IMO anything more than a 3-9x is too big for hunting anything but long range gophers. Other than that it really depends on the terrain and your style of hunting. Are you jump shooting critters in the trees and brush? Are you sitting on stand and waiting? Etc. Etc.

For close cover I like 1.5-4x scopes and 1x red dots. For stand hunting squirrel I like both 4x and 3-9x. IMO, the best all around magnification may very well be a 2-7x but they are harder to find. IIRC, Weaver has a nice 2-7x for between $100-$150 but good luck finding one locally.

There is a reason that everyone and their brother makes a 3-9x. Low enough power for hunting moving critters with enough magnification for punching paper.

 

If your primary quarry will be rabbits, FOV will be more important than magnification. Personally I don’t think that I’ve had a magnification setting higher then 6X while pursuing squirrels or grouse and really wouldn’t put anything more then a 3-9 on a small game rifle. I keep a couple of unscoped semi’s specifically for the rabbits, quick target acquisition is paramount along with quick follow up shots if needed and I will admit they are needed quite often.

 

Maybe I'll have to stick to unscoped for this weekend, and spend a little more time researching the best for my needs. I'll take a look at some of the local shops and see if i can find something decent in the 2-7x range.

 

Personally, I'd opt for a 3-9x scope, gives you wide FOV at 3x and higher mag up to 9x if you want it....plus if you go to the range to practice, you'll wish you had up to 9x. I'd dump the red dot idea for hunting - you'd wish you had a real scope, and red dots under $100 aren't any better than iron sights IMHO.

Something like this might be good to start with:

http://www.natchezss.com/Optics.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=SN511072&prodTitle=Simmons%20Riflescopes%2022%20Mag%20Series%203%209x32%20Matte%20with%20Rings%20Adjustable%20Objective

or this:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-super-banner-3-5-10x36-riflescope.html

or the Weaver 2.5-7x28 (about $135, no shipping - better quality scope):

http://www.opticsplanet.net/weaver-rifle-scopes-rimfire-rv7.html

 

The 2-7 Weavers are great scopes for the money. We probably have 8 or so scattered through the family and have never had a problem.
Stringnut

 

Such good information here I love this site. Facing same situation for my purdy 980S-CF which btw I shot for the first time today with some CB longs-open sighted. As stated If your eyes are good (young) it sure is fun to swing on them for those quick shots and you'll have plenty of time for scopes later. Many guys have rifles in this caliber scoped and open sighted for that reason. Just wait till you lose one to your buddy's open sighted rifle because you can't find that hare in the cross-hair's!

As for myself I'll rob a four power off the air gun and do some spotting at the range with the 10 x 50's for now. Good luck

 

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I picked up a Weaver Classic Rimfire RV-7 2.5-7x28 from a local store last night. I was rather surprised that I was able to find it for the same price as online and the tax was less than the 2 day shipping. So I have it for the weekend. Nothing like instant gratification for an extra $12 in tax.

Now I just have to pick out some rings. Looks like I could spend more on the rings than i did the scope. :banghead3

Now I need to figure out if it is worth getting some quick disconnect rings and some type of a low profile base that would let me go back to iron sites if needed when hunting (for 10/22). Or just get something basic and take a screwdriver/allen wrench just in case i want to go back to irons when hunting. But that is a question for another thread.

Thread: http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2242747#post2242747​

Thanks for the advice, I'll post after I use it this weekend.

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