Lookin at Hawke or Athlon for a 22 LR. Which would you lean towards and why?

I have a Hawke Endurance 2-10x50 that has been reliable on a .270win.Little bit of tunnel-vision in the sight picture is my only complaint...

What power and reticle? Totally set on trying those brands?

I bought the Hawke Vantage 2-7x32 because of the following reasons:

• I was specifically looking for something with an objective around (no larger) than 32 mm
• I began appreciate the low powers on variables when going in to the field
• Did not feel a need for more than 7x on a 22lr
• Had some friends on the fire speak highly of Hawke value and QC
• Fully multicoated, click adjustments, on sale for around $100- very low risk

Observations and how it turned out:

• Power range is PERFECT for all situations where I might use the Ruger
• Bright as heck. Nice glass, no tunnel vision, no flare problems.
• Repeatable clicks- tracks as hoped. Has kept poa. Admittedly I did spend a couple of dollars and add a recoil buffer because it is a semiauto after all.
• Did seem a bit large for a 32mm - although not heavy or off balancing. Feels natural now.
• Good eye relief
• It has greatly increased the fondness for the rifle- and validated best ammo (which were as recommended the CCI standard velocity stuff)
  
  I am sure Athlon and other scopes out there would be fine, maybe even better although I can't imagine in what way or situation that would be for my use of the 22LR. Some want more X's, some larger objectives, or 'more' something but for keeping a 1022 fast handling or 75 yard plinking...squirrels....turtles- my def of 22 stuff - could not be happier with it even at twice the cost.

I traded a Hawke Vantage 3-12x42 with 1/2 mil-dots for a Athlon Neos 4-12x 40 with rimfire BDC reticle. The Hawke is a much better scope for fine target shooting but I like the BDC reticle on the Athlon for for hunting. If I had to do it all over again I would have gotten another Hawke with BDC rimfire reticle. Much clearer scope.

Hawke makes a straight 4X and I believe it's made for center fires. Am I correct?
If so, does anyone here have experience with them? I may want to buy a few of them in the future for some of my hunting rifles. I very much prefer straight 4X and 3X scopes for nearly ALL my hunting rifles, but today the only ones I know of that are still made and of good quality are the Leupold M8, and they are hard to find at times.

I have a couple Hawke Vantage 4x scopes that seem great bang for the buck, but, I have not been hard on them at all. Got them for like $70.

Can’t speak to Athlon, my eyes don’t get along with Hawke glass.

Only issue I’ve had with four Hawkes is with an Endurance LER 2-7 that couldn’t hold zero under the pounding of an unbuffered Mini 14, a pretty tough task. Haven’t tested it since swapping it out for a prism, but my guess is that it’s okay for normal use. An identical one held fine on a .50 ML. Minis have a rep as scope killers.

Adjustments feel a bit mushy, but seem to respond well. The 30mm 8x56 is a very nice scope, with daylight-visible illumination. Hawke is a British outfit that designs their scopes and has them built to their specs, regrettably in China, but must keep a pretty tight grip on quality as they’ve been in business for a long time and are very popular in Europe. I’m not buying any more because of the current situation, but am completely satisfied with how mine perform.

I have one I use for a spare, nice little optic. Would be right at home on a 22lr.

I have both and Athlon is much better hands down.
Wish I had never got the Hawk

If I were looking at rimfire scopes, I’d include the Tract ones as well.

I have one Athlon and one Hawke. Both seem OK. I sent back the original scope in both cases. Hawke should be a good scope, as they are made to withstand the reverse recoil of a springer air rifle-Leupolds won't.

I have that scope on a .22, but am thinking on moving it to a Mossberg 12 gauge turkey gun. All Hawke scopes are airgun rated, so I think it will hold up. May try to find a used Leupold M8 for the Mossberg though.