How good of a scope do you really need for a .22
- Thread starter AL45
- Start date
Pathfinder45
New member
I have an older model 99M1 Marlin that I wanted to put a scope on, but despised the very thought of putting a new cheapo import scope on it. So I went to the PDX gun show and located some vintage steel-tube Weaver K-4's and selected one that looked like a safe gamble for 50 bucks. It just has plain crosshairs, but so what? It's a centerfire scope on a rimfire rifle and it works great.
bamaranger
New member
still
You can put any scope you want on your plinker.......pickup a budget scope at any of the chain stores that sell'em and have at it. Lots of options sub $100 dollars.
The question is, will it hold up....not necessarily recoil (though I believe the wack/wack of a semi bolt under a scope does indeed create stress) but also in the general transport and carry afield. I still shoot my .22's more than any other firearms I own, and the assurance that I have a "better" scope on the rifles lends to everything being right consistently.
I posted elsewhee that I have a drawer full of budget scopes that quit on me, Tascos, Simmons, Bushnells, and a fair number of those have been on and off .22's, a 10/22 and a Rem Fieldmaster..
When I finally sprung for Leupold rimfires, scope failures stopped. You don't need $300 bucks to get a decent Leupold for your .22. The Leupold rimfires can be found used for about $150 for the fixed 4x models if you watch the auction sites. They are the right size too, tidy enough to fit on a 10/22 and not look all out of proportion.
You can put any scope you want on your plinker.......pickup a budget scope at any of the chain stores that sell'em and have at it. Lots of options sub $100 dollars.
The question is, will it hold up....not necessarily recoil (though I believe the wack/wack of a semi bolt under a scope does indeed create stress) but also in the general transport and carry afield. I still shoot my .22's more than any other firearms I own, and the assurance that I have a "better" scope on the rifles lends to everything being right consistently.
I posted elsewhee that I have a drawer full of budget scopes that quit on me, Tascos, Simmons, Bushnells, and a fair number of those have been on and off .22's, a 10/22 and a Rem Fieldmaster..
When I finally sprung for Leupold rimfires, scope failures stopped. You don't need $300 bucks to get a decent Leupold for your .22. The Leupold rimfires can be found used for about $150 for the fixed 4x models if you watch the auction sites. They are the right size too, tidy enough to fit on a 10/22 and not look all out of proportion.
johnandersonm777
Inactive
Nikon ProStaff scopes are appropriate for .22 LR. Thanks for the topic. 
Guggmeister
New member
they will hold up on .22 but... will a variable hold zero? how's parallax? eye relief? fogginess? image clarity? reticle?
A good 22 deserves good optic. no mega zooms required because 150m is just about the max sane range.
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A good 22 deserves good optic. no mega zooms required because 150m is just about the max sane range.
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I ended up purchasing a Cabela's 3 x 9 rimfire specific scope for $79.00. I had the opportunity to test it and several others on dummy stocks and it was best for the money. It was mounted on a Ruger 10/22 takedown. I am waiting for my Wife to get back in town to shoot it, as the rifle is our 26th anniversary present.