Scope & Rings recommendation for a 22LR Bolt gun

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  • mdoffroad

    Looking to Learn
    Aug 26, 2011
    1,606
    Abingdon, MD
    Ok, Im looking for a decent scope to put on a 22LR bolt gun. It will have a 1 piece rail and I am not scared of off brands, just as long as they work well. Oh, and I'm cheap lol...
     

    rbird7282

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 6, 2012
    18,530
    Columbia
    Ok, Im looking for a decent scope to put on a 22LR bolt gun. It will have a 1 piece rail and I am not scared of off brands, just as long as they work well. Oh, and I'm cheap lol...

    I have two scopes on two different .22's. One is a Nikon Prostaff rimfire 3x9 and the other is a Cabela's caliber specific rimfire scope (also 3x9)
    I actually prefer the Cabela's scope over the Nikon, the reticle being the biggest difference. Occasionally you can find one for $100 or less.
     

    fidelity

    piled higher and deeper
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 15, 2012
    22,400
    Frederick County
    Here's a few on my list of cheap scopes for 22LR shooting ...

    $90
    3-9x Nikon with parallax fixed at 50 yards
    Nikon ProStaff Rimfire with BDC Reticle, 3-9 x 40mm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMX95IA/

    $110
    4-12x Nikon with parallax fixed at 50 yards
    Nikon ProStaff Rimfire with BDC Reticle, 4-12 x 40mm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMX8OA0/

    $150
    3-9x Nikon with parallax adjustment ...
    https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...-adjustable-objective-precision-reticle-matte

    $160
    4-12x Vortex with parallax adjustment ...
    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...InitialSearch=yes&sts=hist-ma&Top+Nav-Search=

    If you want to shoot small groups at 50 yards, 12-16x magnification is common (many people go higher if primarily bench shooting).

    Most of the above are suitable for field carry, where low end magnification may be needed at times.

    There are a lot of threads on the rimfire central forum discussing fixed power scopes for 50-100 yard bench rest shooting. Many recommendations are for under $200 and even $100.

    Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
     

    ziptiespec

    Active Member
    What distances are you going to be shooting? Will you be primarily shooting from the bench?

    I started with a cheap BSA Sweet 22 3-9x40 and UTG rings. $60ish for that setup which actually lived on an AR in 22 for about a year before making it's way to a Savage MkII FV-SR. I shot both guns mostly from the bench at distances between 25-200 yards. Since I've been shooting the MkII with this setup I've replaced the UTG rings with Vortex Hunter series rings to get the scope closer to the bore axis. I'm pretty happy with that scope/ring combo. However... As with most things in this hobby, I plan to upgrade. I recently ordered a Mueller Tactical 8-32x44 because I want to see my target better at 200-300 yards.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    What are you going to do with the rifle?

    I prefer non-rimfire specific scopes.

    One of my bolt rimfires is a trainer for my long range centerfire. So I put a Midwasy Special BSA 4-14x tactical scope. Another one has a Simmons centerfire scope on it.
     

    ziptiespec

    Active Member
    I forgot about another path I went down for .22LR optics, the Primary Arms 6x ACSS .22LR scope

    How could I have forgotten this? It's dead simple, pretty inexpensive, and a hoot to use. I have mine (or my wife's) on a 10/22 but there's no reason you couldn't use it on a bolt-action .22LR.

    I built a 10/22, or really, rebuilt a 10/22 for my wife. Started life as a plane Jane synthetic stock 18" 10/22. Add Magpul Hunter stock, Kidd lightweight barrel, Kidd single stage trigger group, Vortex hunter rings, and PA 6x .22LR ACSS scope and - pure magic. I can chase spent shot gun shells from 25 yards to 100 with ease. Want to hit a 4" steel plate @ 200 yards? Ding-ding-ding. The simplicity of the setup lends to the fun. It's truly a great setup.

    Target shooting most likely, prob 100 yards

    Perfect. See above!
     

    dreadpirate

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 7, 2010
    5,521
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    My vote is for the fore mentioned Vortex 4-12X with adjustable objective, seen here with Warne (medium) rings on my Savage Mk II BV. I shoot at 50 yards usually but this could handle 100 quite easily.
     

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    dreadpirate

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 7, 2010
    5,521
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    Here's a few on my list of cheap scopes for 22LR shooting ...

    $90
    3-9x Nikon with parallax fixed at 50 yards
    Nikon ProStaff Rimfire with BDC Reticle, 3-9 x 40mm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMX95IA/

    $110
    4-12x Nikon with parallax fixed at 50 yards
    Nikon ProStaff Rimfire with BDC Reticle, 4-12 x 40mm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMX8OA0/

    $150
    3-9x Nikon with parallax adjustment ...
    https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...-adjustable-objective-precision-reticle-matte

    $160
    4-12x Vortex with parallax adjustment ...
    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...InitialSearch=yes&sts=hist-ma&Top+Nav-Search=

    If you want to shoot small groups at 50 yards, 12-16x magnification is common (many people go higher if primarily bench shooting).

    Most of the above are suitable for field carry, where low end magnification may be needed at times.

    There are a lot of threads on the rimfire central forum discussing fixed power scopes for 50-100 yard bench rest shooting. Many recommendations are for under $200 and even $100.

    Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

    Actually - I think ALL OF THE ABOVE are great recommendations you can't go wrong with.
     

    fidelity

    piled higher and deeper
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 15, 2012
    22,400
    Frederick County
    Actually - I think ALL OF THE ABOVE are great recommendations you can't go wrong with.
    Thanks, buddy. Culled from Rimfire Central. I am curious about the Primary Arms rimfire one mentioned above too, possibly for an Anschutz MSR RX22.

    Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
     

    photoracer

    Competition Shooter
    Oct 22, 2010
    3,318
    West Virginia
    BSA Sweet 22 3-9x40 or BSA Sweet 22 6-18x40. They use bullet drop compensation turrets not BDC reticles for range adjustment. Turrets have adjustment scales for 36, 38, and 40g ammo.
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,561
    Harford County, Maryland
    ^^ I’ll third the Simmons 22 Mag. I have one sitting on a 22 WMR Marlin. Third rifle it has been on and it will shoot MOA or less with its preferred ammo. Two Bushnells on 10” TC rimfire barrels for lotsa years. A Burris Droptine with BDC, an older steel body Weaver 2-7 both on rimfire long guns. Comes down to the features and clarity you are looking for. The Burris was on clearance for just under $100, the Weaver used for $50. The others are all under $100 new.
     

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