Scope for XS46U

[geraldbrown]

Hello everyone I am looking for a scope to mount on my XS46U which is on its way. Being new to air-gunning I am unsure about my choice so I would appreciate some input on my choice or some recommendations for a different setup if my choices are lousy. Additionally, I would appreciate advice on whether or not to mount the scope myself or have it done by a professional...

My choices are the "Leapers Accushot 1-Pc Mount w/1" Rings, 3/8" Dovetail", and "UTG 3-9x40 AO Rifle Scope, Illuminated Mil-Dot Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1 Tube, See-Thru Max Strength Twist Lock Weaver Rings" both are found at Pyramyd Arms

[Bullit]

The Leapers scope is a good choice for your air rifle.  It's tough.  They also offer a 3-12x that is a little better for longer (50yd) distances.  I like the 3-9x, for general use and hunting.  Set it at 6x, and go hunt!  I never "bury" mine at upper or lower settings. You have 2 different sets of scoperings coming, if you buy both items listed.   You can easily mount it yourself.  G'Luck
Mike

[nervoustrigger]

Gerald,

After much research, I have a Leapers 3-12x44 (30mm tube, full size, not compact) on the way after the XS46U ate my cheapie scope.  Like you, I'm going with a 1-pc mount since it reduces stress on the scope relative to separate rings.  Like Mike says, the Leapers scopes are tough and shouldn't mind separate rings but I want the peace of mind. 




They had a much better price than Pyramyd, particularly with the free shipping as a member of Amazon Prime.

I went with this particular scope because I wanted the side AO adjustment wheel, and it was only a few bucks more than the front AO models.  I had already taken two squirrels at 40yds with the cheap scope before it bit the dust so the higher magnification may come in handy seeing as how accurate this rifle is capable of being. 

reason for edit:  had names mixed up

[Rdsail]

I have a Leapers 5th Gen 3-12x40 AO Rifle Scope, Ill. Mil-Dot Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube

I'm very happy with it. It focus well from about 12 yard and on. I used a leapers mid 1pc mount but I would recommend to use the high mount instead. My scope is about .5mm of the barrel so I had to add a couple of shims so it would have a little more space.

[Bullit]

Jason,
Do you have us mixed up?
I am Mike (KYMIKE),,,I am not the O.P.   
Gerald is the O.P.  with the new XS46U...
I have been a large supporter for a few years now, of Leapers 5th Gen, and Accushot scopes for their toughness, tho they ain't light.   I've used them on Magnum Gamos, TFs, and Dianas.  I still have one of the first 3-12x44mm SWAT compacts, with etched glass,(that I just found out is being re-introduced to the SWAT compact Line).  These 2 Lines of scopes have survived years on Diana 48 and 52s, and they still are hunting....so they are good by me.

[nervoustrigger]

Jason,
Do you have us mixed up?

Sure did, sorry.  I forgot how it flips the order of posts when replying.

[z28rod]

Hawke will take anything.
http://www.wayfair.com/keyword.php?keyword=Hawke+Optics+Sport+HD&command=dosearch

[PaperPunch1]

UTG 4-16-40AO from amazon....great scope. I have two now.
Both align well, and I like the weight, as it helps to settle a rather jumpy rifle just a bit more.
Wish they has side focus.....but I guess the price means you don't get EVERYTHING!
PaperPunch1

[geraldbrown]

Thanks to all for the help. I stuck with my original choice for scope but also bought the low medium and high scope mounts since I couldnt find a definitive reference on the proper height scope mount to use with a 40mm scope.

[nervoustrigger]

(saddle height)  +  0.5(tube diameter)
must be greater than  0.5(max scope diameter)

The saddle height I got from their "Mounting Systems" PDF.  The scope dimensions I got from the product page on their web site on the Specification tab.

So for example, the mid height UTG rings I bought have a saddle height of 14mm and the scope tube is 30mm.  The max OD of the scope is 53mm. 

So I get 14 + 0.5(30) = 29mm, which is more than 0.5(53) = 26.5mm.  Not by a lot but there is a disproportionately big step when you move up to the high rings.  Low/med/high in that particular family of rings goes 12mm/14mm/21mm.   Sure enough, the scope and rings arrived today and it fits like a beauty.  I haven't measured the clearance but it's fairly close to the calculation, probably just a bit more.  I had high rings before and it gave the gun a monster truck-like appearance and I'm sure it was bad for parallax error.   

Already got it sighted in and it's shooting like a beauty again.  Love it!

[nervoustrigger]

Guys,

Be advised that if the stock screws get even slightly loose, the POI will start going all over the place.  It happened to me once and I tightened them and my groups tightened up immediately but I thought maybe it was a fluke.  Yesterday I started having a problem again and sure enough, as soon as I tightened them, all was well again.  Probably something to do with vibration harmonics is my guess.  It just surprised me how much of a difference it makes.

In my case it was just the two forward on the stock; the one on the trigger guard was okay but check it just to be sure.  Now they have threadlocker plus a flat washer and split-ring lockwasher so maybe that will do the trick for good this time.

[Rdsail]

NT,

have you replaced the screws? I have being thinking of replacing them with Hex screws (allen wrench). The front left screw seams to loosen often for me. The other two stay tight. I'm using lock tight. I have being thinking of replacing all the stock screws and using a washer and lock washer as you did. my only concern is the back (trigger screw) which is not flat, it has a bevel. Did you use washers for that one also?

[Bullit]

Good scope and ring move Gerald!  You can see which heigth you like.
You may also wanna get a little tube of "BLUE" Loctite...for the stock screws.  Remove the screws, (even on your scope rings), clean w/alcohol, put a dot of it on them, re-install...let dry 24hrs.  The "Red" isn't good...toooo strong.  Congrats and Good Luck to Ya! 
Mike

[Bullit]

If they are backing out frequently with threadlockers, I'd think that it's not the screw, but rather the tap thread (female). It's soft steel.  Might be sloppy tap. Mike

[nervoustrigger]

Rdsail,

No, I haven't replaced them but if they continue to loosen I will take a more careful look at the quality of the threads and quality of steel as Mike suggested.  Were you asking because you'd like to torque them down harder or because the threads are deformed, or...?

I'm no expert but I'm of the thinking that torquing the bejezus out of the fasteners doesn't accomplish much.  Wood will creep, it expands and shrinks with humidity, and so on.  So when fastening against a material like this I like to use hardware that is somewhat forgiving.  Something with some spring to it like a split-ring lockwasher, belleville washer, or wave washer helps maintain preload on the threads when the wood shrinks but can give a little when it expands. 

A split-ring lockwasher is what most folks will have on hand so if you go that route, be sure to put a flat washer against the wood so the lockwasher doesn't dig in and damage the wood.  Or if using a belleville or wave washer, I would use it by itself.

Oh, and I did not do anything to the screw on the trigger guard besides clean the parts and apply blue threadlocker.  That seems to be holding up fine.

[Rdsail]

I looked though my collection of bolts and found to #5 screws with the hex heads. They were too long so I had to cut them down. I added a thin washer and a lock washer and lock tight.  I have to say that the fit (thread to screw) is much better. You can tell by the way they screw in. I used hard steel screws (black). It's what I had. I used my dremel tool to cut them down and to smooth the tips.

I did screwed them in and out a few times before the final install. The threads on the gun were a little rough first.

We'll see how it goes.

[codytwoeyes]

UTG 3-9x40 AO Rifle Scope Ihave a 46 the 22 this is the scope to have