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Weaver T-36 Scope

8K views 25 replies 11 participants last post by  Danny Creasy 
#1 ·
I argued a long time about doing this because of the cost ( scope costs more than the rifle ). I have never spent this kind of money on a scope. But my little Ruger 10/22 Target seems to shoot really well, 1/2" groups at 50 yards and when things go right I can occasionally get a 1" group at 100 yards. Years ago I had put a 3x9 Tasco scope on it to start with, but had problems and replaced it with a BSA Sweet 22, 6x18-40 scope. It seemed to have some repeatability issues but other wise it worked pretty well. But I kept seeing the serious bench rest shooters using much higher magnification. Now my bench rest shooting is strictly amateur stuff at my private range and I have no desires to do anything else. But I have been curious as to whether or not I could get anywhere near the scores some of the USBR shooters accomplish. I also have heard all the comments about cheap scopes and cheap scopes is all I ever owned. So after much self debate I took the plunge and got this Weaver T-36 scope which is a fixed 36x power. Today I installed it on the Ruger. Maybe it was over kill but I went whole hog and lapped the Weaver Quad-Lock rings and leveled everything. Install was pretty straight forward and no problems were encountered. It snowed here last night so it will be a while till I am able to get it to the range and try it out. First impressions are that the cross hairs are very, very fine. It has the 1/8" dot and cross hair reticle ( dot covers 1/8" at 100 yards ). Eye relief is a bit longer than I am used to but I don't see that as a problem. I'll let you know how things go when the weather gets warmer and the Old Guys make it to the range.
 

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#2 ·
That is one handsome set-up there. I think you are going a long way to eek out any and all possible accuracy from that 10-22 of yours.

Last time I saw anything like that was at the first Small Bore Match that my military Rifle Team fired in outside of Sacramento California in the early 1980s. We were just about the first guys to report in to the range for the match. We had our issue Remington 513-T match rifles with the fine Palma-type peep sights. In the rack as we walked in were a couple of .22 rifles with scopes that seemed to be as long as the rifle barrels. I recall asking one of the other guys on my team "What are they going to use THOSE things for?" The answer was "Our Match".

We did well enough that about half of the competition gave up half way thru the Match against our iron sighted rifles. Used to cost us a quarter for any shot that didn't cut the X ring at 25 feet. The beer kitty went dry pretty quick after that.
 
#3 ·
I can't disagree with you Jim that this is maybe going too far but the idea has been nagging me. I don't think the sun shade is going to be necessary most of the time and that will shorten things up so it doesn't look quiet so ridiculous. My eyes pretty much limit my shooting to a scoped rifle and body tremors make bench resting the most enjoyable. And sometimes you just got to take a swing and do what you got to do, ha :rolleyes:. I have sold off several guns in the last year so the "gun fund" was flush and the time was right even if my mind is not:confused:.
 
#4 ·
My post has been taken wrong, Todd. I don't think you've gone too far at all. On the contrary - I like it. If you can squeeze out a bit more from your rifle, I think it is great! Heck, with my eyes at this moment I can't shoot at all. I'm waiting for catarac surgery. If anything, I'm envious of what you've done. Just drooling here waiting to see what your rifle will do.
 
#5 ·
I think you made an excellent choice. The last two scopes I bought for my rimfires were 8-32x44 Mueller target dots. I wish I had spent the extra money and got the T-36. I am pleased with the 8-32 but the Weaver is so much better.
 
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#7 ·
Don't feel bad about spending more for the scope than what the rifle cost Todd. Every scope my brother in law buys always costs more than the rifle for some reason. That's a nice set up, and it looks good.
 
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#8 ·
Investments don't cost in the long run, they ad value. I think you'll find that your new scope is a smart investment.

There's an old adage in racing: "Speed costs money kid, how fast do you want to go?" Same with accuracy. Your 10-22 will tear up beer cans at 50 yards with open sights but when you want to hit a dime at 100 yards you have to be able to see it and hold on it, no matter how accurate the rifle is.

We all have budgets to work with, so overall cost is always a consideration. But to me, the relationship between the cost of the rifle and the cost of the scope isn't important. What is important is the proper tool for the intended use. If you have an accurate rifle (no matter what it cost) and you want to shoot tight groups at longer ranges, you need a scope that is up to that task.
 
#9 ·
For me personally that is way too much scope for that rifle, but we all have our own preference. Interesting rig!
 
#10 ·
Weaver T36 or T24 is a very good scope. Shoot with a gent who owns quite a variety of very decent scope brands for his centerfire rifles. First time I visited his reloading room, immediately scanned his collection of scope boxes stored in it. Must have been at least six T24/T36 boxes. Personally, don't own one. Too Pricey for me. Cheapo 36X BSA Platinums adequate for my needs. Glass OK in them, but turret adjustments in a Platinum can be a problem if you need to do a lot of adjustments for windage/elevation. Mine are on centerfire rifles and I'm often trying a new powder or bullet reload, needing to re adjust the turrets for them.

Hey, if the T36 works for you, then great!
 
#11 · (Edited)
Glad you decided on a T-36, Todd. I hope it serves you well. Nice looking rig!

I have two T-36s - one with a dot fine reticle and the other a simple plain fine reticle. I have used them on several different sporters over the years to shoot in benchrest sporter-class.

Here is the dot model on my Kimber Hunter (K22):


Here is the plain reticle model on my Ruger 77/22 VBZ (it barely makes sporter-class weight of 8.5 lbs.):


Currently, the dot reticle model rides on the only customized rimfire I own. The rifle is a Voelker Remington 541-THB:



Huffmanite, I have done some good shooting with a BSA Platinum 36X44. I have used it since 2007. It is a little on the dark side and the adjustments are not exactly crisp. However, once it is zeroed in good light, it does well. I keep a pair of Warne rings on it and move it around on various CZs for accuracy testing. Here it is on my CZ 452 Varmint:



One neat feature of this scope/ring combo - the rings are just high enough, and the scope is so long - the set-up clears the rear sights on my various CZ 452 hogsbacked stock/tangent rear sight models. Like this 452 FS:

 
#12 ·
Thanks Danny for the comments. Those are some beautiful rifles you have. I am envious. It warmed today into the forties and the snow is melting so maybe it won't be so long till I can get out. I looking forward to giving the scope a shake down.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Thanks.

Yep, I know we don't get quite the winter weather you northern brethren do, but we have had our annual dose of freezing temps, freezing rain, sleet, snow, and just plain old cold rain for the past few weeks. My shooting buddies and I have not managed a range outing since the second weekend in February. I hear you Yankees laughing! Anyway, we finally had a two day window of cold, but clear, weather over this past weekend.

One of my best shooting buddies took advantage of the escape from cabin fever and put on quite the performance on Saturday:

http://www.rimfireshooting.com/index.php?/topic/11813-5025-match-results-for-march-7-2015/

With rain forecast for the next seven to ten days (started this morning), I raced back up the mountain on Sunday afternoon and put about 150 rounds, offhand, through two of my favorite CZs - a solo practice session that was just flat out good for the soul.
 
#14 ·
Danny, I think that is just amazing marksmanship by all of your gang. It is humbling to see just what accomplished shooters can do. I am envious of the ability of your gang and their equipment as well as the range facilities. It must be a real joy to participate and enjoy the fellowship.

I suppose everyone but me understands the scoring but could you explain a coupe things for an old man. When the match says 50/25 does that mean the distance is 50 yards and there are 25 targets? What is the time element? And lastly the scoring listed, 0/0, 2/2, or 8/6 as examples. I went over to RFC and looked for answers but couldn't locate the info I was seeking.

There must be a range around here where they are shooting organized rimfire matches and I need to locate one and just go watch. Something to put on this summers to-do list.
 
#15 · (Edited)
No, you are quite right to be asking these questions. We regularly post our match reports on RFS, and I take for granted that the reader is familiar with this local game. My apologies. To save a bunch of typing, I am posting a link (below) to a thread of mine that describes all of our North Alabama Shooting Association rimfire competitions. But, yes - 50 yards and 25 targets.

http://www.rimfireshooting.com/index.php?/topic/7252-nasa-inc-rimfire-rundown/
 
#17 ·
I said I would let you know how things went with the new Weaver T-36. This was the first day in three months that the Old Guys even thought about going down to the range. Bob called last night and said he needed to get out of the house and did I want to go to the range. Well it has to be pretty darned bad for me to say no to a question like that but we discussed the weather reports and decided to make the trip. Bob's brother joined us and off we went at 9:00 this morning. The weather man said the fog would burn off by 10:00 AM and the sun would come out bright and it would warm into the fifties. That weather man lies!!! As usual we stopped for coffee at Mickey D's and sandwiches at Subway. When the Subway girl saw us walking across the parking lot she started making our sandwiches. We never change and it is always spicy Italian with the same dressings Think maybe we are in a rut? So shortly after 10:00 AM we pulled up to the driveway up to the range. Uh Oh, this is not what we expected to see and where is that sun that was supposed to burn the fog? Did anyone think we would need a snow shovel? Nope!!!

OK, what about that scope? I love it but I am not skilled enough to utilize it's advantages. It didn't take long to get it to a reasonable zero down at 50 yards and I got a pleasing five shot one ragged hole group with CCI Std. Vel. that I was using for the zero work. I was not satisfied with the cant of the scope even though I thought I had it perfect when I did the install so I loosened the rings and got it the way it should be. I took a break to let one of the others shoot and had another cup of coffee, number four for the morning (excuse #1) and put the hood up on my jacket to try and warm up a bit. I had not dressed warm enough (excuse #2).

When I got back to shooting I switched to SK Rifle ammo and put up one of those USBR practice targets. For the last couple years we have been using one inch white stickers as our bullseye and always felt pretty good when we could get ten shots inside that one inch circle. But these targets have a ten ring that is only one tenth of an inch in diameter (excuse #3). With that 36x power it doesn't take much to realize you are not holding properly and that is my problem. I took another break and Bob tried out the new scope. He quickly got as frustrated as I had become in our inability to get a good group. I was having another cup of coffee, number 5 for the morning and not a good thing when you are trying to hold steady (excuse #4). Sitting on the bench watching Bob shoot I was getting colder (excuse #5).

Well we went through 100 rounds of ammo and not once did we touch that ten ring. But I do like that scope. That dot reticle is just the ticket and with only one days shooting I think that is definitely the way to go. The ability to adjust the paralax down to as close as fifty feet is neat. I found it difficult to hold as steady as I would like using the bipod and a rear sand bag but I think more practice will go a long way improving my performance. Not one regret purchasing the scope. I just want some warmer, clear skies with no snow. Better times coming.

And I never did hit the penny.

Here are a few photos from today's Old Guy's Range Trip. Todd
 

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#18 ·
Well, it's hard to hit bulls eye when you are shivering (excuse # 6)!:rolleyes: :p :D

My day at the range wasn't all that great either, but my weather was the exactly opposite, when I left the range today, the thermometer in my car showed 92 and I was sweating like a French who** - oh never mind!!:cool:

Just keep my favorite saying in mind - A bad day at the range is better that a good day anywhere!
 
#19 ·
Hey, I have shot competitively all my adult life and I will testify that cold, heat, wind, fatigue, caffeine, stress and pressure will all increase group size. (see I have all my excuses lined up)

Seriously, it takes good equipment, good conditions, and good performance by the shooter to get those best groups. I have some great equipment but I only have those days once in a long while. It sounds like you had a great time and got promising results, that's a great start.
 
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#20 ·
Thanks for the encouraging words. At the end of the day to make it some fun and take the pressure off we set up some aluminum .45 acp cases that some one had fired and left and set them up at that 50 yard mark. Didn't miss a one with one shot each. No bullseyes and no pressure just plinking fun.
 
#21 ·
Well Todd, I new it would be a little muddy down there, and the hills are definitely preventing the sun from melting all the snow.

Glad you got a chance to try out the scope. It looks like you got good groups, even if they weren't where you wanted them, or expected, but it was the first time out with the scope. I know you you will have fun figuring it out, and that's what its all about!

I think maybe the fog should be excuse #6, I'm sure it obscured the scope lens some.
 
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#22 ·
I couldn't agree more with Rocketman1! I expect those groups to be significantly smaller in short order.

OK, I was disappointed about not making the trip, but your pictures improved my attitude! It'll be warmer, and less white when I hit the hills the first time this year. Ha!
 
#23 · (Edited)
Todd wrote, "OK, what about that scope? I love it but I am not skilled enough to utilize it's advantages."

When I got my first T-36 back in 2004 or 5, I mounted it on my Anschutz 1710 and raced over to the range. This scope deserves the very best, so I opened a cherished box of Lapua Midas after pinning-up a fresh USBR target. 240 or higher, I thought. I didn't even break 220.

I had to learn how to shoot all over with that "microscope." If I have typed this next line on here before, please forgive me. I told a buddy that arrived at the range later, "Dang, I felt like I was throwing meteors at the moon."

I made a range trip today as well.

My friend that was kind enough to take over the Rimfire Match Manager job for me emailed earlier in the week and asked if I could run the match today. His sailing club was kicking off the season today, and I knew that shooting takes a back seat to shooting with him. I said, "Sure. I am going to shoot in the match anyway and will be happy to run it." I had a blast.:rolleyes:

March 14, 2015

Moe, Larry, and Curly were all that showed up under dark clouds this morning. The rain stopped just before we arrived and held off for both matches. The three of us had a great time, unlimbering plenty of iron and putting well over 400 rounds downrange. We kept it simple - only setting up two silo racks. The temp was in the low 60s, and there was almost no wind.

25/25 PISTOL SILHOUETTE MATCH

Revolver Class

1st 5X5, Andrew Butler, S&W K22, Eley Sport
2nd 7X7, John Butler, S&W 17-6, Winchester 333
3rd 13X6, Danny Creasy, S&W 617, CCI SV

Andrew (left) and John (right) battle it out with wheel guns in a very close and interesting duel (link to video below):
http://vid47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/sheffieldshootr/IMG_0884_zps68ktlb3h.mp4

The results. Good shooting gentlemen.


Pistol Class

1st 7X6, Danny Creasy, S&W 41, CCI SV
2nd 10X6, Andrew Butler, Browning Buckmark, CCI SV
3rd 19X7, John Butler, Ruger Mk III, Winchester 333

Scoped Handgun Class (any action type)

1st 8X6, Danny Creasy, Ruger Stainless Single Six, Leupold M8 2X, Remington Target
2nd 15X7, John Butler, Taurus 4", AimPoint dot, Winchester 333
3rd 15X7, Andrew Butler, Shot Danny's rig, CCI SV

Andrew is still contemplating what kind of scoped handgun to acquire. I urged him to try my Single Six/Leupold combo:

He braved the slow lock time and afterwards commented, "Well, it sure teaches you the importance of follow through."

RAPIDFIRE RIMFIRE MATCH

Scoped Rifle Class

29.65 seconds, Danny Creasy, CZ 452 American, Simmons Deerfield 4-12X40, Remington Target

A bolt action is very unforgiving when used in the RFRF Match in spite of the handicapping. One must shoot nigh on perfectly to have an overall time in the teens or low twenties. My score sheet from today:

After the last chicken of the top row was down, I ejected the fired case and laughingly showed Andrew and John my empty 10 shot CZ magazine. It could have been worse - a reload is exponentially detrimental to ones time.

56 seconds, Andrew Butler, Ruger 10/22, Bushnell Sportview 3-9, CCI SV
98.80 Seconds, Ruger 10/22, Simmons 8-Point 3-9, Federal American Eagle

Open Sight Class

45 seconds, Danny Creasy, CZ 452 UltraLux, Remington Target - first in a field of one.

Opposite this time - slow start and fast finish:


I always tell first time Rapidfire Rimfire Match shooters, "You can't miss fast enough to win." For descriptions of and rules for of all of our local rimfire matches - link:
http://dwightpilkilton.proboards.com/thread/97/rimfire-run

I wish more of our shooting friends had been there. It was a great morning of shooting followed by lunch at the Pie Factory. We met my family there and they had secured a table for eight.

We sauntered in 30 minutes late, mud splattered, and grinning like possums. They had been waiting for a table anyway and were just being seated. However, a look from my spouse said it all. After 31 years, a couple doesn't really have to speak to communicate. I said, "What? We were finished with the match at 12:45, but John has a new/old rifle. We just had to put a few rounds through it. It is one of those cool ol' Ruger .44 Magnums with a tubular magazine ..." I let my diatribe drift to silence as the wife's, mother-in-law's, sister-in-law's, and daughter's eyes glazed over. My daughter's boyfriend has some guns (he's not a "gun guy" but he has an inquisitive nature and prior to his dad's tragic and disabling accident, they shot together frequently - enough said) and seemed interested, so down at the guys' end of the table, after ordering an Old Faithful pizza and quenching our thirst with sodas and iced-tea, the young man listened attentively as the three of us extolled about the history, feeding, care, virtues, and flaws of Bill Ruger's 1960 masterpiece. "And did I mention, on the lone shot I took with the little brute, I center punched a Mountain Dew can offhand from 35 yards open sighted with one of its 240 grain soft points?"

"Uh, yeah you did, Danny."

"What Sweetie? Y'all ready to go already?" Oh, I looked around our party, the pizzas were devoured or boxed and the handbags and jackets were coming off the back's of chairs. Did you ever have one of those days that should last forever? Man, we were just getting started. Enjoy the rifle, John -
 
#25 ·
Loved your report Danny, and good shooting by all. Been reading the various posts at RFC on the different front and rear rests used by the different shooters. Notice almost no one uses the bi-pod. Still trying to get clear in my mind the concept of having "free sliding" recoil so will do more reading. Was at a the huge Ohio Gun Collectors gun show yesterday and just as I got in the door there was a fellow with a T-36 in his hand. I asked what he wanted and he said $300.00. He said his son had bought it to hunt with but couldn't hold still enough off hand and wanted to part with it. I was so tempted to buy it but that would mean I would have to hurry up and buy a CZ to mount it on and I am still in shock from buying my T-36 so I passed.

I tried the scope on my Ruger MK III but quickly found I can not hold steady off hand with that boat anchor in my hands. So I have put a Match Dot red dot on it which makes for a lot less weight. Still off hand shooting may just be a thing of my past.

Thanks for sharing your great report.
Gun Firearm Trigger Air gun Gun barrel
Gun Firearm Trigger Air gun Gun barrel
 
#26 ·
Beautiful pics, Todd. Nice rigs.

A friend of mine mounted a scope (can't remember what it was) on one of his two S&W Model 41 semi-autos. He seldom makes the matches anymore, but last year he showed up with the scoped 41 and proceeded to be the first and only competitor to clean the 25/25 rack. He had a couple of rounds to spare as well. He seldom leaves more than two or three silos up with the open sighted 41. He is the one of the best shots I have ever witnessed. Rifles or handguns – bullseye, silo, or IDPA/IPSC – it doesn't matter – he is top notch.
 
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