Air Rifle Scope Reviews

The magnification on some scopes is fixed, usually at 4x or 6x, though higher fixed magnifications are possible. Some competition disciplines stipulate the use of fixed magnification scopes only, but for most other shooting situations the flexibility of variable magnification is best. Most common are scopes with 3-12x, 4-16x and 6-24x magnification ranges, which cover most airgun scenarios. However, once again, higher levels and ranges are available. Zooming in and out of a target is usually achieved by twisting a collar at the back of the scope, just forward of the eye.

The size of the forward most lens, or objective lens, is expressed in millimetres. 32, 40, 42, 50 and 56mm are most common. A scope that is sold as 4-16×50 is one that has a magnification range of 4 to 16x and an objective lens of 50mm. 

The lens located closest to the eye is known as the ocular lens. The distance between a shooter’s eye and the ocular lens is known as ‘eye relief’. Some scopes require the user to put their eye right against the ocular lens and are known as ‘zero eye-relief’ scopes. To avoid injury, such scopes are intended only for pre-charged pneumatic air rifles and other rifles that have no recoil. All other telescopic sites require a gap, or eye-relief, of several inches.

All but the very cheapest scopes enable you to adjust the focus on the reticle – the black lines which you place against your target – by twisting the ocular lens.

Most scopes give the ability to make adjustments to address parallax error which is the effect caused when the position or direction of a target appears to differ when looked at from different positions. Parallax adjustment, usually achieved by turning a dial on the side (often indicated as side focus or ‘SF’) of a scope or a collar on the objective lens addresses the issue and brings targets into sharper focus. Some scopes have fixed parallax, which is fine for airgun use as long as the parallax setting allows targets at typical airgun ranges to be in focus.

The reticle is the name give to the lines that are visible through a scope and are placed over the target, and are sometimes referred to as ‘cross-hairs’. There are many different designs, varying from a simple vertical and horizontal lines to more elaborate designs. The lines on many reticles have small dots, lines or numbers. These markings are precisely placed to provide alternative aim points other than the point at which the vertical and horizontal lines cross. They exist to help shooters determine the extent to which they need to contend with the amount that a pellet will drop over longer distances. The markings on most scopes are measured in ‘Minutes of Angle, most commonly shown as ‘MOA’. Some scopes have an illuminated reticle (IR) feature in which part or all of the reticule can be illuminated to help shooting in low light conditions.

Family owned British company Hawke is one of the best known brands of telescopic sights and other sporting optics. Its range is huge and covers just about every specification and budget. Although its Airmax range is made specifically for airgunners, many of its other scopes are also suitable and include: Vantage, Endurance, Sidewinder and Frontier.

Check out our full guide to the Hawke Scopes range.

Marketed by MTC Optics in Staffordshire, UK, the range is comprehensive and though an excellent choice for rimfire and centrefire shooters, has been developed with airgunners in mind. Models include: Mamba Pro, Mamba Lite, Mamba Ultralite, Cobra F1, King Cobra, Viper Pro, SWAT Prismatic and Genesis.

Check out our range of MTC scopes in our store.

Australian Malcom Fuller founded the Stirling Scope Company Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan in 1956. Since then the company, now known as Nikko Stirling, has become one of the most recognised and respected brands around the world with a huge range for airgunners as well as rimfire, centrefire and big bore shooters. Models include: Diamond, Target Master and Panamax.

Czech company Meopta manufactures optical equipment for industrial and military applications as well as sporting uses. Best known for its fixed magnification scopes, its products are not often used by airgunners.

Starting off as a fishing tackle manufacturer in the 1950, Tasco scopes were a must-have for airgunners in the 1980s in particular. Today, its air rifle range of scopes represent affordable quality.

Under the Cobalt brand, AGS is known for producing a range of affordable variable and fixed magnification telescopic sights that are popular with airgunners.

Aztec Optics offers a range of mid-ranged scopes with variable magnification, including a first focal plane option.

As the name suggests, digital scopes generate an electronic image of the shooting landscape rather than rely on traditional glass. Used in conjunction with an infrared torch, they are excellent in the dark and although they are compromise compared to glass, image quality is improving all the time and they are more than adequate in day time as well. In addition, they are usually full of features and functions such as the option of changing the colour and style of the reticle as well as the ability to record video, take photos and even stream content to another device over Bluetooth and wifi. Some are also available with a built in laser range finder, or the ability to attach one as an accessory. Popular brands include: ATN X-Sight 4K Pro, PARD NV008 and NV008LRF and products from Sightmark and Yukon.

Thermal scopes are the most expensive form of night shooting scope running into thousands of pounds. Whilst they can be used on air rifles, they are intended more for big bore, centre fire and rimfire use. As you’d expect, thermal scopes detect heat and highlight targets in black, white or any of the other colour settings that are usually available. The more expensive products have higher specification sensors and provide sharper images. As with most night shooting, judging distances is an issue many airgunners struggle with. Top end thermal scopes have integrated laser range finders to help.

Whereas digital and thermal scopes replace traditional glass scopes, add-ons attach to the ocular lens to enable night vision use. Add-ons take two basic forms. Some like those made by Nite Site, Night Vision UK and Digital Night Stalker attach a camera to the ocular lens. An infrared torch is used in conjunction with a viewing screen usually sited on top of the scope. To use, shooters have to adopt a heads-up position and use their rifle on some kind of support – either shooting sticks or a bipod. Such systems are an excellent choice for rat shooting as they allow the shooter to scan large areas without having to continuously put the scope to their eye. Other add-on systems such as the PARD NV007 also attach to the ocular lens or a regular scope and use infrared but allow the shooter to look through the scope as usual.

Whereas nearly all air rifles used to come with open sites as standard, fewer do so today as most manufacturers anticipate their customers using a telescopic sight. Regarded by many as essential for beginners to the sport in particular, open or iron sights usually comprise a post-type foresight on the very tip of the barrel and a notch rear sight located towards the rear of the action. To use, the shooter must line up the target, the post and the notch. Adjustment is achieved by moving the notched rear sight left, right, up and down.

Telescopic sights are attached to air rifles via a set of mounts. Most air rifles either have a dovetail rail – a set of grooves on top of the action – or a picatinny/weaver rail which looks like a series of ridges. You will need the right mounts for the rail on your rifle. In addition, most scopes have either a one inch or 30mm tube so you’ll need to make sure your mounts have the right diameter for your scope. Mounts vary in design as well; most comprise two separate mounts, though one piece versions are available too. They also vary in height to accommodate different size scopes, so make sure you have a set that will position your scope as close to the rifle as possible but give good eye alignment and clear obstructions such as your magazine. If using a scope on a break barrel rifle, make sure the objective lens clears the barrel when cocking the action. To attach your scope to your rifle, firstly make sure the rifle is on a secure and level surface. Unscrew the upper and lower parts of the mounts and attach the lower part to the rifle but don’t screw them down too hard just yet as you may need to adjust their position. Next, place your scope in the mounts allowing for an approximate eye relief. Attach the upper parts of the mounts and screw them down. At this stage allow the scope to rotate and move forwards and backwards so you can set eye relief correctly and ensure the reticle is level. Once you’re happy, tighten everything down. Don’t over tighten the mounts around the tube of the scope as you could cause damage. Every now and then check your mounts to make sure they are still tight.

Although there are some purpose made scope cameras, the most popular method of recording is to use a cradle or mount that attaches a smartphone to your scope so you can record video footage through it. Check out products made by Side Shot and Eagle Vision. Both companies also make cradles that will accept a Go Pro or similar camera. Digital scopes like ATN’s X-Sight 4K Pro and the PARD NV008 and NV008LRF have an inbuilt ability to record video and take still photos.