Yeah, .5" groups at 20 yards is very good with a Hatsan break barrel, not because of the barrel, but due to all the commotion created in the shot cycle. IMO, a better scope would make it easier to get the same grouping or possibly a little better . The Optima was originally designed by Hatsan as a "paper weight", its secondary function was thought to improve vision, beyond the naked eye. This secondary function was an absolute failure as was its primary. Just Toss the scope as it's not even worth THE debate .PS: After you use a AO, Hawke 3x9x40 or better ......... you'll be saying to yourself ... "Oh yeah, what was I thinking" .
Hey, that's me I'm the "Peter" in the aforementioned post. I have had excellent luck with my Optimas... but I used them for sighting in, then swapped to a red-dot, then took optics off and now use just iron sights on my 95QE. (Since my pesting is generally 12 to 15 yards, irons are perfect.) I have played with a Tasco Varminter (2.5x10x40) for a few shots on that 95QE, and there was negligible difference other than clarity, FoV, and much better crosshairs. What I mean is accuracy didn't change.One Optima now resides on my Savage Mk2, the other has bounced from my PP700 pistol (PCP) to my 2nd B-3 underlever and back. Both Optimas remain perfectly fine. I think a key is setting focal length and then working inside expectations for a bundled scope on a relatively inexpensive springer... and also ensuring the locking rings are tight. I know I'm probably the rarity amongst Optima owners, but I've had good luck. The one now sitting on my Savage was set to 7x the entire time, and the other one sits at 6x. Still, if I wasn't such a cheap SoB, I'd be shelling out some money for a Hammers or Leapers scope if it was going to live permanently on a springer. If I ever get another Diana 34 (or find a C-1), I'll invest on good glass.sirEDIT: OOOH, I cannot recommend a well-made one-piece scope mount enough. Anything else on a sporter or magnum springer is just gonna result in unhappiness.
This topic came up in a post by 19Sheridan57. Two positive posts about optima scopes is as follows: - Tom***** 19Sheridan57******************************************************************************************Sharp Shooter http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=117525.0Posts: 631 Hatsan Optima air rifle scope ??***********************************************************************************************************« on: November 18, 2016, 06:10:13 AM "anti-squirrel"Sharp Shooter**********Posts: 561http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?action=profile;u=24766Sort-of kinda possibly maybe somewhat?View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)Real Name: PeterRe: Hatsan Optima air rifle scope ??« Reply #19 on: November 22, 2016, 10:16:22 PM »QuoteQuote from: Methuselah on November 19, 2016, 09:34:53 AMQuote from: anti-squirrel on November 18, 2016, 12:11:27 PMBoth my Optima scopes have held up very well. The first I did was reset the focal point then ensure everything was screwed snug. I suspect that some of the reported failures are caused by people not going over everything to verify everything inside the scope is tight. One of the Optimas is mounted on my B-1 springer and that is without a doubt the harshest shot cycle on any spring gun I've ever had the misfortune to shoot. A final note: use 1-piece scope mount on a springer and save yourself headaches/problems/scope-creepInside the scope?Just curious, how do you mean? (Did you break the gas seal)Gotta agree on a one piece mount as better, but also on a shoestring budget recommend lapping the rings. This can be done (so I've heard) with pipe and toothpaste for grit.Didn't break the seal, just took the ends off the eye and objective bells and ensured the threaded rings inside were tightened down. Both Optima scopes' threaded "lock" rings were not tightened when I first got them. Both scopes have held up well, but I haven't put thousands of rounds through them like some other folks here. I had Center Point on my B-1 that got trashed... or so I thought. I was fiddling around with it and found both locking rings had loosened. I snugged them down and still use the scope, though now it's mounted on a Savage mk2. Report to moderator LoggedRichmond, VAB1, 392, B3-2, PP700 (.177), 95QE in .25, TruMark & 5/16 steel ammo - Blooded and Proud. *********************************************************************************************************** twood68ShakyOldOneEyedPlinker**Posts: 232View Profile Email Personal Message (Online)Real Name: TomRe: Hatsan Optima air rifle scope ??« Reply #18 on: November 20, 2016, 06:46:30 PM »QuoteModifyQuote from: twood68 on November 19, 2016, 07:17:06 AMHi 19Sheridan57: My name is Tom. I own 3 hatsan rifles that came with Optima 3-9x32 scopes. The 1st one is a Hatsan 85 sniper 25cal with a spring piston in it. That rifle destroyed its Optma scope after about 3 months or so. It also destroyed 2 other 'Airgun' scopes, a Center Point 4 power scope and a Gamo 4 power scope. I now have a BSA Red Dot sight on it and it has held up for the last 3 years. The other 2 Hatsan rifles are: a Hatsan Edge Vortex 25cal and a Hatsan Striker Vortex 177cal. They have the Optima scopes, that they came with, on them. On those rifles I made scope..." Mounting Ring Shims"...out of 3M 130C Linerless Electrical Rubber Splicing Wrap, made from Ethylene Propylene Polymer. (EPR) Rated for: Hi-Voltage 69KV - 130*C temps - High Vibration and High Abrasion -- Electrical Applications. The Idea of the wrap is to absorb some of the recoil and allow the scope to semi-float, without the scope loosing it's sighting adjustments. I am retired and I am on a tight social security budget. If I can find an inexpensive way to allow the cheap, combo scopes to last longer...Then that is a "plus" for me. I am a backyard target shooter that normaly shoots at home-made targets set at 20 to 30 yards. I don't need anything fancy in the way of a scope for what I do, the scope just has to hold it's zero and the crosshairs not break. I have been testing the electrical wrap "scope ring shim" Idea on the Hatsan Edge Vortex 25cal since last April, about 8 months now. The 177cal Hatsan Vortex Striker I have only had for the last month or so. Given more time I should be better able to judge just how good this Idea really is. So far it has been working out OK. More time will tell the ''True Story'' on the "rubber scope ring shim" Idea. Also--All the Political info-mail that I have been recieving for the last year has been making Really good FREE targets!! and I have not had to burn gasoline, driving anywhere, to get them either-- they came to ME! I promise that I have Not been Partial to one Politican or Political Party over the other either... I shot at them ALL!!! Best Regards - Tom - P.S. I have also been researching various recoil reducing ,scope rail mounts too. I have a BKL 1 piece, six bolt mount and 2 other 1 piece, 4 bolt mounts. Scope creep has never been a problem for me no matter what type of mount I was using but actual scope breakage of crosshairs ect has. The spring connecting the two sear's in the Quatro Trigger, on the 25cal Hatsan 85 Sniper, broke and that MAY also have been due to it's Recoil . ( I'm not 100% sure why the spring broke on that rifle. ) That gun has quite a kick to it ! Best Regards - TomHi Just a recap on the not-so-good Optmia 3-9x32 scopes that I am still using with the "rubber scope ring shims" The Idea here is to duplicate the function of an industrial Tri-Axial shock mount. On the 25cal Hatsan Vortex Edge----Approximately 1000 to 1500 pellets have been shot through that gun since I did the "shim work". On the 177cal Hatsan Striker I have put aproximately 600 pellets through that gun since I did the "shim work".**********For whatever this info is worth to anyone.************** Best Regards to All - TomModify message« Last Edit: November 21, 2016, 08:52:13 AM by twood68 »
Quote from: Methuselah on November 19, 2016, 09:34:53 AMQuote from: anti-squirrel on November 18, 2016, 12:11:27 PMBoth my Optima scopes have held up very well. The first I did was reset the focal point then ensure everything was screwed snug. I suspect that some of the reported failures are caused by people not going over everything to verify everything inside the scope is tight. One of the Optimas is mounted on my B-1 springer and that is without a doubt the harshest shot cycle on any spring gun I've ever had the misfortune to shoot. A final note: use 1-piece scope mount on a springer and save yourself headaches/problems/scope-creep
QuoteQuote from: Methuselah on November 19, 2016, 09:34:53 AMQuote from: anti-squirrel on November 18, 2016, 12:11:27 PMBoth my Optima scopes have held up very well. The first I did was reset the focal point then ensure everything was screwed snug. I suspect that some of the reported failures are caused by people not going over everything to verify everything inside the scope is tight. One of the Optimas is mounted on my B-1 springer and that is without a doubt the harshest shot cycle on any spring gun I've ever had the misfortune to shoot. A final note: use 1-piece scope mount on a springer and save yourself headaches/problems/scope-creepI'll very happily agree that a good one piece mount is the best way to mount the scope and what I recommend when someone is asking about mounting one, but let's be seriously honest here: How many average new buyers have a clue this is something they should do?? My personal guess?? None... because they just got a new $200 air rifle, they're hoping the reviews are wrong and they just want to get that scope on and go shoot that brand new rifle they just spent their hard earned dollars on and from most threads I've read, that's exactly what they do...lol. Some will mount that scope in a one piece scope mount because some reviewers said it was a better way than the rings that come with it so they bought one, but they're still going to mount it straight out of the box and just start shooting and those first couple 100 shots while the rifle is settling in are when it recoils the worst and will be the most harsh to a scope. Your average buyer isn't going to know it's something they should consider doing let alone even know how until they start having a problem, then come looking for a forum like this one to find help on why they're having a scope problem. I've always recommended shooting a few hundred pellets and using the open sights before finally mounting that scope and just me but doing that might go a long ways in having the Optimas hold up longer before a new owner starts having issues.End of my lame 2 cents rant
Quote from: twood68 on December 04, 2016, 10:22:28 PMThis topic came up in a post by 19Sheridan57. Two positive posts about optima scopes is as follows: - Tom***** 19Sheridan57******************************************************************************************Sharp Shooter http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=117525.0Posts: 631 Hatsan Optima air rifle scope ??***********************************************************************************************************« on: November 18, 2016, 06:10:13 AM "anti-squirrel"Sharp Shooter**********Posts: 561http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?action=profile;u=24766Sort-of kinda possibly maybe somewhat?View Profile Email Personal Message (Offline)Real Name: PeterRe: Hatsan Optima air rifle scope ??« Reply #19 on: November 22, 2016, 10:16:22 PM »QuoteQuote from: Methuselah on November 19, 2016, 09:34:53 AMQuote from: anti-squirrel on November 18, 2016, 12:11:27 PMBoth my Optima scopes have held up very well. The first I did was reset the focal point then ensure everything was screwed snug. I suspect that some of the reported failures are caused by people not going over everything to verify everything inside the scope is tight. One of the Optimas is mounted on my B-1 springer and that is without a doubt the harshest shot cycle on any spring gun I've ever had the misfortune to shoot. A final note: use 1-piece scope mount on a springer and save yourself headaches/problems/scope-creepInside the scope?Just curious, how do you mean? (Did you break the gas seal)Gotta agree on a one piece mount as better, but also on a shoestring budget recommend lapping the rings. This can be done (so I've heard) with pipe and toothpaste for grit.Didn't break the seal, just took the ends off the eye and objective bells and ensured the threaded rings inside were tightened down. Both Optima scopes' threaded "lock" rings were not tightened when I first got them. Both scopes have held up well, but I haven't put thousands of rounds through them like some other folks here. I had Center Point on my B-1 that got trashed... or so I thought. I was fiddling around with it and found both locking rings had loosened. I snugged them down and still use the scope, though now it's mounted on a Savage mk2. Report to moderator LoggedRichmond, VAB1, 392, B3-2, PP700 (.177), 95QE in .25, TruMark & 5/16 steel ammo - Blooded and Proud. *********************************************************************************************************** twood68ShakyOldOneEyedPlinker**Posts: 232View Profile Email Personal Message (Online)Real Name: TomRe: Hatsan Optima air rifle scope ??« Reply #18 on: November 20, 2016, 06:46:30 PM »QuoteModifyQuote from: twood68 on November 19, 2016, 07:17:06 AMHi 19Sheridan57: My name is Tom. I own 3 hatsan rifles that came with Optima 3-9x32 scopes. The 1st one is a Hatsan 85 sniper 25cal with a spring piston in it. That rifle destroyed its Optma scope after about 3 months or so. It also destroyed 2 other 'Airgun' scopes, a Center Point 4 power scope and a Gamo 4 power scope. I now have a BSA Red Dot sight on it and it has held up for the last 3 years. The other 2 Hatsan rifles are: a Hatsan Edge Vortex 25cal and a Hatsan Striker Vortex 177cal. They have the Optima scopes, that they came with, on them. On those rifles I made scope..." Mounting Ring Shims"...out of 3M 130C Linerless Electrical Rubber Splicing Wrap, made from Ethylene Propylene Polymer. (EPR) Rated for: Hi-Voltage 69KV - 130*C temps - High Vibration and High Abrasion -- Electrical Applications. The Idea of the wrap is to absorb some of the recoil and allow the scope to semi-float, without the scope loosing it's sighting adjustments. I am retired and I am on a tight social security budget. If I can find an inexpensive way to allow the cheap, combo scopes to last longer...Then that is a "plus" for me. I am a backyard target shooter that normaly shoots at home-made targets set at 20 to 30 yards. I don't need anything fancy in the way of a scope for what I do, the scope just has to hold it's zero and the crosshairs not break. I have been testing the electrical wrap "scope ring shim" Idea on the Hatsan Edge Vortex 25cal since last April, about 8 months now. The 177cal Hatsan Vortex Striker I have only had for the last month or so. Given more time I should be better able to judge just how good this Idea really is. So far it has been working out OK. More time will tell the ''True Story'' on the "rubber scope ring shim" Idea. Also--All the Political info-mail that I have been recieving for the last year has been making Really good FREE targets!! and I have not had to burn gasoline, driving anywhere, to get them either-- they came to ME! I promise that I have Not been Partial to one Politican or Political Party over the other either... I shot at them ALL!!! Best Regards - Tom - P.S. I have also been researching various recoil reducing ,scope rail mounts too. I have a BKL 1 piece, six bolt mount and 2 other 1 piece, 4 bolt mounts. Scope creep has never been a problem for me no matter what type of mount I was using but actual scope breakage of crosshairs ect has. The spring connecting the two sear's in the Quatro Trigger, on the 25cal Hatsan 85 Sniper, broke and that MAY also have been due to it's Recoil . ( I'm not 100% sure why the spring broke on that rifle. ) That gun has quite a kick to it ! Best Regards - TomHi Just a recap on the not-so-good Optmia 3-9x32 scopes that I am still using with the "rubber scope ring shims" The Idea here is to duplicate the function of an industrial Tri-Axial shock mount. On the 25cal Hatsan Vortex Edge----Approximately 1000 to 1500 pellets have been shot through that gun since I did the "shim work". On the 177cal Hatsan Striker I have put aproximately 600 pellets through that gun since I did the "shim work".**********For whatever this info is worth to anyone.************** Best Regards to All - TomModify message« Last Edit: November 21, 2016, 08:52:13 AM by twood68 »I can't help but note a couple things (hope you don't mind).First, the treatment from start to finish (inspection, tightening up anything loose, one piece mounts on something with a lot of kick), even the rubberized tape, all can be applied not just to Optima scopes. It's all very good input!Second, Working at it backwards couldn't hurt either. If an air rifle has a lot of kick, that can be reduced by *tuning --- and doing so will probably help even a cheap scope survive longer.Nice post, and equally good thread * even just cleaning up chamber, new piston seal, some moly and carefully clearing sharp edges during reinstalling the seal make a world of difference for about $30 bucks
Is the hammer an ao? From what I am reading other than holding zero the ao is the next important option.