Scope advice for .22 LR

[AStone]

Hi all,

My CZ452 arrived yesterday. (Actually, it's at my gun shop; haven't picked it up yet.)

Obviously I'm going to need a scope.

My main uses, in order, are:

1) small game hunting (squirrel, rabbit, ...)

2) enough range work to become relatively proficient (again) at #1. (I hunted a lot as a kid with .22, both iron sights & scope, but that's been a while ago )

When I first started looking, I reasoned that I'd want something like a 3X-6X or a 4X - 12X.

But the guys at my local shop are trying to nudge me towards something much larger like a 4X-16X or even 24X.

On first look, the latter seem a bit large to me, like overkill for a .22. Yeah, I understand: more glass, more magnification, etc. But how much is too much?

I'm concerned that some of the bigger ones may require a high mount that will require me to modify the way I aim & shoot. Not to mention being sort of top heavy?

There's always those budget considerations, too. The closer to $200 or the underside of that mark, the better. (One of the larger ones they're suggesting, a Swift, runs about $250. OK, I can do it, but do I want/need to?)

Any advice? I'm more interested in advice about reasonable power than specific scopes or scope makers, but suggestions about the latter is OK, too.

Thanks,

Nem

 

[Cindog]

If you really plan on just hunting with it, why not take a look at a nice fixed 4x or 6x? You can save yourself some money that way and still end up with a nice scope. Besides, those seem to be the magnification that most people end up leaving their scope set on if they are out hunting.

 

[jeremywills]

this is what was suggested to me

http://www.bushnell.com/products/riflescopes/22rimfire.cfm

were suggested to me by the gunsmith I just bought my mosin from, I almost bought the 3-9 x 32mm for that savage I just also got but I didn't, I am going to hold off to see what else is out there, so also very much interested in seeing what else is advised on this matter

 

[Trip20]

I built a 10/22 and use it for both this:

...and small game hunting. At the range, it's definitely more fun to have a high power scope. But for practical purposes (i.e. finding a squirrel in a tree about 15yds away), it absolutely sucks.

I decided to put a 2-7x32 Refield Tracker on it. At 50yds at the range (which is as far as I shoot with my .22), 7x is PLENTY... When I'm hunting... I can't tell you how much I appreciate the low 2x magnification. It's so much easier to acquire the target with that low magnification. And, if needed for a longer shot, I can zoom it up to 7x. I haven't had to turn it up beyond 3x while hunting.

Most people suggest a fixed power 4x... and that's not necessarily a bad idea, but I truely appreciate the 2x when using for small game hunting.

If your doing NOTHING but plinking at paper at the range or in competition - then definitely go with as much power as you can afford.

 

[GTKrockeTT]

Simmons 44 Mag - 6.5x20x44 w/AO.

Good enough for hunting and range plinking. Natchez has a special on them:
http://natchezss.com/category.cfm?c...2&subgroup=1932&CFID=1523093&CFTOKEN=22047341

 

[NMshooter]

You often pay more for a good fixed power scope than a variable power scope, less are made.

A typical 3x9, such as the Leupold VX1, or even that Walmart special the Leupold Rifleman, should do well without breaking the bank. I mention the 3x9 because you can find them anywhere, and usually for a good price. The other stuff is often expensive and/or hard to get rid of (hint, in retail always try to sell whatever is gathering dust on the shelf... ).

Just leave it on 3 power and have fun!

 

[esldude]

Well I say two good choices for a hunting rimfire.

Weaver makes a rimfire series (parallax set for 50 yards) that have good glass and fully multicoated lenses. Both are 28mm one in 4x and one in 2-7x. Prices are $109 and $125 respectively at the optic zone.

Leupold makes a 4x and 2-7x in 28mm also with rimfire parallax settings. They are right at $200 at swfa at the link below.

A friend has the Leupold 2-7x and I have a Weaver 4x. They are comparable in general quality. Have seen them side by side, though haven't done any careful optical comparison. You wouldn't be dissapointed in either. I would go with the Weaver in whichever magnification suits you. I don't see that much difference in them to pay extra for the Leupold. And I don't think the Leupold has fully multi-coated lenses.

http://theopticzone.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=76

Good place to buy and good prices.

For Leupold
http://www.swfa.com/c-100-leupold-rimfire-airgun-scopes.aspx

 

[AStone]

thanks for advice; keep it coming

Thanks to all of you so far for advice. Interesting reading. Here's to more.

I went by the shop late this afternoon to pick up the CZ, but I got there later than I thought I would, too late to do the 'background check' with the state. No problem, I'll pick it up later in the week. (I'm too busy right now to take it out anyway.)

While there, I raised the issue again about scopes. Turns out they misunderstood my intended use for the gun. They thought I wanted to target shoot with it.

When I explained it has mostly hunting applications for me, they backed off their original recommendation of a 4-24X, and dropped back to a lower power. Ahhh, much better. We're on the same page now. (Good folks down there; they haven't steered me wrong yet. Just a bit of miscommunication.)

OK, I'm reading what you're suggesting with interest, exploring your recommenations, URLs, etc.

I find myself attracted to the idea of a fixed power. While I understand the virtues of the variables for different situations, I'm intrigued by the idea of becoming proficient with one power (somewhere between 2, 3 & 4) and sticking with it. No muss, no fuss. It's always the same. Easy.

But I've got days to weeks to make this decision.

Let's see where this goes.

Thanks for your help.

Nem

 

[atblis]

Fixed powers are okay

but why bother when you can have a variable?

If you're serious about punching paper than a 4-16 with an adjustable objective would be ideal and would cover hunting fine. More than that isn't really necessary for a 22.

If you are not so concerned with punching paper but more hunting than a 3-9 or 2-7 or something similar would be ideal. Not too large and enough magnification for those longer shots. They'll do okay for paper punching.

I personally like Weavers. The 2-10x38mm works nicely on a 22. The optics are quite good.

 

[AZRickD]

I have an old Loopy Vari-X II 2-7x33 Compact (which is now the VX-I, IIRC) on my stock Ruger 10-22 on Loopy Quick-Release rings.

The scope cost more than the rifle, which is the way it should be.

Rick

 

[Darth Ruger]

I prefer low to mid-power scopes, don't really like high powered stuff, even at the range. That Bushnell link above isn't working, but I have a Sportsman 3-9x32A/O that I'm going to put on an air rifle. After Christmas, my .22 rimfire will have a Bushnell Elite 4200 1.5-6x36. I like a large field of view and a bright, crisp picture. The magnification can always be turned up if necessary.

 

[Cueball]

I have a CZ 452 as well and I use mine for a combination of hunting and punching paper. I settled on a 4-12X40 Adjustable Objective scope. I have 2 and they are Bushnell Banner and Trophy series scopes in the above configuration. Both those scopes can be had for under the $200 mark. I had a couple of reasons for going that route.

First, I went with the variable power to allow more versatility out of one scope. The 4x is low enough for target acqusition in the woods and the 12x is high enough for decent paper punching as well. Also, depending on your hunting environment, having increased magnification available can be quite useful. So, I felt the 4-12x gave me the best of both worlds. Also, the 40mm objective is as large as I would want to go with a scope on a 452. Anything larger than that is going to look very odd and top heavy in my opnion.

Also, I know several will disagree with me, but I believe that getting an adjustable objective scope is almost essential. I used to always buy non-ao scopes, but now I have replaced all my scopes, except for one with ao versions and I have never regretted going to the ao glass. The AO gives you the abilty to focus your objective to different lengths depending on what you are shooting at the time. I can shoot at targets 25yds away or 200yds away and the AO allows me to keep the target in focus. A fixed objective scope will generally be set for 50 or 100yds and anything you shoot at that is at a different distance will be out of focus to some degree. I find that to be very distracting.

Anyway, that's my honest recommendation based on my own experiences with my 452. Good luck and happy shooting!

 

[Essex County]

I mounter a 4X Nikon Prostaff on mine. One heck of a scope for $ 100. Very Pleased...........Essex

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The Gae Bolga, my M82 Kimber wears a Burris 4X "mini" scope -- and it's ideal. Four power is about all you can use when squirrel hunting, anyway.

Many scopes tend to overpower a .22, both in mass and in magnification. A huge scope on a slim, trim .22 just doesn't look right.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I have both a Weaver 4x28mm and Nikon Prostaff 4x32mm rimfire scope. Both have very good optics, are made well, and go for about $100 - $115. The Nikon's bigger objective lens gives it better light gathering properties. I actually got it as a factory refurb from Natchez Shooters Supply for $69 plus S&H.

Weaver and Nikon also make variable rimfire scopes for about $10 - $20 more, but for your use 4x should work well, IMO. I may put one of the variables on my .22 Mag though.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have both a Weaver 4x28mm and Nikon Prostaff 4x32mm rimfire scope. Both have very good optics, are made well, and go for about $100 - $115. The Nikon's bigger objective lens gives it better light gathering properties. I actually got it as a factory refurb from Natchez Shooters Supply for $69 plus S&H.

The 4X28 lens gives you all the light you can use, a 7mm exit pupil, which is all the human eye can accomodate (28/4 = 7mm.)

Weaver and Nikon also make variable rimfire scopes for about $10 - $20 more, but for your use 4x should work well, IMO. I may put one of the variables on my .22 Mag though.

I have a Burris "mini" 3X9 variable on my .22 Magnum, and like it for bragging -- this rifle shoots sub-minute of angle groups when I do my part. But I have never turned it up over 3X for hunting in the dozen or more years that I've owned it.

 

[powderbrass]

I have a 3-9X32 on my 22LR Marlin 80DL. It is mounted with "see through" scope mounts incase you want to use your sights for close range shooting. The scope is a good fit and is useful, for me, up to about a hundred yards or so.

 

[Rupestris]

I mounter a 4X Nikon Prostaff on mine. One heck of a scope for $ 100. Very Pleased...........Essex

Ditto.
4X Nikon ProStaff on my Marlin Model 60 keeps all shots right at/around an inch at 50 yards from a bench using Federal Game Shok 810's and CCI MiniMags. Other ammo tends to spread out a bit but target acquisition is quick and clear.

Granted, it did shoot a tighter group with a higher power variable but it almost felt like cheating @ 9X.

 

[hank327]

I bought a Ruger 77/22 right when they were introduced many years ago. I mounted a Burris 4X compact fixed power on it and have never looked back.
I use it mainly for squirrel hunting and informal target practice at the range.
It is excellent for hunting as it provides all the magnification that I need without being too much, and it works ok for my range use. I suppose a 6X would be ok, but that would be my upper limit on magnification.

For your stated purposes, a fixed power will work fine. Not that a variable wouldn't work, but it would be at additional expense and complexity. I rather like keeping things simple, but that's just me.

 

[AStone]

Bump.

 

[AStone]

Bumpity bump.

As the thread starter, I would like to revive this thread for a few minutes/hours/days/weeks...

I got that CZ452 mentioned above. One sweet rifle. Solid feel. Good trigger. Tack driver at 50. (Which is all I need. Most small game I'm after - squirrels & rabbits - is less than that far away.)

But there's a problem with it: my gun shop (actually one employee at said gun shop, who's into varmint shooting at long ranges) sold me a scope that is not the right one for my needs.

He talked me into putting this scope on it: Swift Premier Model 674M 3-9X 40mm.

Now, it's clearly a nice scope. Very clear optics. Nice light gathering. Solid feel.

There are two problems with that scope for my 452:

1) It's just too big (on top of this little rifle, it just sez, "wrong". And, the 40mm doesn't facilitate easy bolt action.

2) Parallax is wrong. It's set at 100 yds. That's fine for a varmint shooter or a paper puncher, but not for a squirrel hunter. I've had trouble getting quickly on target with it. Just doesn't feel right.

So, I've decided to sell this Swift scope (hit me with a PM if you're interested; ad going up soon in and acquire a replacement made specifically for a rimfire.

Top contenders:

Nikon Prostaff in a 4X 32mm.

Bushnell rimfire in 4X 32mm.

Leupold Rimfire VX-I 2-7X 28mm [Unlikely; at $200, it's just too expensive for me right now.]

Sightron S1 Rimfire 3-9x 32mm

So, here are my questions:

A) Can I/should I use the same scope mounts for any of those scopes as I used for the Swift 40mm?

B) Which one of those scopes listed above would you recommend - or something else - for shots that are mostly in the 15 - 50 yd range?

Thanks,

Nem

 

[GTKrockeTT]

almost a year later, and you still haven't decided on a scope?

 

[rangerruck]

dont know what package stores are around you, bubut Tasco sells in the hard plastic pack , a 3.9.32 scope, yellow shooting glasses, and ear muffs. The tasco glass is surprisingly clear, the glasses give good seperation, and the muffs really cut down on the high ends. All this for 40 bucks or less, 30 at Academy.
for a hunting rig, it is nice to have a 32mm bell, keeps the scope small, and doesn't overwhelm the balance or weight of the rifle.

 

[AStone]

I just noticed something: The Nikon Prostaff seems to come with its own mounts. If I get it, I can let these go with the Swift.

(Or did these COME with the Swift? I honestly don't know. Hmmm....)

And GTK, as I mentioned above, yes I did "decide" on a scope, but now I've changed my mind. It's not working out for me. (And, I've had a few other irons in the fire more important than this one, like running a business, so this scope hasn't exactly been priority 1. )

 

[rustymaggot]

the bushnell 3-9 variable in post #4 looks like the scope i was going to recommend. i got mine at wally world for like 80 somthing. it has a triplex recticule(sp?) which i really like and its been a nice durable scope for me so far. i have mine on a ruger 10/22. im kinda a cheap guy when it comes to scopes and the bushnell im talking about here has been the best one under a 100 bucks ive had.