Are you wondering which scope to get for your air rifle? You will find the best air rifle scope here in this guide. We have put together the best scopes that will maximize the capabilities of an air rifle so you can make a wise decision for yourself.
Air rifles are gradually becoming popular. They can do practically anything a .22lr can do but at a much more wallet-friendly price point. Air rifles and pellet guns, with their inherent features, can provide unique advantages over traditional firearms. They are known for their accuracy, so adding a rifle scope to the equation makes things even better.
Basics of an Air Rifle Scope
There is more to these scopes than meets the eye. Air rifle scopes are optical devices mounted on air rifles to enhance aiming accuracy by magnifying the target and providing a reticle for precise shot placement.
Basic features include magnification power, typically ranging from 3x to 12x, and objective lens diameter, which affects light transmission and image clarity.
Adjustments for windage and elevation are standard to correct for bullet drop and wind drift. Parallax adjustment is also common to ensure the target image and reticle are on the same focal plane, reducing aiming errors at different distances.
Quality scopes are built to withstand the recoil and vibration of an air rifle and maintain zero after repeated shots.
Types of Air Rifle Scopes
There are two distinct types of air rifle scopes.
Fixed Power Scopes
These scopes have a set magnification level, such as 4x or 10x, that cannot be adjusted. They are simpler, generally more robust, and often lighter than variable-power scopes, making them suitable for consistent shooting scenarios where the range to the target does not vary much.
Variable Power Scopes
These scopes allow the shooter to adjust the magnification within a specified range, such as 3-9x or 4-12x. This flexibility makes them versatile for different shooting distances and conditions. Variable power scopes are more complex and typically heavier than fixed power scopes, but they offer greater adaptability for various shooting situations.
Best Air Rifle Scopes
Air rifles go together and perform incredibly with the right scope. Not all scopes on the market are ideal for air rifles, that’s why we will show the best scopes.
1)Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x40mm AO Riflescope
The Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x40mm riflescope is clear, tough, and bright, along with other phenomenal features that many shooters will appreciate.
Fully multi-coated lenses on this riflescope provide maximum light transmission levels for accurate shooting at dawn and dusk. The objective lens is sufficiently sized to collect ample light yet light enough to maintain a compact profile.
This adjustable objective riflescope features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle, suitable for hunting at different ranges where holdover estimation is a concern. The fast-focus eyepiece makes adjusting the reticle a breeze, aiding rapid target acquisition.
Long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box make it quick to get a sight picture and acquire your target. Capped reset turrets are adjustable with MOA clicks and easily reset to zero after sighting in.
This best air rifle scope also offers high durability. The single-piece tube is fabricated from aircraft-grade aluminum and is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. The result is a solid, long-lasting scope that will suffice in all conditions and stand the test of time.
Features
- 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustments
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Aircraft-grade aluminum fabric
- Second focal plane
- Hard anodized finish
- 40mm objective lens
- 4-12x magnification range
- Capped reset turrets
- 9 to 4.4 inches of eye relief
- Waterproof
- Fogproof
- Shockproof
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Fast focus eyepiece
Pros
- Sufficient eye relief
- Resettable MOA turrets
- Clear optics
- Tough as nails
Cons
- Non-illuminated
2)UTG 3-9x32mm Airgun Scope
The UTG 3-9x32mm airgun scope features the exclusive True Strength Platform, which is complemented by seals and nitrogen purging. This renders the scope robust, waterproof, and fogproof. It is also shockproof to withstand an air rifle’s recoil and vibration.
The objective is adjustable from 3 yards to infinity, leading to absolute parallax freedom. The magnification is adjustable from 3x to 9x, ideal for close-to-medium-range targeting.
The scope has a second focal plane design with a standard Mil-dot reticle for easy and fast range estimations. The dual illumination allows you to choose between red and green to suit your preference, the weather, and the lighting scenario.
Another great feature of this scope is the 1/4 MOA adjustments. With your fingertips, you can seamlessly adjust windage and elevation. The Emerald-coated lenses increase the light transmission rate for clearer, brighter, and more stunning images.
Features
- Completely sealed for waterproofing
- Red and green illumination
- Nitrogen-purged for fogproofing
- Adjustable objective
- 3-9x magnification
- 40mm lens diameter
- 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustments
- Emerald-coated lenses
- Range-estimating Mil-dot reticle
- Sunshade, lens caps, and QD rings are included
Pros
- Excellent clarity
- Crisp reticle with illumination
- Easy mounting and dismounting
Cons
- Eye relief is not so great, as you’ll need to add a riser
3)Hawke Vantage 4-12x40mm AO Riflescope
The Hawke Vantage 4-12x40mm riflescope is more than a match for air rifles. It is durable, easy to adjust, and clear. It will revolutionize your shooting experience and make your hunt easier and more successful.
The sight picture is as clear as day. This is because the scope uses fully multi-coated lenses that increase the level of light transmission to generate incredibly clear and bright images.
Five brightness levels ensure your shot in low light is easy and accurate, making the riflescope an excellent option for hunters who love heading out at dawn or dusk to bag game.
Caps protect the turrets from the elements when in the field. The turrets have a low-profile design and have an adjustment of 1/4 MOA. The high torque zoom ring makes magnification adjustment a cinch. The range of adjustment ranges from 4x to 12x.
The mono-tube chassis of this best air rifle scope is made from quality aluminum. To top if off, it is completely waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof for reliable performance in different conditions.
The mil-dot reticle is also noteworthy. It has multiple aim points and helps in accurate range estimation and holdover calculations.
Features
- High torque zoom ring
- Fogproof
- Aluminum construction
- Mil-dot reticle
- Capped low-profile turrets
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Matte finish
- Second focal plane
- Shockproof
- Waterproof
- Side focus parallax adjustment control
- Fast focus eyebell
Pros
- Easy to mount and zero
- Accurate reticle
- Great glass quality
- Positive click adjustments
Cons
- Optical clarity diminishes at high magnification
4)Truglo Compact 4x32mm Riflescope
Transform your shooting experience using the compact Truglo 4x32mm riflescope. It has an aircraft-grade aluminum tube with a scratch-resistant, non-reflective matte finish that camouflages your shooting position.
The Duplex reticle helps you line up your target, and the fully coated lenses enhance light transmission, ensuring you have a clear and bright view of the line-up target.
The construction is fogproof and waterproof ensuring reliable performance in various weather conditions. The shockproof build is excellent for an air rifle as it makes the scope handle recoil like a champ.
The riflescope delivers years of dependable service and has easy adjustments, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned shooters alike.
Features
- Fixed 4x magnification
- Duplex reticle
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Scratch-resistant matte finish
- Aircraft-grade aluminum tube
- 32mm lens diameter
- Fully coated lenses
- Includes a lens cover and scope rings
Pros
- Super light
- Well-built
- Accuracy out of the box
Cons
- Not illuminated
5)Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm Riflescope
The Vortex Diamondback shelves tons of features that hands other scopes in its class their hat. Its glass clarity, ruggedness, and precise adjustments make it an all-around hunting and shooting scope.
This best air rifle scope features fully multi-coated lenses for optimum light-gathering power. As a result, you get wonderfully bright and clear images in different lighting conditions.
Zero resetting after sighting in is effortless, thanks to the metal-on-metal precision turrets. A precision glide erector system guarantees accurate tracking and repeatability.
The Diamondback is argon-purged for fogproof performance and o-ring sealed for watertightness. A robust one-piece tube with a hard anodized finish renders a shockproof and durable scope while helping with camouflage.
The fast-focus eyepiece is a nice addition that ensures the Dead-Hold BDC reticle is in focus for quick target acquisition. This riflescope delivers mind-blowing performance anytime it is paired with an air rifle.
Features
- Capped reset turrets
- Second focal plane
- Argon gas purging
- O-ring seals
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Aircraft-grade aluminum build
- Shockproof
- Precision force spring system
- Precision glide erector system
- Hard anodized finish
Pros
- Quality glass
- It lasts a long time
- Crisp, uncluttered reticle
Cons
- No mount
6)Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm riflescope offers lightning-fast target acquisition, which is a game-changer on a hunt. It is made for all conditions with its lightweight and durable 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. Its compact size allows easy maneuverability for quick movement and precise aim.
It is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof for relentless performance regardless of what you face on the field.
Besides the glass remaining crystal-clear for life, it features an Advanced Optical System that maximizes light transmission, glare elimination, and resolution for the best views ever.
The advanced power selector of this best air rifle scope makes magnification changes on the fly super easy. The eyepiece has a locking and fast-focus mechanism that ensures a clear view of the target at all times by keeping the reticle in focus.
Adjustments are incredibly easy and finger click and eye relief is generous as it ranges from 3.7 to 4.2 inches.
Features
- Hunt-Plex reticle
- One-inch main tube
- Advanced power selector
- 6061-T6 aluminum construction
- Waterproof
- Fogproof
- Shockproof
- Advanced optical system
- Fast-focus locking eyepiece
- Finger click adjustments
Pros
- Lightweight
- Well-built
- Clear and bright
Cons
- Non-illuminated
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Choosing the Best Air Rifle Scopes
A lot of scopes on the market can make choosing one for an air rifle overwhelming. Some tips to look at before making the final decision are as below.
Reticle
The reticle refers to the lines running vertically and horizontally in the scope that allow you to sight in your target. Some scopes have a reticle etched on glass, while others offer a colored dot for the target area.
The appropriate reticle comes down to individual preference. If you are a new buyer, it is best not to spend a fortune on a scope. It is better to discover and decide upon your preferences before digging a hole in your pocket.
Lens Size
A larger objective lens diameter increases the amount of light transmission. This implies that the lens size you need will relate to the shooting conditions you’re in. But at dawn or dusk, it can make a big difference. And if you intend to hunt with the scope, you need to remember that most game animals are active when lighting is weak.
A larger lens will also weigh more. Because a scope adds bulk to your rifle, it is wise to check just how much any scope will affect the balance.
Parallax Adjustment
The next factor that is important when buying the best air rifle scopes is the ability to adjust parallax. Parallax is an optical error in which the scope’s focal plane is misaligned from the reticle, meaning you might not be aiming where you intended to.
On typical hunting scopes, the parallax range is fixed at 100 yards, and anything outside this range can lead to reticle distortion and a misplaced shot.
Parallax adjustable scopes eliminate this error and result in much more precise shot placement.
Magnification Range
The magnification range is vital when choosing an air rifle scope as it directly impacts the shooter’s ability to accurately target and hit objects at varying distances.
A higher magnification allows for a clearer and more detailed view of distant targets, which is essential for precision shooting, especially in hunting or competitive scenarios.
However, excessive magnification can also reduce the field of view and make it challenging to track moving targets. Therefore, choosing the right level of magnification based on the specific shooting needs and environment is essential for optimal performance and accuracy.
Eye Relief
The eye relief is not to be overlooked when looking at the best air rifle scopes. As the air rifle is likely to recoil, though not severely, it is best not to have your eye right up against the scope, as you will end up with a nasty injury on your face.
The best air rifle scopes should have eye relief that typically ranges from 2 to 4 inches.
Best Air Rifle Scopes FAQs
What Size Scope Is Best for An Air Rifle?
Some scopes have fixed magnification typically at 4x or 6x, though higher fixed magnifications are possible. Some competition disciplines demand the use of fixed magnification scopes, but for most other shooting applications, the adaptability of variable magnification is best.
Most scopes for air rifles have magnification ranges of 3-12x. 4-16x, and 6-24x, which cover most airgun scenarios.
What Is the Difference Between an Air Rifle Scope and a Traditional Scope?
The primary difference between an air rifle scope and a traditional firearm scope is their design to handle specific recoil patterns and operational requirements.
Air rifle scopes are built to withstand the unique two-way recoil generated by spring-piston air rifles, which can damage traditional scopes. They often feature more robust construction and specialized internal components to handle this type of recoil.
Moreover, air rifle scopes typically have adjustable parallax settings for shorter shooting distances, as air rifles are commonly used for closer-range shooting compared to traditional firearms, which may require longer-range precision.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the best air rifle scopes involves considering factors such as magnification, eye relief, and durability to withstand the unique recoil of air rifles. By focusing on these key elements, you can choose an air rifle scope that enhances accuracy, performance, and overall shooting experience.