Reliable Scope for 22

[Andrzej]

Need advise on reliable scope for 22 ( 10-22 Ruger).
Friend is sending back 2 scopes that were designed for 22 due to failer after firing 100-200 rounds with each.
New Ruger, new scopes. Gun used for plinking ,gophers, grouse...
First was Tasco - reticle post is braking off.
Second Barska - can't focus.
I used regular rifle scopes on my 22 and never had a problem.
Any suggestions...

Andrew

[Dick284]

Classic case of getting what you pay for. Cheap scopes are just that, cheap for a reason, no QC goes into the production(QC costs $$) failure rates of 1 in 10 or more are quite common.
I have had good luck with Bushnell Banner 4-12x40's they can be had from Walmart for $120.
22 semi's can be quite hard on scopes because the recoil not only comes from the firing of the cartridge, but also from the hammering of the action. The worst of it is the action induced recoil it is actually in the opposite direction as cartridge recoil, and a lot of the lower end scopes use a means of securing the lenses that utlizes a sytem of adhesive to hold the lens in place against a raised ledge on one side of the lens. Apply recoil in the wrong direction and the adhesive can and may give way resulting in loose internal components.

good luck.

[Rusty P. Bucket]

Andrew the rule of thumb is to spend at least as much on the optics as you do on the rifle. A new good scope for a .22 that is relatively trouble free is going to cost 400 bucks and up. Ultimately you get what you pay for.

If you don't have that kind of cash, go to the gun shows where you can pick up used ones for far less. There are some real bargains to be had if you're patient.

Having said all that, I went dumpster diving in the bargain bin 2 years ago to find a scope for my top notch .223 target gun and came up with a Tasco 6 x24. I bought it just to get shooting, with the intention of installing a new Nightforce or Leupold when finances permitted.

I have sent 2300 rounds down the pipe on that one and the Tasco is still hanging in. I won't pretend it is as good as the top dollar scopes, but it works for now. If I were to go hunting medals and trophies at an important match, the scope would have to go. For gophers and paper targets it is all I need.

[Andrzej]

Thanks for replies.

[moosecaller]

I use a simmons on my 22 and 17 they work great, inexpensive. spend the money on good mounts. IMO.
MC

[heybert]

I use a Bushnell Scopechief in 4X by 20 mm on my 10-22. Haven't had a problem and gone through 1000 rounds. Paid $40 at the big gun show 3 years ago.

I have a bushnell elite 3x9x40 on my own 10/22.

[Scott N]

I have a Weaver "Classic Rimfire" 4X (also available in 2 X 7) on my 10/22. I like these scopes because they have good optics and are a little bit smaller in size that a regular hunting scope, so the are proportional in size for a rimfire sized rifle. They are also designed for shooting at rimfire distances, unlike a regular hunting scope.

[Richard B.]

Another vote for the Weaver 4X but if I was looking for a great scope I would look at the Leupold 4X rimfire scope.

r

[TreeGuy]

Hi Andrew.

I put a Busnell 4X32 .22 scope on my .22mag in 1993 and have NEVER had an issue with it. I think I paid about $40 for it at the time. My wife went 9 of 10 at 100 meters on spent shotgun shells with it the first time she shot it. Great scope, great gun and spectacular wife!

Tree

[Andrzej]

Hi Tree !

My wife shot my 22 about 10 years ago ONCE. She got Bulls Eye at 25 yards and said " Can I shoot better than this? I said No ...So If I don't shoot any more I will have perfect score for life..." She never shot gun since...and is not intending to...She is spectacular too and I love Her -30 years together in July.
As to friend scope I might convince him to get Bushnell from Walmart.

Thanks everybody
Andrew

[TreeGuy]

Andrew, keep her shooting! When I take Mrs Tree out, I always make sure she wins! Yeah, that's right, I LET her win..........well that's the story I'm sticking to!

Congrats on 30 years. I'm only heading into 6, but when we make 30, Mrs Tree will be officially declared a saint!

Tree

[srp71]

Tree,I also have 2 of those 4x32 Rimfire scopes by Bushnell.One is about 12 yrs. old the other at least 20.The older one I'm not sure if it is actually a rimfire or not but it was on a center fire rifle for a few yrs.before it was on the 10/22 I bought used.Niether of these have given me any stress.Oh yeah,you can buy them for about 80 bucks,I think from Tiawan Tire,Etc.

[geezer55]

I have 2 scoped .22s. One has a tasco Model: MAG39X32ST on it and that .22 has gone eveywhere and shot thousands of rounds without any problem, It's bounced miles on a quad, in the box of my truck, been soaked by rain and snow and haven't any problems with it. It's mounted on a Savage bolt action .22. The other is a Bushnell 4x32 and is mounted on a Remington semi-automatic, have only put about a thousand rounds though this rifle and no problems. Never paid more then $70.00 for either of the scopes.

[TreeGuy]

Originally Posted by srp71

Tree,I also have 2 of those 4x32 Rimfire scopes by Bushnell.One is about 12 yrs. old the other at least 20.The older one I'm not sure if it is actually a rimfire or not but it was on a center fire rifle for a few yrs.before it was on the 10/22 I bought used.Niether of these have given me any stress.Oh yeah,you can buy them for about 80 bucks,I think from Tiawan Tire,Etc.

Geeze, I was just doing the math and realized that it wasn't 1993 that I got the scope..............it was 1989! It (and the .22mag) was the reason I got my first job. I was 16, and fell in love with a Marlin 25mn in the Home Hardware catelog. So I started a job at McDonalds to save up for both the gun and the scope from Canadian Tire. I hated the job and swore that as soon as I got my first pay cheque I'd quit. I ended up working there for 6 years but the setup I got out of the deal turned into the ultimate bunny hunting machine! All these years later, and I can still drive tacks with it at 100 yards!

Tree