Crossbow scope are rifle scopes with a different parallax and reticles. Other than that they are have the same construction. .
the way it was explained to me is that an air rifle recoils in the opposite direction. a rifle scope is designed and pinned for one direction. thats why air rifles
can trash a rifle scope. at least thats what i was told. The differences are hardly visible to the eye. The internal lens suspension system on Air Rifle Scopes are designed differently. The frames/brackets that hold the multiple internal lenses in place are much lighter in weight and are designed for the shock of the Air Rifle being directed FORWARD and not backwards as on a real rifle that fires bullets/cartridges. Many Airguns are powered by a forward moving piston that when fired, this air piston moves forward with great force and that in turn is what forces the Pellet’s or BB’s forward, towards their intended target. This forward shock to the Air Rifle scope is substantial so the scope must be designed to handle this sudden,hard FORWARD motion.
The conventional Rifle Scope is quite the opposite. It’s internal lenses support system is much heavier than that of an Air Rifle , because the sudden recoil of a gun is focused REARWARD..the OPPOSITE direction of an Air Rifle Scope.
Simply put the Air Rifle Scope is designed/manufactured the exact opposite of a Regular Rifle Scope, because the direction of shocks are in DIFFERENT directions.