What Scope for Hunting and Target .22LR?

sixty9santa

sixty9santa

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
36   0   0
So I'll be getting a target .22lr soon and I was looking around for a scope that could fill the bill for both hunting and target shooting.

I was looking for something in the 4-12 or 4-16 range, hopefully 40mm objective and most definitely AO.
Would 6-18 be very radical for a dual purpose scope?

I know that 3-9 is recommended for hunting, but this will be a dual purpose gun.

My budget is between 150 to 250$ range.

Please help!
 
Last edited:
You're certainly in the right ball park with a 4-12X for hunting. I had a very nice older Redfield 4-12X that I let slip away on a trade - wish I still had it, I've got a 6.5-20X Simmons I use for silhouette (target) shooting. I guess if you think you will be leaning more towards target use go for the higher magnification, hunting slightly less. You should be able to pick up a pretty good used scope within your budget, although the gun show I was at a few weeks ago, prices seem to be higher (maybe in anticipation of the end of the gun registry)

Hope this was of help. Tom
 
Doa 600

Have a DOA 600 4-12 AO Trophy XLT on my CIL/Anschutz 310. Very clear, AO is great for gophers or target, enough mag to see what you need. Maybe stretch your budget a little, I would also recomend Vortex Diamondback.
 
Can anyone recommend a good 4-16 AO scope with a reasonable price tag that has a drop compensation recticle?

Anyone know of a retailer for Konus Optics?
 
Last edited:
Have a look at Alpen optics. You want the apex series they're the top of the line. I got 3 of their scopes and they are awesome! Story i heard is the guy who started it use to be high up at bushnell, got in a feud and went on his own.
 
Where did you get them?




junop2911 said:
Have a look at Alpen optics. You want the apex series they're the top of the line. I got 3 of their scopes and they are awesome! Story i heard is the guy who started it use to be high up at bushnell, got in a feud and went on his own.
Click to expand...
 
If you want to spend double, a really nice scope is the Nikon Monarch 4-16x42 side focus.

It is also a relatively compact scope, not too large on a 22

Downside is it way above your budget. There are less expensive lines of Nikon scopes that are also very good.
 
I was doing some subtension comparison between the Vortex Dead-Hold DBC and the Nikon BDC150 and here are the results in inches:

___________Nikon______Vortex
50yds________0"__________0"
75yds________2"_________1.5"
100yds______4.5"________4.5"
125yds_______7"__________7"
150yds______11"_________11"

Not that bad, now to choose between 3-9 or 4-12....?
 
The Mueller APT is an excellent scope for the money. I have on on my Savage .22WMR. Nice, fine reticle and crispy-clear glass.

22WMR4.jpg


I'd worry less about BDC reticles for a .22lr, a mildot will serve you well enough. With big scopes (the Mueller is a 30mm tube) offhand shots won't be that easy. My rifle (pictured above) is for sniping groundhogs out to about 125 yards, laying prone. Weight isn't as big a concern. Most of my .22lrs wear 3-9x scopes, and if the glass is 1/2 decent, you can see your bullet holes @ 75 yards no problem. I did buy 2 Bushnell Legend 5-15x40 scopes on spec (they're discontinued) as they seemed to get great reviews online. They are light, glass is really decent, and I like the reticle allot. Still have one if you're interested. :) Here is a photo I found online that shows the reticle;

legend_15x.jpg


A little extra magnification is nice for target shooting, but for the practical hunting range of the .22lr, I'd say 12x is enough. If you're taking offhand shots, stick to the smaller 1" tubed-scopes to keep the weight down.
 
Well, it looks like I've made up my mind.
I'll be getting a Vortex Crossfire II 4-12AO with the Dead-Hold BDC.

Now for my final question, should I go for the 40mm objective or the 50mm objective for a hunting/target .22lr?

I know this project is full of compromises and the smartest thing to do would be getting one for target and another for hunting.

I guess I'm weird that way!
 
Last edited:
sixty9santa said:
Well, it looks like I've made up my mind.
I'll be getting a Vortex Crossfire II 4-12AO with the Dead-Hold BDC.

Now for my final question, should I go for the 40mm objective or the 50mm objective for a hunting/target .22lr?

I know this project is full of compromises and the smartest thing to do would be getting one for target and another for hunting.

I guess I'm weird that way!
Click to expand...

Good choice. I have several Vortex products and am very happy with them. If you plan on hunting in low light or want to shoot itty bitty groups on your targets go with the 50mm obj. If weight is a concern the 40mm is a good compromise.
 
Don't underestimate the weight factor. Every ounce matters when long hikes and offhand shots are part of your day. To me, bigger is only better off a bench at a shooting range.
 
sixty9santa said:
Anyone have any input for a Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x40AO with Dead-Hold DBC?
Click to expand...
I have one on a target gun, but with a fine crosshair and like it, but would want something lower powered and smaller for hunting. A 3x9 would be the best compromise between the two applications.

Other than being cool, I'm pretty sure a "Dead-Hold DBC" would be next to useless on a 22 anyways. Not exactly a 600yd gun.

.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom