Do I need a rimfire specific scope?

[Peakbagger46]

Looking for a good scope for my Christenson Ranger .22LR for 25-100ish yards hunting and training. I really like the idea of a VX3 2.5-8X36 CDS but is the parallax being set for 150y going to be an issue?

I’m aware of leupold’s rimfire options but would prefer better glass and the CDS dial.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I would think not as long as it will focus closer and at low power. Usually parallax is an issue when it is set close and you are shooting further away. There are rimfire scopes that have bdc turrets calibrated for .22lr, so that might be something to consider.

 

[Varminterror]

I wouldn’t personally buy a 150yrd Fixed Parallax scope for 25-100yrd shooting.

The reticle may not be in focus at all at 25yrds with a 150yrd parallax, and your maximum potential parallax error possible in a 40mm scope shooting 25yrds with a 150yrd parallax is ~2/3”. At 50yrds, it’s a hair over 1/2” of potential error. I would generally not be happy with a potential parallax error which is up to twice the size of my expected groups from a given rifle.

 

[jmr40]

is the parallax being set for 150y going to be an issue?

No.

I have never used anything but standard big game, or target scopes on any of my 22's. Don't confuse focus with parallax. Some scopes with higher magnification may not focus at closer ranges. I tend to use 3-9X40 or smaller on my 22 rifles and have no problems getting them to focus at 50 yards. I do have one 4-12X scope that will not focus at 50 yards if set above 8X or so. It does fine at longer ranges at any magnification.

Some target scopes will allow you to fast focus at short and long ranges and I have a couple of those.

Parallax is what causes the crosshairs to appear to move if you're eye isn't directly behind the scope. It is only an issue if you aren't using the scope correctly. As long as your eye is directly behind the scope it will never be a problem regardless of what range it is set for. You'd only see the max parallax error if you were looking through the scope at an extreme angle.

 

[Varminterror]

Don't confuse focus with parallax.

Parallax “side focus” and “adjustable objective” functions indeed DO focus the reticle into the same plane as the target image. When we use fixed parallax scopes with the wrong distance for focus of the reticle - or adjustable scopes with the wrong distance chosen - we can’t focus on both the target and the reticle at the same time.

Using low magnification settings does increase the depth of field, sometimes enough that it appears both are in focus, or at least nearly so, but it’s still not converging the images together. The parallax error potential is exactly the same, regardless of magnification setting.

Also reminding - the “extreme angle” guys mention about how far out of center the eye must be to experience maximum parallax error is really only a matter of about a millimeter or two. Recall, the exit pupil on a 3-9x40mm is only 4.5-13mm wide. Meaning at 9x, your eye only has to shift about two millimeters to be at the “extreme angle” they’re mentioning.

Some folks are more tolerant than others of parallax error and non-coplanar (fuzzy, ill-focused) reticles. But the error doesn’t go away just because some folks tolerate it.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have to agree that a scope with fixed parallax that is set for 100 or 150 yards definitely can cause issues when trying to shoot at 25 or even 50 yards.

As Varminterror stated, some people will notice the difference more than other people will, it depends on your individual vision. I have tried centerfire scopes with 100 yard parallax on 22 rifles and they do not work for me. They never focus well enough at 25 and 50 yards.

I do not buy any rimfire specific scopes but I do make sure all of my scopes have adjustable parallax (either side focus or adjustable objective). And I want the parallax to adjust down to 25 yards at minimum. I try to go with scopes that will adjust to 10 yards.

 

[Walkalong]

If you are picky, yes, it will cause angst, would/does with me.

Since there are so many reasonable priced better options for your application............ I'd say pick up something better suited.

 

[Scout21]

I've got a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40 centerfire scope on my rimfire. I can't recall any major issues when target shooting, plinking, or hunting. I notice a little bit of parallax while at the bench, but it's nothing I can't correct for. I guess it really depends how picky you are.

 

[mcb]

I have a Athlon Talos BTR 4-14x44 on my 10/22. It has been a great rimfire scope for the price. It will focus down to ~10 yards and has decent turrets for dialing for various ranges.

 

[doubleh]

On the other hand I had a Talos that was somewhat fuzzy at any distance. Luck of the draw I suppose but mine went back to the seller.

 

[Bronco72]

I bought a Leupold scope and sent it to them set the parallax to what I wanted !
I'm just sayin !

 

[Laphroaig]

I bought a Leupold scope and sent it to them set the parallax to what I wanted !
I'm just sayin !

That used to be an option, and those services were performed in their custom shop. Unfortunately they closed the shop around the time that Covid hit. Hopefully it will open back up soon.

https://www.leupold.com/support/service/custom-shop

 

[.45Coltguy]

I have an older, but, still very clear "Scopechief IV" [fixed 4x] on my Marlin 25N. Seems to work just fine for my uses.

 

[Rule3]

Why do you feel that the rimfire scopes are not "good glass"??

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I have a dedicated 22 rimfire scope on one of my rifles & prefer it to a generic rifle scope. It's a Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 with BDC reticle that works well for me. Got it a Cabela's a while back on sale for $100 & came with a brick of 22's.

 

[ms6852]

I have found that my more expensive and powerful scopes are mounted on my 22lr rifles. The reason for this is that I enjoy shooting at 200 yards and beyond. For this reason I find that when mounting a scope on a 22lr rifle there are specifications on the scope that they must have and they are deal breakers for me.

At a minimum they must have adjustable parallax knob. They must have at a minimum 75 moa of elevation adjustment if I'm using a 10-20 moa mount. If not 80 or more adjustment required for 200 yard shooting. The final specification it should have is enough magnification to comfortably see your target clearly at 200 yards so for consistent shooting. My latest built a 10/22 ruger has a 3-18X24 Bushnell Forge, now I wish I had more magnification.

 

[Spats McGee]

I have a dedicated 22 rimfire scope on one of my rifles & prefer it to a generic rifle scope. It's a Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 with BDC reticle that works well for me. Got it a Cabela's a while back on sale for $100 & came with a brick of 22's.

I have had 2 Prostaff Rimfire IIs and agree. They perform very well for my old eyes.

 

[d2wing]

I have a old Bushnell 4x centerfire scope on my 10/22. I can't shoot close up with it. On my rifles I shoot alot, my CZ and 540XR I use much higher power variables with adjustable focus/ Parallax. I use them more for target shooting and I am Older now. I would only use adjustable higher power variables now. I liked the Athlon 6-18 on a friend's rifle recently.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have a Nikon Prostaff BDC150 22lr scope which the parallax is set at 50 yards. I can definitely tell it when shooting at targets at 20 yard or closer. I stopped using it for that reason along with the fact that the BDC reticle isn't even close for the ammo I use even when using the Nikon Spot On app.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Like Bronco72, I use what I have.

 

[Sav .250]

To your question...........no.

 

[wis bang]

When dad passed I found a brand new [thinking he won it] .22 Rem Pump with no optic. In the cabinet was his old weaver 6x that must go back to the 60's. Works fine but it is not a variable so parallax may not be an issue

 

[mavracer]

I wouldn’t personally buy a 150yrd Fixed Parallax scope for 25-100yrd shooting.

This if you want good glass step up to something with a little more power and adjustable parallax.
3-12X isn't too much for a precision 22, some would say it's not nearly enough.
I've got a 6-24 on my Ruger Precision Rimfire, this light weight Savage has a 3-12X Bushnell engage with a 30mm tube.

 

[Gus Chiggins]

The Vortex Diamondback rimfire scope has the parallax set at 50 yds. I have one on a .17 hmr Handi-rifle and it's awesome from 25 to 100 yds. I would prefer the cross hairs a bit thinner in the center though.

 

[redneck2]

I have a VX-3 4-14x40 on my CZ 453 .22. Works great. Shoots itty bitty groups.

It’s nice having clear, crisp glass on a .22. I used to have $300-$600 scopes on centerfire rifles that got used just a few times every few years, but cheap scopes on my .22 that I used much more. Makes no sense when you think about it