New 10/22 scope. Overkill... maybe.

[hq]

Is there such a thing as overkill with scopes? A "too" good scope is a great way to bring out the best in your rifle. I've had a bunch of scopes on my fully suppressed 10/22 and settled for a Bushnell Trophy series 3-9x40, just because it's as good as anything the rifle can do.

Just to follow the trend to add a picture, here it is in its 2008 configuration with a Redfield Five Star scope. And by the way, its current silver Bushnell with stainless rings looks quite a bit better.

 

[CraigC]

Is there such a thing as overkill with scopes?

Of course! You don't want a 6-18x on your dangerous game rifle anymore than you want a 1-4x on your prairie dog rifle. Same here, a big variable will help you get the most out of an accurized 10/22 but on a stock carbine it's unnecessary bulk and weight. You can find out just how well it will shoot with iron sights or a lightweight 4x.

 

[hq]

Of course! You don't want a 6-18x on your dangerous game rifle

Ok. Sorry about that. That wasn't what I really ment. Dangerous game, driven hunts and other occasions that require low magnification, fast and accurate shots with wide field of view call for a very different kind of scope, but all in all I ment the overall quality of optics. For a range gun it's hard to overdo even magnification, but I really don't have a problem installing a $1k scope on a $200 rifle, just to see what the rifle itself is capable of given the optimal conditions.

 

[CraigC]

I say go for all the quality you can afford, regardless of what it's going on.

I was referring to the size/magnification. I don't think the brand/price point was ever mentioned.

 

[SwampWolf]

I'm no doubt in the minority here but, when scoping any hunting rifle, I want the scope to be as light and compact as practical. "Overkill" in this context has to do with size and weight, not quality or, necessarily, magnification. Any scope will rob the handling characteristic of any rifle to one degree or another but especially when a large, bulky and heavy scope is attached to a light and smallish rifle and particularly when the comb height is more appropriate for irons than glass.

 

[hq]

I wouldn't imagine a .22 being too common as a dangerous game rifle if it all boils down to just size and magnification...

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Hey, look at the bright side!

The scope bite you're likely to receive (I would) will actually be a scope nibble or at worst "love bite" given the caliber.

Todd.

 

[macgrumpy]

Within the context of the original post, no, you can't have too much scope - if that's what you want. The conversation isn't about taking dangerous game or any other situation other than shooting a simple .22 carbine at targets, cans, and possibly small varmints.

A high powered scope on any rifle will help with your precision because you can aim more precisely. While that little 10-22 isn't all that accurate the scope will help the shooter be as accurate as he can be. Three factors affect the accuracy and precision of bullet impacts; the rifle, the ammo, and the shooter. To get the best performance you need to adjust the error out of each, that scope might not eliminate the inerrant inaccuracy of the rifle but it will definitely help remove some of the shooter's.

 

[CraigC]

The conversation isn't about taking dangerous game or any other situation other than shooting a simple .22 carbine at targets, cans, and possibly small varmints.

It's about selecting the right tool for the job.

 

[CB900F]

Plink&hunt;

Whether or not the scope is too high depends on you & your build. If you bring the gun to shoulder & your eye is lined right up with the scope, you don't see any black crescents in the glass, it's good for you. OTOH, you may need to make some adjustments, but that's common & nothing to obsess over.

I do a lot of small varmint shooting & use a 3.3-10X on my primary gun for that. I also have higher powered scopes on other .22lr's. I don't think you're out of line with what you have; again, what works for you.

I'll also note that with proper ammo testing, I've found some bone-stock 10/22's to be surprisingly accurate when fed what they like. Have fun with your gun!

900F

 

[Offfhand]

Quoted from above post.
"It's about selecting the right tool for the job."

Here an example of right tool for the job, a 6.5-20X Xeiss scope mounted on my Ruger 10/22. It doesn't get much better than this. The side focus makes focusing fast and accurate at .22 RF ranges.

 

[Plink&Hunt]

yeah I'm not too picky with where I put my cheek. It lines up pretty nicely.

 

[bluzman]

My CZ 455 Trainer with a 3-9x32mm AO scope