Hey everybody - I received a new Hawke AirMax 20 SF Compact 4-16x44 yesterday that I purchased online from Utah Airguns last week. I was really excited to put this on my also nearly new Hatsan FlashPup Synthetic .25. to replace an old Hawke Panorama on there that didn't quite fill the bill.
I could write a book on what I did to try to make this work today but I'll keep it short. The bottom line is there isn't enough vertical adjustment in the scope to zero it at 35 yards. Something is seriously wrong. From optical zero I maxed out the vertical adjustment (110 clicks up from optical zero) and didn't get anywhere near point of aim. I tried different mounts - same result. The scope rail is basically level with the barrel. I could find no problem with the mounts or with the mounting job. I put the old scope back on it and zeroed at 35 yards with no problem.
After all that -- I think I have a defective scope. Something is wrong inside.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with Hawke scopes? I don't know whether to contact Utah Airguns or to call Hawke. Thoughts and opinions welcome.
Utah Airguns could not be better to work with. I'd give them a call first. Are you sure the scope ring was all the way down on the rail?
Yes - measured and visually checked. Same results with two different mounts - one from Hawke and the other UTG. Essentially identical results.
This morning, after thinking about what someone on another forum said regarding bullpups and the scope position on them, I put the AirMax on my Sig ASP20 to see if I got the same bad results. I did not - the scope worked fine. So - it had to be the setup with the scope necessarily so close to the end of the barrel on the FlashPup, angles involved, etc. My plan now is to get a set of FX No Limit adjustable mounts which should correct everything. Assuming that works, and it should, I'll chalk this one up as a learning experience.
Thanks Stingray -- I'm doing some other stuff to the rifle so it'll be a few days before I remount the scope. I'm thinking is was a perfect storm of odd things. But - the jury is still out. We'll see what the Eagle Vision rings do with it. When I put the scope on my Sig ASP20 it performed exactly as it should. So there's something funky about the way that scope/rifle pair match up.