Suggestions for an optic on a 14" 22 L.R.

[Ranger413]

The last barrel in my collection to put an optic on will be a 14" 22 L.R.  Right now I'm a bit torn on which optic would be best.  I don't intend to do any competing or super long range stuff with it.  I'll mainly punch some paper, plink and possibly hunt with it.  I figure if my son wants to squirrel hunt or something I can take this along.

I have a Leupold 2X on my .44 Magnum barrel and like it fine - although I haven't shot it yet.  My .223 barrel will wear a Leupold 2-8X when it arrives.  So I'm not sure if I want to follow suit with one of those or go with maybe a dot sight.  In the past I've owned an Ultradot, EOTech, and Bushnell Trophy red dot.  Of those, I feel that the Ultradot would suit the 22 barrel best - good quality & light weight.

I'd consider going with iron sights, but I have two front sights and a silhouette rear sight that doesn't work with my G2 frame (hangs over the edge).  Plus, really want to go with an optic.

But, again, I'm not sure exactly what would be best.  Any ideas?

[luckydawg13]

on my contender barrels i have
14" 44mag 2x leupold
14" 223 4x12 banner
14" 22 LR 4x leupold

[BCB]

Ranger413,

I have an inexpensive Weaver 2.5x-8x on my Super 14" in 22lr...

I use Burris and Bausch & Lomb on my other heavier recoil barrels...

I like the Weaver on the 22lr and it shoots nicely at 50 yards with 1" or a bit better groups very common...

I have a birdfeeder and those pesky red squirrels chase the birds away and hog the food.  They are a pest...

Two Saturdays ago, I shot 6 of them with 6 shots.  The distance was about 35 yards.  I was using a sandbag rest...

I think the Weaver would make you a nice 'scope for the 22rl...

Good-luck...BCB

[KYODE]

if ya got a variable riflescope layin around give it a whirl. be great for punchin paper with some high x's. low power will be good for hunting as well. cheaper option, although may not fit the lightweight category. i like a 4x16x40 on my 22lr match. just modify your shooting positions.

[Bullseye]

I have a 2.5-7x on mine.  The 22's shoot good enough a higher power scope is warranted.

I tried a 3-9 rifle scope for a while but it was not for me.  I would try it though and see if you like it.  I had an old $30 Tasco rifle scope laying around that I tried so I was not out much if I did not like it.

[Richard P]

If you have time for careful aim a riflescope is a good choice. If you like a standard handgun scope the Leupold 2 or 4x work well. A less expensive 4x is the Simmons. I recently put one on a 10'' 22lr so I dont have much history with it. I have no experience with the Weaver variable.  A good variable that I have is the Bushnell Trophy 2--6x. It's very repeatable if you change distances a lot and have time to make the adjustments. I have a Leup 2.5 to 8x on an Anchutz Exemplar but it is for rimfire silhouette; not for informal plinking.
  You might look at the 1.75 to 4x shotgun/ muzzle loader scopes if you want lower power but it is a close eyerelief scope.

[cheapshooter]

I recently put a Weaver 4X pistol scope on my G2 with 14" 22 LR match barrel. Very happy with the set up. I shot very tight, under 3/4 inch groups @ 50 yds. At 100 it opened up quite a bit, but the wind had picked up, and was somewhat variable. I'll give it another chance with calm weather, but might just be happy with a 50 yd. tack driver.

[Dezynco]

I have an old 4x Tasco on mine now which works OK, but if you really want some fun, get a variable that goes up to 6x or higher.  The 22's shoot so well off a sandbag, the extra magnification will really help improve your accuracy.  Shooting my 12" Custom Shop 22 barrel with a 2.5-8x Nikon is like surgery!

[lynneil]

Bushnell makes a 2-6x handgun scope that remains at a constant 18" eye relief through all powers. It can be had for under $200 if you shop around. I am currently using a BSA 2-7X hangun scope on my .22 lr silhouette T/C. Only problem is that at the higher powers, I loose a lot of eye relief. It can be had for about $80, again, if you shop around. I have also used the N-Star 2-7x pistol scope($60), but, again, eye relief is similar to the BSA. I would not mount the BSA or N-Star on any caliber larger than .22 LR. Hope this helps.

[Three44s]

On my revolvers, I like the Bushnel Holosight.  I am totally wet behind the ears on Contenders and with their magnificent ranging capabilities ....... power is in order!

A scope I have not tried that may also make sense is one from Vortex.

The one that comes to mind is a no magnification red dot (green dot also?) with a removable 2X doubler.

My enabler stocks it for about $140 ..........

Just a thought

Three 44s

[Ladobe]

There are lots of scope models available that would probably be good enough for your uses, and the skies the limit from very inexpensive to expensive.   A rimfire isn't going to hurt any of them, so even warranty won't be an issue.   If you can, go to a dealer and actually try looking through all the different models to find the one that appeals to you and fits your pocketbook.   

I'll babble on...
My general rule of thumb with any sights, all else being equal, is that in order to hit small you have to aim small no matter what the firearm is.   And for me anyway that applies to hunting, target shooting and even plinking.   So when it comes to scopes, the better the glass with enough magnification available to aim small with an appropriate reticle has always been my standard choice no matter what the intended use of the firearm was.   A rimfire that I used for hunting/target always got the best glass I could afford on it within reason same as any of my long range wildcats did.

While many folks use rifle scopes on their no to medium recoiling handguns successfully, that practice is just not for me.   Just too old school I guess.  As a serious long range varmint and predator hunter all my life I would have loved to have the extra magnification only available with rifle scopes on some of my specialty handguns, but not bad enough to ever mount a rifle scope on any of them.    IMO I can't aim small enough with a dot sight to suit me, so they also never saw use on my handguns.

FWIW

[Three44s]

When it comes to dots, I like to look at what the dot subtends.

With my Holosights if I recall correctly they subtend 1 MOA and I run the brightness control down to what I can just see at that light level.  This reduces or eliminates the flaring that is characteristic of a brighter setting, otherwise the flare adds to the apparent size of the dot.

One of the happy marriages my Holosights have had involved a Ruger Redhawk in .44.  With an improvised rest, it was no problem driving golf balls at 35 yd. with a good load.

A large dot would render a .22 to less than a can puncher ......... built for self defense at close range ......... they barely qualify for minute of elephant.

Best regards

Three 44s

[Ladobe]

I'm sure dot sights serve their purpose very well for lots of folks doing their kind of shooting with them.    So they do have their place.    They're just not for me or my types of shooting.

One of the happy marriages my Holosights have had involved a Ruger Redhawk in .44.  With an improvised rest, it was no problem driving golf balls at 35 yd. with a good load.

Sounds like a lot of fun - great shooting with your RH.    But with a good scope the shot would be to dot the first "i" in Titleist at 35 yards, and after it stops rolling down range dot the other one.   

Regards,

L.

[SD Handgunner]

I use a 3x12x Burris LER Handgun Scope with Fine Plex Reticle and Target Turrets on my Super 14 .22 LR Match Contender. My main uses for this Barrel & Scope are for Indoor Bench Rest Shooting and Hunting Gophers and other small varmints.

Larry