Needing to put scope on my new Ruger M77 Stainless in .222 Rem. I'd like to put a good quality scope on it in the midrange price catagory of say 350 or so. I own a couple of Leupys already and haven't had any problems with them but they are 3-9x40's and I'd like something a bit bigger maybe even up to say 24 power. I'm considering either Nikon, Leupy, Redfied, Weaver, Burris or Bushnell and something in either a 6-18x40, 6-24x40 or I'd also consider a straight power of 20 to 24. I'd like side adjust paralax but thats not a deal breaker and I'd like to stay under 44mm on the objective diameter. Gimme some good ideas and pros and cons of the brands I've listed. I know that Redfield and Weaver have gone through some tough times in the past but I thought I'd read somewhere that they've really tightened up their act so to speak.

cobra,

My son put this Bushnell Banner Dusk/Dawn:

http://www.bushnell.com/produc...copes/banner/716244/

On his 308 and loves it!

quote:

power. I'm considering either Nikon, Leupy, Redfied, Weaver, Burris or Bushnell and something in either a 6-18x40, 6-24x40 or I'd also consider a straight power of 20 to 24. I'd like side adjust paralax but thats not a deal breaker and I'd like to stay under 44mm on the objective diameter. Gimme some good ideas and pros and cons of the brands I've listed. I know that Redfield and Weaver have gone through some tough times in the past but I thought I'd read somewhere that they've really tightened up their act so to speak.

Posts: 221 | Location: SW Missouri | Registered: 08 August 2007 Reply With Quote
RaySendero
one of us

Posted 17

I would go with either a leupold or a burris, I have heard bad things on the H.R. of nikon, but they would also be a consideration.

24X is icky unless your rifle is heavy and has a flat forend to use on a bench rest.

VX2 4-12x40AO might be a little over your budget but one I'd consider.

Weaver V24 or V16... that way you can find your target... and these are repeatable.

IMO a varmint rifle has little to gain after about 16 X.....Ive had scopes to 24 X and when prairie dogging never go over about 16 as sunlight conditions prohibit it.

At even 16X one wants some pretty fine optics.....look to Leupold to furnish it...

Years ago I used Tasco scopes 4-16X with excellent results....today I want a bit better picture.

quote:

Originally posted by cobrajet:
Needing to put scope on my new Ruger M77 Stainless in .222 Rem. I'd like to put a good quality scope on it in the midrange price catagory of say 350 or so. I own a couple of Leupys already and haven't had any problems with them but they are 3-9x40's and I'd like something a bit bigger maybe even up to say 24 power. I'm considering either Nikon, Leupy, Redfied, Weaver, Burris or Bushnell and something in either a 6-18x40, 6-24x40 or I'd also consider a straight power of 20 to 24. I'd like side adjust paralax but thats not a deal breaker and I'd like to stay under 44mm on the objective diameter. Gimme some good ideas and pros and cons of the brands I've listed. I know that Redfield and Weaver have gone through some tough times in the past but I thought I'd read somewhere that they've really tightened up their act so to speak.

First of all, if you plan to buy new, a price of $350 isn't realistic. Also, what you should get depends on the intended purpose of the rifle. If you plan to use the rifle for bench rest shooting, the high magnification is of some benefit. If you plan to use the rifle for hunting, then the high magnification isn't of that much benefit and the need to adjust parallax is a bother. Also, a 222 isn't really a cartridge meant for very long range hunting. In addition, a high power scope doesn't increase a rifles accuracy though it might help you shoot better.

I had a Nightforce scope with 24X on the top end and sold it. It was a good scope for sure but was also big and heavy. I have another scope with 16X on the top end and really don't think it makes me shoot any better in a hunting situation than a 2-7X scope I have on a 204 Ruger which was plenty adequate for a 300+ yard shot on a crow.

My scope bias leans heavily toward Leupold. I generally buy used scopes and have bought several 4.5-14X VX-IIIs in the $350 range. For me, 14X on the top end is plenty for shooting at 100 yards off the bench and for hunting shots to 400+ yards which is probably further than you'll shoot your 222.

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I would go with either a leupold or a burris, I have heard bad things on the H.R. of nikon, but they would also be a consideration.

I'll have to bring the other side to this perspective from the big bore forum. The Leupolds have not been holding up to the stress of heavy big bore testings but Leupold is good for repairs when they break. Nikon has been holding up very well. Their glass and price point is a remarkably good buy.

However, I'm not sure what the fuss is about with a 222. Nikon has a Buckmaster model in 4.5x14 with side focus, at just over $300. Personally, that is probably more scope than someone can use in .222, but to each his own.

If you ever need a scope for something heavy, check out the Nikon Slughunter with 5 in eyerelief, 92% light transmission, and very solid construction for heavy recoil.

I'd try one of the 3x9s you already have and see which way you want to go from there. IMHO that would be a pretty good combo, as I have one on a 223 and am satisfied.

To me nothing says "pilgrim" more than a petite sort of rifle like a .222 with a Hubble scope on it.
Before I got eddycated, I killed a lot of Ghogs, coyotes, and Pdogs with a .223 with a 4X scope on it.

That pretty much sums up my opinion too. A 223 isn't much more than a 250 yard gun anyway, so there isn't much to be gained by going bigger IMHO

The best bang for the buck is the Hawke 6-24 SF Varmint, should retail in the USA around $225.00. After that I quite like the Nikon Buckmaster 6-18 scope of which I have a few on small cailber rifles

I strongly recommend the Vortex Viper line of scopes. US built, with a full lifetime warranty. I've got two 6.5-20x44mm and I think they are great. One of the vendors that lists in the classifieds is running a special price on the plex reticule. I also have a Diamondback 4-12x40 AO and it is equally nice.

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Posted 17 April 2012 23:16 Hide Post
I strongly recommend the Vortex Viper line of scopes. US built, with a full lifetime warranty.

me2

Thanks so much for all the replies, its much appreciated. From what I gather, sounds like I ought to stay around the 18 power or under. The gun will be used for punching paper and ocassional varmit hunting, nothing serious as far as benchrest. As for features, is the side adjustable objective that much of a benefit or is it really needed at all for what I'll be doing with the rifle? And what about reticle?

quote:

Originally posted by cobrajet:
Thanks so much for all the replies, its much appreciated. From what I gather, sounds like I ought to stay around the 18 power or under. The gun will be used for punching paper and ocassional varmit hunting, nothing serious as far as benchrest. As for features, is the side adjustable objective that much of a benefit or is it really needed at all for what I'll be doing with the rifle? And what about reticle?

For your purposes, 8 or 9 power will work fine, and to be honest, you won't need parallax focus either. Most scopes are pre-set to 100 yard parallax and 100-300 yard parallax when set to 100 is so miniscule that you won't be able to test for it.

Three decades ago my son started hunting in Africa with a 222. It was deadly on game 50 lbs and under (duiker, oribi, Tommy, goose), or broadside up to 100 lbs (bohor readbuck), out to about 250 yards. We only used a 4-power.

For a 222 for paper and varmints, I would recommend a Nikon Prostaff, either 3-9 or 4-12, and save money for the next rifle in a calibre that makes 300-400 yards doable. My son mentioned above went to a 270.

What about the older Redfields made in Denver? I've found several used ones in 4-12 and 6-18x. Is anyone doing repair work for the USA made Reds and didn't they have a lifetime warranty?

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Originally posted by cobrajet:
What about the older Redfields made in Denver? I've found several used ones in 4-12 and 6-18x. Is anyone doing repair work for the USA made Reds and didn't they have a lifetime warranty?

Leupold now makes the Redfields, but they don't service the pre-2010 Redfields. Here is Leupold's statement:
"At this time, should a non-Leupold & Stevens, Inc. Redfield product require service, we suggest contacting Iron Sight, Inc. (918) 445-2001. This contact is provided for information purposes only, as Iron Sight Inc. is not affiliated with Leupold & Stevens Inc. They should be contacted directly for all information regarding repair, service and associated charges."

If the price is right and the scope appears sound, then you can buy one with the hope that it will not need repair. Again, shooting paper and varmints is not a critical endeavor. If something goes wrong you can go to a local shop and get a new scope.
4-12 would fit the 222 better.

If reliability becomes an issue, then get a new scope between $100-$250. A super-duper, expensive scope should be saved for a calibre with more reach.

Put a Leupold VX-I 4-12X on it. I own and can afford much more powerful and expensive scopes, but you can't beat this scope for value. I have a couple of different versions of this scope on varminting rifles in .221 to .22-250 and find it fully as effective as a 6.5-20X in the prairie dog towns. Also, if you go much above 12X you'll find it hard to see where your shot hits when varminting due to recoil, even with a .223.

If you want to save a bit more money you can put the Leupold U.S.-made Redfield 4-12X on it. I haven't used this scope myself, but friends who have report good optics and reliable performance from this value-line scope that far exceeds that of most of the Asian-made scopes which compete in its price range.

+1

I would second the Vortex Viper that Cameraland is selling for $279. Smoking deal, and Vortex Customer Service is A+ all the way.

IMHO, you're wasting your money with more than 10X top end on a .222. For many years, I shot one with a 6x Weaver. I could see to hit gophers and prairie dogs out to 225-250 yds., which is about the limit of the cartridge. I couldn't hit appreciably further with a 10x Weaver it wore for awhile, and the rifle was totally useless except off a good rest.

With a variable, I'd go with a good SF or AO scope with no more than 12-14x maximum magnification.

Clarence

Go with Nikon, Don't buy used scopes. I have bought three scopes used at various gun shows and they were all bad/broke. The last was a Nikon BM, it ratcheted shots horizontally 1/2 inch with each shot. I sent it in to Nikon and they sent me a brand new replacement. I would not have bought the used Nikon except that the four others I have are superb. The Nikon BM or Prostaff with BDC are very good scopes, with GREAT clarity and light transmission. No problems with Nikon, and support is great.

I have purchased five used Leupold scopes, and never had a problem. You could get a used 3.5-10X VariX III within your budget. New Nikon Monarch's are very good scopes as well.

I have a Monarch 3-12x42 on several rifles and think quite highly of them. The adjustable parallax on the left side of the turret rather than at the objective bell makes adjusting simple and easy while looking down the tube. That said, I don't often run my scopes above 10X for the reasons mentioned above.

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Originally posted by Cliff Lyle:
I have a Monarch 3-12x42 on several rifles and think quite highly of them. The adjustable parallax on the left side of the turret rather than at the objective bell makes adjusting simple and easy while looking down the tube. That said, I don't often run my scopes above 10X for the reasons mentioned above.

It would be a great scope on a 243, 25-06, 270, 7mmRM or some other calibre above and beyond the 222. The 222 just doesn't need such considerations since it gets blown around in the wind and starts to drop off in trajectory and energy by 300 yards.

I agree except that after 200 yards you really notice the wind drift in a 222. I doubt anything more than a 6x will provide a noticeable benefit in the field.