Cheap, "all purpose" short range scope?

[markjs]

I'm probably asking for trouble with this...

Anyway I have several airguns, cheap stuff, so far no PCPs and no springers, and I shoot mostly open sights.  Right now the only scope I have is a Daisy 880 stock 4x15 lol.

Anyway I don't need anything fancy at all. Just would like something simple, reliable and easy to work with. I don't intend to use it on any springers. I will get scopes specifically suited if I get a springer.

Just something around the $50 or less range that's good for a maximum of likely 75 yards, and usually 50 or less. I don't need any super fancy features, just something I can move from my 1077, to my 362, to maybe my 1322/home made backpacker, when I want to shoot with a scope.  I guess I should add, everything I have will be 11mm dovetail like you find on a 1077 or Crosman Steel breech. I'd also prefer something that comes with mounting rings, so there's no worry about fit or compatibility and extra expense. Thanks.

[Yogi]

Will your cheap airguns be able to shoot out to 75 yards?
Do you need a 10 yard parallax?

-Y

[markjs]

Will your cheap airguns be able to shoot out to 75 yards?
Do you need a 10 yard parallax?

-Y

None currently would be likely too accurate at that range. Probably 50 is the limit for good accuracy, though I may get guns that can.

IDK what 10 yard paralax means?  I have to say I am a scope luddite. I have sighted in a scope exactly twice ever, and found it to be an annoying and tedious process, but doable.

[Lt. Dan]

IMO a cheap scope is the ultimate waste of money.

[WobblyHand]

IMO a cheap scope is the ultimate waste of money.

Sad but so true.  They're dimmer, more fragile, and less adjustable.  Reasonable optics cost a little more.  Great optics are a lot more.  Definitely a you get what you paid for situation. 

[mobilehomer]

This one. Not great, but not bad, either. Around $50 to fit your budget.

https://winchesterairrifles.com/product/2-7x32-rifle-scope-ao/

On Amazon this is $49. For some reason, I can't post the Amazon link.

[Ike the GSD]

I have a 4x32 TASCO AIR, they cost like $40.00 at Natchez Shooters Supply It's been a really good scope, I've had it on my Diana 350 for a while and it's held up great. The glass is surprisingly clear for a cheap scope, the only thing that might turn people off is that it has duplex crosshairs.

https://www.natchezss.com/tasco-air-rifle-rifle-scope-4x32-1-sfp-truplex-non-illum-black-with-rings-box

[lefteyeshot]

Few years ago I started buying two particular scopes at Walmart figuring they would be easy to exchange if they broke but so far none have. A Centerpointe 3-9x32 mildot lum 1" tube and a Simmons Protarget 3-9x32 mildot 30mm tube. I don't believe you need AO out to 50-65yards. Just something else to break. The Centerpointe Is usually about $50 but on sale for $40.45 and the Simmons is $50-55. Usually in stock at the stores.

[Rick67]

This one. Not great, but not bad, either. Around $50 to fit your budget.

https://winchesterairrifles.com/product/2-7x32-rifle-scope-ao/

On Amazon this is $49. For some reason, I can't post the Amazon link.

A lot of folks have been happy with them.

Good magnification, size, and has an AO to boot 👍

The Centerpoint 3-12x44 is also nice, much bigger though and has a 30mm tube and weaver/picatinny rings instead of dovetail:


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Crosman-Centerpoint-3-12x44mm-Ptl-Rifle-Scope/578419421


Something to consider if you want to “ splurge” a bit.

[Bentong]

Try here👈 clear glass just get the right rings for your shooters

[Back_Roads]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274856220078?
 This Prism is darn nice for the price, link to my review. https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=215162.0

[Rick67]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274856220078?
 This Prism is darn nice for the price, link to my review. https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=215162.0

….or

https://www.crosman.com/centerpoint-1-5-6x32mm-plt-riflescope


CODE: COMEBACK2022

[bchannell]

I would look into CenterPoint scopes. I have a 4-16X that is a really, REALLY fine scope. I guarantee if you could use it you would be amazed at how well it works, tracking is great and the only real downside is it is a bit dark at 16X, and the reticle is a bit thick. Neither of these complaints are anything to get excited about, as they are minor, not deal breakers. I've seen worse scopes at more than twice the price. I'm sure CP makes lower mag scopes that would work. Also, the Hawke Vantage 4X is good. You can find several Simmons 4X scopes on ebay too. If you go 3-9X, then there's a ton of them around. UTG if you get a good one, is pretty decent, but hit or miss. Hawke Vantage 3-9X is good. Lots of cheap scopes that work well without breaking the bank.
Believe me, I've been where you are now and looked through a lot of scopes.
Good luck

[Back_Roads]

 I always forget to make mention of the budget crossbow scopes they have been reported to hold up to springers also. They are a good option for pcp or pumpers too. I have a couple on my lego builds.

[Blowpipe Sam]

I'll stick my oar in for the Winchester branded 4X32 AO scopes.  I've got two of the 4X and four of the 3-7X32 variables.  Cheap.  Better clarity to the glass than you would expect for the price.  The AO calibration is reasonably correct.  Tough.  I've got one 4X on a Hatsan mod 135.  IMO the best dirt cheap scope available.

[2A Georgia]

I would look into CenterPoint scopes. I have a 4-16X that is a really, REALLY fine scope. I guarantee if you could use it you would be amazed at how well it works, tracking is great and the only real downside is it is a bit dark at 16X, and the reticle is a bit thick. Neither of these complaints are anything to get excited about, as they are minor, not deal breakers. I've seen worse scopes at more than twice the price. I'm sure CP makes lower mag scopes that would work. Also, the Hawke Vantage 4X is good. You can find several Simmons 4X scopes on ebay too. If you go 3-9X, then there's a ton of them around. UTG if you get a good one, is pretty decent, but hit or miss. Hawke Vantage 3-9X is good. Lots of cheap scopes that work well without breaking the bank.
Believe me, I've been where you are now and looked through a lot of scopes.
Good luck

CenterPoint +1

[markjs]

IMO a cheap scope is the ultimate waste of money.

Why would anyone spend over $100 on a short range air rifle's scope, for a gun that cost $100?

If I had a nice PCP to put this on, your take might make sense, but TBH, any scope I got with my Hatsans, would have been just fine on a lower end pumper or CO2 rifle.  I just don't have any rifles that came with scopes, so was looking for something affordable just to up the accuracy on my 362.  It doesn't need to be the sniper's choice to punch paper targets at 20-50 yards. I don't have tons of spare money to spend on it either.

Perhaps the best idea yet, would be to advertise here, and someone will probably sell me a scope that came with some springer they bought, that they put a much better scope on. Probably get one for little more than shipping that would suit my current humble needs. Maybe I will try that...

Currently my only scope is a 4x15 that came with a Daisy 880s from Walmart. Works fine on the Daisy, unless it's low light, then it's useless...

Really wish I had not lost my van. I  had a van with a bunch of stuff in it get towed and was unable to make bail for it. I had a couple of scopes that came on Hatsans in there....

[lefteyeshot]

Centerpointe 3-9x32 mildot lum Walmart $40.45.

[Moke]

This one. Not great, but not bad, either. Around $50 to fit your budget.

https://winchesterairrifles.com/product/2-7x32-rifle-scope-ao/

On Amazon this is $49. For some reason, I can't post the Amazon link.

I bought one of these for my Crosman 2100 multi-pumper.  I then mounted it to my Crosman 2289 that replaced the 2100 when it died.
This scope has lived for at least 10 years on my multi-pumpers, and thousands of slams on pumping them up.
It has never known an existence where it didn't get slammed at least 10 times for each shot. And it has worked flawlessly. Its still taking out lots of Rats and Mice.

[splitbeing]

The 2-7ao. You will need the ao. 2-7x is lightweight, will look right on those rifles that are smaller, and is plenty of magnification for the ranges you'll likely be at.  I got some hawke's on sale and haven't tried the winchesters, but that's what I'd get in the situation you describe,