Tasco 3-9x40AO Air Rifle Scope Review
Printed From: Kiwi Airgunners
Category: Technical
Forum Name: Reviews
Forum Description: Rate your airgun or pellets here
URL: www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=613
Printed Date: 05 Jun 2025 at 5:59pm
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Topic: Tasco 3-9x40AO Air Rifle Scope Review
Posted By: mercs
Subject: Tasco 3-9x40AO Air Rifle Scope Review
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2022 at 1:04pm
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Supply of air rated scopes has been thin of late with Nikko Stirling being noticeably absent. Gamo seem to have maintained some availability and Gun City look to have their own in-house brand on stock. Time to discover what else is out there. Reading an on-line review had Tasco as functional but durability was unproven, which seemed like a good place for me to get started. Tasco are offering a number of options including a 2-7x32AO and 3-9x40AO  They have brand name to live up to so I cannot see them rating their scopes for airguns without some merit. I fitted it to a Gamo CFX as I hade recently put this through its paces using a Gamo 3-9x40AO with excellent results so any difference was going to be attributable to the scope or shooter on the day. First Impressions The scope was well packaged in a box using plastic bubble wrap. Mounting rings, hex key and cleaning cloth were provided. Air Rating is clearly labelled on box and scope. Product manual and warranty were available from www.tasco.com Session 1 Sighting-in was easy and 20 yard accuracy was proven from bench rest position then assessed using Target Scan App. 8.7mm diameter group was under good conditions but a little rushed at days end.. Session 2 Snapped off some nice standing shots at 25 yards Seated position 50 pellet plinking session at 25 yards using a 1 inch spinner without a miss. Session 3 Turret moved vertically 1.5 turns up then down and returned to original POA exactly. Turrett moved horizontally 1.5 turns left then right and returned to POA exactly. Objective and power adjusters worked repeatedly full turns without issue. 50 pellets at paper targets at up to 30 yards, resting on a fence post shot several 20mm groups. Initial findings Good AO settings Turret adjusters are precise but needed a bit of use to settle. AO and power rings move well and did not wander. Quite usable on max power but I settled on 7x at 20 - 30 yards. Cost NZ$200 Warranty - lifetime original owner Outcome Hard to fault and appears to be good value. Optically, I have better but not at this price. Proof will be in longevity, warranty and continued availability.  |
Replies:
Posted By: dvlnme
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2022 at 3:47am
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good review,have had many tasco scopes on firearms over the years,never had a problem with any of them,optically they were never as good as my burris and lepold scopes but they were significantly cheaper as well but allways good value for money,so would expect if tasco was getting into airgun scopes they wont be marketing scopes as suitable for airguns if they werenot suitable,as most us aware spring and gas ram rifles will very quickly destroy any scope not rated for this type of airgun within couple hundred shots so cant see tasco putting a good reputation on the line by marketing scopes for airguns if they wont last the distance,biggest thing with springer scopes is they need etched reticals.if tasco scopes have this type retical they should last the distance and think most scopes today have etched reticals,heavy recoiling springers will destroy often good quality scopes particually the larger ones the bigger the scope on these heavy recoiling rifles the more likely they could fail,i see gamo now has a recoil absorbing scope rail now on their magnum spring and gas ram rifles so time will tell how effective that works i guess. its good to see other scope makers getting into airgun scopes and at a price many can afford to. cheers mike
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Posted By: J-S
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2022 at 5:16am
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Nice review. Airgun scopes are becoming more availanble - The go to was the Hawke Sport HD but they discontinued the range and the replacememts are around double the price. Nikko Stirling has the Air King which I have found to be quite ghood so far (a little big for the fixed rings on my Theoben so I havent been anle to test it on high power for a good length of time) Great to see Tasco come to the party too! I havent tried one in the flesh but they look good in Youngs counter - I may have to give one a go. ------------- https://www.instagram.com/js_airguns/" rel="nofollow - J S Airguns Air Arms TX200('s) Theoben Sirocco HW77 FWB 300s Webley Patriot One or two others... Current projects: Too many.. |
Posted By: dvlnme
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2022 at 8:28am
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jono can you email me my phone packed a wobbly and has deleted all my mail for the fone and computer,so have lost your mail address etc so havnt been able to contact you mate. cheers mike
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Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2022 at 2:39pm
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After 4 months service another Tasco scope has been purchased and mounted on the .177 Sig 20ft/lb break barrel as a real durability test. Once again I am impressed with the scopes clarity at higher magnification. Fitted using a SportsMatch DM80 Dampa Mount ($140) to give it a reasonable chance of survival. Turning out to be a good general purpose option. The scanned target group was with all care and proves the package but far from real world conditions. 500 pellets and no issues so it has already exceeded expectations.   |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2022 at 2:30pm
| Thanks for the review. I am looking for a scope for my HW97k, so something else to look at. |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 05 May 2022 at 3:52pm
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Another session with the Tasco scope Sig break barrel using .67 gramme SigAir Dagger pellets. Scope was previously dialled in at 50 metres Target was was set 1.5 metres from ground at a distance of 50.3 metres. First three shots were very pleasing and then a good breeze of 15kph established from over my right shoulder. (and did not relent) I adjusted 25mm to the right (best guess) for this and still ended up left and definitely did not anticipate the lift. The paddock slopes down to the right so perhaps a wind effect from the ground. It will be interesting to put some wind indicators out to see if the lift is real and repeatable. target measurements 11.5mm bull 112mm black 153mm outer  |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2022 at 4:57pm
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Gamo .177 Black Fusion Wanting to get back and sort this scope buster for some time (purchased July 2019). It has a history of failed scopes. Tasco 3-9x40AO was purchased and installed using a dovetail SportsMatch DM70 mount. Scope turrets needed some work initially but now responding well to single clicks. Pellet choice .67 gramme H&N Hades. Initial grouping is very good. 100 pellets to date and no issues. I look forward to getting it out with a spotlight now weather is clearing.  Saving grace for this rifle has always been a very usable set of sights. The Dampa Mount has very firm rubber bushings between upper and lower sections. I have used them for several years and consider the $160 cost worthwhile but it is very difficult to determine how much recoil they absorb. It may take a few more years to prove how effective they are and a good scope warranty remains top of the list.  |
Posted By: J-S
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2022 at 8:42am
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The Theoben Eliminatior uses the same rubber bushing damper (likely made by sportsmatch for theoben) so the systme has been unchanged for some decades - must go somewhere in proving their usefulness... It may be a case that they dont absorb a lot of the recoil movement but kull some of the vibration to the scope. Scopes are made for guns, guns recoil, but spring guns I imagine a lot of spring vibration that would transfer through the gun, scope and the delicate internals. ------------- https://www.instagram.com/js_airguns/" rel="nofollow - J S Airguns Air Arms TX200('s) Theoben Sirocco HW77 FWB 300s Webley Patriot One or two others... Current projects: Too many.. |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2022 at 3:17pm
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The third Tasco 3-9x40AO mounted on the Gamo Black Fusion has been returned under warranty after losing some clarity and developing an internal rattle. Picked up a Tasco 2-7x32AO and will report on how that is working in a few months time. I know of several Tasco 4x32AO in service so I will check in when I find out how they are handling springer rifles.
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Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2022 at 2:42pm
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.22 BSA Meteor now fitted up with Tasco 2-7x32 with very pleasing results. Engineer modified a set of 16mm dovetail rings for a cleaner look than the original setup. 32mm scope so as not to overshadow what are quite a small rifle. Power plant overhaul kit is next project before assessing accuracy.  |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2022 at 3:21pm
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Previously returned Tasco 3-9x40AO was replaced promptly so no complaints. Now fitted to my .22 SigSauer ASP20 using a SportMatch Dampa Mount. Currently working through pellet options for this rifle with 50 metre target shooting in mind. The rifle is well capable so shooter and scope remain the unknowns. Look forward to posting some results. 
Now have a Tasco 4x32AO to try for myself. Gives me the three air rated scopes from their range. Quite a short scope so cannot utilise a one piece damping mount to give it any protection.  |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2023 at 6:51am
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Tasco 4x32 AO mounted to Crosman. I was looking for something compact to top off my project carbine and settled on this. Easily comes to eye and the AO lets you in very close. Specified as air recoil rated, 10 yard close focus, water and fog proof. It meets all my expectations but at $170 there are a lot of cheaper 4x32's available so time will tell.
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Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2023 at 7:29am
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Gamo .177 Replay 10 with Tasco 3-9x40AO. Gamo 3-9x40AO reticle rotated clockwise and became unusable. Several years old and previously repaired so that was that. Another chance for a Tasco 3-9x40AO $220. Once again utilising a SportsMatch Dampa Mount $160 to provide a little protection or at least a stable platform. Simple fit, simple to sight in and awesome results, maximum power is perfectly usable, AO range indications are good. 20-30 yard targets were pleasing and then readily took out 50 metre drop downs with some holdover which was a smile moment. This rifle has always had some merit and this scope did not let me down. 15 ft/lb so trigger weight is still reasonable. I use H&N Hunter Extreme 0.62g pellets for reliability in the magazines. Gamo make a specific 10 shot pellet which I do not recommend.  Unbelievable but this has a completely unrestricted view over the loading device. Standard Gamo has an additional recoil reducing riser rail under their mounts which is not required with this scope.  |
Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2023 at 1:20pm
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TASCO Wrap Up One year since purchasing first scope. Tasco appeared to enter the market with a new airgun rated range and lifetime warranty. Same cost as Gamo and less than Nikko Stirling Panamax. I found they worked well at all magnifications, many low cost scopes are unusable at max power. AO markings were reasonable and could be used for ranging. Turrets need a bit of use before they settle. Optics are average but shot placement was always repeatable. Warranty - proven. Great if they stay in the market, definitely a place at that price point. I continue to like that the airgun rating is clearly printed on the scope itself eliminating any debate. Good value at $170 - $200 - $220 for the range. Usage 3-9x40AO in service .177 Sig ASP20 20ft/lb springer (dampa mount) 8 months >1000 pellets 3-9x40AO in service .22 Sig ASP20 20 ft/lb springer (dampa mount) 4 months >1000 pellets 3-9x40AO in service .22 Gamo CFX 15 ft/lb springer (Rings) 12 months >500 pellets 2-7x32AO in service .177 BSA Meteor 8 ft/lb springer (Rings) 2-7x32AO in service .22 BSA Meteor 8 ft/lb springer (Rings) 4x32AO in service .22 Crosman 2250B 7 ft/lb CO2 (Rings) 3-9x40AO in service .177 Gamo Replay 15 ft/lb springer (dampa mount) 3-9x40AO failed .177 Gamo Fusion 15 ft/lb (dampa mount) replaced under warranty. This was disappointing, there was a definite rattle and failure was early so possibly a manufacturing fault. cheers all
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2023 at 2:51pm
Could be the gamo just shook it to pieces  Good review for them, will have to have a look 
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Posted By: Billbobnz
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2023 at 1:32pm
| might have to get one for my .25 - Ive done a couple of tweeks and back to 2" groups at 40m |