I was recently asked about my preferences in scopes for hunting with an airgun. While in general, I do adhere to the principle of getting the best glass you can afford, the answer is a bit more nuanced. In this post, I’m going to focus more on key attributes I look for rather than a specific model/brand of scope.
One of my favorite scopes for long range shooting these days is the MTC King Cobra FFP scope.
My preferences are driven by the rifle the scope is being mounted on, the range at which it will be used, the balance between bright and low light conditions I expect to encounter, and the size of my quarry’s kill zone.
For the guns I will use on small or medium game at closer ranges (<60 yards), my preference is for a more compact scope design, with a 1” or 30 mm tube, a 40 mm objective, and low-profile turrets. Variable magnification is preferable to fixed magnification, and I think a 3-9x scope covers the range of potential field uses, from small game at 10 yards to the occasional stretch at 60 or 70 yards. The thing that puts me off high magnification scopes (for this application) is that they tend to be larger, heavier, and require more time to adjust in typical small game hunting scenarios.
I think a 32–40 mm objective lens is good for this application, with 40 mm the best overall choice because it balances brightness, weight, and low mounting height. It typically supports good light transmission for dawn/dusk squirrel or rabbit hunting, and works well at a 3-9 x scope magnification, which I consider the sweet spot for this type of setup. When I am in the Northern woods after squirrels or snowshoe hare, it is not unusual to walk several miles in rough terrain or thick brush, so keeping the hunting rig light and compact is a primary requirement in my estimation. The larger dimension of a higher magnification scope without the actual need for the higher magnification capability is hard for me to justify.
A compact scope like the Hawke AirMax isis the perfect option on a compact hunting rifle.
On the other hand, when I am putting together a longer-range rig for prairie dogs or groundhogs, there is a lot to be said for a higher magnification scope on my hunting rifle. These requirements vary in a couple of important ways from the small game rig already described. I am often shooting between 75 to 150 yards when out after prairie dogs, and the guns I use for this tend to be longer, heavier, and not carried long distances compared to my standard rig. So, a heavier scope is not a hindrance, and in fact can help stabilize a gun typically shot from a bipod. The high magnification is useful in imaging a sub-inch kill zone on a prairie dog 125 yards away, and any reduction in low light capabilities is mitigated by the fact that most of this shooting is done in bright daylight.
With respect to FFP vs SFP, I like both and use both, but again find this depends on the use case. Based on the two use cases discussed above, my preference for a standard small game rigs is an SFP scope. The reticle visibility stays thick at low magnification, making it easier to see in brush, shadows, and early morning light. I find that this provides fast target acquisition—critical for shooting small game that is constantly moving. Also, at the sub-60-yard ranges, a Simple holdover at your chosen zero magnification is fast and easy to use. I find that when using a through-scope camera, the FFP reticles can become too thin at low power, and some of my shooting buddies find this true for woodland hunting in general. FFP scopes tend to be more expensive, which is harder to justify for a gun primarily intended for close-range shooting.
But there are times when FFP is useful. For long-range airgun shooting (60–150 yards) where consistent subtensions at any magnification matter, they allow a more consistent and precise shot placement. This is especially true when coupled with optimized reticles that can provide accurate scaling. As mentioned, my long-range shooting rigs are used in an environment where I don’t mind the extra weight and size of a high-magnification FFP scope. And in these scopes, I am fine with a larger 44 mm or 50 mm objective that requires high-profile mounts.
For most airgun hunting, the best reticles are the ones that help you make fast, accurate shots at varying distances, often in imperfect light and on small targets. Unlike benchrest, hunting demands speed, visibility, and simple, reliable holdover estimation. While reticles are a point of personal preference to some degree, I like an uncluttered system, yet one that still has adequate aimpoints. For scopes on my standard small game guns, I like a BDC or a mil-dot reticle. They are simple to use, quick to deploy, and typically easy to see in low-light conditions. On my long-range rigs, I will often use more exotic configurations such as a Christmas tree reticle, which, when paired to an FFP scope, is extremely precise though a bit more fidgety.
Again, these are broad considerations when selecting the scopes for my rifles. Once you find a scope that has good quality glass with good light transmission characteristics, tactile and stable windage and elevation controls, and an AO that is easily adjusted on the fly, consider the other characteristic we discussed to decide what best fits your needs. There are a lot of quality scopes out there for airgunners these days, and I use a lot of MTC and Hawke scopes myself. They have gained my confidence over the years for their performance, reliability, and build quality, and while not inexpensive, they are reasonably priced and provide good value for money.
