Scope recomendations

[Icculus]

I'm looking for a reasonable priced, decent quality scope for a 22. I know this is an AR forum but I'm a newbie when it comes to glass and honestly I trust you guys' opinion more than the people over at rimfire central. Its for a small game/plinking Ruger 10/22. I'm no benchrest shooter with a need for 20x magnification to put rounds through the exact same hole or 200yd shots with .22. Basically if I can take a squirrel/rabbit's head off at say 25-75 yrds I'm golden. I'm thinking either 1-4x or maybe just a fixed 4x (unless you guys point me in a different direction). Also while I don't want to buy junk I'm not looking uber expensive, top teir either, which I guess rules out FFP (of course it wouldn't be an issue if I go fixed power anyway).

Thanks for the help and let me know if I need to provide some more details.

[Biggy]

Check out Sightron, Vortex and Bushnell elite 3200 and the Nikon Buckmaster scopes. If i want to shoot small groups at 50 yds i need at least 12X so i use a 4-12X AO power scope. My shooting eye corrected vision is only 20/40 and thats why i like the 4-12X AO scopes.

[kmrtnsn]

Primary Arms has a 1-4 that would probably be perfect for a .22., kinda a half price Millett DMS.

[Georgie Boy]

Bushnell .22 rimfire scope. They'll run you about $35 or so, come with rings, have a choice of 4x32 or 3-9x32, and oughta be able to find em damn near everywhere. You're not benchrest shooting with an anschutz, so like you said, you dont need a 20x scope. The Bushnell is plenty durable for the price and if things do get too hairy for it, you get a lifetime warranty from a reputable company.
(I've given a similar speech more than once at work)

[Lucky Strike]

I've got a Mueller APV 4-14x AO on my 10/22 bull barrel that i really like....may be a little pricey at $140 but i think it's worth it.

[Icculus]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Educate me a little bit. When I'm looking at some of these recommendations and its says something like parallax set at 60yds or 50yds or whatever; what exactly does that mean? As I understand it, on adjustable magnification scopes with a SFP reticle, if it has any kind of ranging marks or mil-dots they are only accurate at a specific zoom. What I don't understand is how this factory set parallax distance factors into the ranging/windage mark equation at various zoom powers Or does it have to do with eye relief somehow?

[Gutshot John]

Assuming you understand the general concept of parallax error(if you don't this won't make much sense). Basically parallax error means that changing how you look through the scope changes the POA. It's a lot easier to demonstrate than it is to explain. All optics (even RDSs) have a potential for parallax error. It is not a question of eye relief, SFP or FFP, all have to deal with parallax which has nothing to do with a specific zoom setting.

When they say parallax set at x distance means that inside of that distance you're ostensibly "parallax free" (no matter where your eye looks through the scope, the POA doesn't change though not even a RDS is truly parallax free, only so little that it doesn't make a difference - the greater the magnification on a scope, the greater the issue of parallax). Beyond that distance you have to adjust the parallax (assuming your scope has that feature) to compensate. According to Scott at Liberty Optics, adjustable parallax is not really necessary on scopes less than 10x.

Practically speaking think of it as the focus ring on an SLR camera lens. It's set in distance delineations out to infinity. Once you've ranged the target, select that distance on your adjustable parallax/focus knob to minimize parallax error.

[Icculus]

Gotcha I think. Was thinking about it all wrong. So its how POA changes based on if you're looking dead center through the optic vs your eye line being off by some angle high/low/side-2-side. Thank you

[DTHN2LGS]

What do you consider to be a reasonable price?

I would make sure that you buy a scope that is specifically made for Rimfire rifles. That will generally ensure the parallax is not a concern. AO (Adjustable Objective) scopes will allow you to set your parallax at the distance you shoot at the most.

To see/hit a squirrels head at 75 yds will take some magnification. I would also recommend at least 12 power.

[Icculus]

What do you consider to be a reasonable price?

I've actually been pondering that as I'm sitting here looking at various models, their features/specifics and their associated prices. Right now I guess I would say <$200 although I really want to say <$150. At that price point or below if I like it then great; it can be a functional starting point. But if I don't or somehow its problematic, less than durable, etc. then I won't feel out that much and can call it a learning-curve mistake without a huge penalty. Anything more than that I really start thinking "buy once, cry once"; just spend $600-1200 and get a super nice Accupoint, Leupold, NF, whatever. And then I'd have to build a new AR to put that on and I'm right back to needing a 10/22 scope and out a bunch of money

I would make sure that you buy a scope that is specifically made for Rimfire rifles. That will generally ensure the parallax is not a concern. AO (Adjustable Objective) scopes will allow you to set your parallax at the distance you shoot at the most.

To see/hit a squirrels head at 75 yds will take some magnification. I would also recommend at least 12 power.

I've looked at some of the rimfire specific models (Bushnell, Nikon, Vortex and few others). Most seem offered in 3x-9x or a fixed 4x. Also most of them seem to say parallax set at 50yds. Based on what I've learned here tonight that means anything under that no worries. Anything over that and I would need some parallax adjustment (if only a minute amount); something most of these lower priced models don't seem to offer. Of course as Gutshot mentioned less than 10x and adjustable parallax isn't really needed. I'm guessing this is what you mean buy rimfire models ensure parallax is not a concern. Still seems like something set to 100 or 75yds would be optimal.

As to how much magnification I want I've been thinking about that also. 12x has been recommended twice now. How much really equals what I'm envisioning in my mind's eye--7x, 9x, 12x--I'm not sure. The only real reference I have is I know what 1.5 and 3 inch bull's-eyes look like unmagnified through my T1 at 75yds and I'm just trying to picture that blown up to whatever power.

Here's a few I've been scoping out, pun intended

http://www.nikonhunting.com/riflesco...un-hunter.html
http://www.nikonhunting.com/riflesco...ff-3-9x40.html -- could maybe step up to the buckmaster but that's pushing the price barrier.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/...v-plex-reticle
http://www.bushnell.com/products/sco...52051380287E6& -- not sure much to be gained by the sportsman and the elite 3200 is again pushing the price barrier
http://www.opticsplanet.net/millett-...e-bk81002.html -- Cool but definitely screams at me, screw it get an Accupoint

Still looking at some other brands