In the sprit of the “Cheap pistol scope thread,” I’d like opinions on cheap rimfire rifle scopes.
I bought my Marlin 60 used from the original owner 25 years ago with the factory option 4x scope. The crosshairs came loose and started rotating. I broke them trying to fix. At that time, you could only get a factory scope thru a gun store, so they were too expensive (and internet wasn’t what it is today). Since I paid $50 for the rifle, I have always balked at spending more than next to nothing on a scope for it.
But I’m trying to move forward.
What can I get for under $100 that will fit the dinky (5/8”? 3/4”?) standard rings?
I plink and aspire to squirrel hunt before I die.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
3Haven't owned it long enough to offer a really-informed opinion, but I bought a Cabela's 3.9-40 Rimfire for $79 for my Marlin XT. I think they also had a 4x-32 for $49. They do a 5% military discount if that applies. It seems pretty well-made.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
4BSA does an admirable job for well under $100.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/bsa-22-tar ... 39x32.html
https://www.opticsplanet.com/bsa-22-tar ... 39x32.html
LGC Texas - Vice President
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
5Yeah, just remember, it's a 22. You're not going to go much beyond 100 yards very often with it, and recoil is limited, so getting something that is overkill is pretty pointless. I went with the Primary Arms 1-4x, I think it was $120 or so? But yeah, the BSA would probably be fine.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
6If you are going to get a variable power scope I think getting the best you can afford is the way to go. they aren't worth it if they wont hold a good zero when being adjusted. Plus at the high magnification the fish eye blur will get much bigger while the sight picture gets smaller. For a 22 rifle that is not a precision target piece personally I would buy a fixed power scope. preferably 2.5 power.
Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
7I just picked up a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 today for $99. Nice, bright image and good focus across the field. I have not shot with it yet but I like the size on one of my lightweight Kidd 10/22s.
If anyone is interested, I have two scopes that I don’t need. Both were only mounted on .22 LR rifles and both are in good condition with a few minor scratches.
1. Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14X40, variable focus, BDC reticle.
2. Mueller APV 4.5-14X40, variable focus
Will sell either or both. Make me an offer.
If anyone is interested, I have two scopes that I don’t need. Both were only mounted on .22 LR rifles and both are in good condition with a few minor scratches.
1. Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14X40, variable focus, BDC reticle.
2. Mueller APV 4.5-14X40, variable focus
Will sell either or both. Make me an offer.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
10That Mueller APV is a lot a bang for the buck.
Be sure to make good choices when you're being stupid...
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
11Yes, they are nice scopes and great value. I have a couple more on other rifles. My only complaint is that the crosshairs are a little thick.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
12I’m mounting my scope and the included rings look like they’re too chunky to fit the dovetails on the rifle. Does this look right?
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
13It’s hard to tell from your images but, assuming they are tight on the dovetail and there is no wiggle, they should be okay.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
15you should stop by the intro post section and tell us something about yourself, like what you like to shoot.
i'm retired. what's your excuse?
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
17I’m also looking for a budget rimfire(22lr) scope, for a gift for my father. He has a cheap scope on his squirrel rifle that doesn’t have adjustable parallax and that frustrates him. I haven’t hunted in 25 years and don’t know much about this stuff. We don’t want to spend too much because he is cheap and would probably get mad if we got him something even moderately high end.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
18This is what I have on my Ruger Takedown Lite. It’s less than $100 and good enough to earn an Appleseed Rifleman patch. The front objective lens can be adjusted to be parallax-free from 3ft to infinity.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UGIMNQ/re ... UFbX1F91VH
As a bonus:
- 3-9x adjustable
- Sealed & nitrogen filled (fog proof)
- 1/4 MOA click adjustment
- Illuminated crosshairs with adjustable brightness
- QD scope mount included
Obviously not the best glass in the industry, but a real good value for the money.
Because it’s small it doesn’t look ungainly on a .22LR rifle.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UGIMNQ/re ... UFbX1F91VH
As a bonus:
- 3-9x adjustable
- Sealed & nitrogen filled (fog proof)
- 1/4 MOA click adjustment
- Illuminated crosshairs with adjustable brightness
- QD scope mount included
Obviously not the best glass in the industry, but a real good value for the money.
Because it’s small it doesn’t look ungainly on a .22LR rifle.
Glad that federal government is boring again.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
19So it’s not marketed specifically as a rimfire scope but it works okay in that application? My dad’s main issue with the scope he has now is that it’s blurry at closer distances, how is this one for shots at 10 to 20 yards?Stiff wrote: Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:34 pm This is what I have on my Ruger Takedown Lite. It’s less than $100 and good enough to earn an Appleseed Rifleman patch. The front objective lens can be adjusted to be parallax-free from 3ft to infinity.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UGIMNQ/re ... UFbX1F91VH
As a bonus:
- 3-9x adjustable
- Sealed & nitrogen filled (fog proof)
- 1/4 MOA click adjustment
- Illuminated crosshairs with adjustable brightness
- QD scope mount included
Obviously not the best glass in the industry, but a real good value for the money.
Because it’s small it doesn’t look ungainly on a .22LR rifle.
7653FAB9-928F-4CB2-8A61-9232205E80C5.jpeg
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
20It has an adjustable front lens, I can focus it to as close as 3’ or 1 yard, ridiculous as it sounds. Appleseed targets are set 25 meters out, and they look sharp when I adjust the objective lens accordingly. My local indoor range is roughly 20 yards max, and it works fine.UncleJon wrote: Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:34 pmSo it’s not marketed specifically as a rimfire scope but it works okay in that application? My dad’s main issue with the scope he has now is that it’s blurry at closer distances, how is this one for shots at 10 to 20 yards?Stiff wrote: Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:34 pm This is what I have on my Ruger Takedown Lite. It’s less than $100 and good enough to earn an Appleseed Rifleman patch. The front objective lens can be adjusted to be parallax-free from 3ft to infinity.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UGIMNQ/re ... UFbX1F91VH
As a bonus:
- 3-9x adjustable
- Sealed & nitrogen filled (fog proof)
- 1/4 MOA click adjustment
- Illuminated crosshairs with adjustable brightness
- QD scope mount included
Obviously not the best glass in the industry, but a real good value for the money.
Because it’s small it doesn’t look ungainly on a .22LR rifle.
7653FAB9-928F-4CB2-8A61-9232205E80C5.jpeg
It basically has 6 controls: Elevation, windage, illumination, parallax (front lens), focus (rear lens), and magnification.
The front lens is adjustable for target distance, the rear lens is adjustable to compensate for a near sighted or far sighted eye.
Last edited by Stiff on Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Glad that federal government is boring again.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
21Awesome thank you! I’m buying one.Stiff wrote: Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:35 pmIt has an adjustable front lens, I can focus it to as close as 3’ or 1 yard, ridiculous as it sounds. Appleseed targets are set 25 meters out, and they look sharp when I adjust the objective lens accordingly. My local indoor range is roughly 20 yards max, and it works fine.UncleJon wrote: Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:34 pmSo it’s not marketed specifically as a rimfire scope but it works okay in that application? My dad’s main issue with the scope he has now is that it’s blurry at closer distances, how is this one for shots at 10 to 20 yards?Stiff wrote: Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:34 pm This is what I have on my Ruger Takedown Lite. It’s less than $100 and good enough to earn an Appleseed Rifleman patch. The front objective lens can be adjusted to be parallax-free from 3ft to infinity.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UGIMNQ/re ... UFbX1F91VH
As a bonus:
- 3-9x adjustable
- Sealed & nitrogen filled (fog proof)
- 1/4 MOA click adjustment
- Illuminated crosshairs with adjustable brightness
- QD scope mount included
Obviously not the best glass in the industry, but a real good value for the money.
Because it’s small it doesn’t look ungainly on a .22LR rifle.
7653FAB9-928F-4CB2-8A61-9232205E80C5.jpeg
It basically has 6 controls: Elevation, windage, illumination, parallax (front lens), focus (rear lens), and zoom.
The front lens is adjustable for target distance, the rear lens is adjustable to compensate for a near sighted or far sighted eye.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
22Always nice to follow a good post! Some day I might get a scope. LoL.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
23Cool! Just make sure he knows it’s adjustable. A lot of folks (me included) skip the manual.
Glad that federal government is boring again.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
24Will do. One last thing, his 22 rifle is from the 70s I believe, will this scope we able to mount okay on it? I’d go over there when he was gone and have a look at it but with covid I’m not going over to visit or anything for now.
Re: Cheap Rimfire Rifle Scope
25Old rifles typically have dovetail rails instead of Picatinny. You may need to buy an adapter.UncleJon wrote: Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:29 pmWill do. One last thing, his 22 rifle is from the 70s I believe, will this scope we able to mount okay on it? I’d go over there when he was gone and have a look at it but with covid I’m not going over to visit or anything for now.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IWPI3EY/re ... WFbAPAXF14
Or, you can replace the included rings with the ones that mount to dovetail rails.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C20028/re ... WFbTJ5D4E9
Glad that federal government is boring again.