22 LR rifle scope options... opinions?

[RLS@home]

Hey all,
been awhile - however I picked up a barely used Ruger 10/22 w/a heavy barrel & laminated stock. Good price, kinda cool lookin', and can't wait to try it out. I'd like to put a decent (& economical) straight 4x scope on it - not interested in a variable at this point. It appears there's a fair number of approx. $50 or less offerings by Simmons, BSA, Burris, others (?). I'd like to stay under $100 and would be thrilled with under $50 if anyone can recommend one. Appreciate your time/input/experience...
rls

[Keith L]

There is no "good" option for a scope under $50.  With optics you get what you pay for.  I had one BSA scope and will not buy one again.  I think you can get a Nikon rimfire 4X for around $100.  Or maybe a Leupold Rifleman for a little more.  I also have a couple of Bushnell scopes that work well, but I don't know if they offer a fixed 4X or what it would cost.

Buy good mounts also.  The $10 Wally World ones will not cut it.  I have Leupold mounts on my 10-22s, with lapped in rings, and carefully mounted.

Good luck.

[cwlongshot]

I am a large proponent for "buy the best scope you can afford".  For me that a Leupold.

BUT, I will add that on 22's I usually buy a cheaper scope as long as its a ADJUSTABLE OBJECTIVE. For me, this is imperative unless the scope is designed explicitly for a "22". You see the std rifle scope has its parallax permanently set at something near 150 yards. This is much farther than 99% of the rimfire shooters using them. So buying a "rimfire" scope gets you one with the parallax set at 50-75 yards. Much better. ADJ OBJ is even better as you set it at your known distance. The target is clear and POI will not change as your "hold" does.

For 22's, I have had good luck with Simmons, BSA and Tasco. They are cheap and optically inferior. But for bustin' tree rats or tippin' tin cans they work well enough.

Good luck,
 CW

[PowPow]

...For me that a Leupold.

BUT, I will add that on 22's I usually buy a cheaper scope as long as its a ADJUSTABLE OBJECTIVE...

Agree on both points, but I would add that all AO's are not the same;
Some go down to 10 yards/meters, which is great for a rimfire.
Some may only go down to 50 yards/meters.

I think a 10/22 carbine looks/shoots/carries well with a compact 4x scope (at least I think mine does) but a heavy barrel Ruger will be crying for more than 4x in no time. 

Before I put a leupold efr on my cz 22, I had this on it and was pleased with its performance, especially on 100 yd targets:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bush-rs-bnr-714124.html
Not exactly what you asked for but it goes down to 10 yds and to 4x, and with free shipping it is 1 cent under your budget.
I have had a range of Banner scopes and have satisfied with the value they offer.

[tt4617]

Depends on what you are going to use it for. If hunting tree rats and plinking, then I would recommend a fixed Tasco or Simmons. Reason? I owned a fixed Tasco on my Marlin 60 for about 20 years without a problem. I just replaced it this year with a cheap Simmons ($39.95) and am satisfied with it so far.

Of course, I only use this gun for plinking or squirrels/rabbits, etc. If you are going to get serious about some target shooting, then spend some money on your glass.

Tom

[mcwoodduck]

I have a Leupold 3-9X40 Var X II on my 10/22 T
But if I had to do it all over again.
A weaver 3-9X38 as a variable. (I own three of these and one 2.5-7X28)  the little 2.5 would be good too but looks funny on the heavy barreld gun.
Or a 4X38 that I have on my 22 Mag and really like it.  Clear, bright, and wacks bunnys way out there.
Or even a 6X 38 Weaver.
All look good on the rifle.
Go to Midsouth, they are a sponsor here and ave the weaver scopes at reasonable prices.
Personally, I think the Weaver K or V series are everybit as good as the Leupold Var X II scopes but at 60 to 80% the price.
Yo should be able to get a good Weaver for less tha 2 bills.

[Victor3]

I don't generally buy cheap scopes but this one was recommended by many folks over on RFC...

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=WE&prodID=WE849421&prodTitle=Weaver%204x32%20Shotgun%20Scope%20Duplex%20Reticle%20Matte

Made for shotgun but works perfectly on a rimfire. Fixed 4x, parallax set at 50 yds and only 9.5" long. Made by Light Optical Works in Japan; long recognized as the best Asian scope maker. My impression is the same as the guys on RFC who have one. Really nice scope for the money. Super clear and bright optics. I'm going to buy another before they're sold out.

Perfect fit on my CZ 452 Scout...

[cwlongshot]

That look ALOT like a Weaver!!/

I agree, its a nice fit for a trim smaller rimfire!

CW

[RLS@home]

Thanks all - great observations...
While I haven't settled on a brand yet, I have become convinced not to limit my choices & the guns potential by settling for a cheap scope. I've always liked simplicity and will probably stick with a fixed 4x, but I'll check out my options a bit before I buy.
regards,
Randall

[RLS@home]

Went out this afternoon and checked out "everything" I could locate at 3 stores for .22 scopes... long story short - took the majority advice and spent a bit more than I'd originally intended. Picked up a Nikon ProStaff 22 Rimfire 4x at Cabela's - seemed like a decent scope for around $100 and a bit more 'substantial' than the $50 models. I like the name, the clarity, and the looks of it on the rifle. We'll see...
thanks,
Randall

[Victor3]

That look ALOT like a Weaver!!/

It is a Weaver; one of the ones they have made in Japan by LOW. Some of their other offerings are made elsewhere.

[cwlongshot]

That look ALOT like a Weaver!!/

It is a Weaver; one of the ones they have made in Japan by LOW. Some of their other offerings are made elsewhere.

LOL...

[PowPow]

...It is a Weaver...

Is it discontinued? I could not find that model on the website.
Also, is the green Weaver sticker glued on? can it come off pretty easy and look like it was never there?
(Had a sticker come off a Bushnell and it looked bad without it.)

[Victor3]

It's a discontinued model. Natchez is blowing them out for $99.95. Still comes right up for me when I click the link I posted above()

It has a little green/gold Weaver medallion attached to the side opposite the windage adjustment. I haven't tried to remove it.

[RaySendero]

Hey all,
..... I'd like to put a decent (& economical) straight 4x scope on it - not interested in a variable at this point. ..... Appreciate your time/input/experience...
rls

RLS,

You may need to consider an Adjustable Objective (AO)!

The difference between a CF rifle scope and one for a 22LR is the parallax setting.  A fixed power CF rifle scope will have a parallax setting for about 100 yards where one meant for a 22LR will have parallax set to 40 or 50 yards.  With an AO you can adjust the focus closer so that the parallax is correct.

So...If you go with a fixed power without an AO make, sure its for a 22 rifle.  If you go with a CF scope on your 22, get one with an AO.