Scope for 10/22 Benchrest Target Rifle: Options and Opinions Requested

[Tom E Gun]

Hello;
I have a Dlask DAR-22 rifle that has slowly evolved into a dedicated benchrest target rifle. The rifle has a Dlask 12.5" Xtreme barrel and Kidd bolt, charging handle and 2 stage trigger, it is capable of very decent accuracy. I have achieved sub 3/8" 5 round groups with bulk ammo at 50 yds, although not very consistently. Other than lots of practice, I think a better rest (or a bipod?) and a better quality scope with higher magnification would help improve my shooting. I have a Vortex Crossfirefire II 4-12 x 40 AO at the moment. I would like some recommendations for a better quality scope please, here are my requirements:

-Magnification: variable with a maximum 16x or more (what would be ideal for a 50 yd target rifle?)
-Parallax: must be side focus, minimum setting of 25yds/m or less (I really dislike the barrel focus on the Vortex)
-Eye Relief: I would like something that has more tolerance at high magnification (the Vortex is very difficult to keep clear at 12x, it tends to "white-out" unless my eye is in exactly the right location - this is actually my biggest issue with this scope)
-Price: I would like to find the best quality scope that meets all these requirements for about $400ish, although I could stretch the budget to a max of $650 if necessary. I am OK with lightly used or new.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Cheers
TEG

 

[rat-7]

I have the same scope on my .22 and plan to upgrade over the winter. I'm going to be looking for a Weaver straight 24x ($4-500), upgrading to a Diamondback HP will be a step up. I have the Diamondback HP 4-16x on my 17hmr and its a good looking scope for gophering but would still prefer more magnification for benchresting. Don't worry to much about the bell parallax as at the bench you'll rarely touch it but I agree that side is nicer. My advice would be get the highest magnification you can afford because I promise you that eventually you will be shooting 25, 50, to 100 at some point and it will come in handy having the extra magnification. Keep an eye on the EE cause lots of good deals float through there now and then. If you want to get serious at the bench I would avoid using a bipod if you can. I was using bags and am upgrading to heavy steel adjustable rest because I can't get the consistency I want out of bags.

 

[Tom E Gun]

Thanks for the input, I have been watching the EE, I will look at the Diamondback, but I'm not overly keen on another Vortex.

 

[Mystic Precision]

I can offer the Sightron SII Big sky 6.5-20X 50 LRMOA with side focus. There are very few side focus scopes that will work at under 50yds.

The sightrons have adjusted some of their SIII scopes to function or you can modify them so they will function at very short distances.

For BR, if you can afford the mag, buy it... Another scope to consider SII Big sky 36X with front AO. yes, it is a front AO but the optics are so much better then Vortex. The focus works and the image resolution will impress.

Jerry

 

[Tom E Gun]

Thanks for the recommendation Jerry. I read your write up on the Sightron SII Big sky 6.5-20X 50 on your website, it seems to tick all my boxes, and sounds like a great choice. The cost is a little higher than I had considered, perhaps I will get lucky and find a good used one.

 

[Mystic Precision]

If you can find one, I am sure you will be thrilled.

if not, let me know..

Jerry

 

[Warbird_2006]

Mueller Target 8-32 x 44
its awesome for little $
find it on Ebay

 

[Brocolt]

I putting a Leupold VXII 6-18x40 Target OA on my 22LR Benchrest gun, only because I couldn't get my hands on a Leupold FX-25x model. I had a fixed Leupold 12X scope and found it under powered, I'm hoping the 18x will be enough.

 

[ALMAR]

For 50 yards I think a 3-9 is perfect, I mean if the glass is clear enough and the focus is quality, I can shoot a fly on the target at 50 with my leupold vx2 efr 3-9...the good thing is that the parallax on the scope is adjustable all the way down to 10 yards and the glass is crystal no distortion no nothing. At 100 I cant see the bullet holes anymore and this is where I would like more magnification...but only if the scope is quality enough...nothing is more useless than a high magnification low quality scope..well in my experience.

The leupold vx2 efr is rated as being one of the top rimfire scopes out there in this article, second only to the SIIB and the difference is negligible according to the author...

htt p://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_rimfire_riflescopes.htm

 

[big boar]

There was a good write up on the Leupold VX11 6-18 a couple of years ago in Varmint Hunter magazine. If I remember the guy said if he couldn't afford the Swarovski ($$$) he really praised the Leupold. Best of luck.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I used to use a Vari-XIII 6.5-20x40mm EFR on my metallic silhouette rifle. Worked well on the indoor range too.

 

[Tom E Gun]

Mueller Target 8-32 x 44
its awesome for little $
find it on Ebay

Despite having decided that the Sightron sounded like the ideal scope, I have decided to try the Mueller first. A used Mueller 8-32 just popped up on the EE, so I will give it a try. I have read lots of positive reviews on the Mueller, although I must admit I am still skeptical that a scope at this price can be any good. If it doesn't work out, I will resell it and save up for a Sightron.
Thanks everyone for your input.