Best Scopes for Daystate Air Rifles

Start with parallax. Even on a PCP, parallax error is a common cause of inconsistent groups at air rifle ranges. A side-focus wheel that reaches down to about 10 yards lets you set the focus exactly for your target distance, which removes it. For hunting at known ranges you can set it and leave it, and for field target it is also your range-finding tool. Side focus is easier to reach from the shoulder than an adjustable objective, which is why it is the usual choice on high-end airguns.

Think about turrets and tracking. Because a regulated Daystate shoots tight, small errors in a scope's adjustment show up as drift and misses. Look for turrets that click firmly, return to zero and track predictably. A repeatable scope also lets you note your settings for different distances. If you want to dial rather than hold over, a scope with reliable, clearly marked turrets is worth the extra, and a mil-dot or similar holdover reticle is helpful if you prefer to aim off.

Choose magnification honestly. A 4-12x is the best all-round range for hunting rabbits and pigeons at 20 to 50 yards. A 4-16x or 6-24x gives finer aiming for field target or paper, but it narrows the field of view and shows every wobble, so use high magnification only when you are supported. On a sub-12 ft-lb rifle, shots beyond roughly 40 to 50 yards on small quarry are not sensible. On an FAC rifle you have more energy, but treat about 60 to 80 yards as the upper working limit for hunting small quarry, and only where you can hold steady and place the pellet cleanly.

Know your legal position. In England and Wales an air rifle at or under 12 ft-lb needs no licence. Above that it is an FAC air rifle, and you need a Firearms Certificate, a good reason for having it, such as permission over land with quarry, and compliant storage. In Scotland an Air Weapon Certificate is needed for an air rifle, and a Firearms Certificate applies above 12 ft-lb. Daystate sells versions of the same rifles at different power levels, so confirm which yours is before setting up. This is general information, not legal advice. Check with your police firearms licensing team.

Mount it properly. Daystate rifles carry an 11 mm dovetail or a Picatinny style rail depending on model and year, so check your rifle before buying rings. A good set of rings in the right height for your objective lens matters as much as the scope. Tighten the ring screws evenly, and consider a scope level so you do not cant the rifle. Set eye relief from your normal shooting position, not at the bench.

Look after the set-up. Wipe the lenses with a proper lens cloth rather than your sleeve, keep the caps on in the vehicle, and re-check the zero whenever the rifle is knocked or travels a long way in the car. A regulated Daystate is consistent enough that a shift in point of impact usually means something has moved, not that the rifle has changed. If groups open up, check ring screws and the scope level before you touch the turrets, and then re-confirm the zero at your normal distance.

Zero and verify. Zero at the distance you most often shoot, often 25 to 30 yards for hunting, then check groups at 10 and 40 yards to learn the trajectory. Because a regulated PCP gives tight groups, you can see small changes quickly. Our guide to zeroing an air rifle scope covers the process. Shoot only with permission and a safe backstop at all times.