Scope for HW97

[sixgunSal]

I been considering a more powerful scope for my 97.  Right now I have a Leaper 3-9x40 that has no parallex adj.  When I take it off the low power at 10 yds it just gets real blurry.         Was wondering if I could get some input from some of the target shooters here.  I have been considering this one -> http://www.eabco.com/Tasco02.htm (6-24x42).  Also, this one -> http://www.eabco.com/mildot01.htm (6-24x40), but I have no real experience with airgun scopes.   Thanks    :-)

Jim

[dave]

I don't know if either of those will hold up on a heavy springer. If the scope you have doesn't have an AO, its probably set for zero parallax at 50 or 100 yards(unless its a scope thats specifically designed for use on an airgun, but if it was it would probably have an adjustable objective bell to set focus and parallax at different ranges). You need to adjust the parallax setting to a closer range.  Just set the scope to a lower power, remove the outer cover ring on the objective end, and turn the threaded ring inside a little at a time, adjusting it outward, until theres no apparent parallax when looking at a target 10 or so yards away. Then if neccessary, set it for approximately the range you usually shoot at. Check the zoom for focus once its set. Does the eye piece have a focus ring or is it adjustable for focusing at different ranges? sound like its not focused correctly for use at higher powers and close ranges.

[Lawdog]

Jim,

My future son-in-law has a the BSA 6-24x40mm Mil Dot Scope on his RWS 350M .22 and it is working just fine.  Clear, sharp image and it will focus down to less than 10 yards.  I have shot it and it will focus down to around 7 yards although it only says 10 yards on the adjustment.  He got it at eabco also.  I am so impressed with the scope I am ordering a couple for air rifles I have coming.  Everybody likes to save money.

AS FAR AS TASCO GOES FORGET THEM.  NOT WORTH THE MONEY.  Lawdog

[sixgunSal]

IYou need to adjust the parallax setting to a closer range.  Just set the scope to a lower power, remove the outer cover ring on the objective end, and turn the threaded ring inside a little at a time, adjusting it outward, until theres no apparent parallax when looking at a target 10 or so yards away. Then if neccessary, set it for approximately the range you usually shoot at. Check the zoom for focus once its set. Does the eye piece have a focus ring or is it adjustable for focusing at different ranges? sound like its not focused correctly for use at higher powers and close ranges.

The scope appears to be all one piece at the objective end, there is nowhere to unscrew it.      The eye piece has a focus but it will not fucus enough at 9x at 10yards.  It is still blurry.  If I focus it at, say 7x at 10 yards it is a much better picture but when I go to 3x it is blurry.  If I focus the scope for 3x, it is in focus for all powers (if the object is far enough away)  I hope I stated all that so you can understand me.  This is what it looks like -> http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/accessory.pl?accessory_id=340

BTW...Tasco is now owned by Bushnell and the lifetime warranty applies now to Tasco

Jim

[big6x6]

How much do you want to spend?  I've used over thirty different scopes on spring air rifles.  I've used BSAs, Leapers, Bushnells, Leupolds, Burris, Swift, Weaver, Simmons, and RWS.  I actually WEIGHED each and have specifications of each.  I returned the BSAs, Leapers, Bushnell "Sportsman", and Simmons the most frequently.  

I had personally rather have GOOD 4-12AO than a cheap 6-24.  A pretty good scope for the money is the Swift 4-12AO #676.  eabco.com has them.  I've had five or six of them and you really can't beat them for the money.  They are also rated for use on spring air rifles.  Another good scope for the money is the Bushnell Trophy #73-4124 4-12X40AO.  I'd recommend either for most scope for the money.  

Stepping up in quality is the Weaver V-16 and Bushnell 4200 4-16 and 6-24.  You wouldn't regret buying either of these.

[dave]

The objective bell has to have a piece that is removable. Theres no other way to install the glass.
As for other not-too-expensive scopes, the Bushnell Trophy is good, The Elite is good, and the Scopechief is good if you can find one. Webley scopes are ok too. I have a few Bushnells, and a Webley, so far no problems at all.  Never had a Swift so I can't give you an opinion on those, but I hear they are a decent value. BSA, Simmons and a lot of other cheap scopes just won't hold up to the recoil of a big springer.
If you do chose to get a better scope, get a decent AO scope thats rated for magnum springers. Spending a little more for one good scope up front is better than buying 2 or 3 cheap ones.

[Johnny]

I prefare Simmons and Bushnell scopes, like Banner/Trophy 4-12x40Ao and Pro-Airs.

On my Cutlas Carbine I use a Tasco Varmit Mk I 2,5-10x42Ao.

[Lawdog]

Jim(sixgunSal),

BTW...Tasco is now owned by Bushnell and the lifetime warranty applies now to Tasco

Yes, BUT there are a s*&t load of the old Tasco's still around(all brand new in the box) and Bushnell WILL NOT honor the warrantee's on them.  A number of sellers out there will tell you they are new scopes(which they are) and not the old Tasco's.  A good number of them show up on Ebay and other auctions sites.  They are even showing up in sporting good stores and being sold as new Tasco scopes.  They were junk before they went bankrupt so consider that when Bushnell bought them out they used many of the same components that were part of the supplies on hand at the plant.  Sorry I tried Tasco once and got burned and I know a few friends that bought the newer Bushnell produced Tasco's that turned out to be junk and ended up getting sent back to Bushnell.  Lawdog

[sixgunSal]

OK   :]    Based on input I've ruled out the Tasco's and Bsa as scopes that could casue major problems due to a magnum springer.  I have these two left.  Any further ideas?   Simmons 44 Mag 6.5-20x44 A/O Matte Finish  and  669M Swift 6-18X44 A/O Riflescope Matte.   I need to do a bit of research on Bushnell also.
One of the reasons I'm leaning towards the higher mag is these old eyes just need the help.  The Leaper I told you about I'm sending back as soon as I get this new one.  I can not make it focus close.  When I try, it will bring the sight picture in better, but the mil-dot crosshair fades so much, you can barely see it in the sight picture.

[sixgunSal]

Is the 1/8" M.O.A. a better choice then the 1/4" M.O.A.?  The difference in the Simmons 1047/1048 is the MOA.  I would think that when you mount the scope, you could run out of clicks trying to zero it if it was only 1/8"

Jim

[big6x6]

" I have these two left. Any further ideas? Simmons 44 Mag 6.5-20x44 A/O Matte Finish and 669M Swift 6-18X44 A/O Riflescope Matte."

I have returned for repair every variable power Simmons Pro Air scope I've purchased, I think that's a total of five; three 4-12s and two 6-18s.  I also returned the only 6.5-20X44Mag scope I've ever purchased.  It gave up the ghost on a RWS 52(canted reticle).  I also know the HW-97 recoils less than the RWS 52 so, it MIGHT work.  Better choice would be the Swift 669M 6-18X44AO of which I have two samples, never returned either.  Although the 44Mag is a better scope OPTICALLY, the Swift is more likely to hold up on the HW-97 and the optics are still very good for the money.  Both scopes loose their crispness at highest power.  I think the Swift would be the choice here.

[big6x6]

"Is the 1/8" M.O.A. a better choice then the 1/4" M.O.A.? The difference in the Simmons 1047/1048 is the MOA. I would think that when you mount the scope, you could run out of clicks trying to zero it if it was only 1/8" "

Sorry I missed this earlier..  The amount of adjustment per click doesn't matter.  What DOES matter is the TOTAL amount of windage and elevation adjustment.  It never hurts to have a little extra where air rifles are concerned.