Two years ago I decided to practice what I was preaching and switch to exclusively using 1x zoom scopes or red dots (no magnification) when hunting small game. This was a fun and challenging experiment but there were many situations where the jackrabbit was just out of reach for a one-shot humane kill. So for the past six months I have been looking for the perfect rimfire zoom scope. My requirements are that it must be parallax-adjusted for a rimefire applications (is there anything worse than trying to shoot a small critter at 50 yards with the crosshairs moving left and right across its entire body as you breathe), click adjustable, reticle with MOA-markings and a low magnification on the low-end of the zoom (max 2x, but lower is always better).

I was very excited to see the press release from Leupold announcing the new Redfield Battlezone TAC.22 2-7x34mm. It is almost my perfect scope.

It has a Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) dial with markings for a 36-grain .22 LR hollowpoint bullet with a muzzle velocity of 1,260 feet per second (considered the “standard” .22 round). The dial has marking to make adjustments for ranges between 50 to 150 yards. If you are not shooting in that range or with that round, it also comes with a standard 1/4 MOA dial. The adjustment turrets are of the tactical-style pop-up/resettable type. You can set up zero at the range and make in-the-field adjustments for the bullet, distance or wind and then easily return to back to the original zero. I don’t know if the company has any plans to sell alternative dials, but I would love to also have a 40 grain sub-sonic calibrated dial.

My only issue with the scope is that its parallax adjustment is set to 75 yards. This is significantly less than centerfire scopes (100-150 yards) but higher than most rimfire scopes which usually have parallax set to 50 or 60 yards. 75 yards is generally considered shotgun scope parallax. Now if you are shooting from a bench or a bipod, this pre-set parallax adjustment might be beneficial but most of my shots are at the more typical rimfire off-hand field range of 50 yards (or less). I am no marksman and a clean quick kill is always preferable than being able to brag about a long range off-hand shot.

This scope has the same high-end adjustment features found on tactical scopes, but optimized for rimfire shooters and at a low price. Aside from the difference of opinion over optimal parallax, I think Leupold has done an excellent job. I have already emailed one of my best friends its specifications with a recommendation he purchases it for his new Ruger 10/22. We will definitely be asking Leupold to send us one for review, so watch out for it.

The scope is being sold for $190.

The press release …

Redfield^® introduces the latest model in their line of tactical optics, the Battlezone^™ Tac.22^™ 2-7x34mm riflescope.

Designed for .22 Long Rifle firearms, the Battlezone Tac.22 comes with two elevation adjustment dials. The first is marked in ¼ MOA increments, and the second is a Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) dial calibrated to the .22LR, shooting a 36-grain hollowpoint at 1,260 feet per second. The BDC dial is marked from 50 to 150 yards.

The Battlezone Tac.22 features the Tac-MOA^™ reticle, which matches the ¼ MOA adjustment dials. Stadia lines on the horizontal and vertical crosshairs are set at two minute of angle increments, allowing for fast windage and bullet drop adjustments as well as range estimation. Parallax is set at a rimfire-friendly 75 yards.

A fully multi-coated lens system delivers excellent brightness, clarity and resolution. The fast-focus eyepiece provides an unmatched field of view, and makes reticle focus fast and easy to maintain in the field. Aggressively knurled, pop-up resettable adjustment dials feature audible clicks that assure precision, repeatability and a wide range of adjustment travel.

Like all Redfield optics, the Battlezone Tac.22 is nitrogen-filled for a lifetime of waterproof, fog proof and shockproof performance.

All Redfield riflescopes are covered by the Redfield “No Excuses^™” warranty.