Looking for a light weight scope for .22

TruthTellers · February 2, 2018, 12:28 PM

Gentleman, I'm looking at getting a Ruger Charger either today or this weekend and I want to get all my ducks in a row. The Charger doesn't come with iron sights, so an optic is needed and I prefer it be a scope even though at most I'll probably be shooting this at 50 or 100 yards at most.

My preference is to keep this as light weight as possible, but I'm not looking at getting something like the skinny Tasco or Barska rimfire scopes. I have a Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x scope on another .22 rifle and so far I like it, but I'd like to know what else is out there for scopes that weigh under a pound and are still decent holding zero for .22 LR.

Would like to keep price below $200 for the scope.

BTW, while the Charger is a pistol, it's basically a 10/22 and I plan to use this with a Sig brace off the shoulder kind of like a rifle and in the future, may SBR it.

Blindstitch · February 2, 2018, 12:56 PM

I would probably order something like a Nikon Prostaff if you like the 3-9x.
https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-ProStaf.../dp/B00SMX95IA

T. O'Heir · February 2, 2018, 01:15 PM

You're going to need a long eye relief handgun scope too. Not just a light weight .22 scope. The "below $200" is going to drastically reduce your options. Moreso if that's to include the rings.
The Bushnell Trophy 2-6x32mm is a 20" eye relief, handgun scope, weighing in at 11 ounces and runs $184.99 at Midway.

TruthTellers · February 2, 2018, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. O'Heir

You're going to need a long eye relief handgun scope too. Not just a light weight .22 scope. The "below $200" is going to drastically reduce your options. Moreso if that's to include the rings.
The Bushnell Trophy 2-6x32mm is a 20" eye relief, handgun scope, weighing in at 11 ounces and runs $184.99 at Midway.

Not planning to shoot as handgun with a long eye relief and if I do, I'll probably use the See All Open Sight.

But I'll think about that scope as I have on the long list T/C Encore pistols.

Blindstitch · February 2, 2018, 01:54 PM

edit.

OzeanJaeger · February 2, 2018, 02:06 PM

Less than 100 I'd go with a red dot.

TruthTellers · February 2, 2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzeanJaeger

Less than 100 I'd go with a red dot.

Can't, astigmatism is really bad in my shooting eye.

pete2 · February 3, 2018, 12:45 PM

A 2-7 VX1 is about right, very light weight compared to some. I just put a 1X Vortex prism scope on an AR because I have astigmatism. Note that AI could shoot good groups at 50 yards with the Bushnell TRS25 in spite of the astigmatism. The TRS has a very small red dot. No problem with the prism scope but it isn't light weight like the TRS. Vortex also sells a 3X prism scope. Also with the prism you have red, green and black. The black works w/o any power like a regular scope.

V-fib · February 5, 2018, 12:22 PM

TruthTellers, I have a ruger charger takedown and added a pistol brace that you can shoulder and don't have to register it as a SBR. The adapter is from https://coppercustom.com/index.php?r...roduct_id=1046 copper custom and it is fully explained and shown in use in the Youtube video “ruger charger brace yourself”. After I received the adapter from coppercustom I purchased a KAK https://www.kakindustry.com/ar-15-pa...-package-black shockwave pistol brace. Wow what a difference shooting the charger with the brace. At this time I have a reflex red dot sight on it but not happy with it so I'm going to get a UTG 3-9x32 bugbuster scope. I've seen many positive reviews on this scope and it doesn't break the bank. Also from the videos I've seen others mounting it to their regular 10/22 rifles had to replace the rail mount with a UTG tactical mount. I've not checked the rail that is on the charger yet to see if I have to order that with the scope.

jackstrawIII · February 5, 2018, 01:18 PM

I have a Simmons fixed 4x scope on my 22 bolt gun and love it. Very clear, and plenty of magnification for my needs.

lewwetzel · February 5, 2018, 01:39 PM

I have the Leupold 2-7 VX1 rimfire scope one my Charger. My brother put the Leupold pistol scope with the long eye relief on his. Like to think my way gives a bit more accuracy.

22-rimfire · February 5, 2018, 04:39 PM

Weaver 2.5-7x rimfire scope.... not sure what the price is now however. Great scope.

ThomasT · February 6, 2018, 09:02 PM

I have two of the Nikon Pro-Staff 4x power scopes on 22 rifles and am totally satisfied with them. They are set with a 50 yard paralax and when I bought them a few years ago they were right at the $100 mark. For just a little more I bought the same scope in 2x7 and it has a 75 yard paralax. Really good for a 22 or 22 mag and perfect for a PPC rifle like my Marlin Camp Carbine. Around $125 IIRC. I am guessing the weight to be around 12 ounces.

Sometimes you can find these refurbed at Natchez Shooters Supply for a few bucks off. They are not Leupold quality glass but for half or more of the price worth every cent I paid. I know one guy who has the 4x on a Marlin 44 mag rifle and has had no issues with recoil hurting the scope.

I have one of the Pro-Staff 3x9s on my 7x57 custom rifle. I like these scopes.

I am not real sure of what set up you are using so don't really know if these will work on a handgun. But I like the brand.

Tallest · February 7, 2018, 04:12 PM

I second the Leupold 2-7 VX rimfire - I have one on a Marlin Bolt 22lr, and it works really well! I think they're under $200 on Midway

Don Fischer · February 7, 2018, 06:37 PM

I'm not so sure you can buy a scope that can't stand up to a 22 LR! I'd go to the Bi Mart or Walmart and get the least expensive one they had. Actually If I were to get another 22 LR, no plans on that, I've got a very old Weaver K4 looking for a home.

Hawg · February 7, 2018, 06:58 PM

I've got a fixed 4 power Bushnell on my Marlin model 60 I paid 25.00 for at Walmart about 6 years ago. Zero hasn't moved and if it breaks tomorrow it was money well spent and I'll go buy another one just like it.

dgludwig · February 8, 2018, 12:45 PM

Quote:

I have two of the Nikon Pro-Staff 4x power scopes on 22 rifles and am totally satisfied with them. They are set with a 50 yard paralax and when I bought them a few years ago they were right at the $100 mark.

My choice too. I have one mounted on a Remington Model 504, .22 rf, bolt-action sporter and I like it a lot. I've always preferred scopes on any rifle to be as light and compact as practical (depending on the intended use) and especially so on a relatively petite, .22 rf sporter.

TruthTellers · February 15, 2018, 02:54 AM

Sootch00's latest video is about a Primary Arms Prism scope. I liked the reticle of them and was wondering do they have any scopes like this for .22 LR?

EDIT: Nvr mind, Primary Arms makes one and it's entirely too cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Primary-Arms-.../dp/B00WMYD4R8

February 2, 2018, 12:28 PM	#1
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	Looking for a light weight scope for .22 Gentleman, I'm looking at getting a Ruger Charger either today or this weekend and I want to get all my ducks in a row. The Charger doesn't come with iron sights, so an optic is needed and I prefer it be a scope even though at most I'll probably be shooting this at 50 or 100 yards at most. My preference is to keep this as light weight as possible, but I'm not looking at getting something like the skinny Tasco or Barska rimfire scopes. I have a Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x scope on another .22 rifle and so far I like it, but I'd like to know what else is out there for scopes that weigh under a pound and are still decent holding zero for .22 LR. Would like to keep price below $200 for the scope. BTW, while the Charger is a pistol, it's basically a 10/22 and I plan to use this with a Sig brace off the shoulder kind of like a rifle and in the future, may SBR it. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

February 2, 2018, 12:56 PM	#2
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,693	I would probably order something like a Nikon Prostaff if you like the 3-9x. https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-ProStaf.../dp/B00SMX95IA __________________ NRA Lifetime Member

February 2, 2018, 01:15 PM	#3
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	You're going to need a long eye relief handgun scope too. Not just a light weight .22 scope. The "below $200" is going to drastically reduce your options. Moreso if that's to include the rings. The Bushnell Trophy 2-6x32mm is a 20" eye relief, handgun scope, weighing in at 11 ounces and runs $184.99 at Midway. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 2, 2018, 01:54 PM	#5
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,693	edit. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member

February 5, 2018, 12:22 PM	#9
V-fib Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 253	TruthTellers, I have a ruger charger takedown and added a pistol brace that you can shoulder and don't have to register it as a SBR. The adapter is from https://coppercustom.com/index.php?r...roduct_id=1046 copper custom and it is fully explained and shown in use in the Youtube video “ruger charger brace yourself”. After I received the adapter from coppercustom I purchased a KAK https://www.kakindustry.com/ar-15-pa...-package-black shockwave pistol brace. Wow what a difference shooting the charger with the brace. At this time I have a reflex red dot sight on it but not happy with it so I'm going to get a UTG 3-9x32 bugbuster scope. I've seen many positive reviews on this scope and it doesn't break the bank. Also from the videos I've seen others mounting it to their regular 10/22 rifles had to replace the rail mount with a UTG tactical mount. I've not checked the rail that is on the charger yet to see if I have to order that with the scope. __________________ Livin in the woods...feelin mighty good.

February 2, 2018, 02:06 PM	#6
OzeanJaeger Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2014 Posts: 301	Less than 100 I'd go with a red dot.

February 3, 2018, 12:45 PM	#8
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	A 2-7 VX1 is about right, very light weight compared to some. I just put a 1X Vortex prism scope on an AR because I have astigmatism. Note that AI could shoot good groups at 50 yards with the Bushnell TRS25 in spite of the astigmatism. The TRS has a very small red dot. No problem with the prism scope but it isn't light weight like the TRS. Vortex also sells a 3X prism scope. Also with the prism you have red, green and black. The black works w/o any power like a regular scope.

February 5, 2018, 01:18 PM	#10
jackstrawIII Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2016 Location: Upstate NY. Posts: 901	I have a Simmons fixed 4x scope on my 22 bolt gun and love it. Very clear, and plenty of magnification for my needs. __________________ In God we trust.

February 5, 2018, 01:39 PM	#11
lewwetzel Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 105	I have the Leupold 2-7 VX1 rimfire scope one my Charger. My brother put the Leupold pistol scope with the long eye relief on his. Like to think my way gives a bit more accuracy.

February 5, 2018, 04:39 PM	#12
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	Weaver 2.5-7x rimfire scope.... not sure what the price is now however. Great scope.

February 6, 2018, 09:02 PM	#13
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	I have two of the Nikon Pro-Staff 4x power scopes on 22 rifles and am totally satisfied with them. They are set with a 50 yard paralax and when I bought them a few years ago they were right at the $100 mark. For just a little more I bought the same scope in 2x7 and it has a 75 yard paralax. Really good for a 22 or 22 mag and perfect for a PPC rifle like my Marlin Camp Carbine. Around $125 IIRC. I am guessing the weight to be around 12 ounces. Sometimes you can find these refurbed at Natchez Shooters Supply for a few bucks off. They are not Leupold quality glass but for half or more of the price worth every cent I paid. I know one guy who has the 4x on a Marlin 44 mag rifle and has had no issues with recoil hurting the scope. I have one of the Pro-Staff 3x9s on my 7x57 custom rifle. I like these scopes. I am not real sure of what set up you are using so don't really know if these will work on a handgun. But I like the brand. Last edited by ThomasT; February 6, 2018 at 09:10 PM.

February 7, 2018, 04:12 PM	#14
Tallest Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2016 Location: West of the Atlantic Posts: 418	I second the Leupold 2-7 VX rimfire - I have one on a Marlin Bolt 22lr, and it works really well! I think they're under $200 on Midway __________________ Matthew "All men are ignorant. The topics of our ignorance may vary, but the nature of the world is that no man may know everything." ~ R Jordan

February 7, 2018, 06:37 PM	#15
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	I'm not so sure you can buy a scope that can't stand up to a 22 LR! I'd go to the Bi Mart or Walmart and get the least expensive one they had. Actually If I were to get another 22 LR, no plans on that, I've got a very old Weaver K4 looking for a home.

February 7, 2018, 06:58 PM	#16
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	I've got a fixed 4 power Bushnell on my Marlin model 60 I paid 25.00 for at Walmart about 6 years ago. Zero hasn't moved and if it breaks tomorrow it was money well spent and I'll go buy another one just like it.

February 15, 2018, 02:54 AM	#18
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	Sootch00's latest video is about a Primary Arms Prism scope. I liked the reticle of them and was wondering do they have any scopes like this for .22 LR? EDIT: Nvr mind, Primary Arms makes one and it's entirely too cheap. https://www.amazon.com/Primary-Arms-.../dp/B00WMYD4R8 __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out." Last edited by TruthTellers; February 15, 2018 at 03:24 AM.