Optics Recommendation for Kimber M82 Government .22 LR Target Rifle

[Lesloan]

Given what you said about your eyesight not being what it used to be (me too!), I'd take the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 10-40x56 off your list. The reticle is very fine and can be difficult to see on dark backgrounds unless the conditions are perfect. Great for precise aiming when the atmosphere is dead still, but cloud cover and mirage will test your patience.

I have one of these scopes and couldn't agree more. Really nice scope but the reticle is a bit thinner than I prefer. I almost gave up on it the first time I used it for exactly that reason.

 

[Lesloan]

Hi.

I ordered a Sightron SIII Precision Long Range 10-50x60mm, 30mm tube (SKU: 28010) and an EGW picatinny rail 20 MOA (SKU 42702). I need to decide on scope rings. Which of the following 4 scope rings do you all recommend?

• Kelbly’s rings [$207]
• Seekins rings [$149]
• Leupold Weaver style PRW2 rings (SKU 174085) [$89]
• Burris XTR Signature rings (SKU 420223) [$86.30]. A member advised me that the Burris rings are the only ones that will allow me to choose my best sight in distance for shooting at 200 yards and beyond and then be able to set my scope up optically centered. There is some benefit to being optically centered and my Sightron SIII only has 25 MOA up or down in the specifications from its center. If I plan on only shooting 25-50 yards, anything will work

Thank you kindly!

Burris Signature rings. With the accessory inserts you can get as much as 40 MOA external elevation, depending on ring spacing. I like the Signature Zees, paired with J&P Delrin adapters instead of a rail. I use this setup on most all my RF rifles.

 

[COLT45SA]

If your 82 won't shoot well under 3 inchs at 25 yards, I'd recommend a new barrel and worry about a scope later. While not a bench rest rifle it should at least shoot an inch at 50yds with decent ammo. If it doesn't, I'd re-barrel or send it down the road.

"Under 3 inches at 25 yards~???" That's horrible~! My bone stock Ruger 77/22 with a 3-1/2 pound trigger shoots .311" at 50 yards without buying top drawer (high-buck) ammo. Before I gave any thought to a new barrel I would seriously consider having the barrel recrowned by a serious professional who understands all the ins and outs of proper crowning for accuracy~!!!!
I don't have a fancy scope either. My Tasco World Class 5-24 with fine cross hairs and a target dot works fine for me

 

[diyj98]

The 82G's I've shot weren't that great in the accuracy department. You might want to shoot it a bit with whatever scope you have lying around before springing big bucks on a target scope. It may or may not shoot to a level that makes you happy.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I would consider the 10-50 you mentioned. When you can use it all, magnification is your friend......Have Fun

Regards
Rick

 

[COLT45SA]

If your 82 won't shoot well under 3 inchs at 25 yards, I'd recommend a new barrel and worry about a scope later. While not a bench rest rifle it should at least shoot an inch at 50yds with decent ammo. If it doesn't, I'd re-barrel or send it down the road.

There are a number of things you can do to your 82 before you consider a new barrel. Have you checked the crown, free-floated the barrel, pillar bedded the action, or considered a tuner~? New barrels plus the installation will cost a box-car full of bucks. In the past I've seen comments about a guy named Randy at CPC in Conn who performs miracles on Ruger 10/22s. You might want to give him a call to see if he can help you or recommend someone to accurize your 82.

 

[Pyscodog]

The 82 I "had" was definitely not a bench rest rifle. It was just a OK shooter at best. I have a Savage with a heavy barrel that hates match grade ammo. But with a CCI Mini Mag its a horse of a different color. Go figure??? You may run the gambit with different ammo until you figure out what it likes. If after that and it still doesn't shoot, send it down the road. I had a factory Ruger 10/22 with a heavy barrel that shot very respectable groups and there are tons of parts that won't break the bank and are DIY.