Which optic for 10/22?

[El Tejon]

In the process of equipping my nephew's (age 8) compact 10/22 that he is getting for Christmas. He has been shooting iron sights for 4 years and now wants a "scope".

From a cursory search, I have found three that interest me:

1. Leupold, 4x28mm, FX-1 rimfire;
2. Leupold, 2.5x20, FX-II Ultralight riflescope;
3. Weaver 4x28 Classic Rimfire.

Taking everything into consideration (base, rings, target towers [if applicable], lens covers), what would you recommend, and why?

Are there other optics that you would recommend, such as one of the red dot arrangements or an airgun optic? What say you?

 

[ID_shooting]

while not on your list, maine carries a Leupold M8 4x.

I guess I am a bit of a scope snob, the FX1 should work well.

 

[XavierBreath]

I have been very impressed with the Nikon 4X32 Prostaff available in Wal-Mart for $100.

 

[pokynojoe]

"I have been very impressed with the Nikon 4X32 Prostaff available in Wal-Mart for $100."

I'll second that. I bought one when they first came out for my 10/22. Didn't know they were available at Wal-Mart. I think it's a good match for the 10/22.

Joe

 

[Telperion]

In addition to those, the Sightron 3-9x32 is also a great rimfire scope, and can be bought for $100 from Midway with C&R/FFL discount. Do a search on Sightron here.

Talley makes a nice, lightweight 1-piece mount for the 10/22.

 

[Jackal]

I agree with the Nikon Prostaff. I have a 3-9x40 from EBAY for only $93.00. It is very clear and high quality. I also(snobs turn away now) just installed a Simmons Master Series 8-Point 3-9x40 scope on my Marlin .22mag. For the $25.00 I paid, I feel like I stole it. It's very clear (surprisingly) and windage/elevation adjustments are dead on.

 

[CB900F]

El Tejon;

I'll second Telperion's suggestion of the Sightron S1 3-9X rimfire. I've got one on a 10/22 & am quite satisfied with it.

Just to put that into perspective, I have several .22's with scopes, many of them much higher dollar units. I'm not claiming the Sightron is the equal of my Nikon Monarch 3.3-10X A/O mil-dot, but it's a very good unit for the money & would fill your need to a 'T' IMHO.

900F

 

[BlkHawk73]

Unless this little 10/22 has had so considerable upgrading done to it, I really don't see the need to spend the money a Leupold will cost, especially for such a young shooter. Were it me, I'd happily provide this youngster ith a Simons. For the money, they're a very good scope.
Now if it had been upgarded to a point where by a fine optical piece was warranted, my choice would be a Burris.

 

[El Tejon]

Thank you all very much. I will check into this Nikon optic. Being Really Old Skul, I am hesitant to embrace variable power optics. Simplicity for weaponry is something I preach. Technology improves though.

Cost is not much of a factor (although I'm not putting a S&B on his .22, maybe his first centerfire, not a .22). My philosophy on guns has always been, buy quality stuff and pay once instead of buying junk and paying thrice.

I want the weapons I buy him to last multiple lifetimes. I grew up shooting guns many decades and centuries older than I was. I have some of those weapons in my gunsafe and hanging on my wall.

I do not shoot them much but when I handle them I am transported through time and space and can talk to Uncle Sonny, Uncle Paul, Uncle Irvin, Grandpa and others. I wish the same for my nephews.

 

[atek3]

Simmons 44 Mag with the target turrets and AO is very popular on the rimfire forums. I had one for a time, it passed the box test like a champ.