Nicely done. I had a 77/22H (.22 Hornet) That was my all day, every day, Varmint, Predator, and occasional deer rifle for about fifteen years. It shot well enough to be more than 90% reliable on targets as small as prairie dogs out to 300yds. Unfortunately it went through a house fire and didn't make it out in shootable condition.
By the time it was scrapped it easily had over 10,000 rounds through it and I wish you as much luck with yours. With that short barrel it looks like a perfect front seat truck gun and you seem to handle it very well.
If you want a better scope on a budget look for an older VXIII or VX3 4.5-14x50mm used. I've picked a couple of them up over the years for under 550.00 and I doubt they've gone up any. The tactical and LR models came with adjustable turrets similar to their target turrets (maybe even identical I'd have to go dig one up out of storage and look) and I never had problem one out of any of them. My preference is for their old Mil Dot reticle but you can get by with the Duplex just fine.
Best of luck to ya.