Do I need a rimfire specific scope?

[Varminterror]

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

Parallax is not a magnification issue, and is ONLY distance dependent. So whether parallax is an issue or not is not influenced by the fact it’s a 6x fixie - ONLY by how far you shoot versus its fixed parallax convergence distance.

 

[mavracer]

Eurooptics.com has US Optics TS-12x 3-12x 44mm for $299 I had ordered one for my Recce, and liked it so well I ordered a second one for my 22 AR.
It's super compact, good glass and parallax is adjustable down to 10 yards.
The only downsides are it's made in China and the FFP reticle is a thin at 3X, would be tough to use hunting in low light, clears up nicely at 4 or 5x.

 

[Walkalong]

I picked up one of those as well, nice little (and I mean little), scope, you're spot on about it.

 

[Laphroaig]

Interesting. FFP with a duplex reticle. Redfield solved that problem in the 1950's.

 

[Peakbagger46]

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

That’s my thought process as well, also why I have a $300 scope on my hunting rifle but $1,500 binos. I only look through the scope once during a hunt.

 

[LoonWulf]

I picked up one of those as well, nice little (and I mean little), scope, you're spot on about it.

my dad has one on his Grendel, its a solid little optic.

Personally Im to the point where I absolutely refuse to use an optic that dosent have AO/SF on a .22 or anything else used at short range. Ive got a Burris Timberline 4.5-14x32AO on my Ranger, and I think that combo is perfect for a general purpose .22

honestly I dont really care for fixed focus optics on my hunting guns either.

 

[12Bravo20]

I use to buy rimfire specific scopes years ago. But after trying a good scope with adjustable parallax, I made the switch and never looked back. Now most of my rimfire rifles have the same scopes as my centerfire rifles and all have adjustable parallax that adjusts down to 10 yards.

 

[Varminterror]

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

Because the majority of “Rimfire scopes” on the market are low end models - especially the fixed parallax models. It’s just a reality of the market.

 

[Condor]

I have a Leupold EFR scope on my T-bolt. An expense, but having invested in a good target rifle, I followed my brother in law’s advice to invest in good glass. (I’m lucky enough to be able to take an extra evening shift now and again to fund items like this)

I am very pleased with it…I’ll often (but not as often as I like) load a magazine and go for an evening walk through the field and take shots from varying distances to practice for the fall season. The parallax adjustment seems to work well.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102031591?pid=329516

It is marketed as being adjustable parallax from 10 yards to infinity.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

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.

+1 to Varminterror

In fact I won't buy a scope anymore for any kind of target shooting that doesn't have parallax adjustment. If all you care about is MOA or slightly larger groups, minute of deer, etc, that's one thing but I have literally taken scopes off of my 22lr rifles and put on parallax adjustment scopes and cut my groups in half at 50 yards.

So to answer the question yes, IMO you either need a rimfire scope that has parallax at the range you'll be shooting or get one that is adjustable. My preference is the later so I can adjust for any distance and have a much better quality scope than the rimfire models. Most rimfire model scopes with the closer fixed parallax are generally lower quality.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

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

Even if Leupold was still doing custom shop work it's easier and more universal to just spend a little more and get a scope that is adjustable.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I have a Mueller APV 4.5-14×40 rimfire scope on a Savage .22 LR target rifle that I use to shoot spent 7.62x39 cases at 100 yards with CCI Standard Velocity LRN ammo. It's been a great scope and I have no complaints about it. I'd happily buy it again.

If it hasn't already been said, rimfire scopes usually have parallax set for 50 yards. This can cause the reticle to "move around" as you look through the scope when you shoot at different distances. It can cause accuracy issues because, with the reticle "moving around", the reticle doesn't remain in a consistent location, providing a consistent reference with which to aim.

 

[mavracer]

Got the TS-12X mounted up today hopefully I'll get out and shoot this weekend

 

[mavracer]

It works, It's really cool to be able to use reticle to measure how far first round is from bullseye and then dial that amount and next round hits bull.
5 rounds @ 25 yards

 

[Rule3]

Because the majority of “Rimfire scopes” on the market are low end models - especially the fixed parallax models. It’s just a reality of the market.

Well maybe the "majority of them but Leupold scopes are as good as mere mortals need for a Christensen Arms 22 rifle

Taking glass is like what is the best press, flashlight or cleaning solvent.

 

[Varminterror]

Leupold scopes are as good as mere mortals need

Leupold only makes Rimfire models in their VX-Freedom and FX-1 product lines, which are NOT their flagship product lines for quality or performance, nor do these models meet the needs of all “mere mortals.” They’re budget friendly scopes, by design. Naturally, out of their current lineup of Rimfire scopes, 4 models, only ONE of them offers parallax compensation.

So even by Leupold, “Rimfire scope” largely only means “cheap scope with short distance fixed parallax.”

 

[epags]

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.

I found out a rimfire scope is best. I also ended up with the Vortex on my best 22LR rifle and a cheaper Walmart Barska rimfire scope on my cheaper rimfire.

 

[Rule3]

Leupold only makes Rimfire models in their VX-Freedom and FX-1 product lines, which are NOT their flagship product lines for quality or performance, nor do these models meet the needs of all “mere mortals.” They’re budget friendly scopes, by design. Naturally, out of their current lineup of Rimfire scopes, 4 models, only ONE of them offers parallax compensation.

So even by Leupold, “Rimfire scope” largely only means “cheap scope with short distance fixed parallax.”

I forgot, nothing but the BEST for you!

The Loop is good enough for the OPs rifle

Like I said taking glass is an not worth it.

https://www.swarovskioptik.com/us/en/hunting/products/rifle-scopes

 

[starnbar]

What I have done in the past is to relegate my older scopes which were replaced with more modern features on my centerfire rifles and put them on the rimfires like my old 3x9 redfield made in denver which I bought back in the 80s still a really good scope but it has had a long life on my 30/06 and my eyes are not what they were back then.

 

[Hookeye]

FWIW....my VX1 3-9X could only focus at 25 yards if under 4X. 50 yards was 6X max.
This has been observed with other non rimfire scopes.
Slap a reg 4x on a .22rf without even thinking about parallax.
Why it was a popular choice. It worked.
I ran a Leupold M8 4x Compact on a couple diff .2rf and ran em 50 yards and in (squirrel rigs, I shoot
most shots offhand so less mag helps).

Yup Leupold can mod a big game scope for rimfire distances.
IIRC it was 25 bucks plus shipping. So figure 50 bucks, wait.........and hope to and from nothing bad happens.

I said to heck with it and got two rubber strap wrenches and loosened the lock ring.
Turned the carrier 2/3 of a half turn and now my big game scope is a rimfire.

Didnt leave any mark on the matte finish either.

RFC and other, maybe even here, folks have told how to do this.
Of course, one must assume all risk.

 

[Hookeye]

One can just get a reg Leupold w AO. It won't go down to 10 yard airgun range stuff (IIRC).
To do that one had to get the EFR models (extended focal range).
In the old days one could buy a 50ft adapter for a 40mm AO
I ran a Leupold Vari X II 4-12X AO on my Remington 541 T-HB. Worked fine.

Note: The current EFR is a 3-9X compact and the ocular is more tube shaped than bell.
It is also matte finish. Handy, but detracts from the looks of nicer rifles.
I got the first one in town and it had an edge shadow, minor but noticeable.
Dunno if due to lens recessed so deep.

I took a hefty loss and let it go.
Was going to put my Mod 1 AR 4-12x AO on my CZ455 but the reg VX1 3-9x is lighter, and I changed the parallax.
Its just a 50 yard and in piney slayer.
Good enough.

Did set up a Savage mk w SWFA 12x AO and it worked fine, but was an absolute tank.
And I kinda changed my mind about NRL22. Just not gonna do it next summer. More fishing instead.

 

[Hookeye]

As I sit here w orange cat.............behind on the shelf is an M8 10x AO Leupold.
Not a bad scope for a .22rf if doing 50 yard fun. 12X I think the min for 100 yard paper though.

 

[sscoyote]

take a look at the Pride Fowler offering. I have one of their 3-12X's that has objective parallax and a very good ballistic reticle that can be calcd for whatever trajectory you may be shooting.