Would these scopes fit my needs?

P

Pond James Pond

New member
I've been looking around and I've found a few shops in the UK that have some seemingly good deals on.

Right now these would be for .22 target shooting and the associated ranges of that calibre.

However, I may be later getting something in a .223, .308 or 7.62x39 type calibre and so it would be great if it could equally be used up to and beyond 300yds.

I realise that there is no "do everything" scope, so if all that is asking too much, then I'll just focus on filling the .22 role for now and worry about a larger calibre later.

Many of these are on offer with good prices bringing scopes into my budget range (£150, €175, $190-200) which are usually beyond my price bracket.

So some of the models on display are:
Bushnell scopes
Trophy XLT 3-9 x 40
Banner 3-9 x 50
Banner 3-9 x 40 Illuminated
Banner 3-9 x 50 Illuminated
Banner 6-18 x 50 Illuminated
Banner 4-16 x 40 Illuminated
Banner 4-12 x 40 A/O

Nikon
Pro-staff 3-9 x 40
Pro-staff 2-7 x 32

Nikko
Seeminly the whole range is within my budget

Other brands that I can get are BSA, AGS, Hawke etc.
The likes of Docter, Leupold, I think I can write-off as options!!

Based on what I have read/watched, especially from the .22 point of view, the best may be to stick to the 2, 3 or maybe 4 starting magnifications to make the 25 - 100 yd shots easier.

I imagine the larger end magnifications are tempting for what they make possible with those more powerful rounds, but as I said I don't want to sabotage my .22 shooting for a larger rifle I have not bought yet...

Any good choices there?
 
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I'm not sure how less magnification makes shooting easier, unless your target is moving and you're not used to optics.

I shoot 100 yards (and less) with 25x. Seeing the target better makes you shoot better. The only time it doesn't is if you mentally can't handle seeing the movement. That's really not a problem if you're shooting from a rest.

I take all the magnification I can get.

Do you have Mueller scopes over there? They are very good for the money. Otherwise, out of the list, I'd take the 6-18.
 
On the .22, I like the 4-16x40mm scope with A/O. I have bifocal glasses and can easily adjust focus for the different distances.
 
I'm not sure how less magnification makes shooting easier, unless your target is moving and you're not used to optics.
Click to expand...

As I understood it, the higher the start and finish magnifications may mean adjusting the paralax down for shorter distances more difficult if the scope lacks enough adjustment.

A lot of all this is new to me and so I understand the general idea, but perhaps not the exact definitions, but I get the point that this could be a limitation at closer ranges...
 
How close are you going to shoot?!

All I can tell you in that regard is that I've never had a problem like that except at the most ridiculous of extreme close ranges. I can (and did just the other day) make off hand shots at 50 yards with the parallax set at 200 and magnification at 25x. I forgot to change the settings and walked over a knoll to a woodchuck that I didn't expect to be there.

The only troubles I've had are rare instances of walking around a corner and having a 'chuck at like 20 feet. 8.5x IS a little troublesome at 20 feet.;)

The parallax on my Mueller goes WAY low, 15 or 20 yards. Honestly, I don't think it matters though.

In any case, the lowest settings are entirely sufficient for 50 feet. I have a Bushnell some-thing-or-other on my Ruger 10/22. No parallax adjustment, 3-9x. I can easily shoot bug-hole groups at 50 feet on 9x.

Anyway, I really feel like you're over-thinking this. Your requirements are very, very basic. Virtually any scope will fill the role adequately.
 
How close are you going to shoot?!
Click to expand...

To give you an idea, the most recent .22 competition I took part in started at 25m and then out to 150m in 25m increments.

So, in answer to your question, 25m!

Range shooting and little comps like that are probaby going to be the most of my shooting experience, certainly in the near-term.
 
I'm pretty sure that the Bushnell scopes with adjustable parallax have 10 yards minimum settings. I don't think I've seen an adjustable objective that didn't go down to at least 25.

Do you have Mueller over there? You should really look at Mueller.

From your list there, if I went 3-9 I'd probably go Nikon, but I'd rather go 6-18.
 
No Muellers seen so far, but I will keep my eyes peeled.

One shop also recommended a reduced price Redfield: a Leupold brand, apparently, but not seen any on sale yet.
 
Watching extensive Youtube, reading stacks of Guidance pages, I think that less is more in terms of specs and I will probably go for either the Bushnell or Nikon 3-9 x 50.

The Bushnell is significantly cheaper despite the specs being very similar. I will ask the shop which they recommend (they are quite transparent, already steering me away from some goods that were "not worth" the extra cost).

As I see it the biggest difference are likely to be glass quality.

Alternatively, I may take another piece of advice from these Tips and Hints pages: Spend a similar if not bigger amount on your sight as you do the gun!!

I can't stretch the €350 my .22 will cost, but perhaps I can add another €100 to my €180
 
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