for casual target and plinking on a 22 cal. you do not need an expensive scope. You will probably be shooting in full daylight conditions and the optics do not need to be built to withstand recoil. A 3X9 leoupold is probably overkill. If you want good optics without spending a a lot of money consider a fixed power in the 3 to 4 power range. At small bore ranges even this may be too much. I think I would choose the fine reticle to give you the best possible view of your target. Now having said the above, is your 22 just a regular 22 or is it something like the 22-250? If it is we are in a whole new area of scope selection.
Cheers&Tighter Groups: Eaglesnester