New 22lr needs a scope!

O

ohihunter2014

New member
I recently purchased a savage Mark II FV for squirrel hunting and target shooting and looking for a recommendation. Id like to keep it $175 and under.

I'm currently looking at

Center point 4-16

Mueller APV. 4-16

Nikon Target EFR 3-9--This one kind of concerns me with the fine crosshairs becoming lost in the tree limbs when squirrel hunting.

Bushnell 4-12 AO--Crosshairs almost seems too thick?

Vortex crossfire II 4-12 AO.

Athlon Talos 4-16 side focus.
 
Last edited:
I'm sure all those are fine choices but for a 22lr, especially one that'll be used for squirrel hunting, I'd go with something like a 2-7x33.
 
Originally Posted By: B23I'm sure all those are fine choices but for a 22lr, especially one that'll be used for squirrel hunting, I'd go with something like a 2-7x33.

I would like a 2-7 for squirrel hunting but i bring the 22lr along when I'm shooting the big bore rifles at 100-300yards and shoot at pasters when the larger calibers are cooling down. I figured at least a 12x would be better for this? I also sometimes have a hard time getting headshots on the squirrel when they are hiding from the dog in the top of an oak.
 
Might look at the Vortex Diamondback. I have a 3x9 on my 300BO and I can see bullet holes at 100yds pretty easy. Its just a slight upgrade from the crossfire.
 
I've used a an APV for a number of years, it was a solid scope. You might want to take a look at the Athlon Argus 3-15x40mm Camaraland has them for $139, I just bought a 2-10x40 Argus(see write up in optics). My nephew liked it so much he ordered the 3-15x400 for his target/PD/coyote rifle.

https://cameralandny.com/spec-sheet.html?catalog[name]=Athlon-Optics-Argos-3-15x40---Center-X-Rifle-Scopes&catalog[product_guids][0]=1677543

The lack of parallax adjustment might be a hindrance on a 22lr
 
Last edited:
I wondered about parallax also, isn't that the reason for 1" quality scopes designed for 22's slug shotguns and muzzle loaders? I seem to remember it as a topic years ago.
 
The issue of parallax is an interesting one. Yes, many of today's higher end optics offer a parallax adjustment. Interestingly, there were MANY good long range shooters who did some amazing things back in the days when optics manufacturers didn't offer this feature. So is it necessary? I don't think so.

A big issue is how you are mounting your rifle. If you are "floating" when you look through your optic parallax is going to be a major problem. But if you learn to mount the rifle the same way EVERYTIME you shoot, parallax will not be as big an issue.

I have shot many, many birds and bunnies with a .22lr with a 3-9x optic that did not have a parallax adjustment in as close as 15 yards. Yes, I had to shoot my rifle a lot at the range to learn how to do it, but it can be done.

So while a scope with a parallax adjustment feature can be nice, I don't think it a necessity. But to each his own.
 
The last RF scope I got was the Athlon Talos 4-16 side focus. If
I need to get another RF scope, it will be the same, if that
tells you anything. Optics are great and the my old eyes do
appreciate the side focus.

I have a couple Center Points....they're ok, but JUST ok.
I have a Mueller that's sitting in a drawer, hazy optics.
I have a Bushy Banner....yes, the X-hairs are a bit thick.

If the Crossfire's optics are as good as the Viper's, that
may be a good choice, but for target shooting, you may prefer
the extra 4x of the Talos.
 
Parallax come into use with higher power scopes. Up to about 12x parallax doesn't really come into play. My target 22lr has and 8-32x40mm scope on it and to use it at short range on high power the parallax adjustment is indispensable. Small targets need big scopes(1/4" dots at 25 yards/ground squirrels at a 100) big targets (coyotes 1-4, 1.5-6, 2-7, 2-10, 0r 2.5-10 are good to as far as I can shoot).
 
The question one needs to ask their self concerning parallax on a 22lr is: do I want to head shoot Squirrels at any distance or am I only interested in body shooting Rabbits?
Or, do I want to shoot under .5" at 50yds. or is 1" or larger ok?
Those are the perimeters for a scope parallaxed for 22lr. and one that isn't.
 
Rimfire central for all things rimfire. Mueller is very nice as is the Nikon 3x9. I've got both. Don't forget the Leupold rimfire scopes. They can be had at your price point. Good luck!!!
 
Originally Posted By: K22The question one needs to ask their self concerning parallax on a 22lr is: do I want to head shoot Squirrels at any distance or am I only interested in body shooting Rabbits?
Or, do I want to shoot under .5" at 50yds. or is 1" or larger ok?
Those are the perimeters for a scope parallaxed for 22lr. and one that isn't.

Smallest groups possible and head shots only. I shoot rabbits with a 20ga O/U.
 
Originally Posted By: ohihunter2014Originally Posted By: K22The question one needs to ask their self concerning parallax on a 22lr is: do I want to head shoot Squirrels at any distance or am I only interested in body shooting Rabbits?
Or, do I want to shoot under .5" at 50yds. or is 1" or larger ok?
Those are the perimeters for a scope parallaxed for 22lr. and one that isn't.

Smallest groups possible and head shots only. I shoot rabbits with a 20ga O/U.

Then parallax is a concern.
 
Rather than worrying about parallax for making head shots on Squirrels, concentrate on finding the most accurate ammo (small groups) at 50 yards and finding the clearest duplex optic and spend a lot of time at the range... I accumulated over 25 brands/types of ammo in my quest and the variation in velocities will have more negative effect than parallax..Every .22lr seems to have it's own preference..

I used to shoot some of the Vintage Rimfire matches and a 32x optic with AO was necessary, but for Squirrels in a tree where the time for a shot is limited, I seldom have time for parallax adjustment due to distance variations...

Using a dedicated target type optic usually prevents easy target acquisition in the field due to the fine reticle...A good duplex optic dedicated for a .22lr that you are used to shooting is usually your best bet...

There is an old adage about being careful of the guy that only has one firearm, as he usually knows how to use it...I hold the same to be true for optics....While special functions may require a dedicated accessory, for general use, the simpler is usually better...Squirrel shooting is about as basic as it gets..
 
Originally Posted By: OldTurtleRather than worrying about parallax for making head shots on Squirrels, concentrate on finding the most accurate ammo (small groups) at 50 yards and finding the clearest duplex optic and spend a lot of time at the range... I accumulated over 25 brands/types of ammo in my quest and the variation in velocities will have more negative effect than parallax..Every .22lr seems to have it's own preference..

I used to shoot some of the Vintage Rimfire matches and a 32x optic with AO was necessary, but for Squirrels in a tree where the time for a shot is limited, I seldom have time for parallax adjustment due to distance variations...

Using a dedicated target type optic usually prevents easy target acquisition in the field due to the fine reticle...A good duplex optic dedicated for a .22lr that you are used to shooting is usually your best bet...

There is an old adage about being careful of the guy that only has one firearm, as he usually knows how to use it...I hold the same to be true for optics....While special functions may require a dedicated accessory, for general use, the simpler is usually better...Squirrel shooting is about as basic as it gets..

I also wanted to shoot at the small shoot n c pasters at 100yards and shoot 50yards amateur bench rest competitions so I figured the high magnification and parallax adjustment would be the best thing. Would you suggest separate scopes for each thing?
 
My 2 dedicated Squirrel hunting scopes are a Burris Compact 6X AO with the parallax adjusted to 100'. The other is the Leupold FX II 6X36 with the parallax set at the factory for 40yds. Both have the fine duplex crosshairs. My go to Squirrel round is the RWS Subsonic. The rifle I used for many years wears the Burris scope (no longer made which is a shame)and is a Kleinguenther K22. Averaged 104 Squirrels a season and refused to shoot one if the head wasn't available. Parallax was paramount for me. I never changed ammo, but most standard or subsonic ammo will be within an inch or better of each other, while parallax can be greater than 1 1/2" at 50yds.

The first photo is a current Squirrel rifle build using the Leupold 6X36. The second photo is a Mauser 201 (identical to my Kleinguenther) with the Burris 6X AO scope.




I have other rimfires with either the same setups on them or some with 3-9 to 8-24 scopes, all with Adjustable Objectives. One hole groups and 1/4" above or behind a Squirrel eye is tough to do without a parallax free scope. Once my parallax is set on the AO scopes I don't touch it after that. Something parallax free at 100' is pretty parallax free from the muzzle to 50yds. It is not quite as good set at 40yds, but it will work.

Good luck in what ever you choose.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top