Lid 194 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 (edited) Today I dusted off an air rifle which I bought in 2006, but have never used. I got it when I was buying a Beretta semi auto shotgun that will accept an ISIS recoil pad, but then I had to have an unexpected angioplasty. After that I decided to take up horse riding after a 30 year gap because it gives me more exercise and my daughter is also into it. Anyway soon I hope to have more time on my hands so I want to get back into rifle shooting, starting with a sub 12 air rifle and then I’ll see if I want to move on again. I couldn’t even remember what I’d bought, other than it was short and had a scope that doesn’t seem right. It turns out it is BSA Lightening (.22) with an AGS scope. Where I need help is the scope please. I don’t know much about them as I started out with open sights on my air rifles and on a very old, martini action, single shot .22 lr. Later any scopes I used were on FAC rifles provided by some-one else. I reckon this AGS is probably a cheap and poor scope, but I think it can still work for me, at least to start with. My problem is I am not happy with the focus and depth of field and I don’t’ understand what the adjustment on the rear optic is for. It seems to alter the zoom and change the focal length, but I am not sure. Here is a picture. The front lens is 40 mm and the rear is 25 mm. Please can someone tell me which model AGS this is, what the front adjuster is for and whether I can get better images from it at ranges from 10 to 40 yards? BTW it has got dot gradations on the cross hairs. Thanks in advance. Edited June 23, 2014 by Lid Quote Link to post
Pink or stink 162 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 The rear adjustment (ocular) will provide a method of making the reticle clear at least and fine tune the image.. You may need to adjust the objective (if you can) to adjust the parallax to your chosen zero distance. If you can, adjust the ocular to get a decent reticle picture. If this is ok, undo the objective ring if it has one and then screw the objective lens clockwise/anti-clockwise until the image is sharp at your chosen distance. Then re-tighten the objective ring when done. Nevertheless the scope isn't ideal. We can't see if it has a readily adjustable objective lens so if you take off the flip up we might be able to see? Quote Link to post
Lid 194 Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Thanks. I'd love to take the flip up off, but it is on so tight I feel I might break the scope if I force it any more than I have already tried. Any recommendations on how to remove easily are very welcome please. Or is it just a matter of prising it off? Quote Link to post
Pink or stink 162 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Nothing to lose and I imagine you won't do it any harm. Twist the thing off. It looks so close to the tube I don't think you will find an adjustable objective there somehow. Quote Link to post
Lid 194 Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 OK. I'll have a go tomorrow now, though. Quote Link to post
Cedric 132 Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 The front (objective) end looks as though it is tight down on the rail, if it is, take the scope off to try and remove the flip cover. Quote Link to post
Cedric 132 Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Uttings seem to have a similar AGS scope listed for under £30 so nothing lost giving it a go to try and adjust it to your needs. Quote Link to post
Lid 194 Posted June 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 Hi - yes it was being restricted at the front although there looked to be a small gap. Here it is. It doesn't look like I can adjust the objective though. Can anyone recommend me a decent starter scope for up to £60 for 10 - 40 yard vermin work on this BSA Lightening please? Quote Link to post
Cedric 132 Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I've just bought a couple of Hawke HD 3-9x40 scopes for general air rifle use, they seem fine at under £50 - but I did adjust the focus down to 30 yards. I think they are set at about 60 yards new. Quote Link to post
Lid 194 Posted June 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 Cheers. Are scopes available with a long depth of field so that targets are in good focus between say 10 - 40 yards? Quote Link to post
Lid 194 Posted June 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I've done a little googling and I can find those Hawke HD 3-9 zoom scopes with adjustable objectives, so I guess that is what I want. However should I get 40 or 50 mm? Thanks. Quote Link to post
moxy 617 Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 A 50mm will give you more light gathering. Better for dusk/dawn shooting or lamping. Quote Link to post
jamesS410 106 Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 A 50mm will give you more light gathering. Better for dusk/dawn shooting or lamping. However the 40mm will likely give you a wider field of view and the ability to mount the scope lower and I have to say in my experience the 50mm only gives you a few extra minutes at dawn or dusk Quote Link to post
Lid 194 Posted June 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Thanks for the info folks! Quote Link to post
moxy 617 Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 A 50mm will give you more light gathering. Better for dusk/dawn shooting or lamping.However the 40mm will likely give you a wider field of view and the ability to mount the scope lower and I have to say in my experience the 50mm only gives you a few extra minutes at dawn or dusk To be fair. Your not going to gain very much with a £60 scope. FOV, light gathering or anti glare etc. A cheap scope means cheap glass. Mounting the scope lower?? Atvb Quote Link to post
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