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Published Nov 22, 2022 4:12 PM
Between small-game rifles and precision goal rigs, short-range plinkers, and rimfire ARs, there’s a .22 for each shooter and use, and each one among them wants a scope. The optics business has answered the decision, and yow will discover a scope for nearly any rifle. Here are a few of the greatest rimfire scopes available on the market. You’ll discover, although, that these aren’t all of your commonplace low-mag variable fashions. You’ll see some high-end precision scopes right here in addition to LPVO (low-power variable optics) which are designed for close-quarters AR and shotgun work but additionally make marvelous rimfire optics for both looking or punching targets.
Why It Made The Cut
Combining easy controls and a modest however versatile magnification vary, this sturdy scope is ideal for nearly any .22 or .17, whether or not for small-game looking, plinking, or most precision goal work. It has good glass, repeatable controls, and sufficient holdover references on the vertical stadia that, with some follow, you’ll be able to lengthen your vary out to 100 yards and longer. At near $300, it’s priced within the meaty center of the market and may simply transition from a first-gun optic to simply about some other rifle, whether or not a rimfire or not.
Key Features
- Weight: 11.1 ounces
- Magnification Range: 2-7-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 33mm
- Tube Diameter: 1-inch
- Turret Click Values: .25 MOA
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 75 MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second
- Illuminated Reticle: No
Pros
- Excellent glass and coatings
- MOA-based references are easy and clear
- Low-profile mounting dimension
- Wide versatility
- Catchy turret graphics
Cons
- Reticle lacks windage references
- Parallax fastened at 100 yards
- Turret clicks are mushy
Product Description
Here’s a rimfire scope for nearly any function. This outwardly pedestrian optic has so much happening between a surprisingly exact second-plane reticle, brilliant glass, and enjoyable indexing on the properly tactile turrets. The smartest thing you’ll be able to say about any scope is that it’s constant, and the VX-Freedom delivers bullets with pleasing reliability. It’s an excellent rabbit and squirrel scope. Still, the MOA-based references on the vertical crosshair make it an honest choice for participating distant targets, which implies you don’t need to put money into a ponderously huge first-plane goal scope to take titles at NRL22 competitions. Lastly, the Leupold rimfire scope brings the corporate’s good glass and a very good guarantee.
Read Next: The Best Rifle Scopes
Why It Made The Cut
There’s not a lot modern or stunning right here, only a fundamental duplex reticle inside a straight-ahead scope with first rate turrets and a sturdy construct. Backed by a wonderful guarantee.
Key Features
- Weight: 13.9 ounces
- Magnification Range: 2-7-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32mm
- Tube Diameter: 1-inch
- Turret Click Values: .25 MOA
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 60 MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second
- Illuminated Reticle: No
Pros
- Long eye aid
- Appealing value
- Low-profile mounting dimensions
- Simple reticle
- Excellent guarantee
- Parallax fastened at 50 yards
Cons
- Reticle lacks windage or elevation references
- Limited focus management
Product Description
If simplicity is the pathway to versatility, then the Vortex Crossfire II is at dwelling on a small-game bolt rifle or a fast-shooting AR. It won’t have the chops for precision work, however the duplex reticle is quick and dependable. The controls are somewhat mushy, however the eye aid and eye field are each forgiving and the fastened parallax makes it an ideal plinking scope. Basically, any tin can or cottontail inside 50 yards is in hassle.
Why It Made The Cut
This is a fun-sized optic with wonderful controls and glass and a brilliant, gentle, and sturdy scope that’s an excellent match for a rimfire or ultralight bolt-action construct.
Key Features
- Weight: 12.4 ounces
- Magnification Range: 2-10-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 38mm
- Tube Diameter: 1-inch
- Turret Click Values: .25 MOA
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 50 MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second
- Illuminated Reticle: No
Pros
- Light and compact
- SHR reticle has (restricted) elevation references
- Utility extends to center-fire scopes
- Liberal mounting dimensions
- Excellent glass and coatings
Cons
- No windage references
- Slightly spongy turret dials
Product Description
Excellent glass, velvety controls, and a reticle that gives simply sufficient holdover references for precision work, this can be a scope that’s at dwelling on a light-weight mountain rifle or a bespoke squirrel sniper. The RS.2 is offered in both a daring duplex or SHR reticle—I like to recommend the latter for extra references (three elevation holds; no wind holds). That in all probability has extra utility for big-game hunters than for .22 shooters, however the holdovers are fairly useful for making photographs past zero vary.
At about $550, this direct-to-consumer optic is somewhat dear for a fundamental second-plane rimfire scope, however Maven brings class, good Japanese glass, and candy turret controls to the sport. The low-profile goal and the magnification vary make it an excellent selection for a particular rimfire rifle.
Read Next: The Best .22 LR Rifles
Why It Made The Cut
This was probably the most enjoyable scope in our take a look at. A fast, exact, extraordinarily nimble low-power optic, it will get on track rapidly however has sufficient reticle references for longer-distance work.
Key Features
- Weight: 18 ounces
- Magnification Range: 1-6-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Turret Click Values: .5 MOA
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 140 MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second
- Illuminated Reticle: Yes
Pros
- Low-profile mounting dimension
- Extremely quick on track
- “Dot Drop” reticle has good holdover references
- 6-step illumination
- Compatible with shotguns and ARs
- Wide area of view
Cons
- Reticle lacks full precision references
- Some peripheral distortion
Product Description
This is the scope that small-game hunters have been ready for. It’s quick, maintaining with operating rabbits, and its “Dot Drop” reticle within the second focal aircraft pops towards nearly any background. The Trophy Quick Acquisition has a really exact illuminated middle dot for exact bullet placement or for quick goal acquisition, and its holdover references (there’s a hash each 2 MOA) permits you to drop bullets into targets at a distance. The 1-6-magnification handles nearly any capturing state of affairs, from close-in recreation and metal to out-there targets. Besides its technical attributes, it’s merely enjoyable to shoot. The controls are responsive, the glass is sweet sufficient, and it mounts low sufficient that bringing it to your eye is as intuitive as pointing your finger. Best half: It’s priced beneath $200.
Why It Made The Cut
A purpose-built rimfire scope, the second-plane reticle includes a MOA-based dot for exact aiming options.
Key Features
- Weight: 16 ounces
- Magnification Range: 4-12-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40mm
- Tube Diameter: 1 inch
- Turret Click Values: .25 MOA
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 60 MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second
- Illuminated Reticle: No
Pros
- Excellent focus management, 10 meters to infinity
- Extremely tactile turret controls
- Long eye aid
- Liberal mounting dimensions
Cons
- Focus on goal is clunky
- Extremely tight energy ring
Product Description
Tract’s 22 FIRE sequence has a full sequence of scopes for .22 and .17 shooters, however this AO mannequin (it stands for Adjustable Objective) is probably the most versatile scope within the line from the direct-to-consumer model. The duplex reticle includes a positive crosshair with a .25 MOA middle dot, which permits for full view of the goal and exact bullet placement, which aggressive bullseye goal shooters will respect. The adjustable goal allows exact focus for targets inside 10 yards all the best way out to infinity, a characteristic you don’t usually see on rimfire-specific scopes. The goal focus is somewhat clunky in contrast with the aspect parallax of most trendy scopes, nevertheless it works properly and additional allows exact capturing. At about $275 it’s not an affordable scope, however the glass is sweet, the controls are a few of the greatest within the enterprise, and the precision it permits additionally makes it a killer squirrel scope.
Why It Made The Cut
This second-plane middle-of-the-road scope isn’t constructed for any particular process. Instead, it does a fairly good job at any capturing state of affairs, whether or not mounted on a center-fire big-game rifle, a rimfire, an AR, or perhaps a mid-range platform like a straight-wall carbine or slug gun.
Key Features
- Weight: 19.8 ounces
- Magnification Range: 2-12-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm
- Tube Diameter: 1-inch
- Turret Click Values: .25 MOA
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 130 MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second
- Illuminated Reticle: Yes
Pros
- Versatile magnification vary
- Illuminated reticle
- Side focus
- Capped turrets
- Good guarantee
Cons
- Underwhelming glass
- Controls are mushy
- Limited mounting dimensions
Product Description
Priced at about $450, this Athlon has extra options than most scopes at this value level. Its greatest attribute is aspect parallax management that brings targets as shut as 10 yards into sharp focus, a characteristic that’s helpful for rimfire shooters who are sometimes participating close-in and far-out targets. The illumination can also be value a glance. The second-plane scope is offered with a typical duplex reticle, however go for the BDC 600A reticle, which supplies shooters holdover hashes out to 600 yards when the scope is on its highest energy. The glass within the Argos HMR isn’t one of the best, however for many capturing conditions, it can present an honest picture and capably information bullets of nearly any caliber. The greatest attribute for a rimfire shooter is that this scope can simply be swapped out to simply about some other rifle, making it an excellent all-around optic.
Why It Made The Cut
An enormous, severe precision scope with attributes for any long-distance goal work, whether or not rimfire or PRS center-fire rifles.
Key Features
- Weight: 30.4 ounces
- Magnification Range: 5-25-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 56mm
- Tube Diameter: 34mm
- Turret Click Values: .25 MOA
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 110 MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: First
- Illuminated Reticle: Yes
Pros
- Huge magnification vary
- Competition reticle
- Side focus, 15 yards to infinity
- Pull-to-turn tactical turrets
- Good guarantee
Cons
- Underwhelming glass
- Controls are mushy
- Overkill for many rimfire functions
Product Description
Okay, I notice this isn’t your commonplace rimfire optic. It’s purpose-built for the 1,000-yard-and-longer center-fire steel-plate crowd. But the Strike Eagle has an especially helpful reticle for nearly each rimfire competitors, from punching paper at identified distances to participating metal silhouette targets and all of the loopy capturing conditions within the NRL22. Attributes that make it a worthy rimfire consideration: close-focus to fifteen yards, a properly illuminated first-plane reticle, holdover hashes at each MOA and windage dots out to 24 MOA, and properly listed turrets. All this for properly beneath $1,000. The greatest argument for consideration: study to shoot this reticle on an affordable and enjoyable rimfire coach, then graduate as much as a center-fire chassis rifle.
Why It Made The Cut
A ton of scope for nearly any rimfire competitors, it’s an ideal coaching platform to take this optic to NRL and Precision Rifle shoots.
Key Features
- Weight: 29.1 ounces
- Magnification Range: 2-12-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 44mm
- Tube Diameter: 34mm
- Turret Click Values: .1 MRAD
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 30 MIL
- Reticle Focal Plane: First
- Illuminated Reticle: Yes
Pros
- First-plane tree-style reticle
- Capped low-profile turrets
- Ships with rings and ranges
- Zero cease
- 6-step illumination
- 10 MILs of holdover references
Cons
- Ponderously huge
- Fairly costly
Product Description
Go again and skim the rationale for this scope beneath the Vortex Strike Eagle spot. All these arguments go double for this huge, severe precision scope from a brand new direct-to-consumer model. The predominant argument for a rimfire shooter is that when you can study to shoot properly and rapidly with this first-plane reticle on a .22 coach, you then’ll be miles forward of your friends once you strap it on a long-distance center-fire precision rifle. The Blackhound has positive glass, very tactile low-profile turrets, and a aspect focus management that brings targets as shut as 10 yards into crisp focus. It’s dear, round $1,150, however there’s a whale of lots of worth on this scope that has a magnification vary that’s far more helpful than the usual 5-25-power of most precision goal scopes.
Why It Made The Cut
The uncommon long-distance precisions scope that retails for beneath $400, this feature-packed choice from Sightmark will get shooters of nearly any finances and caliber ringing metal.
Key Features
- Weight: 30.8 ounces
- Magnification Range: 3-18-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Turret Click Values: .1 MRAD
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 26 MRAD
- Reticle Focal Plane: First
- Illuminated Reticle: Yes
Pros
- First-plane tree-style reticle
- Exposed tactical-style turrets
- Throw lever
- Zero cease
- 6-step illumination
- 25 mils of inside adjustment
Cons
- Disappointing glass
- Ponderously huge for looking
- Limited guarantee
Product Description
Shooters with a restricted finances ought to give their consideration to this full-featured precision scope from Sightmark that retails for round $400. The Presidio has all the things that the foremost manufacturers supply shooters, from a really succesful first-plane reticle with loads of elevation and windage references, outsized uncovered turrets to make area changes straightforward, and a zero-stop that enables shooters to return to their zero with out instruments. Other noteworthy options for rimfire shooters embody a 10-yard-to-infinity focus, 6-step illumination, and reticle holds with 10 MILS of drop and 6 MILS of wind maintain. How does Sightmark ship a lot utility for such an accessible value? The glass is flinty and reveals plenty of optical aberrations. You can anticipate to get some flaring and peripheral distortion. However, the middle of the lens—the place most shooters spend most of their time—is evident and sharp. In a area with largely second-plane, hunting-style scopes, this can be a full-featured standout that received’t price a bunch.
Why It Made The Cut
A full-featured Low Power Variable Optic with sufficient options for small-game looking and rimfire goal work.
Key Features
- Weight: 21.3 ounces
- Magnification Range: 1-10-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 28mm
- Tube Diameter: 34mm
- Turret Click Values: .1 MRAD
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 29 MRAD
- Reticle Focal Plane: First
- Illuminated Reticle: Yes
Pros
- Monster magnification vary
- Dual-purpose tactical reticle
- Push-button illumination module
- 10 reticle illumination depth settings
- References for long-distance work
- Pull-to-turn elevation dial
Cons
- Wildly costly
- 34mm tube is cumbersome
Product Description
The first time I shot this extraordinarily versatile scope it was on a tactical AR and I used to be participating targets from 10 yards out to 750 yards. All I might assume was how enjoyable it might be on a sensible .22 course. This is certainly not supposed for NRL22 video games, however relatively is a battle-hardened tactical optic that has caught fireplace with personal-defense carbine house owners. Still, I keep the EOTECH Vudu has all of the attributes you’d ever need for any rimfire motion, whether or not you’re speaking about operating rabbits, punching holes in paper targets, or operating a metal plate course. The first-plane reticle evolves from a quick and brilliant crimson dot at 1-3-power as much as a surprisingly detailed precision reticle with aiming factors for distant targets from about 7-power as much as 10-power. The illumination is brilliant, and the push-button management is intuitive. The construct and turrets are sturdy sufficient for something you’ll be able to throw at it, and the Japanese glass is brilliant and crisp. The predominant draw back is its $1,800 price ticket. But at that value, you’ll be able to change it to simply about any rifle in your assortment.
Why It Made The Cut
A brilliant, gentle, and sturdy scope with a second-plane reticle configured for the ballistics of the .22 Winchester Magnum.
Key Features
- Weight: 18.1 ounces
- Magnification Range: 4-12-power
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40mm
- Tube Diameter: 1-inch
- Turret Click Values: .25 MOA
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 80 MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second
- Illuminated Reticle: Yes, crimson and inexperienced
Pros
- Holdover references tuned to .22 WMR
- Objective-bell focus
- Nice illumination
- Good magnification vary
- Capped turrets
Cons
- Stingy mounting dimensions
- Reticle utility is proscribed to WMR
Product Description
If you’re a .22 WMR shooter, that is your scope. The reticle has drops for bullets with muzzle velocities of two,000 fps. With a 100-yard zero, you’ll be able to drop rounds with pleasing consistency out to 300 yards with the second-plane BDC reticle and the scope on its highest energy. Suppose you wish to use a decrease magnification, or bullets with completely different velocities. In that case, you’ll need to experiment on the subtensions, nevertheless it’s a fairly useful characteristic for a rimfire optic. The Hawke has good glass, first rate controls, and the illumination is a pleasant characteristic. But the attribute that additionally makes this an ideal rimfire scope is the main target management situated on the target bell. You can convey targets into focus as shut as 10 yards and out to infinity.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Rimfire Rifle Scope
Your first consideration when you’re out there for a rimfire rifle scope is how properly it can carry out with the short-range capabilities of the caliber. You in all probability don’t want a ton of magnification or reticle references if all you need is to shoot tin cans or 50-meter bullseye targets. But the world of rimfire capturing is evolving to look so much like long-distance center-fire precision capturing, with all types of precision rimfire competitions and video games that put a premium on each short-range and long-range precision. For yard plinkers, you in all probability simply need a easy scope with a duplex reticle, however for the latter, you’re going to need a first-plane reticle with plenty of turret adjustment. Then there are the pure small-game scopes. These are lower-magnification optics with simply sufficient reticle references to get you on recreation and possibly make longer photographs, head-shooting squirrels, as an illustration.
FAQs
Q: What scope is greatest for rabbit and squirrel looking?
For small-game looking, I need a scope that will get on track quick, has a reticle that “pops” from the background, however has sufficient references for me to put bullets exactly out to about 75 or 100 yards. In this assortment, the standout looking scope is Bushnell’s Trophy Quick Acquisition (QA), a 1-6×24 marvel that factors rapidly, has an illuminated middle dot for low-light work, and sufficient holdover references for longer photographs. Others value a glance: Vortex’s Crossfire II, and Tract’s 22 FIRE. At the opposite finish of the spectrum is EOTECH’s costly 1-10×24 Vudu, which doubles as a wonderful AR optic. Or contemplate Leupold’s VX-Freedom. Its easy duplex reticle is quick and dependable.
Q: What’s one of the best scope magnification for .22 rifles?
I like lower-power scopes for many rimfire work, whether or not that’s looking or goal capturing. A 2-7-power and even 1-8-power offers you all of the magnification you want for many functions. But when you’re within the precision rimfire competitions, you then’re going to need extra magnification to actually see the nuances of distant targets. For these occasions, I’d go together with a 5-20-power or 4-16-power vary, and guarantee that precision goal scopes even have handbook focus—usually known as parallax—to convey targets of no matter distance into crisp focus.
Q: How a lot cash ought to I spend on a rimfire rifle scope?
The value of rimfire scopes ranges all the best way from about $100 as much as almost $2,000. There are issues with each ends of that spectrum, simply as there are nice offers so long as what attributes you need and the way you’ll use the scope. Starting on the decrease finish of the worth spectrum, I’d be somewhat leery of super-cheap scopes, just because they’re in all probability made with substandard parts and might not be as sturdy as higher-priced fashions. If you spend beneath $100 on a scope, ensure that it has an excellent guarantee that can cowl any breakage or malfunctions. But you should buy lots of scope for beneath $200. Scopes on this roundup embody Bushnell’s Trophy QA and Vortex’s Crossfire II, and each the Leupold VX-Freedom and Tract’s 22 FIRE AO are each priced round $300 and supply wonderful sturdiness, utility, and warranties. Precision rimfire scopes could be particularly costly, largely as a result of their precision controls and parts are constructed to the next commonplace. Still, the Sightmark Presidio, priced beneath $400, and the Vortex Strike Eagle are each value for finances precision choices. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, each the EOTECH Vudu and Blackhound Emerge supply tons of precision for rimfire shooters, however have all of the attributes to transition as soon as you progress as much as center-fire precision goal capturing.
Methodology
Some of the scopes on this roundup are new for 2022 and have been included within the rigorous evaluations of Outdoor Life’s annual optics take a look at. For these, I measured optical decision on my decision vary, scored low-light efficiency towards their friends, and measured the precision and repeatability of the reticle and turrets. But some scopes on this assortment weren’t within the take a look at, and I evaluated these by mounting them to my assortment of .22 trainers and shot them on each paper and metal targets at numerous distances, evaluating their dealing with, reticles, and general precision and velocity.
I rated every scope on its means to carry out a sequence of capturing duties, participating targets at 20 yards, then at 50, and out to 100. I additionally used each reticle references and the turrets to make photographs out to 350 yards, however this was extra a take a look at of “close-enough” than precision.
For every scope, I make a subjective willpower of optical high quality, searching for distortions, optical aberrations, and any distracting jags of sunshine. And I decide how rapidly and exactly I can use the reticle. Lastly, I assessed the extras, together with the equipment that it ships with and every submission’s guarantee.
Final Thoughts
Somehow, the optics business has squeezed all of the enjoyable out of rimfire capturing. Instead of low cost, dependable, and utilitarian rifles, we now have fancy chassis rifles with all of the attributes of their big-bore brethren. And costs to match. We’ve sophisticated what was as soon as probably the most enjoyable and easy sort of capturing into rigorous competitors. That’s all nice if you wish to make .22 capturing right into a severe factor, however don’t neglect that rimfires are the gateway for many shooters and hunters into our group, and the scopes and rifles which are one of the best for brand spanking new shooters are sometimes the most straightforward and low cost. So learn this assessment with somewhat little bit of skepticism. There are optics for each stage in a shooter’s evolution, however possibly pay particular consideration to these enjoyable, easy, gateway scopes.