To Scope or not to Scope

jaydawg

jaydawg

Member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Elmira
That's my question. I am buying my first .22 (weird eh?) and am unsure if I should mount a scope or not. If so, what size, type, mounts etc....
I am used to open-iron sights on milsups and handguns and beads on shotguns.
I am picking up my brand new 10/22 tomorrow or friday.
 
It all depends what you intend to do with your gun. For target shooting most guns are scoped. There are die hard open and peep sight shooters also so it depends how precise and the distance you wish to shoot. targets or vermin? For fun and plinking, open sights will do but you are limited to distances you can actually hit at. The scope allows the shooter to do both targets and distance shots with a better visual arena. I found that with a scope and open field varmint shooting, less tend to escape wounded than with the open sights. I have shot both for over 50 years and feel the best shot is the one where there is no suffering. Try both and choose after.
 
To Scope or not to Scope
Click to expand...

Been there..:p....I was was an "iron-sights-only" (I sincerely did not think I'd have the skills necessary to make a scope-acquisition worth my time :redface:), but even the mainstay Bushnell "3-9 x whatever" :D seemed to fit my Remington 552 so naturally :) that I could have kicked myself for the fun I'd been missing out on....:yingyang:
 
I never really beleived in a scope on a .22 until I put one on. I live in the country and all too often have to eliminate barn intruders. (they love chickens and geese).
Like the other fella said, pretty well no chance of just wounding.
 
am unsure if I should mount a scope or not. If so, what size, type, mounts etc....
Click to expand...
1. A scope will almost guarantee better scores/hits for any shooter, assuming he takes the time to properly mount and zero a good scope.

2. A proper scope is necessary to get the most fun out of a .22 rifle. For me, the minimum quality should be a mid-priced tasco, bushnell 4-12X x 40 mm with Adjustable Objective, around $120. The AO is the key operative phrase. Without AO, parallax error will not give you the best groups you or the gun are capable of. Non-AO scopes are usually parallax corrected at 100 yds/meters and beyond. Any target closer than 100 yd/m will not be in clear focus and you have to consistently center your shooting eye on the eyepiece, otherwise your point of aim/point of impact will vary.

Cheaper non-AO scopes designed for .22 are available with parallax set for 50 yds+. That may work if you want to spend less.

3. What model Ruger 10/22 did you purchase?
 
I seen 10/22's at Canadian Tire Calgary(southland) red taged for $275. down from $360.
I almost used my CT money to buy another one!...
 
Just my two cents:

It depends on what you want to use it for. My belief is that open sights seriously limit your range and accuracy on small game. I just spent a few days in the gopher patch and IMHO the scope is essential.

I got my new CZ a few weeks ago and mounted a 4-12X 40mm scope on it because it was what I had available. It was very nice at the range. Then off to the gopher patch. The scopes weight and size became an obstacle. Today I mounted a 2-7 28mm scope on it and I can tell this will be a very nice setup.

I think the Ruger would be an excellent huner with a fixed 4 power scope on it.

That said. I'd still like to have a rifle with open sights kicking around just for fun. I don't expect that it would get used that much though.
 
Wow, thanks for the advice.
I am going to scope my new 10/22 (Jacaranda Laminate). Just not sure with what yet. Keep your opinions coming...
 
Having shot with nothing but scopes for pretty much my entire shooting career, I have recently switched to irons and I am finding it challenging, yet far more accurate than I had been led to believe. I still think you should go with the scope though. It's a great way to help make those humane shots and lets you see great results on paper fairly quickly. Then, when you get bored later like I did, you can take the scope off and start to learn all over again with the irons. :D

I have a 1.5-4.5x32 Bushnell on my 10/22. (yeah yeah, I said that I have switched to irons... it's my only rifle with the scope still on it due to the fact that I lost the factory sights for it :redface: ) I find that it is great for both close up shots and it still lets me make one shot kills on rabbits out to about 75 yards. You can't really go wrong with a standard 3-9 power though for longer range target shooting. If that's what you want to do though, like easyrider604 said, be sure to get an adjustable objective. It makes a HUGE difference...

Matthew
 
If you're an old fart like me, use a scope for anything 'serious', as our old eyes don't like conventional open sights much. Peeps and ghost rings still work with old eyes, but a scope will, as has been stated, ensure more consistent hits and little frustration. I was always a '.22s should have open sights' guy, but, alas, time waits for no one...;)
Also, check the focal/parallax free distance of any scope you purchase for your .22. Scopes made for centerfire calibers can cause errors in crosshair/target alignment ay distances commonly used for rimfire .22s.
 
I use a cheapo bushnell sharpshooter 3-9x32 on mine, although i turfed the dovetail mount and went with a weaver base and rings. Shoots good and is a staple whenever i go to the range or cabin.
 
Well I lucked out, the box included a Tasco scope. It didn't come with any specs, and nothing on the scope. It is a fixed magnification, I can only guess it is 4x with an objective lens of about 20-30mm. Will see how it performs....
 
jaydawg said:
Well I lucked out, the box included a Tasco scope. It didn't come with any specs, and nothing on the scope. It is a fixed magnification, I can only guess it is 4x with an objective lens of about 20-30mm. Will see how it performs....
Click to expand...

I actually like those 4x fixed-power WA Tasco's over the tiny Bushnell 4x Sporter's....the Tasco's much clearer, too...
 
Most people overdo the magnification and objective size, and buy too little quality. Pick up a Leupold 4x28mm RF special or a 2-7x 28mm RF special and mount it as low to the bore as you can. It's really hard to argue with a high quality 4x scope.
 
4x is not enough magnification. The .22 rimfire is capable of much longer ranges than most shooters believe. Something in the 9-12x range will allow you to stretch your shooting range much further and increase accuracy while doing it.

We routinely shoot out to 150 - 200 yds with our rimfires and are using 3-9x Tasco Mil Dot scopes with added target turrets.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom