MPFD, I agree that a scope will not make a gun shoot better my any means but it will make a better shooter. In the BR 50/50 rimfire shoots I go to, the sporter class is required to use a maximum 6x scope while the 10.5lb and heavy gun classes, can use up to 36x! There are several people that have twin rifles one for sporter and one to shoot in the other two classes (only difference being the scopes). I assure you that the scope makes the difference! a 225 4x for the sporter score and a 248 10x for the heavy gun? Huge difference! Although that isnt going to apply to just shooting 1" groups out of a handi rifle, but it can make a The diff. in winning a match