Optics: how much is too much?

[Paolung]

I picked up a 10/22 with a 6-18xx40mm scope on it.

Now, I doubt I'll get a lot of use out of a power that high with 22LR, but what about my 22WMR?

Put another way - how much scope is too much?

Some say 2-7 is plenty for rimfire. That makes sense to me for 22LR and plinking, but WMR (and especially .17) have more legs on them.

What do you all think? Is there a point at which you're thinking, "too much scope"?

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[Knobgoblin]

I picked up a 10/22 with a 6-18xx40mm scope on it.

Now, I doubt I'll get a lot of use out of a powerr that high with 22LR, but what about my 22WMR?

Put another way - how much scope is too much?

Some say 2-7 is plenty for rimfire. That makes sense to me for 22LR and plinking, but WMR (and especially .17) have more legs on them.

What do you all think? Is there a point at which you're thinking, "too much scope"?

I see similar on nice pellet rifles.

Tiny groups on small targets.

 

[Knobgoblin]

10/22 seems better served with something lighter and quicker to acquire sight picture. Unless it's a benchrest build.
What stock, and what barrel profile?

 

[Paolung]

Right now it's a wooden stock, but it's got a Green Mountain ss bull barrel and TM receiver, so it looks like whomever had it was looking toward tightening up the groups.

I'm guessing some trigger work was done too, or it's got a custom trigger- the pull is pretty light and has practically zero creep.

 

[User 1234]

Just keep it set on 6 power. If you want to hunt squirrels you can always turn it up.

 

[Paolung]

Yeah, I'm thinking to put the Vortex 2-7 on this 10/22 and move the 6-18 over to my Marlin 25MN

 

[Hueco]

Depends what you're using the rifle for. Some people go for tiny groups at 100 yards. Others, still, like to push 200 - 400 yards. If that's your game then the more magnification, the better.

Casual plinking or hunting? Doesn't seem as necessary for that much reach in the optic.

 

[Knobgoblin]

Yeah, I'm thinking to put the Vortex 2-7 on this 10/22 and move the 6-18 over to my Marlin 25MN

You been running open sights on the Marlin?

I picked up a magazine fed Marlin bolt action in 22mag that had one of those monster scopes on it . I pulled it due mainly to the "see through (under) " rings. I will try open sights and if stock comb height isn't a factor, I don't think it's getting a scope at all.

 

[Mark W.]

I have a Mueller 4.5-14X -40mm scope on my Savage MKII FVT that I shoot both target and sage rats with. I find the 14X quite nice on a quarter sized target at 200 yards.

 

[solv3nt]

Before I sold my Kidd 10/22, I was contemplating a Nightforce for it. It's a good thing I sold it

 

[American123]

How something will be used, or is intended to be used, will dictate how it should be set up.

 

[Koda]

I picked up a 10/22 with a 6-18xx40mm scope on it.

Now, I doubt I'll get a lot of use out of a power that high with 22LR, but what about my 22WMR?

Put another way - how much scope is too much?

Some say 2-7 is plenty for rimfire. That makes sense to me for 22LR and plinking, but WMR (and especially .17) have more legs on them.

What do you all think? Is there a point at which you're thinking, "too much scope"?

This is subjective, for me 6x starting out is too high for a plinker/squirrel gun but if someone was a competition shooter with it then why not? Thing with 6x as the low end is the field of view is probably going to be too small for easy plinking or squirrel hunting. To me a scopes power should fit the application of the caliber, competition is a different thing. If you just want a plinker then get a different scope, if you want to compete with it then keep it as is. My guess is you could sell that 6-18 used for enough to buy a quality plinking scope for it.

 

[Knobgoblin]

King of the cheap rimfire scopes, IMO

 

[Nosferatu]

A fixed 6x is all you need for anything.

 

[Paolung]

This is subjective, for me 6x starting out is too high for a plinker/squirrel gun but if someone was a competition shooter with it then why not? Thing with 6x as the low end is the field of view is probably going to be too small for easy plinking or squirrel hunting. To me a scopes power should fit the application of the caliber, competition is a different thing. If you just want a plinker then get a different scope, if you want to compete with it then keep it as is. My guess is you could sell that 6-18 used for enough to buy a quality plinking scope for it.

Yeah, I put the Vortex 2-7 on the 10/22... not planning on competing with it, but if that changes in the future, I know what will go on it. For now, just gonna use it to shoot between 50-75 yards - maybe 100 occasionally.

Also not planning on competing with the Marlin WMR, but 6x seemed too high for a rifle I plan on using to shoot living things.

Will sell/trade the 6-18 for a 4-12 / 4-16ish one instead.

 

[Ridge Walker]

10-22 Take-Down for general household use by kids and grandkids we have setup with UTG 3-12x32 BugBuster. Personal hunting 10-22 is a TD with a Volquerson CF in a Magpul Hunter X-22 chassis topped with 4x16x44 Riton.

Guess the answer is it depends on who and what it's for.

Edit- Or other needs. Just removed it for the wife's 308. Replaced it with a 3x12 Sightron.

 

[Koda]

Yeah, I put the Vortex 2-7 on the 10/22... not planning on competing with it, but if that changes in the future, I know what will go on it. For now, just gonna use it to shoot between 50-75 yards - maybe 100 occasionally.

Also not planning on competing with the Marlin WMR, but 6x seemed too high for a rifle I plan on using to shoot living things.

Will sell/trade the 6-18 for a 4-12 / 4-16ish one instead.

I have a 4-12 on my 10/22 but that's only because I got it for free and didn't have another rifle needing it. I don't shoot competition but occasionally use mine for grouse hunting... to me the 22lr is an under 100yd gun for very small game. Ideally Id put a 2-7 or therabouts on it like the Vortex you mentioned, other than the gun range I dont think I ever go above 7x for the grouse hunting ive done I dont think Ive ever needed more than 4x actually. Whats interesting is I put a Green Mountain bull barrel on it when I first got it, no idea if it makes a difference but it looks cooler. it holds a really good group for me.

 

[Cerberus Group]

I've got a Remington 541-T, put a Leupold Vari-X 3 4.5-14x40 on it. Can dial it wherever I need it...covers about anything I'd use it for.

 

[WAYNO]

Even on a .22LR, seeing the tiniest eye peeking back in the alfalfa fields, or seeing the tiniest fly on the target board at 50 yards, I very much appreciate high power scopes. There is no too-much power.




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[Pahonix]

Riton 2-7 x 32 on my savage FVSR
Vortex 4-16 x 50 on my savage B22

I really like the vortex on my B22 but keep it at 10x when shooting up to 100. Very clear glass.