.22 LR Optics

Badbuzz

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Hey all,

I have read several posts on several "what should I get" for .22LR. I am going to be picking up a .22 with a heavy barrel, and will most likely be spending about $1000 on the rifle (including most upgrades).

Normally this type of rifle would be used for benchrest/paper punching (out to 100 prob). However, I may want to take it out and shoot bunnies every so often with it.

Is there a scope around the $200-400 mark that would encompass both? I do not want to go cheap if I am spending that amount of $$ on a rimfire rifle, although I do realize I go go more$.

The scope would NOT be taken off once on

There are 2 types of thinking on this:

#1 I am nuts to be doing this and just get a cheap .22 and cheap scope to shoot bunnies, and keep the good rimfire to just target shoot.

#2 Sure, why not, and this (fill in the blank) model would be ideal.

Thoughts/opinions/options?

Thanks,

W.
 
#2 My recommendation would be a Falcon Menace 4-14FFP mil with ML16 reticle.

Have one on my 10/22, which I use for shooting well past 100 yard and for hunting. It focuses right down to around 7 yards at the lowest power.
 
I like the low power, what is the min parallax on it? I would not really need windage and elevation. seems a bit much for a rimfire no?

The parallax knob is marked down to 10M, but adjusts lower. All of the specs are here: http://www.falconoptics.com/4-14x44FFP.php

If you want to be able to dial in precisely with the rifle, get a scope with turrets.

If that seems like a bit for a rimfire, I wonder what you'd think of the Premier Heritage 3-15x50 I run on my Quad. The value of an optics depends entirely on what you do with it and the value you get out of it... My Quad is built as a nearly identical replica to my centerfire rig, which runs the 5-25x56 Premier. It's an invaluable training tool to me, so I don't give it a a second thought. It's no worse than spending a ton of cash on a restricted black rifle that can only be used to shoot paper on a range, IMO.
 
One suggestion would be a Sightron II 4-16x42. Hirsch Precision sells them in Canada, and they are about $400, and I believe there is a $50 rebate offer which ends tomorrow. You may be able to squeeze in a purchase in time. Talk to Peter Dobson at Hirsch.

SII-416x42.jpg


Sightron II 4-16x42
 
One factor is your vision. For 100 yd benchrest shooting I need 24x to see the bullet holes (and no one in the matches I attend uses less than that.) My preference is the Busnell Elite 4200 6-24x40. You can usually find used ones on the EE for about $450.

A heavy barrel rifle with a big scope seems a bit cumbersome to me for shooting rabbits, unless you can do it from your back porch. Personally I would pick something else for that purpose, probably a 10-22 or a Winchester Wildcat. But there are any number of lightweight, cheap .22s available.
 
i've got a $650 Signtron on my $480 Savage, and i like it. add a $22 sling and you can shoot standing without your arm falling off.

+1 on Hirsch Precision


but if you wanna stay lower price, ya a Bush 4200 series would probably work, or maybe even the 3200 series. as much as i like nikon, i'd skip them since their focus only goes down to 50yd which for 22LR is not close enough. not sure if leupold makes anything suitable in your range unless you stick to "less than 4-12" cuz you won't get adjustable parallax / focus in that $$ range.


.
 
wow, most of these scopes are out of my price range for my ruger 10/22.

I just picked up a Bushnell Trophy XLT 6-18x 50mm for $250. Hopefully I'll get a chance this weekend to head to the range and sight it in.
 
What is the parallax like on the sightron?

depends on which model. the sightron site has the specs, and you can download a PDF catalog to get more details. for example, my SIIB 6.5-20 goes from 30yards out, though at the lower magnifications i can use it at 20yd quite well. some other ones go from 15yd or even 10yd. some are fixed (usually for 100yd)
 
Your spending the $$ on a nice rifle, might just as well get a nice scope.

Personally, I am kind of partial to either the Leupold 3x9AO or their 3.5x10AO

If you want to get into benchrest, you're probably looking for more power (Unless your gun qualify for the hunting category)
 
If you'd rather spend closer to the $200(less even) mark instead of the $400 range, maybe take a look at a Mueller APV 4.5-14x. I put one on my CZ 452 American, it works well for me. I bought my gun/scope combo to target shoot with and hunt as well.
 
I think I will go with the option of keeping it for range use, and buy a cheaper rifle for hunting. I will go for the pricier scopes

For the range have a look at the Sightron II 36X42 fixed Target Scope, or if you want to go for the higher quality version (Fully Multi-Coated) the Sightron IIB 36X42 Big Sky. Weaver make a very similar scope too, but it may not have quite as much elevation adjustment for longer range target shooting.

I use a Bushnell Banner 6-18x50 AO for both gophers and target on my Savage BTVS. It works quite well, and is clear at max power. I recall it was about $140, and made in Korea. It sounds like you have a higher end gun and it may deserve a bit better.
 
+1 on SIIB6-24x42. Bright clear scope. With shade on quite massive on the CZ455, not sure I'd want to lug it around on a hunt.
 
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