3-9X33 EFR Leupold

[Labboy]

I'm new to this site and really don't know much about airguns. They say that a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing! I've had a Diana model 34 for about 10 yrs and, with failing eyesight, had to go to a scope. It was a B-Square ring/scope package (3-9X40) installed with a scope stop pin. In short order the front objective lens blew a seal. I have to say that B-Square readily agreed to replace the scope & hardware kit without even asking that I send in the damaged unit. However, I've decided to go to a Leupold 3-9X33 EFR. I am wondering if anyone has this rifle/scope set-up and if they could recommend mounting hardware. I want to eliminate movement and offer as much protection as possible to the scope. I have also read about barrel droop and the model 34's and wonder if I should get an adjustable one piece mount or it's okay to go with two piece rings? I read on one post a shooter extolling the virtues of a "mag mount" set-up from AirScope on his heavy recoil Diana. Others mention various models of Crosman, Leapers and BLK. Any advice/info would be appreciated.

[thekid]

I would like to say welcome to Gta.

Rws sells drooper mount, I use this with a center point on my 34 .22. But I will let the pros speak up.Rob

[shiyfire]

I have that scope in my rifle,i will post a pic of my mount / ring set up later tonight.

[Mark 611]

I think you can't go wrong either way on the mount set up, but its nice to able to adjust the mount to get it right and the ones Richard sells look to be very nice units and thats a very nice scope you have as well I've heard alot about them, anyway welcome to the forum!

[oldpink]

The Leupold 3-9x33 EFR is one of the all time greatest scopes at any price, especially for a springer.
It will holdup for well beyond your lifetime.
If anything goes wrong, you also have Leupold's storied customer service to make it right in short order.

[shiyfire]

Heres my Leupold EFR.Cabelas has them for $349. and i used a $20. off coupon + free shipping,not a bad deal.I used Leupold rings and the adapter base is BKL weaver adapter,It has held on tight so far.

[Labboy]

Thanks for welcoming me.

Currently I only have one airgun - the model 34. But, as "civilization" creeps in around me, I may have to rely more and more on air power to get the job done! A "big" RWS springer in .22 cal could be a necessary acquisition in the not too distant future!

I'll see if I can't find a Canadian source for the BKL Weaver adapter base. Ordering one from a US source might be a bit  complicated due to US restrictions on individuals importing "strategic material".

If I do have to go to a US source I imagine that Pyramid Air probably carries a full line of BKL products?

I can probably source the Leupold rings locally. Could you tell me what model number is on the rings in case I have to order them in? 

[only1harry]

Welcome to the GTA! 
You will get a lot more than just a "little information" on our forum.  Probably information overload  

The Leupold EFR scope is a great scope and an excellent choice to handle a Springer's dual recoil.  It can also be used on Magnum Springers with no issues.  It is a solid scope.  

However, I would go with the BKL 260-D7 1pc mount (for 1" tube).  No need to get rings in addition to a mount (which is really a 2-pc setup).  The BKL 260 mounts come complete with rings and it is a true 1-pc.  The BKL 260 series also have the 6 screws which ensure the scope will never move.  I have several of the BKL 260-D7 mounts on my RWS Diana rifles. 2 of them are on my Magnum Springers 350 and 48 and 1 on my 36 (same as 34) with a Bushnell Legend 5-15x40, and have never given me a problem in 2-3yrs now and thousands of shots.

The BKL 260 series are non-adjustable but compensate for barrel small-moderate droop - not as much as the RWS droop compensating kits which tend to compensate too much in many cases, and people had to return them or switch to something else.  
I have also found that I only set the scope's elevation (and windage hardly at all) very little with the BKL 260D7 mount, which is a good thing because you do not want to be at the extreme ends of your scope adjustments.  In more than 1 case all it took was 2-3 clicks on the elevation turret and my shots were on the bullseye.  I just find them perfect for Dianas with a little to moderate (not tons of) droop.
 
Also the scope on the 34 in the pic with that set-up looks a little too high than it should be. That is a good setup and I am not critisizing it, but it's not for me.  We must make an effor to place the scope as close to the action or barrel (or compression tube in this case) as possible.  This will ensure consistent shooting and accuracy.  The lower the scope is, the less it is affected by slight canting of the gun when you shot or during the excitement of the hunt for ex.  The higher the scope is, the more your pellet will be off target with a little bit of cant.  Also when the scope is too high, you tend to use a lot or most of your scope's elevation adjustment, which is not ideal.
  
The BKL 260D7 (and D4) has medium-height rings which are good for up to 40mm scopes.  Typical scopes with 32 to 40mm objective lens sit pretty low (only about 2mm from the gun with a 40mm obj. lens), perfect for Springer guns and to maximize accuracy/consistency as well as guard against the negative effects of a small amount of cant.

[Labboy]

SHIYFIRE I noticed that you have removed the open sights from your model 34. Was there any reason for that? Also noted from your pic that you have a recoil pad on your gun. Was this an after market addition or did it come with the gun? If it was after market what make is it and where did you get it?

[shiyfire]

The rifle pictured is a Diana RWS 350 Feuerkraft Pro Compact ,they come without sights. Mine has the same recoil pad as my sons diana 34,must be a standard part for all there rifles i guess.

[AirScopes]

I use the Mag-Mount mounts I sell on every scope I mount. That includes the Leupy 3-9x33 I own. These mounts are more flexible than anything else out there on the market and cost less than most of the other 'fancy' ones.

I can't fault the Leupy but for the price... 3 times most things I sell. Nice scope, and the weight (very light) may be important to the way you like to shoot.

[Aerofish]

Just tripped the trigger for one of these for my R9. I love this gun and she really deserves it. All my firearms have Leupolds (VXIIIs) on them, even my pimped out 10/22 (VXII). I don't use these rifles as much as I would like, so that means I hardly get a chance to look through that great glass. Well I shoot my R9 a 1000 times more often, so I think it makes more $$$ sense to have one on my pet air rifle. More looks for the dollar Hows that for justifying a new toy lol.

Oh got a deal at Cabela's too, kinda eased the sting

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Optics/Riflescopes%7C/pc/104792580/c/104752080/sc/104535180/Leupold174-Ultralight-Riflescope/748793.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-optics-riflescopes%2F_%2FN-11002

[Labboy]

Just wonder if Richard ships to Canada? Tried to get pyramid air to ship mounts but no go!

[Aerofish]

Just mounted My Leupy on a Mag Mount from Richard and have not seen a better airgun mount (Superior concept, huge adjustable droop compensation range). I never realized how much more superior Leupold glass is to what is generally out there for airguns. It's 33mm objective pulls in much more light than my 42mm Nikko-Stirling, 40mm Centerpoint and 50mm Leapers. Their resolution is not even in the same ballpark. You definitely get what you pay for!