Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 10/22 Scope?

I seem to always purchase things without proper research. I recently purchased a Ruger 10-22 Lite. Today I bought a Leupold VX-1 3-9X50 scope for it. I am a novice and I am wondering if I bought a good combination. I plan to use it for squirrel hunting. Thank you in advance.

It is, physically speaking, a larger scope than I would install on a 10/22 Lite, but everyone is different and since you bought it for you, all that matters is how well it works for you.

That said, you may want to buy the high comb stock module so that you'll get better eye alignment and cheek weld with the higher rings necessary to have the 50mm objective bell clear the barrel.

I would recommend a scope designed for rimfire applications so the parallex is set for shorter ranges than a standard rifle scope. The one in the Leupold line that would be similar to the one you mention is the Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9x40.

This.

https://www.natchezss.com/weaver-cl...al-x-reticle-37-13-fov-3-7-er-matte.html

I run Weaver V16's on all my rimfires.

. I think 260 Rem nailed it pretty much. The scope is more than good enough for anything you will want it for. Yes it is a bit big for the Ruger but if you can get it mounted where you can get behind it then I promise you will be very happy with it. You said you were a novice so should we assume someone else will mount it for you? That person should be able to get it set up properly for you. The larger objective (50mm) means you can crank up the magnification higher and maintain wide sight picture. For most shots I doubt you will be needing higher magnification but- no harm.

You might need medium or high rings to clear with 50 mm.
For 22 it’s over kill.
I’d Return for for 3-9x 40 if you can
Or Even a 2-7 year freedom that’s made for rimfire where you’ll be able to use low rings

There's no reason a 50mm objective wouldn't work on a 10-22. You might need to experiment around with ring heights, but I don't think you will need to change stocks in order to get a decent cheek position. Burris makes some very nice rimfire scope rings in both medium and high.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-airgun-rimfire-signature-1-rifle-scope-mount-rings.html

Since the stock that comes on the 10/22 Lites is the modular style, why wouldn't you spend the $25 to buy the high comb module?

I have several 10/22s with the modular stocks and, at least for me, the high comb module is a better choice for getting proper and repeatable eye alignment when shooting with a scope, even one installed in low Weaver-style rings. I have them installed on both solid frame and take-down 10/22s.

This.

I'd be more concerned with possible parallax at higher powers than size. A little testing will reveal at what point that happens. It can be minimized by paying attention to your position behind the scope.

The tap holes on a Ruger 10/22 aluminum receiver are weak. Personally I have stripped out a few/and or bought guns where they were stripped. Easy enough to drill out to #8 and retap if you have the tools. That is my thought on a 50mm scope.

With that said, I used epoxy to mount a Picatinny rail on mine with #8 screws and then ran a Tasco Euroclass 3-12 x 52mm (mostly because it was the scope I had on the shelf at the time I glassed the Ruger). Too much scope, but who cares.

Or 4.5-14×40, if you want a bit more magnification.

A good 4x is about perfect on about ANY 22lr IMHO. Mine has a Weaver 4x38, but I could easily make do with a 4x32 Hawke in a pinch. Don't over think it.

Put a polymer 10/22 bolt buffer in your rifle. !0/22 are famous for breaking scopes from the double impulse when the bolt cycles against the OEM steel pin. A 4x is plenty for me on a 22LR.

I prefer fixed 4s on my 10/22s

Or a VX-2 4-12x40 A/O, if you can still find one. Four of my six 10/22s wear the Leupold VX-2 4-12x40 A/O The other 2, sport 'vintage' Vari-X III 3.5-10x40 A/Os.

4x or a 2-7 is a great match for a 10/22

A Weaver K2.5 works. So does the Leupold M8 2.5.

Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 4x32. Works great, sized just right for the 10-22.

I've had a small, 2-7x rimfire scope on a Weaver / Picatinny base on my 10/22 since 1997. For my plinking, small game and squirrel hunting usage it works out great IMHO. There's too many rimfires in this world that are what I like to call "overscoped" . Although a 3-9x isn't all that bad but I'm wondering about a 50 mm objective lens ?