Alphecca: Plinker Scopes

July 24, 2005

Plinker Scopes

The New York Times sports section has a Q & A on rifle scopes today... Nah, I'm just jazzing you. Actually, it's the Macon Telegraph:

QUESTION: I have recently acquired two rifles. One is a Kimber bolt action in .22-caliber long rifle. The other is a Ruger bolt action in HMR-17. I (like you) am an accuracy nut. What are the best scopes I can put on these rifles without spending a fortune? I would like to spend no more than $300 on the two.

ANSWER: The Kimber is one of the most accurate rifles one can have in .22 long rifle. Still, even with its inherent accuracy it has its practical limitations, which to me is a 75 yard maximum effective range. Parallax (optical error) is a consideration with a .22 long rifle. Big game scopes have parallax set from 100 to 150 yards. This would create error potential in the shorter range of the Kimber. I would suggest a 3x9 variable scope on which the parallax has been set at the factory for 50 yards. These are available at sporting goods stores as well as in catalogs such as Cabelas and Redhead, at a price under $70.

Don't trust the store clerk on the 50 yard parallax setting; make him show it to you on the box.

The HMR-17 is even more accurate than the Kimber and is practical out to 150 yards, thus a scope with a 50 yard parallax setting is inadequate. For this rifle I would recommend a scope with an adjustable objective (AO) lens so that you can dial in your shooting range, thereby eliminating parallax error.

There are several economical scopes with this feature, but I have always been partial to Bushnell because of quality and warranty. The Bushnell Banner is available in a 4x12 variable with adjustable objective. It has a 40 millimeter forward lens and will fit most (not all) standard rings. There is also a 6x18 and a 6x24 available but these have a 50 millimeter lens and require high rings.

For target shooting, I would recommend the 6x24. For practical field shooting, I would opt for the 4x12. These two scopes will keep you well within your budget.

I have a very simple 4X Bushnell on my 10/22 that fit my even more limited budget but for .22 that's all I need.

Posted by Jeff Soyer at July 24, 2005 09:27 AM

Comments

My 10/22 came with a cheap ass Tasco scope that I hated. Ended up giving it to my father in law - and he loves it. TO replace it, I ordered a 4x12 Bushnell Rimfire scope (with rings) from Natchezz SS on clearance for $20 or so. Its great - clarity, accuracy, light, etc. An all around best buy I've ever made.

Posted by: countertop at July 25, 2005 01:56 PM

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July 24, 2005

Plinker Scopes

By Golly, you're reading an archived post. Click Here to head to the main page and read current stuff...

Check it out:

My group sci-fi blog novel:

Colony: Alchibah