I was working on some prairie rats on Sunday with my Beeman Crow Magnum .20cal and the scope finally puked.

It's shooting two distinct groups at 50yds, several inches apart. Left, right, right, left, right, right, left, left, right, It's done.

This rifle is still shooting 13.73gr pellets at 866fps so it kicks pretty hard but it works so well for my needs I don't want to retire it.

Barry has nudged me to get a PCP but I just don't use an air rifle enough to justify another platform.

So I'm wondering what you're using on a hard kicking air rifle.

Thinking of the Hawke Airmax 4-12x40 AO but I don't know anybody that's shot one.

Thanks!

Looking for the same information myself.

Have a SWFA 10X MMQ on my FWB 300S and a 10X MQ on a FWB 124D. No pukes yet. Don't expect any....

This is what I use as well, on my RWS 48 and my Feinwerkbau 300S. Never had a problem, and the close focusing makes them easy to use under 20m.

I've got two SWFA MQ on centerfire rifles and just sold the other a month ago, Rats, Timing is everything!

I think I'll shop for the appropriate mount/rings and transplant a 10xMQ.

Thanks for the replies, Gentlemen!

I really like this RWS mount, it has worked well on both of my air rifles:

https://www.amazon.com/Umarex-23005...mp;psc=1&refRID=VFA1DN9CQ7JDJWEW57Y3

I had a Bushnell Trophy XLT 4-12 AO on a RWS 54 for 1000 shots or so without issue. It's springer rated. Anything that isn't, except maybe the SWFA is a crapshoot. My 54 is on irons now, but a SWFA MQ 6x would be perfect, I think. If I ever get a PCP, that'll be the scope, plenty of power and a perfect reticle.

A Bushnell Trophy 4-12 AO is the scope that finally puked but I can't fuss too much as It's lasted for many tins of pellets.

I was planning to swap to an SWFA but this rifle has integral scope base/rings and 30mm base are not available so It'll have to stay 1".

I've put an Ultradot 1" on it for now but will likely install a Hawke Airmax 4-12x40AO . I like to have some holdover dots.


Pappy, Are you getting more used to the weight of the 54? They're a Great springer!

I've got three different Hawke brand scopes, and think highly of them for the coin involved. They've got a US headquarters with a live (helpful) person on the other end too.

I've got some SWFA's but haven't put them on an airgun yet.

I bought a Hawke Panorama 4-12x40 for my RWS 350, and I think it's the same as the Airmax you're considering except with the IR option.

I'm having too much fun with my 350 and iron sights, so I'm currently considering an RWS 48 right now to mount the scope on, so I can leave my 350 with irons.


Edited to add:
I just ordered a 48 in .22cal.

I've had good luck with Bushnell Elites and Leupolds on spring guns. I'm thinking about trying a Nikon EFR on my next one.

Hawke

I limit myself to 5 or so offhand shots at a time. The rifle sits on a table in the basement, so all I have to do is pick it up, load it, and let fly at the trap. For accuracy testing or more shots, I have a dandy tripod cradle that I put on top of a chest freezer at the firing line. Next up is building a putty block trap for use outdoors. The steel trap is pretty noisy, as is the 54. Since the front sight slides on a ramp, I should be able to go from the 10 yard basement sight setting to whatever range I pick outside by moving it down. The rear sight is an old Redfield peep that fits the dovetail.

I'm thinking about a PCP myself, due to the springer's limitations for field use (mostly noise) and for the convenience.

I tried the PCP thing for awhile, but got tired of dealing with hand pumps and/or SCUBA or SCBA tanks. PCP's with a moderator are pretty quite, but try one without and you'll find them louder than spring guns!

My PCP's are very quiet without moderators but you have to use heavy enough pellets to make sure they don't shoot supersonic. They certainly aren't louder than the RWS I got rid of because of the noise. With moderators they are not as loud a cough. 5 of the 6 wear Hawkes and 1 has a Zeiss. There are no heavy springs banging around and no recoil for a scope to deal with.

I got the new Hawke Airmax 4-12 AO mounted this weekend and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Zeroed at 50yds and held up 4.5 mil to hit at 100yds and held down 2 mil and right on the button at 25yds.

I didn't evaluate it too closely (I was looking for varmints) but it simple, solid and clear.

The reticle is fine enough to to be precise but it's easy to see and use too.

AO worked well and the eyepiece focused with no issues.

If it holds up I'll be a happy prairie rat shooter.

If I was shooting more than 15-20 shots at a session a PCP would make more sense to me but I have rimfires and centerfires that'll do my higher volume shooting.