Air Rifle Scopes That Work

To maximize the performance of an air rifle, attaching a scope is one of the most obvious and basic upgrades you can make. Scopes allow for a higher degree of accuracy, due to their magnification of the target and cross-hair targeting. The mantra, "You get what you pay for" is especially true in air rifle scopes. More expensive models feature better magnification and clearer targeting. They can even adjust for wind, distance and elevation on the fly.

  1. NC Star 3-9x40

    • Toward the bottom end of the price range for scopes is the NC Star 3-9x40. This is a variable scope, with the capability to increase magnification from three to nine times on the fly. It has a 40mm objective lens, allowing in more light for a clearer, brighter picture. The scope has a rubber shield coating to help prevent scrapes and other damage under heavy use. The tube diameter is 28mm with an overall length of just over a foot. The mounting rings are weaver style, allowing for some adjustability.

    BSA Night Hunter

    • The BSA Night Hunter is a mid-priced offering in the world of air gun scopes. It features a laser sight and flashlight attachments that aid in nighttime hunting by increasing accuracy and illumination in the dark. These attachments come with pressure sensitive switches for easy, convenient use. The scope itself is a 3-9x40. These means available magnification is from three to nine times, and the objective lens is 40mm. The bigger objective lens makes the target image clearer and brighter. The scope has a single-point mounting structure for greater stability.

    BSA Stealth Tactical

    • The Stealth Tactical from BSA is a top-end scope. It features a 4-16x44 magnification, making it possible to see far-away targets very up close. The larger than normal objective lens means the up-close view through the scope won't look fuzzy and dim. The scope has a push/pull turret system for easy, intuitive adjustments on the fly. While it doesn't come with built-in mounting hardware, the maker recommends a 1-inch-tall single-point mounting system. The scope also has weatherproofing to prevent the lenses from fogging or getting water damage in wet conditions.