rime fire vs center fire scope

Interesting discussion.

I am in the process of putting a new scope on a new 22. I had all kinds of problems in the past holding zero due to the beating my 22 takes while lynx guiding. I finally put a scope for air rifles on it and it has been great ever since. The problem is the glass is terrible and low light shooting is near impossible.
From the sounds of things I best be looking at a center fire rifle scope for best results.

Comments?
 
I went with a fixed 4x power Simmons .22 Mag on my Marlin 795. Its been great and optics are bright and has held zero for the last 750 rounds. I also have Vortex PST on my other rifles and it compares well to the others. I chose the fixed power to minimize the number of lenses and get as much light/lowest possible distortion. Been happy with the $40 I spent.
 
To repeat what has already been stated, parallax will become an issue in a non-adjusting scope made for a center fire rifle. I bought an excellent Zeiss scope for my 452, had the hash marks calculated with an agreeable SK 22lr round out to 100 yards but I had a terrible time grouping well at shorter distances because of the parallax. I put the Zeiss on a new to me M70, bought a Vortex Diamondback ~3-12X40 with adjustable objective lens and all is well. The glass of the scope leaves some to be desired, but I wasn't expecting Viper, Razor line glass and certainly not Zeiss for ~$200.00. I miss the hash marks (or exposed turrets) as I shoot the 22 from 10-140 yards (and sometime will probably make 200yards) But those are just my requirements...
 
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
 
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I just picked up a Nikon prostaff target EFR from Reliable, 3x9x40 with adjustable parallax. It's was in my price range at $219, great glass and the AO was great when I shot it last week.

I noticed a few comments above mentioned that the rimfire scopes aren't built the same as center fire scopes. I can't speak for other brands, however the Nikon rimfire lineup can easily switch over to center fire and hold no problem. For us the only change in scope design is the parallax setting.
 
I have a Prostaff Rimfire BDC 150 on my CZ512 22WMR. The optics are outstanding for a $200 scope but the 1/2 MOA adjustment (1/4 in @50 yd) spoils the experience for me.
Kody
 
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I noticed a few comments above mentioned that the rimfire scopes aren't built the same as center fire scopes. I can't speak for other brands, however the Nikon rimfire lineup can easily switch over to center fire and hold no problem. For us the only change in scope design is the parallax setting.

Cheers Travis, that's good to know. I don't think it will get put on a centre fire, it's a such a nice scope on my .22 bolt.
 
The .5 MOA adjustment for the Nikon prostaff EFR could be a deal breaker for me as well. Why Nikon did not do .25 MOA, is hard to fathom. Perhaps their thinking .22 lr or air gun shooters don't shoot beyond 50 meters? For most practical uses .5 MOA can work but there are others choices that will be better IMO.

Take the bushnell legend 5-15X x 50AO for $190 at the CAF store. I got one "used" and it is an awesome scope for my AG and .22lr needs. I need a scope for my CZ 452 Scout and the legend is too massive for this tiny rifle. Thinking the Tasco 2.5-10X x 42 AO at less than $100, with its great reviews would be a good fit.
 
Good price, but does not have AO and apparently turret adjustments are too coarse at .5 inch at 100 meters, still 1/2 MOA.

Yup, still .5 MOA adjustments. They actually have the replaceable turrets you can get for .25 MOA adjustments, but they're still getting the licensing in order to bring them in from the States.
 
I just picked up a Nikon prostaff target EFR from Reliable, 3x9x40 with adjustable parallax. It's was in my price range at $219, great glass and the AO was great when I shot it last week.

I have this scope on my Savage bolt .22 and I think that it is a great scope. A few years ago I paid about $139.00. I highly recommend it.
 
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