Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Hunting scope for rimfire in low light

I'm using a Leupold VX2 4-12x40 w/AO on my Ruger 77-22.

Tempted to move my 4-12X AO VX2 to the 10/22 build ..........but it works well on my 700 .243win.
No chucks around anymore, just yotes..........thought about getting a reg 3-9X for the Rem
Really need a 3-9X EFR for the 10/22 but am a cheapskate.

Now I'm thinking about getting the centerfire version of the Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 for my old Marlin 60 that will be used as a 100 yard target gun. It's a 100 yard parallax, and also has 1/4 inch 100 yard click adjustment versus the 1/4 inch 50 yard adjustment on the rimfire versions. The rimfire versions all have 50 yard parallax, except the Rimfire II 4-12x40 has 75 yard parallax.

The regular Prostaff, and the original Prostaff Rimfire( pre Rimfire II) are listed by Nikon as having 98% light transmission, which is fantastic and more than ANY other scope that I remember.
Also they have the Euro-style fast focus eyepiece, which I would prefer for a target rifle.

The Rimfire II, while still a really nice scope(and less expensive than the original Rimfire), is supposed to have around 92% light transmission.
Also has the slimmer ocular with the American style multi-turn and locking focus adjustment. And I think a little lighter weight. It's a more appropriate hunting scope in my view. Also, the smaller ocular would give more room on a bolt action.

The Prostaff 4-12x40 BDC is on sale now for $189(about twice what I have in the 60). The Nikoplex reticle model is the regular $219. The Rimfire II 4-12x40 is $139, and weighs about an ounce less I believe.

I'm mainly looking at the 4-12x40 over the 3-9x40 because I want to mount it low and the extra length should help to clear the rear sight on the 60.

i still like the clearidge rimfire 3-9x. japanese optics, clicks work and dont need tools, adjustable parallax. the SWFA 6x is awesome its just ... huge.

I originally bought my VXII 4-12 AO for my Annie 22 lr. It's been used on 3 different center fires and killed several deer. Every time I bought a new rifle and didn't have funds to scope it ,I stole that VXII off my Annie for a while.

Magnification is your friend in low light conditions assuming that the scope gathers the maximum light that your eyes can use.

A conquest 4x would be a great bet. Have one on my 452. Though concede the 4x leup posted above would be the tidiest size, and the weaver or Nikon the best bang for the buck.