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Best Scope for Ruger 10/22

Posted on 8/17/23 at 11:40 pm
Posted by AdmiralApe
Member since Nov 2020
85 posts
Posted on 8/17/23 at 11:40 pm
Looking for a scope for my Ruger 10/22. I have a cheap older Japanese made Tasco on it right now but looking to upgrade. I was looking at the Burris Droptine Rimfire, Vortex Crossfire Rimfire for the Leupold VX Freedom Rimfire. Are there any other good options besides those? Not really a strict budget but not wanting to pay over $500 as I will mainly be using it for squirrel hunting and general plinking.
Posted by OeauxMy
Member since Feb 2017
261 posts
Posted on 8/17/23 at 11:46 pm to
I have the VX freedom for my .22 and love it. I considered those other and it was the clearest of the bunch.
Posted by bocro
Member since Feb 2021
61 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 4:14 am to
I have a Leupold fx-i 4x28 on my .22 and I love how light and compact it is.
Posted by EF Hutton
Member since Jan 2018
2366 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 5:42 am to
I have a Redfield Golden Five Star 3 x 9-50mm on my Marlin 60 stainless Laminate.

This is an original Denver made Redfield. When you put good glass on an accurate .22, it does shine.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81734 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 6:26 am to
quote:

I will mainly be using it for squirrel hunting and general plinking.
Whatever you get, make sure it has adjustable objective. For me, the standard rimfire scopes have been pretty bad at close range.
Posted by WMTigerFAN
Ouachita
Member since Feb 2005
4480 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 6:35 am to
I have a Nikon 3x9x40 Rimfire II on my CZ. They’re discontinued but still can be found. Usually around 125 bucks
Posted by bayouteche
The Beaches of Wham
Member since Nov 2012
1161 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 7:10 am to
Another VX Freedom owner here. 3-9x40. $299 just about everywhere.
Posted by Cypressknee
Member since Jul 2017
1199 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 7:32 am to
Haven’t looked thru the Burris you mentioned but their customer service is top notch.

As for the Nikon recommendation. Being they quit making scopes, will they still repair/replace them? Just thought about that.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
11447 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 8:03 am to
quote:

Vortex Crossfire Rimfire


I have this one in 2x7 on a .22 mag. I really like it. I taped the turrets, I don't use the elevation adjustment on it since I'm shooting pretty flat out to around 80 yards.

Eta: I'm dumb. I have a Redfield 2x7 rimfire on it, not vortex.
This post was edited on 8/18/23 at 8:04 am
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
13965 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 8:05 am to
quote:

not wanting to pay over $500


You shouldn't need at $500 scope for squirrel hunting with a .22
Posted by JustKillinTime
Member since Apr 2022
65 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 8:35 am to
+1 for the VX Freedom, awesome little scope.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81734 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 9:09 am to
quote:

AdmiralApe

I really think you should read this before buying.
Posted by LSUA 75
Colfax,La.
Member since Jan 2019
3708 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 9:47 am to
I have a Leupold 2x7 Rimfire.Works fine.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
25071 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 11:06 am to
I built a Brownells BRN 22 a few months ago and put a Leupold on it. It’s the VX freedom 3-9x40
Posted by saintsfan1977
West Monroe, from Cajun country
Member since Jun 2010
7791 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 1:56 pm to
You dont need to spend $500 on that. You won't be dialing so just get any scope under $200,preferably a Nikon for $100+
Posted by DeoreDX
Member since Oct 2010
4059 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 2:12 pm to
Seems like this guy misses one of the most important aspects of AO which is to eliminate parallax errors. Meaning, if you scope is set with a fix parallax at 100 yards, when shooting at a target 100 yards away you can move your head all around the sight picture and the cross hairs will remain on the target. Yu can put your head all the way to the edge of the scope where you see small half moon siver of sight picture and the cross hairs are sill pointed at the point of impact. Try that shooting at 100 yards with a scope set for 50 yards and you will hit way off the target. A good cheek weld and consistent eye and sight alignment through the center of the sight will also eliminate parallax problems. Only time I have blurry image problems is when the parallax is set grossly off from the target distance. This normally happen to me when I'm shooting 25m on rimfire then begin shooting at 100-150 yards or vice versa. I dont normally have an issue shooting 20-25m with an objective set at 50 yards. My son who doesn't do a good job of aligning his eye up to the scope consistently will often throw out a big pattern at 25m because of bad inconsistent sight alignment.

ETA I use an AO scope on all my 22 target rifles but I love my Weaver RV-7 (2.5x7) fix parallax at 50 yard for a woods gun.
This post was edited on 8/18/23 at 2:18 pm
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81734 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 2:19 pm to
I think you're missing the point more than he is. With regular rimfire scopes that do not have adjustable objectives, short range sucks hard. For squirrel hunting, which is what the OP mentioned, the two rimfire scopes I have had without adjustable objectives sucked hard. I learned the lesson first with air rifles.

quote:

I dont normally have an issue shooting 20-25m with an objective set at 50 yards.
I do, huge time.
Posted by bman940
N. TX
Member since Dec 2016
22 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 2:39 pm to
I have 3 Riton Optics, 1 Primal 4-12X50 IL scopes. 1000's of rounds, zero issues, and big fun had by all. Yes to having parallax adjustment. The quality and features of the 1 Primal far outweigh the retail price of $279. I'm going to try and add a pic of my 10/22 Green Gator Edition and the scope. No need to spend a lot to get a lot. Green Gator 10/22
Posted by elprez00
Hammond, LA
Member since Sep 2011
29428 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 3:28 pm to
I have a Vortex Diamondback Rimfire on my 10/22 and a Leupold VX on my Savage Mark II. Both are great.

The vortex is sighted in at 50 yds. At 100 yds the bullet drops just to the bottom of the duplex. I can shoot the center of the target out. It’s a great setup
Posted by TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill, LA
Member since Sep 2008
6817 posts
Posted on 8/18/23 at 9:00 pm to
When I younger I went squirrel hunting a lot. At that time, I favored lower power variables like a 2-7X or straight 4X. I had scopes from Simmons, Weaver and Leupold. Later, all my buddies had high power variables so I bought a 4-14X Simmons ATV for my Ruger 77/22. All of these scopes had a parallax set for 100 yards. Later I acquired a Burris 4.55-14X Burris Timberline (w/ AO) in a gun trade. I put it on my old Ruger 10/22 and really liked it. Since then, I’ve bought a number of 22’s and have tried out some different brands of scope. Since I don’t squirrel hunt anymore, my scopes are more powerful. All have a bullet drop compensator (BDC). All have AOC except for the Hawke. From my experience, I can recommend of the scopes I currently use:

Hawke 4-12X w/ illuminated reticle. I bought this for a Savage bolt action for night time hunts in my subdivision using subsonic ammo. The parallax is set at 75. I thought having an AO might complicate things when it’s dark. The BDC reticle is set for 22 LR subsonic loads at at 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 and 175 yards. The reticle is pretty accurate, at least to 100 yds since that’s the furthest I’ve shot it.

I have two of the aforementioned Burris Timberline scopes. One is still on the 10/22 while the other is on a Howa Model 1100. I really like the scope, but it’s been discontinued. It’s a compact scope that looks good on a 22 LR. I recommend it, but you’ll hav to find one on the used market.

Athlon 6-18X Neos w/ illuminated reticle. This scope is on my Tikka. I wanted a little extra magnification for my most accurate 22 LR.

I have a 4.5-14X Burris Droptine. I believe 50 yards is the closest setting for its AO. It’s a decent scope but I replaced on the Howa it w/ the Timberline.

All these scopes will fit under your budget w/ much room to spare. For a 22 LR, I now prefer a riimfire scope over a big game scope. AO is a nice feature, but depending on the use, I don’t think it’s mandatory. My Savage w/ the fixed parallax Hawke is pretty accurate, but I have to concentrate more on eye alignment at shots >75 yards. For night hunting, I think an illuminated reticle is mandatory. It’s nearly impossible for me to see the ballistic marks at night. Just don’t leave IR turned overnight or you’ll find your battery dead the next day. I still think a 2-7X is the best scope for squirrel hunting. You can buy two really good 22 LR scopes and still fit under your budget. If you’re going to play around at “long range”, I’d suggest a a a 4-12X or 4-14X scope w/ ballistic vertical reticle.

Keep us updated.
This post was edited on 8/18/23 at 9:02 pm
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