufactures(I don’t know about the Tech Force line of optics or accessories as I have never tried any of them).  A number of noted air gun authors/shooters with much more knowledge than most have tested Tech Force products and found them to be quality products that perform above what many expected of them.  Are Tech Force rifles for everyone?  Of course not but for those that are on a budget that can’t swing $200.00 or more for European made rifles(some of which are the worst pieces of JUNK you will ever see) they are an excellent buy and will give years of service.  Stay in touch and let us know how things go.  Lawdog
 

[AirCajun]

Thanks guys,

I appreciate the information.   Air rifles are more complicated animals than I at first realized.

Again, I really appreciate all the inputs.  I am learning - I think.

Have a good weekend.  As for us, looks like we are packing up to run from another hurricane so may out of touch for awhile.

AirCajun