Penultimate squirrel hunting rifle scope

I use a Hawk 4-16x50 Sidewinder on the airgun.
aYZ0c0dl.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Not my penultimate, my ultimate, an older 4x Leupold 33, with the fine taper crosshairs. I went through a lot of different scopes before settling on this. With my 77/22, I can do head shots to 75 yards. Bright, light, clear, can sit low on the rifle, and keeps zero. Taken a lot of squirrels, groundhogs, starlings, crows and a turkey.
Bfly
 
Easiest way to get there IMO is the Plain Jane Leupold FX-1 4x28 Rimfire scope. For accurate shooting at 22 ranges, parallax can be an issue. IIRC the parallax zero on the FX-1 Leupold 22 scope is 60 yds. Most other scopes designed for high power are usually zero parallax at 100 yards. I think Leupold also has a VX Rimfire version in their less expensive line if you think you need a variable power scope. I’ve never run into a need for anything other than the 4x scope for squirrel-sized game at the ranges that make sense for small target, accurate 22 rimfire hunting. This rock squirrel is about same size as most tree squirrels- they get extremely wary and usually require stealth shots of 30-40 yards. That would be about average max for most tree squirrel shots.
C09428ED-C42E-4DF9-802E-BA8837E89AEF.jpeg
 
Last edited:
I use a Leupold 3-9x rim fire scope on an anschutz 64.
 
Easiest way to get there IMO is the Plain Jane Leupold FX-1 4x28 Rimfire scope. For accurate shooting at 22 ranges, parallax can be an issue. IIRC the parallax zero on the FX-1 Leupold 22 scope is 60 yds. Most other scopes designed for high power are usually zero parallax at 100 yards. I think Leupold also has a VX Rimfire version in their less expensive line if you think you need a variable power scope. I’ve never run into a need for anything other than the 4x scope for squirrel-sized game at the ranges that make sense for small target, accurate 22 rimfire hunting. This rock squirrel is about same size as most tree squirrels- they get extremely wary and usually require stealth shots of 30-40 yards. That would be about average max for most tree squirrel shots. View attachment 492589
nice rifle too...
 
Penultimate....why do you want to know what peoples 2nd from last choice is....;)
Never looked up the actual definition--where I grew up, people used the word to indicate "the absolute ultimate." sorry
 
@fourfive8 Which 52 is that?
It's the newest iteration of the 52-B Sporter made in the Winchester Miroku factory. I bought it new in early 90s. Most accurate non-target 22 I've ever owned or shot. It has the target chamber where the front of the bullet shank behind the ogive engraves the lands upon chambering which ensures perfect cartridge to bore alignment. The original 52-B Sporters was considered the finest 22 rf sporter ever designed/made. These are very bit the equal of those earlier 52-Bs. In addition to the target chamber- the speed lock, trigger and detachable magazine system are second to none, IMO. If you ever stumble across one at a reasonable price, don't pass it up :)
 
Last edited:
My squirrel hunting is perhaps a bit different: nuisance control keeping the red squirrels away from my house.

Most have largely fallen to either a Crosman 1377 pistol (iron sights) or a Crossman 2100 rifle, with a cheap Simmons scope. Thus far the fallen number in the hundreds... I couldn't begin to imagine how many.
 
Never looked up the actual definition--where I grew up, people used the word to indicate "the absolute ultimate." sorry
While the dictionary definition of the word is next to last, the word structure consists of next in line to, and final which could also be defined as best. which is how the word is used in several places: that is: next to perfection, The dictionary is a little behind the normal usage.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
60,613
Messages
1,321,816
Members
111,962
Latest member
merille
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Safari Dave wrote on GUN & TROPHY INSURANCE's profile.
I have been using a "Personal Property" rider on my State Farm homeowner's policy to cover guns when I travel with them.
I have several firearms, but only one is worth over $20K (A Heym double rifle).
Very interested.
Would firearms be covered for damage, as well as, complete loss?
I'll can let the State Farm rider cover my watches...
Behind the scenes of taking that perfect picture.....






WhatsApp Image 2025-04-23 at 09.58.07.jpeg
krokodil42 wrote on Jager Waffen74's profile.
Good Evening Evert One.
Would like to purchase 16 Ga 2.50 ammo !!
Rattler1 wrote on trperk1's profile.
trperk1, I bought the Kimber Caprivi 375 back in an earlier post. You attached a target with an impressive three rounds touching 100 yards. I took the 2x10 VX5 off and put a VX6 HD Gen 2 1x6x24 Duplex Firedot on the rifle. It's definitely a shooter curious what loads you used for the group. Loving this rifle so fun to shoot. Africa 2026 Mozambique. Buff and PG. Any info appreciated.
Ready for the hunt with HTK Safaris
 
Top