Our Top Picks For The Best Air Rifle Scopes You Should Consider

Upgrading your air rifle with a scope will improve your aim, whether you use it for target practice or small game hunting. Find out more about selecting the right scope for your air gun and take a look at our product recommendations to find a scope adapted to your needs and budget.

We looked at a few different things when selecting and rating scopes:

• Durability: We chose scopes that are durable enough to withstand the vibration and recoil of an air rifle.
• Magnification: We included scopes with different magnification ranges and looked for fixed and variable scopes to give you more options to choose from.
• Objective lens size: We looked for scopes with different objective lens sizes so you can find a scope adapted to your needs.
• Price range: We compared air rifle scopes in different price ranges to help you find the right fit for your budget. There is no need to spend several hundreds of dollars on a scope you will use occasionally.

​This is the best entry-level scope we could find. The Daisy Powerline 4x15 scope is ideal if you use your air rifle occasionally or want a budget scope.

The 4x magnification fits a wide range of uses. The 15mm objective lens doesn’t add any unnecessary weight to the scope.

You can easily install this scope since it is compatible with a standard dovetail mount. It is shockproof and will still deliver optimal visibility in foggy conditions.

You can adjust the elevation and windage of the scope. Note that the scope features a standard cross-hair reticle. This air rifle scope doesn’t have any advanced features, but it is a great value for the price.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

​We recommend this scope for shooting in low-light settings and for air rifles with recoil. This air rifle scope is an investment, but the durable, shockproof build justifies the price tag.

You can adjust the magnification from 3 to 9x, which makes this scope suitable for a wide range of uses. The 40mm objective lens is also adjustable.

The scope is ideal for low-light settings thanks to the 95 percent light transmission feature and color enhancement and illumination. We like the fact that you can turn the illumination off with the touch of a button.

The reticle is also worth mentioning. This scope is equipped with a mil-dot ¼ reticle. Each click corresponds to a hundred yards.

You can adjust the parallax to get a more precise aim and will benefit from a field of view that ranges from 34.5 to 11.5.’

The eye relief is another interesting feature. You can use this scope at a 3.9” distance, which makes it ideal for an air rifle with significant recoil.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

​Cabela’s offers a quality mid-range air rifle scope. We like this product because you can choose between two magnification options.

You can opt for the 4x32 model if you want a fixed scope or get the 2-7x32 model if you want a variable one. The 4x32 model is more affordable and has better eye relief compared to the variable model.

However, the 2-7x32 model has an impressive field of view of 130’ at 100 yards. You can adjust the objective lens on both models, and we think these scopes deliver excellent transmission thanks to the lens coating used.

Both scopes feature a duplex reticle for better visibility and have ¼ MOA turret adjustments for the different controls.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

​This is one of the best air rifle scopes for small game hunting since the turrets aren’t exposed. The cross-hair reticle is designed for optimal visibility, and you can adjust the magnification from 2 to 7x.

The 32mm objective lens is also adjustable, and the scope features windage and elevation controls. We liked the sturdy shock-proof design of the scope. The fast focus eyepiece is an interesting feature that could make a difference for beginners.

This affordable scope comes with the dovetail rings you need to attach it to your air rifle. Overall, we think this scope is an excellent buy given the magnification range and sturdy design.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

​This is one of the most versatile scopes we found since the magnification ranges from 3 to 12x. The mil-dot reticle is another feature worth mentioning since it allows for very precise adjustments.

The 40mm adjustable objective lens is slightly larger than the other air rifle scopes we looked at, but this would be an advantage for long-range shooting. The field of view varies from 35 to nine feet at a hundred yards depending on the magnification selected.

This is a mid-range air rifle scope that has received excellent reviews. We think this scope would be a good fit if you are looking for high magnification, quality optics, and a precise reticle. However, this scope doesn’t seem to have any illumination or color enhancement settings for low-light environments which could reduce visibility when a high magnification setting is selected.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

​This is a high-end air rifle scope. We think the Hawke Vantage SF is one of the best air rifle scopes money can buy if you are ready to invest in high-quality optics.

The 3 to 12x magnification is ideal for target practice and small game hunting. The scope features precise parallax adjustment as well as a 44mm objective lens.

The reticle is what truly stands out. This scope features a half mil-dot reticle that won’t cover your target. This is an interesting feature since you will be able to work with more than one aim point.

The ¼ MOA adjustments give you the precision you need for long-range shooting. This is a very durable air rifle scope that won’t require constant adjustments due to the high-quality of the optics.

The only downside is that this scope doesn’t have any illumination features. The eye relief is only 3.5,” which won’t be an issue unless your air rifle has recoil.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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Shopping for air rifle scopes means you have to become familiar with different specs and learn to identify which features represent a good investment for you. Here is what you need to know about scopes.

You should know that air guns have more recoil and vibrations than traditional firearms. The scopes designed for traditional firearms can’t be used with air guns. If you mount a traditional scope on an air rifle, you will eventually damage the optics and will never get accurate results.

If you own a break-barrel air rifle, you should know that opening and closing the barrel will cause the scope to end up in a slightly different position every time. This will make adjusting the optics and getting a precise aim impossible.

Scopes work best with fixed-barrel air rifles. You can mount a scope on a fixed-barrel, and the alignment of the scope won’t change.

When looking at fixed air rifle scopes, you will see specs listed as 4x32. The first number indicates the magnification of the ocular lens. The second number indicates the size of the objective lens in millimeters.

Fixed scopes are typically more affordable. It is easier to stay sighted in since there is no need to adjust the magnification of the scope.

You will see specs listed as 4-12x32 when shopping for variable scopes. These numbers indicate that you can adjust the magnification of the ocular lens between 4 and 12x. The second number indicates the size of the objective lens.

Variable scopes are more versatile since you can use them at different ranges. However, variable scopes have more moving parts, including rotating rings that can let moisture inside of the scope. You can prevent issues by investing in a high-quality variable scope.

There are a few things to keep in mind when comparing fixed and variable scopes:

• A scope with a high magnification power is ideal for long range, but remember that small movements will be greatly emphasized.
• The lens sizes impact the weight of the scope and can make mounting more complicated.
• A large objective lens will let more light in, which is ideal for low-light scenarios.
• High magnification can darken the image.
• A variable scope with several lenses can reduce the clarity of the image.

Most scopes let you adjust the parallax, elevation, windage, and magnification. It is important to pay attention to how these different values are adjusted. Make sure controls are easily accessible and intuitive.

Magnification is typically adjusted thanks to rings located around the objective lens. Make sure you can adjust magnification with one hand and lock this setting as needed.

You will get better visibility if you opt for a scope with precise parallax adjustments. As you adjust the magnification of the scope, the focal plane might not match the position of the reticle. You can correct this thanks to the parallax adjustment feature of the scope.

You can typically adjust the parallax with a side turret or with a ring. Parallax adjustment isn’t an important feature unless you want to use a scope with high magnification.

You should also pay attention to the elevation and windage adjustment controls. You will typically find two knobs in the middle of the scope that you can use to adjust the reticle. Adjusting the elevation and windage of the scope help you get the crosshair to match with your target.

Pay attention to how accurately you can adjust the elevation and windage. Some scopes feature 1/2MOA, while others have ¼ or 1/8 adjustments.

There are a few other things to consider when comparing scopes for air rifles. Eye relief is one of the specs you should look at.

The eye relief refers to the distance from which you can look into the ocular lens. Eye relief typically decreases as magnification goes up. The eye relief distance is important, especially if you are using an air rifle with recoil.

You should also find out how the scope needs to be mounted. Most scopes with a large objective lens require a high mount, which will give you more accuracy. If possible, opt for a scope that is compatible with a one-piece mount to get more stability.

You should also look at the crosshair style. The best crosshair style is a matter of personal preference, but keep in mind that some styles can partially cover your target. A mil-dot crosshair or a duplex crosshair would be ideal to avoid hiding your target.

If you plan on using your air gun in a low-light setting, look for a scope with good light transmission, color enhancement features, and illumination. This is especially important if you want a scope with a high magnification power since high magnification can darken the image.

Lastly, you should look at the field of view of the scope you are interested in. The field of view won’t be an issue when you use your air rifle for long-range shooting, but a scope with a good field of view can make a difference at close and mid-range.

The best air rifle scope depends on how you use your air gun. Take the time to compare a few different scopes in your price range and ask yourself which features would improve your accuracy and experience with your air rifle. The scopes we recommended are a great place to start, but there are many other options to explore.