Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Prefferred optics for a squirrel rifle

I'm not looking for a brand, but for opinions on magnification, etc. Just wanted to kick this around for fun.
But if someone has a particular scope in mind by all means tell us.

I would go with a fixed 6X40 or so. AO is a plus, but 100 yard parallax is a deal breaker to me so without AO it would have to be a short parallax scope. A medium duplex is good, fine no good. One with a small fine portion is very good be a use it stands out well on shadowy shots and gives you a second aiming reference if you need to go long.
Why 6X over 4X? Small targets :-)
Why not a variable? I don't see that I need it & why worry about POI changes with magnification ranges and degrade light and image transmission with extra lenses?

But I'd like to hear from everyone who has an opinion.

Thanks in advance
Kragman

My preference would be an older Leupold M8 in either 8xAO or 10XAO since their AO adjusts down to 25 yards or so. I have one of these scopes on my ground squirrel rifle (CZ 452 in 17HM2) and it works great on shots from almost the end of the barrel out to 150+ yards. It would have been an awesome combo to have growing up in New England 50 years ago...LOL

I'm a Southern New England guy, and I get what you're saying. I've shot squirrels at ranges from 20 feet to pushing 100 yards, but mostly up close and sometimes 3 or 4 all at once. Not that I got them all - I'm not exactly Ad Topperwein.

I've always like lots of magnification for those times when all you have a shot at or view of is a little piece of a squirrel peaking out from behind a branch or a bush or rock. They can be sneaky little suckers, and a little extra magnification can sometimes outsmart them.....

I prefer a 6 x 20 or thereabouts on my squirrel rifles, but I've got a couple Weaver V16's on my 2 favorites and they are the cat's whiskers for this type of hunting.

Bob

I am probably the odd man out, but I do have an opinion. I have 2 scopes I prefer, a Burris 6X compact mini with AO, or a Leupold FX II 6x36 with the parallax set for 40yds. Rings are usually Leupold rimfire lows or if the rifle requires a base such as the Rem. 504 then I go with Burris Z rings in low. All of my Squirrel rifles have that setup on them.
I prefer to stalk Squirrels and will get as close as possible. I'm can be very patient.
On paper at 50yds. my groups with a 6x scope pretty much equal what I can shoot with a 24x scope with everything pretty equal as the target below shows. Both rifles were cleaned then shot using the ammo they perform the best with. Wolf MT is what both shoot the smallest groups with. These are 5 shot groups.

Leupold 6x36 with the parallax reset if that is an issue for you.

Case closed.

One of the best scopes for Squirrel Hunting is the Hawk Air Rifle Scope with fine AMX Reticle and AO down to 7.5 yards. These scopes are built like a tank.
http://www.airgundepot.com/hawke-optics-airmax-ev-3-9x40-ao-scope-hk5172.html

I put a Weaver Classic 3-9x AO on my BRNO #2 and am very happy with it. I keep parallax set at 50. The only thing I would change would be the reticle- from medium duplex to a simple fine crosswire. It usually stays set on 9x.



I often use my Winchester 52A with 12x Fecker parallax adjusted for 50 yards. The mounts for these target scopes (Unertl, Fecker, Litschert, etc.) were the original turrets- spin them up and down with positive micrometer/clicks.

Top one:



The lower rifle is a Savage 19-33NRA with a 10x Litschert.

Obviously I fall into the school of higher magnification. Sometimes all you get to shoot at is a little beady eyeball peaking over a branch.

just tossing out a couple alternatives:

1.5X6 might work very well; small, compact, lightweight - yet should be enough power..

Since you didn't really mention the distance involved, for short range squirrels (30 yards or less) a variable red-dot might work well too. I have one of those on my 22 pistol and squirrels have little chance at that range..

Pretty much the same, a 6x42. I do like the ability to dial elevation, but use it more when playing on targets than when chasing squirrels.

I hate to admit it, but an ounce of 6's out of a 12 gauge works pretty good too...

I consider myself a serious tree squirrel shooter and my #1 tree squirrel rifle is a Marlin 917M2S that I installed in a Boyds Rimfire Hunter stock and mounted a Weaver V16 in Warne Maxima fixed rings and the Weaver bases that came on the rifle. Now that 17HM2 ammo is more easily found, I'll be shooting it more regularly than I have for the past couple of years.

I like the 4-16x magnification range and the AO on the V16. If I was going to shoot a rifle with a light/sporter contour barrel, I'd probably opt for a physically smaller scope, maybe a Weaver RV9. I have Weaver RV7s on a couple of mannlicher stocked Ruger 10/22s and think that it is a good scope, but without the AO it isn't a precise.

I have the inexpensive, $150+/-, Sightron S1H 4-12x40AO on several rifles and think that it is a good scope, particularly for the price, but not quite as good as the V16.

On the other side of the squirrel tree is my German kiplauf in 5.6x35R (.22 Hornet). I shoot nothing but cast bullets through it, 55 grainers @ a bit less than 1800fps.* I think of it as a souped up .22RF Magnum. Needless to say, it knocks squirrels ass-over-tin cups. The optics I opted for is the Chinese clone of the old discontinued Redfield 3/4" 4x. I think it's actually a better scope than the Redfield was and costs 1/3-1/2 as much (when you can find the old Redfield today). The original Redfield was/is a 3/4" tube and was actually built for use on centerfires, but I suspect they were/are used mainly on .22's.

I sometimes feel handicapped by the 4x, but it serves well. I wanted a dainty scope to put on a very dainty rifle (5 pounds with scope).




* The gun has an odd bore, but fairly normal by European standards: .226 groove diameter (I use .227 diameter bullets), with a 1-9" twist. Built in 1934. Groups well under an inch at 50 yards. Longest shot taken was an even 80 paces- it splattered Mr. Squirrels brains across the log.

Gnoahhh, you are killin me here.

All of my 22s are working guns but they are all accurate, some very very accurate. And while I love shooting little groups it seems that a good squirrel rifle has to be fast and accuate, and have the right glass.

Does anyone find it an advantage to use or stick with one magnification just to keep things cosistent? As I get older I think that's good thing. That's why I went fixed 6X this time.

I like the old Leupold VariX2c 4-12 with AO

I started doing that many years ago. Started with a 4x rimfire scope....Leupold and Burris, then discovered 6x, that is where I stayed.
To me, this was the finest Squirrel rifle scope ever made.............



This is on a Mauser 201 and I have the same scope on a KDF K22, plus on a custom 581 Rem.
Since these are discontinued I've gone to the Leupold 6x36 fine cross hair and parallax set at 40yds. Also a very nice scope. No problem sniping Squirrels peeking over branches.

I fell into one of those Burris' about 10 years ago. I agree - a very good scope. I have mine one a 582

Lucky you. And nice rifle. Those ol' 580 and 540 series Rem. are hard to beat. Very accurate.

Burris needs to make that scope again. The one on my KDF has the extra fine duplex that Burris installed for me way back when.......
Another has the fine cross hair with a dot while another has the standard duplex.
I would buy more of them if I could find some.

The 581 custom with the 6X Burris AO compact.

I asked about those "GruBee wolf pup" Chinese knockoffs of RFC, but got nothing but grief from the nice folks over there.

That's a fine rifle!
Got the Burris from a dealer and a friend of mine.
Has old school and doesn't feel that a scope should add anything to the price of a rifle. To such an extreme that I once bought a little Browning Medallion in 22-250 from him that had a 4.5-14 Leica on it for $375. Not kidding.

K22 - have you run out of squirrels yet? :-)

Talking tree rats, not the sage style, and I don't fiddle with parallax at all. Millet SP1 red dot. Have 3 and the rifles they are mounted on will all shoot sub MOA at 100 yds. Good enough for most anything I need down here in the swamps.

Ballpark $75.00, very functional, light and reliable.

Seeing is believing. Edge to edge sharpness, parallax free at rimfire ranges, positive repeatable adjustments. What's not to like? What exactly are they grieving about?

Most of my .22LR squirrel rifles wear various 3x9 AO's, by Leupold, Burris, and Weaver, and more often than not they stay on 6X, unless i try to lob one way out there.

also hunt with quite a few rifles in 17mach2, 17HMR, and .22mag also, most of them wear 4-12xAO's or 4.5-14's of some sort, mostly Leupold, Sightron, Nikon, or Bausch & Lomb.

i prefer medium duplex, but 3 of mine also have Leupold Dot reticles, which i have grown to like. Don't care for fine duplex much, easy to lose the reticle in very low light in dark woods.

I've used several different rifle and scope combinations over a lot of years, starting in 1955 most have been 4xs or used at 4x. Overall they've been pretty much equally effective. The longest shot I recall was 85 paces with a 4x. Most shots on tree squirrels IME are considerably closer. A squirrel's head isn't that small a target at typical tree squirrel ranges if you know your rifle/ammo combination and can get a decent rest, like against the side of tree.

When I was a kid with good vision back in the 50s I killed a whole lot of squirrels with a Remington 511 and Weaver B4. Not a great scope by today's standards but I was surprised if I missed.

Not the older one, but a Leupold VX-2 4-12x40 AO on my CZ455 American.

i have a burris hunter 6x36 w/AO on my rem. 22 mdl 597. works good. they had a similar one in target model with high turrets. the hunter are short turrets.

an 8x would have been ideal, 6x is plenty good.

I have two preferred scopes, the 3/4" Redfield 4x and Leupold Rimfire Special 4x.

I committed my longest shot on a squirrel at 125 paces to the bottom of the tall oak tree he was in the top of. Equipment: M1922M2 Springfield with Fecker small game scope, Eley Tenex. (It was my silhouette rifle and I knew how to spin the rear turret for 100M, then added a few more clicks for good measure.) My buddy Larry Shull watched me do it and sputtered afterward, saying anytime I needed a sworn witness to attest to my skill (luck), he would stand for it. Unfortunately he died last year and so did my proof, so y'all just have to take my word now!

I have 3-9s on my squirrel guns. The 10/22 has a straight 4X on it currently, I'll probably switch that one out, sooner or later.

Not that they're needed, really, but they're available and work well enough for what I want, AND are useable at the range, too.

I've been tempted to "Hubble-ize" a rifle or two, just because, but I keep talking myself out of it.

As a general rule, almost all my squirrel shots are less than 35 yards. I don't get too worked up if someone else has another choice.

My favorite squirrel rifle scope is the SWFA SS 10X42mm A.O.

I can adjust the parallax down for close up shots, or up for longer ranges.

It's GREAT to be able to see at 15-20 yards with 10X

Virgil B.

Sorry about your bud. Good buds (and witnesses) are hard to find.

Rock on.

I guess that I have been doing it all wrong. My go-to squirrel rifle is a 35-year-old Ruger 10/22 with a 4X El Paso Weaver scope in Weaver rings.

Of course, we have bigger squirrels out here in the Wild West...

My favorite squirrel rifle scope is the Leupold M8 6X Compact with the Leupold Dot reticle.....it is light scope with AO down to 10yds and "looks right" on a squirrel rifle (i.e. light sporter)......FWIW

PennDog

You will never run out Squirrels. As fast as you shoot them, that's as fast as they replace themselves. I found a simple combo. A Ruger 10/22 with a cheap Tasco 3-9 X40 scope. The scope is surprisingly sharp for what they sell for. I use the 9 power when they play hide-and-seek with their heads and I usually keep it at 6 power unless I see one that thinks he has armor on and sits there looking at you from 20 yards or so. Then I crank it 3X and go for it. I have huge Oaks and they go to the top and use the trees as their highway, so most of my shots are about 40-60 yards. I don't think a fixed power scope would do for me, although I know a lot of guys use them.

Nice stock ! Can you share details ? Where purchased ? Custom carved ? Thx...

This was a semi finished Bishop stock for the 541 Rem. I purchased from them before they went out of business. I did the finish work myself, but still haven't gotten around to checkering it. Someday maybe.
The barreled action is not a 541 nor a 581, it's both. I took an old 581S I had, removed the barrel, added a second action screw, then added a 541S 3 screw trigger, then sent it off to Brian Voelker who squared the action, lapped the lugs, threaded the action, rechambered, crowned and threaded a 541T barrel. He assembled it all and Pillar bedded in the stock.
This is an early photo of it when I tried running it as a 581, no bedding and no second action screw..............and no accuracy You could move it all around in the stock.

Thanks for the info. It turned out very nice. I have a LH 581 that is fairly accurate. Currently wearing a well warn factory stock. Would love to have an upgrade like yours...

I have come to like the Burris Timberline 4.5-14; something like a 32mm in front, so is not a low light scope. Very compact, focus to 15yds with front AO, fairly reasonable at $250, nice reticle.

All my squirrel rifles are in 22LR so that's the extent of my experience and opinions on squirrel rifle optics. Over the years I've come to decide that for my hunting and plinking usage a 2-7x variable suits me fine. Got one with a straight 4x and if limited to a fixed power that's what would get the call. Almost never do anything that requires me to really stretch it out and was never fond of "overscoping" a .22 rimfire. My newest is a 2-7x Vortex Crossfire rimfire scope on a CZ 455 in 22LR and I like the trim lines of it and was recently shooting it at a measured 60 yds. and never felt that I needed any more magnification. Seeing the Hubble Space Telescope on a .22 just never appealed to me, but that's just me and I know lots of guys like more X's in their scopes. Heck; I sometimes still use the iron sighted Winchester Mod. 67 that my dad used in the late 1930's-early 40's.

That is pretty much how I have rolled most of my life. My LH 581 has been my dedicated squirrel rifle for the past 15+ years. It wears a Leupold 4x Rimfire scope with fine duplex reticle. Weighs right at 5 lbs all up, including suppressor, and is great to carry in the woods. Before the 581 was a Rem 514 with a 4x Tasco that my dad gave me when I was 10 years old. Still have the 514, tho the reticle fell out of the scope. I could be content with either of these rifles with a good 4x scope for squirrel hunting for the rest of my years.

Recently "splurged" and picked up a heavy barrel LH Anschutz .22LR. Also purchased a Leupold variable with AO to put on top for paper punching and some squirrel hunting. The extra "X's" and the AO definitely make it a lot easier for the old eyes to clearly see a target at all distances. Coupled with the nice adjustable trigger, the Anschutz is noticeably more consistent in grouping than the 581. However, the 581 with fixed 4x on top just "feels right" for one hand carry while trying to slink thru the woods chasing tree rats.

I guess one's method for hunting squirrels will dictate one's choice in scopes. My method is to sit in a known "squirrel hollow" and wait them out, taking shots at whatever distances they are presented. To that end, a heavy target rifle with a high magnification target scope is dandy. If I move about it is merely to move to another hollow and then sit again. Were I a fellow who still hunted all day on my feet, I would opt for a lighter rig with a lower magnification scope better suited to taking jittery/moving targets.

All my squirrel hunting is with my dog. Usually 15 to 20 yards to the tree but they tend to be way up there hiding. I mostly use a tack driving TC contender carbine with a Leupold 2-7x28 rimfire set on 6 or 7. Last year I set up a 10/22 to have better odds when they timber out on us. I got a Leupold VX R 2-7x33 with the parallax set to 50 yards. I keep the dot on high and the magnification on 2. It works well for quick shots and I've gotten a few on the run. If the squirrel is holding, I turn off the dot and crank it up to 4 or 5.

The ruger set up isn't as accurate as the contender but I'm really liking the VX R.

When you get tired of that LH 581, I would like to get a shot at it.

Leupold 3-9X EFR (extended focus range).

Put one of those on my 39A.

Leupold VX2 3-9x33 EFR CDS AO Windplex

https://www.richiesoutdoors.com/stock/39256/leu-120617-vx-2-3-9x33-rf-cds-m-wplx/

So, I finally found a CZ 22lr that I liked and pulled the trigger. Its the 455 Lux which translated from Czechoslavokian means "hogback stock without schnabel, Williams rear sight/hooded ramped front sight". Now to scope it...

My choices are basically this:
1. A new to me old Sears marked Weaver K3. Surprisingly it has a lot going for it - very solid glass, no clearance issues and the blue steel body looks like a near perfect "old school" match for the rifle.
2. A Weaver Grand Slam 6-24x44. Total overkill, BUT the rear bell isn't very large/should clear the bolt handle path and I can keep it on 6X 99% of the time. And it will double as a spotting scope at the range, so less gear to drag to the range. :-)
3. Something that I don't already own. Like a blued Burris Mini with AO, or a cool old Weaver/Lyman/Redield/Leupold 6x

I'm leaning K3 even though I have reservations about the magnification.

Opinions?


Thanks,
Kragman

My choice would be obvious. You may want to look at the Leupold Rimfire 3-9 AO scope or my 2nd favorite, the Leupold 6X36 FXII from their custom shop.

I also have a LH 581 that I sent to Brian Voelker to re-barrel to 17 Mach II. He added another action screw and bedded it. It's really accurate.

This has been a great thread. Very informative. It's decision time for a scope to put on my T-bolt. Has anyone tried either of these scopes, and have opinions?

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon-products/product/null/prostaff-target-efr.html

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product...flescope-with-v-plex-moa-reticle/reticle

Thanks.

Keith

I too lean towards a nice compact fixed power with a fine cross hair..........



but I also like to keep my options open.....

Find a used M8 4x. If longer parallax bothers you send it in and have it adjusted or do it yourself.

I have a couple older 4x Burris or Bushnell scopes I use on rimfires. Well made scopes and pretty darned clear. I found'em here on the Classifieds, usally around $40 shipped. Many pass over these little gems.

Awesome pictures FG!

I am pleased with an earlier version of this Burris 2-7 compact scope on my Ruger 77/22.

My scope shows very little parallax and I like the fact that it only weighs 12 ounces. I can't see using a 15 or 16 oz. scope on a 22. I have tried some of the heavy rimfire variables, and they seem to be too much of a good thing, to me.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/fullfield-e1-riflescopes-series/fullfield-e1-riflescope-2-7x35mm

Here are a couple of pics











Burris 6X with AO. First shots with my new rifle at 25 yards. Goofy rest, but I'm looking forward to lots more small groups even if I'm not a good shot anymore

Nice scope Kragman. Love those Burris 6X AO's. Which crosshairs does it have?

Extra fine duplex. Great for rimfire.
I pirated it off my 582 because this rifle is tricky to scope. Its just a little high for me as it sits but I still have a little room to lower it before the bolt handle rubs so I ordered Millett lows to replace the mediums that are on it now. If it works ill post again with the size of the ocular bell. Someone may want that info. And the Millets are much less expensive than the alternatives.

Now, what do I put on my Remington? I do have a Weaver 6-24 mini telescope that needs a home... :-)

I love the fine duplex in the Burris. You're right, fantastic Squirrel combo. I have one with the fine crosshair and dot that I like a lot also, but the still lean toward the fine duplex.
The bolt lift not allowing a low scope mount on the CZ's is my only issue I have with them.

Agreed....why they haven't addressed that issue is beyond me.

You'd think that inletting the stock a little more and reconfiguring the handle wouldn't be that big of a deal.

The scope mounting issue on my Lux is twofold - the comb is appropriately low for the sights, which is great. But since the bolt handle doesn't clear many (almost no) ocular bells when mounted low you are forced to give up your cheek weld to run glass. Or add a leather cheek riser, etc.
The presence of the rear sight is another issue, but I'm glad to have them.

For the record if I were looking for a CZ sporter/hunter, etc. to mount a good scope on I would buy the American. And I probably will not too far down the road.

Agreed but even the American model needs the bolt handle modified.

The only reason to even have the dove-tail rail on any of the drop comb models would be to mount one of these which would be the first thing I'd do.

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Might be an option for me if I can't lower my scope a bit. But I still want glass and irons if I can do it.
I know the test targets don't mean much, but here is the one from my rifle. I'm impressed, and it was shot with the sights on the rifle



I have the think that the low flyer was the first shot from a cold, raw barrel.

Kragman1,

Here's a European rimfire with the same optics as your European rimfire.

I'm not too savvy on all the top shelf rifles out there but I'm guessing Walther or Kleinguenther?

Looks a lot like a K201 that I once had and foolishly let slip away.

Its a Mauser 201. It looks just like my Kleingunther. Hard to tell them apart.

Crap. Now.I "need" one of.those too....

.......................

OK K22 - I just swapped.out.the medium rings that were a little too high for me with lows.
I have juuust enough clearance for the bolt handle, and the scope is aligned with my eye even with the low stock comb.

If anyone is interested that's an old Burris 6X with Millett angle-loc low smooth .22 rings P/N TP00001







Its tough to see in the pics but when I hold the bolt open to its max there is so little clearance that its hard to tell if I am barely missing or barely rubbing the ocular bell. But it works, and I will be careful just in case.

FWIW, this particular model is VERY limited when it comes to mounting glass. Buyer beware.

Now your talking. Lucky the eye piece is small or you wouldn't clear. Maybe a set of these mounts....CZ rimfire mounts with low Weaver style rings would work better for you.

The scope looks great on there.

Its the only scope I own that's appropriate for this rifle. Now I need to replace it with something on my Rem 582.

Good luck finding something. The best I could find that works for me is the custom shop Leupold 6x36 setup by my specs.

You guys have better eye sight than me. I like the leupold 4x12 and the 6x18. The Nikon bushmaster 6x18 ain't to bad either. Hasbeen

Honestly, my eyesight needs all the help it can get. And if.I were setting a 22 up for.general use it like a 4-12.

My eye's aren't that great anymore, but the Burris 6X AO mini and the Leupold 6X36 just seem very bright to me.

Well, the old medium rings from the 455 worked out fine on the 582, so its now wearing a Weaver Classic 6-24
Kinda makes me look like a magnification hypocrite though. Somehow I'll manage to bear it...

A Hubblescope??

Actually, I think its fine



Maybe if I just keep it on 6X....

One of my favorite squirrel rifles, a 1976 vintage Marlin 989m2, wears a Weaver K- 2.5. Another favorite, an exceptionally accurate Marlin 882 .22 mag. wears a 2-7x 32 Nikon pro-staff . Both rifles have accounted for literally thousands of grey and fox squirrels.

I like the sound of.that Blackheart.

I shot a LOT of rounds with nothing but open sights when I was young and honestly I miss it but now I really need glass. Any glass is a big help.
When I'm using something with low magnification I automatically treat it like sights, but using high magnification makes me obsess about every little thing and in a way "spoils" the fun. Unless I'm shooting paper. Then I obsess about managing to shoot the perfect group.
One of my 22's will be getting a Weaver K3 I have on the shelf, and may end up being a great setup for for me.
I've been doing almost no shooting for the last few years, and now its playtime. :-)

Which K3, the 60B series?

With the setup you have on your Rem. 582 now, you'll be able to shoot chipmunks off of small rocks on Mars..........with a good rest of course.

Have you considered this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/18...ble-step-elevator-338-to-535-height-blue

It allows me to use irons again.

I'm not sure which version it is - its a made for Sears version. Definitely a K3. Tapered steel turret caps regular duplex and the hard to grip MicroTrac adjustments. Nice and clear though and doesn't seem to have any problems with range of.focus, meaning that the view is good up close, at medium distance 40-50 yards and doesn't seem to lose much when you look further out. One of the benefits of low magnification.

Now that is very cool. Thanks for the link.

Yes - thanks for the link.
I didn't know that something like that was available and it really seems like it would help.

I was shooting sub one inch groups at 25 yards the first trip to the range. The image of the rear sight was a bit blurry, but my eye just automatically centered the peep around the front bead. The only issue is the group was two inches left of the bullseye and I forgot to take anything to move the sight with. I will be back this week with a punch and mallet. I put the sight on a Winchester 67A single shot and boy did it carry easily compared to a scope sighted rifle. Spring squirrel season is coming up and I can't wait to try it out.