Looking to scope my 10/22, fixed or variable?

These days, not really. One is pretty much just as tough as the other. The only thing to look at with variable scopes is eye relief changes, which can be a pain at higher magnifications. I personally prefer fixed powers with mil-dots.

I like the versatility of the variable power scopes. The Simmons 3-9X40MM with AO is under $100 and will hold up to the 22 lr. My variable Nikon on the 308LR has held up for 500 rounds and will go for a lot longer. Now all that being said, the 22 lr is in my opinion a short range practice round and does lend itself to a fix power scope. The 308 has a much extended range and can benefit from a vaiable power scope. I just like to have options on all my guns.

If I was just going to use it for hunting I would get a 4x fixed.

If I was going to just shoot paper at the same distance I would get a fixed for that distance.

If I was going to do both I would get a varible. It will be a jack of all trades, but a master of none.

The .22 that I shoot the most, in a non match format, is my 10/22. I shoot it from 50 yards on out, with the max so far being about 300 yards, so I went for a variable 6-24X.

As far as reliability goes, I'd have to say that these days, the variables don't give much up to the fixed models.

Sounds like good answers to your question. I think i have 4 of these now, that i've put on about all of my 22's. A bit expensive, but i've never gone wanting for about anything else really--

http://www.rapidreticle.com/Main/ScopeItem.aspx?ID=5&grpID=5

It also comes with a very low profile target turret which when properly set up will net you about 100+ MOA of trajectory flexibility.

For hunting and general purpose use, it's hard to beat a good 4x. Save the higher magnification scopes and big A/O's for target work.

I prefer variable and unless you plan to spend more money on the scope than you did on the gun (which if you can / want to by all means go ahead I'm not arguing that point) its hard to beat Centerpoint's (Leapers). They have many different models I would probably look at a 4-14x or possibly 6-24x with paralex adjustment.

For $45 you can get a Simmons 4x at Cabelas. Works fine for me. $10 bucks more and you can get the 3-9x. Both get good reviews.

For what it's worth, I've had several cheap scopes go belly-up mounted on .22's. For that reason, I can't recommend anything cheaper than a $100-$150 Weaver or Nikon.

I run the Simmons 3-9x AO 22mag scope on my Savage MkII. Its a great 22 scope IMO. I have it zeroed @50 but shoot @100 and the holdover works out perfectly with their reticle. I think they call it Truplex or something like that. Check it out.

There is nothing wrong with a fixed scope. But there is no downside to a good variable. They provide a lot more versatility, and don't cost enough more to matter, plus if you ever decide to sell it you will find a variable easier to sell and for more money.

A 2-7X covers anything you will ever need a 22 to do.

Here's another vote for the 2-7x variable for a 22. My 10/22 is basically a plinker/small game (mostly squirrels) gun. Back in 1999 I put a 2-7x 32mm BSA on it cause I didn't want to spend bigger bucks on a Leupold, even though all my serious hunting/target optics are Leupolds. Was gonna upgrade to a Leupold when the BSA fell apart or I got sick of it. But it's still on there and going strong after 13 years. It works well for what I do with it and the optics are good even if they aren't as good as the pricier stuff. So as long as I'm happy with it then it'll stay on that gun. Nowadays the only 2-7x 32mm BSA's I see that look like mine are the ones advertised as air gun scopes, but I'm sure they would hold up well on a 10/22 and would be easy on the wallet.

I have always liked a quality 4X scope on my .22's. Works very well for both hunting and casual target shooting.

I agree on the 4X scopes. I have a couple Tasco World Class Plus 4X44 scopes, one on my .22 Ruger. These are pretty good scopes, wish I had gotten a couple extras back then. This power is fine for plinkin' and gettin' a squirrel or two. But, check out what your buddies are using and try them, too. The 10/22 has decent iron sights, IMO, may be all you want..

There is less to go wrong with a fixed power scope, especially at the lower end of the scale.

But I have had a Simmons 6-20 X 40 that has worked reliably for years and at the ranges you shoot a .22 at its excellent. It was $80 new.

I had it mounted on a .17hmr and it was a great match for that caliber.

I'd skip the budget scopes and buy once. A Leupold 2-7 rimfire is about 200 bucks.

I've had real good luck with the little BSA .22 fixed 4X, If you want to spend more money you can get the the Nikon prostaff fixed 4X or 3x9x40

i have no direct experience with 4x32 rimfire, but nikon makes a nice scope, and is comparable to leupold on most levels.

Is this a standard or target barreled rifle.

My nosy answer is to buy a nice scope for around $100 or less and buy a couple of bricks of good ammo, and go shoot the heck out of it. Trigger time will go a lot further than anything else. Deliberate shots, rapid fire is fun, but you don't learn much.

That set-up will out shoot you for some time.

I get more smiles out of hitting my target than showing off my shiny rifle.

Try walnut sized targets at 25 yards, without a bench rest!

Consider a scope with thin cross hairs, I had a 3-9X scope on my 10/22 and the cross hairs would cover a squirrels head at 25-30 yards.

Happy shooting!

Nikon equal to Leupold? I would say not unless you are taking absolute top Nikon and comparing to bottom line Leupold. But this is just my opinion YMMV.

A Leupold 2-7 rimfire is about 200 bucks.

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And is really a lot of scope for the money.

I would say not unless you are taking absolute top Nikon and comparing to bottom line Leupold.

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I have no experience with a high end Nikon but would definitely say the Leupold rimfire scopes are better than the Nikon rimfire scopes.