I have two Kimber 82's one in 17AH and 22K Hornet.I am looking at a Leupold 4X12 VXI, Burris 4X12 compact or a Leupold 3X9 compact. Any ideas, I've never seen a Burris but I like the size of the Burris.

Leupold,Leupold,Leupold,you cant do better for the price.

For the Hornet I would choose a 3-9x50 Leupold Vari X 11. I have one on my cz 527 and it offers plenty of magnification for the Hornet's range capabilities, and a little better light gathering ability at night. I would opt for the Leupold 4-12 on your other rifle.

I have a Ruger#1 218 Bee and Ruger 77/22 Hornet. I have Leupold 4x12's on both of them. At 12x the magnification is just right for the effective range of these catridges. It's hard to beat Leupold when it comes down to quality and service. And we all know where they're made.

I just can't abide over-sized scopes on a neat, trim little rifle like a Kimber 82. My 82 (.22 WMR) is mounted with a 6x Leupold Compact.

Within the effective range of either cartridge, you're not going to be handicapped by limiting your magification to 9X, so by all means get the Leupold 3-9 Compact.

I've never owned one, so I can't verify this, but some owners of Burris Compacts complain of excessively critical eye relief and eye alignment problems. If you go with the Burris, check this issue out thoroughly before buying, just in case their complaints have some merit.

As Stonecreek advises you will not like a big scope on a neat, small rifle. I started with a 722 Reminton in .222R and a Lyman Wolvorine in 6X. It was plenty of power to take pests well into the four figure range.

Today there are variables that cost a lot less than that Wolvorine and I would select a 2X7 Leupold standard size. Plus that's a really nice scope for trading over to game rifles.

Maybe a regular 3X9 would please you more depending upon your eyesight but I have a 4X12 Leupold AO and you don't want that on a rifle unless it's a big gun.

Can anybody give me an idea as to how much bigger a Leupold 4-12 is than is a Burris Compact 4-12?
I've seen the Burris, but not the Leupold.

Thanks,

BR

Leupold has sizes shown in their web site and their catalog. Also, I've had excellent experiences with Leupold since getting my first one almost 30 years ago in 1974. That 3x9 is still on my .30-06 and has been trouble free. Had a windage adjustment problem on a 4.5x14, sent it in to Leupold, they fixed it for free and sent it back within a week. Outstanding customer service and a mighty fine scope. I like your train of thought about not getting too big a scope on a trim sporter rifle. Regards & good shooting, Guy