What is the deal with rimfire scopes?

Question

If I wanted to put a scope on my rimfire .22, would I have to buy a specific rimfire scope, or are they named that to show that they are just a cheaper line that can't be put on a moderately powered gun but are fine on a small one.

Answer 1

Usually rimfire rifle scopes have a 3/4" tube rather than a 1" tube.  I just use centerfire scopes when I want a scope on a rimfire.  A good straight four-power scope won't put you in the poor house.  Simmons is a good choice.

H

Answer 2

I also use just a regular 1 inch rifle scope on my rimfires with good results. To give you an example, I use a Leupold straight 4 power with fine crosshairs. I have found that with scopes, you get what you pay for. Maybe your dealer has a good used scope for a good price.

Most .22 rimfires have a 3/8th inch grooved reciever for scope mounting. The base that your 10/22 comes with basically puts this groove on top of the rifle for scope mounting. Redfield and Leupold make high quality rings to fit this groove. As stated above, Weaver makes a better more robust base for the 10/22 rifle, that enables you to use the same rings you would use on a high-powered rifle. If you go this route, you will have to buy rings in addition to the base, because they come separate.

Answer 3

on my savage 64 i put a BSA 4x32 scope and it works great

Answer 4

Rimfire scopes are built lighter because they're not

meant to handle the recoil of a centerfire.

This makes them cheaper.

They are also optimized, (in Parallax), for 50 -75 yd.s,

where Standard scopes are optimized for 150 Yd.s or so.

IIRC the 10/22 is drilled & tapped for scope mounts.

If I were you I'd scrap the narrow .22 rail and buy a Weaver

base rail and standard rings with my new scope.

I'd also recommend Simmons as a low cost maker.