WULF 4–16×50 Lightning 30E Review – Bright, Feature-Rich Optic
Nigel Allen recently reviewed the WULF 4–16×50 Lightning 30E SFP for Airgun World, and the overall impression is clear: this is a feature-rich, bright, and surprisingly refined scope for under £170 — designed in the UK and tailored for real-world airgunners.
Designed in the UK, Built for Versatility
WULF has quickly established itself in the low-to-mid price bracket, and the Lightning 30E range embodies that approach. The 4–16×50 model sits in the “do-anything” category - perfect for plinking, range work, pest control and even competition. A durable 30 mm tube, sturdy saddle, and practical controls show that WULF has thought carefully about what airgunners actually need in the field.
Optical Performance That Exceeds Expectations
Nigel expected decent glass for the price - instead, he found optics that genuinely outperform many rivals.
The 50 mm objective and WULF’s XHT (Extra High Transmission) coatings produce a bright, clean image across all magnification levels. During testing in varied light, Nigel never once felt the need for better glass — a rare comment for a scope below £200.
Centre and edge sharpness both score highly, and the view remains consistently crisp from 4× through 16×.
Packed With Useful Features
This scope comes with a surprising amount of extras, including:
• Two sets of mounts (Picatinny + 11 mm dovetail)
• Flip-up lens caps
• Tool for turret setup
• Lifetime warranty
The reticle - W-MIL2 - is glass-etched, SFP, and clean enough not to feel cluttered, while still offering plenty of reference points. The centre dot is illuminated with six brightness settings.
Parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity is clearly marked and particularly well-spaced for airgun distances, making it useful both for eliminating parallax error and basic range-finding at higher magnifications.
Turrets, Zero-Stop & Tracking
One of the standout findings is how solid and repeatable the tracking is. With 0.1 MRAD adjustments, lockable turrets, and a Zero-Stop system, the Lightning 30E gives shooters features normally found at higher price points.
Nigel does note that Zero-Stop can be a mixed blessing for airgun use, especially when closer shots often require dialling down — but for shooters who prefer long-range consistency or struggle with reading turret markings, it’s a useful inclusion.
In testing - including trials on spring rifles - the scope consistently held zero, showing impressive internal durability.
Field Performance
The Lightning 30E performs smoothly even in colder weather, where cheaper scopes often stiffen up. Close-focus capability is excellent: at 4×, Nigel was able to see detail at just 5 yards. Overall, the controls feel refined and reliable, giving the impression of a scope priced well above its RRP.
Verdict
The WULF 4–16×50 Lightning 30E SFP is a seriously compelling option for under £170. Bright optics, generous features, a clean reticle and robust construction make it feel like a scope from a higher price tier. Whether you're shooting springers, PCPs or rimfires, it offers huge value for money.