The only scope I've ever seen destroyed by recoil was Simmons scope. It was on a Mossberg 835 turkey gun and it took 60 pounds of recoil energy a little too much. Everything inside came loose, to say the least. When you looked through it, it looked like a stump full of Daddy Long Legg spiders.

That didn't stop me from ordering a Simmons Atec for my H&R 45-70 Buffalo Classic. As recently Aunt Sandy stole my Swift 3X9 and had me put it on "Pink Tiger."

Perhaps I should have gotten my standby economy scope which is a Bushnell Trophy. It would seem all of these get the job done well. This time I will have faith in the Simmons Atec and see what happens.

With my trophy rifles I only go Leupold and Burris especially if it kicks more than a 30-06. I know I'll have no trouble here.

One of the most interesting scopes i own is a Busnell Banner 6X18. It is on my CZ-452 in 22 long rifle and has been the most consistant scope I have ever owned. This is my compitition gun. If I maintain a "Click Book" and go by it religiously it always goes back to perfect zero when shooting metallic sil. that's hard to do by the way.

Although a 22 doesnt kick too much if you shoot it about 75,000 times something should give..but not the Bushnell.

In the humidity of the Louisiana Deer woods where you might be hunting in a T-shirt, all scopes will develope moisture, so you have to carry and use a small lens cloth all day no matter what.

Do you need a special scope? Well it depends on how far you intend to shoot. With me I never shoot more than 300 yards so my scope doesn't need anything special, just a good clear lens and well zeroed.

What I do need is clearity. I went to a Leupold Vari XII with a 50 bell for light gathering around dusk. This works just fine and the 40 bell works just as good in low light.

The Swift 3X9 worked well on the Thompson and The H&R 45-70 and now you can drive tacts with the "Pink Tiger." Now I must find a new scope for the Thompson 50 cal. That I may rebarrel to 45 cal.

Truthfully I never really had any trouble with modern scopes other than moisture from humidity. But I do have my favorites.

Uncle John

Does brand have anything to do with the quality or do you just get what you pay for when it comes to scopes. In other words I want to buy a low end scope ($100) or less for my 22. Should I worry about brand or should I just get the one that seems to have the best clarity regardless of brand?

Jon for your 22 I would get a 4X12 Bushnell Banner. You will find this the ideal 22 scope for the squirrel hunter by keeping it on 4 power. Then you can try a little fly shooting on 12 power. You can get one from Shotgun News for around $100.

Uncle John