22LR Handgun Scopes for Small Game

[Lee F]

My 22LR. Ruger MKII 6 7/8" wears a Leupold M8 4x28 scope. It is great for testing the accuracy of the pistol on the range, but has really frustrated me in the woods this year. My best days for squirrel hunting are overcast with drizzle or light rain and on these days there's just not enough light to find the squirrels on the ground in the hollows. Would I be better off going to a lower magnification scope or has anyone tried the red dots for small game hunting? I bought the 4x28 for another pistol originally and want to get a few opinions on the 2x20 before I spend $200 on it.

 

[redneck]

I don't really know anything about handgun scopes. Never used one before. I always like the biggest objective lense possible regardless of the magnification for scopes in general though.
Collects more light and is easier to see. Should offer a little wider field of view also.
I guess that a big 50mm objective would be pretty damn awkward on a little MKII

 

[Kingcreek]

I've got the same scope on my Buckmark Varmint (gopher gun) and a ProPoint red-dot on my Buckmark 5.5 Target. I agree the 4X can be a little much at times but with a bipod I can put those little bullets in a groundhogs earhole. I had a 2X burris on a .44mag Contender that seemed about perfect for a hunting HG for deer, etc. The red-dot works OK on the 5.5 Buckmark. my youngest daughter likes to kick walnuts into the creek and shred them as they float downstream. she rarely misses even as they get some distance.

 

[JShirley]

Lee,

Byron's Buckmark has a 2x20. Works great out to 35 yards or so.