Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Help me choose a scope for my .22 Hornet

I have a nice little Anschutz 1433 fullstock carbine .22 Hornet that currently wears a Leupold VXII 2-7x28. The scope is the correct size and power, but I'd like to upgrade the scope to better optical quality.
My criteria:
- Small and light to match the little rifle.
- No more than 3x magnification on the low end, no more than 10x on the high end. 2-7 or 2.5-8x would be ideal. 3-9x acceptable.
- no exposed twisty turrets, all turrets low profile
- decent low light performance ( I know I will need to compromise with small scopes)
- quick focus eyepiece
- Simple reticle, duplex or German #4
Of the scopes I presently own, and have mounted on other rifles, a Kahles Helia 2-7x36 would fit my needs perfectly, or a Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8x32. But both are discontinued models.
It seems that such small, low power variables are not selling well these days and manufacturers are catering to the long range turret twisting crowd or making scopes for AR rifles. Any suggestions for me??

Mine has a Vari-X II 3-9, which I find totally adequate. Newer scopes have better coatings, which might satisfy you, or not. Burris FFIIs and E1s are fine for my simple tastes, and are bargains. The SWFA 2-10 is small, and probably reliable, but a little bird that tried one, and whom I trust about such things told me he thinks the Burris scopes are better. I agree that scopes within your stated size and power preference are fading away. Too bad, because they still work for most purposes.

There are a number of scopes with a straight 24mm ocular that would be good including Zeiss & Swarovsky. The Freedom 2-7x if you can live with 50 yd. parallax. There are a couple of 6xs that would work but a favorite of mine the Meo Pro is getting a little large for your application. Burris has a couple that would work well. Please post a photo of the rifle if you can.

Suggestions for you?...... Yeah, join the 21st century.....grin

I have a LRTS on my Whore-gnat.... but only because I'm not hampered by 'your criteria'.

I have the same rifle and topped mine with a Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8x32. It’s just about perfect.

Pappy has a good suggestion with the Leu VX_2 3-9x40. I have a couple and have spent a lot of ammo getting them zeroed, but once set, they worked good, good glass. They look nice and have a longer tube for mounting position versatility. 11 ounces. Also I would highly recommend the Weaver 2.5-7x32. Even with only 7x, to my eyes it is almost as good in dim light as the Leu VX-2 3-9x40. It tracks well, with well defined clicks and only weighs a bit over 9 ounces. The mounting tube length is not as long as the Leupold and eye relief is less, but definitely not a problem on a Hornet. If 7x is enough, that's the way I'd roll, if not, the Leupold. RJ

Glad you asked the question, castnblast. be because haven’t settled on the right answer, either.

On my 1433 am still using the leup 2-7x28 post/crosshair it came with. A few more x’s and brightness would be welcomed, but does work well.

On 1432 (same but half stock, 22”) am using the conquest 2.5-8x32 and is terrific, BUT, have to scoot it pretty far forward due to generous eye relief, and that necessitated removing the rear site, which is a personal thing but don’t like that. Darn fine setup otherwise.

The rifle is dainty. I don’t use mine much over prolly 60-70yds usually; may try a fx2 6x33 next.

Actually, I was maybe only suggesting MY Vari-X II 3-9, which IIRC I haven’t touched the adjustments on in years, maybe since I dialed it in with my standard load. Might be why I still like it.

If you get away from the light and compact requirement, there’s a lot more to choose from. My Leupy is full-sized, and looks good on the Low Wall, but I wouldn’t want anything much larger on there. It’s also (gasp!) gloss, the last one I have I think.

Since I am spending your money! It's not a fly weight.

https://www.eurooptic.com/Schmidt-B...TMR-Riflescope-780-811-918-03-03B24.aspx

3.5x10 Leupold. Or a 4.5x14 Leupold

That’s what I had on my Browning hornet. I’ve since put a Hogster thermal to try my hand at a little night hunting. Dave

How about a Swarovski 3-9x36?

I have two 1730 Anschutz 22 hornets. Both have Leupold 4-12 A/O scopes with fine duplex. That’s a nice fit in my view.

Wins the light and bright contest.

I know it doesn't match your criteria, and I'm not a big fixed magnification guy, but I think that's the perfect home for a Leupold 6x36.

With a 1" tube, I suspect I would end up with the Z3 3-10X42. Still light and gives you all the power you'll need with the Hornet. With a 30mm tube, I suspect I would look at a 6X SS or a 3-9X42 SS.

I have a Leupold 6x compact, and the only reason I don't use it on this rifle is the old style fine thread ocular adjustment. I sometimes take off my eyeglasses when hunting, and a quick focus eyepiece then becomes essential. The Swarovski 3-9x36 seems like a very good fit for my needs, thanks for that suggestion Doug. I just found a used 2-7x32 Bushnell Elite that was so cheap and had such good reviews re: value for money that I am going to give it a try. It seems to check off all my boxes if the optical quality is adequate.

I got the Bushnell, and have mounted it but not shot the rifle with it yet. Size, field of view, "looks" are all Good. I don't like the black ring around the field of view, something the Bushnell scopes all seem to have. I will give it a good try next spring, and if not satisfied with the performance I can always buy the Swarovski at 3X the price.

I have 2 22 Hornets a Ruger 1A with a 4x12 Sightron and a CZ 427 fullstock with a 6x Weaver.

If I was going to replace a scope it would be the Weaver with a 3x9x36 Sawvorski.

F

It would be hard to beat a Swarovski 3-9X36 with a #4 reticle.