Best scope for a Gamo Swarm Magnum .22 ?
Printed From: Kiwi Airgunners
Category: General
Forum Name: Introductions
Forum Description: New members please sign in here and introduce yourself
URL: www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=1337
Printed Date: 05 Jun 2026 at 11:35am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.14 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Best scope for a Gamo Swarm Magnum .22 ?
Posted By: Ashman
Subject: Best scope for a Gamo Swarm Magnum .22 ?
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2026 at 4:08pm
|
So this is by way of an introduction also. I'm a more mature (which means near fossil stage) guy that's looking to continue hunting, but only with an air rifle. I've previously, for well over 50 years, been a hunter and also in pest management and I'm looking to have some fun with air and also harvest small game for food gathering purposes. I started with airguns as a 8 year old keeping seed eaters off our gardens with a Milbro 45, all 450 fps of it and then was gifted a BSA Meteor, far superior and way more distance and power. I've kind of settled on the rifle, though there is room, given insight, to modify that however I've had Gamo before for vineyard pest control and, even though that was quite some time ago, their product has always been reliable and purposeful. Tell me I'm wrong and why, please. The real question is scope choice. I'm thinking 4-12 x mag and somewhere between 40 -50 ml objective lens sizes. There are packages available from Gun City with their Ranger scope, but I'm a bit suss about their own branded stuff after several dealings over many years with them, and I'm thinking there maybe better options for the same or even a little more dollars? Any ideas, please??
|
Replies:
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2026 at 5:14pm
|
Hello and welcome to the forum. Ive had very good success with the Nicko Stirling Mountmaster 3-9x40 AO scope on my very powerful Hatsan. It has no problem handling the recoil. I have found hunting with that mag scope is fine. Wouldnt want to go to much higher as it makes it harder to locate your traget especially at night. Gamos have very bad triggers and a lot of people dont like them. They are also not made very well and are considered entry level. But they will get the job done once you find a pellet it likes. I wouldnt be looking at the most powerful thing on the planet because they shoot all over the place. A nice 800-900fps in .177 or 6- 700 od in .22 will make a nice easy to shot rifle. ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2026 at 6:30pm
|
Hey welcome aboard. Price if your buying it new. They cost to much for what they are. You can pick up a higher quality non magnum second hand gun for same price. I picked up a diana ar8 for less than new gamo magnium. It a magnum and shoots extremely well, but is better built rifle. Gamos are light and jump a lot, takes a bit to master. Ive gone for a set focal plain 3-9×40 Which i find ample out 100m for magnification at 3×. Still running it through the will be handel and an air rifle,but few hundred pellets in its holding. Find it much easier for hunting |
Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2026 at 8:45pm
|
Hi, and welcome to the forum. I’m of a similar age and bought my first airgun under a year ago to deal with a possum problem on our rural lifestyle property. Not knowing much about airguns I bought a .22 Gamo Wildcat Whisper with a 4x23 scope and 4 tins of pellets for $260 on TradeMe. I chose this because it was the only .22 available for a price I was prepared to pay that was close enough for me to go and collect. I’ve since become a bit addicted and have added a 30 cal Hatsan, a .22 Diana 31, an old Chinese .177 I got off TradeMe for $15 and two Webley air pistols to my Gamo. Overall, I’m happy with the Gamo. It is accurate when I do my part as I’m still learning how to consistently shoot all my guns. It is a good weight to carry for extended periods and the synthetic stock stands up well to the knocks. I never managed to zero the Gamo with the scope it came with so soon was looking for a replacement. I now believe this was as much because of the rubbish pellets that came with the gun and me learning how to shoot the gun consistently as the cheap scope. After watching a lot of YouTube reviews I ended up buying a CVLIFE JackalHowl 3-9x40 which cost $115 including delivery and a set of dovetail mounts. The Scope came with a set of weaver mounts as well. This is a very good scope for the $$$. It is very clear and the 3-9 magnification works well for spring powered air gun ranges. I have used this on my Hatsan and it has stood up fine on a gun that is regarded as a scope killer – the Gamo 4x32 lasted less than 10 shots on this gun. This scope is currently on my Diana. I then purchased a CVLIFE FoxSpook 3-9x40 AO to put on the Gamo which cost around $60 including delivery. This scope is not quite as clear as the JackalHowl but is still good. Not sure if I like the AO (adjustable objective) or not. It does help to work out how far away a target is but as the adjustment is on the front of the scope it is a bit impractical for hunting. I’m currently waiting on another 309x40 FoxSpook without AO that cost $54. I will be putting the JackHowl back on the Hatsan but I’m not sure which FoxSpook will end up on which of my other guns. You may find this YouTube video a useful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxoED_cvfFk&t=1522s ------------- Regards, -Ec |
Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2026 at 8:51pm
|
On a slightly different tack - I see you are from Christchurch. Might be worth checking out https://collectorweapons.co.nz/ Andy Mayberry who runs this is based in Christchurch and has hundreds of Airguns for sale, not all of which are listed on this site. If you haven't already purchased a gun it might be worthwhile making contact with Andy and checking out what he has available. This is where my Diana came from. ------------- Regards, -Ec |
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 11:39am
|
Thanks for your reply. I hear what you say about power. The reviews on various sites spell out a slightly different story in regards to accuracy for this gun in particular. With the right pellet, they're well under an inch at 25 metres which should suit me fine and, as it's primarily for small game, the speed is a factor in knockdown power. I'm coming from 50 years of 12g, .270, .30 and 7/08 weapons so shooting technique shouldn't be an issue, especially with a history as an Infantry marksman. The trigger on the Swarm is a adjustable 2 stage unit that also has after market kits available. Bog standard, they're 3.5 - 4lb pull but there's an aftermarket adjuster screw that can take that down to 1.5 at minimal cost. In addition, it's a air piston operation, rather than a springer in the true fashion, and that's also a plus to me as I know from previous springers the spring deterioration can be a problem. Which is why the question was about a scope rather than the air gun itself. Do you know where I could buy a Nikko Stirling Mountmaster scope in 3 - 9 x? Sounds like a way better option than anything Gun City branded.
|
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 11:45am
I hear you. What weight is your Diana? The Gamo is 6.9lb bare, so not light and the air piston, as opposed to an actual spring, is an additional feature I like the engineering of. is your Diana a springer or air piston?
|
kruzaroad wrote:Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 11:49am
Thanks for your in depth reply. I hear what you say about pellet selection. I'll pick up whatever I doo actually buy and, after recommendations, I'll also pick up 4 or 5 packets of various quality and weights in hunting pellets to see what it likes. It's the same with rimfire and centrefire, less so with shotties . My 7/08 was super accurate with Hornady Superperformance 139g SST's but less so with everything else, so that is in no way unique to air rifles. From where is the CVLIFE Jackal howl?
|
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 11:50am
I'm having a look there next and thank you for the link. Much apppreciated.
|
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 12:42pm
|
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.
|
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 12:46pm
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?
|
Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 12:57pm
|
Hi, I got my CV Life scopes via their web site https://www.cvlife.com Here is one of the reviews I found prior to buying my first one. The reviewed scope is one of their cheaper ones https://youtu.be/Mf4-WhxzXQE?si=LzEIAtqFDUghaoT0 One trick I've found with CV Life is to register on the site, add what you want to the basket and then exit. Within a day they will email you a discount code to encourage you to buy. I got 20% off my first two and 30% off my most recent one. Although CV Life are Chinese the scopes are shipped from the Netherlands and take about a month to arrive. There is also this review of a different brand of scope. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4omH5jGAdEY Kruzzaroad from the forum recently bought one of these for his Diana and he seems happy with it. Must work OK as he put a a picture of a hare he dropped at over a hundred meters. As for finding the right pellet for a gun - can get expensive. Some manufacturers sell sample packs with 4-5 packs of 30-40 pellets for around $50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4omH5jGAdEY
------------- Regards, -Ec |
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 1:04pm
i also notice you have a mountain of clearance between the scope and the tube, which seems contrary to accepted practice for accuracy?
|
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 1:19pm
|
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. |
Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 1:26pm
|
While most fixed parallax scopes are set at 100 yards, it is possible to adjust this - this is covered in the following video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxoED_cvfFk&t=1522s Doesn't work on the cheapo Gamo 4x32 which is set at 25 yards but did work on the CVLife JackalHowl. Still need to fine tune a bit but I've reset this to around 30 meters. ------------- Regards, -Ec |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 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.
|
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 2:10pm
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.
|
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 2:13pm
|
Good video -Ec, I will have a go at scope tuning this afternoon. What could possibly go wrong......
|
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 2:25pm
|
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 4:10pm
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.
|
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 4:12pm
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.
|
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 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?  |
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 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.
|
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 9:48pm
|
There is a theory (which I subscribe to) that a scope should cost at least as much as the rifle…. Hummm 🤔 ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: muzza
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 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 |
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 9:54pm
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.
|
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 10:00pm
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.
|
Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2026 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 |
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2026 at 11:27am
EC thanks for that. I'll have a look through that section and learn some stuff. Failures is what i specialize in until I succeed. I'm not particularly talented shooting wise, but I am persistent and that, beside all else, gets me there, in the end.
|
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2026 at 10:41pm
|
G Magnum with different holds. Letting the rifle move and not opposing the forces for best result.
25 yards indoors Bench-rest using front bag 50mm OD diagram with 6mm bull H&N FTT 14.6 grain 5.53mm rifle held firmly downwards and hard into shoulder  rifle front using artillery hold but still hard into shoulder  rifle rested under its own weight on bag and loose to shoulder  |
Posted By: Myson
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2026 at 9:30am
Great illustration of the Artillery Hold, mercs!  And don't forget "Follow Through" - a much under-rated additional technique to be used alongside the Artillery Hold..... Springers need TLC!!!! ------------- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE Air Arms S510 US .22 Air Arms S410 .22 Weihrauch HW97KT .177 Weihrauch HW95 .177 |
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2026 at 9:51pm
I put about 150 pellets through today , a mixture but 125 Gamo Hunter and the shoulder hold with very little front interference was the go. Let it do its thing and I'm still learning how to do mine with this particular rifle. Some promising signs, despite the wind gusts at Lake Heron. Crow Magnums, Hornets, Baracuda Hunter all grouped OK, conditions aside.
|
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2026 at 11:32am
|
Great idea mercs. Encouraged me to do the same as ive never actually tested different holds. Bottom right has a marked pulled an no extra shot ( thought i took it) thats the artillary hold. Other pulled shot,reshot. I forgot to do one with me holding the forestock as well. Its more accurate than tested on bag.. No wind to speak of. Gun is a magnum. How i hold this gun. Just below firm pressure on the shoulder stock. Above light though. Hand wrapped around forestock in light grip. I prefer to hold it closer to trigger end like this If i need to grab further down the stock for whatever reason the fingers are barely touching the side. Basically the thumb and index finger are holding the stock. 
|
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2026 at 12:11pm
|
here is some more information on this as well.  ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2026 at 12:28pm
|
Nice chart! never seen that before. Seems accurate too. Most of it is in the control of the right hand, for me,according to the chart. That would be dead right. Missing a couple of half fingers on that hand does change the grip. Then that tidies up on the "how I shoot" target. When im comfortable with the grip.I know I shoot tighter holding the forestock as well. So i guess im compensating with my left grip as well. Still things to look at and improve on cheers. Got a left hand chart as well. Or that just mirror image. |
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2026 at 3:40pm
|
That's a handy wee chart. I'll find a download of that. Still trying to to get dialled in and, even though I've shot a couple of OK 5 shot groups with the new rifle and it isn't bedded in yet, we all need to keep on improving and that might just help.
|
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2026 at 4:56pm
you can download it here uploads/3/Right-Handed.pdf" rel="nofollow - uploads/3/Right-Handed.pdf ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Posted By: Ashman
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2026 at 7:46pm
Thank you. Much appreciated. Lots of really helpful folks on this forum.
|