HOME > Medias > Choosing the Right Airgun Scope(PartⅠ) : PCP and Spring-Piston Air Rifles

Choosing the Right Airgun Scope(PartⅠ) : PCP and Spring-Piston Air Rifles

Nov 25, 2025

Today’s air rifles are so much more than just backyard toys. They’re powerful and precise tools used for competitive shooting, serious practice, and hunting small game. Thanks to modern engineering, both new and experienced shooters can find an airgun that offers great accuracy and reliability.

This guide breaks down the two most popular types: PCP air rifles and spring-piston air rifles. We’ll explain how they work, their key differences, and how to select the right scope for each.

If you want to learn more about Gas-piston, CO2 and multi-pump air rifles ,please click here.

PCP Air Rifles: The High-Performance Choice

1.1 What is a PCP Air Rifle?

A PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) rifle is like a pre-charged power tool. It uses a built-in tank that you fill with high-pressure air. This reservoir holds enough air for multiple shots—usually between 25 and 40(Many PCP rifles will give)—before you need to refill it. You can recharge the tank using a special hand pump, a scuba tank, or a small electric compressor.

The biggest advantage of PCP Air Rifles? You don’t have to do anything between shots. Just aim and shoot. Like a car with a full tank, PCP Air Rifles is ready to go — you don’t need to “refuel” between every shot.

1.2 The Good and The Bad

The good:

Super Consistent: Every shot performs almost identically, which is key for accuracy.
Extremely Accurate: High-end models can be as precise as traditional rimfire rifles.
High Power: They generate strong and steady power for their size.
Very Little Kick: The low recoil makes them easy and comfortable to shoot accurately.
Quiet Operation: They are much quieter than many other types of airguns.
Ready to Go: No pumping or cocking between shots makes for fast follow-ups.

The bad:

Higher Startup Cost: Besides the rifle, you need to buy a pump or air tank to fill it.
More Gear to Manage: You have to think about air pressure and keeping your tank filled.
Field Refills Can Be Tricky: Taking it on a long trip means you need a plan to refill the air.
Local Laws: In some areas, high-power PCP rifles might have specific regulations.

1.3 Picking a Scope for Your PCP Rifle

To get the most out of a PCP’s accuracy, you need a good scope. Here’s what to look for:

Magnification: For hunting, a low- or mid-power variable optic (LPVO/MPVO) is great. For target competitions, shooters often use higher magnification (15x and above) to see small targets clearly.
Turrets (Adjustment Dials): If you’re hunting, covered (capped) turrets prevent accidental bumps. For competition, exposed turrets that click precisely are better for making quick adjustments.
Reticle (Crosshairs): Choose a simple crosshair or a BDC reticle for fast shooting. For precision targets, a reticle with hashmarks (MIL/MOA) helps with wind and distance.
Parallax/Side Focus: This is a crucial feature for accuracy at longer ranges. It ensures your crosshair doesn’t appear to move on the target if your head shifts.

1.4 Rifle Scope Recommended for PCP Air Rifles

For game hunting: Choose rugged, compact scopes such as Veyron and Orion models — both airgun-rated with side focus starting from 10 yards (≈ 9.144m) (on most models). Veyron offers a compact and lightweight design as well as excellent optical performance, while Orion adds zero stop for full-size setups.
For competition and precision shooting: Opt for airgun-rated Continental scopes with precise, repeatable turrets. The Continental x6 5-36x FFP Rifle Scope (SCFF-70) is designed for PRS, while the Continental x8 6-48x ED MOA SFP Rifle Scope (SCOL-TE52) and Continental x8 6-48x ED MIL SFP Rifle Scope (SCOL-TM52) excels in Field Target Competition, Benchrest Shooting and F-Class events.

*FFP (First Focal Plane) scales with magnification for accurate holdovers; SFP (Second Focal Plane) keeps reticle size constant for fine aiming.

Spring-Piston Air Rifles: The Trusty Classic

2.1 What is a Spring-Piston Air Rifle?

Often called “springers,” these are the classic air rifles you might be familiar with. They use a powerful spring and piston. You cock the Spring-Piston Air Rifles (by breaking the barrel or using a lever) to compress the spring. When you pull the trigger, the spring is released, slamming the piston forward to compress air and fire the pellet.

Think of it like a wind-up toy: you put the energy in before every single shot.

2.2 Types of Spring-Piston Air Rifles

Break Barrel: The most common and beginner-friendly type. Simple to use and maintain.
Sidelever: Offers smoother cocking and better ergonomics than a break-barrel, a great middle-ground option.
Underlever: Best for experienced users. They offer the smoothest operation and highest consistency but require more careful handling.

2.3 The Good and The Bad

The Good:

All-in-One Package: No need for extra pumps or air tanks. Just load and shoot.
Low Cost of Ownership: Simple mechanics mean they are affordable and cheap to maintain.
Perfect for Beginners: Excellent for casual plinking and learning the fundamentals.

The Bad:

Unique Recoil: They have a sharp, two-part “jolt” that can be difficult to master and is tough on scopes.
Demanding to Shoot Accurately: The recoil requires a special technique to shoot well consistently.
Tough on Optics: You must use a scope specifically built to handle the harsh, two-way kick.

2.4 Picking a Scope for Your Spring-Piston Air Rifles

Because of the violent recoil, choosing the right scope is not just about performance—it’s about survival.

Spring-Tested: This is the most important rule. Only use scopes explicitly rated for spring-piston air rifles.
Etched Glass Reticle: The crosshairs should be etched onto glass, not made from fragile wires or fibers that can break.
Strong Turrets: Look for features like a turret lock or zero-stop to prevent the dials from shaking loose.
Parallax Adjustment: An Adjustable Objective (AO) or side focus is essential for sharp aiming at common airgun distances (10-50 yards).
Modest Magnification: Lower power scopes (like 3-9x or 4-12x) are more robust and easier to keep steady than very high-magnification models.

2.5 Rifle Scope Recommended for Spring-Piston Air Rifle

Here are two rifle scopes for you to take a look: VIOC-05 SOI 3-9X40 AO and VIOC-06 SOI 4-12X40 AO.

VictOptics SOI 3–9×40 AO Rifle Scope (VIOC-05): 3–9× magnification, 40mm objective, airgun-rated; adjustable objective parallax setting min from 5 yd — compact, great for close–mid range hunting and twitchy spring-piston recoil.
VictOptics SOI 4–12×40 AO Rifle Scope (VIOC-06): 4–12× magnification, 40mm objective, airgun-rated; adjustable objective parallax setting min from 10 yd — higher magnification for mid to long ranges and tighter groups on precision shots.

Most Vector Optics scopes are rated for break barrel air rifles, and we recommend models with simple, durable construction for spring-piston use.

For spring-piston air rifles, the Hugo series offers wide FOV, FMC lens, 4″ / 100mm eye relief, and close focus from 10 yds. The Hugo 3–12×40i Fiber Rifle Scope (SCOM-44) with side focus adds fiber-illuminated reticle and 1/10 MIL turrets for precise, airgun-rated performance.
The Matiz series features rugged 1″ tubes, FMC optics, and simple crosshair reticles. The Matiz 4-12×40 AO Rifle Scope (SCOM-29) provides parallax adjustment from 10 yds and 1/4 MOA clicks for reliable accuracy.

Finding Your Perfect Match

Whether you choose the easy-shooting performance of a PCP air rifles or the simple, self-contained nature of a spring-piston air rifles, you’re entering a versatile and exciting world of shooting. If you want to learn more about Gas-piston, CO2 and multi-pump air rifles ,please click here.

Matching your air rifle with the right scope is the final step to unlocking its full potential. For shooters looking for reliable and affordable optics, VictOptics provides a range of scopes and red dots designed to enhance the accuracy and enjoyment of your airgun.