Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. - The Firearms Forum

ky_shaymus · 11-04-2007, 09:16 AM

I own a Savage Model 12 FLV 22-250. Right now I have a Center Point 4x 16x 40mm scope mounted on it. The scope is dialed in and all....But I'm not a bit pleased with this cheap scope. The clearity of the glass just sucks and the eye relief is poor. I have a hard time looking through the scope. I thought it was okay, when I went out to sight it in. I was able to shoot a group of four shots within quater size group at 150 yards. I was happy then. However, when I took the gun out on a coyote hunt a few weeks ago... My problems were relized and I was thinking it was just me being hungover from the night before.

I've shot the gun since then, so I know it wasn't just me hungover. The scope is at fault here.

I'm kinda on a budget and looking for a good scope to mount on my 22-250. Without having to give an arm and a leg for it. I had a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40mm mounted on it before. It was my cousins scope, he let me borrow. Took the scope off, because I had to send my gun back to Savage for repair. (Never reloading again for that gun. One shot blew in the ejector.)
Anyway, I did like the Nikon and of course, I felt it was a better scope than the one on it now.

I'm thinking for just coyote hunting and a little target shooting, would I be better off with a 50mm scope? Is a sun shade nessacary?

I think I'll be willing to spend maybe $200 on a scope. I would love a Leupold, but those things can get pretty pricey. I know just how good of a scope they are. A buddy of mine let me borrow his Winchester 22-250 with an older model Leupold scope, before I bought my Savage. I was in love with the scope.

Any info you guys can give would be great.
Thank you in advance.

catfish83861 · 11-04-2007, 01:02 PM

I am in agreement with you, that quality optics can and often do make a tremendous amount of difference. Yes the Leupold is a very fine scope and now days even Simmons may have a few good scopes. Personally I would stick with the Leupold. I am probably one of the worst to ask this question though. I live in a very small house but have a high dollar scope on two of my main rifles. Leopold's on most of the others. My suggestion is for you to go to a local gun show or a good gun store and ask to look at several of the optics. You can for instance at Sportsman's Warehouse ask to be allowed to look through one outside and if they aren't to busy a salesman will escort you outside to look through the optic. Least wise they will here in North Idaho. The other piece of advise I have for you is, in optics like in Women, don't take anybody else's opinion. Make your own. Including this opinion. I would save my money and buy a Leupold personally. catfish

Pistolenschutze · 11-04-2007, 03:18 PM

Ky, another you might take a look at is Redfield. I haven't bought one of their scopes in 30 years, but the one I do have--mounted on my 700 Remington .30-06--has served me very well indeed. It's never lost zero in all those years and is still as bright and functional as it was when it came from the box in 1977.

Bindernut · 11-04-2007, 09:20 PM

I'm on the cheap side when I buy scopes too...have run many Bushnells and Tascos, but recently have used several Swift scopes and have been very happy with them for the pricetag. The Tasco 4-16x40 on my 25-06 has rather poor eye relief too and I'm gonna replace it soon...have seen several nice Nikons at the local gun shop and am tempted to try one.

I still like the old steel-tube Weavers...have a couple V9s and several fixed-power Ks that have been bulletproof but they sure get heavy to carry and the objective lenses are small compared to most modern scopes. The large objectives on newer glass is a definite advantage on a hunting scope.

ky_shaymus · 12-26-2007, 11:39 AM

An update on the search for that scope for my .22-250.......

I'm here in Idaho for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, I went to the newly open Sportsmans Warehouse in Nampa. I went to the scope section. I looked at 3 scopes, a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40mm, a Leupold VX-1 and a Leupold VX-2. I looked at the difference between the Nikon and the Leupolds. Clearly the Leupolds have way better clarity than the Nikon. The Nikon cost $150, the Leupold VX-1 cost $210 and the VX-2 cost $320.
I don't think I want to spend $320 on a scope. Because, now I would like to upgrade to a better pair of binoculars too.

So my search for a new scope is narrowed down to either the Leupold VX-1 or the Nikon Prostaff.

ThunderStick300MAG · 12-26-2007, 12:55 PM

I like the Simmons Aetec. For the money, you can't beat'em. Have one (2.8-10x44) on my Remingon 760 30-06 and it's just as clear as the Nikon Monarch UCC 3-9x40 on my Ruger .243. Just my 2 cents though. Hope you find one that will suit your needs. I did get a good deal on the Pentax for my .22-250 though (dad bought it for me) so that's how I went for that rifle.

ky_shaymus · 12-27-2007, 01:34 PM

Thank you all for your input.......

I did it! I just bought a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40mm for my 22-250, for $199 from Cabela's in Boise, Idaho. I learned a leason...... Don't buy cheap scopes for a rifle that you are likely to use a lot. A good quality scope goes a long way. I know now that you can't cut corners, buying a cheap scope and mount it on a nice rifle. It causes more head aches than anything else I have delt with before.

All I can say is...... This better be the last scope I buy for this rifle, for a long while.

catfish83861 · 12-27-2007, 06:32 PM

Sounds like you have found what you wanted. I have a short theory about scopes. Buy a $1000.00 rifle and put a $100.00 scope on it and you have a $100.00 outfit period. Like I said previously, just my opinion.

catfish

sarzak · 12-27-2007, 10:07 PM

i read somewhere to always spend as much or more on your optic as you did the rifle. now that i've gone through a lot of cheapos, i guess that guy was right...

ky_shaymus · 01-03-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarzak

i read somewhere to always spend as much or more on your optic as you did the rifle. now that i've gone through a lot of cheapos, i guess that guy was right...

You might be right about that....... But you can't go wrong with a Leupold scope.

H Richard · 01-04-2008, 02:22 PM

Buy the Nikon. But go one step further and get the Buckmaster with the side focus. I have one 6 - 18 X 42 and it is clear as a bell, maintains perfect zero shot after shot, and it is less than $300 (well, was last year). (Look as SWFA adds). I also have a Nikon Monarch 6.5 - 20 X 44, and the Buckmaster is equal quality. Both are atop Prairie Dog guns and get lots of use. The 6-18 is on a .243 Savage FV, and the 6.5-20 is on a Remington 700 VS. I will put either up against a comparable power Leupold any day.

ky_shaymus · 01-06-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

Buy the Nikon. But go one step further and get the Buckmaster with the side focus. I have one 6 - 18 X 42 and it is clear as a bell, maintains perfect zero shot after shot, and it is less than $300 (well, was last year). (Look as SWFA adds). I also have a Nikon Monarch 6.5 - 20 X 44, and the Buckmaster is equal quality. Both are atop Prairie Dog guns and get lots of use. The 6-18 is on a .243 Savage FV, and the 6.5-20 is on a Remington 700 VS. I will put either up against a comparable power Leupold any day.

H Richard, Thanks for your input, but in case you misunderstood me......I already bought a scope for my Savage Model 12 FLV .22-250 rifle. I bought a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40mm.

millwright · 01-06-2008, 04:19 PM

Now that you've got a good scope, you can shoot that rifle more....but that's expensive.....Don't know why you had problems reloading for it though.....H380 is the 'magic powder' that makes it sing in most guns. Also fills the case enough to prevent accidental double charge.

Do a chamber cast to get some real numbers on its dimensions and make sure your loaded rounds fit those dimensions. One characteristic of the .22/250 is neck wall growth. Some say on resizing, some on firing. Whatever the reason I find neck turning solves the problem. Like most of the .22s the /250 is inherently extremely accurate but check your twist rate. Most barrels made in this caliber perform best in the 55 gr range. If you want to shoot heavier VLDs you need to rebarrel with a faster twist. >MW

Hunter87 · 03-21-2013, 12:16 AM

I have a barska ridgeline 4-16 X 44mm on my savage axis 22 250, absolutely hands down the best scope for any job i can think of, the P4 reticle is perfect for any predator or varmint hunting, also not bad for hogs and deer at less than 200 yards.

03-26-2013, 04:45 PM

Nikon is putting out some of the best scopes from Japan today. Coatings are a little darker so you might lose some hunting time in the morning and evening.

I have a 6.5-20x42mm on my 223 and a 6-24x50mm on my AR (Well in the safe right now). You can't go wrong with a Pro Staff or a Monarch. That said Bushnell Elite scopes and Torphy's are good hunting scopes.

There are tons of scopes out there that are good quality in the $300 to $600 range.

11-04-2007, 09:16 AM	#1
ky_shaymus Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 29	Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. I own a Savage Model 12 FLV 22-250. Right now I have a Center Point 4x 16x 40mm scope mounted on it. The scope is dialed in and all....But I'm not a bit pleased with this cheap scope. The clearity of the glass just sucks and the eye relief is poor. I have a hard time looking through the scope. I thought it was okay, when I went out to sight it in. I was able to shoot a group of four shots within quater size group at 150 yards. I was happy then. However, when I took the gun out on a coyote hunt a few weeks ago... My problems were relized and I was thinking it was just me being hungover from the night before. I've shot the gun since then, so I know it wasn't just me hungover. The scope is at fault here. I'm kinda on a budget and looking for a good scope to mount on my 22-250. Without having to give an arm and a leg for it. I had a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40mm mounted on it before. It was my cousins scope, he let me borrow. Took the scope off, because I had to send my gun back to Savage for repair. (Never reloading again for that gun. One shot blew in the ejector.) Anyway, I did like the Nikon and of course, I felt it was a better scope than the one on it now. I'm thinking for just coyote hunting and a little target shooting, would I be better off with a 50mm scope? Is a sun shade nessacary? I think I'll be willing to spend maybe $200 on a scope. I would love a Leupold, but those things can get pretty pricey. I know just how good of a scope they are. A buddy of mine let me borrow his Winchester 22-250 with an older model Leupold scope, before I bought my Savage. I was in love with the scope. Any info you guys can give would be great. Thank you in advance. --> Last edited by ky_shaymus; 11-04-2007 at 09:17 AM..

11-04-2007, 01:02 PM	#2
catfish83861 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Idaho Posts: 2,019	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. I am in agreement with you, that quality optics can and often do make a tremendous amount of difference. Yes the Leupold is a very fine scope and now days even Simmons may have a few good scopes. Personally I would stick with the Leupold. I am probably one of the worst to ask this question though. I live in a very small house but have a high dollar scope on two of my main rifles. Leopold's on most of the others. My suggestion is for you to go to a local gun show or a good gun store and ask to look at several of the optics. You can for instance at Sportsman's Warehouse ask to be allowed to look through one outside and if they aren't to busy a salesman will escort you outside to look through the optic. Least wise they will here in North Idaho. The other piece of advise I have for you is, in optics like in Women, don't take anybody else's opinion. Make your own. Including this opinion. I would save my money and buy a Leupold personally. catfish

11-04-2007, 03:18 PM	#3
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. Ky, another you might take a look at is Redfield. I haven't bought one of their scopes in 30 years, but the one I do have--mounted on my 700 Remington .30-06--has served me very well indeed. It's never lost zero in all those years and is still as bright and functional as it was when it came from the box in 1977. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

11-04-2007, 09:20 PM	#4
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,489	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. I'm on the cheap side when I buy scopes too...have run many Bushnells and Tascos, but recently have used several Swift scopes and have been very happy with them for the pricetag. The Tasco 4-16x40 on my 25-06 has rather poor eye relief too and I'm gonna replace it soon...have seen several nice Nikons at the local gun shop and am tempted to try one. I still like the old steel-tube Weavers...have a couple V9s and several fixed-power Ks that have been bulletproof but they sure get heavy to carry and the objective lenses are small compared to most modern scopes. The large objectives on newer glass is a definite advantage on a hunting scope.

12-26-2007, 11:39 AM	#5
ky_shaymus Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 29	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. An update on the search for that scope for my .22-250....... I'm here in Idaho for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, I went to the newly open Sportsmans Warehouse in Nampa. I went to the scope section. I looked at 3 scopes, a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40mm, a Leupold VX-1 and a Leupold VX-2. I looked at the difference between the Nikon and the Leupolds. Clearly the Leupolds have way better clarity than the Nikon. The Nikon cost $150, the Leupold VX-1 cost $210 and the VX-2 cost $320. I don't think I want to spend $320 on a scope. Because, now I would like to upgrade to a better pair of binoculars too. So my search for a new scope is narrowed down to either the Leupold VX-1 or the Nikon Prostaff.

12-26-2007, 12:55 PM	#6
ThunderStick300MAG V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wallburg, NC Posts: 177	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. I like the Simmons Aetec. For the money, you can't beat'em. Have one (2.8-10x44) on my Remingon 760 30-06 and it's just as clear as the Nikon Monarch UCC 3-9x40 on my Ruger .243. Just my 2 cents though. Hope you find one that will suit your needs. I did get a good deal on the Pentax for my .22-250 though (dad bought it for me) so that's how I went for that rifle. __________________ There is a WORLD of difference in seeing the round hit a paper target and one that changes the targets expression.

12-27-2007, 01:34 PM	#7
ky_shaymus Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 29	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. Thank you all for your input....... I did it! I just bought a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40mm for my 22-250, for $199 from Cabela's in Boise, Idaho. I learned a leason...... Don't buy cheap scopes for a rifle that you are likely to use a lot. A good quality scope goes a long way. I know now that you can't cut corners, buying a cheap scope and mount it on a nice rifle. It causes more head aches than anything else I have delt with before. All I can say is...... This better be the last scope I buy for this rifle, for a long while.

12-27-2007, 06:32 PM	#8
catfish83861 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Idaho Posts: 2,019	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. Sounds like you have found what you wanted. I have a short theory about scopes. Buy a $1000.00 rifle and put a $100.00 scope on it and you have a $100.00 outfit period. Like I said previously, just my opinion. catfish __________________ 'Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid.' - David Hackworth

12-27-2007, 10:07 PM	#9
sarzak V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 95	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. i read somewhere to always spend as much or more on your optic as you did the rifle. now that i've gone through a lot of cheapos, i guess that guy was right...

01-04-2008, 02:22 PM	#11
H Richard Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Central IL Posts: 5	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. Buy the Nikon. But go one step further and get the Buckmaster with the side focus. I have one 6 - 18 X 42 and it is clear as a bell, maintains perfect zero shot after shot, and it is less than $300 (well, was last year). (Look as SWFA adds). I also have a Nikon Monarch 6.5 - 20 X 44, and the Buckmaster is equal quality. Both are atop Prairie Dog guns and get lots of use. The 6-18 is on a .243 Savage FV, and the 6.5-20 is on a Remington 700 VS. I will put either up against a comparable power Leupold any day. __________________ H Richard NRA Endowment Life NRA Instructor SWCA1967 "Those who beat their gun's into plows, will plow for those who don't." Thomas Jefferson

01-06-2008, 04:19 PM	#13
millwright Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,443	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. Now that you've got a good scope, you can shoot that rifle more....but that's expensive.....Don't know why you had problems reloading for it though.....H380 is the 'magic powder' that makes it sing in most guns. Also fills the case enough to prevent accidental double charge. Do a chamber cast to get some real numbers on its dimensions and make sure your loaded rounds fit those dimensions. One characteristic of the .22/250 is neck wall growth. Some say on resizing, some on firing. Whatever the reason I find neck turning solves the problem. Like most of the .22s the /250 is inherently extremely accurate but check your twist rate. Most barrels made in this caliber perform best in the 55 gr range. If you want to shoot heavier VLDs you need to rebarrel with a faster twist. >MW

03-21-2013, 12:16 AM	#14
Hunter87 Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 3	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. I have a barska ridgeline 4-16 X 44mm on my savage axis 22 250, absolutely hands down the best scope for any job i can think of, the P4 reticle is perfect for any predator or varmint hunting, also not bad for hogs and deer at less than 200 yards.

03-26-2013, 04:45 PM	#15
cpttango30 Adnanced Senior Member Posts: n/a	Re: Selecting a good scope for my 22-250. Nikon is putting out some of the best scopes from Japan today. Coatings are a little darker so you might lose some hunting time in the morning and evening. I have a 6.5-20x42mm on my 223 and a 6-24x50mm on my AR (Well in the safe right now). You can't go wrong with a Pro Staff or a Monarch. That said Bushnell Elite scopes and Torphy's are good hunting scopes. There are tons of scopes out there that are good quality in the $300 to $600 range.