Compact vs full-length scope for 10/22???

[sh00ter]

I was curious if there are any shooting drawbacks/advantages of a full-length scope vs some of these more compact length scopes?

I have a few medium and compact scopes and when I look at my rifles with the longer scopes, I wonder why I'd not want all of them to be more compact; but especially on a bone stock 10/22? Say in comparing a 3x9 in either size, if shooting the same distance and the scopes are about equally clear, why would you want more bulk on top your rifle?

 

[swampratt]

If you can accurately hit what you are aiming at then scope size does not matter.

 

[adamsredlines]

If you're shooting from a bench with a heavy bull barrel and a super light trigger, the extra size/weight of a regular scope doesn't matter and isn't worth the extra cost for a compact.

If you're shooting freehand or walking the woods with it, then sure.

 

[sh00ter]

Good points...what about variable power vs fixed for a rimfire rifle?

 

[Catt57]

Good points...what about variable power vs fixed for a rimfire rifle?

Depends on what you are using it for.

My general purpose varmint 22lr has a cheap 4x32 TruGlo compact scope and works fine for me from 10-75 yds. I can stretch it out to 100 yds in good sunlight.

My truck gun (.22lr) also has the same 4x32 TruGlo, but I went fixed power for it as there are fewer components to get damaged by riding around in the truck all the time.

Now my 22WMR has a 3-9x50 Bushnell full size scope as I use it for muskrat control and regularly have to reach out to 125-150 yards in low light but occasionally need to be in as close as 15 yrds.

For a long range setup, the larger the objective and higher the power the better.

 

[sklfco]

Good points...what about variable power vs fixed for a rimfire rifle?

Variable is my vote. This works well on the little savage bolt.

 

[swampratt]

Adjustable objective sure makes it nice if you have above 9 power.
Or you are trying to shoot tiny groups at many different distances 15 yards to 100+

 

[rustyaa55]

Compacts have their place. They ARE a compromise on any rifle. Benchrest competitors use full size, high power scopes for a reason. Ditto long range.

My Gunswith got me the original KIMBER OF OREGON SUPER AMERICAN 22 decades ago. He disagreed with my scope choice, feeling it needed a diminutive (compact) scope due to the rifles proportions. Instead, we mounted a LEUPOLD 3.5 - 10 adjustable objective.

That allowed me to have an extremely competetive light sporter in silhouette. But also the sweetest squirrel rifle.
Full size scopes and large objectives deliver more light to our eyes. That's math that the best compact can't ignore. More power equals more resolution of the target when tack driving is in order (if you and rifle are capable).
Never regretted my choice.
NOTE: Rimfire scopes parallex is typically set for 50 yards from the factory.
Standard rifle scopes are adjusted for 100 yards.
The manufacturer can adjust that for you.
Or go with an adjustable objective.

Either way, a quality variable (3-9) makes the rifle more versatile.

 

[sh00ter]

On my airguns, I seem to have gravitated to fixed, AO (for parallax), compact scopes for hunting rigs, and variable power, larger scopes for bench/target rifles. I am just imagining if I ever hunt with a 22lr, that I wouldn't be taking time to mess with the variable power in the woods and would just set the AO (if option exists) to 20yrds or so and hunt.

 

[sh00ter]

Can anyone recommend a good $100 or less rimfire scope for a 10/22?