Scopes, vintage or new?

I like the look of older retro/glossy scopes. As I own old springers it generally is the direction I've headed in regarding glass.

Only 3 rifles with scopes presently, I have a few spare 4x32 glossy 80s scopes knocking around 😆.

Mounted on rifles currently, 1 is a more modern konus 3-9x32AO which doubles as a longer range and precision shooting optic on my hw77 for bench rested but others are period to the BSA rifles they sit on. Another rifle project and glossy scope combo is in the pipeline too 😁


IMG_20250319_135133.webp
IMG_20250319_133521.webp

IMG_20250228_170502.webp
IMG_20250228_171122.webp
IMG_20250326_133730.webp
 
Cottis said:
It is a hobby more than a job. I have sold a good amount of shooting and non shooting leather goods over the years but it always has to be a balance between something quality using decent veg tanned leather, time taken to produce and at a price that isn't prohibitive to potential buyers. People love bespoke fitted items but they don't always value it inline with the amount of time it takes to make. Which I understand in a day and age where items are often available very cheaply via mass produced processes. These things are not unique and tend not to last but most people are driven by price rather than quality.

These particular scope covers are not something I have ever sold as I wasn't sure there would be a demand for it. Lot of people use bikin covers supplied with scopes or plastic flip ups or other after market products. The bikini covers are not terrible but the rubber straps tend to snap and the way in which they are made means it is difficult to utilise them again once those straps deteriorate and snap. I designed mine so that when/if the elastic breaks, you can simply put some new elastic through the punched holes. The stretch can also be cut to size for the individuals wants. Just enough to keep the caps in situ without putting undue pressure on the elastic. They last for ages and I am yet to break a set but used in anger in the field, there is potential to catch it on barbed wire, brambles etc.

I always liked flip ups but the reality is that they are difficult to operate in complete silence and they click noisily in operation which is no good. I have more than once spooked a deer when out hunting. The low profile plastic caps can snap and the more robust ones are too wieldly and large for my tastes.

So i made my own. Maybe I will consider making them but not 100% sure. It is a hobby and not a job. What tends to happen when I advertise these things, is that suddenly an order list grows rapidly and it starts taking over my life. It then starts to become a chore rather than a pleasure. I will give it some thought. Here are the tan covers on my Leica scope which sits on my little S&L .222rem.

8DeWzxG.jpg

SmydbgU.jpg

Wc2XcQi.jpg

0fv9Qh6.jpg

7Cw1XqB.jpg
Click to expand...
They look very smart 😍
 
Oldest scopes I had were a 3-9x50 AG Tasco and a 3-9x40 Silver Antler. Both long gone .

I have duplex scopes on both my airguns and Mildot on my .22lr.

I may go with a Mildot on the HW80 though.

Put what YOU want on the rifle . Let others put what THEY want on their own rifles .
 
Cottis said:
It is a hobby more than a job. I have sold a good amount of shooting and non shooting leather goods over the years but it always has to be a balance between something quality using decent veg tanned leather, time taken to produce and at a price that isn't prohibitive to potential buyers. People love bespoke fitted items but they don't always value it inline with the amount of time it takes to make. Which I understand in a day and age where items are often available very cheaply via mass produced processes. These things are not unique and tend not to last but most people are driven by price rather than quality.

These particular scope covers are not something I have ever sold as I wasn't sure there would be a demand for it. Lot of people use bikin covers supplied with scopes or plastic flip ups or other after market products. The bikini covers are not terrible but the rubber straps tend to snap and the way in which they are made means it is difficult to utilise them again once those straps deteriorate and snap. I designed mine so that when/if the elastic breaks, you can simply put some new elastic through the punched holes. The stretch can also be cut to size for the individuals wants. Just enough to keep the caps in situ without putting undue pressure on the elastic. They last for ages and I am yet to break a set but used in anger in the field, there is potential to catch it on barbed wire, brambles etc.

I always liked flip ups but the reality is that they are difficult to operate in complete silence and they click noisily in operation which is no good. I have more than once spooked a deer when out hunting. The low profile plastic caps can snap and the more robust ones are too wieldly and large for my tastes.

So i made my own. Maybe I will consider making them but not 100% sure. It is a hobby and not a job. What tends to happen when I advertise these things, is that suddenly an order list grows rapidly and it starts taking over my life. It then starts to become a chore rather than a pleasure. I will give it some thought. Here are the tan covers on my Leica scope which sits on my little S&L .222rem.

8DeWzxG.jpg

SmydbgU.jpg

Wc2XcQi.jpg

0fv9Qh6.jpg

7Cw1XqB.jpg
Click to expand...
I'd happily pay good money for a quality product , like these pictured. Nice work 👍👍
 
crissdee said:
I have old gloss scopes on my older rifles, and modern scopes on the newer guns, it just looks better imho. I do, however, tend to agree regarding the reticules. In an ideal world, ALL my scopes would have a simple duplex rather than the forest of lines and dots you get these days.
Click to expand...
Yes, I find the modern reticule with the Christmas tree style markings distracting. My mate has this scope that has so many markings that all illuminate hat you can hardly see what you’re shooting!!!
 
I have an Optisan Cp on my TX, it’s a good scope especially for HFT, but I think I might put the Nikon EFR onto it and then the Whitetail Classic onto the Airmasters 77. 🤔
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0022.webp
    IMG_0022.webp
    544.6 KB · Views: 22
Shartshooter said:
I’ve come to prefer the plain reticule on vintage scopes since having them on my 40 year old springers. Old vs New, what’s your view?
Click to expand...
I prefer modern reticules. I never used to have the fancy mildots etc growing up but since I used my Vector Optics scope with really thin and clear reticle it's a clear winner for me.
 
Bighit said:
Oldest scopes I had were a 3-9x50 AG Tasco and a 3-9x40 Silver Antler. Both long gone .

I have duplex scopes on both my airguns and Mildot on my .22lr.

I may go with a Mildot on the HW80 though.

Put what YOU want on the rifle . Let others put what THEY want on their own rifles .
Click to expand...
No they must abide by my rules!!!! 😂
It’s just interesting what others prefer.
 
Both have their places and good glass generally remains good as long as it's reasonably well cared for (like everthing).

Some modern reticles are more user friendly for those that don't dial over a wider range than the old duplex reticle and some larger 30mm bodies can offer a greater range of adjustment - but that's pretty much it.
 
Shartshooter said:
Love the look of those scopes especially the Tasco! Is that an Airmasters hw77?
Click to expand...

An early venom…

Nords

Thread 'Valuation? Venom HW77'

I'm just wondering about my HW77. It shoots very nicely in the higher half of 11 ft.lbs, in 0.22" with Exact RS.

The story is, this is a 1983 rifle, when Venom were only making the HW80 and HW77. It came from their first premises, in Barrel Works Industrial Estate. The thought then was that Venom could get better accuracy than a HW77K by taking a full length HW77, and shortening the barrel and cocking arm to 15", adding their moderator/catch assembly and carrying out their in-house tune. The original owner of the rifle went to school with Steve Pope and was a good friend of his. He...
  • Like
  • Love
 
Nords said:
An early venom…

Nords

Thread 'Valuation? Venom HW77'

I'm just wondering about my HW77. It shoots very nicely in the higher half of 11 ft.lbs, in 0.22" with Exact RS.

The story is, this is a 1983 rifle, when Venom were only making the HW80 and HW77. It came from their first premises, in Barrel Works Industrial Estate. The thought then was that Venom could get better accuracy than a HW77K by taking a full length HW77, and shortening the barrel and cocking arm to 15", adding their moderator/catch assembly and carrying out their in-house tune. The original owner of the rifle went to school with Steve Pope and was a good friend of his. He...
  • Like
  • Love
Click to expand...
Love these old hw77’s this is my late 80’s Venom hw77 Lazaglide.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8966.webp
    IMG_8966.webp
    744.8 KB · Views: 32
I've got a Simmon 6-18x40 AO, lovely glass, got to be 25yrs old.

Tasco TR 6-24x40 glossy finish with various changeable rings with a ranging reticle (two horizontal). What never ceases to amaze is how good the glass is. Must be over 30 yrs old.

Never use them now as prefer mildots.
 
It's hard to get a scope with 25mm tube and none illminated, don't wan't to pay for crap I don't want or need.
 
In all fairness, I consider myself relatively new to springers, and have been reluctant to mount any of the quality scopes I retained which came off my conventional rifles before I sold them all to retire here. The double recoil related to springers has me worried about crosshairs breaking and ruining a valuable scope. I don't ever intend to shoot conventional rifles again or apply for a FAC licence, so its only sub 12 airguns in the future for me.

Has it only been certain scopes brands and models subject to reticle falure, and if so, which scope's shouldn't I consider, as being attempting fate ?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top