Newbie Scope Questions

[Mike D]

I'm new to rimfire silhouette, but not to shooting. I'm going to be using a customized Ruger 10/22 and like alot of new to the sport shooters angonizing over what scope to purchase. I'm looking for a decent reliable scope with a budget of approx $400. After much searching through various forums and reviews, I think I've narrowed it down to the 3 scopes listed below:
1. Bushnell Elite 6-24x40; multi X reticle (approx $400 thru my local FFL dealer)
2. Clearidge Ultra XP 6-20x40; duplex reticle (approx $320)
3. Mueller 8-32x44; target dot reticle (approx $249)
Now comes my questions: Are any silhouette shooters using these scopes and what are your opinions and pros and cons ? Especially on the Clearidge and Mueller scopes, do they have enough elevation adjustment to go from the chickens to the rams ? What about eye relief; are they sufficient to be shot comfortably ? How about clarity; is there any issues with fuzziness at the higher powers ? I plan on mounting the scope with the Ruger supplied Weaver/Picatinny base (is this a good choice ?), can you suggest some good rings and what height I'll need for both the 40 and 44mm scopes ? Any comments and or suggestions is both welcome and greatly appreciated. Thanks
Mike

[CZforlife]

Ring wise take a look at BKL high rings! Out of the 3 scopes you have up there the Bushnell is defiantly the best of the 3. Have you looked into purchasing a used scope? Leupold has a lifetime warranty on all there scopes so buying used isn't a worry! Many other bigger named scope companies have such warranties aswell! I bought my first scope for $400 which was a 24x Leupold with a 5/8's dot! Keep an eye out on our Marketplace ads posted by fellow silhouette shooters.

Best of luck,

[Mike D]

Thanks baby Huey; I have been watching the marketplace for used scopes as an option.
Mike

[calixt0]

I'm new to this as well (maybe 3 weeks or so) but I had a mil dot scope on my rifle already. nice this about the mil dot is no elevation changes needed. I allign the cross hairs on the pig, go up to the first dot for the chickens, down the the first dot for the turkeys, and down 2 for the pigs. works like a charm. Something you may want to look into

[Innocent]

calix, how much have you shot with a single dot, and adjustments? Mildots are great in some cases, but sometimes they can add too much to think about in match pressure situations, when the weather conditions are not favorable and your hold is VERY wobbly, where adjusting for elevation/windage allows for concentration on conditions and hold.

I've shot both, and find that I would rather have a single dot or just crosshairs and pick a spot on the animal to hold on, after adjusting for elevation, and windage if needed. Just my preference, and expiernece trying to teach a newbie to shoot with a mil dot is very challenging, because there are too many other things to have to think about besides which dot they need to be using.

Mary

[Innocent]

Mike, in your choices that you listed, Bushnell. I agree with CZ though, hold out and see if you can find a used Leupy or Weaver T series floating around, you will be happier in the long run. I have run into a T 10 at a gun show about a month ago for $100, and seen some Vari-X III's at fair prices $450-550 range.

Mary

[Dee]

Natchezss has the 8-32x Bushnell on sale for $399.95 right now. You will not beat that price nor that scope with a Leupold at twice the price IMO.


Dee

[CZforlife]

Dee I'm actually talking to a guy about an 8-32x with a 1moa dot! I have a 5/8ths and I thought that was huge so I could only imagine a 1moa! I'm gonna sell my Luepold 24x and use the 4200 as my airgun/back silhouette scope!

[Innocent]

BH, my Premier on my WIn 52 is a 1moa dot.

Mary

[CZforlife]

Do you think it helps? Either way it should be pretty cool.

[Innocent]

BH, it helps in some ways, in others it can be a detriment.
For fast view to the target in standing, it is great. If you are trying to group for ammo testing, it covers the bullet holes, so it is difficult to get a tight group with that dot.

Mary

[jbolt]

If possible I would hit up the local sihlo shooters and try shooting as many different dot sizes as you can. Personally I find dots distracting and prefer a duplex. I went through 3 scopes with different dot sizes before I figured that out.

[Innocent]

jbolt...amen to your comments, each person has different preferences for that type of thing. Glad you found something you like.

Mary

[Mike D]

Thanks everyone for the guidance/suggestions. I do prefer either a fine crosshair or a duplex/multi x reticle over a dot; just easier for me to use. Mary, I do understand where you're coming on scope quality (Leopold); I just need to figure out if I can justify (to myself) the expense of the Leopold (about $650 from my local FFL dealer) over either the Bushnell (about $425) or the Clearidge (about $320). By the way, I have a Leopold Mark AR 6-18 on a custom AR-15 paltform and love it; crystal clear. One thing that does concern me is the elevation adjustments with the Bushnell and Clearidge; are they sufficient for rimfire silhouette ? Does anyone have any experience with either the Bushnell or the Clearidge ? From some of the reviews I've read concerning the Clearidge; the clarity is comparable to both Bushnell and Nikon. If I did choose the Clearidge, should I go with one of the bases with MOA (+5, +15, +20 are the one I've seen) built-in to gain some more elevation ?
I want to get a scope soon, but I'm not in so much of a rush to order a scope that might not suit me or silhouette shooting. Thanks and please keep the information coming.
Mike

[CZforlife]

What power are you comfortable shooting at?