I am planning to pick up a bolt action .22 this weekend and would like to put a scope on it at the same time. My question is, if I want to spend less then $200 on a scope, am I better of to put a rimfire specific scope on it or should i put a centerfire scope on it.
Along the same lines, I have a barska scope on my .223 bolt action right now and have considered putting that on the new .22 and picking up a better scope for the .223. I have no issue with the barska, just been told they aren't great.
Currently I shoot to 100-200 yards with the .223 depending where I am, the .22 would be 100 and under I suspect as I am shooting bulk ammo.
Any thoughts and suggestions would be great.
$200 is enough to buy you a very good rimfire scope. Which rimfire scope?
As many have said, a rimfire scope is parallax corrected for 50 meters and over, if it does not have an Adjustable Objective. Considering how most of us use our .22Lr rifles for any range from 10 meters to 200 meters, it is better to buy an AO scope for a few bucks more than a Fixed Objective (non-adjustable objective)
I have both fixed and adjustable objective rimfire scopes and the difference in quality and performance and sheer pleasure using AO scopes is well worth the price difference. In terms of your sight picture at shorter ranges, the difference is like watching HD vs SD TV.
I would not bother with non-adjustable AO rimfire scopes.
A fixed objective centerfire scope will most definitely be fuzzy or very sensitive to your eye alignment with the ocular lens, at rimfire ranges. At the very least, it will be difficult to be get consistent accuracy due to parallax error. So I wouldn't use a centerfire scope on a 22Lr.
The Bushnell Banner 4-12X x 40 AO scope is fine for .22 rifles, I got two of the older models on my CZ452s and they have been solid in terms of durability, accuracy, brightness and clarity. For example I can see my bullets as they hit paper at 100 meters. The holes are clear as well. What a pleasure to see your bullet land at POA!
Sometimes, depending on the angle of the sun, I can actually see my bullet on the way to the target:
You can go online to Reliable Gun and they got a decent selection of Bushnell and Nikon, even cheap Tasco scopes. You can spend more or less with other brands, but IMO, for your 100 meter needs, the Bushnell Banner 4-12X 40AO is about the best value in a rimfire riflescope. This Bushnell Banner will probably be within your budget, with tax and shipping, it even has an illuminated reticle.
https://www.reliablegun.com/en/bush...ti-coated-dry-nitrogen-filled-waterprooffogpr