Whether you’re engaged in target shooting or hunting, air rifle scopes can significantly enhance your shooting experience. They offer better magnification and light-gathering abilities than iron sights, and detailed reticles for adjusting for wind and elevation. This makes it much easier to identify your impact point, especially at longer ranges and in low light conditions.

At The Wolfman, we stock a fantastic range of optics including adjustable, fixed, illuminated and night vision scopes for air rifles (UK). This buyer’s guide will walk you through the process of choosing the best air rifle scope for your needs. We’ll discuss the different types of air rifle scope, key features to consider, and highlight some of the best brands to look out for.

What Are Air Rifle Scopes?

Air guns typically come with open sights: simple alignment markers that rely on the naked eye. If you want to improve your accuracy when aiming, it’s worth investing in an air rifle scope.

Scopes, or telescopic sights, differ from traditional air rifle sights in that they use optics to enhance the shooter’s view. They contain a built-in refracting telescope for magnification, and an objective lens designed to gather light and brighten the image.

They also feature a reticle – a marked eyepiece designed to assist with range finding. This allows the shooter to more accurately estimate their distance from the target and compensate for bullet drop and wind drift.

Some air guns come with a scope included, but you can also attach your own optics using air rifle scope mounts. There are many different rifle and pistol scopes, each suited to different applications, environments and budgets.

Fixed Magnification Scopes

Fixed magnification scopes, or fixed power scopes, are one of the most basic types of air rifle scope. They offer a single, unchangeable magnification level for shooting at a fixed distance, such as at rifle ranges. They are affordable, consistent and easy to use, but lack flexibility for different applications.

Variable Magnification Scopes

Variable magnification, variable zoom or variable power scopes allow the shooter to adjust the magnification level to different target distances. These scopes provide greater versatility and can be used in a wider range of scenarios, from close-range pest control to long-range target shooting.

Variable scopes are often larger, heavier and more expensive than fixed magnification scopes. However, their adaptability makes them popular among many shooters.

Prism Scopes

Prism scopes, or prismatic scopes, are a relatively recent development in rifle scope technology. They use a glass prism to focus the image, as opposed to traditional telescopic scopes that use a series of lenses. This results in a more lightweight and compact air rifle scope, which can help to reduce shooter fatigue. They also offer a very large field of view and excellent brightness.

Night Vision Scopes

Night vision scopes are specialised optical devices designed to enhance the user’s ability to see and aim at targets in low light conditions. They use image intensification technology to amplify the available light and convert near-infrared waves into visible light. Night scopes for air rifles are ideal for those who regularly hunt at dawn or dusk, but they perform less well in daylight.

Thermal Scopes

Thermal scopes are advanced sighting devices that use thermal imaging technology to detect heat signatures. They work by capturing infrared radiation emitted by objects or living beings and converting it into a visible image.

There are many benefits of a thermal scope for air rifle users. They can be used while hunting to locate hidden or camouflaged targets, and perform well in fog, rain and smoke. They are also more effective in complete darkness than night vision scopes – however, they are typically more expensive.

Choosing the Right Scope for Your Needs

When shopping for air rifle scopes, it’s important to choose a model that suits your needs, skill level and budget. Some basic scopes cost less than £50, while more advanced models may set you back more than £1,000. Look carefully at the scope’s key features and technical specifications, such as:

• Magnification level: Ensure the scope’s magnification capabilities are strong enough for your intended use (e.g. short or long-range shooting). Also, consider whether you need a fixed or variable power scope.
• Objective lens diameter: A larger objective lens allows more light to enter, producing brighter images, but it also increases the size and weight of the scope.
• Reticle: There are various reticle designs available, such as duplex, mil-dot and illuminated reticles. Choose a reticle that suits your skill level and shooting purpose, e.g. hunting or target practice.
• Eye relief: This is the distance between your eye and the eyepiece. Scopes with longer eye relief are safer and more comfortable for rifles with significant recoil. However, shorter eye relief may offer a wider field of view.
• Parallax adjustment: Parallax is a visual phenomenon whereby the reticle appears to move around, affecting accuracy when aiming. Most long-range scopes have parallax adjustment controls, either as a dial on the side (side focus) or on the end of the tube (adjustable objective).
• Durability: Choosing a scope that is shock-proof, fog-proof and waterproof will ensure reliable performance in a variety of conditions.

You should also ensure that the scope is compatible with your air rifle, scope mounts and accessories. This may depend on factors such as size, weight and tube diameter.

Top Air Rifle Scope Brands

To guarantee consistent performance, accuracy and durability, it’s important to choose a high-quality scope made by a reputable manufacturer. Some of the best air rifle scope brands available in the UK include:

• Hawke: a premier airgun scope brand known for their reliability and high build quality, with a range of models to suit all budgets and applications
• MTC Optics: a UK optics brand offering practical, well-made and affordable scopes designed by shooters, for shooters
• Immersive Optics: a British company specialising in hi-tech, ultra-compact prism scopes with a wide field of view that fully immerses you in the scene

If you’re looking for reliable, affordable and well-made air rifle scopes and accessories, visit The Wolfman. We carry a wide variety of fixed and variable scopes from these great brands plus many others, including Wulf, Valiant, Konus and more.

Looking for the Best Scope for Air Rifles (UK)? Visit The Wolfman

We are The Wolfman: the UK’s one-stop shop for air rifles, air pistols and shooting essentials, including optics and ammunition.

Head to our online store to view our full collection of high-quality air rifle scopes for sale. We also stock a range of night vision and thermal units, mounting systems and other accessories.

Shop The Wolfman today for free UK delivery and same-day dispatch on all orders placed before 11am. For any questions about our products or website, contact us through our online form or call 01473 806 280.