Scope Options - Help me Decide OR Provide Additional Ideas

[wseidel]

I just purchased a Ruger 10/22 stainless with a European walnut schnabel stock. I’m considering a scope (new or used) and would prefer a Leupold Fire dot (1-4, 2-7, smaller/lighter than a full sized scope preferred). I’m considering the Leupold VX3 1.5-5 Twilight Hunter (@schmalts). I also have the option to swap a scope from my AR - Leupold Patrol 1-4 - and then purchase a higher magnification range scope for the AR (example: Leupold VX5 2-10 Firedot). Note: On the 10/22 I will be using a one-piece Leupold AR mount on a picatinny rail.

I’m open to used scopes so if you have a Leupold Firedot for me consider, please PM me.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations and/or additional ideas to consider.

 

[Gut Shot]

A rimfire scope needs an adjustable parallax or the parallax needs to be set by the manufacturer for closer range. You're probably going to want a side focus or adjustable objective scope for a rimfire.

 

[wseidel]

Thank you, Gut Shot…point well taken. The parallax is preset to 150 yards on the 1.5-5 VX3

 

[Bulldog0156]

What are you intending to use it for?

 

[wseidel]

Good question, Bulldog. A wide variety of applications - range use, plinking and grouse hunting…all-purpose.

 

[Bulldog0156]

Seems like you have a pretty solid idea of what you're looking for. I’d recommend something along those lines that allows for a CDS dial so you have the option of dialing for distances if the option presents itself allows for more versatility.

I run scopes on my 22lr that allow me to dial out to 300 yards. Heck of a challenge and tons of fun.

 

[wseidel]

Thanks, Bulldog. I’m probably not going to be shooting the distances you do (impressive btw). What do you think about moving the 1-4 power Patrol to the 10/22 and putting a higher magnification scope on the AR (VX5 2-10 Firedot for example)?

 

[Wvhuntandfish]

I have an older Leupold 3-9X EFR with adjustable objective on my 10/22. It's just right for general hunting use and the adjustable objective lets me squeeze out the last big of accuracy potential when punching paper. The newer VX-Freedom 3-9x33 EFR should work just as well.

 

[wseidel]

I appreciate that perspective as I may need to look more closely at the Freedom scopes. The Firedot is high on my list of priorities (on all my other scopes) plus I was looking at a higher magnification scope that I might put on my AR (possibly even swap between) - so that narrowed my options. Glad to hear you’ve had good success with the EFR. Thanks Wvhuntandfish.

 

[elevatorman]

I setup my 22 for max point blank range. So with a plus or minus a half inch (1 inch pipe) my MPBR is 65 yards. I could dial and shoot further but my 22 has a vx2 3-9 on it and it does fantastic. If I was buying again id go smaller like your thinking and move that scope to my 17 hmr (+/- .5" mpbr of 120 yards) . I use that small of a mpbr because squirrels.

 

[elevatorman]

You don't need a ton of zoom for 65 yards, but some zoom is helpful as shooting squirrels is alot smaller target than a deer

 

[elevatorman]

For what its worth, yes the parallax thing is technically true. But not enough to matter to me. My vx3 is fixed parallax and has no issues stacking bullets in one big hole at any yardage

 

[EastTNHunter]

I’ve always thought that 10/22 with the mannlicher stock was super cool. I’ll own one some day.

Low power is going to make quick shooting small game easier, but 100yd precision may be tough. I think that a 2-7 would work great, but not many of them are made anymore.

 

[wseidel]

Helpful discussion and input, Elevatorman and EastTNHunter. Good to know how others have equipped their 22 rifles. Interesting real world experience with parallax as well.

I agree that a 2-7 with Firedot would be ideal. Plus it would be enough of a magnification difference to allow me to swap scopes between the AR and 10/22 if desired. I’m using the same one-piece Leupold base on a picatinny base to facilitate easier swapping.