REX 3-9x40mm AO Airgun Scope
By Todd Cooper
Throughout this review I will be comparing the REX 3-9x40AO scope to the popular Bushnell Sportsman 3-9x32AO (model 72-0039). The Sportsman airgun scope is a direct competitor for this particular REX product. The prices on the scopes are very close, they both share 3X to 9X variable magnification, and size and weight are similar. Many air gunners seem to be looking for optics at a bargain. The REX may be an option that hasn’t been considered yet.
As soon as I opened the REX box I noticed a simple but possibly important detail from a shipping standpoint. The REX box is thin corrugated cardboard rather than the thin cereal box material found on many scope cartons. The corrugated cardboard should provide a bit better protection during shipping and storage. A second protection feature is the sealed bubble wrap bag that contains the scope. My Sportsman scope came in a regular clear plastic bag with the cereal box packaging.
When I first slipped the REX scope from the box, out dropped a small heat sealed plastic bag with 3 hex wrenches inside. Then I noticed the scope was sealed in a plastic bubble wrap protector, along with the see-through lens caps, mounts, instructions, a cleaning cloth, and a bag of desiccant. At first the scope felt a bit heavy so I checked the weight on my digital postal scale. With the mounts (included with scope) it weighed 1 lb 4.0 oz. I quickly checked the Sportsman (with mounts included) and it weighed 1 lb 3.0 oz. Not much difference, considering the REX has a 40mm objective lens and the Bushnell a 32mm.
First impressions of the REX were very good.
Ø The scope feels solid.
Ø Adjustable objective and magnification ring rotate smoothly.
Ø Metal turrets seem solid and have a sweet “click” sound when rotated.
Ø Eyepiece fast focus turns smoothly.
Ø Eyepiece has the typical rubber ring around the perimeter (at end).
Ø The scope’s matt black finish appears smooth and consistent in tone.
Ø Numbering-lettering-markings are clean, etched in metal with white paint.
Ø Image appears clear and bright with no obvious distortions or yellowing. The REX is far from a Zeiss or Swarovski but it seems quite functional at a fraction of the cost.
(click to follow)
REX Measurements
Length = 13.0”
Front bell diameter = 2.080”
Rear bell diameter = 1.635”
Weight = 17.0 oz
Sportsman Measurements
Length = 12.75”
Diameter at front bell = 1.808”
Diameter at rear bell = 1.752”
Weight = 16.8 oz
Notes:
- Lengths were taken with AO set at 50 yards.
- Weights were taken without mounts.
- Vernier caliper and a digital postal scale were used.
- Objective lens diameters seem to agree with factory advertising.
The parallax adjustment for the Bushnell Sportsman and REX scopes can be found on the front bell. The adjustable objective on the REX allegedly adjusts from 10 yards to 200 yards while the Bushnell indicates from 7.5 yards to 100 yards. Both scopes have the infinity symbol after the final yardage markings and both AO rings seem to adjust a bit lower than the lowest marked increment. These parallax-free yardage markings are very useful but actual tests speak the facts. The upper numbers are not usually the problem with airgun scopes but closer distances are where we sometimes see parallax problems with scopes that will not actually adjust low enough.
It only took a few minutes to set up a steady table at a measured 7.5 yards from a target. The scopes were set at 9 power for this test. As it turned out, the Sportsman was not quite parallax-free at the 7.5 yard marking on the scope. With the setting adjusted as low as it would turn, I was getting slightly less than 1/16” of parallax shift at the 7.5 yard distance. The true minimum parallax-free setting turned out to be approximately 8 yards. The REX was marked as low as 10 yards but when I set the front bell as low as possible, I still saw ¼” of total crosshair movement as the “moving head test“ was performed at 7.5 yards. The lowest parallax-free setting on the REX scope turned out to be approximately 9.5 yards. When I backed up to 10 yards, the crosshairs in both scopes were steady when set at the “10 yard” markings. Parallax error was also easily removed at 20 yards. Both scopes seem to be fine in the close distance category.
The parallax dials on the Sportsman and REX were very smooth to rotate. The Sportsman was slightly easier to turn but the REX was still not a problem. This is more than I can say about the magnification adjustments. Although the REX was a smooth and easy two finger turn, the Sportsman required an index finger and thumb wrapped around the dial to get it to move. This stiff dial seems to be typical in the lower priced Bushnell scopes. I owned two of the older Sportview 3-9x32AO scopes (79-0039) and both were very stiff to adjust.
(REX on top)
FOV for REX
10m = 16.0” @9X
10m = 25.0” @6X
20yds = 30.5” @9X
20yds = 4’0” @6X
20yds = 7’7.5” @3X
FOV for Sportsman
10m = 16.6” @9X
10m = 25.8” @6X
20yds = 31.5” @9X
20yds = 4’1” @6X
20yds = 7’10.5” @3X
Notes:
- Measurements were carefully taken and repeated 3 times each.
- The FOV for the Sportsman is slightly wider and I don’t know why.
- Differences between FOV for the scopes seem to be only about 3%.
The REX and Sportsman scopes both come with metal target style turret adjusters, marked with clear graduated increments on the dials. The positive click stops and marked calibrations on these scopes allow a shooter to quickly adjust up or down when changing target distances. Each scope would have to be checked for repeatability before trusting for serious competition or precision shots on game animals/birds.
The REX scope indicates “1 click, ¼ MOA” on top of each turret. The Bushnell has no markings, however, the instructions state the same “¼ Minute of Angle” clicks.
I have owned my Sportsman scope for almost 5 years now and I still get frustrated when making periodic adjustments. There are no direction indications on either turret. This can turn a simple task into a headache, if you don’t remember which way you previously turned the dials. The REX has clear arrows on the turrets, accompanied by “UP” and “L” indicators. A simple feature that seems to have been forgotten on the Bushnell.
The only other comment I will make about the turrets is regarding the heights. The Bushnell turrets stick up approximately 0.8” while the REX turrets are more streamline at 0.5” in height. This may or may not be worth while noting.
(REX Turret on top)
The differences between the reticles in the REX scope and the Bushnell Sportsman scope are definitely worth noting. The Bushnell has the traditional duplex crosshair reticle with the thicker outer sections which change to a thinner crosshair a short distance from their intersection. The ends of the thicker sections are arrows at the point where they change thickness.
The reticle in the REX scope is the newer mildot style. This particular model has the duplex crosshairs on the bottom and sides. The upper crosshair is thin, right from the top to the intersection. All four sections of the crosshairs have three evenly spaced mildots, located close to the intersection point of the crosshairs. These small dots can be used for holdover, or under, or quick windage changes. A shooter could take the time to carefully chart the use of these dots for aiming.
The Pyramyd Air web site has a short, but thorough, explanation of Mildots. Full credit goes to this dealer.
http://www.pyramydair.com/site/articles/mildot/
What is a mil dot scope?
To answer that, we first have to know what a mil is.
A mil dot reticle does not refer to the military. The MIL in mil dot is a shortening of the term milliradian. You are familiar with degrees as measurements of angle. You also know from high school geometry that there are 360 degrees in a circle. As the circle grows larger in circumference, the number of degrees does not change, but the distance between each degree along the circle does increase. You may also know that degrees are divided into smaller units called minutes. There are seconds, too, but they are too small for this discussion. A degree is divided into 60 minutes. At 100 yards distance, the angle of one minute is approximately one inch. So if the centers of the two bullets farthest apart in a 100-yard group are about one inch apart, we call that a minute-of-angle group. Get it? At 200 yards, a group measuring two inches center- to-center equals a one minute-of-angle group. At 400 yards, it's a four-inch group. At 50 yards, it's a half-inch group.
Now what is a mil?
One mil of angle is approximately 3.6 inches long at 100 yards, and that is close enough to 3.5 minutes of angle to be convenient. In Leapers mil dot scopes, the centers of the dots are one mil apart. If the scope is variable power, this only holds true for the highest power setting.
So, if your bullseye is 3.5 inches in diameter and 100 yards away, it will touch the centers of any two dots next to each other. If it appears only half that size through the scope (from the center of one dot to half the distance to the next center) your target must be about 200 yards away. If the same bullseye spans the distance between the centers of three dots (two with an extra dot between them), your target is about 50 yards away.
Sniper rifles have mil dots on both horizontal and vertical crosshairs so they can measure height as well as width through their scopes. A six-foot tall man is also 72 inches tall. At 100 yards, he would appear to be just over 20 mils tall. At 1000 yards, he would be close to 2 mils tall.
Military binoculars and gunsights are usually equipped with mil reticles. On the standard crosshairs are other short lines that mark mill angles. These are often referred to as rangefinding reticles. To use them that way, you have to know how to apply the correct mathematical formula, plus you have to know the approximate size of your target.
What else can you use the mil dot reticle for? Well, if you are shooting in a crosswind, you can use the dots as additional aim points to compensate for wind drift. If you notice the strike of your pellets in relation to the dots, you can aim off to one side by placing a dot along the horizontal reticle over the target instead of the crosshairs. By choosing the correct dot, you can easily adjust for how much the pellet will drift in the wind and end up with a perfect shot every time. Better still, there is no math involved!
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(REX Mildot reticle on left)
REX mounts
Claw = .82” wide
Ring = .83” wide
Two screws per side
Two screws per claw
Bushnell mounts
Claw = .63” wide
Ring = .63” wide
One screw on each side
One screw per claw
The Bushnell mounts that are included with the Sportsman scope do not seem nearly as strong as the REX mounts. The REX mounts have a wider ring which results in more contact with the scope tube. The clamp is also wider which gives more contact with the receiver grooves. The REX mounts also have dual screws on each side of the ring and on the claws. The Bushnell mounts only have single screws at each ring side and claw.
My old Sportsman mounts required a lot of screw tension when used on an XS-B3-1 rifle which resulted in slight damage to the aluminum claws. The hardened screw started digging into the sides of the claws but a pair of small stainless washers quickly remedied that problem.
The rear REX mount has an adjustable recoil stop screw that can be turned into the lower ring when not in use. This screw should work fine with the Weihrauch receiver holes.
The REX and Bushnell mounts both have the same grip tape applied to the upper and lower ring interiors. This tape can easily be removed or replaced with a different product.
It’s difficult not to have a bias towards the REX mounts. They appear to be a better product design with more holding strength. With spring-piston airguns, this is something that matters.
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(REX mounts on top)
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(REX mount with scope stop screw)
The scope instructions for the REX states:
This REX Optics product is fully guaranteed against any manufacturing defects for 10 years except the reticle which is covered for 24 months from the date of purchase as long as it has been used under normal conditions. During this period, it is the distributors responsibility in each country to either repair or replace free of charge upon presentation of the original purchase receipt. This warranty is not transferable, will not be reissued and does not cover any damages caused by accident, misuse or unauthorized repair.
For repair service please bring your product back to the point of sale or contact your local distributor which you can locate in the yellow pages or on our website: www.rexoptics.com.
The scope instructions for the Bushnell Sportsman states:
Your Bausch & Lomb, Bushnell, or Jason binocular, riflescope or telescope is warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the original owner. The Lifetime Limited Warranty is an expression of our confidence in the materials and mechanical workmanship of our products and is your assurance of a lifetime of dependable service. In the event of a defect under this warranty, we will, at our option, repair or replace the product, provided that you return the product postage paid. Any return made under this warranty must be accompanied by a check in the amount of $10.00 to cover the cost of handling. Please also include your name and address and explanation of the defect. This warranty does not cover damages caused by misuse or improper handling, installations or maintenance of the product.
If service should be necessary, your Bausch & Lomb, Bushnell or Jason binocular, riflescope or telescope should be well packed in a sturdy outside shipping carton to prevent damage in transit and return postage prepaid to the corresponding service department.
Pros and Cons of REX scope package:
- REX has smooth and comfortable adjustments for magnification, focus, and turrets.
- Magnification adjustment much better on REX.
- Parallax-free adjustment down to 9.5 yards on REX and 8 yards on Sportsman.
- Turrets on REX are properly labelled with rotation directions.
- Mildot reticle on REX a bonus.
- Superior scope mounts on REX, with adjustable recoil pin included.
- About 3% less FOV when compared to Sportsman.
- Neither warranty covers accidental damages but Bushnell warranty is lifetime of original owner. Warranties are only for defects in material and workmanship.
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Copyright 2007