Tikka T1x .22lr Scope recommendations

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mmcintyre1220

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I discovered that my collection was in need of a quality bolt action .22. After much debate I picked up a Tikka T1x with a 20" barrel. I am having a hard time determining what optic to put on this rifle. This rifle will be typically used target shooting and small game hunting. I will most often be shooting on the 100 Yard range but have up to 300 yards available to me in the event I wanted to stretch the .22 out a bit. My knowledge when it comes to optics is average at best !! . I have a Bushnell 3x9x40 AR optic sitting collecting dust on my AR that I was considering repurposing or purchasing something else. I would love to hear some recommendations !
 
If you are going to be shooting to 300m you will really want an MOA canted rail (to match your scopes turret elevation adjustment, 30-40moa+ is usually a winner), a scope with 15x-16x minimum and a good amount of elevation in it, and a real MIL/MOA retical, not some basic crosshair or proprietary BDC thing. Then be prepared to shoot some decent match ammo if you want any consistency.

For cheap and available Vortex and Athlon are the 2x big names that have budget $500-1000 options.. Arken, Tract and a few other new names coming out too... just search for PRS production class scopes and you will find them.
 
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You will get some feedback using your current 3-9.
For five shot groups you will be okay but 10-shot groups will cause you some issues identifying shots.
As you get experience and discuss issues with other shooters plus seeing what they are using then make your decision based on knowledge and experience.
Xmas is coming and there are sales associated with that both before and after.
When going for extra distance you will want the adjustment available in a 30mm tube. IIRC your 3-9 is a 1" tube.
When going to a 30mm there will be some additional costs to consider for 30mm rings.
Check out competitions in your area and at your club.
Don't forget about ammunition testing. The guys I see shooting Tikka rifles have success with Lapua CenterX.
The most expensive scope might not be the best choice at this time but from where you are at go slow . . . 4-12, 4-16, 5-20 and 6-24.
You may or may not require a larger objective lens and that may require different rings as you upgrade.
The biggest problem I see at my ranges when shooters are buying scopes is more scope than they need and reticles that are not what they require nor have the experience to use it effectively.
Some of the shooters at your range will be your best source of information and may alow you to check out their scopes.
 
If you're shooting 'real targets' you'll want at least a 6-24x or you wont see the bullet holes at 200. If you're shooting gongs you may not need the 24+ but it still would be handy. Many also differ but I prefer FFP since the reticle changes with mag-power. I have a couple Cabelas Covenant-4 6-24x50-30mm scopes on Vortex Pro-Low rings on rails; one on a Sav-B22-FV and the other on a CZ-455. These are 'discontinued' now I believe but were ca $400 when I got 'em. I chose these due to the Christmas-tree having 'Numbers' every 4th MOA bar. And there are some other makes that have the numbers also but Not at that low price point. I have a Bushnell Engage in 4-16x50 -FFP that has the tree w/o numbers and when trying to Hold Elevation or Windage I often got lost 'counting the bars'. It's now on a 223RAR since that's more flat-shooting in my uses.
 
I think the trick here is finding yourself some good glass.

After allot of research and back and forth I spoke to Jerry (Mystic Precision) and he pointed me in the direction of Athlon Optics. Lots of people seem to be running them these days and from what I've seen they are good value for money.

As far as your magnification goes honestly it depends on what you're after. I like the 2-12 or 4-16 ranges myself. I have a 5-25 but really don't use it past 16 unless I don't have my spotting scope at the range. I have a 2-12 on order currently that will be my main rimfire scope and likely swap back and forth to my big game rifle as well. I hunt allot of timber country on the sunshine coast with the odd bit of open country so its a good magnification for me.

Cheers,
B
 
A scope ideal for long range target shooting will be less than ideal for small game hunting. Too much magnification, parallax adjustment are all a pita for small game hunting where you may shoot from as close as 5 yards and perhaps 75 or 125 yards. For that, I prefer a simple 3-9x without parallax adjustment. Just point and shoot, using a little estimated holdover where necessary.

I'm not saying don't buy a 6-24x50 parallax adjustable scope, just that it will not be ideal for both uses.
 
I think for most shooting with a rimfire, something like the Bushnell Forge 2-16x (I have on posted on the EE) is ideal.

Having said that, with a 22lr to stretch it out to 300m and reliabily hit things smaller than a truck, you need a 'Precision' style scope, which is a very different thing: much heavier and more expensive.
 
Target shooting and hunting is going to be a bit of a compromise, Something like a Bushnell 6500 2-16 with a side focus/paralax adjustment would fit the bill and appear from time to time reasonably priced on the E.E.
 
Thanks for everyone's input thus far. To clarify , aside from hunting, I will be doing 95% of my shooting at the 100-200 Yard range. Over 200 yards will be a seldom thing as really, I have other rifles for this purpose. In regards to budget, I would prefer to keep it around $600 ish. I don't want to cheap out however, I also don't want to break the bank on a 22lr. I have been considering a vortex diamondback tactical 4-16x44 FFP. I have been quite happy with my vortex viper pst 5-25x50 FFP and H-ST 6-24x50 SFP however at over 2-3x the price of the diamondback , I want to ensure I will still be satisfied with the optic.

Is anyone running a diamondback tactical 4-16x44 ? Should I spend the extra $60 and get the 6-24x50 or would the 4-16x44 be sufficient?
 
mmcintyre1220 said:
Thanks for everyone's input thus far. To clarify , aside from hunting, I will be doing 95% of my shooting at the 100-200 Yard range. Over 200 yards will be a seldom thing as really, I have other rifles for this purpose. In regards to budget, I would prefer to keep it around $600 ish. I don't want to cheap out however, I also don't want to break the bank on a 22lr. I have been considering a vortex diamondback tactical 4-16x44 FFP. I have been quite happy with my vortex viper pst 5-25x50 FFP and H-ST 6-24x50 SFP however at over 2-3x the price of the diamondback , I want to ensure I will still be satisfied with the optic.

Is anyone running a diamondback tactical 4-16x44 ? Should I spend the extra $60 and get the 6-24x50 or would the 4-16x44 be sufficient?
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The 4-16 has more elevation in it I believe.. but take a look at the Venon 5-25, it's more the baby brother to your Viper 5-25.
 
sk8snwmx said:
The 4-16 has more elevation in it I believe.. but take a look at the Venon 5-25, it's more the baby brother to your Viper 5-25.
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venom 5-25 is too big for a t1x.
I have never seen a 5x scope with this size and weight.
you will be better off with nightforce nx8 2.5-20 or 4-32, and triple the cost :D
 
I imported my Athlon from the UK as an open box special and saved a ton. With the pound in the toilet right now things might be even better.
 
I'd still advise going with the 6-24x FFP or get another 5-25 Viper FFP. If you're going over 100 you'll want that extra XX unless you're shooting plates.
 
JQIAN said:
venom 5-25 is too big for a t1x.
I have never seen a 5x scope with this size and weight.
you will be better off with nightforce nx8 2.5-20 or 4-32, and triple the cost :D
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I have shot both a 5-25 Strike eagle and Viper on my little Savage Mark 2... works great, no issues, I don't think either are any smaller than a Venom...

Buck1950 said:
I'd still advise going with the 6-24x FFP or get another 5-25 Viper FFP. If you're going over 100 you'll want that extra XX unless you're shooting plates.
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Exactly, you can always zoom less if you want to, but I doubt you will if you are bench shooting.
 
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Started with a Nikon x1000 4-16 on my mtr, but at 100 meter my aging eyes with a start of cataract ask for more power to see the .22 holes. After a lot of comparison and research, i decided to try the Delta Javelin and wow, what a nice scope, well built and clear , after one year of usage i can say i am more than satisfied with my purchase, it brought my shooting to another level, the saying buy once, cry once is right !
 
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mmcintyre1220 said:
Thanks for everyone's input thus far. To clarify , aside from hunting, I will be doing 95% of my shooting at the 100-200 Yard range. Over 200 yards will be a seldom thing as really, I have other rifles for this purpose. In regards to budget, I would prefer to keep it around $600 ish. I don't want to cheap out however, I also don't want to break the bank on a 22lr. I have been considering a vortex diamondback tactical 4-16x44 FFP. I have been quite happy with my vortex viper pst 5-25x50 FFP and H-ST 6-24x50 SFP however at over 2-3x the price of the diamondback , I want to ensure I will still be satisfied with the optic.

Is anyone running a diamondback tactical 4-16x44 ? Should I spend the extra $60 and get the 6-24x50 or would the 4-16x44 be sufficient?
Click to expand...

^I'm with the same camp as the guys saying that a scope well-suited to hunting might not be well-suited to target. I'm also of the belief that 22LR is poorly suited to 100-200 yard shooting if accuracy is the goal, but it all depends on expectations of course. I think unless it's a dedicated target rig, 30mm tubes on small Tikka-sized receivers look completely out of place. Again, up the shooter. They do have their advantages.

Glass quality matters as much or more than magnification, so I try to buy the best glass I can afford with a magnification range well suited to the distances I plan on shooting. Don't want to carry more weight/magnification than I will ever use.

My T1x wears one of these;

https://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes...es-series/fullfield-e1-riflescope-4.5-14x42mm
 
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