Recommendations for rimfire scope?

[alpining]

Hi folks - I'd appreciate your recommendations for mid market options for a rimfire scope. I've only come across the Vortex Diamondback rimfire 2-7x35.

Here's what I'm looking for:

Budget $200-$500
Parallax at 60yds or less (or adjustable / side focus)
Objective lens 40mm or less
Weight less than 16oz
Minimum magnification at most 4x
Maximum magnification at least 6x


I'm mostly indifferent to reticle type, but I do prefer an MOA-style. The shorter, lighter, tougher, and longer eye relief the better.

Any input is welcome, thanks!


(If you have something for sale that fits in these parameters, feel free to PM me)

 

[neilselden]

Hi,
I have limited experience, but I can share what I've found.

I have a Bushnell rimfire 4x on a semi-auto .22lr. It used to be on my bolt action, but the ocular bell was just a little too big to clear the bolt handle. This scope has a nice thick duplex, which I find pretty easy to use. The glass is clear (to me), but mind you, it's only 4x, and I'm shooting at 50 yards. It's about 12" long, and weighs about 10-11 ounces.

I changed to a Leupold FX-1 4x rimfire scope, for the bolt rifle. The ocular now JUST clears the bolt handle. It's a really nice scope, although the turrets don't have click adjustments like the Bushnell. Even though it's 28mm vs the Bushnell's 32mm, the Leupold gives a bit brighter and sharper image. However, this scope has a fine duplex, which I find harder to use in cloudy or darker conditions. It's about 9" long, and weighs about 7 ounces.

Quality wise, the Leupold beats the pants off the Bushnell. Fit and finish is much nicer, and it's generally more rugged than the Bushnell. But the Bushnell is still quite good. Leupold also gives you the reticle subtensions, which is handy to have from the manufacturer, as opposed to figuring it out yourself.

Price wise, I picked up my Bushnell, used, from the EE here, for around $90 I think. I bought the Leupold, used, also from the EE, for about $290.

I don't use variable power scopes at this point, but I read that the Leupold VX-1 (2-7x33) and Leupold Vx-2 (3-9x40) rimfire scopes are pretty popular.

Cheers,
Neil

Hi folks - I'd appreciate your recommendations for mid market options for a rimfire scope. I've only come across the Vortex Diamondback rimfire 2-7x35.

Here's what I'm looking for:

Budget $200-$500
Parallax at 60yds or less (or adjustable / side focus)
Objective lens 40mm or less
Weight less than 16oz
Minimum magnification at most 4x
Maximum magnification at least 6x


I'm mostly indifferent to reticle type, but I do prefer an MOA-style. The shorter, lighter, tougher, and longer eye relief the better.

Any input is welcome, thanks!


(If you have something for sale that fits in these parameters, feel free to PM me)

 

[Potashminer]

Following Post #3 - I do have the three Leupold rimfire scopes here - the FX-1 4x28 on a CZ Scout, the VX-1 2-7 on a Ruger 96 in 22 Mag and the VX-2 3-9 on a Ruger 77/22 in 22 Mag. The FX-1 and VX-1 have fixed parallax; the VX-2 has an AO. I think they are about perfect. I have several older Bushnell straight tube 1" rimfire scopes - they work fine and are reliable sights - the Leupolds are much brighter to look through, though. I bought all three Leupolds as new, starting several years ago - the FX-1 was the latest, this past summer - not very common to find in stock in Canada any more. Prices today, for new ones, will run through your price target range, and perhaps a bit over.

Do not laugh, but another decent one is the Simmons 22MAG scope - I have the 3-9 "Target" version with the Adjustable Objective. If only one .22 rifle and only one scope, there are a LOT that would be worse choice than this Simmons. And I do also have many of the "worse" choices sitting in the drawer - various brands - tend to all have been "inexpensive" and "made in China"...

 

[time4t]

.........

 

[cantgetright]

Following Post #3 - I do have the three Leupold rimfire scopes here - the FX-1 4x28 on a CZ Scout, the VX-1 2-7 on a Ruger 96 in 22 Mag and the VX-2 3-9 on a Ruger 77/22 in 22 Mag. The VX-1 has fixed parallax; the VX-2 has an AO. I think they are about perfect. I have several older Bushnell straight tube 1" rimfire scopes - they work fine and are reliable sights - the Leupolds are much brighter to look through, though. I bought all three Leupolds as new, starting several years ago - the FX-1 was the latest, this past summer - not very common to find in stock in Canada any more. Prices today, for new ones, will run through your price target range, and perhaps a bit over.

Do not laugh, but another decent one is the Simmons 22MAG scope - I have the 3-9 "Target" version with the Adjustable Objective. If only one .22 rifle and only one scope, there are a LOT that would be worse choice than this Simmons. And I do also have many of the "worse" choices sitting in the drawer - various brands - tend to all have been "inexpensive" and "made in China"...

I'm glad to hear that about the simmons. I just ordered that exact scope yesterday for a new savage 64 semi .22 that was given to me. Definitely the cheapest scope I ever purchased but the gun isn't worth much and not sure if the guy will ever ask for it back so wasn't going to spend much on a gun for plinking. I do like to have AO or side focus on all my rimfires.

 

[IvoB]

Hi folks - I'd appreciate your recommendations for mid market options for a rimfire scope. I've only come across the Vortex Diamondback rimfire 2-7x35.

Here's what I'm looking for:

Budget $200-$500
Parallax at 60yds or less (or adjustable / side focus)
Objective lens 40mm or less
Weight less than 16oz
Minimum magnification at most 4x
Maximum magnification at least 6x


I'm mostly indifferent to reticle type, but I do prefer an MOA-style. The shorter, lighter, tougher, and longer eye relief the better.

Any input is welcome, thanks!


(If you have something for sale that fits in these parameters, feel free to PM me)

This is what I did and used the rest of the money towards ammo - I purchased a Simmons 4x32 for my Mark II parallax set at 50 yards - glass is very clear and it costs me under $60.00 - makes the same holes in paper like a more expensive scope would

 

[nowarningshot]

If your looking at hunting small game, a low magnification is best. If its target, I really like a higher number to be able to see those tiny holes without continually walking to your target. Something like a 3-12 as a all around. Straight. 10x or something like 6-18, 6-24 for target. Clarity and 1/4" adjustments are a necessity. Repurposed big game rifle scopes work, not necessarily vice versa. Dedicated rimfire scopes are often less expensive. Your budget should see you have many good choices.

 

[Potashminer]

I'm glad to hear that about the simmons. I just ordered that exact scope yesterday for a new savage 64 semi .22 that was given to me. Definitely the cheapest scope I ever purchased but the gun isn't worth much and not sure if the guy will ever ask for it back so wasn't going to spend much on a gun for plinking. I do like to have AO or side focus on all my rimfires.

Funny - a good scope on a cheap rifle makes for great experience, usually. A cheap scope on an expensive gun usually a recipe for mucho aggravation!!! Also want a good mounting system - probably biggest difference - good base / rings, installed properly; then decent scope and usually set up for good days!!! "Good" rings - like Warne and others, will cost as much or more than "cheap" scopes.

 

[Auggie Doggie]

Cabala's has their Covenant SFP 4-16 44mm on sale right now for half price. I have one on my 10/22 and it has worked very well so far. It's a 30mm tube, but a bit heavier than you want at 24oz. Free shipping on it too.

Auggie D.

 

[alpining]

Thanks everyone for your input. My local shop had a Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 2-7x33 that I wound up picking up this morning. Excellent glass, light and small.