how much scope magnification for airguns?

[Ribbonstone]

Gets a little odd…..but can shoot paper real well with a lower power scope and the right target size.  Does get to where you are NOT aiming at the little center, but judging how well you can quarter ythe  black circle (sometimes a square center works out better).


The low powered scopes actually group well on that kind of target at much farther range than you expect (increase target size until you get that nice even “quartering” effect).

Adjust the target size, can make good groups out to 60-75 yards (at least...that’s just my limit).

Doesn’t work out as well on odd shaped, dull colored targets (like critters/ fur against nearly the same color back ground).

Makes a kind of sense if you think of match aperture type olympic sights.  They are not aiming directly at the target center...are aiming at the outside of the known sized black bullseye.  It's more like a hole (aperture) to a hole (front sight) to a circle (target) at a known range.  Everything “fits” together, and your error is basically nothing, even though you are judging your aim by the fit of the outside edge of the circles.


A word about aperture/peep sights.  The only light your eye gets is whatever passes through the hole in the aperture.  They not so good in dim light or sorting out dull fur from dull tree bark.

[Rick67]

With a very fine crosshair ( Clearidge or Leupold), I seem to be most accurate at 5x to 6x at 25 yards.

Well, 25 yards is what I have at home 😋