I have a recently purchased Leupold VX-Freedom 3 - 9 X40 rimfire scope. The literature that came with the scope makes no mention of what distance zero parallax is set for. I have a much older Bushnell 3 - 9 X 40 which has parallax adjustments at the objective indexing from 15 yards to 100 yards to infinity. How important is having parallax adjustment? Do scopes get designated "rimfire" because they are built cheap and light, or should they have features like parallax adjustment or a reticle suited for short range use, or have other features? If you want the best scope for a rimfire, it is better to go for the higher quality scopes and ignore any "rimfire" designation? Or look for higher quality scopes with certain features? TIA
Qualities to look for in a rimfire scope??
- Thread starter guninhand
- Start date
A lot of it has to do with how you plan to use the rifle. I have a 10/22 I use for plinking and I mounted a 3-9 Simmons scope on it that works perfectly fine. On a more precise rig you’ll want something with more magnification and I personally noted a thinner radical was more use. The hard part is seeing those little holes behind a thick reticle.
As an example, I had a mid/high end scope with what they call an “open center” reticle which has a small dot. The dot covered the hole after the shot. I then installed Bushnell engage 6-24 Which has extremely fine crosshairs. This worked much better for me. I could see the shot land.
As an example, I had a mid/high end scope with what they call an “open center” reticle which has a small dot. The dot covered the hole after the shot. I then installed Bushnell engage 6-24 Which has extremely fine crosshairs. This worked much better for me. I could see the shot land.
The Leupold being designated as 'rimfire' should have parallax set for 50 yds/meters - don't know which. The 3-9 would be good for plinking or hunting and the parallax at those distances shouldn't matter anyway. More critical is getting the eyepiece focused properly on the crosshairs, then the target should be in focus. And verifying the scope is 'Optically Centered', too. I had a new scope that seemed way off after laser bore sighting and the prob was 'factory error' - off centered. You can find the process to center on-line. I use the mirror method.
That said, I too have a Bushnell Engage, just the 6-18x50 - they were out of the 6-24
P This scope has 'Side Focus' parallax adjustment and I really like the fine hair reticle with MOA hash marks - it makes it easy for 'quick' corrections for aim. The marks also have specific widths of 1 or 2 MOA as well. At 100 yds, knowing the hold MOA I can hit within 1" w/o adjusting the scope from my 50 yd zero for a quick long shot or anything in between. This scope runs about $350 or so if you can find them. My LGS (DrDeals in Moncton NB) has a 3-12x44 * SFP-NOT FFP * Engage for $419 -a good price for *SFP* NOT-FFP but I want the 24x or more if I buy another. The *SFP* (NOT FFP) would be good if used for hunting though. FWIW, my .02 ** NOTE - SCOPE IS SFP - NOT FFP - MY ERROR**
That said, I too have a Bushnell Engage, just the 6-18x50 - they were out of the 6-24
P This scope has 'Side Focus' parallax adjustment and I really like the fine hair reticle with MOA hash marks - it makes it easy for 'quick' corrections for aim. The marks also have specific widths of 1 or 2 MOA as well. At 100 yds, knowing the hold MOA I can hit within 1" w/o adjusting the scope from my 50 yd zero for a quick long shot or anything in between. This scope runs about $350 or so if you can find them. My LGS (DrDeals in Moncton NB) has a 3-12x44 * SFP-NOT FFP * Engage for $419 -a good price for *SFP* NOT-FFP but I want the 24x or more if I buy another. The *SFP* (NOT FFP) would be good if used for hunting though. FWIW, my .02 ** NOTE - SCOPE IS SFP - NOT FFP - MY ERROR**
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Use and budget determines what features you should look for.
DIY threads on the web to change fixed parallax rifle scopes for rim fire use, not sure what Korth charges.
If you provide more info you probably get some helpful info/suggestions.
Adjustable objective or side focus parallax is desirable depending on use.
DIY threads on the web to change fixed parallax rifle scopes for rim fire use, not sure what Korth charges.
If you provide more info you probably get some helpful info/suggestions.
Adjustable objective or side focus parallax is desirable depending on use.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I have a few Leupold rimfire scopes. Both the FX-1 4 power and the VX-1 2-7 are parallax free at 60 yards, as per the Leupold books that came with them. The VX-2 has AO. How significant? I set up the new FX-1 on a rabbit ear sandbag on top of a wheeled tool cabinet in my shop - wheeled it around and lined it up on a knot on a tree trunk about 25 yards away. By moving my eye far to right - so I started to see black on left side of the view, and to the left side to see black on the right side of view - I could move the cross hairs completely off that knot - both ways - so, seeing start of black - that is extremely to one side, the thing would miss a squirrel's head at 25 yards. Up to you if that is significant.
Had read multiple times not to totally rely on the numbers that you see on the scope AO until you have verified them - set up on shooting bench at 100 yard target - turn AO to 100 - set rifle on sandbags - move head side to side or up and down - to verify that the cross hairs do NOT move on the target - they might - you need to check to know - that scale might be a little "short" or a little "long" - really easy for user to verify when sighting it in.
Will usually shock you if you have mounted a 2.5, 4 power or 3-9 power centerfire scope on a rimfire, and do that test on 25 yard target. Easy to do - many seem to not want to know.
Had read multiple times not to totally rely on the numbers that you see on the scope AO until you have verified them - set up on shooting bench at 100 yard target - turn AO to 100 - set rifle on sandbags - move head side to side or up and down - to verify that the cross hairs do NOT move on the target - they might - you need to check to know - that scale might be a little "short" or a little "long" - really easy for user to verify when sighting it in.
Will usually shock you if you have mounted a 2.5, 4 power or 3-9 power centerfire scope on a rimfire, and do that test on 25 yard target. Easy to do - many seem to not want to know.
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Google parallax 101. you will find very simple and explicative videos. second, from /to how far you want to hit your target. you want frist or second focal plane scope. you want capped or exposed turrets? if exposed, free or locking? you never buy a scope for a cartridge or a rifle but for the use you intend to do with it.
As said before it all depends on what you are using it for. Mine are for plinking and occasionally some small game. Have a bushnell rimfire 3-12 with SF on an HMR, an elite 3-9 with SF on a 22 and a tasco air 3-9 with AO on another 22 that hasn't been shot yet. SF or AO is a must for me whether I'm playing around at 25yds or 100yds.
Notice - error on POST 3
NOTICE -- I made a mistake yesterday on Post 3 . While looking up info I noted the Bushnell Engage SCOPE at LGS was FFP. IT IS ACTUALLY AN SFP SCOPE. Still a good price but not as great as if it were FFP !!
Sorry and I hope no one ordered on-line from my info.
NOTICE -- I made a mistake yesterday on Post 3 . While looking up info I noted the Bushnell Engage SCOPE at LGS was FFP. IT IS ACTUALLY AN SFP SCOPE. Still a good price but not as great as if it were FFP !!
Sorry and I hope no one ordered on-line from my info.
For the average shooter, who is using his rifle for "plinking" or for grouse, squirrels, etc, one of the
rimfire scopes with the parallax fixed at 50 or 60 yards is just about perfect. [Think Leupold 2-7 &
3-9 rimfire offerings or their equivalent] For the serious 22 rimfire shooter with a rifle and ammo
that will deliver, then parallax adjustment is mandatory.
I have both types of scopes, each for their specific purposes, and they work just fine. I believe that
it is redundant to mount a big variable with parallax adjustment on a rifle and ammo combination
that is only capable of ¾" groups at 50 yards. Dave
rimfire scopes with the parallax fixed at 50 or 60 yards is just about perfect. [Think Leupold 2-7 &
3-9 rimfire offerings or their equivalent] For the serious 22 rimfire shooter with a rifle and ammo
that will deliver, then parallax adjustment is mandatory.
I have both types of scopes, each for their specific purposes, and they work just fine. I believe that
it is redundant to mount a big variable with parallax adjustment on a rifle and ammo combination
that is only capable of ¾" groups at 50 yards. Dave
- Location
- Quebec city
Same here!
The Leupold being designated as 'rimfire' should have parallax set for 50 yds/meters - don't know which. The 3-9 would be good for plinking or hunting and the parallax at those distances shouldn't matter anyway. More critical is getting the eyepiece focused properly on the crosshairs, then the target should be in focus. And verifying the scope is 'Optically Centered', too. I had a new scope that seemed way off after laser bore sighting and the prob was 'factory error' - off centered. You can find the process to center on-line. I use the mirror method.
That said, I too have a Bushnell Engage, just the 6-18x50 - they were out of the 6-24
Much thanks, never knew about the Optically Centered test.
Thanks for all the great advise. I'm strong on getting a good Anschutz .22 for rimfire PRS but am holding off till I can get some 10 round mags with it. The Leupold scope I mentioned in my first post might be best as you might be able to move to the next target faster if no need for a SF or AO.
