Do I Need A Variable Power Scope for Hunting Out To 30 Yards?

[JD]

I've got a 4 - 16x Centerpoint on one of my rimfires and I have to keep it on 4 or maybe 6x in order to find the squirrels through the scope. More magnification than that and I can't find the buggers in time. Once they're found, if they're stationary and it looks like I might have a few seconds before they're gone I like to crank the magnification up. The higher it is, the more accurate I am.

I'd get the variable power. You don't have to use it but if you decide you'd like a closer look you're able.

[Bryan Heimann]

That's a good point about magnification.  A hatsan 95 or most other spring guns are limited to about 30-40 yards with accuracy and trajectory.  Plus most of your shots on squirrels in the woods are probably gonna be in within the ballpark of 20 yards.  More than 4x magnification will make it hard to line up on a squirrel darting about the trees this close.

[EMrider]

For hunting I just set my 4-12x scopes at 5x or 6x mag and leave them alone.  That is plenty for my hunting needs out to 50 yards.

R

[DavidS]

Some people prefer better.   Though for me out to 35 yards I use a fixed power 4x scope, now get past 35 yards and I will use a CenterPoint 4-16x40 AO scope at 6 power to 60 yards and 8 power to 100 yards.

[Methuselah]

I see it's not a brand spanking new post, but it's a very high-profile question that in my little mind rises to the level of sticky note.

Range 30 yards, hunting, an "ultra-magnum" 30 fpe scope eating monster, now that's one really good question 

It came with a 3-9, and I see from your other posts they upgraded you to an AO?  The Optima scopes from experience and what I've read can't stand up to the(se) Hatsans...  so, first I gotta suggest getting one that will, and I noted from another of your posts you have a 760 you can use it on?  At least on there it might hold up.

Now my .02 which, BTW is no better than all the rest of the fine advice already in the thread.  I agree with all of it really for the most part, but wanted to add just a little.

The one you originally had was (just barely) OK.  I didn't see anyone point out however, you can adjust the paralax on them.  If adjusted far and finding it way off close up, moving close to the eyepiece will get you centered at the expense of the time it takes to do it.  My Optima 3-9X32 is on my Daisy 880.  Paralax is adjusted to about 25 yards.

But for 30 yards I also agree a scope isn't needed.  I have hit 40's without one (until the screws shoot loose) - with one big caveat - if the target were a small finch or house sparrow I would not be able to tell the difference!  I need the scope more to see than I need it to shoot...

In the end, my recommendation;  take that Optima off the Hatsan and put it on the 760 (if it's already dead, Hatsan will send you a replacement, it's not like you're dealing with Umarex), get you something that suits your eyesight.  4X if good young eyes and you feel you must have a scope, 2-7 or 3-9 if you plan on being able to stack pellets inside 30 yards, and AO is nice but understand paralax for yourself and you will come to your own decision readily enough.

Also I think maybe it wasn't made clear, the larger the objective lens the more light it lets in, but I have 32's and a 44mm and in the daytime I don't see enough difference that i would reach for my wallet to make the choice, I got the 44mm lens cause it came on the scope with the etched graticule...

Like I said, I know by this time you are already getting used to what you have, but I also really don't believe that it will stand up to that magnum for very long and at least wanted to let you know Hatsan will stand by the warranty on it if (when) it goes.

[rsterne]

I use a 4x32AO on my Grouse gun, set the focus to 20 yards, and never touch it in the field unless the image of the target is blurry because it is closer than 10 yards or further than 35 yards, which covers 90% of my shots.... Over 100 grouse and lots of rabbits (and counting) over the past few years, so it must be working....

Bob

[river drifter]

Thanks for all the info guys!

So far the free Optima 3-9x40AO that Hatsan sent me is holding up great. It has already lasted longer than the 3-9x32 that the gun came with. I'll keep this scope until it dies, than replace it with a better quality 3-9x40AO.