Thread: What scope to choose (.22 benchrest)?

Well guys, as expected there is always a lot of different thoughts on this subject.
I had a Leupold 45x45 Competition scope but it didn't really like being focused down to 25 yards. Was a nice scope though.
Then I thought I had a Weaver T36 (new/unused) sorted but the fine cross hairs do get lost (Hey, I'm 74 so I don't have a young man's eyesight anymore).
Put up one of my targets at the local GC yesterday and checked out a Bushnell 4.5-30 scope.
Nope...30x is nowhere near enough to accurately line up a target central 'dot'. My quick measure with a ruler says 3.5mm diameter (might just be 4mm?).
I don't want to scare the target. I want to drill a hole right in the middle of it. Each time, every time.
40x and higher is 'normal' for 25 yard benchrest.
So, I am looking at a Nikko Stirling Diamond (Made in Japan), 10-50x60, new, in box, unused. Called a 'Big Nikko' by airgunners in UK. You can look that up to see about these scopes. Quite well rated overseas.
Not made in China, has good glass, has the large magnification I want. Can focus down to 10yards, so 25 yards will be a doddle for it.
Will probably have it in my hot sweaty hands later this week.
Yes, could buy a Sightron, etc...but where?
I have trawled through all the NZ websites I can find, and nothing in country at the moment, and no-one really knows when the next shipment will arrive.
Plus, I am not interested in a 2nd hand scope which cuts out a lot of 'possible or maybe" buys.
Only other option might have been an Athlon Argos 10-40 but made in China, costs almost as much as the Nikko, and certainly not well regarded as the Nikko is.
Many thanks though for all the help and thoughts.
Much appreciated.
Now, here's what I like to do...that's one of mine. Shot a 100.5 for the whole card.
The bullet hole is larger than the actual central 'dot' I'm aiming at, 25 yards away. This is no place for a 10x scope!