BUILD A BUNDLESAVE UP TO 10% ON YOUR BASKET TOTAL!
WHAT IS THE BUNDLE BUILDER?
Add an air rifle to your basket to begin your Bundle Build. Complete your shooting package with optics, mounts and accessories and enjoy up to 10% off your entire order.
How It Works
1. Add your chosen air rifle to your basket and the Bundle Builder becomes available.Add a rifle scope, save 5%
2. Add a set of mounting rings, save 2%
3. Add an accessory, save 3%
The discounts STACK:
Add a scope and mounts together? 7% saving. Complete the full setup? 10% saving. Add anything else to your basket on top of your bundle? 10% saving.
Build With Confidence
Not sure which scope suits your rifle? Unsure about mounts or accessories? No problem.
Just click the green chat icon in the bottom corner to chat with our IRIS AI assistant and start building your bundle with expert guidance.
Add an Air Rifle to get started
BUILD A BUNDLESAVE UP TO 10% ON YOUR BASKET TOTAL!
WHAT IS THE BUNDLE BUILDER?
Add an air rifle to your basket to begin your Bundle Build. Complete your shooting package with optics, mounts and accessories and enjoy up to 10% off your entire order.
How It Works
1. Add your chosen air rifle to your basket and the Bundle Builder becomes available.Add a rifle scope, save 5%
2. Add a set of mounting rings, save 2%
3. Add an accessory, save 3%
The discounts STACK:
Add a scope and mounts together? 7% saving. Complete the full setup? 10% saving. Add anything else to your basket on top of your bundle? 10% saving.
Build With Confidence
Not sure which scope suits your rifle? Unsure about mounts or accessories? No problem.
Just click the green chat icon in the bottom corner to chat with our IRIS AI assistant and start building your bundle with expert guidance.
Add an Air Rifle to get started
CHOOSING THE RIGHT RIFLE SCOPE
Now that you’ve chosen your air rifle, the next step is selecting the right rifle scope. The right optic will dramatically improve your accuracy, confidence and overall shooting enjoyment.
Most UK air rifle shooting takes place between 10 and 50 yards, so choosing the correct scope is about clarity, focus and sensible magnification rather than extreme zoom.
Before deciding, ask yourself:
- Are you mainly target shooting or doing pest control?
- What distances will you realistically shoot at?
- Do you want lightweight simplicity or more precise adjustment?
Target Shooting (Garden, Club, Range)
If you’re shooting paper targets or knockdowns at known distances, look for:
- Adjustable Objective (AO) or Side Parallax
- Clear focus from 10 yards
- Fine reticle for precision
- Moderate magnification (3–9x or 4–12x is ideal)
Pest Control (Rats, Rabbits, Close-to-Mid Range)
For pest control, speed and clarity matter more than extreme magnification. Look for:
- Good low-light performance
- Wide field of view
- Fast target acquisition
- Adjustable focus down to short distances
- Sensible magnification (3–9x or 4–12x works brilliantly)
Understanding Magnification
More magnification doesn’t automatically mean better performance.
For typical air rifle distances:
- 3–9x = excellent all-round choice
- 4–12x = versatile and popular
- 6–24x = more suited to dedicated target shooters
Most sub-12 ft/lb air rifle shooters will never need extreme magnification. Choose what helps you shoot comfortably and consistently.
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Parallax & Minimum Focus Distance
This is one of the most important features for air rifles.
Your scope should focus clearly from:
- 10 yards
- 15 yards
- 20 yards
If a scope doesn’t focus down low enough, the image may appear blurry and accuracy can suffer. Always check the minimum focus distance.
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Reticle Choice
A reticle with multiple aim points (such as a mildot style reticle) is very useful for air rifles.
Pellets drop significantly over distance, so holdover marks allow you to compensate without adjusting turrets.
For target shooting, a fine reticle improves precision. For pest control, a clear and uncluttered reticle often works best.
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Spring vs PCP Considerations
If you’re using a spring-powered air rifle, ensure your scope is rated to handle double recoil. Spring rifles recoil forwards and backwards, which can damage weaker optics.
PCP rifles are generally less demanding on scopes.
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FAQ – Air Rifle Scope Selection
What magnification should I choose for pest control? 3–9x or 4–12x is ideal for most UK pest control scenarios.
Do I need an adjustable objective? Yes. Being able to focus clearly at short distances is very important for air rifles.
Is higher magnification better for accuracy? Not necessarily. Stability and clarity matter more at typical air rifle distances.
What’s the most important feature to look for? Minimum focus distance and reliable build quality.
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If you’re unsure, our AI Build-a-Bundle Assistant can recommend the best scope for your rifle and shooting style and help you build a setup that works perfectly from day one.
+ A Scope
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CHOOSING THE RIGHT MOUNTING RINGS
Now that you’ve chosen your rifle scope, the next step is selecting the correct mounting rings. This is just as important as choosing the scope itself as the wrong rings simply won’t fit, and even the best scope won’t perform properly if mounted incorrectly.
There are three key things you must match correctly:
- Tube diameter
- Rail type
- Mount height
Get these right and your setup will be solid, aligned and reliable from day one.
1. Tube Diameter (Most Important)
Your mounting rings must match the diameter of your scope tube.
- 1 inch (25.4mm)
- 30mm
- 34mm
These are not interchangeable. Always check your scope specifications before choosing rings.
2. Rail Type (What Your Rifle Has)
You must match the mounting system on your rifle.
- 11mm Dovetail Rail – Most common on UK air rifles.
- Picatinny Rail – Wider, squared rail system often found on tactical-style rifles.
Dovetail and Picatinny mounts are completely different and are not interchangeable. Always check your rifle’s rail type before choosing.
3. Mount Height
Mount height determines how high your scope sits above the rifle.
- Low
- Medium
- High
The correct height depends on your objective lens size (40mm, 44mm, 50mm etc.), magazine clearance and personal preference. For most air rifle setups with 40–44mm objectives, medium mounts are usually ideal.
One-Piece vs Two-Piece Mounts
Two-piece mounts are the most common and work perfectly for most air rifles.
One-piece mounts offer additional rigidity and can be particularly useful on spring-powered rifles due to their double recoil. Many one-piece mounts also include a recoil stop pin for added security.
For spring rifles especially, a mount with a recoil stop is highly recommended.
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Spring vs PCP Considerations
Spring-powered air rifles produce both forward and rearward recoil. This can cause mounts to creep backwards over time.
If you are using a spring rifle, look for:
- A recoil stop pin
- A solid clamping system
- Strong build quality
PCP rifles are far less demanding on mounts.
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FAQ – Mounting Rings
What size rings do I need? Match the ring size to your scope tube - 1 inch, 30mm and 34mm are most common.
How do I know if my rifle is dovetail or Picatinny? Most traditional UK air rifles use 11mm dovetail rails. Tactical-style rifles may use Picatinny. Check your rifle specifications if unsure.
Do I need high mounts? Only if you have a large objective lens or clearance issues. Medium mounts suit most air rifle scopes.
Can I use adapters? Dovetail-to-Picatinny adapters exist, but using the correct mount for your rail is always preferable.
What happens if I choose the wrong rings? They simply won’t fit properly. Tube diameter and rail type must match exactly.
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If you’re unsure, our AI Build-a-Bundle Assistant can recommend the correct mounting rings for your rifle and scope combination, ensuring everything fits perfectly from the start.
+ Rings
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CHOOSING THE RIGHT ACCESSORIES
Now that your rifle, scope and mounting rings are sorted, it’s time to complete your setup with the right accessories.
Accessories aren’t just add-ons, they protect your investment, improve accuracy, make transport easier and ensure you can shoot consistently and safely.
The key is choosing what suits how and where you shoot.
BAGS, CASES AND SLINGS
Protecting your rifle is essential, especially when transporting it.
- Padded rifle bags or hard cases for safe storage
- Secure zips and reinforced stitching
- Correct internal length for your rifle
- Sling attachment points if needed
A quality bag protects your investment, while slings make carrying your rifle more comfortable during pest control or longer sessions outdoors.
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BIPODS, TRIPODS, RESTS AND BAGS
Stability equals accuracy.
Bipods & Tripods
- Height adjustment range
- Weight and portability
- Attachment method (stud mount, Picatinny etc.)
- Whether you prioritise compactness or maximum stability
Tripods offer excellent stability for varied distances. Bipods are lighter and more compact.
Shooting Rests & Bags
- Sand-filled or adjustable rests
- Front and rear bag combinations
- Stable base for consistent grouping
Ideal for bench shooting, zeroing and improving consistency.
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CHARGING EQUIPMENT (For PCP Rifles)
If you’re using a PCP air rifle, you’ll need a charging solution.
Compressors
- Convenient for home use
- Ideal for frequent shooters
- Faster refill times
Air Bottles
- Portable and practical
- Great for range sessions
- Can fill multiple rifles
Pumps
- Budget-friendly option
- Physically demanding
- Best for occasional use
Choose based on how often you shoot and how convenient you want refilling to be.
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PELLETS
Your pellet choice affects accuracy more than most people realise.
- .177 – Flatter trajectory, popular for target shooting
- .22 – Larger pellet, often preferred for pest control
Every rifle prefers different pellet brands, so testing a few types is recommended to find the most accurate option for your setup.
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TARGETS
Targets help you practise and improve.
- Paper targets for precision and grouping
- Metal knockdown targets for reactive shooting
- Sticker targets for high visibility
If you’re zeroing your rifle, paper targets are essential.
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CLEANING TOOLS
Keeping your barrel clean helps maintain accuracy.
Air rifles don’t require constant cleaning, but periodic maintenance improves consistency and performance.
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BUBBLE LEVELS
A small accessory that can make a big difference.
Bubble levels attach to your scope and help prevent rifle cant (tilting). Even slight cant can shift your point of impact at longer air rifle distances.
Especially useful for target shooters and anyone stretching beyond 35–40 yards.
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FAQ – Air Rifle Accessories
What accessories do I actually need to start? A good rifle bag, quality pellets and safe charging equipment (for PCP rifles) are the essentials.
Do I need a bipod? Not essential, but it improves stability, especially for pest control or zeroing.
Is a compressor better than a pump? For regular PCP shooting, yes. Pumps are more affordable but require physical effort.
How important are pellets? Extremely. Pellet choice can dramatically affect grouping and consistency.
Do I need cleaning tools straight away? Not immediately, but they are worth having for periodic maintenance.
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If you’re unsure, our AI Build-a-Bundle Assistant can help recommend the right accessories to complete your setup with confidence.
Established 45 years ago, Sportsmatch UK has since grown to become a market leader in the manufacture of quality riflescope mounts and scope rings.
Sportsmatch creates mounting solutions for all types of sporting, target and centerfire rifle shooting.
British made, their products are manufactured using the latest CNC machinery, with every component inspected by hand prior to final assembly. This ensures their scope mounts offer correct alignment and a rock solid dependable grip onto your rifle and scope, providing the best possible accuracy.
These products are used by special forces, professional vermin controllers and competition shooters competing at the highest levels.
Here at Optics Warehouse, we offer the much-acclaimed Sportsmatch range in a variety of heights and diameters to fit a wide range of rifle and scope combinations.
If you need assistance choosing your Sportsmatch UK product, or need help making a purchase, please call our expert team today on 01803 611 895 or email [email protected].
BUILD A BUNDLE
SAVE UP TO 10% ON YOUR BASKET TOTAL!
+ A Scope
+ Rings
+ Accessory
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EXCHANGE GUARANTEE60 day scope out guarantee
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