Airgun scope

[BigAl52]

NCG or SH
Which airgun scope were you 2 raving over here a while back. I looked for the thread but cannot find it.

[North Country Gal]

Not sure, but one of the scopes I have been using, recently on the CO2 and PCPs is the Hawke Vantage 2-7x. It's a roughly $100 scope, but pretty decent optics for the money. Note that it is rated only for piston guns under 12 fpe, according to what I've read in reviews. To be safe, though, I'd keep it even lower in power than that.

I would not use he Vantage on your HW95. For a springer in that class, you need to move up to the Hawke AirMax series, which basically doubles the price. You do get a ballistic style reticle on the AirMax, though.

I'm still hurting over the loss of my favorite airgun scope in the Nikon Prostaff EFR 3-9x. The Hawkes are certainly decent, optically, but still no match for the Nikon. Still haven't found a good replacement at a reasonable price. Used ones are now going for insane prices.

Another scope that I have been using is the Leupold Rimfire 3-9x EFR, but with the recent Leupold price increases, it's almost double the price of what I used to pay for the Nikon EFR. Ouch! I have two of these, but I'm in no hurry to buy another at such prices. Last one we got on sale for $350. When they first came out, I was able to get one at about $225. Hey, I've always been a fan of Leupolds, but the recent price increases are making it very difficult to keep buying Leupolds.

[Sir Henry]

Hawk Advantage.

[BigAl52]

Thanks I will look into that should I ever decide on what gun I might get

[BigAl52]

Not sure, but one of the scopes I have been using, recently on the CO2 and PCPs is the Hawke Vantage 2-7x. It's a roughly $100 scope, but pretty decent optics for the money. Note that it is rated only for piston guns under 12 fpe, according to what I've read in reviews. To be safe, though, I'd keep it even lower in power than that.

I would not use he Vantage on your HW95. For a springer in that class, you need to move up to the Hawke AirMax series, which basically doubles the price. You do get a ballistic style reticle on the AirMax, though.

I'm still hurting over the loss of my favorite airgun scope in the Nikon Prostaff EFR 3-9x. The Hawkes are certainly decent, optically, but still no match for the Nikon. Still haven't found a good replacement at a reasonable price. Used ones are now going for insane prices.

Another scope that I have been using is the Leupold Rimfire 3-9x EFR, but with the recent Leupold price increases, it's almost double the price of what I used to pay for the Nikon EFR. Ouch! I have two of these, but I'm in no hurry to buy another at such prices. Last one we got on sale for $350. When they first came out, I was able to get one at about $225. Hey, I've always been a fan of Leupolds, but the recent price increases are making it very difficult to keep buying Leupolds.

Thanks NCG. My 95 has a weihrauch scope on it already it works good

[markiver54]

I'm glad I found this older thread, as I'm trying to decide on which scope to buy for my recently acquired HW95. I'm looking at the Hawke Airmax in 3-9x40. A salesman at AOA however recommended the Athlon Optics Talos 3-12x40 which is about $50.00 cheaper than the Hawke. Both have the etched reticle.
As far as mounts go, he also recommended Sportsmatch 2 pc.TO4C medium mounts. He quoted $240.00 for the Athlon scope and Sportsmatch mounts.
Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated regarding scopes and mounts.

Guess I've got the air gun/springer bug now. Just want to do it right.

[North Country Gal]

Sportsmatch rings/mounts are top notch. All I use, anymore. No experience with Athlon, but the Hawke Airmax I have used and it's also a great scope. My only criticism of the Airmax is that the reticle is actually pretty fine and it was hard for me to see, even just for range use at times. No way could I have used that scope back in the woods. Got lucky and sold it to a local air gun shooting pal and he loves it. The less expensive Vantage, though, had an easier to see reticle, but you really should step up to the Airmax series with the recoil level on the 95. The Vantage is really more appropriate for HW30 or 50 recoil levels.

The one other issue to keep in mind on so many of these air rifle brand scopes like Hawke and Athlon are that they are typically heavy scopes. That means you can end up with a very heavy rifle and scope rig. Not such a big deal when shooting from a rest, but definitely something to consider for offhand shooting or carrying. The light weight and small size of the Leupold Freedom 3-9x EFR is why it's become my favorite air rifle scope. Just wish it wasn't so pricey. Oh, well.

[BigAl52]

Unless I am mistaken the Athlon scope does not have the adjustable objective. I like the AO for close in targets. Other than that I have no experience with the scope he is recommending

[markiver54]

Unless I am mistaken the Athlon scope does not have the adjustable objective. I like the AO for close in targets. Other than that I have no experience with the scope he is recommending

The Athlon has an additional turret on the right side, which is, Adjustable parallax. Is that not the same as AO ? I guess I'm still a bit confused on this issue. Only one of my other rifles sports a scope which might help explain my lack of knowledge regarding scopes. My BBS357 sports a simple Weaver 1-3x20. Not much there..but I like it on that rifle.

[markiver54]

Sportsmatch rings/mounts are top notch. All I use, anymore. No experience with Athlon, but the Hawke Airmax I have used and it's also a great scope. My only criticism of the Airmax is that the reticle is actually pretty fine and it was hard for me to see, even just for range use at times. No way could I have used that scope back in the woods. Got lucky and sold it to a local air gun shooting pal and he loves it. The less expensive Vantage, though, had an easier to see reticle, but you really should step up to the Airmax series with the recoil level on the 95. The Vantage is really more appropriate for HW30 or 50 recoil levels.

The one other issue to keep in mind on so many of these air rifle brand scopes like Hawke and Athlon are that they are typically heavy scopes. That means you can end up with a very heavy rifle and scope rig. Not such a big deal when shooting from a rest, but definitely something to consider for offhand shooting or carrying. The light weight and small size of the Leupold Freedom 3-9x EFR is why it's become my favorite air rifle scope. Just wish it wasn't so pricey. Oh, well.

Thank you again NCG!
This is the exact kind of information I'm looking for.
You and Al have been extremely helpful.

I don't think I'm finished yet though!