Over the past couple of years I picked up two used Ruger M77/22 rifles. One was stainless steel with the old style synthetic stock. The other was a blue steel version with a walnut stock. This one was made back when the stocks were hand checkered.

Both these rifles came with cheap centerfire scopes. They were adequate scopes but nothing spectacular. Plus their parallax would be set for 100 yards or so, which is not really suitable for .22 rimfire rifles.

So I set about looking for quality rimfire scopes for them. I considered 4x scopes but wanted the option of higher power. 2-7x or 3-9x seemed like a suitable range.

The two of the brands of rimfire scopes that most of us are familiar with are Leupold and Bushnell. Leupold offers a VX-I 2-7x and it is a fine optic. It runs about $200 from one of the mail order shops. Bushnell makes a 3-9x variable, which is a decent scope. It runs around $35 to $40, depending on where you buy it.

The Leupold is a nice size and weight for a .22 rimfire. It is 10 inches long and weighs 8 ounces. The Bushnell is larger and heavier, running 11.75 inches long and 11 ounces. So I was facing a dilemma. The Leupold had the power range, size and weight I was looking for, but I was balking at the $200 price. The Bushnell, on the other hand, had a suitable power range and a great price, but it was just too bulky and heavy for me.

That was when I came across the Weaver Classic Rimfire scopes. Weaver Classic Rimfire scopes are set to be parallax free at 50 yards. They are offered in both 4x fixed and 2.5-7x28mm variable power versions. I took a closer look at the RV7 2.5-7x28 model. It was offered in both black matte and silver finishes. It weighed only 9.75 ounces and was 11.5 inches long. And the price was around $130. More than the Bushnell but still significantly less than the Leupold.

Since I had both a stainless steel and a blued steel rifle, I ordered a silver finished scope (#849432) and a black matte scope (#849431). I figured why not get them to match, since I had the option. They look great mounted on the Ruger 77/22 rifles. And they give me plenty of magnification either at the target range or trying to pick a bushy-tail out of the top of a tree.

The 2.5-7x28 Classic rimfire scope comes with a duplex reticle and 1/4 MOA click adjustments. The objective diameter is 28mm and the optics are fully multi-coated. The scope is built on a one-piece aluminum main tube and is guaranteed waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. The eye relief is 3.7 to 3.3 inches. Field of view at 100 yards is 41.2 to 15.7 feet. The positive windage and elevation adjustments click in 1/4 MOA increments and offer a very generous 80" of adjustment in both directions. These scopes have clean lines and a smooth satin finish. They look like a quality product.

When I compared the Classic Rimfire scopes to some of my higher priced centerfire scopes I was pleasantly surprised. I have a Leupold Compact 2-7x (the older VX version, not the new VX-II ultralight) and I honestly cannot tell the difference between them for clarity and image quality.

I am very pleased with my Weaver Classic Rimfire scopes. They offer an excellent value for the price. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a quality scope for their .22 rifle.