rime fire vs center fire scope

J

jon1985

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
25   0   0
Location
Carleton Place, Ontario
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.
 
I know the elitists will be on my a$$ for saying this but you can buy chinese scopes that will most likely offer better value versus what you can buy locally (based on your price range). However using your barska and buying a new scope for your 223 is not a bad idea also.
 
Simmons .22 mag scopes is not terrible at the low end.
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/24337/simmons-22-mag-rimfire-riflescopes
SM511039_1.jpg

If youre serious about accuracy you will want a scope with an adjustable objective if you plan to regularly shoot at closer than 100 yards. Most centerfire scopes have their parallax set for 100 yards.

Honestly with 200 bucks I would get a VorteX Crossfire scope with adjustable objective if you can find one, in the 200$ price range they are amazing.
http://www.theammosource.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_316_317_320&products_id=2082

This is what I have on my ns522 and it is mint
http://www.theammosource.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_316_317_320&products_id=1978
 
Last edited:
I have that simmons on my ( pre remington ) Marlin 795. It is fantastic scope for the money and completely satisfies my rimfire needs.
I got mine form CT around $70.
 
I had 2 .22s with Simmons 22 mag 3 to 9 scopes on them. They are decent scopes for the money.
I found that on a sunny day they would flare really bad. I gave both of them away.
I replaced one of them with a Vortex crossfire rimfire 2 to 7 and the other with a Hawke 3 to 9 with illuminated reticle.
Both scopes were around $160.00 each and I am please with both of them.

Terry
 
Last edited:
I have both the simmons and a bushnell rimfire 3-9 and the bushnell is by far the better scope, but for $50ish either will work fine. Even a (gasp) tasco rimfire would be fine for a .22 unless you're trying to do some real long range shooting (long for .22 anyways)
 
nomad 68 said:
I have bushnell banner shotgun scope on my .22lr. It's the cat's ass for rimfire said imo.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I've been doing. As a bonus to having the circle x reticule, if you put it on your 10/22 you can almost guarantee the shot is gonna be inside the circle :p
I have been putting Bushnell Banners on my rimfires lately and I'm happy about it :)
 
Why do people differentiate between rim fire and centre fire when talking about scopes. (Rhetorical). A Scope is a scope. Get the best glass you can afford and with the feature for the type of shooting you want to do.
 
NVShooter said:
Why do people differentiate between rim fire and centre fire when talking about scopes. (Rhetorical). A Scope is a scope. Get the best glass you can afford and with the feature for the type of shooting you want to do.
Click to expand...
The difference is the parallax setting. It's 50 yds on rimfire scopes and 100 yds and up on centerfires. Shotgun scopes are typically set at 50 yds with some being 75. This is what makes them great for rim fires.
 
Last edited:
Here's my problem with a lot of the 22 scopes that are usually under $200. The glass looks mediocre at most ranges. I have a Leupold 2-7 rimfire and the optics are excellent. I got it on a good sale and don't remember the price but it was about $250+, very good glass. I looked at a Bushsmell last week and the glass was not very good. I tried to focus at any distance and the picture was slightly fuzzy. I'm use to using some good glass (Leupold VX 111's, Mk4's, NF) so perhaps I'm spoiled. I'm not looking for great glass at a $200 price point but really, what I've seen leaves a LOT to be desired. I've not looked through a Vortex but hear some guys rave about the optics. Are they really that good or is a Sightron much better? Some guys praise Bushsmell but from my experience I've not been impressed with anything at $200 for a rimfire. So is it Vortex or Sightron? Thanks for all the help.
 
NVShooter said:
Why do people differentiate between rim fire and centre fire when talking about scopes. (Rhetorical). A Scope is a scope. Get the best glass you can afford and with the feature for the type of shooting you want to do.
Click to expand...

nomad 68 said:
The difference is the parallax setting. It's 50 yes on rimfire scopes and 100 yes and up on centerfires. Shotgun scopes are typically set at 50 yds with some being 75. This is what makes them great for rim fires.
Click to expand...

Like nomad said, the parralax settings are different and the internals of a rimfire scope aren't as robust as a centerfire scopes are, they're not designed to hold up to centerfire recoil, so they're not as expensive.
 
nomad 68 said:
The difference is the parallax setting. It's 50 yes on rimfire scopes and 100 yes and up on centerfires...
Click to expand...
There are many scopes that are paralax-free down to 50 yards but I don't see them being marketed as "rimfire scopes". Also many adjustable objective scopes or scopes with side focus. Having said that, thank you for providing a somewaht reasonable definition. Unfortunately it seems that companies marketing scopes as "rimfire" scopes have a different definition, one that is primarily based on "low cost" and "low quality". Not saying you cannot get a good scope at low cost, I am not a scope-snob.

big boar said:
..Some guys praise Bushsmell but from my experience I've not been impressed ...
Click to expand...
The praise for Bushnell comes from me and many others aimed at their older Elite line-up, specifically the 4200. They are outstanding. Can't comment on the newer Elite line.
 
big boar said:
Here's my problem with a lot of the 22 scopes that are usually under $200. The glass looks mediocre at most ranges. I have a Leupold 2-7 rimfire and the optics are excellent. I got it on a good sale and don't remember the price but it was about $250+, very good glass. I looked at a Bushsmell last week and the glass was not very good. I tried to focus at any distance and the picture was slightly fuzzy. I'm use to using some good glass (Leupold VX 111's, Mk4's, NF) so perhaps I'm spoiled. I'm not looking for great glass at a $200 price point but really, what I've seen leaves a LOT to be desired. I've not looked through a Vortex but hear some guys rave about the optics. Are they really that good or is a Sightron much better? Some guys praise Bushsmell but from my experience I've not been impressed with anything at $200 for a rimfire. So is it Vortex or Sightron? Thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...

The newer bushnell rimfire might be different, they seemed to be discontinued for a few years then brought back, but mine from 6ish years ago is just as clear as my elite 3200 3-9 on my .308. I often use my .22 to spot for people sighting in at 100m.
 
NVShooter said:
Why do people differentiate between rim fire and centre fire when talking about scopes. (Rhetorical). A Scope is a scope. Get the best glass you can afford and with the feature for the type of shooting you want to do.
Click to expand...

NV, aside from the parrallax issue are adhesives and material qualities inside the scope itself. a rimfire and centerfire scope are miles apart internally. recoil is an issue.
 
dizzy said:
NV, ...recoil is an issue.
Click to expand...

Recoil, well, that certainly makes sense. However...(and you eluded to it with your "miles apart" comment), I see more "rimfire" marketed scopes compromising on a lot more than on the parallax and recoil aspects, which are the only things that have come up so far to differentiate between centerfire and rimfire use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom