Author Topic: Question about variable power scopes and close range shots. (Read 720 times)

Bowtied · « **on:** July 27, 2005, 07:06:52 AM »

Lets say you have two scopes made by the same manufacturer and they are identical except that one is a 2x7x32 and the other is a 3x12x44.
Of course the later of the two is going to be better suited for longer shots but my question is this; will 2x7x32 be a LOT better for closer ranges or will they both be about the same. I would like to have the more powerful one but am concerned about those shots that are up close and afraid it would not focus at say 20 feet.
Thanks,
Bowtied

Dave in WV · « **Reply #1 on:** July 27, 2005, 08:54:05 AM »

What are you going to use the scope for? Hunting deer, squirrels, etc. If a scope is truly focused at 20 ft. there's no way it will be focused at 100 yards or beyond. The best thing to do with a variable is to keep the magnification on a low setting for an unexpected close shot. If you really need above 4x you will usually have time to crank the power up.

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #2 on:** July 27, 2005, 09:23:13 AM »

The basic answer is they will both be the same. If you have identical model scopes but just different powers, both scopes will typically have a parallax setting at 100-150 yards, making the focus basically the same.

Bowtied · « **Reply #3 on:** July 27, 2005, 01:31:33 PM »

Thanks for the info. The scope will be used on a high power .22 pellet rifle. I guess the closet shots would be around 20 feet while the furthest would be maybe 60 yards max. Just trying to find a happy medium.
Thanks!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 27, 2005, 01:40:11 PM »

Bowtied, are the scopes in question Air rifle scopes? The reason I ask is, a air rifle will destroy a scope no matter the make unless it is made for air rifles.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 27, 2005, 01:57:24 PM »

Bowtie, you're gonna need an adjustable objective or AO scope to cover the range that you want with your air rifle. If it's a spring gun, what Redhawk1 stated is very true, they will break any scope that is not rated for it. Straightshooters is a site dedicated to airguns, check it out, specially the optics section. Some airguns scopes will focus down to 10-20 feet depending on the make.

http://straightshooters.com/ssmenu.html

Tim

Bowtied · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2005, 05:32:31 PM »

Thank you for the info. And to answer the question, yes it is a scope specifically made for spring air rifles. However, it is not AO, I'll be looking into that but I'd be willing to bet it'll be a little more pricey that what I'd like to spend on a scope for an air rifle :wink:
Thanks again!
Bowtied

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2005, 06:03:11 PM »

How much do you want to spend? I can make some recommendations based on my limited experience with airgun scopes.

Tim

Bowtied · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2005, 05:30:36 AM »

http://www.compasseco.com/shop/products.html?maingroup=Optics&secondgroup=Tech%20Force

On this page, I was looking at the Air Rifle scope. I would like to stay close to that price range but could probably squeak out a couple extra bucks.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2005, 06:30:59 AM »

If 10yds or a little less is close enough focus range, then the BSA AR312x44 at around $100 should work fine for ya. I have had one of these mounted on a spring gun for over a year now with 2+ tins of pellets shot and it's doing fine, very clear, repeatable accuracy and dependable. This scope comes with Lawdog's recommendation here at GBO, of which he has several on his airguns.

http://www.bsaoptics.com/productdetail.asp?ID=442&Prod_Code=AR312X44

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bsa-air-riflescope-3-12x44mm.html

http://www.airgundepot.com/bsa3.html

http://www.scopesandmore.meridian1.net/s/scopesandmore/default.asp?S=503&A=E&PKV=RSR-BSAAR312X44|0

http://www.reviewcentre.com/review35245.html

If you need a scope that will focus close, I have a 4x32 Mini Leapers that I bought to put on a bluestreak, but it wouldn't mount on it due to the mounting location, so it is unused now. I'll sell it for $50 shipped if you can use it. It will focus down to just 3 yds.

http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/accessory.pl?accessory_id=502

http://www.leapers.com/pages/airgun%20sport/airgun%20sport.htm

http://www.pyramydair.com/site/articles/leapers-scopes/

http://www.reviewcentre.com/review147293.html

Tim

Bowtied · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2005, 02:41:25 PM »

OOPS!
I just re-read the description on the Tech Force scope and saw that it DOES have the adjustable objective that allows it to focus well at close ranges. It says that they can be adjusted to be clear at 7.5 yards (close enough for me) and then out to infinity. Looks like I'll have to get the super-duper high power one now :lol:
Guess I should read closer next time!
Thanks again,
Bowtied

BuckTrucker · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2005, 08:06:38 AM »

Excuse my ignorance but I was trying to figure out how a scope designed for high powered rifles would get destroyed by air rifles. Seems like recoil would be tougher on a scope. Not in disbelief at all, just hoping someone could explain this as I found this interesting.

Thanks
BT

Jimi · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2005, 11:04:31 AM »

I may be misunderstanding the original question... it seems like you're asking which is the better mix for a variable: 2-7x or 3-12?

I would say that the benefit of the 2x over the 3x for short range shots far exceeds the benefit of the 12x over the 7x at longer ranges. Oh, looking back at the message I see that you're also comparing 32mm to 44mm. Now I see what everyone is commenting on.

As an aside, Redhawks comment about air rifles destroying scopes not rate for such also applies to Ruger 10/.22s. Air rifle scopes work best on .22s.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2005, 01:35:20 PM »

Quote from: BuckTrucker

Excuse my ignorance but I was trying to figure out how a scope designed for high powered rifles would get destroyed by air rifles. Seems like recoil would be tougher on a scope. Not in disbelief at all, just hoping someone could explain this as I found this interesting.

Thanks
BT

Believe it!!! It's not the recoil in one direction as with a regular firearm, but spring airguns recoil in both directions...destroying even the most expensive scope if it's not spring airgun rated.

http://www.straightshooters.com/genmenus/mmscopes.html

Tim

BuckTrucker · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2005, 03:03:36 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo

Quote from: BuckTrucker
Excuse my ignorance but I was trying to figure out how a scope designed for high powered rifles would get destroyed by air rifles. Seems like recoil would be tougher on a scope. Not in disbelief at all, just hoping someone could explain this as I found this interesting.

Thanks
BT

Believe it!!! It's not the recoil in one direction as with a regular firearm, but spring airguns recoil in both directions...destroying even the most expensive scope if it's not spring airgun rated.

http://www.straightshooters.com/genmenus/mmscopes.html

Tim

OK, that makes a lot of sense....thanks for explaining that. Have a good one.

BT