How to choose the right riflescope or red dot sight

3 min read

A good sight can make a marked difference to the accuracy and shooting experience of your air gun. But with so many types of riflescopes and red dot sights on the market, how do you choose the right one? In this guide we go through the most important factors to consider when choosing a sight for your air gun.

1. Which sight best suits your needs?

The choice of sight depends on what you will use your air gun for. Here is a general guide:

Magnified riflescope: Best for precision shooting and longer distances.
Red dot sight: Ideal for fast shots at short range.
Holographic sight: An advanced version of the red dot sight with a sharper sight picture.

2. Riflescopes – magnification and optics

What does the magnification mean?

Magnification is given as, for example, 3-9x40, where:

3-9x means the scope can be adjusted from 3x to 9x magnification.
40 is the diameter of the objective lens in millimetres.

Which magnification should you choose?

1-4x: Fast shots at short range (<30 m).
3-9x: A good all-round magnification for medium range (30–70 m).
4-16x: Long-range shooting (70+ m).

Objective lens size and light transmission

Larger objective lenses (e.g. 50 mm) let in more light and work better in low light.
Smaller lenses (e.g. 32 mm) are more compact but transmit less light.

TIP: If you shoot in poor light, choose a scope with a large objective lens and good optical coatings.

3. First focal plane (FFP) vs second focal plane (SFP)

First focal plane (FFP): The reticle changes size as you adjust the magnification. Best for long-range shooting.
Second focal plane (SFP): The reticle stays the same size regardless of magnification. Ideal for general shooting.

➡ FFP for shooting with variable zoom, SFP for regular use at fixed distances.

4. Red dot sights – fast and effective

Red dot sights are popular for fast target acquisition. They have no magnification and project an illuminated dot in the sight.

✅ Advantages:

Fast target acquisition without parallax problems.
Ideal for moving targets or short-range shooting.
Can be used with both eyes open.

❌ Disadvantages:

Not suited to long-range shooting.
Depends on battery power.

➡ Use a red dot sight if you mainly shoot at short range and need fast shots.

5. Choosing a reticle type (crosshair)

The reticle (crosshair) comes in many designs:

Mil-Dot: Best for precision shooting and range estimation.
Duplex: Simple and easy to use.
Illuminated reticle: Good in poor light.
BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation): Designed to compensate for the drop in trajectory.

➡ Choose a reticle that suits your shooting style and distance.

6. Mounting the sight – important considerations

Once you have chosen your sight, it needs to be mounted correctly:

Use matching mounts for your rail (Picatinny or Weaver).
Make sure to tighten the screws correctly, without overtightening.
Adjust the eye relief so you get a clear, unobstructed sight picture.

7. Troubleshooting and maintenance

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Blurred sight picture	Condensation or dirt on the lens	Clean the lens with a microfibre cloth
Shots don't land consistently	Loose mounting	Check mounts and screws
Weak or no illumination	The battery is flat	Replace the battery