Whats the nicest scope you would put on a .22lr?

I have a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 3-9x40 on a $900 custom 10/22 build and it is more than adequate for producing outstanding accuracy out of that rifle.
 
I have a Weaver 4-16x42 on my Savage MkII TR. It is a good fit for that rifle, but in smallbore silhouette, I have only 5 or so clicks left at the 100 yd. ram. Still, it gets it done nicely; only wish I were a better shot.
 
Most good .22 LR scopes are set for 50yd parallax... Almost all of the scopes described here (unless modified) are not set for 50yds.... Just a consideration.

I have a fixed 4X Leupold Compact (made for .22LR) on my Ruger 77/22
 
This scope is an old used Vari X IIc 1-4X.

I paid $232 for it in 4-6- 2013.
It was made in 1999.

In 7 months I have got ~ 12 raccoons and one rat with it.

I think I have some nicer scopes on some nicer 22s, but they are not getting anything.
 

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Most good .22 LR scopes are set for 50yd parallax... Almost all of the scopes described here (unless modified) are not set for 50yds.... Just a consideration.

I have a fixed 4X Leupold Compact (made for .22LR) on my Ruger 77/22
Click to expand...

^ Same rifle and my scope is the Leupold 2 x 7 with the 50 yard parallax made for a .22.
 
I don't think you can ever put "too good" of an optic on any rifle. Beyond the dollars invested (and it is an investment, they don't expire) there is no down side to having an optic that can exceed you and your gun. I usually budget anywhere from 1-4 X the cost of the gun for glass. I'm currently shopping for a .338 lapua rifle for some serious long range and the nightforce and similar optics are a bit staggering.
 
Bought a Marlin XT22 early this year and put a spare 3-9 scope on it which did OK, but wanted a higher power scope on the rifle since I don't hunt, just shoot paper.

Put one of the discontinued Simmons Pro Hunter 6-18x40 SF on the Marlin XT that Natchez shooters supplies sells for $70. This Simmons does just fine for me. Nice to be shooting at a 50 yard target and see the bullet in flight just before it hits the paper.
 
I usually budget anywhere from 1-4 X the cost of the gun for glass.

That's an interesting price ratio. My two previous scopes have cost significantly LESS than the guns I put them on. Mind you, one was a .22 and the other was a Milsurp, so maybe the lesser cost was justified. If I were buying a long-range target rig, I might be happier to pay more for optics. No doubt I'm all wrong-headed about this, but that's how I've rolled so far.
 
Both my target .22s have 18x scopes, hunting .22s have 4x & .22mag. 3 -9x.
Just a case of what works best for the given purpose.
 
I've put really nice scopes on 22's in the past. What's the most expensive scope i'd BUY for a 22 is an all together different though since my 22's are just plinkers and I prefer cheap red dots for them anyway.
 
Go to rimfirecentral.com and see what they put on their exotic .22s. A group of their followers shoot at our club with their thousand dollar plus custom Rugers and the most commonly seen scope is a Mueller APV(All Purpose Variable 4-12X) in the $130 range.

I have an old Japanese made Tasco 4X40 on my Marlin Lever action. It has never let me down and gives me practical use in the woods and informal plinking.
 
At our club we adjust the parallax on on our scopes used in .22 competition at 50ft, 50 yds and further.

Bell_City_Rifle_Club_Inc._21345.jpg
 
I once put a spare $400 scope on a $29 pump air rifle because my daughter and I were having an accuracy contest in the back yard. So I might put just about anything on a .22
 
I have 2 Leupolds on 22s, one is a 4X, the other a 2-7X, both were "expensive" as far as 22 scopes go, and I don't regret either one. A good scope is a great addition to a good 22LR rifle.
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I had a Leopold Rimfire I shot on an XCR and then AR (50 yard round checks).

I bought my first very accurate 22 and had no problem putting that $200 scope on the gun.

If you have the scope the mounts usually are not too bad (my Werners are great) and have fun.

Basically its whatever you want and can afford and maybe have on hand.
 
I have a Clearidge 3x9 AO Rimfire scope on my CZ 512 .22 mag and a Vortex Crossfire 2-7 Rimfire scope on my Model 60. I wish I would have had the money to purchase a Sightron Big Sky Rimfire scope while they were still being manufactured.
 
I bought a Leupold VXII 3-9 X 33 EFR scope about six years ago to mount on my 10/22. I payed $349.99 for It. I bought a CZ 452 American six months later and moved the scope to the CZ, where It's been since. I payed $500.00 for the scope on my CZ 452 American in .17HMR ( VX2 6-18X40 aol, fine duplex ). After all I shoot these rifles far more than any of my other rifles.
 
(Although this thread was started in 2008, there are still some interesting comments.)

Accuracy is a relative thing, although no scope will make a poorly shooting rifle using cheap ammo into a one-hole wonder, at 50 yards or more. I have a rimfire-benchrest rifle that has shot a 749/750 in an IR-50/50 match and it's the best-shooting rifle I've ever used. It sports a Weaver T-36 with a 7-power booster.

Getting it to shoot that well is an exercise in patience, luck in finding the right ammo for that rifle, years of practice with wind flags, the right conditions, and lots of luck on that day, including a good position on the firing line that minimizes mirage and wind variations.

On the other hand, when my Marlin 39A with a 4x scope shoots a 5-shot group under 3/4" at 50 yards with relatively inexpensive ammo, it's cause for celebration!!!!!
 
I choose my scopes based on their intended purpose. The amount of money I spend on the scope is determined by my financial situation, not the power of the cartridge I will be using.

You cannot have a scope that is of too high a quality.

Boomer
 
Almost 30 years ago I bought a Burris 3x9 compact to put on my squirrel hunting rig, a Ruger 10/22. It hurt to shell out $250.00 bucks for it but I've used it every year since then. The rifle and scope are still together and still giving me pleasure.
 
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