Which scope did you choose for your bolt action .22?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which scope did you choose for your bolt action .22? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 1/15/2021 4:58:14 PM EDT

I finally bought a .22 that I think will be a keeper - a Ruger American Rimfire Target model - and I'm not expecting to use it for anything more than some modest target shooting and plinking. I can't imagine it ever being used to hunt small game, but I wouldn't rule it out of the realm of possibility. Anyone have an "all-purpose" .22 and if so what glass did you put on it and why? I admit I'm intrigued at having an illuminated reticle. Seems like that would be a nice feature.

Posted: 1/15/2021 6:43:39 PM EDT

[#1]

My go to savage mark II has an Athlon Argos 6-24. First focal plane, zero stop, illumination reticle side focus. Great for the money ( street price around $300)

Posted: 1/15/2021 6:54:23 PM EDT

[#2]

I like Bushnell so I went with a Bushnell Engage Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 6-24 with MOA Deploy reticle $258 with free shipping from Midway

Posted: 1/15/2021 7:10:07 PM EDT

[#3]

Three:

Burris rimfire, very clear and upscale glass.

Leupold target scope, because Leupold.

Bushnell Mark AR because these are very nice for the price.

Posted: 1/15/2021 7:33:40 PM EDT

[#4]

I have a a 3x9 Leupold rimfire on my Ruger M77/22

Posted: 1/15/2021 7:46:17 PM EDT

[#5]

BSA Sweet 22 2-7x on my Savage FV-SR. I liked that the turret for the drop comp has multiple weights of bullets to setup.

Posted: 1/15/2021 7:55:54 PM EDT

[#6]

My last .22 bolt action wore a West German Schmidt & Bender 6x42

Posted: 1/15/2021 8:02:07 PM EDT

[#7]

I just put a Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20mm on my CZ 457. Lightweight, super clear, and about as simple as a scope can be

Posted: 1/15/2021 8:31:07 PM EDT

[#8]

Email sent.

Posted: 1/15/2021 9:24:49 PM EDT

[#9]

I'm generally a fan of Leupold low-end stuff.

For my lightweight hunter setup I have a 1.5-4x (I think it's a rifleman series).

Put a 3-9 rifleman series on the 17hmr.

Have a 2-7x vortex diamondback on my ruger American 22lr.

80s vintage fixed 4x Leupold on the wife's Henry. Had to go used for the gloss finish.

I love the Leupold no-BS, small, light, clear. All four scopes are nice, but the vortex is rather heavy and large compared.

Illuminated reticles are unnecessary on a target/small game rifle, unless you plan to night hunt with them.

Posted: 1/15/2021 9:42:40 PM EDT

[#10]

Vortex 3x9 on my Savage FVSR

Posted: 1/15/2021 9:46:46 PM EDT

[#11]

Trijicon 3-9. Cost more than the rifle but you can’t squeeze accuracy out of a bolt gun without glass

Posted: 1/15/2021 10:53:25 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Email sent.

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Thank you. I will get back to you.

Posted: 1/15/2021 10:56:17 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Trijicon 3-9. Cost more than the rifle but you can’t squeeze accuracy out of a bolt gun without glass

View Quote

Do you mean the AccuPoint series of scopes?

Posted: 1/16/2021 5:15:49 PM EDT

[#14]

Weaver Grand Slam 4-16X44. Like it because it is rather compact and light for the magnification range and objective size.

Posted: 1/16/2021 5:21:01 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a a 3x9 Leupold rimfire on my Ruger M77/22

View Quote

Nails it.
Same scope but sent to Premier reticle for a Dot reticle and Elevation turret.
Rifle is an original Stainless Syn, with the boat paddle stock, barrel cut to 16.5"

Posted: 1/16/2021 5:34:31 PM EDT

[#16]

Any variable scope in a max of 7or 9 power with a drop reticle should do everything for general purpose. I have a Nikon 3x9 bdc on my all purpose 22.

I practice a lot indoors at 50ft. For that I have adjustable objective scopes. My favorite is the Leupold 3-9 AO rimfire scope. It’s compact size and fine crosshairs are great for target shooting.

Posted: 1/16/2021 6:58:40 PM EDT

[#17]

For a classic .22LR bolt gun used for plinking and small game, go lightweight and compact.

That would be something like a rimfire-specific 2-7x. The rimfire versions have fixed parallax set for 50 yards rather than the 100-150 yard parallax for centerfire rifles. Some may have adjustable objectives (a plus). Objective lens (big end) glass will be 28mm to perhaps 36mm. On a rimfire 28 to 32 range is fine,

Leupold, Burris, Vortex come to mind. A regular duplex hunting reticle is fine. A basic drop or BDC .22LR specific reticle is useful, but not really needed with a 50 yard zero until you get beyond 75.

But, if shooting tiny, tiny groups with good quality match ammo is the goal, you need high magnification, adjustable parallax (typically side focus) and a fine target reticle.

A good choice is the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 with matching tactical turrets and first focal plane "tree" type reticle. Its available in both MOA and Milrad versions. It will let you stretch your .22LR out to 200-250 yards or more. It's excellent for teaching holdover for bullet drop and holdoff for wind correction.

This is my Remington 541-S with the Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50.

Here is the same rifle with its original, period-correct Leupold 2-7x28 Rimfire scope.

If you plan to just plink and carry the rifle around a lot, the little 2-7x scopes are great. I moved that scope to a different rimfire, since I now use the 541S as a precision rifle trainer.

Posted: 1/16/2021 7:10:06 PM EDT

[#18]

On the CZ 457 Varmint, a Nikon Black FX1000 4-16x50, 30mm, Side Focus, MOA, First Focal Plane in Vortex Pro Series 30mm Low rings on an Area 419 Picatinny Rail.

On the wife's Ruger 10/22 we have a Leupold Freedom 3-9x40 in a Weigand one piece ring & base mount.

Posted: 1/16/2021 11:05:17 PM EDT

[#19]

Sporting a Russian 4x in the picture, but currently has a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire II with the Bdc reticle.

Posted: 1/17/2021 9:54:59 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
For a classic .22LR bolt gun used for plinking and small game, go lightweight and compact.

That would be something like a rimfire-specific 2-7x. The rimfire versions have fixed parallax set for 50 yards rather than the 100-150 yard parallax for centerfire rifles. Some may have adjustable objectives (a plus). Objective lens (big end) glass will be 28mm to perhaps 36mm. On a rimfire 28 to 32 range is fine,

Leupold, Burris, Vortex come to mind. A regular duplex hunting reticle is fine. A basic drop or BDC .22LR specific reticle is useful, but not really needed with a 50 yard zero until you get beyond 75.

But, if shooting tiny, tiny groups with good quality match ammo is the goal, you need high magnification, adjustable parallax (typically side focus) and a fine target reticle.

A good choice is the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 with matching tactical turrets and first focal plane "tree" type reticle. Its available in both MOA and Milrad versions. It will let you stretch your .22LR out to 200-250 yards or more. It's excellent for teaching holdover for bullet drop and holdoff for wind correction.

This is my Remington 541-S with the Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50.

https://i.postimg.cc/mkCynFN5/4-FE0359-B-F63-D-443-B-B343-58-AEB8844-BD4.jpg

Here is the same rifle with its original, period-correct Leupold 2-7x28 Rimfire scope.

https://i.postimg.cc/Jh9DdYVw/DDC21-B5-E-A92-A-409-C-9972-DD901-BA81598.jpg

If you plan to just plink and carry the rifle around a lot, the little 2-7x scopes are great. I moved that scope to a different rimfire, since I now use the 541S as a precision rifle trainer.

View Quote

You remind me. The scopes I listed off are hunting oriented, so they come up lacking for target use with thick reticles and low power.

Posted: 1/17/2021 10:31:52 AM EDT

[#21]

Thanks for all the good advice, guys. I’m definitely leaning more toward a target reticle. Whether it has a bdc or a ton of ranging is not completely important to me. I don’t mind some of that stuff but I don’t want a reticle that takes up the entire middle of my picture with tic marks. Any type of crosshairs, I would want them to be thinner than thicker.

I like the idea of first focal plane magnification. I like the idea of illumination. It might be neat to hunt small game with it someday, so I would want a reticle useful at all ranges. A place around the corner has a Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7 Rimfire on their shelf. It would surprise me if the scope had been sitting there for two or three years. It’s that kind of place. Still, maybe I’ll call today and see what they’re asking for it.

A part of me wants to go big and buy a scope with a 40 or possible 50 mm objective. This scope may double as a hunting scope for a larger caliber rifle.

Posted: 1/17/2021 2:16:10 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for all the good advice, guys. I’m definitely leaning more toward a target reticle. Whether it has a bdc or a ton of ranging is not completely important to me. I don’t mind some of that stuff but I don’t want a reticle that takes up the entire middle of my picture with tic marks. Any type of crosshairs, I would want them to be thinner than thicker.

I like the idea of first focal plane magnification. I like the idea of illumination. It might be neat to hunt small game with it someday, so I would want a reticle useful at all ranges. A place around the corner has a Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7 Rimfire on their shelf. It would surprise me if the scope had been sitting there for two or three years. It’s that kind of place. Still, maybe I’ll call today and see what they’re asking for it.

A part of me wants to go big and buy a scope with a 40 or possible 50 mm objective. This scope may double as a hunting scope for a larger caliber rifle.

View Quote

VX Freedom line is relatively new for Leupold. It replaces (perhaps just relabels ?) the earlier VX-1 line. Maybe somewhere between the former VX-1 and VX-2. Not sure. That 2-7x is likely to have a simple duplex reticle. Its fine for use at 2x or 7x, as it appears the same size. It is a bit thick, even at the center so that it remains visible when following a moving target or in low light. I have a bunch, maybe a half dozen, older Leupold 2-7x scopes, both rimfire and centerfire versions. They are lighy, rugged, dependable hunting and general purpose scopes. They are even fine for casual target shooting at 50 yards or so. The are not true target scopes, though. Still, I like them for most of my .22LR rifles.

The Diamondback Tactical is a different creature, altogether. If's FFP reticle is great for target work, but gets very fine and difficult to see when cranked down to 6x. Here is a good representation of what the reticle looks like. This pic is generated by my Strelok+ Pro app for my 541S shooting Lapua 40 grain 1050 fps match ammo and 50 yard zero and 24x zoom. At 6x the reticle will be four times smaller and four times thinner.

Edit: Oh, forgot to mention the Diamondback Tactical is also available in a 4-16x version, perhaps better suited for multi-purpose use. It is otherwise identical with the same first focal plane reticle, side focus parallax adjustment and tactical turrets that match the reticle, either MOA or milrad.

Posted: 1/17/2021 8:01:33 PM EDT

[#23]

I have this on my Ruger American, I like it.

I have the .22lr one

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/cabelas-multi-turret-rimfire-riflescope

I have this on my Ruger 96/22

Its also really good

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/vortex-diamondback-rimfire-rifle-scope

Posted: 1/23/2021 11:54:55 AM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have this on my Ruger American, I like it.
I have the .22lr one
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/cabelas-multi-turret-rimfire-riflescope

View Quote

I came here to post this. I was given one as a gift and mounted it on CZ455 and really like it. I purchased a second for a Marlin 880SQ that was migrated to a Boyd AT-One Stock. It works quite well.

Posted: 1/23/2021 8:04:55 PM EDT

[#25]

I have a 20 year old Weaver 2-7 rimfire on a 20 year old Ruger 77/22, and a 1 year old Weaver 2-7 on a year old Ruger American Rimfire. This is a fantastic, 22 sized optic. All depends on what you're doing with the rifle of course.

Posted: 1/23/2021 8:57:18 PM EDT

[#26]

Don't forget a 20 MOA rail to get more useful range out of the scope.

Posted: 1/24/2021 12:24:54 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm generally a fan of Leupold low-end stuff.

For my lightweight hunter setup I have a 1.5-4x (I think it's a rifleman series).

Put a 3-9 rifleman series on the 17hmr.

Have a 2-7x vortex diamondback on my ruger American 22lr.

80s vintage fixed 4x Leupold on the wife's Henry. Had to go used for the gloss finish.

I love the Leupold no-BS, small, light, clear. All four scopes are nice, but the vortex is rather heavy and large compared.

Illuminated reticles are unnecessary on a target/small game rifle, unless you plan to night hunt with them.

View Quote

I am also a Leupold fan. The Rimfire 2X7 is perfect on my CZ 452.

Attached File

Posted: 1/24/2021 12:29:02 AM EDT

[#28]

I went with the Burris Droptine 3-9x40 Rimfire on my Savage FV-SR.

Posted: 1/24/2021 10:30:08 AM EDT

[#29]

I went with a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 4-12x on my FV-SR. Great scope

Posted: 1/25/2021 9:02:40 PM EDT

[#30]

Burris 4.5-14 is a great $200 scope and compliments my cz453v well.

Posted: 1/25/2021 10:18:38 PM EDT

[#31]

I went with a Vortex Crossfire 6-18x44 on my Savage bolt action, because I like shooting tiny groups from the bench with it. For my hunting 22s I like a 2-7x or 3-9x.

Posted: 1/25/2021 10:21:11 PM EDT

[#32]

Delete

Posted: 1/26/2021 12:22:39 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a a 3x9 Leupold rimfire on my Ruger M77/22

View Quote

That has always been my go to for a general purpose rimfire scope. Excellent glass, thin crosshairs, decent power range, AO and great overall size/weight for a rimfire rifle

Posted: 1/26/2021 9:29:59 PM EDT

[#34]

Another vote for Athlon optics. Many to choose from depending on your price range, but the Argos series is a great choice.

Posted: 1/26/2021 9:37:04 PM EDT

[#35]

Athlon Midas Tac 6-24. Mil reticle that closely approximates my LR bolt gun and most importantly has parallax adjustment down to 10yds.

Sits on a CZ 457.

Posted: 1/31/2021 10:20:06 AM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
I like Bushnell so I went with a Bushnell Engage Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 6-24 with MOA Deploy reticle $258 with free shipping from Midway

View Quote

I just did this on my Ruger precision rimfire.
Vortex high rings fit absolutely perfectly.

Posted: 1/31/2021 10:35:32 AM EDT

[#37]

Old stuff on mine, which also an old rifle that emulates an even older rifle:

Norinco Tu 33/40 .22LR by SoloDallas, on Flickr

...scope is a Vintage Redfield Gunsight Co. 2 3/4x Rifle Scope 1" Tube standard crosshair

Posted: 1/31/2021 10:54:39 AM EDT

[#38]

something with decent glass in 3x9x40 and I prefer a minimal reticle.

Posted: 1/31/2021 11:30:55 AM EDT

[#39]

$50 Amazon 5-25x50 scope...it works clear glass, let's me hit soda cans at 200yards with subs so, I'm happy.

Posted: 1/31/2021 11:46:23 AM EDT

[#40]

Burris Timberline and Droptines on CZ Bolt action rimfires.

Great glass and optics for the money.

Ruger 10/22s get Japanese made Weaver 4x28s.

Posted: 1/31/2021 12:00:56 PM EDT

[#41]

I have an older Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 with a plain crosshair reticle. A duplex would be nice.

FFP seems a waste to me.

Posted: 2/1/2021 9:25:36 AM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
Old stuff on mine, which also an old rifle that emulates an even older rifle:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50662622876_13027cc731_h.jpg Norinco Tu 33/40 .22LR by SoloDallas, on Flickr

...scope is a Vintage Redfield Gunsight Co. 2 3/4x Rifle Scope 1" Tube standard crosshair

View Quote

I used to have one of those Norinco's, it was smokin' accurate.

Posted: 2/13/2021 5:29:13 PM EDT

[#43]

Simmons 2-7 with TV view and an AO. Was on my FIL's pellet rifle

Posted: 2/13/2021 7:48:38 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:
Old stuff on mine, which also an old rifle that emulates an even older rifle:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50662622876_13027cc731_h.jpg Norinco Tu 33/40 .22LR by SoloDallas, on Flickr

...scope is a Vintage Redfield Gunsight Co. 2 3/4x Rifle Scope 1" Tube standard crosshair

View Quote

That rifle is awesome

Posted: 2/14/2021 7:45:56 PM EDT

[#45]

Leupold VX-2 3-9x33mm Rimfire EFR

Posted: 2/14/2021 7:53:26 PM EDT

[#46]

Been out of the rimfire optics game a looooong time, but did the go-to mueller APV 4.5-14x40 AO got “bad”?
That was a great scope for the money a long time ago and isn’t all that expensive still.

Posted: 2/19/2021 12:12:04 AM EDT

[#47]

I've been using Leupold rimfire scopes. I did put a Mark AR on one of my 17s.

Posted: 2/20/2021 7:11:29 PM EDT

[#48]

I snagged an LT104 with 30mm rings thinking I would use that for a mount. The mount base is actually longer than the factory rail which is kind of funny. I'm also wondering if it's just too much.

Everybody using rings primarily? Any brands to avoid?

Posted: 2/20/2021 9:37:04 PM EDT

[#49]

I went with the $35 Simmons 4x rimfire scope from Wallyworld for my td 10/22

Posted: 2/20/2021 10:43:55 PM EDT

[#50]

Nikon Prostaff Rimfire.

I'm disappointed Nikon decided to exit the scope market. I'd love to have another for my Mossberg model 44. It's a damn nice scope.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which scope did you choose for your bolt action .22? (Page 1 of 2)

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