[White Horseradish]

I just figured out why my Marlin 795 felt so weird. I have a Tasco rimfire scope on it. The eye relief is so short, I never actually saw the complete picture. I tried sliding the scope back on the rail. At the rearmost position, I still have to crane my neck forward to see, but not as much.

I looked around eBay for an inexpensive scope. There all these no-names for under $20, like Visiontac and NCStar. What I'm wondering is just how bad can they be. What is the difference betwen a good scope and a cheap one? I always assumed it's how well they stand up to recoil. A .22 doesn't have any recoil to speak of, so would a cheap scope work ok?

[Vern Humphrey]

I have had cheap scopes fail with NO recoil -- shifting reticles, fogging up, and so on.

I'd go with a good used scope, like a Bushnell. There are some advertised on Gunsamerica (http://www.gunsamerica.com) for below $40, including shipping. Just use the search engine on the first page -- type in the scope make, and click "non-guns" to pull up scopes for sale.

[Maxinquaye]

On the other hand, I have an Ebay cheapo (3-9X40 illuminated reticle) mounted on my Rem 597. It puts them all in a dime at 25 yards (provided I shoot mini-mags). I recently drove 6K miles meandering from CA to NC with that setup in a soft case bouncing along all the way (and I drive ~ahem! spiritedly :)). Still shot to POA when I arrived. Did buy some decent rings to mount it on tho.

[George S.]

I looked at the NC Star scope and it's made in China and really flimsy. The optical clarity is not that good and I had trouble turning the knobs.

I have a Bushnell 3-9x32 Rimfire Scope on my 10/22. Works very well for 25 to 50 yard bench shooting and was not that expensive. Got mine from Midway: http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/887219 They also carry a stainless version I didn't pay quite as much but I got mine over a year ago. The rings aren't the best in the world but they do a decent job on the Weaver rail I have

I wrote Midway a review on the scope and it's the first one on the review page.

[White Horseradish]

Hmm. Perhaps if I limited the scope of my search (pardon the pun) to Tasco... I have a friend who swears by them for inexpensive scopes. There seems to be a fair number of sub $20 Tasco scopes on there.

[Vern Humphrey]

Check the used scope market first. A good scope will be cheap enough so you don't have to compromise on quality.

[Okiecruffler]

I've got several NcStars of various flavors on my big boomer handguns, including my .444 Marlin. So far the only real problem was the front lens of my 4X got shook loose when it was on my 30-30AI barrel. I just red loctited it and put it on my 22 Striker. Works fine. But on my .22 rifles I've always used Bushnell Sportman's.

[foghornl]

I have had good luck with the Tasco scopes on .22's. But I did get the larger scopes such as 4x32 fixed or 3-7x32/3-9x32 variable. I found that the small-diameter scopes such as the 4x15/4x20/4x21 had very short eye relief, and a small field of view.

And my 50+year-old tri-focused eyes need all the help they can get.

[bad_dad_brad]

There is no such thing as a good cheap scope.

For .22 (or .22 mag or .17 HMR) everyday use, you can't beat the 4X Weaver Rimfire - about $100 bucks, sometimes less, and worth every penny, especially if you are putting meat on the table.

[esldude]

Got to second bad_dad_brad on the Weaver R4.

A fine scope. Among the best for $100 or so. Sure you might get more magnification from some other Chinese made scopes at that price. But believe me, you aren't really getting more scope.

I will say, there is now a strong competitor in the form of the Nikon Prostaff rimfire. Until then, I don't know if the Weaver had any competitors worth mentioning at that price.

[NoHarmNoFAL]

I wouldn't go too cheap on the glass.

Remember guns come and go, but you can always use the glass some where else.

[atek3]

a lot of the rimfire central people recommend the Simmons Mag 44. I had one on my 10/22 and it worked like a champ.

atek3