.22lr scope - educate me, please

T

The Captain

Inactive
I have 2 older Marlins. A Model 80 (circa 1968) which was given to me by my father recently. He bought it new and doesn't recall ever shooting it. I also have a circa 1977 Model 60, which has been shot, but not often. I want to start shooting more, but it's likely going to be just "fun range shooting" on an occasional basis and casual plinking if and when the opportunity arises.

I am completely unknowledgeable in the world of scopes, so I'm looking for both an education and some advice.
For example - fixed or variable? If variable, what range?
What is AO and is it worth the added cost?
What diameter - I've seen rimfire scopes with 15-20mm objectives (is that the right word?) and scopes with 32, 40 and 50 mm diameters?
At the price range I'm looking at, is there any scope that might be a better bet than others? I've looked at Barska, BSA Sweet 22, Simmons 22 mag, Tasco, the usual Wally World lineup.
I have an old no-name 4x15 scope. Should I just put that on and be done with it?
Or is there a viable alternative that I don't know about? What is 'Red-dot" and how might I utilize one?

I am viewing this as a more of a minimal investment to see whether or not I am going to get into shooting these rifles than a permanent solution. If I like it enough and get to shoot enough (hopefully!!) I'll upgrade at some point to better equipment; if not, then I won't feel like I have wasted a bunch of money. So that means I don't want to get something that is complete cr@p, which will ruin any enjoyment, but I don't feel like I need to go high(er) end at this time. If I could get away with $50-ish for each scope I'd be ecstatic, but I'd go higher for just one and do the other rifle later.

I apologize for the long-winded post and all the newbie-type questions, but that is what I am and I don't know of a better way to learn than from the experts here.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.
 
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Clifford L. Hughes

The Captian:

The difference between a standard scope and a .22 caiber scope is the paralax focus. A non adjustable .22 scope is paralax free at fifty yards. On the other hand, a standart non adjustable scope is paralax free at 100 to 150 yards. An adjustable objective scope allows you to remove paralax at any range. How important is this? Well, if you're shooting at a deer at three hundred yards, probably none. However if shooting at a ground squirrel at 300 yards paralax becomes important.

How important is paralax in a .22 rifle scope. If you're a small bore compeitor using a paralax adjustable scope is a must. For small game and casual target shooting it's not so imortant. I have a Ruger 10/22 with a standard Leupold 3X mounted on it and I can consitently hit golf balls at twenty five yards.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery Sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
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Another thing to consider is finding a scope that can focus down to 50 feet. For those of us who shoot indoors through the winter many fun competitions are held at 50 feet. Having a scope that is capable makes the rifle a year-round user.
Scopes that are designed for Air Rifles are another good option to look at.
 
Unless you are a competitor, as stated, I wouldn't worry about the parallax issue. I mount centerfire scopes on all my rimfires and have no problems. I do prefer scopes with a low to medium power ranges.

I have a Burris Fullfield E1 2-7X 35mm on my Model 60SS (set in Burris Z-Rings and on B-Square dovetail-to-weaver adapter bases). This particualr scope focuses in very closely, and parallax is unnoticable on low power, and minimal at high power (and then only up close).

burris1.jpg

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I mount centerfire scopes on mine as well, never had any issues. Whatever you choose, you would do well with a fixed 4X or 6X, or a low-power variable like a 1.5-5X or a 2.5-7X. Too much scope does not help, it can easily detract from your shooting experience.
 
Clifford was right on with his response. If you use a centerfire rifle scope on a 22 and shoot at say 10 to 50 yards your POI can be off by as much as 0.5 to 1 inch due to parallax error depending upon the quality of the scope. Parallax error arises if you change your eye position relative to the eyepiece. This can happen very easily if you don't mount the gun exactly the same way every time you take a shot. An example would be sighting in on a bench with a rest and then going hunting and taking a snap shot at a squirrel or rabbit.

A scope with an AO or side focus lets you dial in the scope parallax for the range you usually shoot at.
 
I've been known to cheat with scopes...

BSA's Sweet Scope is a great one for a .22lr :)

I like Center Point scopes for Marlin 60/795's as well...inexpensive, yet precise.
I use a 4-16x40 on my Marlin 25MN, & a 3-9x40 on my Marlin 99-G (brother of the model 60).

Bushnell has a .22 scope, I forget the name of, specifically for .22's. Gets great reviews.
 


While I generally agree with Rowland (and like the way he spells his name). I think that a 22lr purpose-built scope is generally better on a 22 unless you have specific needs.

They generally cost a little less too - mostly because they don't need to hold up to the recoil of a big-bore center-fire.



-tINY

 
The objective diameter is not very critical if you are target shooting at close ranges ( under 100 yrds). The larger diameter objective gives you a greater field of view. In low light conditions the larger lenses allow more light to enter the scope and that makes the image brighter as well. If you will be shooting outside at a range during daylight hours objective diameter makes little difference. If you are hunting or shooting near dark hours then you will want a larger objective.

Red dot scopes use a battery powered light to create a dot instead of a cross hair type reticle. The dot is typically adjustable for the size of dot and brightness to match the needs of the shooter.

I have a 3-9x 40 variable on my 22. I like to use the low power settings for offhand shots and plinking. And I use the higher power settings for target shooting at the bench or shooting small targets at longer ranges.
 
My CZ .22 wears a Leupold 2-7 x 33 variable costing around $200. For years I shot a .22 topped with a fixed 4x32mm Tasco, which never let me down. I would suggest a fixed 4x32 Bushnell scope would meet your requirements. The Bushnell costs around $50.
 
phil mcwilliam said:
My CZ .22 wears a Leupold 2-7 x 33 variable costing around $200
Click to expand...

I have one of those on my Winchester 1885 low wall .22 and I love it. It's rimfire specific with a 50 yard zero parallax range.

With target standard velocity ammo and a scope axis of 1.5 inches above the bore and zeroed at 50 yards, you are pretty much point blank between 10 and 60 yards.

0 yards -1.5
10 yards -.5
20 yards +.1
30 yards +.4
40 yards +.4
50 yards 0
60 yards -.8

You do have to remember to hold over when you are closer than point blank like if you are making a head shot at a squirrel that's only 20 ft away. That's the one drawback to a scope and its 1.5 inch above the bore sighting axis.
 
A real advantage to having an adjustable objective lens is being able to use the rear lens adjustment solely for getting the crosshair crisp and clear.
Then the objective lens can be adjusted to do the same for the target.
Very helpful for those of us with vision fuzzies.
Also, the adjustable objective lenses have a distance scale, very helpful for figuring out the target distance.
 
IMHO, AO is mandatory on a rimfire rifle. If you intend to shoot for groups then you want as much magnification as you feel comfortable with. If you are shooting coke cans then a 4X is great. If you want those sub 1/2inch groups then you want more scope. The Mueller 4.5-14X44 APV is very popular with the rimfire shooters, check rimfirecental for reviews.
 
Thanks for all the help.
I am considering the following, and would appreciate any comments or suggestions for other scopes to look at.

Simmons .22Mag 3-9x32 (undecided about whether to get the AO or non-AO verson)
Tasco Golden Antler 3-9x32AO (this is an air rifle scope that got great reviews on other forums)
Bushnell Rimfire 4X32 (I think I have found a good deal on this d/c model)

My plan would be to put the 3-9 on the Model 60 and a 4X on the Model 80.

Comments? My primary uses will be punching paper (for fun, not competitively) and plinking. No hunting anticipated.
 
I have a Tasco fixed 4X on my 10/22 and use it to shoot from 20 ft. to 100 yards. No problemo, very accurate.
To save money, do check with pawn shops. They usually have boxes filled with used scopes. Pick one out that will work for you. Don't pay what they ask. With dickering you can get 25 to 50% off of asking price.
 
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