rimfire rifle scope recommendations

Joe Chicago · November 11, 2011, 10:05 PM

I am seeking a rimfire rifle scope that is not too expensive - say, around $100 - but is reasonably well made. I am avoiding the deep discount brands like BSA, Barska, etc. I bought a Simmons Mag22, and the elevation adjustment did not work, so that brand is out of the running.

Any recommendations? Has anyone used a Vortex Crossfire or Nikon Prostaff scope

GURU1911 · November 12, 2011, 11:08 AM

I recently purchased a 1" diameter fixed power 4x32 "gamo" high-power air rifle scope from a bass pro store. It came with rings & a dove-tail base to fit the 3/8" receiver railed top on my marlin rifle. Price was less than $50.00.

Install & sight-in @ 25 yards was quick & easy. Adjustments are steel-on-steel and could be heard & felt. Btw: 16 clicks equals 1" of adjustment @ 25 yards.

Optics very clear. Scope adjustments held zero perfectly. Needless to say, i was shocked at the performance considering how little i paid.

Guru1911

g.willikers · November 12, 2011, 05:25 PM

Yeah, airgun scopes, especially those designed for spring guns, are mighty tough.
More so than many marketed for firearms.
And they will focus much closer, too, often to ten yards.
Good choices for any rifle.

Vortexyz · November 12, 2011, 07:47 PM

I know you said you want to avoid the cheap scopes, but I put a Centerpoint 3-9x32mm on my Marlin Model 60 and the thing has been absolutely fantastic. Optics are clear, holds zero just fine, and the adjustments are good. It also has an illuminated reticule if you're into that.
Bought it for 50 bucks from Dick's and the thing has helped me take a lot of squirrels in the past couple years. I had a friend get one on my recommendation and he loved his too.

You might want to give it a try.

Good luck in your search!

ozarkrecluse · November 13, 2011, 04:31 AM

I'd go with the Mueller APV. http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Muel...mapv451440.htm

Check on rimfirecentral.com . It's probably the most recommended scope for .22's. If you're going to be target shooting at all the AO function comes in very handy.

Poodleshooter · November 14, 2011, 11:33 AM

I'm using a 4-12x 40mm AO Vortex Crossfire that I picked up for $100 at SWFA.
It's an ok scope. The turrets are a bit too tall, but the adjustments seem consistent. Glass is ok. Far better than Simmons,anyway.

Some other nice rimfire scopes around $100: the rimfire 4x Nikon Prostaff, the Sightron S1 3-9x 32mm rimfire model, the Muellers, and the Weaver 4x and 2-7x scopes. All are around $100-$130.

south.texas.dead.I · November 14, 2011, 11:53 AM

BSA sweet series got mine for about 75.00 I love it

Tapatalk ya

603Country · November 14, 2011, 04:26 PM

For a couple of years I had BSA 4 power scopes (Walmart) on two 22 rimfires and had no problems at all. Seems like I paid less than $30 each. I bought the first one because I needed a scope and was in a hurry, and I bought the second one because I liked the first one. I've since replaced them, but not because of any problems.

chineseboxer · November 21, 2011, 04:53 AM

Centerpoint 3-9...$66.00 at Wally World. Great optic for the money.

Nathan · November 21, 2011, 05:09 AM

I bought the Vortex Crossfire 8-32 x 50 mm. We'll see if it is good enough.

Irishbandit · December 19, 2011, 10:04 PM

Well I use a Leapers scope on my Air Rifle and my .22 ..i just transfer it to one or the other depending on where I'm shooting and what I'm hunting for.

About $70

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Leaper...nny_Rings/3695

Mannlicher · December 29, 2011, 04:47 PM

for plinking, anything will do. I hunt with my .22 rimfire rifles, and use the Leupold Rimfire 2-7X scopes.

langenc · December 29, 2011, 05:24 PM

Lots of lower cost scopes out there.

Remember--by once, cry once-buy twice, cry twice.

Buy a better scope and you will have it for life.

November 11, 2011, 10:05 PM	#1
Joe Chicago Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2011 Location: Chicago area Posts: 277	rimfire rifle scope recommendations I am seeking a rimfire rifle scope that is not too expensive - say, around $100 - but is reasonably well made. I am avoiding the deep discount brands like BSA, Barska, etc. I bought a Simmons Mag22, and the elevation adjustment did not work, so that brand is out of the running. Any recommendations? Has anyone used a Vortex Crossfire or Nikon Prostaff scope

November 12, 2011, 11:08 AM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Scope recommendation I recently purchased a 1" diameter fixed power 4x32 "gamo" high-power air rifle scope from a bass pro store. It came with rings & a dove-tail base to fit the 3/8" receiver railed top on my marlin rifle. Price was less than $50.00. Install & sight-in @ 25 yards was quick & easy. Adjustments are steel-on-steel and could be heard & felt. Btw: 16 clicks equals 1" of adjustment @ 25 yards. Optics very clear. Scope adjustments held zero perfectly. Needless to say, i was shocked at the performance considering how little i paid. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

November 12, 2011, 05:25 PM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Yeah, airgun scopes, especially those designed for spring guns, are mighty tough. More so than many marketed for firearms. And they will focus much closer, too, often to ten yards. Good choices for any rifle. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

December 29, 2011, 04:47 PM	#12
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	for plinking, anything will do. I hunt with my .22 rimfire rifles, and use the Leupold Rimfire 2-7X scopes. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

November 12, 2011, 07:47 PM	#4
Vortexyz Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 89	I know you said you want to avoid the cheap scopes, but I put a Centerpoint 3-9x32mm on my Marlin Model 60 and the thing has been absolutely fantastic. Optics are clear, holds zero just fine, and the adjustments are good. It also has an illuminated reticule if you're into that. Bought it for 50 bucks from Dick's and the thing has helped me take a lot of squirrels in the past couple years. I had a friend get one on my recommendation and he loved his too. You might want to give it a try. Good luck in your search!

November 13, 2011, 04:31 AM	#5
ozarkrecluse Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Location: In the hills near Ozark, AR Posts: 151	I'd go with the Mueller APV. http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Muel...mapv451440.htm Check on rimfirecentral.com . It's probably the most recommended scope for .22's. If you're going to be target shooting at all the AO function comes in very handy.

November 14, 2011, 11:33 AM	#6
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	I'm using a 4-12x 40mm AO Vortex Crossfire that I picked up for $100 at SWFA. It's an ok scope. The turrets are a bit too tall, but the adjustments seem consistent. Glass is ok. Far better than Simmons,anyway. Some other nice rimfire scopes around $100: the rimfire 4x Nikon Prostaff, the Sightron S1 3-9x 32mm rimfire model, the Muellers, and the Weaver 4x and 2-7x scopes. All are around $100-$130.

November 14, 2011, 11:53 AM	#7
south.texas.dead.I Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Posts: 282	BSA sweet series got mine for about 75.00 I love it Tapatalk ya

November 14, 2011, 04:26 PM	#8
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	For a couple of years I had BSA 4 power scopes (Walmart) on two 22 rimfires and had no problems at all. Seems like I paid less than $30 each. I bought the first one because I needed a scope and was in a hurry, and I bought the second one because I liked the first one. I've since replaced them, but not because of any problems.

November 21, 2011, 04:53 AM	#9
chineseboxer Junior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Posts: 12	Centerpoint 3-9...$66.00 at Wally World. Great optic for the money.

November 21, 2011, 05:09 AM	#10
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	I bought the Vortex Crossfire 8-32 x 50 mm. We'll see if it is good enough.

December 19, 2011, 10:04 PM	#11
Irishbandit Junior Member Join Date: December 19, 2011 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 3	Well I use a Leapers scope on my Air Rifle and my .22 ..i just transfer it to one or the other depending on where I'm shooting and what I'm hunting for. About $70 http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Leaper...nny_Rings/3695

December 29, 2011, 05:24 PM	#13
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	Lots of lower cost scopes out there. Remember--by once, cry once-buy twice, cry twice. Buy a better scope and you will have it for life.