Rimfire Benchrest Scope Choices

[danmat]

I am a retired guy, starting to dabble in 22 benchrest at the local club level and home range.
I have a CZ 452 and Win repro 52 sporter I'm using for 50 and 100 yrd.
I have a weaver 24 target dot on the 52. I want to upgrade my scopes, my question is are the older 36 t0 45 Leupold's and Weavers worth what their asking for them when I can go up to the Sightron EDs on sale for just a little more, or even the 10x50s. Which is the way I am leaning to.
Thanks Dan

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I shot a May 100 yard rimfire (score) with a 4-20 stac moa2 reticle (1/4" dot@ 20x) I don't feel like I missed the 36x I had on it before. I'm going to put a 36x back on before the next match and test.

 

[jpx2rk]

The discontinued Weaver 36x is a popular choice for RFBR games as is the Sightron 36x. The Sightron ED's are much better IMO. I have several Weaver 36x's and would not hesitate to use 'em. I also have 2 Sightron 45x ED on my BR setups.

 

[longrange223]

Sightron ED and don't look back...

 

[danmat]

Thanks for info, hard to understand the prices people pay for these older scopes. It was like "what am I missing here".
Dan

 

[GuitarmanNick]

Dad had a couple of the Weaver 36T series XR scopes and loved them. One was on the Anschutz 54 Super Match which was his favorite rimfire.

 

[Pinetreebbs]

Arken for less money or for more $ a Sightron SIII COMPETITION 45X45 ED has great glass and functionality for benchrest. I like plenty of magnification, yes it magnifies movement, but it's hard to control something you cannot see.

 

[dusterdave173]

Sightron 45x ED is very popular in that game Can't go wrong with one

Nightforce 12-42BR with the DD reticle is another that is very popular with the 22 bench crowd
( available with other reticles) The advantage over the 45x Sightron is when mirage is bad you can turn down the power These are Much heavier than the Sightron

 

[Straightshooter1]

I am a retired guy, starting to dabble in 22 benchrest at the local club level and home range.
I have a CZ 452 and Win repro 52 sporter I'm using for 50 and 100 yrd.
I have a weaver 24 target dot on the 52. I want to upgrade my scopes, my question is are the older 36 t0 45 Leupold's and Weavers worth what their asking for them when I can go up to the Sightron EDs on sale for just a little more, or even the 10x50s. Which is the way I am leaning to.
Thanks Dan

Dad had a couple of the Weaver 36T series XR scopes and loved them. One was on the Anschutz 54 Super Match which was his favorite rimfire.

I've got the Weaver 36T on mine for the last 10 years and really love it too. It's done great for me out to 200 yds. Unless you know someone wanting to sell one, the only easy place to find one is on eBay (I think).

 

[CharlieNC]

May surprise some but I found my Weaver T36 was clearer than the Sightron 45ED, which was then sold. Looked thru a buds Valdada this week and wasn't impressed. I don't think you will beat a Weaver for twice the price, so be prepared to spend more.

 

[Jayplace]

The Leupold 36X and 45X are both excellent scopes with a proven record at reasonable prices. Both are more than adequate for 50 or 100 yard.

 

[jnr88]

Expensive but worth it. This Sightron S6 10-60 field target. They have a new BR model coming out in August. You might look into Nightforce benchrest models.

 

[jpx2rk]

May surprise some but I found my Weaver T36 was clearer than the Sightron 45ED, which was then sold. Looked thru a buds Valdada this week and wasn't impressed. I don't think you will beat a Weaver for twice the price, so be prepared to spend more.

I debate this issue (Weaver 36x vs the 45x ED) on a regular basis.

 

[CharlieNC]

I debate this issue (Weaver 36x vs the 45x ED) on a regular basis.

I literally compared mine back to back at the range. Removed the Weaver and eagerly installed the Sightron, expecting to see a dramatic improvement. Ten minutes later the Weaver was back on. And I'm a Sightron fan, but in this case it was no contest.

 

[Dgd6mm]

In the past I've had 2 Weaver 24 and 1 Weaver 36. I've transitioned over to shooting more 22lr these days and prefer a variable powered scope. Somedays you may need to turn the power down.

 

[jpx2rk]

I literally compared mine back to back at the range. Removed the Weaver and eagerly installed the Sightron, expecting to see a dramatic improvement. Ten minutes later the Weaver was back on. And I'm a Sightron fan, but in this case it was no contest.

I've had 2 Sightron 36x's (not the ED's), did not care for that model at all, too grainy IMO. The Weavers are very clear for my eyes, as are the 45x ED's. I've compared the two at the range, and very little difference except for the amount of mirage. The Weaver has a slightly larger objective so there is a slightly better/brighter sight picture for the night matches we have. I still haven't decided if it's worth the effort to swap 'em out or not. LOL

I've looked thru several NF scopes, and cannot see a significant difference to justify the $$ compared the 45xED, but I still see lots of NF's on the firing line. LOL