I recently bought a Ruger 77/22 from a friend and it has an old 4x32 Bushnell Sportview on it. Seems like an adequate scope for what it is, although I haven't really put it to the test - only about 40 rounds fired at short range. I only plan to use it for small game hunting - no competitions or long-range shooting.

Two questions:
1) Is the Bushnell Sportview a definite "throw it away now" scope, or is it decent enough for my purpose?
2) I always pony up and pay for decent glass for my rifles, but since this is just for small game I'm really looking to control cost. If the Sportview is a dud, any recommendations for a decent .22 scope for under $100?

Thanks in advance.

I never justify using a shit scope.

The only scope that EVER failed me (in 40years of shooting) was a Bushnell Sportview 4x 32mm. The reticle started rotating in a clockwise direction with every shot.

Any modern name brand scope made today is far better than that POS.

George

I don't think I ever had a Bushnell, sold a wide-view Redfield once that fogged during an elk trip on a cold morning.
Lately put a 32 mm Burris 4.5-14X on a Remington 511 receiver, seems to work all right.

I have an older Japanese Tasco on a Marlin 60, set in steel Burris rings which were well worth the money.

For rimfire I like to put the Nikon Pro Staff 2X7 on. Not a rimfire scope but it does great service with plenty of power and dependability.

I've been moving an older Bushnell Banner 4-12 AO from .22 to .22 for years now and it has given good service.

I had an old Simmons scope on a CZ .22 one time. It would arbitrarily change zero with every shot. Cost me a lot of jackrabbits on a hunting trip. Personally I wouldn't have a Simmons if they were giving them away.

But it all depends on what you're going to do with your .22, if you're just going to use it for plinking and varmints, then I'd think the Bushnell would be fine as long as it holds up. It might outlast you, we never know.

Nikon makes some pretty good 22 rimfire scopes. I shot this five shot group at 50 yds with a 4-12 x 40 Nikon Rimfire BDC scope, plenty clear and bright.



I have 4 of their Rimfire scopes.


Steve...........

We use many BUSHNELL ELITE scopes, and they are great.

Not familiar with this particular model.

Fixed power, low magnification scopes are pretty easy to build and even the cheapest ones are usually functional. Their Achilles heel does tend to be the reticle, so they shouldn't be used on anything with more than modest recoil.

The Bushnell Sportview was their low-price leader line about a hundred years ago. I had a 4X Sportview mounted on a .22-250 back in the early 70's and found that the optics were quite acceptable and it was a fully adequate scope. Such scopes are particularly suited to "field grade" rimfires.

If a simple 4x suits your needs then I certainly wouldn't toss it away.

If it works then give it a chance, if not toss and buy a used J-2.5X or 4X weaver...Most scopes are suitable on a .22 and if it fails so what? missing a rabbit is not a life experience..On my .22s I have a J-2.5 Weaver, a 3X Leupold, and a 2.5X Leupold Alaskan..

That Leupold Alaskan comes in 2.5X, 4X and 6X and is bloody expensive even used hard, I move mine around on my big bores from time to time..I will buy about every Leupold Alaskan I come across..