This article highlights the 7 Best PCP Air Riflescopes. Because they are quiet, easy to use, have little recoil, and are incredibly accurate, PCP air guns are a fantastic option for hunters. Installing an air gun scope on your PCP rifle increases the rifle’s shooting range and accuracy.
A PCP rifle is a unique kind of firearm that uses a pre-charged pneumatic mechanism to fire pellets out of the barrel. The rifle compresses the air into the gun pressure tank to the necessary pressure level using either a scuba tank or a hand pump. Using this gun is extremely exciting.
What makes a Great PCP Air Rifle Scope?
The 7 Best PCP Air Riflescopes must be rugged enough to withstand the recoil and outdoor conditions that come with air rifle shooting. A high-quality scope should be shockproof, waterproof, and fog-resistant. PCP rifles typically generate a consistent recoil, and a durable scope will maintain zero accuracy despite this. Additionally, the scope’s housing should be made from strong, lightweight materials like aircraft-grade aluminum to ensure long-lasting performance without adding excessive weight.
One of the most important features of a PCP air rifle scope is the reticle. It should be visible, unambiguous, and flexible enough to adjust to various shooting scenarios. BDC (bullet drop compensation), duplex, and mil-dot are common reticle types for air rifles. For example, while shooting at long range, a mil-dot reticle is perfect for making accurate holdovers and windage adjustments. Another useful feature is the option to change the reticle’s lighting, which is very useful in low light.
Due to the fact that air guns recoil differently, scopes made for them need to be able to endure both directions of recoil. An air rifle will initially recoil backwards before recoiling forwards after shooting. The force created during the recoil will tear apart the scope if it is not designed to endure this kind of recoil.
The capacity to modify parallax is the other characteristic that distinguishes an air gun scope. The majority of air guns are employed for close-range shooting, when parallax is more noticeable. In order to enable precise shot placement, parallax adjustment is essential to rectify reticle distortion, which causes misplaced rounds.
Lastly, Accuracy depends on precise windage, elevation, and parallax corrections. For ease of use, turrets should feature audible, tactile clicks that let the shooter make fine adjustments without losing sight of their settings. Furthermore, zero stop capability makes it simple to return to your scope after setting it to a certain zero, which is especially helpful for repeated shots or varying shooting distances.
7 Best PCP Air Riflescopes-our favorites
1) Hawke Sport Optics Sidewinder 30 6-24x56mm Rifle Scope
The Sidewinder offers a magnification range of 6-24x, making it suitable for a variety of shooting scenarios, from target shooting to hunting. Its 56mm objective lens ensures excellent light transmission, providing bright and clear images even in low-light conditions.
The scope’s completely multi-coated lenses enhance contrast and clarity while lowering glare. Its 30mm primary tube provides improved durability and a broad field of view. The lens system offers edge-to-edge clarity while reducing chromatic aberration.
The Sidewinder ensures visibility in a range of lighting circumstances thanks to its glass-etched reticle and red/green illumination options with customizable brightness levels. Long-range accuracy depends on accurate holdovers and windage corrections, which the reticle is made to help with.
It features exposed, locking turrets with precise 1/4 MOA click adjustments, allowing for quick and accurate zeroing. The scope includes a side focus parallax adjustment, ranging from 10 yards to infinity, for fine-tuned focus at varying distances.
Features
- Offers a magnification range of 6-24x
- Features a 30mm main tube
- Comes with a glass-etched reticle
- 1/4 MOA click adjustments
- Completely multi-coated lenses
- AMX reticle
- The second plane of focus
- Body with a single tube
- An eyebell with quick focus
- Posi-Grip rubber-coated power selector
- Etched glass reticle
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Small
- Fantastic reticle
- Simple modifications
- Robust construction
Cons
- Limited Field of View
2) Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50mm 30mm Tube FFP Rifle Scope
The first focal plane (FFP) reticle of the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50mm FFP Rifle Scope makes sure the reticle’s scale stays proportionate to the target over the course of the magnification range. This is particularly helpful for holdover corrections and range estimation at different distances. Even in low light, the completely multi-coated lenses produce crisp, clear images because to their exceptional light transmission. The scope’s broad magnification range of 6x to 24x makes it suitable for both near and far targets.
The Diamondback Tactical has open tactical turrets that allow for accurate windage and height changes. Because each click is clear and audible, shooters may make precise corrections. Accuracy for long-range shots is improved by the side-mounted parallax adjustment knob, which guarantees precise targeting from 10 yards to infinity. For intricate shooting situations, the EBR-2C reticle, which comes in MOA or MRAD versions, offers a comprehensive holdover grid.
The 30mm single-piece tube is composed of aircraft-grade aluminum and is designed to be dependable. It is durable and shock-resistant. Because it is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed, it is fog-proof, waterproof, and able to function in inclement weather. The scope’s tactical appeal is increased and glare is decreased by the matte black coating.
Features
- First Focal Plane
- Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
- 30mm Tube Diameter
- Single-Piece Tube Construction
- Precision-Glide Erector System
- 6–24x magnification is used.
- 50mm is the objective lens diameter.
- It is 14.5 inches long.
- It is 24.6 ounces in weight.
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Has Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Non-Illuminated Reticle
3) Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope
The Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope is a flexible, reasonably priced scope that will improve your hunting and shooting experience, especially in dimly lit areas.
The Banner Dusk & Dawn riflescope is available in various magnification ranges, such as the popular 3-9x40mm model. The 3-9x magnification offers flexibility for different shooting distances, while the 40mm objective lens gathers ample light to enhance clarity and brightness.
The Banner Dusk & Dawn riflescope’s unique multi-coated lens system is its most notable feature. Because these coatings are designed to improve light transmission, even in low light conditions, images will appear bright and clear. Because of this, the scope is perfect for hunting when game animals are most active, which is in the early morning or late evening.
A classic crosshair design, the Multi-X reticle offers a clear and simple sight image. From long-range shots to close encounters, it works well in a variety of hunting situations. The simplicity of the reticle makes it possible to acquire targets quickly, which is crucial in high-pressure field scenarios.
This scope is designed to survive harsh outdoor environments. It is shockproof, fog-proof, and waterproof due to its one-piece tube design that is nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed. Regardless of handling or weather conditions, this durability guarantees dependable performance.
The scope’s fingertip-adjustable elevation and windage turrets with audible clicks enable accurate field adjustments. It also provides ample eye relief, which guarantees comfort and safety when shooting guns with heavier recoil.
Features
- Eye relief of three inches
- An eyepiece with quick focus
- DDB lenses with several coatings in full
- Fogproof, shockproof, and waterproof
- ¼ MOA elevation and windage modifications
- Variable magnification of 4–12x
- 40mm objective lens
Pros
- Amazing clarity
- Superior construction
- Outstanding performance in low light
- Smooth elevation and windage changes
Cons
- Relatively heavy
4) Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm Riflescope
The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm Riflescope is a dependable and adaptable sight made for marksmen who need to perform well in a variety of situations. This is also one of our top notch of the 7 Best PCP Air Riflescopes.
This scope’s 1-6x magnification range making it perfect for close-to-mid-range shooting. It works similarly to a red dot at 1x, allowing for both-eyes-open shooting for improved situational awareness and rapid target acquisition. The scope is an excellent all-around option because it has enough magnification at 6x to allow for precise shots at modest range.
nevertheless in low light, the 24mm objective lens provides enough light transmission to provide a bright, crisp image. When paired with Vortex’s completely multi-coated lenses, the scope provides remarkable color fidelity, clarity, and decreased glare—all of which are essential for accurate aiming.
The AR-BDC3 reticle, made especially for AR platforms, is a feature of the Strike Eagle. By providing holdover spots for wind drift and bullet drop adjustment, it maximizes performance for.223/5.56 rounds. In situations with strong contrast or low light levels, the lighted reticle offers a visible aiming point. Eleven brightness levels allow the lights to adjust to different lighting conditions.
The scope is designed to endure harsh environments. Made from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, it can withstand recoil from large calibers and is shockproof. In order to make the scope waterproof and fog-proof, it is additionally nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed. These characteristics guarantee dependable operation in inclement weather or during temperature fluctuations.
Features
- Anodized matte finish
- AR-BDC reticle
- Completely multi-coated lenses
- Nitrogen purged and the O-ring sealed
- Turrets with caps
- To easily adjust the magnification, throw the lever.
- An eyepiece with quick focus
- Aluminum fabrication of aircraft quality
Pros
- Fast Target Acquisition
- Illuminated Reticle
- Excellent grade optics
- Excellent value for the money
- Simple modifications
Cons
- Users find the reticle slightly too busy
5) Primary Arms SLx 4-14 x 44 mm Rifle Scopes
This excellent and multipurpose optic is the Primary Arms SLx 4-14×44 FFP Riflescope, which is made for accurate shooting at a variety of distances. It is perfect for long-range shooters, hunters, and tactical experts looking for value, performance, and longevity.
The SLx 4-14×44 features a variable magnification range from 4x to 14x, making it suitable for both close-quarters engagements and longer-range shots. The 4x setting provides a wide field of view, making it easy to track moving targets or engage at shorter distances. On the other hand, the 14x magnification offers the precision needed for medium to long-range shots, allowing the user to engage targets out to several hundred yards with accuracy. The 44mm objective lens helps gather ample light, delivering clear, bright images even in low-light conditions, which is especially beneficial for dawn or dusk hunts or tactical operations.
The SLx 4-14×44 is equipped with exposed turrets that allow for precise windage and elevation adjustments. The tactile, audible clicks provide feedback when adjusting the turrets, which is essential for making quick adjustments during live-fire situations. The windage and elevation adjustments are accurate and repeatable, making this scope ideal for dialing in shots at various ranges. The fast-focus eyepiece ensures a crisp and clear reticle image, making it easy to focus quickly and start shooting without delay.
The SLx 4-14×44 is made of a single-piece aluminum tube, which increases the scope’s robustness while keeping its profile relatively light. This construction was done with longevity in mind. With a total movement of 60 MOA (minute of angle) in both directions, the 30mm tube provides plenty of adjustment space for windage and elevation. In order to make the scope shockproof, fog-resistant, and waterproof, it is also nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed. Because of these durable qualities, it is ideal for usage in challenging settings, such as bad weather and the recoil of strong weapons.
Features
- Magnification range from 4x to 14x
- 44mm objective lens
- Its First Focal Plane
- Single-piece aluminum tube
- Nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed
- Windage and elevation adjustments
Pros
- Has Wide Magnification Range
- Several reticle options
- Durable
- Aircraft-grade aluminum
- Offers great value
Cons
- Heavy
6) Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm Riflescope
The Burris Fullfield II features a 3-9x magnification range, which is ideal for most hunting scenarios. Whether you’re tracking deer in dense woods or targeting at longer distances, the zoom range provides a balance between field of view and detail. The 40mm objective lens allows ample light transmission, ensuring clear and bright images, even in low-light conditions, making it perfect for dawn and dusk hunts.
The Posi-Lock mechanism is one of the Fullfield II’s most notable features. The adjustable dials in this device are locked in place even during severe recoil thanks to an internal spring. By lowering the possibility of losing zero while in operation, this function increases the scope’s overall dependability.
The Ballistic Plex reticle is intended for hunters who must account for long-range bullet drop. With its straightforward hash markers for holdover, the reticle is simple to use and enables fast and precise shots. Because of this, the Fullfield II is perfect for shooters who use flat-shooting rifles at different distances.
The Fullfield II comes with fully multi-coated optics, which help improve light transmission and reduce glare. This means brighter, clearer images, especially in low-light conditions. The coatings also contribute to the scope’s overall ruggedness, as the lenses are resistant to scratches and damage.
Features
- Design that is lightweight
- Fogproof, shockproof, and waterproof
- The lens’s hi-Lume coating
- Adjustment knobs with caps
- Plex ballistic reticle
- Eyepiece that doesn’t slip for smooth adjustments
- Dials have knurled edges for comfort
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Good eye relief
- Quick acquisition of targets
- Perfect for every type of environment
- Sturdily constructed
- Parallax cannot be changed.
Cons
- Reticulum without light
7) Leapers UTG 3-12×44 30mm Compact AO
The Leapers UTG Compact AO Riflescope, 3-12×44, 30mm It is perfect for both short and medium-range shooting because of its 3–12x magnification range, which enables users to swiftly modify their zoom level to engage targets at different distances. A bright, clear image is produced by the 44mm objective lens, which also aids in light transmission for better target acquisition in low light.
The 30mm tube diameter contributes to a more durable structure and expands the internal adjustment range. Better light retention and more precise, repeatable adjustments are made possible by this bigger tube, which provides longevity without compromising performance.
This scope’s adjustable objective (AO) capability is very noteworthy. By enabling users to adjust focus for various distances, parallax errors may be successfully eliminated and a crisp, accurate image can be guaranteed at diverse ranges. Since parallax can result in serious aiming errors while shooting long distances, this function is especially helpful.
The UTG 3-12×44 is made of a single, solid aluminum tube that resists stress and fog. Additionally, it has a waterproof design that makes it dependable in any kind of weather. The multi-coated lenses improve light transmission, lowering glare and improving image quality, and the scope is nitrogen-purged to avoid internal fogging.
Accurate and reliable shots can be achieved using the UTG scope’s 1/4 MOA (minute of angle) click values and precise windage and elevation settings. Users may place shots with confidence thanks to these positive and fluid modifications. This is our last choose of the 7 Best PCP Air Riflescopes.
Features
- 3-12x magnification range
- 30mm tube diamete
- Comes equipped with a mil-dot reticle
- Shockproof and fog-resistant
- 1/4 MOA (minute of angle) click values
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Factors to consider when choosing the 7 Best PCP Air Riflescopes
Magnification
The magnification of the scope is one of the most important factors. For the 7 Best PCP Air Riflescopes, which are often used for hunting or target shooting at medium to long ranges, a magnification of 3x to 12x is typically ideal. However, if you’re engaging in precision shooting over greater distances, scopes with higher magnifications (up to 24x or more) may be necessary. Consider your typical shooting distance when choosing the appropriate magnification range.
Objective Lens
The size of the objective lens plays a role in the amount of light the scope can gather, which affects the clarity of the image, particularly in low-light conditions. A larger objective lens, such as 40mm to 50mm, will provide better light transmission and brighter images. However, larger lenses can also increase the overall size and weight of the scope, so balance the size with your rifle’s weight and intended use.
Reticle Type
The reticle is the aiming point in the scope and can significantly affect shooting accuracy. When choosing a reticle, consider whether you prefer a simple crosshair or a more complex design, such as a mil-dot or illuminated reticle. The illuminated reticle is particularly useful for low-light conditions. Mil-dot reticles help with range estimation and holdovers, which can be critical for long-distance shooting with a PCP air rifle.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is the distance from the ocular lens to your eye where the reticle is clear. Adequate eye relief is essential for comfort and safety, especially during extended shooting sessions. A longer eye relief is often preferred, as it allows for more flexibility in mounting the scope and helps prevent injury from recoil.
FAQs of the 7 Best PCP Air Riflescopes
- Q. Which reticle type works best with PCP air rifles?
Since a mil-dot or half-mil-dot reticle enables more accurate holdovers and range estimates, it is frequently advised for PCP air rifles. A BDC (bullet drop compensator) reticle is preferred by certain shooters for more accurate adjustments at various distances.
- Q. Do optics made especially for air guns exist?
Indeed, certain scopes are made especially for air rifles and contain features that are suited to the slower speeds and reduced recoil of air-powered weapons. In terms of focus and holdover, these scopes are typically more lenient. Additionally, they often have more robust internal parts to endure the distinct recoil pattern of PCP air guns.
- Q. Which eye relief is best for a PCP air rifle scope?
A PCP air rifle scope’s eye relief is typically 3–4 inches. When shooting with a high-power magnification or from different postures, having adequate eye relief lets you shoot comfortably without worrying about the scope striking your face.
Conclusion
When it comes to the 7 Best PCP Air Riflescopes, there are a number of options available. The ideal scope is one that meets your financial requirements. Choose scopes with top-notch lenses that produce bright, clear views even in dim lighting. I hope your next hunting expedition goes well.