Help me pick a .22 scope.

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Thrash1982

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So I've spent days looking for a scope for my new MKII FVSR. I think I've narrowed it down to these two:

http://swfa.com/Vortex-3-9x40-Crossfire-Rifle-Scope-P51734.aspx
http://swfa.com/Hawke-3-9x40-Panorama-Riflescope-P50909.aspx

Basically I want something lowish power, with an illuminated reticle. I had hoped to find something with a 30mm tube but can't seem to find one that I like. A lot of people really like the Vortex and I've have read a few good things about the Hawkes. Does anybody have experience with the Hawke scopes in general or the V-Brite reticle on the Crossfire II in particular? Not sure about the V-Brite reticles open center. I'm also open to suggestions if anybody has any other ideas.
 
I have an NCStar on my Marlin. With 22 I don't see the reason for high dollar optics as even the cheap ones will hold zero because of the low recoil. And you won't be shooting very far either. To each their own.
 
Vortex, Weaver, Nikon, Bushnell and Leupold all make good 22 scopes at good prices. The Vortex you listed is a good option.

non-illuminated: For low power, i like my Weaver classic 1-3x an dI would look at Nikon P22.
 
I have a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 3-9x40 on a 10/22 that I've been very happy with. The only thing I would change...next time no BDC for it (not much need for it on this particular rifle).

I can regularly hit a reactive square at 100yds, not much of a feat for a target rifles, but this is a regular 10/22 (and I'm not a great shot).
 
Take a look at the Nikko Stirling scopes also. You can get an illuminated reticle with adjustable objective without breaking the bank. The optics are as clear and repeatable as anything under $300.
 
Because of the shorter distances you shoot with a 22, i want an "adjustable objective" on any scope i put on any decent 22 i own.

DM
 
That Vortex does look interesting - I like illuminated reticles.

I have a Nikon P22 on the way (going on a 15-22), but since it's on a 30-day backorder, I may do some research on the Vortex.

Don't know if this makes a difference to ya, but the picture at SWFA's site is of the Vortex without the illuminated reticle? I just downloaded the manual from Vortex, and it looks like models with illuminated reticles have a reticle illumination adjustment knob sticking above the eyepiece?

I like the scope and illuminated reticle - not crazy 'bout that illumination adjustment turret sticking up at the back!
 
If USA made is important to you, the Redfield scopes are really nice for the money. I have two and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
 
Mostly good suggestions above. Just don't go cheap. A .22 will probably be your most used rifle and you might as well enjoy clear, sharp images when looking through your scope at the tiny targets .22s are often shot at. Adjustable objective lenses are really important on any .22 scopes over 4 power. If you don't get an adjustable objective, be sure you get a scope designed for .22 use that has the parallax adjusted for 50 yards or less. Some folks get by with quality shotgun scopes on their .22s because they are usually set up for close parallax. I tend to spend as much or more money on my .22 scopes as I do on my high-power rifle scopes. Money well spent because I shoot them WAY more than my centerfires..
 
I LOVE!!!!!! LOVE!!!! LOVE!!!!!! my Mueller APV.... more than my Vortex Crossfire and Vortex Viper... teh Mueller APV has some pretty high praise on the rimfire forums...
 
If I had to choose one of those two - I'd take the second one for the AO.

But since I don't really care about an illuminated reticle, personally I'd get something different. As someone mentioned above - the Nikon Target EFR with AO is a nice scope for under $200.
 
Thrash;

I just put a Hawke 3-12X A/O on a Ruger 10/22 takedown. Therefore, I don't have a lot of experience with it yet, but I'm happy with it. I don't think the vortex would be a bad choice either. However, I do a lot of shooting with my .22's & find the A/O feature to be invaluable when hunting.

That hunting rig is a CZ452 with a Nikon Monarch 3.3-10X A/O mildot in Talley rings. I've got enough trigger time with it that most of the little varmints I shoot aren't safe if they're within 200 yards. At 100 yards, it's one shot one kill.

One thing I've learned, if you're going to be looking through the scope for lengthy periods of time, buy good glass. It's money very well spent & your eyes will thank you.

900F
 
Nikons have worked for me

I have a 2-7x32 Nikon Monarch UCC that's been on my 1969 Marlin 39A Golden for about 12 years and a Nikon P-22 2-7x32 (Nikoplex) on my AR-15/22 Spikes Lower/Spikes Upper with dedicated CMMG 6.5" Barrel with a Silencerco Sparrow and 9" Spikes SAR Rail. I have no complaints about either one, they are a great value for the money, can't see needing more.
spikesar22.jpg
 
I got an email from the Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday advertising a BSA Sweet .22 for about $35. I have one on a Marlin 60 and I like it. It's got an AO. It also has extra BDC turrets for different weight bullets but I've never really used them. I do like the scope though.
 
I don't want to throw cold water, or upset anyone, but... I got my brother a BSA fixed for his .22, and it has probably the worst optics I've ever seen, it's actually blurry for about 1/2 of the viewing field. I also have a BSA red dot, and the dot is more like a 'dash', not at all clean and crisp. I once got a NC-Star variable, too. My rifle simply fell over, being leaned up against a wall, and it must have bent! The variable rotating ring was locked up solid. I agree with the above, that just because it's a .22 doesn't mean you should go way cheap on optics. The reputable names, Nikon, Burris, and others, can be had pretty reasonably, and you'll never regret it.
 
The reputable names, Nikon, Burris, and others, can be had pretty reasonably, and you'll never regret it.
Click to expand...
Yup...it's I'm sure some folks are throwing out certain names / scopes based on price alone - it's a shame you can't compare 'em in hand, or at least find a site you can believe with comparison tests?

Years ago, I was comparing a set of Nikon to Bushnell binoculars - within a few dollars of each other, but the Nikon's just flat put the Bushnells to shame. Optical clarity and / or light transmission may have been close if out in the sun, but in the dimly lit store, looking through the Bushnells was like looking through the Nikons with Vaseline smeared over the lens.

Since then, I've always used Nikon as a baseline - not saying that's all I'll buy, but when shopping I ask myself how what I'm looking at compares to my baseline product?
I also hear some 'Net "experts" talk about how good Leupolds are, and how much better they are than Nikons. Not saying it ain't true, but I see an awful lot of reports that Leupold gets their optics from Nikon - if true, kinda makes you wonder how a Leupold could be that much better than a Nikon (if at all)?

We're talking BIG price spreads in this case, but years ago I also looked through a fellow's spotting scopes on the range at dusk. One was a Tasco, one was a Redfield (before Leupold bought 'em out and made them a cheap line).
You couldn't pick out the bullet holes on a black target with the Tasco - with the Redfield, they were crystal clear (under fading light).
 
I don't want to throw cold water, or upset anyone, but... I got my brother a BSA fixed for his .22, and it has probably the worst optics I've ever seen, it's actually blurry for about 1/2 of the viewing field.
Click to expand...

^^^
This.

I just tossed a new BSA scope in the trash, total piece of junk, unusable. It is possible to spend $35 on a scope and get something decent for plinking, not with BSA from what I can tell.
 
HTML: 
I don't want to throw cold water, or upset anyone, but... I got my brother a BSA fixed for his .22, and it has probably the worst optics I've ever seen, it's actually blurry for about 1/2 of the viewing field.

My experience exactly. Anything with BSA on it I stay away from. Why Midway continues to carry them is beyond me.
 
I have a Nikon Prostaff 3-9X and a Leupold 2.5-8X on my rimfires. The Leupold is my favorite, but the Nikon is cheaper and is a very good scope for the money....$150.
 
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