Target Sports

SPECIAL FEATURE: TOP OPTICAL CHOICES

Created on 27th May 2009

In part two of his feature on airgun scopes, PETE WADESON looks at new companies offering quality products to fit the bill

IN THIS section, we will look at the independent manufacturers, or you could say ‘the new kids on the block.' Some outfits are run by enthusiastic one-man bands with a lot of years' hunting or target shooting experience. These organisations design their own reticles and source components from companies
(often in the Far East) to integrate these into the design of a scope. Three major players are Falcon Optics, MTC Optics and AK Sports Optics. Incidentally, unless stipulated, almost all scopes here outlined come with screw-in sunshade or shades as standard.

Falcon Optics

Without doubt, we are talking high-end optics, true Japanese lens systems in magnification ranges that the airgun hunter requires. At long last, these have not only a Mil-Dot option but also the more practical MP20 reticle.

The range finder has a side-wheel parallax/fine focus facility with an illuminated reticle option of Mil-Dot or MP20. Falcon's debut scope was the Merlin 4-14 X 56IR Hunter Class. They've launched others, including 4-14 X 44 Hunter class with MP20 reticle, and it's these I feel the airgun hunter will find most useful. Despite the latter not having an illuminated reticle facility, they share many common features in build and design.

The Merlin family of scopes is solidly built and packs a lot of features into a compact unit. Though the objective is a sensible 44mm or whopping great 56mm in diameter, both have a 30mm body tube with the optics still being of a length more in line with a general specification optic. A nice trait is the long eye-relief, making it suitable for use with all air rifles and easy to attain a full sight picture even when shooting at awkward angles.

From the rear we have a fast-focus ocular, chunky squat eye-bell with a rheostat above (illuminated model only) to control the brightness (and colour) of the illuminated reticle, then of course the zoom ring. This has thickset ridges and a raised hub to aid operation. All operate smoothly, or firmly, as the operating function dictates. Now we come to the chunky and attractive-looking saddle arrangement. Turret adjusters are classed as ‘sniper-style turrets' with 1/8″ MOA. These click around precisely and though they are uncovered, once set, they have markings so that you can check the lines and numbers still meet up meaning nothing has been moved. In fact, once you've set zero you can slacken off the turret with the Allen key provided, revolve the free-moving turret around until the zero (0) mark on the elevation turret matches the vertical graduated line on the turret body, then nip up with the key.

At the left side of the saddle is a generously-sized sidewheel. This is marked for ranges of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 200 and 300yd and the 00 infinity. The scope uses what is termed as SWIFT: Side Wheel Integrated Focusing Technology. The side-wheel operates impressively, with ranges being very close to those stated. Even better for precision rangers is the 95mm additional sidewheel that comes supplied, with the same graduations but with more space between range marks should you want to add a few of your own. I always prefer to use the original side-wheel as a fine focus to ensure that my guesstimated range isn't too far out. Some will prefer the ‘big wheel,' and it's simple to fit with a practical serrated edge for ease of use.

Reticle design on the larger objective model is a skeletonised Dual-X, but the fine crosshairs have graduated Mil-Dot markings. Set in the first focal plane, the reticle design may appear unusual to most airgunners, but it's actually a practical and usable one. It makes sense to use this configuration on a high-power scope at medium range, as at no time can thick side lower or upper stadia obscure the target. Even when illuminated, the lines and dots in the scale are quite fine, making it easy to obtain a precise aim point.

Considering you get an extra sidewheel in the price as well as two sizes of screw-in sunshades and a lens cloth, I reckon this is a very respectable deal. It looks even better when you consider the company has gone to the trouble of outsourcing the lenses - a major component of any optic. These are multi-coated, and are of Japanese design and engineering. This shows itself in the superb clarity of sight image, even in the lowest of light conditions. As for build and function, I can't fault the Merlin range. And it doesn't end there, as Falcon has gone on to produce new ranges of scopes, namely the Tactical and Menace. There are various sizes of magnification range in each and the Menace has a superb new reticle design that's sure to have punters opening their wallets. High flyers indeed!

Contact: Falcon Optics
T: 01902 847972

MTC Optics

A company making inroads and impressing many is MTC Optics. The scopes are manufactured by Optisan, and distributed in this country by MTC Optics.

There's a growing choice of optics from this independent importer and all have something to offer, but the scopes I'm going to detail are of most interest to airgun hunters - those being the 3-12 X 44IRS, 4-16 X 50IRS and 6-24 X 56IRS. They share the same build specifications and similar parallax adjustment range.

Scopes in the Viper series only differ in the range of magnification and objective lens size, as they share the same 30mm one-piece body tube build with lockable target turrets, side parallax and illuminated reticle. The layout of the rheostat and parallax focus are on the same side-positioned ‘dial' and this design feature works a treat. All scopes come with screw-in metal flip-up scope caps, sunshades and an extra-large sidewheel that simply slips onto the side-parallax dial if required. It is worth praising the saddle arrangement due to its practicality and user-friendly layout. The turrets are stars of the show, as the adjusters are pulled up to adjust impact by 1/8" MOA. Once you've set zero you can simply push them back down and the turret is locked in place - so no worries over knocking an uncovered adjuster and possibly affecting zero.

The next area of praise is the clever integration of the 0-11 setting rheostat dial onto the end of the parallax adjustment/fine focus facility. In essence they morph into one and the same, but once you adjust the level of illumination on the 3V 2302 battery-powered rheostat, the side parallax dial will operate smoothly and unhindered by the addition of the illumination set-up.

On the 3X and 4X you can focus down to 10yd progressing upwards when turned away from you to 15, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500yd and infinity. The 6-24X sensibly starts at 15yd, then progresses as the others. The magnification zoom ring boasts a very pronounced ridging design for ease of grip, as does the fast-focus ocular - both also operate positively and firmly.

The main feature of these scopes is the reticle and in my opinion Optisan, in conjunction with the input of MTC, has devised possibly the finest available for air rifle and even rimfire and some smaller calibre centrefire use.

It has been likened to a ‘modified Mil-Dot' design and I'd also say it looks similar to the MP20, as it uses lines and hash marks instead of dots. This is a design more suited to the air rifle user and one that actually works. The ‘lines' offer 1, ½ and ¼-mil subdivisions, while the centre cross is free-floating and has ½-mil arms. The 3, 9 and 12 o'clock arms are subdivided into 1 and ½-mils, with ¼-mil at the ends. Though the 6 o'clock reticle arm differs, it has the same values as the others but has a ¼-mil measure on the first dot. As it progresses down, the lines on the ladder-style reticle widen to allow for windage adjustment and follow down with 2, 4, 6 and 8mil, having the appearance of an unlinked triangle.

These scopes are top of the range, and in my opinion will take the market by storm. The illuminated reticle is one of the best in terms of retaining sharpness, no matter how high the setting, and the glass used is obviously high-quality as the coated lenses offer a superb sight picture.

These are serious scopes and I for one rate them among the best I've tested in this price bracket. They'd undoubtedly give some scopes costing twice as much a good beating, never mind a run for their money.
Check out the website for offers and exciting new models of sighting systems. MTC Optics certainly looks like a company set to offer great things, especially now they've got a more basic budget range and have garnered the interest from air rifle boundary pushers Daystate to the point of signing a distribution deal with the company.

Contact: MTC Optics
T: 08450 941542

Lightstream - AK Sports Optics

The first thing that struck me on seeing the Lightstream 4.5-14 X 44 from AK Sports Optics was how stylish it looks. Personally, I'm not sure why so many hunters want nothing but low-profile turrets. It's true that they can and do affect where you position a scope-mounted lamping kit, since the lamp often won't fit or fouls on the high turrets, but if you've got a selection of rifles then I'd say dispel those worries if you are considering such a scope for daytime use. In some ways, the scope reminds me of an old favourite - the Simmons ProAir series - particularly due to the length of the once-favoured 6-24X ‘rangefinder', as that scope was so known.
We're not here to go over old ground, though, and this scope from AK Sports Optics is one of the new breed of scopes reputedly aimed at the airgun shooter. This is because of the reticle design, but before looking at these features let's consider the build.

Smooth and sleek are key words here; the ‘drawn out' design proportions give the scope a stretched appearance (15" without optional 4" sunshade). Many hunters prefer magazine-fed multi-shot rifles, and you'll have no problem scooping up with this as the 1" body tube is quite lengthy. The build is one-piece so there are no worries over water ingress; this also applies to the target-style turrets, as they have sturdy waterproof knurled edge cover caps. Once removed, these reveal turret adjusters. They are marked for up and down travel (elevation turret) and for the direction to rotate, altering the windage turret adjuster to the left or right. They are very positive in operation and once set, the vernier calibration ring can be set to zero by unscrewing the Allen screw positioned on the end of each turret, lining up the scale so ‘0' matches the datum mark, and then carefully nip up the Allen screw to fix the vernier in place. So you can use the BDC facility if you're so inclined, but few hunters will, and once you read how the reticle works I doubt many target shooters will either. Incidentally, after a quick look at the comprehensive instruction manual I wasn't surprised to see they offer adjustment of 1/8" at 100yd per click. This of course equates to 1/32" at 25yd. So to say you can set a precise zero is an understatement.

The magnification zoom ring is smooth yet positive, and has a deep-cut ridged outer so operation is easy using gloves or with cold, numb fingers. Staying at the eye, the scope uses the tried and trusted method of an ocular locking ring. Slacken this off, adjust (rotate) the eyepiece to suit your eyesight for a crisp reticle in the sight picture, and then lock back up.

The objective lens housing is again quite lengthy, and even more so with the ‘optional' sunshade fitted. Without the sunshade, the design still allows the adjustable objective to have good-size sides with flat-panel design ridging to aid grip. The parallax AO ring moves securely yet smoothly and is marked for ranges of 10, 20, 30, 75, 100, 200, 300yd and infinity mark. There's room to mark your own mid-way points and more between 20 and 30yd, slightly less between 30 and 50yd. You could scrape usable and helpful range marks between 50 and 75yd, but very few. Then again, if you are using this scope strictly for air rifle this won't be a worry. What will be applauded are the superb multi-coated optics that offer a clear, bright sight image to the very edges of the sight picture. Now we come to the scope's major selling point - the ‘special reticle' that has garnered much interest.

The Lightstream uses a glass-etched Mil-Dot reticle, but the design is such that hash lines have been added that dissect the second dot above centre and the second and fourth below. This in itself doesn't seem much, but for the airgun hunter these can be used to advantage as they not only help range-find but also give useful aimpoints for holdover or holdunder. The lowest hash line is slightly longer than the other two (a full three mil, compared to the two mil of the others) which not only helps determine range but can also be used to bracket the target and provide ‘useful' aim-off points for cross winds.

Of use to the mathematically-minded (and this applies to most standard Mil-Dots), one ‘Mil' is an angular measurement used to determine range for serious military use. For the HFT and FT user, a mil spacing equates to almost 40mm at 45yd, as 40mm is the standard kill-zone for competition knockdowns. Now I think you'll see why target shooters have been able to translate this once-centrefire round reticle to suit our much lower-power, smaller target requirements. As the scope reticle is set on the FFP (First Focal Plane), this means no matter what magnification you are set on it doesn't alter impact or judgement.

Do take note though - you'll have to assess the aimpoints as usual on targets and combine your chosen zero with scope height and pellet weight, as these all have an effect on which dot will suit your aim point for various ranges. On the comprehensive instructions AK Optics supply, they also include a blank trajectory planner, so once you've got your dots on target, log them down. This in itself is a highly laudable feature and possibly the best instructional leaflet I've found with any airgun optic that uses a reticle based on the Mil-Dot design. Something I feel worth mentioning is that the Lightstream scope is manufactured with a system termed as the ‘Unique True Strike System.' As many FT shooters know, a scope's zero can alter slightly with radical changes in temperature. This is overcome by the scope using dual springs in the erector tube - further indication that build quality is of a very high standard.
I've tested this optic in humid conditions right through the harsh cold of winter, and can say I found no discernable change in the zero or trajectory. If there was a change on targets, it was miniscule.

After much use on different calibre air rifles, FAC and a .22LR rimfire I have to say there's something about the scope that endears you to it the more you use it. Granted, you can, as most hunters do, ‘set and forget' after zero and use the reticle for aim points for ranges you've accessed on targets. Then again, you can use the BDC facility as this is a very precise and consistent operator in that department. So AK Optics has managed to build a scope that fulfils roles for both the hunter and target shooter.

In summary, this scope is a hybrid of classic lines with a much more modern sighting facility and integral design features.

Contact: AK Sports Optics
T: 01992 893001

Nikko Stirling

Mentioning Nikko Stirling means breaking my own rule to keep this to the ‘new breed' of airgun scopes from smaller and independent companies. Nikko Stirling was one of the scope brands I first began using. Australian in origin, in 2006 it celebrated its 50th anniversary and amazingly has been producing air rifle optics for 40 of those years, during which time it has continued to develop and manufacture scopes for the ever-demanding air rifle enthusiast.

Nikko produces a host of interesting scopes well-suited to the airgun user specifically targeted at the needs of the general target shooter and hunter.

Many will be aware of the well-established Gold Crown (Airking) range. Choosing a couple from the range to outline for this piece was difficult, but two I feel deserve a closer look, should you prefer a Mil-Dot reticle (the standard Gold Crown feature a Duplex style they term ‘Plex'), are the Nikko Stirling Gold Crown Airking 3-9 X 42AO and 4-12 X 42AO. The latter has an illuminated reticle, which is an advantage when shooting in low light. They come with one-piece mount, amber flip-up lens covers and in a varied selection of magnification ranges. All the ‘Airking' series feature adjustable ocular lenses and withstand recoil from spring guns - one of the reasons many older airgun enthusiasts have stayed true to the brand. The two I've picked out are of more general use and are suited to air rifle shooters wanting to get a dependable scope at a reasonable price. Both have smooth-operating rubber grip ridged magnification zoom rings and front adjustable objective housings. The housing is marked off for 10m, 15, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 200 and the 00 infinity mark. You'll have to pull off the rear flip-up scope cover to access the fast-focus ocular adjustment, and turret adjusters are ¼" MOA. Hidden and protected under easy-grip screw-on cover caps, they operate assuredly and precisely. Lenses give good sight pictures in a variety of conditions.

Next up, I must also mention the Nighteater range. In both 1" and 30mm body tube configurations, the series more suited for airgun use are the latest models to feature l LRX reticle - again in the preferred FFP. They are not unlike a Christmas tree in design, with the apex being the smallest ‘hash' mark. Just above the centre crosshair, there are five marks in varying increments, then four below that look as though they form a stand for the ‘tree' design. Initially designed for fullbore, they focus down to 10yd so are very useful for the airgun user, who can just transfer the hash lines for pellet drop and for impact over bullet drop that is calibrated for the shooter. This is illustrated in a chart that comes with these scopes - working from the chart shows that each line after you've zeroed for a specific calibre denotes a drop in inches. So you just need to know the trajectory (or amount of bullet/pellet drop of your ammunition). At 100yd the distance between the centre and the first horizontal bar is 1". The second bar is at 2" distance, then each bar is a further 2" at 100yd. Granted, these are rough estimates you use for firearms, particularly centrefire calibres, but they correspond well once you've sorted the aim points on target cards to airgun ranges. So though not strictly an airgun scope, it's turned out to be a practical reticle for those prepared to do their homework on the target range. The low profile turrets have neat screw-on cover caps and, once revealed, adjust impact by ¼" MOA. Most models have a side focus facility, and they focus down from 10yd passing through 15, 25, 35, 50, 100, 200, 500yd and 00 infinity. There's an optional sidewheel available for you to mark off your own range markings for total precision. Another scope of interest in the Nikko Stirling range are the FT reticle, one that again uses hash lines but not based on the milradian scale, rather these equate to 50mm at 100m. Then there's the scope that won the 2005 USFT PCP National Championship used by Billy Lo. This is a beast of a scope with a spec of 10-50 X 60mm. It is fitted with either a Mil-Dot or Nato RF reticle. The latter reticle I find particularly interesting. It has a big 30mm body tube, precise 1/8" MOA target adjusters and a side wheel. This is one that nicely ends this feature as it firmly steps into the world of National FT shooting.

Contact: Highland Outdoors Ltd
T: 01858 410683