Selecting the right scope for your airgun or air rifle can be daunting due to the vast array of choices on the market. Nevertheless, a scope plays a vital important role in various shooting situations.
Today, VictOptics is going to break down the key factors to consider when selecting an airgun/ air rifle scope. You can learn about how to choose the best scope for your air rifle scopes.
Understanding Airguns and Air Rifles
To begin with, let’s have a basic understanding of airguns and air rifles.
There are five primary types available on the market: spring/gas piston airguns, PCP (Precharged Pneumatic) airguns, pump-action airguns, and CO2-powered airguns.
Moreover, we can categorize them based on their mechanism of use into two groups: break barrel and non-break barrel air rifles. The former includes spring piston airguns and springers (including gas piston air rifles), while the latter consists of PCP, pump-action, and CO2-powered airguns.
Effective Shooting Ranges of Airgun and Air Rifles
Before deciding on the right magnification for your air rifle scope, it’s essential to understand the effective range of these five types of airguns.
Generally, multi-pump rifles (pump action and CO2-powered) can reach up to 30 yards; spring or gas piston rifles can reach up to 50 yards, and PCP rifles can reach up to 100 yards.
It is worth noting that to maintain accuracy, your target should ideally be within 75 yards, as pellets tend to deviate significantly beyond this distance.
Applications and Appropriate Scopes for Different Air Rifles and Airguns
1.CO2-Powered Airgun / Pump Action Airgun Applications and Scopes
Let’s first introduce the least powerful scopes. CO2-powered scopes are ideal for recreational target shooting or pest control due to their lower power. Conversely, pump-action airguns offer more power, making them suitable for light target practice or small game hunting.
1.1 What Magnification Scope is the best for Co2-powered/ Pump Action Airgun?
For CO2-powered and pump action airguns, .177 and .22 caliber are optimal. Since these airguns have effective ranges of up to 30 yards, a low-power variable scope is recommended. For small animals like pigeons and doves, a pump action airgun with 2-7x magnification (VIOC-02) is sufficient to accurately acquire your target (.177 caliber). For other small animals like turkeys and pheasants, the VIOC-01 1.5-5x airgun scope for .22 is a good choice.
From the chart below, we see that the VIOC-01 has a field of view (FOV) of 84.9-25.5 feet at 100 yards. Its wide FOV makes the 1.5-5×20 scope ideal for hunting in dense woods and excellent for quick target acquisition. Additionally, it’s the best compact airgun scope, weighing only 225g. The lightweight 1.5-5x scope can not only fit for Co2-powered airgun but also perform well on your airsoft outdoors to track your BBs. Affordable price(79.9$) and reliable image make it a perfect choice for entry-level airsoft players
| VIOC-01 | VIOC-02 | |
| Magnification | 1.5-5x | 2-7x |
| Objective Lens | 20mm | 32mm |
| Field of View | 84.9-25.5ft@ 100yards | 63.7-18.2ft@ 100yards |
| Eye Relief | 100mm | 100mm |
| Illumination Setting | 5 Gears, Red and Green | 5 Gears, Red and Green |
| Length | 220mm / 8.66in | 234mm / 9.21in |
| Weight | 225g / 7.9oz | 328g / 11.6oz |
The 2-7×32 scope is a great choice for small animal hunting. Its variable magnification provides clear sight for accurate shooting.
2. Spring Piston Airgun / Gas-Piston Airgun Applications and Scopes
Break barrel airguns, such as spring piston and gas-piston airguns, are user-friendly and commonly used for target shooting.Shooters can set up targets in their backyard for plinking and target practice.
Besides, due to its sufficient power and accuracy (which can generate power ranging from 600 FPS to 1500 FPS), the two break barrel pellet guns are also suitable for small game hunting (such as rabbits, squirrels, and birds).
Additionally, they are effective for pest control, keeping your property or crops free from rodents and birds.
2.1 Choosing the Best Scope for Spring Piston Airgun / Gas-Piston Airgun
What is a spring piston rated scope? Spring/ gas piston airgun is the most dangerous type due to multi-directional recoil. It can even break scopes that withstand .300 win mag rounds. Therefore, be sure that your spring/gas piston scope is airgun-rated.
The VIOC-03 3-9x is the recommended mid-range scope for spring-powered air rifles. It’s a popular choice for various shooting activities, from target practice to hunting. Equipped with 750G shockproof technology, it can effectively withstand the recoil of spring piston airguns.
3. PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) Air Rifle Scenarios and Suitable Scopes
Among all the pellet guns, PCP airguns are the most suitable for big game and varmint hunting due to their precise design and high accuracy with minimal recoil.
You can use PCP air rifles for plinking, target shooting, qualification shooting, competition shooting, or a mix of these activities.
3.1 Choosing Scopes for PCP Air Rifles
As for how to choose PCP air rifle scope, you should consider its enough magnified power and clarity. Consider a 4-12×40 scope for your PCP air rifle. The lowest 4x power is a excellent for varmint hunting, while the 12x power can effectively help with 100 yards target shooting, 50 yards plinking and competition.
The VIOC-04 4-12x scope uses fully multi-coated lenses, which greatly increase light transmission and thus present a crisp and clear image even under high power magnifications.
Choosing the Right Scope for Your Air Rifle
Choosing the right scope for your airgun or air rifle involves understanding the specific characteristics and capabilities of each type of airgun. By considering factors such as effective range, power, and intended use, you can find a scope that complements your shooting needs.
Whether you’re hunting in dense woods or engaging in target practice, having the appropriate scope will enhance your accuracy and overall shooting experience. If you still have questions in selecting airgun scopes, please feel free to contact us.
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