Help with scope/sight selection

[Feddog82]

I just bought a new pistol barrel for my G2.  It is a 12" SS MGM in .22 Hornet and I got the MGM scope base with it.  I don't know if I would like to put a reflex, red dot, or a typical scope on it.  What are your suggestions?  As for use I will probably start with punching paper and seeing what loads work the best.  Then I will graduate to small game and varmint. 

Please let me know what type of optic you would prefer and then a make and model as well.  Thanks.

[luckydawg13]

a 4x12 rifle scope might work nice i had one on my 223

[stoky]

A rifle scope's (bulk notwithstanding) limited eye relief will pretty much constrain you to a "taco hold".  With a .22 Hornet recoil shouldn't be an issue.
IMHO, the ability to utilize an improvised rest with a Contender; rock, tree branch or your day pack is very advantageous.
Dot sights are quick, compact and almost parallax free, but not so useful at longer ranges.
If I ever put another scope on a handgun, it will most likely be a Burris with a Ballistic Plex reticle.
http://www.burrisoptics.com/handgun1.html#2x7x

[Ladobe]

To hit small on varmints and small game you'll need to aim small.   So the best choice IMO is a pistol scope that will allow you to do that at the ranges you expect you will shoot at.     A 12" 22 Hornet is easily capable of 200+ yards on small game if you are.   For multiple ranges probably a variable, especially if you will do any longer range hunting.     There are lots of choices, from cheap to expensive.    Mid range or better price will have the best glass and features.   Reticle choice is also something to think about if you'll be shooting moving targets or in low light conditions.     I preferred Burris IER scopes and the TPC's for my handguns, the Leupold 4X was my choice from them and some early TC scopes got the job done when not much was available.   But lots of folks speak highly of the Bushnell Elite and they sell for a great price.    Might be all you need.

Just for S&G...
Best all round reticle IMO is a converging post fine dot reticle as it will do very well for all hunting situations and target shooting.  Unfortunately not many handgun models had it and most if not all of them are discontinued models now.   But they do come up for sale now and then.   The Tasco Pro Class was my favorite for handguns, was a very well made scope that always took the pounding of my biggest bore handcannons (including the 416 Rigby).   Leupold offered one similar (CPC) in some of their rifle scopes many years ago, but for a fee you could have it added to one of their pistol scopes by them, or have Premier do it for you.    Premier doesn't do them anymore - don't know if Leupold will.     So the best bet is a TPC and a set of 30mm rings for way less than $200 now days (when current the TPC's sold new in the $350 range).

[Incitatus]

I am glad that you raised this question.

I have used Simmons and Bushnell and Weaver scopes in the past and had no problems with them.  Last year I bought an NCStar 2-7 pistol scope for my .17 HMR barrel.  I was happy with the sight picture and adjustments and most of all, the price: $41.  I just bought a second on to go on my .22 Hornet barrel.  My thinking is that I am using these barrels for the range, generally.  They are not likely to be banged around or dropped.  The weather is usually clement so they are unlikely to get drenched.  I have used them in times of high humidity when they are coming from air conditioning and, so far, I have seen no signs of condensation. 

My thinking is that the definition of "good", for me, is fitness to task and for ~$40 a pop, I'd rather have the loot saved for more barrels. 

[stoky]

Dos anyone know much about the old Thompson 3RP scopes. Who made them for Thompson?
I've had one on a 14" .357 Herrett barrel for years. I'm very happy with it. It has held well to the recoil of hundreds of stout loads. It is relatively low power (3x?), compact, and has a reticle that changes from black in bright light to a much lighter orangish brown in poor light. I think the marketing speak for it was "Electridot" or some such, back in the day. It is a duplex reticle. It looks like pretty close to 9 moa from the cross to the thick part. I guess it predated the internet, info on it in search engines seems sparse.   

[cbsjr]

Feddog, I use the Burris 4-12X on most of my Contender barrels. Work great for me. Ed's Contenders sells them for 345.00 plus about 10.00 to ship. Also use Weaver Classic 2.5-8X handgun. On my .22 LR and .17 HMR, I use Weaver rifle scopes (no recoil, no black eye) 6.5-20X 40/44 series. They are a little shaky to look through, but I use a benchrest forend and that steadies them up. I have had good luck with all of these.  Love those Contenders and Encores!!