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 ?

All of them are good scopes.

Mebbe its older eyes, but I'm discovering the benefits of AO scopes Thy seem to focus sharper.

If you use Loc-Tite or epoxy to lock the threads or glue the base to the top of the receiver, it is a good idea to strip the receiver so that you don't glue the bolt to the receiver. Seems like a not so uncommon problem if the discussions on RFC are to believed.

I own several and for my use the Weaver 1x3 is perfect. For the range of the .22, I would never see a need for more than 4x. The gent with the 2.5's may actually have the perfect combination for reliability.

The older Nikon 1x4 African is actually my top pick, but the larger bell screws up mounting it low enough and clear the rear peep.

Carney - read what CashisKing says about the aluminium Ruger receiver up above. A good call out. It is super easy to strip the tapped receiver. I did on one hole. I just added a drop of epoxy and so far so good. The advice on the receiver buffer is another idea I took to heart. A very cheap - and I mean cheap- not optics section cheap! - 30 second upgrade. Mine runs flawlessly. If we really want a debate lets talk ammo. I over -read opinions on it and went with standard velocity CCI stuff and holy cow am I happy I did. I never thought a little semi auto 22 could be so spot on.

Keep us posted.


Enjoy

I need to get this answer where I can cut and paste, because the question comes up fairly often:
My favorite .22 scope is Leupold 3-9 x 33 compact AO (or extended focus, or whatever they call it now.)
Higher power because you sometimes shoot at really small targets with a .22.
AO because parallax can be bad close in at higher powers.
Scope is appropriately small and light.

10/22 receivers:
Make sure your screws are as long as possible to engage as many threads as you can.
Torque spec is TWELVE 12 in. lb. with an ACCURATE torque wrench.
Loctite is your friend here.

The trouble with being a novice is that you don't yet know what fits you, your hunting style and your preferences. Neither do we, but we can give our trial and error conclusions that fit each of us. After 60 years of shooting I prefer low mounted variable scopes with a low end of one power. I just ordered a 1-4x32 Bushnell that will go on my 10/22.

I only hunt grouse with my .22, usually aiming at head/neck with most shots between 5 and 25 yards, a lot about 10 yards. My use is different from squirrel hunting but FWIW: For the past three years I have kept track and most of my misses on grouse are closer than 6 yards and I really had trouble killing grouse inside of 3 yards. Parallax and the distance between bore and line of sight are my problems up close. The parallax problem increases with magnification and closer range, if I understand the experts. My parallax solution is one power. A low mount plus remembering to aim high on close shots counters the bore/sight difference at close range.

I've owned two 50 mm scopes, didn't like either of them due to scope height, and got rid of them. You may love 50mm. I have a one power red dot on my 10/22 that works well. I plan to move the red dot to a shotgun for deer hunting and go back to a 1-4 scope on the .22.

I have old Redfield 3x9 accutrac scopes on mine. A little playing with the dial and I learned the correct amount of clicks to walk shots out to a couple of hundred yards. I like the Burris Signature Zee rings on my .22’s. The mediums will work with a 50 mm.

i like bigger scopes my eyes are getting old ,i also have a Harris bi-pod on my squirrel gun. i head shoot all my squirrels