tuck1 Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 This is a question for the optics experts on here, I know several of you have looked through and owned a lot of glass in your time, so here goes... I was on a pest control job the other night, asked to deal with some fox cubs. Only rifle available was the .22 with a cheapy Hawke scope on it. Got set up, settled in for a long wait, and lo and behold, right on dark, out they come. Am watching them nicely through the binos (8 x 44's) go to take a shot, look through the scope and all I can see is a black hole. Back to the binos, no problem, back to the scope, nothing. Arrgh! This is the last straw. I have been looking at some better optics for it for some time now, and I want some quality glass. I know its a .22, and in all honesty most of my shooting is done in daylight, or under the lamp. But its times like this when I really do notice the difference. I'm thinking that a S and B 6 x 42 could be the order of the day. Any thoughts? I have used one in the past and liked it, but it was a long time ago, and I'm a long way from a gunshop so these things are hard for me to try out. Quite fancy the reticle with the 3 thick posts for low light shooting. Whatever I get may well get stuck on a .243 in the future, or maybe I'll get something else for that. Has anyone any experience of the 8 x 56 or is that just silly for my .22 use - the current scope is left at 6 x mag 99% of the time? A fixed mag will do me fine, I'd rather have better glass, and less things to twiddle than the other way round! Your thoughts and opinions please. I do not chop and change my gear too much, I generally find what I like and stick with it for years, so it feels like a momentous decision! Many thanks Tuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyCM Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 a quality 6x42 should be just the job, 8x56 while great at dusk is a little big for a .22 also a fuller moon should help a lot & where you sit up can make a difference too, looking out into a brighter area and over lighter ground can help, dry / cut grass, chalk makes a difference sometimes that extra 5-10 mins is all you need. Cheers AndyCM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lineshooter Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 At the moment I use a MTC Viper 10x44 like the fixed power, illuminated ret and 30mm body for a little more light gathering. I fancy changing it for Leupold 4-12 x50 less gimmicks on it than the Viper and quality lenses, have a Hawke varmint on my 10-22, had it for years and never let me down, saying that though I`ve never used it in very low light. Someone mentioned on another forum recently that Hawke quality was not so good on the later scopes, do plenty of research and go for what you can comfortably afford. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 I use a Swaro 6 x 42 on my 0.22 rimmy, and the light pick-up is excellent. It almost matches my Swaro EL 10 x 42 binocs, which is as good as you can get. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 Excellent thanks - it's well known that you need to be able to see stuff through the scope that you can see through the binos - but it's not advice I have heeded (at least with this rifle) until now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 I have a S&B 8x56 and it's great. Low light performance is first class! If it may get moved to a .243 later I'd go 8x56 rather than 6x42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 ^That's exactly the kind of info I was after, thankyou. I use this gun more than any other, therefore it makes sense to me to have something decent on it. I don't really hold weight with the "it's only a .22 why bother" type attitude, like I say when I find what I want, it'll stay on there for years. Fister, I see you are a west yorkshire lad, any suggestions of where I can go to look through a couple? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted May 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Judging by my internet searching, it appears the nearest to me would be York Guns, Swillington or maybe a trip to Lancaster to Fawcett's. Anyone know of anywhere nearer, or alternatively, to those who have looked through quite a few, how much variation in quality was there between them? ie would they be a safe bet to buy blind? Normally with optics it is strictly "try before you buy" with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted May 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Thanks Fister. Probably both, although my research suggests that York Guns and McCleods are not as cheap as Andersons, to the tune of about 30 quid. I just like to look through them and pick the ones that suit me normally, but if they are known for having little variation between them I may take a punt and buy mail order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 For sensible money look at a Burris Fullfield II 3x9x50 which at Uttings.com at the mo are VERY good VFM. http://www.uttings.com/ I would class their optics only a fraction behind S&B on a good day certaibnly way above thier cost. I only use Burris now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groach1234 Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Not sure if it is what you are looking for but Northallerton shooting and country wear have a S&B 3-12x56 listed as 'as new' for £495, they are in North Yorkshire seems like a good price to me, i could be wrong. George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted May 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Thanks George. Is that on the website? I've been on but I can't seem to locate it. I know it's far too much glass for the .22, but it could sit happily on there until the .243 comes along, and then I could look at the 6 x. I appreciate the info. Tuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groach1234 Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 (edited) Thanks George. Is that on the website? I've been on but I can't seem to locate it. I know it's far too much glass for the .22, but it could sit happily on there until the .243 comes along, and then I could look at the 6 x. I appreciate the info. Tuck Yeah look at the pre-owned rifles then scrole down to the pre own optics, its a good shop with knowledgeable helpful staff, i got my gun from there, York guns is also worth a visit, very helpful people, i have got my eye on an hmr there when my cert comes though. Link here: S&B scope George Edited May 30, 2009 by groach1234 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted May 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Found it thanks George. It is intriguing me a little bit as I can't work out which model it is, doesn't appear to be one of the current range. I guess I'll have to wait til monday, and ring and ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groach1234 Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 (edited) Found it thanks George. It is intriguing me a little bit as I can't work out which model it is, doesn't appear to be one of the current range. I guess I'll have to wait til monday, and ring and ask. Like i say both me and my dad got our guns from there and got a second hand pair of swarovski el 10x32 binos from him and they are the dogs, not in the best condition but were half the price of a new set. The scope seems like a good deal to me though. George Edited May 30, 2009 by groach1234 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Tuck1, Try looking on here Scopes. for my .22lr I put a Centre Point 3x12 - 44IR (Red and Green) on and having been out last Sunday night with it after rabbits/hare's in extreme lowlight, I can't fault it, perfectly clear. Picked mine up for £135, but see they're cheaper on the above site (Not sure what postage is on those?) S & B's, Leupolds are extremely good glass, but depends what your budget is and to be honest why stick something on a .22lr thats worth more than the gun is when loaded unless you're going to move it to a larger CF calibre for Deer/Fox. SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted May 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 I hear what you you are saying SS, and generally I would agree. I know that I can pick up the rifle brand new for less than this. However, this is the way I intend to justify it to myself (and if necessary, the wife!) I carry and use this gun more than any other. I'm **** with a shotgun, and don't have the need to carry a larger calibre rifle with me much, but the .22 just seems right. Generally speaking I put it to my shoulder, and hit what I aim at. Over the last 17 years or so I have accounted for a substantial tally of stuff with it (not just the current one, but others.) I do a few call out type jobs at this time of year, and emotions run a bit high when a farmer sees lamb carcasses round an earth. They want it sorting out pronto. I love nice gear. I don't have much of it, as these days I have other priorities, but I do appreciate it. I like being warm and dry, after years of being wet and cold, so I wear good waterproofs, and boots. I'll happily carry a Mora knife though. It's just that, if I take a look through one of these and like it, it may well stay on my rifle for 20 years. I'm not one to chop and change on a whim. I like to think it's because I'm a content kinda person. (others say I'm as tight as a fish's ar**!) I still own the shotgun I bought brand new aged 16. So I see it as an investment, and if it goes on a bigger rifle, and I find myself in the same quandary again, I'll either buy another, or come back here for advice! Hope this makes sense, all I've got to do now is convince (tell) the wife! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Just to make you feel less guilty about spending money, yesterday I had a £539 Zeiss scope put on a .22 that I bought brand new 40 years ago for £16. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted May 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Now that's what I call value for money. I wonder jhow many cheapy scopes have been and gone in that time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Now that's what I call value for money. I wonder jhow many cheapy scopes have been and gone in that time? TWO! The last one was a 6x40 but I think my eyes now need a little more light! I have Kahles, S & B, and Swarovski on other rifles and thought I'd try someting different. A little of what you fancy does you good, they say. Others call it Retail Therapy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted May 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Good man. My thoughts entirely. Which model did you plump for, and how is it performing/comparing to the others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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