Thread: What scope are you running on your .22?

I haven't used my .22 much in recent years but have just got a Leapers 3-12x44 compact for it. I chose this so I could have similar scope configurations on my centerfire, .22RF and airgun.

Thoughts on what we need in a .22 scope.

The role of the .22LR has been eroded from both ends.
Around town, small block hunting is now better done with a PCP airgun.
Open country, rabbits and hares beyond about 40m would be better with a .17HMR.
The subsonic .22LR with silencer is still best for short range shooting like spotlighting, specially for possums. And for target shooting, although again if you've got the money the PCP can do that too.

Requirements for a .22 scope
Parallax and close focus from 10-20m *****
Magnification 4-12x *****
Accuracy ****
Low to bore line ****
Optical quality ***
Hold zero ***
Low light ***
Ruggedness ***
Waterproofness ***
Dialability **

Why ?
The distinctive feature of hunting with a .22LR is the variety of close distances, so parallax and the capability to get image and crosshair in the same focus are specially important. This is one reason that fixed 4x work reasonably well. Leupold's special rimfire scopes have parallax set at a close distance like 70m ((as does the VX1 2-7).
The close ranges also mean that one is often holding over while the bullet rises to the sight line, so a low mounted scope will miminise this. A semi with inbuilt dovetail would have an advantage over the bolt action and specially the high throw CZ and Norinco copies. 32 mm is therefore better than 40 or 50mm and 25mm tube better than 30mm.
Targets are usually 2-3cm dia and at 50m that's quite small so good but not extreme accuracy is needed. A moderate mag like 12x is quite helpful for longer shots. There's not much need for very low powers like 3x because, with the small target sizes, there isn't much snap shooting with a .22LR.
A .22LR isn't used much in thick forest under canopy so high light gathering isn't as essential as for bush hunting deer. When spotlighting or indoor target shooting, there is usually enough light for a 32mm objective.
Because the .22 is mostly used on short expeditions near the car and ammo is cheap for resighting in, the highly prized abillities to hold zero and continue functioning through knocks, recoil, wetness and so on, although worthwhile, aren't so essential as they are for deer hunting in the mountains.
Out to the practical limits for hunting accuracy (50m), the trajectory is good enough that the shooter can hold over or under, but of course holdover hashes and mildots are a waste of space unless it's first focal plane.
Long range .22 target shooting would need dialing but for hunting it isn't often required.