scope and rings for DAR-22

djankle

djankle

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I'm looking for a general purpose scope for my DAR-22. I'm going to use it for plinking and some small game shooting. I'm thinking I would like to go with a 3-9x but would consider other options. I want tight groups and versatility. What are you guys using?
 
Tight groups means more magnification... for precision Rimfire at 50m and beyond you need more power than a typical centerfire hunting rifle. However if you are also plinking with it, you don't want to much magnification on the lower end. I would personally want at least 12X on the top and not more than 6X, but preferably 4.5X on the bottom. That leaves a multitude of 3-12, 4-12, 4.5-14, 4-16, 6-18, 6-24 etc... options.

My latest build uses the DAR22 receiver and has a Leupold VX 4-12X40 mounted. I have also used a number of other optics for target/plinker rigs including Hawkeye Varmint and Mueller APV, Eraticator, and Target models, as well as various Nikon and Vortex models.

This DAR22/Kidd build has the Leupold 4-12X40mm;

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My daughters pink target build has a Mueller Target in 8.5-25X40mm;

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I guess I just don't have a lot of experience with scopes in general so I'm having a tough time picking out a magnification. I've shot scoped rifles of friends but never owned one.

I see why you would want more magnification. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but why would someone choose a 3-9x over a 3-12x? Would you not want more magnification options? Is it a price thing?
 
djankle said:
I guess I just don't have a lot of experience with scopes in general so I'm having a tough time picking out a magnification. I've shot scoped rifles of friends but never owned one.

I see why you would want more magnification. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but why would someone choose a 3-9x over a 3-12x? Would you not want more magnification options? Is it a price thing?
Click to expand...

Mainly price but some people just don't agree that more is better in most situations with a .22 rimfire. The smallest scope I have on a .22 is a Bushnell 4200 4-16x40. All the others have 6-24's. My little CQB has a reflex sight but that is a special case and is only used for very close speed shooting.
 
If precision is real important, two things to consider.
The size or thickness of the X hairs and parallax.
The finer the X hairs the less they blurr out the target center.
Parallax issues will move your p.o.a. if you aren't aware of it.
 
kamlooky said:
If precision is real important, two things to consider.
The size or thickness of the X hairs and parallax.
The finer the X hairs the less they blurr out the target center.
Parallax issues will move your p.o.a. if you aren't aware of it.
Click to expand...

AND... Magnification... you can't hit what you can't see.

Any precision shooter will confirm the radical difference between 9X and 24X when it comes to shooting truly tiny groups... for plinking or hunting magnification is a non issue. I have had hunting rifles with fixed 2X or 4X scopes and that was plenty for the task.
 
djankle said:
http://bushnell.com/hunting/rifle-scopes/rimfire-optics/3-12x-40mm

I was considering this Bushnell in 3-9x but I think I might go up to 3-12x. It also has paralax adjustment. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

You will have parallax adjustment for most scopes over 10-12x, less than that it is not needed if it is a rimfire specific scope. You will never be unhappy with more power so the 3-12 over the 3-9 any day IMO. I am a big fan of Bushnell scopes so I like your choice. This would be my choice, http://bushnell.com/hunting/rifle-scopes/rimfire-optics/6-18x-40mm, same size and weight but big jump in top end power.
 
Minimum magnification I would go is 4-16.A 30mm tube gives you more internal moa of adjustment over a 1" tube. Best bang for the buck I have is a vortex cross fire ii 6-24 x 50 BDC reticle mounted on my savage tr. The BDC reticle is a lot finer than the v plex. I paid $319 for it.I was shooting out too 200 yds with it today and that's using all my up travel and my bottom line with 36g mini mag. Sure the glass is not near as clear as my sightron big sky 6-24x42. But it's was less than half the price. The vortex tracks extremely well.Depends on your budget. I like brand name and won't buy junk like millet,mueller, simmons. You get what you pay for at least vortex and bushnell have real warranty.
 
So when you are picking a scope is it necessary to get one specificaly made for .22? Im guessing the rimfire scopes just give you a BDC recticle made for .22? Is there any other difference?
 
djankle said:
So when you are picking a scope is it necessary to get one specificaly made for .22? Im guessing the rimfire scopes just give you a BDC recticle made for .22? Is there any other difference?
Click to expand...

Rimfire scopes are sometimes set for parallax @ 50 yards rather than 100 yards+.... some times they are parallax adjustable usually from 10/15/25 yards to infinity. But again your intended use will determine what features and magnification is necessary. Bench rest shooting at 50m only requires a scope adjusted to 50m, but much higher magnification than a plinking scope and a much narrower field of view is fine also... the Weaver 24X and 36X scopes are very popular in some persuasions of rimfire shooting sports... but good luck finding a grouse head in the brush at 20 feet.
 
It depends. You said you want a general purpose scope. For general purpose I would go 3x9. To me general purpose is some plinking, target shooting and shooting grouse and rabbits. As said above if you want one for target shooting and tight groups go with more magnification.
 
djankle said:
So when you are picking a scope is it necessary to get one specificaly made for .22? Im guessing the rimfire scopes just give you a BDC recticle made for .22? Is there any other difference?
Click to expand...

No you do not need a specific rimfire scope, but you will need an adjustable AO for parallax. BDC is a gimmick for most that are reluctant to crank the turrets. If your mainly hunting a rimfire specific 3x9 would be fine but very limited once going past 50yds. I have a Nikon prostaff 3x9 150bdc on my 1022. I almost can't shoot it after target shooting a lot with my 6-24 scopes.
 
djankle said:
So when you are picking a scope is it necessary to get one specificaly made for .22? Im guessing the rimfire scopes just give you a BDC recticle made for .22? Is there any other difference?
Click to expand...

No, not if it has parallax adjustment, which most variable scopes over 12x need to be parallax free through their whole magnification range. Not all scopes, even .22 specific ones have BDC reticles ( I personally don't like those at all), they are usually just less robustly built than regular rifle scopes as they don't take much recoil on a .22 and are set parallax free at 50yds instead of the 100yds on CF scopes.
I don't like the lower power scopes (anything below say 5-15x) on .22's as I have never seen the need for anything less than 5x on one except in very special cases. You can easily find things on 5-6x so if I had say a 3-9x I would always have it on 5-6x minimum and then only have 3x more to play with. If I have a 5-15x or 6-18x set on 5-6x I still have a lot of magnification, 10-12x, left for when I need it. I understand lower power scopes on a close work dangerous/big game gun but not on most .22's. Usually you are shooting smaller objects, be it targets or game, with a .22 and the extra magnification can be really helpful and never hurtful.
 
I have a Nikon prostaff II rimfire on mine 4-12x40. The BDC reticle is bang on, on every magnification level shall I add... You can print off neat little charts on nikons spot on site or smartphone app. AND the reticle uses very fine and crisp lines and nice clear glass which was a must for me when I was shopping around. Plus, the "lift, twist, drop" resetting of the zero on the turrets is great!

Price point is a little under $200.

 
That is a big scope and with a 50mm objective you may have to go to high rings to mount it. If you do that you may get some cheek weld problems, not for sure but possible, and have to add a cheek riser or bag to the stock to get a consistent hold and sight picture. Other than that it looks to be a nice scope. You may find the cross-hairs of the V-Plex reticle a little coarse for any decent target work though and I find the MOA reticle is just too busy for my liking. I just bought my first Vortex earlier this year and am very pleased with it so far.
I see P&D has a Bushnell 6-18x40 Trophy XLT MultiX for $268 http://www.p-d-ent.com/index.php/optics/26-bushnell-scopes I don't know if they have it in stock but they usually have quite a few items on hand.
 
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