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Best scope for a Gamo Swarm Magnum .22 ?

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mercs View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mercs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 9 hours 56 minutes ago at 2:04pm
Clearance between scope and Tube.
I have target set ups where the clearance is minimal but lose to shooters with 25mm or more spacing.

In the field, distance is restricted due to limitations of each airgun and I adjust to that.
25 and 35 yard set ups using reticle marking are my goto, higher scope mounting does need correction as you come in to closer distances below 20 yards which is best sorted at the range.

Kruza and other forum members shooting out to 100 yards is beyond my skills, but I enjoy their posts.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ashman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 9 hours 50 minutes ago at 2:10pm
Originally posted by mercs mercs wrote:

Nikko Stirling Panamax $250, ZeroTech Vengeance $400, Bushnell R3 $400.

All will eventually fail but no issues with warranty returns in my experience.

Element Iris is of interest but 100 yard fixed parallax like the Panamax is generally a compromise needing to keep magnification low.

Side focus on ZeroTech is a nice feature.


Thank you.
The parallax fix is quite simple. I did it on a Vortex Viper I fitted to a 17HMR so I'm not worried about that.  I don't object to spending good money on good optics if they're fit for purpose.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mercs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 9 hours 47 minutes ago at 2:13pm
Good video -Ec, I will have a go at scope tuning this afternoon.
What could possibly go wrong......
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ashman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 9 hours 35 minutes ago at 2:25pm
Originally posted by Ashman Ashman wrote:

Originally posted by mercs mercs wrote:

The best scope for a Gamo Magnum is one with a no questions, lifetime warranty.
I would still recommend some form of recoil protection.
Diana ZR mount is an option, seen below with a NS Panamax 3-9x40.
Secure back-stop is essential, I have used the rear section of the supplied Gamo rail.



Look forward to future posts.

Yep, no questions warranty is a no brainer.  I was talking to a mate in pest control that uses an Elements Iris 3- 9 x40 on his Swarm.   It's a $400 scope though.
Any other options around that price that are better value?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ashman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 7 hours 50 minutes ago at 4:10pm
Originally posted by mercs mercs wrote:

Clearance between scope and Tube.
I have target set ups where the clearance is minimal but lose to shooters with 25mm or more spacing.

In the field, distance is restricted due to limitations of each airgun and I adjust to that.
25 and 35 yard set ups using reticle marking are my goto, higher scope mounting does need correction as you come in to closer distances below 20 yards which is best sorted at the range.

Kruza and other forum members shooting out to 100 yards is beyond my skills, but I enjoy their posts.

Yes I see.  I won't be doing so much target stuff, although to get familiar with whatever I buy I'll spend some hours.  That's the beauty of air; cheap ammo.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ashman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 7 hours 48 minutes ago at 4:12pm
Originally posted by mercs mercs wrote:

Clearance between scope and Tube.
I have target set ups where the clearance is minimal but lose to shooters with 25mm or more spacing.

In the field, distance is restricted due to limitations of each airgun and I adjust to that.
25 and 35 yard set ups using reticle marking are my goto, higher scope mounting does need correction as you come in to closer distances below 20 yards which is best sorted at the range.

Kruza and other forum members shooting out to 100 yards is beyond my skills, but I enjoy their posts.

A hundy with air seems like a long off my skill set, but I've used subsonic .22 to that range and it was just a matter of learning the curve.  
It would be worth a try just to see how much I miss by.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mercs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 6 hours 25 minutes ago at 5:35pm
Practiced on some older scopes and could readily alter the objective.

Cover ring removed from late model Nikko Stirling and Zero Tech Scope tool fitted.

Very tight, I suspect locking compound applied and not going to move.

Interested in how many users make these alterations?


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ashman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 2 hours 33 minutes ago at 9:27pm
So I got off work a little early today and went in to Gun City in Cranford St, Christchurch.
Had a look and a feel of the Swarm Magnum and though some might think it's a bit rough compared to many of the finer airguns around, it was fine for me.  I've owned Norinco rimfires, so anything that looks mostly finished without the use of a machete and steel wool is fine by me.
Went through some scope options that were discussed on here and was ready to to get one of the NS scopes mentioned.    I've had a Panamax on a .22 and it didn't have enough focus adjustment for my ever deteriorating eyesight and the new ones are no better.  Then when I'd spoken with Mike, the sales person there, who was very helpful, I subsequently had a look through an Element Iris 4-12 x 44. Thanks to my eyes being the same age as the rest of me it's often difficult to get a scope with enough focus adjustment for me to use without glasses, however this scope, though a little above my budget, was easily manageable, relatively bright and the reticle certainly looks like it could be useful.  And I've still got 3 fullturns of focus before i need to get shooting glasses.  It's a little more range than I need at 12 x maximum, but the deal I got through Mike, including a spare mag and a selection of H&N pellets, 5 different types in all, had the whole set up sneaking in just a touch over budget.
Coming from .177, the slugs are huge.  I've loaded up the Baracuda Green and the Baracuda Hunter so I still have the Hornet, Power and Crow Magnum to go also.  I've also ordered a packet of JSB Hades from Delta Mike too, so I'll have plenty to test and see which are going to perform best.   The Hades seem to have a number of very positive reviews, so we will see.
Really fizzing to get out and put some slugs down range.  Mum's Dutch and Dad was a Scot, so I'll enjoy the pellet shooting without crying about $4.50 a round through the 7/08.
Thank you everybody that contributed. I may not have followed the exact advice I was given but if any of the NS options were something I could have focussed without glasses, they would have been an effective choice.  Lifetime warranty on the scope and 5 year warranty on the rifle, so no complaints.   
I'll post a review when I've completed the testing phase.   Unless I've turned in to a sh*t shot, in which case I'll just shut up and pretend I'm still a marksman.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RangerPete Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 2 hours 12 minutes ago at 9:48pm
There is a theory (which I subscribe to) that a scope should cost at least as much as the rifle….
Hummm 🤔
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muzza Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 2 hours 12 minutes ago at 9:48pm
For pellets - you can buy test packages of pellets , 6 or 7 differing types from one maker , that allows you to try without having to buy a full box at full price,

The selection is better for 177 than 22 but enough to work out the style and weight that your rifle prefers
old enough to know better
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ashman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 2 hours 6 minutes ago at 9:54pm
Originally posted by RangerPete RangerPete wrote:

There is a theory (which I subscribe to) that a scope should cost at least as much as the rifle….
Hummm 🤔

That's an expensive theory.
The Element was $435, the gun was $899.  I'm comfortable that, if I can do my part, that combo should be all good.
It's not going to get the same thrashing my pest control and personal use weapons had as i won't be thrashing it day and night on contracts and i won't be smashing through alpine scrub to shoot thar and deer with it.   The budget was $1200, the cost was $1350, with a gun bag, as my biggest rifle case was an inch too short.  Big bugger of a gun!
But air rifles are hard on scopes so will tell wether my decision was the right one.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ashman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 1 hour 60 minutes ago at 10:00pm
Originally posted by muzza muzza wrote:

For pellets - you can buy test packages of pellets , 6 or 7 differing types from one maker , that allows you to try without having to buy a full box at full price,

The selection is better for 177 than 22 but enough to work out the style and weight that your rifle prefers

Yep I bought a test packet with 5 different H & N pellets.  about 50of each by the looks. The only bulk lot I bought was the Hades at $49.95 for 500 and if they're no good in it, someone on here that loves them will get a deal.  There does seem to be on line consensus that these rifles tend to shoot those pretty well, but consensus can be a whole lot of idiots agreeing with each other, or some very well informed folk doing the same.
I'll soon find out one way or the other.  All part of the fun of a new firearm.  And, in a slug gun, very inexpensive fun too.
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-Ec View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote -Ec Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 43 minutes ago at 10:36pm
Good luck with the new gun - I'm sure you will get a lot of enjoyment from it.   There is a post about the Gamo Swarm in the reviews section of the forum.  Just search for Gamo G Magnums and you should find it.   I'm pretty sure Mercs still has his and will be more than happy to share his knowledge with you.  Finding what pellet(s) his one likes might be a good place to start.

I would love to have better scopes for my guns but so far I'm happy with the CV Life scopes as I really can't afford to spend much more.   It would have been more logical buying a single quality air gun and scope rather than 4 air rifles and two air pistols but I do enjoy using all my guns as they are all different.  Even my $15 177 that don’t have a rail for mounting a scope is fun trying to hit cans or spinners with open sites. 

Anyway - welcome to the forum and don't be afraid to share your journey - both the successes and failures.
Regards
-Ec
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