Scope for 853\953? 4x15 straight tube?

[JonnyReb]

 Just wondering what scopes you guys like on your Daisy single pumpers? I just received an 851 today, which is a sporterized, daisy barreled model made in the early 80's..i'd like to scope it i think but can't imagine putting a modern variable on it, don't want or need the magnification and don't want to overburden the rifle with a top heavy scope.

  Wasn't sure if i should do so but i have considered the el cheapo 4x15 straight tube daisy hanging on walmart shelves..its what this rifle would have been equipped with as an original..i haven't tried one since 1979 or 80 myself when i had one on a 760xl..are they any better now than they used to be?  Not looking for 15.00 optics really but do like the nostalgia of it all.

  If thats not a good idea, any suggestions? Never would be shooting it more than 15-20 yards.. thanks!   j.

[JonnyReb]

 Went for it and picked up one of the tiny tubes this am, splurged and got the Tasco 3x7x20 

  Came home inbetween service calls (work) and quickly mounted the little scope up..was surprised at a few things. One is i could actually see through it, from 3 power all the way up to 7 it did ok, a bit dark and the FOV is narrow but for 15.00.. it did ok. Sighted in off the back steps and darned if it wasn't off by a good bit but the turrets allowed for enough adjustment and within 10 or so shots i was dead on at 25 feet. The little scope even has the old "tv" view i remember from old tascos and redfields from the 70's..kinda neat and i honestly don't see any reason to change it so long as it holds up. Will put a bunch more shots through it this evening and see how it does.  J.

[JonnyReb]

 Put a few dozen daisy wadcutters through the little rifle and was suitably impressed. Did 10 shots at 10 yards and ate the center out of a drawn bullseye, really was only a 1\2" group but it was offhand so i was pretty pleased with it. At 20 yards things opened up a bit but still, the scope and rifle did good. Supposedly the 851 was only made from 82-84', is a neat old gun and i like the little scope too. Will run it over a chrony but as i can see the pellets through the scope, not seing much more than 450-500fps..maybe not even that. Do wish i had an english sparrow infestation though..

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z252/xxjonnyrebxx/20140408_200515.jpg

http://s195.photobucket.com/user/xxjonnyrebxx/media/20140408_200515.jpg.html

[longdx]

Glad to see it is working out for you. It is a neat gun and I think your scope choice is perfect for that gun. I bought a cheapo 4 x 15 scope for my Crosman 2100 and it works pretty well (although I would like a better scope eventually, this is working well for my indoor basement range)

[45Bravo]

I put the same tasco on my 953.
It was ok, but like you said narrow field..

I dug through my junk box and put a 3.5x 10  40mm Side focusing rifle scope from some past air soft rifle I owned at one time.

It barely focuses down to 33 ft, and at 35 ft it is clear all the way to 10x.

It is neat watching tictacs just disappear in a cloud when hit.

.22 empty rimfire brass are easy targets out to 20 yards..

Or squashing the ants from 35ft, that climb the target stand to follow the powdered sugar..

Sometimes there is just no substitute for magnification...

 

[JonnyReb]

 Hey i can't argue 45Bravo, do dig magnification on other rifles but this one is such a mild and lightweight plinker ...plus its pretty sharp looking,, i might go with a bigger scope eventually,, but not much bigger

  Matt i'm just thrilled with the rifle .. wouldn't have thought it but i'm taken with everything from its looks to its predictability. With the limited supply of .177 pellets i have  been surprised at the 1" 23 yard groups it showed me today , is quite possible its a real tackdriver, will know when the jsb's come. Was kinda regretful to break in the 30+ year old rifle but i got it done. Even scraped the yellow "rifled barrel" sticker off the barrel and oiled the metal for the first time since it got stuck on  have run several hundred shots through it..it hates Daisy pointed pellets but likes the Match just fine.

 Is really one of the best feeling rifles i've shouldered in quite some time, wish they made an 800fps version. Just curious, is their an equivelent metal pump made to fit this gun? Was shocked initially to see that fiberglass\plastic handle, would swap it for metal in a hearbeat and then call it the perfect backyard airgun...

[45Bravo]

Hmm, my 953 has a metal receiver, and pump handle..

And it is indeed, one of the best feeling rifles I have shouldered in a while.

I don't even mind the short length of pull.

With my current scope, it just FEELS right..

[big_o_lar]

I know i'm gonna get lamed but[3x9x50 ao Hawke]

[JonnyReb]

Hmm, my 953 has a metal receiver, and pump handle..

And it is indeed, one of the best feeling rifles I have shouldered in a while.

I don't even mind the short length of pull.

With my current scope, it just FEELS right..

  Really? What year is your 953? I'd assume parts are still available for it, wonder if  this rifle can use the 953 handle...hmm, this i need to find out.

  Is either of your 2 daisys metal handled O'Lar? Sweet looking rigs both and i can't blame you a bit for your choice of scope..that 3x9 Hawke is one of my very favorites and not heavy at all, bet it balances out fine and works even better.

[big_o_lar]

JonnyReb i thought the 953 was polymer but there both metal.

[K.O.]

My 953 is wearing a 4x15 right now I do prefer the 3-7x20 they work very well for me , I have a couple on my 1322 and 1322MLT.  If 25

yards and under I like peep sights.

[JonnyReb]

JonnyReb i thought the 953 was polymer but there both metal.

  Arghhh   i must be the only one. I think i read somewhere that all the 851's were fiberglass handled. That and the Daisy made barrel ( as opposed to the Walther lothar) means that this must hve been an inexpensive "sporter" rifle but darned if it isn't an accurate lil bugger.. Will leave it as it is i guess for now but will obtain a metal handle eventually, for sure.

  Kirby i think some folks would be fairly amazed by the tiny "straight" scopes, the Tasco 3x7 at least. I've just been out on the back steps popping easy 1" groups at my 23 yard range. Only reason its 1" is me, the scope and rifle are dead on and don't vary from day to day like my springers, i'm weaving back and forth off an unsteady knee rest on the back porch., but with a solid rest bet i cut those groups in half...and that just with the cheap daisy pellet. The scope did good right up till twilight, finally it went dark but darned if its not pretty clear and seems solid so far. Hard as it is to believe, i'd buy another cheap 15.00 tasco without reservation for an inexpensive rifle with little recoil. It would work just fine i think. Still really like that semi oval'ed "tv view. Would like that on more scopes.

  This Daisy is the perfect backyard plinker, has really opened my eyes to Daisy and some of their other products..am scoping out that weird rainbow colored laminate stocked Avanti Co2 now... after bigbores and various pcp's..i'm surprised to be enjoying mild paper punchers so much.   J.

[big_o_lar]

if your going co2 check out some of the Chinese Industry Brand QB78 Air Rifles.

[Deechord]

I have an 880 Medalist...been thinking about getting one of those straight scopes. It's a tack driver with the peep sights. Just a fun little gun.

[JonnyReb]

  I wouldn't hesitate Dee, although i only say that because they are so inexpensive. My tasco is still holding perfectly and i'm using it every day. Shot my best groups so far today, 1" @ 35 yards and  easy 1\2" at my regular 23 yard range. All 5 shot too.  While that was excellent i did see where the mildots of a nicer scope would have come in handy...other that that i couldn't really ask for much more. Looks-wise its no beauty but it does work well.

  Am amazed at the accuracy of the 851. If this is a Daisy barrel, i can't imagine what the Lothar would be like.  J.

[Deechord]

Jonny...followed your lead...got that little Tasco for my Avanti.  Beats the 10 meter peep...especially out to 30 yds.