Talk to me about optics

[Elwood P Dowd]

 So like many others I jumped on the deal for a Diana 430L that AOA had but after looking closer at the specs I do believe that it does not come with any optics. I know that with springers especially you need a scope that can handle the front and back recoil but when searching for options I see some scopes specifically say that they are not for use with springers but I don't see any that say they are specifically FOR springers. Can anyone point me in the direction of a nice little budget scope for this thing? The rifle is supposed to arrive tomorrow so I'll asses what all I need then. Honestly I bought my son a Daisy 880 for Christmas and I want him to learn to shoot with iron sights first so I may see what options I have for a set of iron sights on the Diana because I know without a doubt if dad is shooting with a scope he's going to want to use a scope as well, not that I can blame him. And really I would like to have a set of decent iron sights because i enjoy shooting with them as well.
 Anyways thanks for any help.   

[Roadworthy]

Your best value locally may be Center Point scopes through Walmart.  They do carry a lifetime guarantee and although not explicitly stated most are airgun rated.  Of course you'll need a mount for the scope.  Most mounts included with scopes are for a Weaver rail.  That gun has an 11 mm dovetail.  I strongly recommend a one piece mount - it's better for the scope.  The mount will be selected based on the scope's tube diameter, objective diameter, and length of tube available to clamp on.  Since this is a fixed barrel gun in .177 you'll have the added joy of inserting pellets into the top of the gun while the loading gate is open.  Frequently the breech is loose which allows easy pellet insertion but you must keep the barrel aimed down or the pellet can (and frequently does) fall out.  I know of no way to affix a front sight to the gun due to the requirement for the cocking lever latch.  Rear sights can be purchased for the dovetail but they are not inexpensive.  Although quite accurate this really is NOT a beginners gun.  Yes, I have one and I like it but do not recommend it as s first airgun.

[c_m_shooter]

All of the side focus UTG's will work.  Anything from a 2-7x(plinking and hunting) to a 4-16x (field target matches) depending on your plans will work.  Whatever you chooos, a one piece mount is a good idea.p

[subscriber]

Will,

Leapers UTG has a good reputation as a springer robust scope at a reasonable price:
www.pyramydair.com/a/Accessories/Scopes/92/brands_88

Whatever you get, you also want one that has parallax adjustment for airgun use (down to 10 yards).  Cheap Rimfire scopes have parallax fixed at 50 yards.  Cheap centerfire hunting scopes have parallax fixed at 100 yards.  Leapers scopes vary by model, but the ones I have adjust parallax down to 3 yards:

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/utg-3-9x32-ao-bug-buster-rifle-scope-ez-tap-illuminated-mil-dot?a=4721

Amazon is selling the above scope for $56 right now:   
so check there once you have selected whatever scope you like.

[BackStop]

Will,

Leapers UTG has a good reputation as a springer robust scope at a reasonable price:
www.pyramydair.com/a/Accessories/Scopes/92/brands_88

Whatever you get, you also want one that has parallax adjustment for airgun use (down to 10 yards).  Cheap Rimfire scopes have parallax fixed at 50 yards.  Cheap centerfire hunting scopes have parallax fixed at 100 yards.  Leapers scopes vary by model, but the ones I have adjust parallax down to 3 yards:

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/utg-3-9x32-ao-bug-buster-rifle-scope-ez-tap-illuminated-mil-dot?a=4721

Amazon is selling the above scope for $56 right now:   
so check there once you have selected whatever scope you like.

Also, that $56 price is the historical low price on Amazon for that scope.

[bear air]

I was going to suggest the UTG line as well. I have a cheap Beeman from Walmart that ate something like five or six scopes before I went with a UTG 6x24x50 true hunter. It outlasted the rifle for the most part lol. It did develop a ghost a year or so ago, the reticle would light up on its own and also shut off on its own sometimes during the shot cycle. I don't shoot that gun anymore and actually just put it in the retirement closet today. It still holds zero and tracks fine. Now it is a spare scope.

[JeffB1961]

if you're on a tight budget this centerpoint scope is $40 with side focus and a decent (IMO) reticle .
https://www.crosman.com/optics/scopes/3-9x40-mm-plt-riflescope

if you're a FFP fan here's another for $74
https://www.crosman.com/optics/scopes/4-12x44-mm-riflescope

add $15 S&H for either .
both of these are much better optically than the 4-16CP at wally world that many folks like . the reticles are tons better also IMO .

[Yogi]

Just don't wast your money on a piece of junk!

-Y

[nced]

So like many others I jumped on the deal for a Diana 430L that AOA had but after looking closer at the specs I do believe that it does not come with any optics. I know that with springers especially you need a scope that can handle the front and back recoil but when searching for options I see some scopes specifically say that they are not for use with springers but I don't see any that say they are specifically FOR springers. Can anyone point me in the direction of a nice little budget scope for this thing? The rifle is supposed to arrive tomorrow so I'll asses what all I need then. Honestly I bought my son a Daisy 880 for Christmas and I want him to learn to shoot with iron sights first so I may see what options I have for a set of iron sights on the Diana because I know without a doubt if dad is shooting with a scope he's going to want to use a scope as well, not that I can blame him. And really I would like to have a set of decent iron sights because i enjoy shooting with them as well.
 Anyways thanks for any help.   

Whatever scope you buy make sure that the vendor has a GOOD warranty policy. If there are any scopes from Hawke that fit your budget perhaps they are a consideration. Hawke scopes do come with a very good warranty and customer service and the scopes are pretty good. Hawke even has a group of scopes listed under the "airgun scopes" section.

[JeffB1961]

Hawke just did a warranty return for me on a 5 year old 6-24x44 varmint scope that's discontinued .... they sent me a brand new 6-24x44 vantage half mil side focus . i paid $12 for shipping and insurance to get it to them and they paid for shipping back to me . got the new scope 12 days after i sent in the old one . OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE !

[subscriber]

I may be in the minority here, but for me, more magnification is not "better".  Not unless you do all your shooting off a sandbagged bench rest.  Unless you have a lot of practice shooting with high power scopes from field positions, my advice would be to go for a 3 - 9X, or even a 2 - 7X.  From less than well grounded rests, high magnification actually makes the air rifle harder to hold "still", rather than easier.

Also, clarity is more important than the size of the image...

[Yogi]

Yes for hunting and general plinking 3-9 is ideal.  For FT competitions, not so much!

-Y

[Elwood P Dowd]

 Thanks for the advice everyone, hopefully the gun arrives today and I'll be able to check it out to see what I'm working with. First I'll have to give it a good looking over and run a few patches through the barrel to get any gunk out then I'll sit down and take a look at some of the scopes you guys have mentioned here.

[SILENT SQUIRREL]

So like many others I jumped on the deal for a Diana 430L that AOA had but after looking closer at the specs I do believe that it does not come with any optics. I know that with springers especially you need a scope that can handle the front and back recoil but when searching for options I see some scopes specifically say that they are not for use with springers but I don't see any that say they are specifically FOR springers. Can anyone point me in the direction of a nice little budget scope for this thing? The rifle is supposed to arrive tomorrow so I'll asses what all I need then. Honestly I bought my son a Daisy 880 for Christmas and I want him to learn to shoot with iron sights first so I may see what options I have for a set of iron sights on the Diana because I know without a doubt if dad is shooting with a scope he's going to want to use a scope as well, not that I can blame him. And really I would like to have a set of decent iron sights because i enjoy shooting with them as well.
 Anyways thanks for any help.

Good morning Elwood P Dowd
(and that's Elwood with 1 L)
For  rear iron sights may I suggest looking at the Williams FP-AG (or GR) and the Williams 5D-AG (or GR) peep sights.
These mount directly to the dovetail rail on your Diana
Williams also has a notch sight that will fit the dovetail as well (could not find link) and a notch blade for the sights above

Here are some links as the Williams web sight can be cumbersome

If these are of interest, better prices require comparison shopping

Hope this helps

Ed

https://williamsgunsight.com/product/williams-fp-ag/
https://williamsgunsight.com/product/williams-fp-gr/
https://williamsgunsight.com/product/williams-5d-ag/
https://williamsgunsight.com/product/williams-5d-gr/

https://williamsgunsight.com/product/williams-fp-square-notched-blade-only/

[Elwood P Dowd]

[/quote]

For  rear iron sights may I suggest looking at the Williams FP-AG (or GR) and the Williams 5D-AG (or GR) peep sights.
These mount directly to the dovetail rail on your Diana
Williams also has a notch sight that will fit the dovetail as well (could not find link) and a notch blade for the sights above

[/quote]

 Thanks for the recommendations but the problem I will have as was pointed out above is mounting the front sight. I'll have to wait until I have it in my hands to see what options I have for that. I would love to have some nice peep sights but that may require having a machine shop dovetail the end of the barrel.

[truck driver]

Not sure but I can't see why you couldn't just use a front sight off of any of the Diana under levers , maybe a 460 sight will work and then you could use the Williams peep rear sight.

[SILENT SQUIRREL]

For  rear iron sights may I suggest looking at the Williams FP-AG (or GR) and the Williams 5D-AG (or GR) peep sights.
These mount directly to the dovetail rail on your Diana
Williams also has a notch sight that will fit the dovetail as well (could not find link) and a notch blade for the sights above

[/quote]

 Thanks for the recommendations but the problem I will have as was pointed out above is mounting the front sight. I'll have to wait until I have it in my hands to see what options I have for that. I would love to have some nice peep sights but that may require having a machine shop dovetail the end of the barrel.
[/quote]
My apology Elwood P Dowd.
I googled your gun and thought I saw one with a front sight.

This idea may not work on a break barrel  (recoil shock) but I glued one of these to the barrel of a PCP pistol & then installed a globe sight.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/100599682?pid=540365

Ed

[Hoosier Daddy]

Search Amazon for "hammers Magnum Spring rifle scope" it is available in a 32mm and 40mm AO withe their one piece mount.
Best scope for the money IMHO

[joek]

I just put a SIG red dot sight on my D430L, a lightweight option  also there is the Tasco 2.5x10x42 AO for $29 but you need to buy a mount. some have posted that their Diana 430L's required a droop mount. ? fwiw

[BackStop]

I may be in the minority here, but for me, more magnification is not "better".  Not unless you do all your shooting off a sandbagged bench rest.  Unless you have a lot of practice shooting with high power scopes from field positions, my advice would be to go for a 3 - 9X, or even a 2 - 7X.  From less than well grounded rests, high magnification actually makes the air rifle harder to hold "still", rather than easier.

Also, clarity is more important than the size of the image...

Magnification does not make it harder.   It also does not magnify any shakiness.   It simply shows that shakiness (of the shooter) in more/higher detail.   The motion/movement of the shooter is the same!   However, with higher magnification, you SEE how much variation that movement has on the actual target.


With a lower powered scope, you may be only capable of aiming at a tree rat's head.   On higher magnification you might be aiming at a tree rat's eye and at even higher magnification, you might be aiming at the flea on the eyelid of the tree rat's eye... etc.   

It IS harder to get the sight picture on higher power, so if that is a problem, always go for lower powered scopes.


However... the best I can explain it is... Aim Small, Miss Small..... 

If I can't actually SEE it, I can't truly AIM at it.
 
I probably didn't say exactly what I wanted to say, but I think most folks will get my drift.