Leupold FX-1 Rimfire: An example of why it's ok to buy a scope worth more than the rifle

The Leupold Rimfire riflescopes are built with the same quality and workmanship you’d expect from a major manufacturer such as Leupold.  They’re waterproof, fog proof and relatively foolproof.  For those fashion conscious shooters, they’re available in gloss and matte black.

The Leupold FX-1 4x28mm Rimfire scope is specifically made for use with, you guessed it, rimfire rifles and has its parallax set at 60 yards.

If I’ve learned anything from using the FX-1, it is that I shake like an aspen leaf.  I’ve been shooting this same Ruger 10/22 with reasonably good results, but then I put on the scope and it seemed like I couldn’t stay on target because of minute, involuntary movements.  This is a revelation of sorts.  I must shake just as much when I’m shooting with iron sights, but the difference in perception doesn’t make it as noticeable.

So the FX-1 has forced me to take control of my shooting stance, my cheek welds, and my breathing.  I’ve also become much more aware of trigger-pull.  Since I can watch the bullet’s impact through the scope, I have begun to weed out one problem after another.

And this may be the greatest benefit of the FX-1.  I don’t do much hunting with the 10/22 and I’m not likely to, but the skills will transfer.  Plus, it costs nothing to experiment.

For teaching or practicing

This is where I should have started to learn these skills.  The FX-1 is a rock solid teaching tool.  The fixed power scope would provide sufficient magnification for any .22, in my opinion.  Target acquisition is accomplished very easily with such modest magnification.

Using a scope like this for teaching someone to shoot has obvious advantages.  If the scope is installed correctly, and sighted in, then shot placement is much easier than it is with iron sights.  That makes shooting less rewarding.  It could even serve as a good introduction to iron sights, as many of the skills transfer.

With a fixed power scope, you have to make adjustments for drop and wind by moving the cross hairs away from the point-of-aim.  The same is true for iron sights, except there you have line up three objects (target, front post, rear sight) instead of just two (target, crosshairs).

To buy or not to buy

If there is a criticism to be made about Leupold’s Rimfire line, it would be that these scopes are overkill.  Many readers will be struck by what might seem to be a bit of a paradox—why would you pay more for a scope than you did for the rifle?

Not me.  I guess I understand it.  Optics are a compliment to a weapon and the shooters should make the most of their skills.  That, for me, is worth paying for.

Here is the point I’ve been trying to make.  All too often, scope makers cut corners on rimfire scopes.  And why not?  The guns are usually not that high-tech.  The .22 LR is a peculiar round, and not known for its accuracy, so why invest in superb optics?

I think this is an obvious logical fallacy.  The FX-1 isn’t all that expensive.  A quick search shows results between $200 to $250.

What you get is worth it.  Of course it is.  It’s a Leupold.