Prof
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I just purchased a Ruger 10/22 and have a Weaver K-4 scope in the safe. Will that scope work on that rimfire rifle or will I have parallax problems? Thanks.
Ruger 10/22 scope question
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Prof
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Let me add to this: if this Weaver K-4 is not a good scope for a rimfire, what do you guys use on your 10/22's? Also, I notice that it comes with a "mount adapter". Does it also come with rings or do I need to buy those separately? Thanks!
Fumbler
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I can't find any specifications on the K4.
I assume it is parrallax corrected for 100-150 yards.
If this is the case then it won't be a good choice if you plan on shooting at short ranges.
Shooting small targets at half the distance that a scope is parallax set to can lead to problems.
A scope set to 100 yards can have as much as 2" of parallax error at 50 yards.
You can take a piece of graph paper and put it at 50 yards. Take a centerfire rifle scope (set to 100-150 yards) and look at the target. Move your eye (head) as far left as you can and still see the image. Make a note of where the crosshairs are then move your eye/head all the way to the right. That will show you how much parallax induced error there is.
2" at 50 yards isn't bad error for a deer hunting rifle because a deer's vitals are large. It is a problem for squirrel heads.
Realistically you wont get 2" of error because your head will be relatively close to being in the same spot, especially if you have a good fitting stock.
Marines are taught to always keep the image centered in the scope, the "black ring" will be the same width all the way around the image. If you can do this well then you shouldn't be too concerned with parallax.
I have a 10/22 and top it with a Simmons ATV 4.5-14x40mm A/O.
The adjustable objective is nice. I usually just set at the beginning of a hunting day it and forget about it. Some spots are real close in, so it gets set to 30 yards, in fields I set it to the average distance I expect to shoot at.
If you can get a rimfire scope (set to 50-75 yards parallax) or one with an adjustable objective then it would be a better choice.
The K4 would work fine for plinking, but since you haven't bought it yet you should look at different options.
Bushnell makes some scopes in their Banner, Legend, and Trophy lines that have AOs. I think they are pretty good scopes at pretty good prices.
I assume it is parrallax corrected for 100-150 yards.
If this is the case then it won't be a good choice if you plan on shooting at short ranges.
Shooting small targets at half the distance that a scope is parallax set to can lead to problems.
A scope set to 100 yards can have as much as 2" of parallax error at 50 yards.
You can take a piece of graph paper and put it at 50 yards. Take a centerfire rifle scope (set to 100-150 yards) and look at the target. Move your eye (head) as far left as you can and still see the image. Make a note of where the crosshairs are then move your eye/head all the way to the right. That will show you how much parallax induced error there is.
2" at 50 yards isn't bad error for a deer hunting rifle because a deer's vitals are large. It is a problem for squirrel heads.
Realistically you wont get 2" of error because your head will be relatively close to being in the same spot, especially if you have a good fitting stock.
Marines are taught to always keep the image centered in the scope, the "black ring" will be the same width all the way around the image. If you can do this well then you shouldn't be too concerned with parallax.
I have a 10/22 and top it with a Simmons ATV 4.5-14x40mm A/O.
The adjustable objective is nice. I usually just set at the beginning of a hunting day it and forget about it. Some spots are real close in, so it gets set to 30 yards, in fields I set it to the average distance I expect to shoot at.
If you can get a rimfire scope (set to 50-75 yards parallax) or one with an adjustable objective then it would be a better choice.
The K4 would work fine for plinking, but since you haven't bought it yet you should look at different options.
Bushnell makes some scopes in their Banner, Legend, and Trophy lines that have AOs. I think they are pretty good scopes at pretty good prices.
Prof
Member
Thanks, Fumbler, for that very informative and helpful response. I especially appreciate the information on parallax. That's the best explanation I've read! I'll take a look at some of the (specifically) rimfire scopes. I think I would like a fixed power for its simplicity on the carbine but I'll check out the variables as well.
Fumbler
Member
I forgot to mention...when you're looking at the target and move your head the crosshairs will actually move. So when I say there could be as much as 2" of error that means the cross hairs will move 1" to either side. It's a very surprising phenomenon.
I wish there were more fixed power options on the market.
A fixed 4x with adjustable objective would be nice.
Something else you may want to look into is getting a scope and having the manufacturer change the parallax.
Say for example you found a good deal on a used Leupold scope. You could ship it to them and they can change it for you. I believe they charge $15, so when it's all finished it will cost you probably around $20 more than what you paid. I know Leupold and Sightron do it, but not sure of the other manufacturers.
If you really like that K4 you could call Weaver up to see if they will do it and how much it would cost.
I wish there were more fixed power options on the market.
A fixed 4x with adjustable objective would be nice.
Something else you may want to look into is getting a scope and having the manufacturer change the parallax.
Say for example you found a good deal on a used Leupold scope. You could ship it to them and they can change it for you. I believe they charge $15, so when it's all finished it will cost you probably around $20 more than what you paid. I know Leupold and Sightron do it, but not sure of the other manufacturers.
If you really like that K4 you could call Weaver up to see if they will do it and how much it would cost.
I've used a Redfield 3-12x44 on my 10/22 for years and have not encountered any significant parallax problem. I have it mounted with a Leupold mount and rings. It may be more weight than someone wants for the average sporting 10/22, but I've found it to be very rugged and consistent. For experimental purposes I once tried a cheap old Bushnell 4x on the stock Ruger mount and my accuracy was terrible (I couldn't have done worse if I put tape on the iron sights and blindfolded myself). I have never used a Weaver, but I suspect the model you're looking at would be fine if you can maintain consistent eye placement. You might also check out some of the rimfire scopes that are set closer (50yds) to avoid the potential parallax problem. 4x is ideal for general .22 shooting - I usually only crank mine up to 8-12x for scanning a distant treeline, which is better done with binoculars (that I seem to leave in my bag more often than not).
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Prof
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Thank you all for your feedback! I have decided to stick with Weaver and have ordered the Weaver R4 scope which is for a rimfire and has the parallax set at 50 yards (which several of you recommended). Ordered the Millet rings to go with it. Now I have to wait to get the scope and the rifle and get out to the range to try it out!! 
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