In need of a GOOD .22 scope recommendation

[CraigC]

The Mueller is very good, better than most other scopes in their price range but if you want a Leupold, only a Leupold will do. You have some options. I'm leery of big variables on rimfires unless they're dedicated target guns. You really don't need much more than a 3-9x or 4-12x class unless you're shooting benchrest. Those scopes will be much more useful should you decide to do some small game hunting. Put it this way, I have a Mueller 4-16x tactical model on my Savage 93R17 .17HMR. I shoot small critters, targets, rocks, clay pigeons and crows out to 250yds and rarely go above 8x. I also really don't like messing with AO's in the field but this is where the individual must find their balance. One option would be a VX2 3-9x, send it back to Leupold to have its parallax reset to 50-75yds. Or simply get an AO model in the 4-12x or 4.5-14x class.

I wouldn't go over a 40mm objective because they can be a pain to get mounted. They often wind up being too high to get a good cheek weld and I believe the comb on your rifle is a bit low for iron sights anyway.

What will be an issue is getting on paper at 300yds without a canted mount. I suggested the Savage because they have 20 or 25MOA mounts available. This will get you on paper at 200-250yds without using up your scope's adjustments, depending on the loads you use. Burris Signature Zee rings with the offset inserts will get you some more elevation if necessary.

 

[heeler]

Post #21 too me at least,shows the perfect balance of the right size scope on a carbine style rifle.
That's a beautiful setup HKGuns.

 

[mjw930]

It sounds like you are bent on spending a lot more than is needed for this application. My wife has a BSA Sweet 22 on her 10/22 and it's a darn nice scope for the price and gets her within 2 MOA @ 100 yards which is probably more her and the gun then the scope.

They have a new model with side focus and European rear focus that's a really nice package. I know BSA is probably a dirty word here but it simply works and works well for the application.

http://www.bsaoptics.com/scope.aspx?productID=345



Street price is under $100.

 

[gotime242]

^ Yeah they have gotten a lot of good reviews. $40 on amazon for the 3-9x40.

http://www.amazon.com/BSA-Sweet-22-Scope-Matte/dp/B000NJUPAS

 

[mjw930]

^ Yeah they have gotten a lot of good reviews. $40 on amazon for the 3-9x40.

http://www.amazon.com/BSA-Sweet-22-S.../dp/B000NJUPAS

That's the older version. The new one with side focus is said to have better glass. Regardless, @ $40 it's a throw away if it ever breaks. That's stupid cheap.

 

[CraigC]

It sounds like you are bent on spending a lot more than is needed for this application.

Spoken by someone who obviously doesn't have a boxful of cheap scopes that failed. I wouldn't cross the street for a free BSA.

 

[Fat_46]

Please take a very close look at the Nikon Prostaff rimfire scope. Couple it with the SpotOn app (free online, a couple of buck$ for your smartphone) and you'll have a great solution. Good glass, and the SpotOn app is AMAZINGLY accurate in determining drops for a wide variety of ammunition...if you can find anyway.

 

[Geneseo1911]

This will never be a hunting gun. I have *plenty* of other .22's with irons, red dots, and 4x scopes for getting bunnies and squirrels. I'm not much of a hunter, anyway, and I much prefer semi-autos for that duty.

This gun will be shot primarily from a benchrest or slung prone, so it sounds like the more magnification the better. I did find some low-profile 3/8 dovetail-to-weaver adapters, and standard height offset rings which should, by my calculations, allow me to get the 6-18x VX2 far forward enough to work.

 

[rondog]

I've bought too many cheap, crappy scopes, never again. I don't see a need for myself for high-dollar scopes, but the last two I've bought were both Nikons and I think they're wonderful as far as the glass quality and brightness, and they were both under $150. Both were new and unused, and bought from private sellers that needed to move them. One is a P-223 4x40 (I think) for my AR-15, and the other is a 3-9x40 Prostaff that I bought for an Enfield Jungle Carbine I have that already had a scope mount on it. They both have BDC reticles.

I haven't used them yet (rarely get to go shooting), but looking through them out my back door at things around the neighborhood, they're crystal clear and very impressive. The Prostaff, I can dial it to 9 and very clearly read the name on a street sign that's at least 500 yards away, maybe farther. I can focus them both razor sharp, which is important to me.

But I've been using Nikon cameras and lenses for 30 years, so I may be a little biased.

 

[wingman]

I can only tell you what I used with good results and that is a Mueller 8-32x44on a CZ455 varmint, heavy set up but target only. On my walking gun Marlin 981T I have the Mueller 4-14 apv, both scopes have performed excellent, however if you wish to spend more the Burris & Vortex line are very good.

 

[HKGuns]

That's a beautiful setup HKGuns.

Thank-you! It works very well also.......

I wouldn't cross the street for a free BSA.

I wouldn't walk out the door of my house for a free BSA. CraigC and I agree on a lot, especially this one.

 

[Red Tornado]

I wouldn't cross the street for a free BSA.

I've learned my lesson, and I'll never buy another BSA, but damn, I'll walk all the way down the block if it's free.

I really like Mueller and I'll buy more, but they're good, not great. For your applications get a Leupold or Nikon and you'll be fine. No experience with SWFA, but I don't doubt the posters who like them.
RT

 

[JohnBT]

The early BSA scopes were good scopes and I know of a midpower adjustable one that's still being used on a .223 bolt gun. It must be a decade or two old by now. The Tasco World Class scopes from around 1990 were very good for the money, about $100 iirc.

I have a Weaver 6x-24 that's a good scope, but I've found that it's too big for a squirrel scope and not big enough for a benchrest scope. The same is true for the Leupold 6.5x-20 EFR, it's a great scope with better glass than the Weaver.

I nearly always reach for the guns with the Leupold 3x-9 EFR or one of the 2 Weaver T-36's, one with crosshairs and one with a dot.

John

 

[redneck2]

All scopes look good in the bright lights in a controller environment in a show room. Take them out in poor light in the deep woods and see how they work. FWIW...I have a B&L 4000 on my muzzle loader. I was all kinds of happy with it. A rather expensive scope and considered top end when I bought it. It's coming off and getting sold before next season. It's REALLY marginal compared to the new Leupolds

I have a friend that has started making the transition from cheap scopes to good scopes. It ruined him when he got Leupold VX-R for a Canada trip. So, he gets a Nikon BDC for his AR. All kinds of proud of it. Well, until we started shooting side by side with the Leupold VX-3's and VX-R"s. It's gonna be transferred to one of the safe queen guns and replace with a better scope.