[biscut53]

Looking to scope a Ruger 10/22 a co-worker gave me. It's a nice rig. Trigger work and a Midway heavy target barrel in a Hogue stock. The Houge is really comfortable. Only thing I'm missing is the "right" scope. I'll be shooting 50, 75, and 100 yard targets. I've had a 10/22 for about 35 years but have always used irons on it. This one screams for a scope. I have to admit, I own Swaro, Night Force, Vortex, Zeiss, Leupy for many rifles BUT am clueless on what a 22 rifle should be wearing. I dropped a cheapo Simmons I had laying around to see how it shoots for now. I do appreciate a wide eyebox in the future scope.

My original thought was a Vortex Diamondback 4x12x40 for $200.

 

[jazzsax8]

I have this Burris E1 4.5-14 on mine that is usable but the AO only goes down to 50 yards so blurry at 25 yards on the higher power. For ammo testing the Athlon 10-40 X 56 goes on but it weighs 2#, a little to heavy for carry.

 

[Bow Commander]

Any scope I'd put on a centerfire, I'd put on a 10/22. As long as parallax adjusted down to 25 yards.

 

[Gregsmith59a]

Straight 4 power is a good option for 22LR IMHO.
Spend what you feel is reasonable

 

[ronin.45]

If you are going for accuracy, get at least 24x. A Vortex Diamondback Tactical is a solid choice. The Athlon Argos is as well.

 

[jazzsax8]

I was needing at least a 6-24 scope recently and after looking into the Athlon brand I did not know much about, it would seem they are a solid choice at all of their price points. Some of the youtube scope reviewers put them at the top for each price point. I got the 6-24 X 50 Argos Gen2 FFP and it is fabulous. Only paid $321 for it new off eBay. Was so enamored with it picked up the 10-40 Argos SFP a few weeks later and it too is a great addition. With a little patience these can be had way below market.

 

[Mountain10mm]

Nightforce. SHV. I like the MOAR reticle for 50 -150 yards.

 

[bambam33]

Several members suggested a Leupold fixed 4x for my 1022 a few years ago. It has been a great scope and doesn’t look top heavy. I can easily hit a 100 yard plates.

 

[ronin.45]

Obviously, your exact use makes a huge difference. If you are plinking at big gongs, you don't need much magnification. If you are shooting for tiny groups, the more power the better.

 

[Gregsmith59a]

Several members suggested a Leupold fixed 4x for my 1022 a few years ago. It has been a great scope and doesn’t look top heavy. I can easily hit a 100 yard plates.

fixed 4x would be my recommendation too.
You don't need to mount a spy satellite on top of a 22LR..
My fixed 4x is fine for plinking and vermin extermination

 

[MarkCO]

My precision 10/22 has a Burris RT25 on it. That is the highest mag I have on any rifle I own and I only shoot it out to 300 yards. If you even want to kind of play precision 22, you need the magnification. Those 1MOA targets are not easy to see. The RT line is really good for the rimfires and is a budget friendly entry level long range precision optic for the working man. I'm not sure anything compares well enough with it at its price point to even mention.

 

[HKMark23]

I'll be the 4th in line to recommend a fixed 4x scope for rimfire
Light
Bright
Simple
Durable
Practical power

As with so many things relating to firearms people are quick to shout "more power" but as is so often the case less is usually more. I've personally gone through the "max-power & max-variable" phases in my life, not just with rimfire but other firearm optics as well. But it wasn't until I started using fixed, lower power scopes that I truly became a better shooter and started to have more fun. I learned to range better, I learned to comp better, and as a result I became much faster in the field.

I've found that for the most part those sporting scopes with the widest & highest variable range are some of the absolute worst shooters, usually having next to zero instinctive abilities and equally as bad ranging ability. Of course the latter means they tend to rock a fancy rangefinder that they just have to tell you how much they paid for it.

I learned my lessons and today I only run fixed power scopes on my working guns, most are 4x or less, the highest is 6x. Even my "go-fast" crap sport 1.5/2/3/5 power ACOGs, nothing higher. I do have variable stuff along with some high power optics but most are vintage collector scopes I've acquired over the years, many are mounted to vintage rifles they were originally mounted on during the early to middle part of the 20th century.

When asked, I suggest people start with a fixed power, usually a 2.5 or 4x, then learn to master it FIRST. If you truly do master it and then find you still need more, then and only then step up some. Trust me when I say that in the long run you'll become a better shooter, I know because I went through it myself


ETA
I think I should mention that I'm referring to scopes on working guns. I'm not a paper-puncher kind of guy, nothing wrong with it, just not my thing. So my perspective comes form hunting, moving, working, field, etc. If you are asking about straight target shooting, I think one of the bench type fellas would give you more better good advice in that realm

 

[MarkCO]

As with so many things relating to firearms people are quick to shout "more power" but as is so often the case less is usually more. I've personally gone through the "max-power & max-variable" phases in my life, not just with rimfire but other firearm optics as well. But it wasn't until I started using fixed, lower power scopes that I truly became a better shooter and started to have more fun. I learned to range better, I learned to comp better, and as a result I became much faster in the field.

While I agree with you for general shooting, precision rimfire, if he wants to go there, is a whole different animal. I shoot long range precision matches with a 3-15. Most of the guys I shoot with are running 5-25 or more. Most stages I am at 7 to 12x. I still even shoot Irons on some rifles and all of my pistols, and as long as my eyes hold (they are getting worse) I will stay there.

Rimfire has tiny targets. Last match I shot had a 2x multiplier target that was 1" at 110 yards. At 4x, one could hardly see it and a standard 4x with a duplex, the target would be totally obscured. If he is just going to plink, a red dot or irons are fine, but he said it "screams" for a scope, which means, at least to me, it is accurate and thus worthy of a bit more.

 

[HKMark23]

While I agree with you for general shooting, precision rimfire, if he wants to go there, is a whole different animal. I shoot long range precision matches with a 3-15. Most of the guys I shoot with are running 5-25 or more. Most stages I am at 7 to 12x. I still even shoot Irons on some rifles and all of my pistols, and as long as my eyes hold (they are getting worse) I will stay there.

Rimfire has tiny targets. Last match I shot had a 2x multiplier target that was 1" at 110 yards. At 4x, one could hardly see it and a standard 4x with a duplex, the target would be totally obscured. If he is just going to plink, a red dot or irons are fine, but he said it "screams" for a scope, which means, at least to me, it is accurate and thus worthy of a bit more.

You must have been typing while I was ETAing

 

[Jonah77]

This is one of those…”wish I had read this sooner” threads.

Appreciate the wisdom and expertise being shared. It has revealed some “stinkin’ thinkin’” I had picked up.

Should have spent more time on “what are my intended purposes” vs “everybody should have one of ____”

Thanks!

 

[Faulkner]

To some degree it depends on what you'll be doing with the rifle. I don't do "precision" shooting, but I do hunt with mine. Obviously, accuracy is important but so is weight and light gathering ability so I like a larger objective lens.

I have two 1022's and use the same model scope of both because I like them, a Barska 3-9x42 with illuminated reticle. Accurate enough to allow me squirrel headshots.

 

[Darkangel1846]

Well if your going to shoot competition you need to trade in your Ruger for a CZ or Cooper. Just plinking any good 3-9 will do what you want. I put a 3-9 Nikon on my 10-22, a 4-12 on my Savage.

 

[jazzsax8]

After reading the recommendations for the fixed lower power scope, I have to agree on the simplicity angle especially for hunting. Even target/plinking offhand shooting benefits me with a lower power scope. My 7mm Mag hunting rifle has always sported a 1.5-6 variable where the extra power is nice if you have a good field rest on a longer shot. Using the right rings that simply allow you to lift the scope off the picatinny rail, there is nothing wrong with using TWO scopes! Your heavy barrel at long range off a bench would love a 6-24 then put the lower powered variable or 4X on it for offhand plinking/hunting lighter carry weight. I rob the 6-24 or 10-40 off other rifles to do ammo testing on my 10/22 with a higher level of confidence. I use my 22-250 about twice a year so its easy to rob the scope and the first time you do it, record the turret settings for each rifle. Swapping back puts you so close to dead on, a couple of confirming shots and you are back in the hunt.

 

[Callducks7]

You can choose the power best for your application. I have an older 2x8 Burris on mine. It's nice to have low power for fast moving targets like grey squirrels and more power for punching paper.
I found out years ago you want to get a good scope made for .22 LR rifles.
The parallax will be set for shorter distances and will be more correct than just grabbing a scope made for a long range centerfire.

 

[CSG]

I've used a couple 4x Simmons on a couple 10/22s for years. Most of my 10/22 use has been ground squirrels, jacks, and plinking.