Hey all,
I was curious if you had any recommendations for a scope suitable for a rimfire KD event. My old eyes tend to prefer maybe a 3 x 9, but more importantly I want the zero stop turret. My existing rifle has a Nikon, but they don't make scopes anymore :-(
Thanks!
I love my Swampfox (https://www.swampfoxoptics.com/patriot-series). The only feature I wish it had was the zero stop. That said, the turrets track well, match the reticle if you decide to hold instead of dial, and return to zero reliably. Would the zero-stop be nice? certainly, but I also haven't noticed not having it either.
I've seen incredible reviews of the Arken (https://www.arkenopticsusa.com/online-store/EP5-5-25X56-FFP-MOA-VPR-Reticle-with-Zero-Stop-34mm-Tube-p425917059) in the same price point, but demand is so high they are constantly sold out.
MidwayUSA I believe still has their Vortex Vanquish on sale for $99. 3X9 power with a inch tube. Not a bad scope all in all. Glass is clear. Turrets are decent and you can slip them to set zero
I have both a Blackhound Genesis 4-14x44 and an Arken SH4 6-24x50. Both have zero stops, parallax adjustment, etc. I can say they are both excellent scopes. That being said, Arken scopes are quickly becoming the under $500 industry leader that all the other precision long range scopes are compared to.
The Arken scope that I have is currently 30% off. Also, the mount is 30% off. https://www.arkenopticsusa.com/
I highly recommend the Vortex Crossfire 2-7X. Inexpensive, clear, repeatable turrets, plenty of magnification, lifetime warranty.
I highly recommend AGAINST anything more than 9X...in fact, you really don't need more than 6X (or 4X). The high magnification makes target acquisition difficult in the timed stages and magnifies your wobble in the slowfire.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/CenterPoint-3-12x44mm-Rifle-Scope-30mm-tube-with-Precision-Lock-Turrets-Black-LR312SFT2/578419421
This Center Point does well for me. You can do hold overs or dial. I like to dial.
CCI Blazer 40 gr. Bulk, scope @12x
25m zero
50 same hold
100 yards 3rd line 5.75" drop 6 MOA
150 yards 6th line hold a little high, 19.5", 13 MOA
200 …. 46" 23 MOA
Plain Jane 10/22 carbine.
Finding a scope that will work well for Rimfire KD. There's always the "it depends" . . . are you putting it on a stock takedown or on your tricked out Kidd. Is your goal to just "get the patch" or will you make longer range RF practice a normal part of your shooting time to save money on ammo or because shorter ranges are much more available . . .
All that being said, I would want
Parallax: adjustable to 25y or shorter
Turrets: "Target" or "Direct Dial" turrets. The drop is comparable to 223/556 at 600 yards - not a job for BSZ. You'll need good a graduated reticle and/or some elevation dialed in and that's a lot easier when you can just "set the dial" vs counting clicks and remembering where you're set.
Magnification: Low enough that you are able to shoot standing. Some shooters might only be comfortable holding 3x steady enough while another might be fine with 6x.
200y Rimfire KD requires quite a bit of elevation of adjustment - let's say it may be on the order of 44 moa. On a 2.5" sight height (sight height above bore) with SV ammo, you may need around 14 moa to get your 25y zero and another 28 plus to compensate for drop at 200y. That means a scope with at least 90 moa of elevation adjustment. A much easier path is a mount or rail with built in elevation. Most scopes will work out with a 20 or 30 MOA rail.
Avoid (IMO)
BDC - 22 ammo has too great a variety in muzzle velocity
For me - I like shooting RF at longer distances, so it was worth a little extra to get a scope with the above features. Scopes like Athlon ARGOS BTR GEN2 6-24×50 or Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 both fit the bill. Not the typical scope most would mount on a 22 RF rifle but you'll be able to buy some pretty nice glass with the money you save by shooting RF over CF. At least that's how I rationalized it. :)
One guy's opinion . . . Have fun!
I have been partial to the Vortex Diamondback series.
No zero stop but good glass and a good assortment of reticle.
I count clicks down from zero so I can recover.
I have a 6-24 on a Christensen Arms .22, i can be decent at 75 yards with a known your limits setup.
Chris - hoping you saw the new optics package Appleseed is offering
https://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=63199.0;topicseen
Awesome info! Thanks! I feel like now I need to have more than one new build :(
Captain gave a lot of good info. One feature I will have on future scopes is an indicator showing how many revolutions above zero you are.
I run a 20 MOA rail on everything they are available for, as they cost the same as a 0 MOA rail and gives an average scope more reach.
I'm not a scope user, but did mount an SWFA 6x42 fixed power on my marlin for RFKD purposes. It has enough travel and also hs the mrad reticle for hold overs. Nice glass too, with a 30mm tube. Parallax down to ~25m too. Tiborasaurus Rex likes the SWFA Fixed power series. For cost vs value.