which would be better on my gun for shooting at 100 yrds a 3 or 4 x9? is there much difference?

If you are shooting that far, the first number won't make much difference at all. The first # is the lowest power it will allow and is only helpful for targets as close as 25 ft.

At 100 yds, if you set your scope to 3 or 4 power your crosshairs will cover most of the target, making it hard to gues at the POI.

I won't bore you with my pathetic explanation. If you check out How to choose a Riflescope - Rifle Scope Experts Guide to firearm optcs - Rifle scopes do's & don'ts they explain it very well.

If you're going to be doing much bench shooting at 100yds you might consider having more magnification available than 9x. Midway has the Simmons 6.5-20x on sale for $110.00 from a reg price of $250.

Simmons Whitetail Classic Rifle Scope 6.5-20x 50mm Adjustable Objective Truplex Reticle Matte - MidwayUSA

I agree, even at 50 yds, my 3-9X40 is barely adequate to me.

My dad used to have a Simmons 6-20X50 on a .22 mag and we could drop ground hogs at around 150-175 yds.

At 100 yds, I can barely guess when the crosshairs are on the bullseye, b/c the sights are bigger than the target at 9X.

well id like to get a tactical type scope.

im looking at this one.
NC Star 4x30 Illuminated Reticle Rubber Armored Tactical Scope

Buy a quality scope and a 3-9X will be plenty for plinking and hunting with a .22. If you buy some cheap *** Simmons or Tasco 3-9X then you can expect to have problems. If you really want to shoot over 100yds then get a quality high powered scope but a quality 3-9x will even work better for than then a cheap 6-20x.

Fond of the new Redfield 3-9x40 myself. Even with my aging eyes.

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~Doug

I would say it depends on what ELSE you're doing with the gun.

3x/4x is too small a FOV at 25-50 yds to follow a jumping can IMHO, that's why I went with a 1.5-4.5x.

If I was regularly shooting 100 yds+ though, I think I would appreciate more magnification.

Never owned the Simmons I mentioned above... but here are 156 people who do and have reviewed the scope... 5 stars... dating back from 2003 to present. They seem quite pleased.

Simmons Whitetail Classic Rifle Scope 6.5-20x 50mm Adjustable Objective Truplex Reticle Matte - MidwayUSA

ps. I've owned two Tasco PDP2 for over a decade. Used and abused on 45acp and 9mm handguns. They just keep on tickin.

I got this NcStar 3-9x42 illuminated recticle scope online for $60 bucks with rings and it works really well for the money. I'm happy with it.

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Air Assault!

I can vouch for the Simmons being a good scope for the money. I've shot a buddys a few times that is mounted on a 12ga with a bull barrel for slugs. It has been that way for over 15yrs and still holding zero to this day. I've got the bruises to prove it so it would definitely hold up to the .22lr

I cant speak for the Simmons as I've never owned one, but my redfield 3-9x50 has been a dream. Its pretty much a leupold scope for a fraction of the price. It is kinda hard to shoot at 50+ yards, but the clarity is superb. Best scope for the money IMO

I found the Simmons to be an excellent scope for a .22. I put the Simmons on a Marlin till I sold that and then for a while had it on my Henry lever action but well a scope on a lever action just seems so wrong so I gave it to a buddy to use on his 12 ga slug rifle.


I just purchased an NcStar red dot (d4p) since my wife is taking my Bushnell red dot, eh not really going to miss that thing... I dont care for it since the change able recital moves your zero.

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Aim small, miss small.

What do you mean it's kind of hard to shoot at 50+ yards but the clarity is superb? Seems to me that 50+ yards is where it would be at its best. I must have missed something.

I like that scope, but the illuminated reticles aren't my thing.

I put a NCStar 3-9X40 on mine and have no complaints. Once zeroed, I have put about 500 rounds through it, hauled it around in a soft case in my trunk a LOT, and it has stayed zeroed. Aside from that and a clear sight picture, what more can you ask for for a $28 scope?

Variable power telescopic sights get dimmer as you crank up the magnification -- some get dark at the highest settings. Seems almost directly related to price.

The market is flooded with decent, inexpensive optics. RRages dot com has several.

-- Chuck

Agreed, I bought a new Simmons 8 Point Truplex 3-9X40 with a zoom/personal focus lens a few days ago. And it works GREAT!! This scope is GREAT for the 15 22. I have sighted it in at around 110 yards with ease, and its VERY capable of seeing much farther than that. And to me now at least, comes the most imortant part.. CLARITY! This scope has a 3-9 X zoom yes, but when you get it out to 9X and it gets just slightly "blurry" as alot of other scopes tend to do at times. All you need to do is rotate the focusing lens untill the image is nice and clear again. ( it even gives a slight bit of extra magnification this way) Here is a link for it on Amazon.com While it is listed at $61.85 there, I picked mine up at Meijers sporting goods section on sale for just a little bit over $33 after taxes. So far it has held zero very well. And the extra coating on the lens allows for ALOT of light to be let in easily ( better image clarity) even in low light situations. YES there are FAR better scopes out there for sure. But for just target or range shooting and plinking this wil do great at 100+ yards with no issues at all.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RMWTJA/...SIN=B001RMWTJA

I ordered the Simmons Whitetail Classic scope from Midway and it should be delivered today. What height rings do you think I should get for a 50mm scope? I'll be removing the factory sights.

Im personaly using the Weaver brand extra high 1 inch rings. they can accomodate up to a 50mm scope. As I said my scope is a Simmons Truplex 8 point 3-9X40mm, but the height of the extra high ring set is the perfect height for the scope( for best eye relief), for me at least. I got the set at Walmart for $9.69. Its is actually the same price for the shorter or taller rings set.(at my local Walmart at least)

Thanks DR&U, extra high it is. I'll take a ride to Walmart this afternoon.

Ya, As I say, for me personaly I like the extra height better. Look at it this way, when you buy them, if you dont like them, its Walmart... return them lol. The Weaver brand set I bought has the usual 2 mounting rings, but has 4 locking rings for the body of the scope( 2 per mouting ring that are set side by side to look like a regular 2 piece mounting kit). It gives it a very snug and secure fit. Also dont forget to use that rebate coupon I linked to a few post back. It on Simmons actual website and its for 25% rebate for ANY new scope. Its mail in, but who cares.. its free money lol.

Perhaps you have something wrong with your optic if the crosshair is covering your bullseye at 100 yds.....or....you are shooting at asprin tablets or the like.

I have seen some red dot sights that have some fairly large dots, as much as 6~7 MOA, and they can certainly cover the bullseye making it hard to call the shot.

Even my tired old eyes can make out a golf ball sized bullseye with a 4x optic.

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Stu