.22 scope magnification reccomendation

[Daniel55]

Looking at replacing my old 4x32 on my .22lr. Rifle normally gets used for plinking and have taken a few guinea fowl with it. Would a 2-7 be a good choice? Is a 3-9 magnification overkill on a .22?

[Toxxyc]

I would do 2-7 on a medium-range rifle long before a 3-9. You'll save a lot of money that's spent without use, since the .22LR isn't very lekker to shoot at the longer ranges anyway.

[Daniel55]

I would do 2-7 on a medium-range rifle long before a 3-9. You'll save a lot of money that's spent without use, since the .22LR isn't very lekker to shoot at the longer ranges anyway.

Can be fun to push distances.. What scope do you have on your .22lr?

[Toxxyc]

I don't have a .22LR, but the .22 LR's effective range is of such a nature that a 9x scope would be useless on it. Or do you plan on shooting ~500m+ with the .22LR? I would be more than happy to shoot up to 500m with a 9x scope, granted the clarity is of such quality that I can effectively see the target. IMO the .22LR starts to lose out after about 100m, with it's effective range being around 150m before it starts to drop so fast that it becomes impractical to try and calculate for it.

Honestly, I would fit a good 2-7 scope on it, max. Even better, I would fit an even smaller magnification, something like a 1.5-6 on there with a good reticle and good clarity. Rather get all you can out of the rifle at 100m than spend unneeded money on a scope you're not going to use.

That being said, considering rimfire scopes are so cheap, spending that extra R500 on a 3-9x40 might not be the worst idea ever. What's your budget on a scope?

[Bonedoc]

I don't have a .22LR, but the .22 LR's effective range is of such a nature that a 9x scope would be useless on it. Or do you plan on shooting ~500m+ with the .22LR? I would be more than happy to shoot up to 500m with a 9x scope, granted the clarity is of such quality that I can effectively see the target. IMO the .22LR starts to lose out after about 100m, with it's effective range being around 150m before it starts to drop so fast that it becomes impractical to try and calculate for it.

Honestly, I would fit a good 2-7 scope on it, max. Even better, I would fit an even smaller magnification, something like a 1.5-6 on there with a good reticle and good clarity. Rather get all you can out of the rifle at 100m than spend unneeded money on a scope you're not going to use.

That being said, considering rimfire scopes are so cheap, spending that extra R500 on a 3-9x40 might not be the worst idea ever. What's your budget on a scope?

Personally, I want a scope that I can see .22 bullet holes on a target at 50-75m. That means about x14 for me, plus adjustable paralax down to 10m.

I shoot my. 22 with open sights as I inherited it from my great grandfather and don't want to modify it. If I buy another one, I'll mount a 4-16 Hawke or similar.
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[H.MINNAAR]

I don't have a .22LR, but the .22 LR's effective range is of such a nature that a 9x scope would be useless on it. Or do you plan on shooting ~500m+ with the .22LR? I would be more than happy to shoot up to 500m with a 9x scope, granted the clarity is of such quality that I can effectively see the target. IMO the .22LR starts to lose out after about 100m, with it's effective range being around 150m before it starts to drop so fast that it becomes impractical to try and calculate for it.

Honestly, I would fit a good 2-7 scope on it, max. Even better, I would fit an even smaller magnification, something like a 1.5-6 on there with a good reticle and good clarity. Rather get all you can out of the rifle at 100m than spend unneeded money on a scope you're not going to use.

That being said, considering rimfire scopes are so cheap, spending that extra R500 on a 3-9x40 might not be the worst idea ever. What's your budget on a scope?

With respect, I would advise you to spend more time with a .22lr before making statements like “9x scope would be useless”. You cannot use 500m shooting center fire criteria on the .22.
To the Op, I see you mention it can be fun to push distances, I have to agree! Getting hits between 150m to 200 with a .22 is awesome. If so, don’t limit your optic choice to low magnification. Something with higher magnification is brilliant on the range where you can see the holes as well as making smaller shots on the smaller targets available. With extra zoom, most definitely be something with adjustable paralex. I have found it to be not such a great issue on the smaller magnification scopes. The use will dictate the choice. Not relevant to the OP intended use, but with the correct scope you can have a lot of fun diallling in for the longer shots. There are a few series being run abroad for precision 22 and 200 had challenges. The best thing about it, you can get of at relatively low cost. My setup consists of a 3-12 with hold over reticle and adjustable paralax. I use it for both mynahs/rats and messing around further out. My 10/22 has a red dot, used up to 50m only on steel. Going way low on magnification will limit you. Have fun!

[Antlion]

With respect, I would advise you to spend more time with a .22lr before making statements like “9x scope would be useless”. You cannot use 500m shooting center fire criteria on the .22.
To the Op, I see you mention it can be fun to push distances, I have to agree! Getting hits between 150m to 200 with a .22 is awesome. If so, don’t limit your optic choice to low magnification. Something with higher magnification is brilliant on the range where you can see the holes as well as making smaller shots on the smaller targets available. With extra zoom, most definitely be something with adjustable paralex. I have found it to be not such a great issue on the smaller magnification scopes. The use will dictate the choice. Not relevant to the OP intended use, but with the correct scope you can have a lot of fun diallling in for the longer shots. There are a few series being run abroad for precision 22 and 200 had challenges. The best thing about it, you can get of at relatively low cost. My setup consists of a 3-12 with hold over reticle and adjustable paralax. I use it for both mynahs/rats and messing around further out. My 10/22 has a red dot, used up to 50m only on steel. Going way low on magnification will limit you. Have fun!

As a new .22 lr owner, the "long range " rimfire sessions sound interesting. Quick search and I found this.
https://www.accurateshooter.com/shooting-skills/rimfire-tactical-precision-match/

[H.MINNAAR]

I am very impressed with the Vx freedom line of rimfire scopes. Leupold quality and clarity. Got a 25 moa reticle for longer shots.

[Koekie Monster]

I am very impressed with the Vx freedom line of rimfire scopes. Leupold quality and clarity. Got a 25 moa reticle for longer shots.

I also have the rimfire version and love it! Form follows function decide on what you want do with the rifle and buy a scope accordingly.

[moose]

A 4-14 would be great on the 22lr, there are some super ones from Bushnell with holdover lines in them made to match the common 22 lr ballistics