Scope Information Overload

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Rem54

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I also posted this at Rimfire Central, I need all the help that I can get.

Hi all, I have been researching scope information and reading many different forums about opinion's on a scope for bench shooting ( not competition yet ) from 25 yards through 100 yards. I purchased a CZ 452 varminter about 3 weeks ago. Can't shoot it without a scope. The Weaver that seems to be highly regarded is about 1K here in Canada. So for that money I have been looking at the Vortex Viper HST 6X20 50mm and the Bushnell Elite Tacticle 6X24 50mm. G2 recticle They are about $1200. to $1500. I really didn't believe that I would have to spend more for a scope than the gun, but I found you fellows weren't lying to me. Today I have been reading about first focal plane and second focal plane and now I am further confused. I have been using iron sights for hunting for the last 50 odd years so I really never paid much attention to scopes. There is a lot more to them than just the power. Any suggestion's will be much appreciated.
 
I don't spend that much on a 22 scope . The first plane and tactical scopes IMO are just for long range dial ups . With a 22 I find the Ammo isn't accurate enough for much more than 100 yds. Find a used leupold / Bushnell / Nikon with high mag if you like and your set you should be able to find a nice one for under $500 - get one with a good warranty and buying used isn't as risky
 
My sporter 22's have worn 2.5 - 16, 4-16, 4.5-14, 6-24, 3-9, 4-12 and 6 - 18. For BR 50 and 100 rimfire you should consider 24 or 36 power.
Scopes have cost me $300 to $600 both used and new. Get either AO or SF for parallax adjustment.
 
To have the best chance of achieving the best possible results with your CZ 452 Varmint as far as 100 yards, your best bet is a variable power scope with an adjustable objective (AO) or a side focus so that you can focus at closer and longer ranges. The more magnification, the better. Consider 20X to be the absolute minimum, while 24X or more is desirable. For .22LR shooting, second focal plane is appropriate. The crosshairs should be sufficiently fine so that they don't obscure the aimpoint of the target. The Weaver V24 that is so popular south of the border is not available at reasonable prices in Canada. Vortex and Sightron are among manufacturers that make scopes that fit the bill, but as you observed they can cost as much or more than the rifle. As others have noted you might find a suitable scope at a more reasonable cost on the EE.
 
All good suggestions. Just a couple more points. First, spending more for a scope than spent for the rifle is not unreasonable; I suspect that most of the top competitive shooters do so. Personally, I'd spend as much as I could afford on a good scope; it will seldom be money badly-spent. Second, I wouldn't consider a first focal plane (FFP) scope if your intended use is bench shooting, which it appears to be. FFP scopes are superior to second focal plane (SFP) scopes for range estimation, but this is not needed when the ranges you're shooting at are known, and many find the reticle thickness of FFP scopes too great when they're set at top power. I'd look for a good SFP scope, and, if your eyes are like mine (aging), I'd opt for a scope with a high top end--something like a 6-24 (or possibly the Leupold VX-2 6-18 or VX-3 6.5-20) if you want a variable, or a fixed 24-power and up if you want a fixed-power scope. As grauhanen suggests, find one with a parallax adjustment (either adjustable objective lens or side focus)--something that is essential for really precise shooting . If you can find a good local gun shop that carries a number of scope brands, I'd look through as many as you can to get a feel for what will work best for you.
 
If you shoot bench only get a vortex crossfire 2 up to 16x
If bench and field same scope up to 12 x
I have 5 and they work fine on .22 and .17 hmr.
Burris signature rings.
 
Check minimum focus distance. I need to be able to focus at 20 yards for indoor winter matches. Leupold sells a 50 foot adapter that screws in to the objective lens of their 40mm AO scopes to allow them to focus at closer ranges than the minimum listed distance on the scope.
I'd agree that for target work at 100 yards, 20X is minimum. A Leupold VX2 6-18x40 AO with a fine duplex reticle focuses/corrects parallax down to 24-25 yds.
With decent eyesight, you can effectively shoot at dimes at 100 yards with that scope.
I'm not saying you can hit them, but you can see to aim at them.
Reticle subtension and type is a critical element for a target scope. Subtension refers to the area covered by the crosshairs at a given range, often expressed in MOA. 1 MOA is roughly 1 inch at 100 yards.
It's painful, but expect to pay close to twice what the rifle cost you for a truly high quality scope.
Going price for that Leupold is close to $800 if you buy new.
For what it's worth, you're much more likely to regret going cheap on optics.The most accurate rifle in the world is useless if you can't see what you're aiming at.
 
grauhanen said:
To have the best chance of achieving the best possible results with your CZ 452 Varmint as far as 100 yards, your best bet is a variable power scope with an adjustable objective (AO) or a side focus so that you can focus at closer and longer ranges. The more magnification, the better. Consider 20X to be the absolute minimum, while 24X or more is desirable. For .22LR shooting, second focal plane is appropriate. The crosshairs should be sufficiently fine so that they don't obscure the aimpoint of the target. The Weaver V24 that is so popular south of the border is not available at reasonable prices in Canada. Vortex and Sightron are among manufacturers that make scopes that fit the bill, but as you observed they can cost as much or more than the rifle. As others have noted you might find a suitable scope at a more reasonable cost on the EE.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with whatever grauhanen says... he makes my posts shorter to type.
 
I have vortex HST 6-24×50 scopes on my 2 Anschutz target rimfires. Reticle thickness is just right. I've tried 32 to 36x and almost find it too much mag at 50 yds. I sold the more powerful scopes. I find with too much magnification it seems to amplify the slight movement on the target dots at 50 yds.
 
Have the Weaver v24 on my 452 FS, good glass but darkens at 22 -24x. Great for hunting as it has a close focus. Best bang for the buck in high x scope is the Mueller 8-32x44. Nice crosshairs and clear, don't have to sell any body parts to buy one. Bushnell Elites are also good, but a tad more $ My 1710 wears a Bushy Elite 4-16x44 which I chose over a similar Leupold as the Bushy focus is closer, more for gophers than paper.
 
Thanks all, I appreciate all of the responses. I am leaning towards a 6X20 or 24. Sounds like I should stick with the second focal plane although I was thinking the recticle magnification might help my old eyes. I wasn't aware of the Mueller. They get good reviews. The 6X32 is about $350. But the Bushnell's have a very good warranty. Yes I am still undecided. LOL
 
I have the Mueller. For shooting indoors, I can't go beyond 26X as it gets too dark, even with 'good' lighting. My eyesight, if I do say so myself, is terrific. Otherwise, it is an excellent scope, especially for the money.

For a .22, don't rule out some scopes targeted at field target air rifles. You can get high magnification, lifetime warranty, and many other desirable features. Here's an 8-32x56 Hawk Sidewinder, for example: https://www.dlairgun.com/Scopes/Hawke/051_Sidewinder_30_SF_8-32x56_HK4017.html?
 
Buy my Leupold Rim fire Scope or not...shameful plug I know.
For the average shooter buying a scope that is 1.2 to 2 times the value of their CZ is a waste of money that could be spent on ammo for plinking or hunting.
Spend some time in the EE under optics and you will find a great deal for your .22
Rob
 
im kinda in the same boat that you are entering into.
the older i get the more scopes i seem to be getting and the bigger my existing scopes are being upgraded too.
my dad (70) has been swapping out all his old 22 scopes for Cabela's brand ones - Pine Ridge, so i gave them a try.
they are just inexpensive China scopes but i must admit i really took a liking to them.
they are as clear as my Leopold's and 1/5 the price.

i liked them so much so that ive been slowly swapping out all the scopes on my 22's for them now.
no regrets.
i have yet to have one fail and they are crystal clear.
and with the money ive saved i can buy soooooooooooooooo much more ammo and shoot soooooooooooooo much more!

to help you along, i picked up my first CZ452 last year and put a Pine Ridge on it, cost me 230.99 and is a 6-18x50 and i was literally hitting the wings off of wasps.
i put a video up last year when i did, seriously hit the wings off a wasp that had landed on my target when i was doing my initial sighting in.


CZ%20452%20Varmint%2004_zpscha5bmmb.jpg
 
savagecanuck said:
I have vortex HST 6-24×50 scopes on my 2 Anschutz target rimfires. Reticle thickness is just right. I've tried 32 to 36x and almost find it too much mag at 50 yds. I sold the more powerful scopes. I find with too much magnification it seems to amplify the slight movement on the target dots at 50 yds.
Click to expand...

Movement on the target? Well, ding ding ding! That's why Tom-E-Gun showed ya up with yer own MPR, you should be steady as a rock! You should want to be aware of any movement you are inducing in the rifle, how else do you figure out how to eliminate it, if you cannot perceive it? I've been playing around with a 32X, and only on a sporter rifle held firmly do I find any "movement" holding on the target, more so at 100 yards.
 
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