The biggest difference should be the distance its set to be parallax free. Scopes listed as Rimfire are usally set for 50yrds. Scopes set for centerfire rifles are usally set for 100 to 150 yrds.

 

Paralax settings

Paralax settings = focus distance

The Rimfire scope has a paralax setting of 50yds., the Sportsman has a paralax setting of 100yds.. This all means that the the Rimfire scope will be in focus at 50yds and beyond. The Sportsman will be in focus at 100yds. and beyond.
Unfortunately, this also means the rimfire scope will be OUT OF FOCUS closer than approx. 50yds., as will the Sportsman at closer than 100yds.
Hence the adjustable objective (AO) - a tad more expensive & a bit slower to use than fixed scopes but, more versatile. For hunting, just leave the variable power at 4X & the AO adjusted to whatever range is comfortable.
I suggest, if you're sold on a Bushnell rimfire scope, check-out the Bushnell Rimfire/Airgun 3-9X32AO, only comes in gloss tho. Another top choice would be the Simmons 22MAG 3-9X32AO. Both these sell for approx. $50.
I have the Bushnell Rimfire/Airgun 3-9X32AO mounted on a Charles Daly .22 and it's a nice field combination. I also have a Simmons 22MAG 3-9X32, without the AO, mounted on a CZ452 Special & would prefer to have gotten the adjustable objective for close-in shots (25yds.).

My 2 cents,

Bruce

 

The fact that a scope is set for a 50 yd. parallax doesn't necessarily mean that you can't use it for a 30 yard shot. You can, it's when you gat down to 15-20 yards that parallax becomes a real issue. Centerfire hunters scopes, as mentioned, are set for 100-150 yards parallax. Yet, most game is taken at less than 100 yards. Parallax at 70 yards is a non-starter. It's when you cross the 50 yard mark that focus issues normally erupt.

An A/O is nice, but rarely needed for most hunting with rim-fires using rim-fire scopes. Plinking at cans, rocks, balloons, clays, etc. at under 100 yards can easily be done with a 4x32 scope, and is done so every day. It's when you get involved in making tiny little groups on paper that A/O, and high magnification become necessary.

That said, I like the Simmons 3-9x32 A/O, myself. The price is right, they are bright enough for plinking and hunting, and can be fine-tuned by you as you learn more. There are also some older Bushnell 4x32 A/O scopes out there that work well on rim-fires. These come with target turrets, as well. I have a pair of them. One on a Ruger 10/22, and the other on an old Marlin 336, in .30-30.

 

CH & JR - thank you for the very clear response. I thought it would be something like that. Many times - it is had to find that paralex setting.

I do understand the AO and paralex now. However, I don't know how many shots I will be taking under 25 yrds.

I just got the gun and the scope today! (very exciting - my first rifle, im a shotgunner and hangunner mostly) I have yet to get it to the range. Just in the back yard the scope seams to stay in focus at as low as 20yrds.

I wanted to get the entire gun setup from my local gun store for convenience and the hands on support as well as return options. However, they did not have the Simmons or the other mentioned. Sportsmans Warehouse is 5mins from my work and the staff has been xlnt during my research and buying process.

The one thing I have notice with the scope that I really have to be lined up to see down the scope to get the entire view in focus (black spots and visibility - not sure how to discribe this) Is that from the size of the eye objective or the quality of the scope? I understand eye-relief which is linear from barrel to stoc - this is more side to side. What is this? What feature improves this?

PS - Did I mention - I already LOVE my gun!!! not even a shot.. It's soo cool!

 

The size of the exit pupil of the scope can make viewing more critical. The smaller the exit pupil, the more important it will be for you to align yourself with it. To determine the exit pupil, divide the magnification power into the objective diameter. Thus 32 /9 = 3.5mm. 6mm is considered large enough to allow 100% of the light that the pupil needs to see well.

Another point to consider is the diameter of the rear ocular. Smaller scopes rear ocular is, well, smaller. If you're looking through a 3/4" tube, it's less critical for eye position than looking through a 3/8" tube.

 

JR - ah ha, I see that. Okay. so not too bad. The bushnell site says exit is 10.6 - 3.6mm - I guess that is based on mag variations. So the more mag, the smaller that sight tube becomes. Thank you.

Ps - Here's a pic for.. well for me to see again!

 

I use a Bushnell 3 x 9 -32 AO airgun scope on my 1710 and find the AO feature
a great tool to focus on targets at different ranges. With the rifle supported by the left hand, my left fingers can reach up and turn the AO bell to fine tune the focus.

When shooting at 50 yard paper targets, I can see the 22 lr holes at 6 power.
I've had this scope for 10 years and am satisfied with the purchase. I bought
the airgun model thinking the scope may be built sturdier than plain rimfire.

 

Nice wood on that bad boy!:bthumb:

Gerald

 

I love my bushnell 3X9

 

I've used mine a couple of times at the range and so far have been very pleased. 50 yards and under at 3-6 power works very well. As you dial up the power finding the sight picture is a bit more sensitive and difficult. But I still need to adjust the scope still.

It is very clear, crisp and sharp! for $37 what do you want. I hope it performs well in the woods.