higher end .22 scopes

[crufflers]

I dunno if they are real high end, but I like a decent fixed power scope and the SWFA's are pretty good IMHO. I have a SS 10x42 on a CZ 455 and a 6x is probably just a good or better for most people including me. I used to really like the Nikon M series glass, and there are a lot of Leupold's. If you like 6x and hate money... Schmidt & Bender Klassik 6x42.

[Surferchris1]

So first, avoid anything that specifically says .22 or rimfire. When a scope marketed for .22 or any rimfire cartridge it usually means:

1) Poor build quality (can only handle .22 recoil)
2) Some dumb "bullet drop compensating" reticle.

...and for some reason lots of these "rimfire scopes" have 1" tubes. So very little elevation adjustment, for a round that needs elevation adjustment more than any other!

What you want is:
1) A calibrated reticle in a useful angular unit of measurement (MIL or MOA).
2) Lots of repeatable elevation adjustment, which means a larger tube, 30mm minimum!
3) Parallax that is adjustable down to shorter ranges.

Anyways, NRL22 did a survey of the gear their top competitors used a couple years ago. You can see that HERE. It's VERY interesting.

When you're looking at this chart, keep in mind there are two classes in NRL22. "Open" class, which is exactly what it sounds like. And "Base" class which limits the cost of the rifle and optic to, I think, $1200.

Lots of Vortex Razors and Nightforce in the big money Open class, but what I think is way more interesting is the base class. The top two finishers (well, finishers that participated in the gear survey) in Base class were both using Savage rifles with SWFA fixed power scopes. Which actually makes a lot of sense, those SWFAs focus down inside of 25Y and have a ton of repeatable elevation adjustment. I have used a SWFA fixed 10 power on my Savage Mark2 and it was very good for that. The next two highest finishers in Base class were also using Savage rifles, but they both used Athlon Argos 6-24 scopes.

In fact the Athlon Argos is the scope that shows up more than any other on the list, for either class. BUT remember this survey was a few years ago; before Vortex released the Strike Eagle 5-25, and Bushnell came out with their 6-24 Match Pro. Both have short range parallax adjustability, MIL or MOA reticles, and large amounts of elevation adjustment. You'll see a lot of both of these at .22 comps now.

If I were looking for a .22 scope right now my short list would be: SWFA fixed, Athlon Argos 6-24, Vortex Strike Eagle, Bushnell 5-25 Match Pro, or maybe spend a little bit more and get one of those $450 Vortex Vipers from the Eurooptic.com closeout bin.

[WWDHD?]

Thanks Surfer- great info for me to research. My head is kinda spinning from all the models and specs I'm sorting through and you gave me some solid pics to investigate.

[Oceanbob]

I like this for a 10/22

https://youtu.be/HRaRXeJvLNs

[Peahi2]

I will also add, I like a little more magnification so that you don't have to lug around a spotting scope when you are shooting at 100 yards. And of course if you have a little more power, you will have to pay for both the power and the clarity of the glass. 24x to 30x on the top end is good for seeing the holes at 100y.

[crufflers]

I like this for a 10/22

https://youtu.be/HRaRXeJvLNs

That's a nice sized 6x...

I have a CrossfireII 3-9x50 on my 10/22 right now. Was thinking about a SWFA 6x for it, will look at the PA reviews.

Previous to the CrossfireII, I had a SImmons 44 Mag 6.5-20x44mm and a BEC EUROLUX ZF95 6X42 WA... had some interesting scope on it, hahah. The BEC was OK probably because it was a fixed power and good to go until the reticle snapped one day, but used to shoot literally 1100 rounds through that rifle each week and it probably lasted a year. The Simmons is still good to go, I just decided to change it up for something newer. The Crossfire is a Crossfire.

[Gun Kraft]

Since someone mentioned spotting scopes, I thought I'd mention the geared tripod head for my spotting scope costs more than twice what wwdhd originally considered paying for a "high end .22LR scope". And for the curious, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LOIXWBU is actually on the lower end for geared tripod heads--they can easily cost more than $2k. But then you're really talking overkill for this application.

[newbutold]

Mounted an old Redfield Lo Pro Widefield 2x-7x on my 10-22. Shoots well for a walk about rifle.

[WWDHD?]

Man- all these competition geared scopes you guys are recommending that I'm checking out have some really complex reticles - I'm looking at these and thinking - what the heck am I going to do with this?
Maybe I'm looking for something in between a true competition scope and a hunting scope with a more practical reticle but with good quality glass and more magnification than the the 3-9 I'm using now. And now that I understand the whole AO thing that opens me up to a whole new world beyond the typical .22/rimfire scope.

[L4D]

you said for "today" its bench rest and "maybe" competition in the future. Should get this higher mag scope for "today" and then pony up for the "maybe" later on.

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-...il-dot-reticle

[theLBC]

Since someone mentioned spotting scopes, I thought I'd mention the geared tripod head for my spotting scope costs more than twice what wwdhd originally considered paying for a "high end .22LR scope". And for the curious, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LOIXWBU is actually on the lower end for geared tripod heads--they can easily cost more than $2k. But then you're really talking overkill for this application.

i use this for spotting distant object or ranging something difficult. only bummer is it is pot metal and small but heavy.

https://www.amazon.com/Orion-7033-Precision-Slow-Motion-Adapter/dp/B0000XMV86/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=orion+telescope+azimuth&qid=1639614012&s=electronics&sr=1-4

here it is on top of my $1200 tripod (i shoot a .308 off it) and use another tripod for spotting my own shots off a tripod.
just to say i spend when it counts and save when i can.

[WWDHD?]

ok after way more time spent on this than I should have spent- I ordered the Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24x50 on closeout from eurooptics - at the recommendation of Surferchris1. Seems like a good all around value. Maybe someday I'll actually figure out what all the marks on the reticle mean and be able to use them properly!
Thanks for all the advice- I learned a lot about scopes in a very short amount of time.

[Peahi2]

Again,

Get on over to snipershide and rimfire central. You will learn a lot about EVERYTHING; reticles, optics, scope rings, base, trigger, ammo, shooting rest vs bipod, bags, etc.

Start looking for some good target ammo.

Look for an appleseed clinic near you to learn marksmanship (breathing, trigger work, position, etc).

You'll be hitting sub moa at 100y with your rifle soon enough!

I have a cz 457 that is beastly fun and a 10/22 I got last year to add to the stable for a class. I put a Kidd trigger on that 10/22 and I'll be damned if it isn't the best trigger on any of my rifles (non rimfire included, sorry geissele lol). If I could go back in time, I would have just straight up got a Kidd rifle instead of modding my 10/22 bringing the cost close to Kidd custom rifle territory.).

[Gun Kraft]

i use this for spotting distant object or ranging something difficult. only bummer is it is pot metal and small but heavy.
just to say i spend when it counts and save when i can.

Good stuff. It definitely wins when it comes to the price/value proposition. I did mention I've been guilty of overkill, right?

ok after way more time spent on this than I should have spent

Learning is fun. At least I think it's fun and as you saw there's a lot you can learn about the shooting sports. Learn about holdover, take an Appleseed class, join a local shooting club. Improve your skills and have fun doing it.

I have a cz 457 that is beastly fun and a 10/22 I got last year to add to the stable for a class.

I have four Savage MkII FVTs in Boyd At-One stocks that I use to teach students. Completely tangent to this thread, but I like the fact you can use iron sights (admittedly aperture sights) that are just as accurate as magnified optics at shorter ranges like 50 yds.

[jarhead714]

For 100 yards why not just get a fixed 25 power scope and then there is no need for a separate spotting glass?