5 Best 22 Scopes

When shopping for a new rimfire scope for your 22 LR rifle, there are several things to consider. Read along as we discuss a few features to look for, along with our picks for the top 5 22 Scopes!

Magnification

Rimfire scopes generally don’t have too high of power. While scopes like the BSA Sweet 22 offer power up to 18x, most 22 scopes have magnifications that reach 7 or 9x on maximum power. Rimfire scopes are generally optimized for short to mid-range magnification, but with our options from brands like Vortex, Leupold, and Simmons, you can pick the right scope for your shooting style.

Reticle

Many rimfire scopes come with a simple duplex reticle for simple and easy close-range shooting. Many manufacturers are producing models with advanced reticles for serious target shooters, small game hunters, and plinkers. Scopes like the Hawke Vantage offer a wide selection of reticles for every shooter’s taste.

Objective Diameters

While objective diameter varies between scopes, most rimfire scopes come with a modest objective diameter somewhere in the 32-40mm range. Objective diameter is important in 22 rifles because it can affect light transmission as well as the overall weight of your setup. One of the major advantages of 22 rifles is their lightweight designs and lightweight scopes are a must-have for 22 plinking and shooting.

1

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Rimfire Rifle Scope 2-7x 32mm V-Plex Reticle Matte Black

Vortex has redesigned their bestselling rifle scope in the Crossfire. With the sleek new style and added features, the Crossfire will no doubt continue to outperform every scope in its class. The new line features longer eye relief, fast focus eye piece and redesigned, finger adjustable, zero resettable 1/4 MOA capped turrets. Fully multi-coated lenses with anti-reflective coating deliver amazing light transmission with edge to edge clarity. The rugged 1-piece tube is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed for 100% waterproofing and fog proofing at any elevation in any conditions. You shouldn't have to struggle to find your target and with the generous eye box and ample field of view allow for the easiest target acquisition. The new Crossfire delivers exactly what you need, and then some. Covered by Vortex's VIP lifetime warranty.


What Customers Are Saying

Excellent Choice!

I am a Project Appleseed and NRA instructor. I now own 9 of these scopes and have them on all my loaner rifles (all Ruger 10/22s). They are great scopes and they take a beating. Backed by the best warranty in the business, I couldn't be happier. Great choice for the last, best scope you'll ever have to buy.
- DrRichP, 2/11/2015

About Vortex Optics

Founded in 1986, Vortex is an American, family- and veteran-owned business headquartered near Barneveld Wisconsin. Vortex is a leading optics manufacturer offering cutting-edge rifle scopes, red dot sights, spotting scopes, binoculars, rangefinders, range-finding binoculars, crossbow scopes, scope bases and mounts, scope rings, and tripods. We carry all Vortex Optics models, including the Razor, Diamondback, Crossfire, Viper, Strike Eagle, and more. Vortex also offers an exciting line of Vortex jackets, coats, parkas, shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, vests, hats, rain gear, binocular cases, binocular harnesses, water bottles, and morale patches. Vortex Optics, including rifle scopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, and monoculars, are covered by the Vortex unlimited, fully transferable, unlimited lifetime VIP warranty.

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2

Vortex Optics Diamondback Rimfire Rifle Scope 2-7x 35mm V-Plex Reticle Matte Black

Vortex Diamondback Rifle Scopes feature solid, one-piece aircraft grade aluminum alloy construction which makes them very strong and more resistant to even the heaviest recoil. They are purged with Argon gas which eliminates internal fogging and retains its protective properties over a wide temperature range. Optics are fully multi-coated and transmit 91% of available light. The windage and elevation dials also pop-up for fast and easy adjustments. Protective lens covers are included.

What Customers Are Saying

great 10/22 topper

mounted on a 10/22 using a dnz medium height one piece scope mount with the er shaw sporter bbl its got a little gap but i didn't wanna risk getting it to close and having to deal with returns. runs great out to 200 yds. would buy again.
- Jake, 7/31/2015

About Vortex Optics

Founded in 1986, Vortex is an American, family- and veteran-owned business headquartered near Barneveld Wisconsin. Vortex is a leading optics manufacturer offering cutting-edge rifle scopes, red dot sights, spotting scopes, binoculars, rangefinders, range-finding binoculars, crossbow scopes, scope bases and mounts, scope rings, and tripods. We carry all Vortex Optics models, including the Razor, Diamondback, Crossfire, Viper, Strike Eagle, and more. Vortex also offers an exciting line of Vortex jackets, coats, parkas, shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, vests, hats, rain gear, binocular cases, binocular harnesses, water bottles, and morale patches. Vortex Optics, including rifle scopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, and monoculars, are covered by the Vortex unlimited, fully transferable, unlimited lifetime VIP warranty.

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3

Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire Rifle Scope 3-9x 40mm Rimfire MOA Reticle Matte Black

With the VX-Freedom you get best-in-class optics and unbeatable accuracy. It’s also everything you expect from a Leupold: designed, machined, and assembled in their Oregon factory, tested to the same ruggedness standards as their top-tier riflescopes, and guaranteed for a lifetime of performance.

Features

  • Outer lens surfaces are scratch resistant to military standard extreme abrasion specification
  • 1/4 MOA precision finger click adjustments for windage and elevation
  • Versatile 3:1 zoom ratio erector system is ideal for virtually any situation
  • Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof
  • Durable 1" main tube constructed from aircraft quality aluminum

What Customers Are Saying

perfect for my ruger precision rimfire rifle

I was looking for a good rimfire scope to place on my RPRR. I was looking for clear glass, easy to read reticle, and quality craftsmanship. The Leupold met all of these requirements. I would have given it 5 stars but it did break after a couple outings with it. The elevation adjustment knob became loose and fell out at a match. However Leupold customer service was excellent and they sent it back to me. I have now had it back on my rprr longerr thand I had it on it originally. whatever the issue was it was fixed and I have the best scope for what I needed on my rprr.
- Tony, 6/4/2018

About Leupold

Leupold was founded in 1907 by brothers-in-law and close friends Fred Leupold and Adam Volpel. Their company, Leupold Volpel & Co, made surveying equipment by hand. In 1942, Leupold adopted its current company name, Leupold & Stevens. Legend has it that while hunting one day in the 1940’s, Marcus Leupold missed a buck because his rifle scope fogged up. He swore he could make a better rifle scope, and that’s exactly what he did in 1947 with the Plainsman. Today, Leupold is an industry leader in the manufacturing of performance optics including hunting rifle scopes, target rifle scopes, tactical rifle scopes, pistol scopes, shotgun scopes, rimfire scopes, muzzleloading scopes, red dot sights, scope mounts, binoculars, range finders, spotting scopes and performance shooting glasses and sunglasses. So be bold. Be Tenacious. Be Relentless. Leupold performance optics are built by hard-working Americans who are committed to upholding Leupold’s legacy of quality craftsmanship.

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4

Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire Rifle Scope 2-7x 33mm Rimfire MOA Reticle Matte Black

With the VX-Freedom you get best-in-class optics and unbeatable accuracy. It’s also everything you expect from a Leupold: designed, machined, and assembled in their Oregon factory, tested to the same ruggedness standards as their top-tier riflescopes, and guaranteed for a lifetime of performance.

Features

  • Outer lens surfaces are scratch resistant to military standard extreme abrasion specification
  • 1/4 MOA precision finger click adjustments for windage and elevation
  • Versatile 3:1 zoom ratio erector system is ideal for virtually any situation
  • Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof
  • Durable 1" main tube constructed from aircraft quality aluminum
  • 60 Yard Fixed Parallax Focus Distance



What Customers Are Saying

Typical Leupold Quality

This was purchased for a Ruger 10/22. It was mounted using Vortex Pro series low picatinny rings and a Tactical Solutions picatinny base. This scope is everything you'd expect from a Leupold except the price. The glass is clear and beautiful, the reticle crisp, and both eye piece focus and magnification adjustments are silky smooth and easy to operate. The only thing close to a gripe i have is that the windage and elevation adjustment clicks aren't quite as crisp and positive as i'd like them to be, and the adjustment turrets are polymer. That said, they are fully functional and work just fine. This scope is also several ounces lighter than a similar 2-7 power scope i was considering at a similar price point from another manufacturer, while being made in the USA instead of overseas. The weight savings and US production at a slight price advantage sealed the deal.
- KochAddict, 3/17/2019

About Leupold

Leupold was founded in 1907 by brothers-in-law and close friends Fred Leupold and Adam Volpel. Their company, Leupold Volpel & Co, made surveying equipment by hand. In 1942, Leupold adopted its current company name, Leupold & Stevens. Legend has it that while hunting one day in the 1940’s, Marcus Leupold missed a buck because his rifle scope fogged up. He swore he could make a better rifle scope, and that’s exactly what he did in 1947 with the Plainsman. Today, Leupold is an industry leader in the manufacturing of performance optics including hunting rifle scopes, target rifle scopes, tactical rifle scopes, pistol scopes, shotgun scopes, rimfire scopes, muzzleloading scopes, red dot sights, scope mounts, binoculars, range finders, spotting scopes and performance shooting glasses and sunglasses. So be bold. Be Tenacious. Be Relentless. Leupold performance optics are built by hard-working Americans who are committed to upholding Leupold’s legacy of quality craftsmanship.

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5

Athlon Optics Neos Rifle Scope 3-9x 40mm BDC 22 Rimfire Reticle Matte Black

Increasing your success while hunting doesn’t necessarily have to increase the amount of money you spend. The perfect example of that is the Neos series.  It has a heat treated, one piece aircraft grade aluminum tube and the lenses are Fully Multi Coated.  The nitrogen purging dramatically reduces the moisture inside the tube and helps in keeping this scope water and fog proof.  3-9x magnification provides a wide spectrum of view to accommodate many different styles of hunting or shooting.  This is the perfect scope for those who want quality and features all while staying on budget.

Features

  • Fully multi-coated optics
  • Heat treated, one piece aircraft grade aluminum tube
  • Waterproof
  • Fogproof
  • Shockproof
  • Nitrogen purged tube
  • 100 yard fixed parallax



What Customers Are Saying

Excellent product for the price

I bought one of these to try out . I put it on a Glenfield 75C 22 semiauto rifle and found it to be very clear to my eye with a large field of view . I found it to be an excellent scope , and so did my wife , so I had to get a second one for another 22 rifle . The larger rear bell on some new scopes will not let the bot handle clear it on some older 22 rifles . Taller rings may be necessary in that case . Great value for the money .
- Rock, 12/25/2018 Shop Now