Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Ultimate .22 hunting scope ???

I've got a McMillan-stocked Anschutz that I formerly used as my rimfire silhouette competition rifle that needs a hunting (and shooting practice) scope. What would you consider to be the very best scope for this application?

Thanks, RS

What are you hunting? What are the expected ranges?

Squirrels mostly. 60 yards would be a long shot. But I would also be shooting steel out to 200 yards off sticks as practice for Africa.

Thanks, RS

I have two Anschutz with match 54 actions. I've had a lot of scopes on them and the only scope I've found that will equal the rifles is this: https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-3-15x42-tactical-rifle-scope-3.html?___SID=U

If I wanted to save a bit of money I'd go with this: https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-6x42-tactical-30mm-riflescope-105767.html?___SID=U

Parallax adjustments just right for close up shots and I plot my trajectory on 5 meter increments. With this setup the weak link is usually the ammo.

3x9 Leupold with a fine crosshairs. I have one on a 300 Savage 99, but it would be perfect for squirrels on a 22.

I really like the 6x SWFA on my main .22. Works great for hunting (squirrels) and shooting targets.

If the longest shot is 200 and 60 yards on average is a long shot you should be looking at a 1-6 or 1-8 so you have a wide FOV for close shots

depends if'n you wanna twist knobs or set and forget. if set and forget i have several leupold vx-2 4-12x40mm AO with fine duplex that seem to work well for tree rats 50 yds and in easily.
Big Ed

Lately I have been using the Burris FF2 3-9 with the ballistic plex and really like it
I will never use a scope without a holdover reticle on a rimfire again

I shoot lots of sq. all season over dogs and occasionally slipping with the boy in tow.

4x is low enough on the low end. It is the rare sq. shot at ten feet you need 2x for. You need AO for that long stuff. Fixed focus for rimfire won't reach. The very best is out of my budget. So I don't know about that. Been satisfied with Weaver.

My main sq. gun wears a 2-7x because it is also my deer training clone. Generally crank it up around 4x on sq.

The Weaver V16 works pretty well for me.

Everyone's eyes and needs are different. Personally, I like the 6-20 AO Leupold for seeing my targets really well at all ranges. Especially squirrels who like to hide behind things and peek out. For longer shots, the extra power is great for seeing your impact for adjustment.

However, a buddy has a couple Leupold 4-12 Compact on his .22's and they are just about as perfect as I've ever used on a .22 for all around use. They are kind of hard to find and seem to bring a premium if you find them on ebay but well worth it. I'm kind of on a search for one now for an upcoming build, but have other pokers in the fire right now....

Bob

I've easily shot over 4,000 squirrels since the mid '70's and have never needed a scope with AO for shots from 10 feet out to 75 yards. My main squirrel rifle wears a 2-7 Nikon pro-staff shotgun scope with 75 yard parallax and duplex reticle.

4x AO Bushnell Sportview did good work till I put a 6x36 Leupold on a 10/22. Using 6x and 2x7s right now.

Interestingly heard from a guy who uses an Anshutz sporter on squirrels, with a 3x. Not shooting long shots but says it works for him. I have used irons and also 2.5x.

That said, a 6x and 2-7 will do a lot of good work. If you have a heavy barrel it will steady better with a higher zoom, but something topping at 9 or 10x should give you plenty for what you are doing on squirrels, and the 200 yd targets.

My primary rifle for hunting fox squirrels here in Nebraska is an Anschutz 1502, 17HM2, mounted with a Weaver V16. I've tried a lot of different rifle and scope combinations for hunting fox squirrels and even through the V16 is a little physically larger than I would prefer to carry in the woods, it allows me to take longer shots or to dial down the AO for short range shots. My #2 fox squirrel rifle is a Remington 504 in 17HM2 that has an old Vari-X IIc 2-7x28 and my #3 fox squirrel rifle is a Marlin 917M2S mounted with a Weaver RV9 that also has the AO feature.

Not doing much squirrel hunting since I got a crossbow, but my best outfit was a very accurate CZ 453 (.3-.4 inches with good ammo) wearing a Leupold 3-9 AO Rimfire. Personally, I can't see carrying a big scope with bulky knobs on a small-game rifle, much as I appreciate the virtues at the range. I put a SWFA 6 on my 10/22 CSC when it came in, but swapped it out for a Weaver 2.5-7 RF pretty quickly. Ditched the adjustable comb thingy too; was just a bit too high for the lower scope. Much handier package now. The SWFA is still in the rings for range fun if needed.

Bingo. A 2-7x32 ish may give you more options but something in this general range should fit the bill perfectly. You said 'ultimate' but I couldn't be happier with the little Hawke I just put on my 22. Thinking Doug has some Burris or Leupold in the arsenal that would make you very happy- and not lighten your wallet unnecessarily.

Uh-huh. OP stated he will shoot to 200.

Always my pleasure to assist the members here

Vari x 3 3.5x10 a.o.