When I need an affordable scope with clear glass and zero nonsense, I reach for the Hawke 3–9×50 Vantage AO. It’s become a staple in my airgun collection, and I truly never hesitate when I need to buy another one for a new rifle.
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Where It Fits in My Collection
I currently have 3 of these scopes, right now they’re on a sub-500 fps .25‑cal Reximex Daystar, a sub‑500 fps .25‑cal Kral Pro 500, and a sub‑500 fps .35‑cal Kral Bighorn. Don’t let the modest power numbers on those guns fool you; I’ve also put them through their paces on full-powered airguns with no issues whatsoever. My oldest 3–9×50 Vantage is probably 7 or 8 years old, and it has never disappointed me. Hawke has long stood for quality, and these scopes do not disappoint; in fact, they stand out at this price point.
Rugged, Clear, and Built to Function
What this scope brings to the table:
User-friendly design: Eye relief around 3.5″ and a fast-focus eyepiece make things quick and comfortable behind the scope
Optical quality: 11-layer fully multi‑coated lenses and a high-torque zoom ring mean crisp visuals and smooth adjustments
Durable build: 1-inch monolithic tube, capped low-profile turrets, and fast-focus eyebell give you toughness and usability
Parallax control: Adjustable objective keeps the image sharp at varying ranges, great for dialling in when you’re changing distances
Generous adjustments: 90 MOA of both windage and elevation in ¼ MOA clicks gets you a lot of fine-tuning for the price
The Only Thing I’d Improve
The only minor gripe I have is with the included lens cover. The elastic covers are OK, really, but I can’t stand having to put them somewhere while I shoot; it’s just one more thing to keep track of. I’d really prefer flip-up caps. But it’s hard to argue with the choices they’ve made here if you consider the value of the scope itself. With everything else this scope brings to the table, it’s more of a wish than a deal-breaker.
Final Verdict
At the end of the day, the Hawke 3–9×50 Vantage AO is exactly the kind of solid, affordable scope the airgun community depends on every day. Reliable glass, easy-to-use features, and rugged enough to handle everything from low-powered springers to full-powered rifles, without drama.
If you’re piecing together your airgun or hunting kit and need a no-nonsense optic that punches above its weight, I can’t recommend this one enough.
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While you’re here, check out our review of the 6–24×50 UTG True Hunter scope!