PostOak - - have both the 452 American and the Varmint model. The question is -- what are you going to use it for? I have a Leupold 4X 22lr scope on the American and its great - for most small game and plinking. On the Varmint model, I currently have an older, but spring-water-clear Redfield 3X9 and a 15 oz. trigger. You can guess what my intentions are here, and I intend to scope-up when the right deal presents itself.
Years ago, I kept track of the ranges I shot gray squirrels at here in our Sierra foothills - the average distance was 46 feet, so I hear you on lesser power in some instances. On the other hand, the same rifle was used on ground squirrels, often at much longer distances. The rifle was a Winchester M75 Target modified rather competently by some previous owner into a sporter. The scope was an old fixed power 6X B&L. The 6 got the job done in both instances, but if I could have only one scope for a 452, for the purposes I would put it to, it would be a Leupold 2X7.
