Just looking into some scopes for my M&P 15-22. I know this rifle is not really a long range shooter, but would like an inexpensive scope to make targets a little easier to see clearly from a good distance. I would like to have the 'red dot' feature with this sight if that is possible. Don't need anything really fancy, but a good, durable inexpensive sight would do just fine! Any recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks!

KH

Most 'red dots' don't have magnification (although there are separate add-on magnifiers for red-dots).

If you're looking for a decent rifle scope, with a 1x zoom, I would recommend:
Primary Arms 1-4X 24 Illuminated Scope PA14X - Primary Arms

At $119, it's got decent glass, sufficient zoom for 100 yards, etc. At 1x, you're in 'red dot' territory.

HTH...

After a lot of looking around and research, i ended up buying two different optics. I didnt want to be the guy spending $300 for a scope to mount on a .22 plinker that cost $425 to begin with so i chose two options that were inexpensive, performed well for my uses, and looked good aesthetically on the rifle.

For plinking and quick acquisition shooting, I use a cheap $50 TruGlo red dot. It shows either red or green, has adjustable intensity on the brightness of the dot, and of course adjustable elevation/windage. No magnification with most red dots, though.



For longer shots, downrange accuracy and general paper target shooting...I bought a Barska Mil-Dot IR 3-9x42mm scope gor around $110. Smaller size than some of the others, sits really nice on the top rail, and looks great. The reticle is adjustable from red to green and dim to bright and is very, very clear. I really like the way it lines up and it really highlights the target, especially if you will be shooting in indoor ranges.






At the end of the day, it really comes down to what you are most comfortable with. For paper targets and tight groupings, a 3-4x scope will do the job. Anything above is just up to preference and budget. For closer plinking-style shooting, a red dot is fast on target and a lot of fun. Or do what a lot of us do and just buy both! Good luck and enjoy!

I like the look of that scope on the rifle as well.

I've seen that front hand grip in several people's photos before. What is that?

Nabby

Its a magpul afg (angled fore grip). They run from $25-$35 online or in BPS or Cabelas

As others have already pointed out, you have to decide what the role of your rifle is... seems like I already asked you this question in another thread...

Do you intend to shoot from a bench and try to make one little hole? If so, a scope with magnification would do the trick.

If you are going to shoot steel plates where a hit is a hit, and you are trying to do it for time, then a red dot may work better for you.

At any rate, take a look at PrimaryArms.com. They have many different, inexpensive optics. Pick out a couple and come back with questions about the specific model and folks can probably give you a better answer.

Nabby,

The Magpul AFG (angled foregrip) is a great piece of kit, i use one on mine with a Gaspedal which creates a really nice repeatable grip and comfy as well, the rifle just fits naturally with these add-ons, which work perfectly for me.
[IMG][/IMG]

Although i have it on good authority that 'fathers day' has a Fortis Shift short angled foregrip heading my way

Goodness knows what a cheap scope is

Keith

Here you go i dont think you can get any cheaper/naff

As mbu110587 thinks, why put anything expensive on your new

15-22

Red/Green Dot Holographic Tactical Laser Sight Scope Rifle Picatinny Rail Mount Ve050 Hunting Sporting Goods Best Birding Scopes From Superseller2015, $13.35| Dhgate.Com

keith

Thanks everyone for the information and suggestions. I will certainly take a look. So much is out there and that always make things a bit more difficult to choose. Better to have too much than not enough! I appreciate all of you!

KH

I'm not sure how cheap you want to go, but I've scoped a few .22s with older 4x scopes I've picked up at gun shows. Japanese made scopes like an older Bushnell Banner can usually be picked up for about $20 and they work great on a .22 and are generally reliable.

__________________
My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

Great information. I do have the MBUS folding front and rear sights, so do I need a riser for any scope I do decide to get?

You'll want a riser regardless, but for any zoom > 1.0, you won't really see the buis.

If you pick up a scope, I recommend a cantilever one piece mount (if possible). This will allow the proper eye relief while leaving room for the buis.

Some scopes, like the barsaka above won't work (I believe) with a one piece mount.

No.

Rings, one piece scope mount, optics with incorporated mounts for AR platforms or separate risers all depend on what optic you purchase.

Here are are some examples-

This magnified optic doesn't need a riser, it's part of the scope.



This magnified optic does't need a riser. It needs 1in tall rings or one piece AR scope mount.



This red dot doesn't need a riser, it's part of the optic.



This red dot does need a riser.



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For those who find themselves dizzy from all the choices, my suggestion is to first make a general choice between a magnified optic or red dot. Then take a look at Primary Arms. When you got in narrowed down a bit, call the guys at PA and they'll walk you though it including all the mounts and risers you'll need.

Just buy a decent red dot. A scope will just make you mad. I have a Nikon p-22 in a Burris pepr qd mount that sits in the gun cabinet. A trs 25 is a way better match for this rifle

Why will a scope make you mad?

I have a 3x12x32 short relief scope on my 15-22 and it makes precision shooting easier, you cannot see what the rifle is really capable of using a red dot. Mine did this 10 shots off the bench at 20yrds, i could not have done this with a red dot.
[IMG][/IMG]

It all really depends on what you want the rifle to do...as was stated earlier.
Scope/red dot for your primary optic, just remember the maxim that is used often on here.....Buy Cheap.....Pay Twice!

yep, for quick shot I like (sometimes) a red dot, for a Good shot a decent scope to see the center of the target at 50yds+
got a BIL with a 17Hmr and a red dot on it, he keeps bi%$hing that he cannot hit the target??? but then at that distance the dot covers the whole thing, I cannot get that thru his head to get a scope

There is no single answer for magnified scope vs 1x red dot.
What you want to do with a rifle dictates the type of optic best suited.

For me.... the 15-22 is a recreational gun good for offhand shooting bouncing soda cans around. Primary Arms MicroDot. Less than $100 and has given great service for years.



I use my Savage .22 for bench and long distance shooting. That requires an optic with magnification and a lot of adjustment to reach out 400yds.

There is always the bushnell ultralight rimfire scopes.
Super light like our rifles. Great clear optic and warrenty. However you get what you pay for with optics. So it isnt cheap.

Bit off topic. You shoot 400 yards with a 22 lr or are you talking about a 22 centrefire round. If 22 lr. Nice I like it. What's the drop at 400 yards and what ammo do you use if you don't mind me asking looking at that savage though looks like a 22 hornet or 22-250 though. Oh forget that question just noticed the ammo storage on stock. Definitely not 22 lr.

Google long range .22lr
400yds is correct. I shoot 200yds all the time.
400yds needs a good optic like he said.
Sightron 10-50x is what I had.
Mini mag 36g @ 100 zero drops 275"at 400yds
@ 200 yd zero drops 180" at 400yds
So as long as you have a high moa rail and enough scope travel.
400yds is very doable.

It's a .22LR. Savage FV-SR with a Boyd's stock and YHM can. I use the pad as a cheek riser. Works perfectly for me.

With a 60yd zero I have to dial in about 80MOA (27ft) of drop using standard velocity ammo to reach out 400yds.

EGW custom cut a 40MOA base for me. My scope has available over 70MOA of adjustment UP with a 60yd zero and my mildot reticle gives me 18MOA of holdover. So total I've got about 90MOA to work with maxed out. Of course with HV ammo I can reach out even further.

15-22 will reach out that far too. It's just a matter of optics and the right rings. Burris Z rings can give up to a 40MOA cant. With the SWFA scope pictured above you could have a 400yd 15-22!

Some don't think it's possible to shoot 400+ yards with a .22 because of bullet drop. But they readily accept that folks shoot out to 1000yds with a .308. Bullet drop is even greater with a .308 at 1000yds. Over 30 feet.

Oh I wasn't saying it couldn't be done. I know it can be done with the right equipment. A 22 lr at the right angle will travel farther then that. What sort of groups do you achieve?

As I said I know it can be done. There's a lot of difference between 200 yards and 400 my friend

Have no idea. I shot at 12in steel plate at longer distances and bottle caps at 100yds. 50yds I'll punch paper sometimes, but much beyond 100yds it's not worth it. At longer distances you're in sniper mode not precision groups. I enjoy hearing the delayed steel ding shooting suppressed.

And yes, there's a world of difference between 200yd and 400yd rimfire shooting.

Nice. I would be very happy to hear that ding at 400 yards as well. Thanks for the replys

I prefer a scope to a red dot any day but my 15-22 isn't nearly as accurate as I had hoped. Should have known beforehand from lurking here but I was hoping for a hit on a golf ball at 50 yards every shot. I haven't had a chance to try that much ammunition because not much is available in my area. I had never even heard of standard velocity or subsonic before reading about it here. The only .22lr I have ever seen for sale is high velocity. At 20 yards a good group is pretty easy but go to 50 or 100 things open up a bit

I run a red dot (Vortex SPARC) on mine. However, I do run a Bushnell BDC Rimfire Reticle 2-7X scope on my RAR 22LR. Very pleased. It's currently $90 on Amazon Prime (didn't price it anywhere else, just a quick check).

I found UTG products to be well made for the price, which is for good for those of us on a budget. So in 2011 I put a UTG 3-9X32 Bugbuster on my 15-22. I liked the compact size and variable range. I only paid $79 on Amazon, it's now $83, but you could probably find it cheaper on eBay.



I liked the UTG scope so much, that in 2013 when I bought a Crosman 2400KT Pellet Rifle, I went with the UTG 4x32 Compact Scope for just $55.



If I was starting over today, for my M&P 15-22 I would go with the UTG 3-12x44 Compact Scope. It's $113.61 on Amazon, but I just saw it on eBay new for less than $100.