Return to zero optic/base choices

[Moon-Man]

Hey guys, I would love some feedback on this.

I have two -22's one just the regular NJ state compliant one and the performance center I through that BCM key mod rail onto.

The performance center is pretty awesome, not a single complaint, especially after I put the upgraded Timney trigger on to it and the hand guard.

That being said, I've been thinking about getting a scope/mount setup with return to zero functionality.

My question is,

-What do you guys usually shoot out to in terms of distance?
-What you expect out of your .22 in terms of consistency/ accuracy with those distances?
-If you use a RTZ mount, how reliable is it?


I'm not looking to get a scope that's 600 bucks. But I am willing to put some good money into it. (Would like it dedicated for the .22) hence the RTZ function. Want to swap out with a micro aimpoint down the road but not loose my zero with the dedicated scope. Hopefully be able to switch between either on a whim.

I know a good mount can be pricey for this purpose so I'm willing to keep prices separate. What are they, like 1-200$?

I've been eying vortex but there's a lot to decide on.

So here's the round up.
Needed features

-Not cheap at all but not cripplingly expensive.
-variable zoom
-return to zero mount (reliable)
- would like to get a illuminated reticle if possible
-clarity is nice
-do you consider weight when choosing?
am I missing anything?
Lol



Thanks again boys

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

As far as a mount... Something like a one-piece Burris PEPR under $100 will be fine.

As far as the optic... a 1-4x pretty much serves the 15-22 well. In the $200 and under range illuminated there is the Millet DMS and others.
Some guys prefer the compact fixed magnification optics (mount is part of scope) like the Burris AR332 or Primary Arms has a couple different choices.

 

[Moon-Man]

Phil, I'm grateful for the response. Really appreciate it.

But after 112 views I kinda expected some more feedback from all of you. Tsk tsk

 

[cjt50]

I really like my Vortex Spitfire 3x. 2 colors of illumination, clear glass, wont break the bank (I paid $279) and the reticle is very workable with 22lr. While I do most of my shooting 50yards and less, I have stretched it out 100 yards. Worked well once I learned which range line on the reticle to use.

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

I gotz the Vortex StrikeFire w/Vortex's FTS 3x magnifier.

I use the green dot much more than the red.

Only complaint with the set up is the fact the magnifier 'flips' to the left side of the rifle instead of the right.

I shoot right handed so when slung, the magnifier wants to hang on my gear.

After carefully eyeballing the situation, I removed the mount from the magnifier, flipped it 180*, reattached the magnifier to the mount then put it back on the rifle.

Now the magnifier flips to the right side.

Other than that. I'm satisfied.

 

[sithlord]

While you can shoot a 22lr out to 300+ yards, most stay in the 25-100 yard range.

Since this rifle is not a tack driver (ie, it won't consistently have a single ragged hole at 100 yards), using anything more than 4x magnification is unnecessary IMHO.

I have a 4 MOA red/green dot on both of mine. They stay on, so there is no need for return to zero. Clay pigeons, soda cans, steel plates are no match for the red dot at 100 yards. We use smaller targets at 50 or less yards (like paint ball pellets).

I have a vortex strike fire on mine, but I don't use a magnifier. I have also run the utg dots before without issue.

I've tried scopes on this rifle but it just didn't work out for me.

 

[Rob1]

I use a LaRue RCO QD mount for the ACOG on my15-22, or when using the Eotech EXPS I simply use the QD mount that it was fitted with.

Have no complaints with either. I swap them round often and shoot out to 75m.

No issues or re-zeroing just "plug and play"

Rob.

 

[roadkill45]

i use the PEPR mount and a EXPS1 QD also. it is the mount that you want to RTZ, not the scope. Once the scope is set, it is set. if the mount is off then it will not RTZ. the PEPR is a great deal, and you can find it on sale. i run a weaver super slam, 1-6 FFP in one and as long as you make a mark on the rifle, or remember what rail slot the mount went in to, as long as you do not change any windage or elevation on the scope it should still be zeroed. well give or take just a little due to the plastic rails.
on my normal AR's i swap out all the time and have never had a RTZ affect on any of them. my .02

 

[OKFC05]

Phil, I'm grateful for the response. Really appreciate it.

But after 112 views I kinda expected some more feedback from all of you. Tsk tsk

Well, to be candid, some of us that have been shooting serious .22 rifles for a long time and helping beginners are "gun shy" about advising new 15-22 enthusiasts about scopes, because we think a lot of the scopes bought for them are inappropriate.

Sometimes the new 15-22 owner gets downright hostile when we tell them that the most they need is a 4X scope with parallax preset for 35 to 50 yds or so (to prevent close range misses) to put on a 3 MOA .22 plinker that they are only going to shoot out to 75 to 100 yds max.

The parallax preset distance is very important, because putting a long-range scope suitable for shooting at 200 yards has the parallax preset beyond normal .22 range, and at say, 25 yards, when moving your head sideways the crosshairs will move noticeably on the target.

For the quick shooting at close ranges so with a 15-22, a dot sight is more popular and appropriate than a scope, as was pointed out above. The 15-22 is really fun to shoot, particularly at action targets, but a sniper rifle it isn't.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Phil, I'm grateful for the response. Really appreciate it.

But after 112 views I kinda expected some more feedback from all of you. Tsk tsk

For starters, no need to "tsk tsk" the good folks here. You'll not find a more helpful and knowledgeable group.

You might get more replies if you explain what you intend to do with the rifle. I just read $200 and illuminated and kinda guessed. But you aren't telling us much. For example, are you just going to be shooting at an indoor 50ft range, or are you critter hunting around the house? Plan on doing Appleseed? Maybe you like shooting at clays against a hill at 200yds with a bipod, or shooting soda cans offhand at 25-50yds.
Or or or...

I use a Primary Arms MicroDot 1x red dot. I mostly shoot offhand at steel plate, soda cans and other debris 25-60yds. You?