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COMPREHENSIVE Scope Model Comparison
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Have you been searching for just the right scope for you – and has the truckload full of features and specifications left you with more confusion and less clarity to decide?
Well, this happened to me – so I started listing the scopes in a model comparison table.
And as I kept adding more scopes to it, I also added more features/ specifications to the table – because I realized what value they had for me.
Your scope needs are your individual needs – but the scope model comparison table can help you figure out what is out there – within the parameters of the table: roughly 6-24x magnification, $300-500 more or less.
Here are the features and specifications that the table lists:
● Price: Between $300 and $500
The price was the cheapest I found clicking the first 20 links. The price range has been chosen to obtain a certain level of glass quality and mechanical precision, without braking the bank (of course there are 6-24x50 scopes for $100, though often they do not have side parallax). Scopes of any price range can be bought for much less during special offers from www.DVOR.com. Buying a used scope, especially from trusted people at gun forums, is another way to cut down on the price.
● Top end magnification: 20x or more
● Bottom end magnification: 6x or less
For a discussion of magnification ranges and the field of view, cf.: https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=150721
● Objective diameter: 50mm or more
Reason: For a magnification of 24x the exit pupil is already very small, thus the shooter has to position his/her eye almost perfectly. The smaller the objective diameter, the less tolerance there is for the shooter for eye placement.
● Exit pupil: should not be too small
This relates directly to the eye box, the small area where your eye has to be in order to see the full scope image. Bob Sterne recommends 3 mm, 2 mm is marginal. [Calculation: objective lens diameter / magnification = exit pupil]
● Turret adjustment range
50 MOA (15 MIL) seems to me an absolute minimum for any type of long range shooting or heavy pellets/slugs, but 70 MOA (21 MIL) would be already much better.
This is important if (a) the gun is a drooper, and (b) for dialing the elevation turret for long range shooting (for 100 yards with heavy pellets/ slugs adjustable scope mounts are still necessary, even with 70 MOA)
● The reticle should have plenty of horizontal and vertical hash lines/ dots, for windage and elevation hold offs.
In the table sufficient dots are indicated by “D” = “Dots”
● The hash lines/ dots in the reticle can be numbered, for quicker hold overs.
In the table this is abbreviated with N = “Numbers”
● Both turrets and reticle should “speak” the same language, either both “speak” MOA, or the speak MIL (MRAD).
Mixing makes no sense; discrepancies are indicated in the table with ≠
● First focal plane (FFP) – or – second focal plane (SFP)
● Field of view (FoV): The larger the easier the target acquisition
For how this relates to scope magnification ranges, cf.: https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=150721
● Calibration of the turret clicks
How much does the reticle move for 1 click (at 100y), e.g., 1/4" or 1/8" per click, or 0.1mrad per click.
● Amount of clicks per one turret revolution.
Uneven numbers like 6 mils, or 14 moa, are not helpful when making large adjustments of two or more revolutions; an additional feature for that is a turret turn counter as it shows how many revolutions the turret has been turned up; some have it.
● Tube diameter 30mm only (not 1", nor 33mm, 34mm, etc.). All on the list have it.
● Illuminated reticle
For dark woods, low light, and night hunting helpful
● Weight
(I ask myself: How important is it that my gun-scope combo is light? Have I ever complained on a hunting trip that the can of soda I was carrying weighted 14oz instead of 10? Were those 4oz really that important?)
● Parallax adjustment distance: from 10/11y or less on to infinity. All on the list have it.
● Side parallax adjustment (vs. front parallax adjustment). All on the list have it.
● Exposed turrets
Unlike capped turrets, exposed turrets allow you see the turret settings (the numbers) from behind the gun at all times, and you can change them without taking off caps and screws: This is needed if you are a clicker, and don’t just always use hold over: All on the list have it.
● Turrets with zero reset. All on the list have it.
This list of features/ specifications and the actual comparison table are in the attached PDF. Hope it’ll be helpful to our airgun community.
Use the table, don’t depend with your life on the data, because I make errors (more often than my wife...., according to her), don’t blame me when your spouse asks you with that edge in her voice “Another scope?” ?
If you find errors or have suggestions or additions, post or PM me. I’ll update the table when I can. ?
Happy shooting!!
Matthias
Attached PDF file
