Got my new Hatsan 125TH .25 cal

[need4speedtonka]

Im thinking about gettin hatsan in .25 dont know which yet...
My mind is set on 155 torpido or H125 th ...
Nice numbers on that rifle yougot there

[Methuselah]

Anyway, I spent some more time sending lead downrange, and I'm pleased with the groups for now. Also reevaluated the Chrony numbers using 10-shot groups for more realistic look at each pellet. Here's where I'm at right now...

The JSB's show some promise 

[JoeV]

Got out to my friend's property today to play with the 125. The wind was not my friend, with gusts from 15-20mph from my right...but at least I was shooting! I shot at 25 &35 yards, then packed it in as the winds were getting too crazy. Now off to see the grandkids and have dinner with them. Hopefully will get out again this week when the wind settles down. Had to use the heavy sand bag to hold the ladder, after the wind blew it down twice.

[Inspector3711]

Yeah, it depends on your size and strengh I'm thinking..  It's a big rifle so cocking it with a larger frame has to help with leverage. 

Mine didn't turn out to be as bad as I thought.  I could see 100 pumps or more even at my age.  And it should get easier as it breaks in. I'm a tall guy and I lift weights though. 

[Gut2Fish]

I'm a thin 130 LBS waif of a fella and cock the 125 well over 100 shots in a session with one arm. Sure it takes more effort than a Daisy 880 but then it's meant for big kids like us not a 10 year old. Butt of gun on thigh if standing or a chair if sitting at a bench. It's about leverage.

Nice job Joe. Solid 32 FPE gun as it should be. Was hopping for better performance from H&N 20 grain but JSB King at 760 fps isn't a rainbow shot by any means. Well, unless your shooting 75+ yards.

[sactargetshooter]

Ha, ha, I am 5'5" with proportional limbs. Have to admit reaching and pulling the barrel is a 2-hand affair. I am sure that over time my arms will get stronger, but they won't get any longer!

For a close to 30 FPE piston gun, the 125 Vortex doesn't have a lot of recoil. My 125 is still dieseling, but markedly less than before. Must have >100 shots now. Probably will chrony again after the dieseling stops and then have a scope mounted.

Do I need a droop compensated scope mount?

[JoeV]

I'm a thin 130 LBS waif of a fella and cock the 125 well over 100 shots in a session with one arm. Sure it takes more effort than a Daisy 880 but then it's meant for big kids like us not a 10 year old. Butt of gun on thigh if standing or a chair if sitting at a bench. It's about leverage.

Nice job Joe. Solid 32 FPE gun as it should be. Was hopping for better performance from H&N 20 grain but JSB King at 760 fps isn't a rainbow shot by any means. Well, unless your shooting 75+ yards.

I probably shouldn't have been trying to zero the scope in wind like that, but I wanted to shoot outside today. Not often you can do that at the end of February inNE Ohio.  I did find a solid paver brick that weighed about 8 pounds, and stood it on edge at 35 yards. The JSB smacked it and knocked it over easily with 25+ FPE at that yardage.

Starting to look for another scope for this gun. Probably like to get another 4-16x40AO unit.

[JoeV]

Do I need a droop compensated scope mount?

You won't know until you mount the scope. This is my fourth Hatsan, and none have needed special bases. try whatever mounts you have before buying a unique, expensive mounts.

[Diced1]

Do I need a droop compensated scope mount?

You won't know until you mount the scope. This is my fourth Hatsan, and none have needed special bases. try whatever mounts you have before buying a unique, expensive mounts.

That sounds good. Hoping I don't have any droop. I ordered matching UTG 3-12x44 AO full size SWAT scopes with one piece mounts and 80mm side focus wheels for mine. Almost all of my Diana's have droop. I like my adjustments to be in the middle, I think it's easier on scopes rather than having it maxed out.

I guess the free shipping deal in pyramid doesn't matter to you, but they are having 16% off sale today plus free shipping. I ordered some more .25 pellets and an extra seal. Amazon Warehouse deals also has good deals on scopes with damaged packaging etc. I bought some droop mounts there in the warehouse deals for about $6 when they are normally 16-18. If you have any issue with a product from warehouse deals you can still return it or contact customer service and they usually adjust the price down further. My dad bought a  model 34 combo in .22. The scope came damaged and they knocked the price down to $175

[Methuselah]

Do I need a droop compensated scope mount?

You won't know until you mount the scope. This is my fourth Hatsan, and none have needed special bases. try whatever mounts you have before buying a unique, expensive mounts.

That sounds good. Hoping I don't have any droop. I ordered matching UTG 3-12x44 AO full size SWAT scopes with one piece mounts and 80mm side focus wheels for mine. Almost all of my Diana's have droop. I like my adjustments to be in the middle, I think it's easier on scopes rather than having it maxed out.

Most of the most senior folks say it is best if you have droop to just bend the barrel.  You can also shim one of the mounts but too much can deform/damage the scope tube.  I've found both methods work just fine...

[Airgun.Sniper]

 I hope those scopes last for you always my biggest fear when it comes to a spring powered air rifle


 Jay

[Bryan Heimann]

For a magnum, it is hard to beat a good set of open sights.  My XS28M has a nice, sharp front post in a shroud, nice and dark.  The rear ramp is fairly solid, and the gun is more accurate than I am.  I can typically fit 5 under a quarter at 30 yards with fair consistency with that rifle, and I don't get much practice with springers anymore.

[Diced1]

I've heard of bending barrels before. Not something I would want to try 

I have had pretty good luck with scopes so far. I like magnification for hunting. I have a few springers with open sites but I like practicing with scoped rifles best since in translates better to powder burners for me. I'm left eye dominant and right handed so it keeps my stupid eye in good practice 

I have several UTG scopes the only issue I have had so far was a reticle being off set. They are heavy though and I prefer Hawke scopes but sometimes I go with price too.

[JoeV]

I couldn't stand the puny scope on The Beast, so I pulled the Centerpoint 4-16x40AO from my Hatsan 95 Vortex .25 and put it where it belongs...on The Beast! It shoots real purdy. :-)
The gun likes the JSB's the best...so far. You can see the 19.91gr FTTs are overwhelmed by all the power.

[Methuselah]

The gun likes the JSB's the best...so far. You can see the 19.91gr FTTs are overwhelmed by all the power.

You didn't say what range (the JSB's are some nice groups for any range though)

[JoeV]

You didn't say what range (the JSB's are some nice groups for any range though)

Mea culpa...12 yds., my indoor range.

[Gut2Fish]

I just want to say I've reservations and warn any of you from using a side focus scope on these 125 magnums. Mines killed two Hawke 4-12X44 side focus scopes so far. First was Varmint second was the new Vantage. It could be the special kick specific to my gun but believe the gizmos in side focus are prone to move under such force of a magnum like this. AO scopes have less to move about. Was waiting for the new reticle style of Airmax adjustable objective scope to come in. Looks like they are now so will be shipping out for another swap.

I've had long conversations with the Hawke tech fella and he's trying to get me to upgrade to the Airmax side focus, wants to discount price to get me shooting one, but that's just too much $ to put on top of a $250 gun. Says that top quality of side focus will last. I'm opting for even swap to 4-12X40 AO Airmax. They've a real nice mil dot reticle on them now. Half mil below with easy locating increasing length dashes and full mil top and sides.

In reality 4-12 zoom is overkill for these guns in my opinion. Think I'd have been satisfied by 2-7 but those are 32 mm. Liked the added light and view of 44mm. Glad I read these posts on scopes to remind me I need to get that swap going. Fine shooting weather is just around the corner!

[Bryan Heimann]

The 12x magnification is helpful when using the adjustable objective to determine range for HFT competition.  You use this to adjust elevation on your scope, in order to thread a pellet through a very small hole.  In other classes of FT dudes are using even higher magnification.  I have never competed in FT personally, and I agree that for real world hunting, a fixed 4 or 6x AO scope is perfect.

[Diced1]

I just want to say I've reservations and warn any of you from using a side focus scope on these 125 magnums. Mines killed two Hawke 4-12X44 side focus scopes so far. First was Varmint second was the new Vantage. It could be the special kick specific to my gun but believe the gizmos in side focus are prone to move under such force of a magnum like this. AO scopes have less to move about. Was waiting for the new reticle style of Airmax adjustable objective scope to come in. Looks like they are now so will be shipping out for another swap.

I've had long conversations with the Hawke tech fella and he's trying to get me to upgrade to the Airmax side focus, wants to discount price to get me shooting one, but that's just too much $ to put on top of a $250 gun. Says that top quality of side focus will last. I'm opting for even swap to 4-12X40 AO Airmax. They've a real nice mil dot reticle on them now. Half mil below with easy locating increasing length dashes and full mil top and sides.

In reality 4-12 zoom is overkill for these guns in my opinion. Think I'd have been satisfied by 2-7 but those are 32 mm. Liked the added light and view of 44mm. Glad I read these posts on scopes to remind me I need to get that swap going. Fine shooting weather is just around the corner!

Obviously the more "features" a scope has its just more stuff that can break. That being said I have found scopes are either good or not in terms of performance over time. I have had failures on high end glass shooting relatively mild center fire rifle cartridges and I've had cheap RWS variable scopes stand u to lots of abuse. I usually stick with companies that offer a good lifetime warranty. I'll never buy another weaver scope. I like bushnell elite, Nikon, and Leopold scopes for real rifles and gave good luck with UTG scopes so far. I've got two side focus UTG scopes coming for my Hatsan 125s. If either or both fail, I'll bet it will be within the first 300-500 shots. Mounting makes a big difference IMO.  Proper torque and locktite. As low of a mount as possible and having the reticle adjustment somewhere in the middle, so a turret is not nearly maxed out in any direction. YMMV.

[Inspector3711]

She looks good with a scope on her. 

My old Gamo came with a cheapo fixed 4x bsa.  Havent had any problems with it and I bet I've shot that rifle a couple thousand times over the years.  It seems tiny compared to the bsa I got for the 125.

I have one weaver (v16) on my long range ar 15 upper.  It's been okay, but the ar doesn't kick much.  I have a Mueller on my 17hmr and for the money it's good.  Once again, not much recoil. 

I use a Burris fullfield 2 on my 25-06, it's a commercial Mauser my uncle put together in 1973.   No need to spend much more on glass for a rifle worth 300 bucks. 

The more powerful rifles are all scoped with leupold, but they are also more expensive rifles.  Two of them were purpose built for 1000 yards. 

Seems like, from reading, that with the lower end air rifle scopes, it's a &^^& shoot for durability.  I hope my new bsa holds up.