Scope for Ruger 10/22 Squirrel Hunting

I have a Weaver 3-9x32 rimfire on mine .
I have a Leupold 2-7x33 rimfire on my Marlin .

I like both of them , but you only need a 4x rimfire scope for it . I would look at Weaver , Leupold and Burris .

I got one called the "Bug Buster" for my 10/22 take down. It was under $200 and I pop crows with it at 80yds.

I've got an old Bushnell Banner-F 3-9x32 on my standard carbine, and it's a good fit. Not too gawky and still enough magnification to get it done. My 10/22 International wears a K2.5 Weaver. It's a good fit too, and the one that gets taken to the squirrel woods the most; that 2.5x is perfect for the distances that I shoot. I'd personally be looking at Bushnell or Weaver 4x32's, or any other well-made 4x scope for that matter. You can usually find them for $50-$100 on eBay, etc. If you must spend lots of dough, look at the Leupold 2-7x32 or their fixed 4x. They'll run about $250, but they're excellent quality. Just un-necessary to spend that kind of money on a 22 scope, IMO.

Mac

Leupold 2-7x33.

I purchased this several weeks ago on a whim, to go on my Browning SA-22. I was really surprised at how nice this little optic is. Nice crisp clicks and really decent glass. Nice forgiving eye relief too.
https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...d073-0134-d8b7-00163e9110c0?variation=1438554

I'd grab this. Right in the middle of the budget, nice features, good glass.

https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-3-9x40-rimfire-moa-riflescope

If you want a budget scope check out the Barska AC10380 Plinker-22 Scope 3-9x32 30/30.
https://www.amazon.com/BARSKA-AC10380-3-9x32-Plinker-22-Riflescope/dp/B001JJCHWK
30 bucks from amazon, although given how amazon treats packages I wouldn't order from them. I picked mine up from wally world for 20 I think.
I've read some bad reviews but mostly that was from people putting a scope designed for .22lr on a .308 and not understanding why the scope broke. I've been using it for about 6 months on both my 10/22 and my Savage B-22.

It's lost zero twice in the 6 months I've had it and both were a result carelessness on my part. The first time it took a small fall from the gunbench at my range and the second time I stuipidly was cleaning my 10/22 and let the barrel role with the scope on it due to my gf's antics.

Give it a try, if it breaks real quick or something your only down a couple bucks instead of a couple hundred. For me a cheap gun like a 10/22 gets a cheap scope. Unless it will be upgraded for competition I wouldn't put a scope on it that costs as much or more then you payed for the firearm.

e rex said:

Years ago I went to ebay and bought a simmons 22 mag scope used for 18.00. It was silver and the rifle is blue but for the money, looks be damned. It has served very well for probably 20 years and is accurate enough for squirrels at 50 yards. I'm not ashamed of it at all.

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I did the Simmons .22 Mag scopes, too for my 10-22's and a Ruger American Rimfire .22 WMR.

I can't complain, they put the bullets where I aim as long as I do my part correctly.

Stay safe.

I have the 4-12X of this, but your stated 50yd or less distance the 3-9X should do nicely. I have 3 Tract scopes and they are one of the best values anywhere. BTW, I also have two Leupold 3.5-8X that are excellent. Here's the Tract link.
https://tractoptics.com/all-products/22-fire-3-9x40-t-plex-rimfire-rifle-scope

basic scope? Burris fullfield or dorptine 2-7 or 3-9x40
fancier and id look and a leuopold EFR, or an Athlon talos or Argos HMR.

Clearidge Ultra RM 3-9x32 AO. Heard about them on Rimfire Central around ten years ago and took a chance. I have no regrets. They are made by LOW in Japan. LOW makes high quality stuff. To my eyes the glass is comparable to VX-2 glass.

There are lots of good choices available these days. It's hard to beat a 4X fixed or lower variable 1-4/6 or 2-7 for hunting. After you choose a scope, then you have to decide on the reticle, again lots of choices. For most squirrel and rabbit hunting, a simple duplex reticle works just fine. IF you want to push the distances for target shooting then I suggest some type of MILDOT or MOA reticle. I have a Nikon Prostaff 150 BDC scope but find that the bDC doesn't match up well. Using Strelok it is close. With a MIL or MOA reticle, learn your hold overs.

I have pulled the high power scopes of both my AR22 rifles and went with LPVO scopes. I'm testing out how the Swampfox 1-4 Tomahawk and 1-8 Arrowhead with MOA reticles do for longer distance 22 shooting. So far they have worked well for anything out to 100 yards.

gotboostvr said:

I'd grab this. Right in the middle of the budget, nice features, good glass.

https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-3-9x40-rimfire-moa-riflescope

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That is what I have on my favorite 10-22. The AO feature is a big plus for a rimfire scope.

Weaver or Redfield straight 3X. Can pick them up for under $100. 1 inch tube which you said you need; no parallax issues and they are quick sighting out to 50 yards. Have a Weaver on mine now.

cdb1 said:

Clearidge Ultra RM 3-9x32 AO. Heard about them on Rimfire Central around ten years ago and took a chance. I have no regrets. They are made by LOW in Japan. LOW makes high quality stuff. To my eyes the glass is comparable to VX-2 glass.

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I keep meaning to try one of the Clearidge scopes I have yet to hear any complaints about them. If I get frustrated at the scope on my Ranger I might order one.

I keep mine uncomplicated and many of my .22s wear simple Nikon 4X or 2-7x scopes. Glass is nothing great but price was right and they hold zero.

A good step up for me would be a Sightron SII or S-Tac, Burris FFII, and Clearidge a step further.

I spent my formative years with a Bushnell Sport 4x32AO on my squirrel rig but it did slow me down now and again on some shots. That one is no longer made but I do own 3 Bushnell Prime scopes and they are another solid deal imo.

Nikon Prostaff Rimfire here.

While the Nikon Prostaff 150BDC has decent glass, don't expect the Nikon Spot-on app to be close as far as hold overs are concerned. Strelok is closer when using the BDC reticle. If I had to buy again, Iw Ould not have bought the 150 BDC scope.

12Bravo20 said:

While the Nikon Prostaff 150BDC has decent glass, don't expect the Nikon Spot-on app to be close as far as hold overs are concerned. Strelok is closer when using the BDC reticle. If I had to buy again, Iw Ould not have bought the 150 BDC scope.

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I've never tried any app for scopes. I'm just old school and site my scope in for 50 or 100 yds and go from there. Perhaps you could give me pointers on using apps with scopes in a new thread. That would be great.

plainsdrifter said:

Nikon Prostaff Rimfire here.
View attachment 1011612

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I had the same scope on my 10/22 before selling the rifle. The buyer insisted on no scope so it now resides on a Savage Axis until a suitable replacement is found.

When I had the eyes of a 20yr old, I killed everything within 150yds with a fixed 4x. These days, I like a little more with a moderate variable. Even so, a 2-7x or 3-9x is perfect. Latest is a 3.5-10x.....



....but I still like a good 4x.

Also really like the Burris rimfire scopes.