A high powered scope on a .22?

[Averageman]

I have two .22 caliber rifles I want to scope.
The first is a Ruger 10/22 with a bull barrel in a houge stock and I would like a decent 3X9 power scope and if possible a small red dot scope like a Burris Fastfire II to mount above or to the side.
The Second is a bolt action Charles Daley, by Zastava that I would like to put a variable power scope with at least a 12X or more magnification.
I have read a bit about paralex problems with .22's and scope and would like to eliminate that if possible. I would also like to know if the red dot piggy back is possible.
So what problems might I face and what is a good scope and rings/mount to rifle combination for these two .22's.
Of course I would prefer not to brake the bank, but I understand quality glass will cost $$.
Thanks
A/M

 

[EchoM70]

My favorite scope for rimfire rifles is the Mueller APV 4.5-14x40mm it has an adjustable objective to fix any parallax issues and it has great glass. Best of all it cost $130. I have one on both my "bench" rimfire rifles. One a .22lr the other a .17 HMR and I can honestly say I have been 100% satisfied with both, can't recommend them enough.

http://swfa.com/Mueller-APV-Riflescopes-C135.aspx

 

[Cee Zee]

AO will eliminate all parallax issues if you know how to use it correctly. The markings on whatever it uses to adjust the AO are a good place to start but the key is to get an adjustment that allows you to move your head without the crosshair location moving. Read up on that and you'll know how to fix parallax issues.

From there it's a matter of picking a scope with good glass and the amount of magnification you want. There are lots of good choices. A scope like the Nikon Prostaff Target EFR 3-9x40 AO should be good for a .22 because it adjusts AO inside of 30 meters. And the price is not too bad either.

 

[Skylerbone]

AM, including a bit more info might help winnow suggestions to those suited to your purpose. Everyone's "bank" is a different size which means knowing your total expected budget for optics, including mounts would be helpful and some insight on purpose will also help, specifically your intended use and most common distance you shoot with each rifle.

Red dot sights can be a useful, fun addition to a rimfire, especially with a quick release style mount. I've used the Vortex SPARC on a 10/22, swapping out the 4X scope. If you prefer having both optics mounted simultaneously, ring mounts are available that attach to your scope's main tube and offering a short rail to attach the RDS. Primary Arms makes several inexpensive models with very good reviews, giving you more budget for a better scope.

 

[Averageman]

If you prefer having both optics mounted simultaneously, ring mounts are available that attach to your scope's main tube and offering a short rail to attach the RDS. Primary Arms makes several inexpensive models with very good reviews, giving you more budget for a better scope.

Yes, thank you. I was aware that these mounts were available, I was unaware if anyone had ever done it successfully before.
I wouldnt have any issue spending $250 to $300 per rifle for quality optics and mounts. I already have a couple of The Fastfire's so those wouldnt be a consideration as to cost.

 

[hardluk1]

We have a few high powered scopes on .22lr. My Wife lite weight hunter has a 4-16. I have 2 6-24x44 . All will adjust the parallax down to 10 yards.

The Mueller APV is a great scope for the money mine are a , Don't Laugh !

 

[desidog]

Another vote for Mueller. I have their 8.5-25x scope with mils on a 10/22 and it's smoked a bunch of crows at 200+ yards; great for long range, but worthless for short-; so i have an offset Primary arms reddot on there too.

 

[B!ngo]

The Burris PEPR mount is a mid-priced scope mount (one-piece) that allows a red dot mount atop it. It's a little clunky but would do what you need.
Re a recommended scope, I've become a real fan of the Nikon 2-7x32 P-22 scope. Nikon's have good glass for the dollar has a nice BDC function, deals with parallax and is just a solid design.
I'm not sure there is a need for a scope and a laser if you're staying in the range of the Nikon but that's your call. It's all possible.
B

 

[redneck2]

I'm sure it's overkill, but I have a 4-14x40 VX-3 on my CZ .22. It's the scope I had so that's what I used. Optic quality is beyond superb. Shoots .2's @ 50 yards with match ammo. Not sure that you need to drop $500+ on a rimfire, but I think a lot of guys cheat themselves by limiting scope power and quality for bench rest.

Adjustment for parallax is exceptionally important for small groups.

 

[greyling22]

yet another vote for the mueller apv. I love mine. I have it on a cz bolt 22 and it shoots like a laser with the right ammo. It is better than my sightron s1 and as good or better than my burris ff2. I also here the simmons whitetail classic is far and away the best thing going in terms of high power on a budget. I believe it is a 6-20x50 for 110 or so.

I recently bought a nitrex tr1 3-9x scope off natchezss. heck of a scope for the money, but kind of big. I think it was 130. You might want something a little more compact than it on a 10/22.

 

[Cee Zee]

FWIW I have a 36X Weaver on my CZ-453. I basically use it for target shooting at the club when we have factory rimfire night. To shoot really tight groups a really powerful scope makes a big difference. If you look at the ARA championships (American Rimfire Association) equipment list you'll see that about 2/3rds of the shooters use Weaver T-36 scopes. They are a top level scope for the least money you can pay for a top level scope. It's helped me to shoot groups like this one. This is a 5 shot group from 50 yards.

 

[Erhard]

I would check out the Hawke line of scopes. Most of them are air rifle proof (air rifles are harder on scopes than firearms) and have "adjustable objective" from less than ten yards to infinity.

 

[Radagast]

I have a 4.5-14x44 Bushnell Elite HD with side parallax adjustment on my CZ .17hmr and will probably put them on my .22lr & .22 magnum. CZs as well.

Positives:
Holds zero on long trips in the back of the car.
Lens don't fog up - I shot it in drizzle with no issues, where my cheap Tasco (which didn't seem cheap 18 years ago) was definitely having a condensation problem on the outside of the scope lens.
The lens coating are transparent to IR, so suitable for use with digital add on night vision units.
Easy adjustment on the parallax knob.
Windage and elevation knobs unscrew easily and the turrets can be turned by hand, no need for a coin or screw driver.
Optics are good enough to be able to see .17 holes at 50 yards.
Comes with a sun shade.
Price is $267 on Amazon, so with mounts it will fall into your range.

Cons:
Color definition doesn't seem as good as on my Tasco.
Cross hairs are very fine on 14 power, if your eyes are getting old then this could be an issue.

Verdict: Value for money.

FWIW, I'm into hunting with home built digital night vision and IR transmission is vital. The Bushnell appeared to be the best quality day scope below $500 that would allow the use of my digital add on NV.

 

[vaupet]

I use nikko stirling scopes for rimfire and airrifle.

12 to 14 magnification is great at the range, no need for a spotting scope at the 50 metres range

 

[doubleh]

I just put a 32X on a 10/22. Really the only part of it that's 10/22 is the action and the innards have been modified. All it kills is paper------and sometimes the bugs that light on the paper.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I have been shooting .22 for over 55 years...my best results still are with iron sights....I do have a 10/22 with a Redfield 2x7x33 on it, but unless I have something like an Anschutz ( and I don't and wont) cant see spending big bucks on a rifle like a .22 that has short range.

 

[itsa pain]

I have tech sites on a marlin 795 and usually outshoot my friends with their scopes at 50 yds or at least match them . I see no need for a gigantic scope on a 22 shot at 50 or 100 yds

 

[Skylerbone]

Some great suggestions already that will meet your requirements. I have another for your consideration; choosing a Weaver T Series 24X for one of your rifles at around $400 and a more modestly priced Nikon P-Series 2-7X, ~$150, for the other.

I've managed to shoot .5-.6" 10-shot groups at 50 yds. with my Nikon atop a stock Marlin .22 using modestly priced ammo from a rest.

The Weaver being a fixed power scope will allow you to see well enough to hold tight groups at 100 yds. or further if you choose. It won't allow for off the bench shooting but that's where your RDS takes over. Personally, I'd consider mounting an RDS to the whichever rifle wears the lower power scope and leave the other as a long range only shooter and finally yes, offset rail combos have indeed been used with great success.