Scope it out

Mounting a scope to an air rifle is an essential skill for any shooter who wants to improve their accuracy. A properly mounted scope helps you aim with precision and enhances your overall shooting experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shooter, mounting a scope to an air rifle is a relatively straightforward process that, when done correctly, can significantly improve your performance.

It’s important to note that if your air gun is powered by a spring, you must use a scope that’s specifically made for air rifles. That’s because spring-piston models generate a different type of recoil than conventional rifles, and that recoil will knock a regular scope out of zero. If you’re using a PCP air gun, you can use any rifle scope.

The first step in mounting a scope is choosing the right scope and mounting system.

Next, check your air rifle to see what type of rail it uses. The two most common types are:

Dovetail Rails: These are narrow rails, usually found on older or lower-powered air rifles.

Picatinny Rails: These are wider and offer more mounting options, commonly found on modern air rifles.

You’ll need corresponding mounting rings and a scope base designed for the type of rail on your rifle.

Before beginning the installation, make sure your rifle is unloaded and safe to handle. Remove any accessories or equipment that might get in the way during the mounting process.

Next, unbox your scope carefully and make sure all the necessary components, including mounting rings and screws, are present. Place the scope on a clean, soft surface to prevent any scratches or damage during installation.

The mounting rings serve as the interface between your scope and the rifle. Depending on the mounting system, you may need to install a separate scope base first before attaching the rings.

If you’re using a Picatinny rail, install a Picatinny base on your air rifle if it’s not already in place. Some air rifles come with an integrated rail, while others require you to install a mount first.

Once the base is installed (or if you’re using a dovetail rail), attach the mounting rings to the scope base. To do this, simply slide the rings into the rail slots and secure them with screws. Do not fully tighten them yet—leave them loose so you can adjust the positioning of the scope later.

Now that the rings are attached to the base, it’s time to position the scope within the rings. Place the scope gently in the two rings, ensuring that the ocular lens (the back lens) is facing the shooter and the objective lens (the front lens) is facing the target.

Position the scope so that it sits comfortably in your eye, allowing for a full field of view. Many shooters prefer to mount the scope as low as possible to maintain a good cheek weld. Make sure the scope is aligned straight, with both the crosshairs and the rifle’s barrel pointing in the same direction. You can use a bubble level here to ensure the scope is perfectly horizontal.

Once you’re happy with the positioning, tighten the screws on the rings. Be sure to tighten each screw alternately, working from one side to the other to distribute the pressure evenly and avoid damaging the scope.

Now that the scope is positioned correctly, it’s time to tighten the mounting screws. Use a torque wrench if available, as this ensures you apply the correct amount of pressure. Over-tightening can damage the scope or mount, while under-tightening can cause the scope to move during shooting.

If you’re using a traditional screwdriver, be careful not to overtighten. Start with a firm tightening, then check the scope’s stability. If it’s loose, tighten the screws a bit more.

Once the scope is mounted, check that it is aligned properly and that the crosshairs are level. Look through the scope, ensuring that your eye relief (the distance between your eye and the ocular lens) is comfortable.

Now, you’re ready to zero your scope. Zeroing the scope means adjusting the reticle so that it aligns with the point of impact of your shots. This process involves shooting the rifle and making adjustments to the windage (horizontal) and elevation (vertical) knobs on your scope.

Start at a short distance, such as 10 yards, and adjust the scope until your shots land exactly where the reticle is pointing. Once you’ve achieved a zero at a short range, you can move to a longer distance and fine-tune further.

If you’re looking for a new air rifle and a scope, you can save yourself a lot of time by purchasing both from Pyramyd Air and having them mount and zero the scope for you at very minimal cost. You can even use their online tools to help you choose which rifle and scope is best for whatever you’re hunting. Check them out at PyramydAir.com.