The Rimfire .22 rifle is popular, main thanks to its affordability, lightweight, and minimum recoil, which also makes it a great beginner’s tool for youngsters and other shooters. It is most preferred for target practice, plinking, and pest control due to the cheaper price of ammo.
The need for a light cartridge and a thin base limits the accurate shooting distance for a .22lr to about 200 yards. The not-so-far range can be extended by the use of the best rimfire scopes.
You will need an optic with not-so-high magnification, because a powerful magnification at closer ranges may result in both blurriness and eye fatigue.
Choosing the Best Scopes for Rimfire (.22) Rifle ensures that you do not limit your experience with this rifle. This may however not be easy because of the wide range of rimfire scopes available in the market.
In this review, we discuss ten of the best riflescope choices for a .22lr rifle you will come across.
Best Scopes for Rimfire .22 Rifle Review
1) Nikon PROSTAFF RIMFIRE II 3-9X40 BDC150
The Nikon Prostaff is very popular among shooters not just because of the use of ease when shooting but also because of the unmatched accuracy level.
It is perfect for long-range guns and combines Nikon’s Fully Multicoated optical system with the rimfire-specific BDC 150 reticle. The BDC 150 reticle specially designed specifically for a rimfire allows you to compensate for bullet drop at extended shooting distances.
The BDC reticle features unique see-through ballistic circles offering an incredible advantage for long-range shooting.
This Nikon scope has multiple layers of anti-reflective compounds on every glass surface for bright, vivid pictures and optimum light transmission from dawn to dusk. It also has field adjustments that are simple to change for the most preferred settings.
The generous, consistent eye relief keeps your brow safe, even with the heaviest recoiling cartridges, lightweight rifles, and severe shooting angles.
Key features
- It is Nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed for waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof performance
- BDC 150 Reticle
- Fully Multicoated Optical System
- Spring Loaded Instant Zero-Reset Turrets
- Spot On Ballistic Match Technology
2) Leupold FX-I Rimfire 4x28mm Fine Duplex
This Leupold Rimfire scope is equipped with Leupold’s Twilight Light Management systems that provide industry-leading brightness and clarity by balancing light transmission, glare reduction, and image contrast and resolution.
It ensures crisp images in any lighting condition and features Leopold’s classic/standard fast-focus eyepiece with a low profile lock ring making the reticle focus easy to achieve and maintain.
This scope is made with Leopold’s Proprietary nitrogen sealing process, which ensures 100% waterproof and fog-proof performance. The micro-friction dials are marked in 1/4-MOA increments for easy windage and elevation adjustments.
Key features
- Durable and compact
- The one-inch main tube is lightweight and fits more legacy rings
- Lightweight, rugged performance
- Unparalleled low-light performance
- Designed, machined, & assembled in the USA
- Sport type: Hunting
3) Bushnell 614124 Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope
Bushnell Adjustable Objective Riflescope is made of waterproof construction, with O-ring seals that ensure the optics stay dry inside, even when immersed in water. It has an 18x magnification and a large 50mm objective, making it ideal for long-range varmint, silhouette, and target shooting.
The Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses offer clarity and brightness in low light, including dawn and dusk. It has a one-piece tube design and fully multi-coated lenses with multiple layers of anti-reflective coating on all air-to-glass surfaces for bright, high-contrast images.
Key features
- Multi-X reticle; 1/4 M.O.A. Fingertip windage and elevation adjustment
- Low-light riflescope with 4-12x magnification and 40mm objective lens
- Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multicoated lenses for clarity and brightness
- 100% waterproof/fog-proof construction; 3.3 inches of eye relief
- Fast-focus eyepiece with a 12 inches length
- Argon Purged Fog-Proofing
4) Vortex Optics Crossfire II SFP Riflescopes
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is built to offer performance with clear, bright images regardless of the lighting conditions. It is made of a single-piece tube constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum for strong and shockproof performance.
It offers long eye relief, a fast-focus eyepiece, fully multi-coated lenses, and improved, resettable MOA turrets for the best shooting experience. The included Dead-Hold BDC reticle is good for hunting/shooting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern.
Key features
- Has a long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box
- Fast focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing
- Capped reset turrets are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in
- Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear views
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 60 MOA
- O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fog-proof performance
5) BARSKA 4×32 Plinker-22 Riflescope
The BARSKA 4x33mm riflescope features high-quality construction and comes with fully coated optics that provide impressive viewing clarity. The 1” diameter tube is waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof hence able to take the knocks of long-term use in all conditions.
Its reticle is an illuminated 30/30, with 1/4 MOA click values for the windage and elevation turrets. It is parallax-free at 50 yards and comes with two 3/8 dovetail mounting rings, lens covers as well as scope covers.
The 4×32 Plinker-22 Riflescope is engineered for plinking and general hunting with a .22 rimfire rifle. It is durable and lightweight, perfect for hunting or target practice. The 4x magnification allows you to get up close to the target during mid-to short-range targeting.
Key features
- The 4x magnification scope features 1/4 MOA click adjustments for precision accuracy
- It comes with a 30/30 crosshair reticle for easy targeting,
- It is parallax-free at 50 yards, making it easy to target at a closer range
- 4x Magnification
- 32mm Objective Lens
- Fully Coated Optics
6) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
The body of the VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm scope is made of durable 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. It is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, and has scratch-resistant lenses that also ensure lasting quality.
The multi-coated lenses also reduce color aberrations to provide a bright, true-to-life image. The scope features the Twilight Light Management System that offers decent visibility even in low light conditions.
This Leupold scope features a 3:1 zoom ratio. It allows you to switch from observation and target acquisition to long-range precision aiming with just one turn.
The vast adjustment ranges for windage and elevation let you compensate for wind and bullet drop, giving you good shots over any distance and in any weather. It is well suited for muzzleloaders, rimfire, and centerfire guns.
Key features
- Made from 6061-T6 aircraft-quality aluminum
- Durable and compact, the one-inch main tube is lightweight and fits more legacy rings
- Complete waterproof and fog proof integrity
- Repeatable 1/4 MOA precision finger clicks offer intuitive, simple adjustment over a lifetime of dependable use
- Twilight Light Management System offers visibility in low-light conditions
- Weight: 12.2 oz. /346 g
- Linear FOV (ft. /100 yd.): 33.7-13.6
- Linear FOV (m/100 m): 11.22-4.54
- Eye Relief (in): 4.17-3.66, 106-93 mm
- Elevation Adjustment Range: 60 MOA/17.5 MIL
- Windage Adjustment Range: 60 MOA/17.5 MIL
- Exit Pupil: 5.0 mm
7) Athlon Optics Neos 3-9×40 SFP Riflescopes
This Athlon Optics Riflescope is crafted with Aircraft Grade Aluminum, offering a heat-treated One Piece Tube construction for strength and durability.
The scope has fully multi-coated optics that effectively reduce reflected light and increase light transmission giving you a brighter image than normal single-coated lenses.
The body is waterproof to protect the scope from harsh weather conditions or if accidentally submerged underwater. Nitrogen purging reduces the moisture inside the tube ensuring a fog-proof performance.
Key features
- Fully Multicoated lenses
- Waterproof
- Nitrogen purged
- Center X reticle
- BDC 500 IR offers a high level of precision at extended targets
8) TASCO MAG39X32D Rimfire Series 3-9x 32mm
TASCO MAG39X32D Riflescope is tailor-made for .22 rimfire rifles to ensure the best performance when hunting, plinking, or punching paper targets. The bright and clear rimfire scope includes rings and comes with a wide range of magnifications.
It has magenta multi-layered lens coatings and fully coated optics that provide bright, clear images, and 100% waterproof and fog-proof construction for convenient use in harsh weather conditions.
This scope has a matte finish with a bright, clear image and a wide range of magnification. It features a 30/30 reticle and offers a 3” eye relief for comfortable use.
Key features
- Features full-sized, 1-inch Advanced Monotube Construction
- Durable design
- 30/30 reticle
- Rings included.
- 50-yard parallax setting
- Magnification: 3x to 9x
- Objective lens: 32mm
- Power/Obj. Lens (mm): 3 – 9x 32mm
- Field of View (ft.@100yds./m@100m): 17.75′ – 6′ / 6 – 2
- Parallax Setting (yds. /m): 50/45.7
9) Simmons Truplex .22 Mag Riflescope
The Simmons Truplex Riflescope is made of the highest quality materials and comes with hunting scopes rings and high-quality fully-coated optical glass lenses for bright clear images.
It features Simmon’s QTA (Quick Target Acquisition) eyepiece that has plenty of eye relief to make acquiring targets a snap. Simmon’s SureGrip adjustments offer easy adjustment even for people with gloves.
This scope has Simmon’s fully coated optics and a complete set of mounting rings that ensure you have a great experience in the field. The one-piece tube construction ensures lighter handling, greater strength, and durability.
Key features
- Parallax correction preset from 50 yards to infinity
- Fully coated high-quality optical glass offers bright, sharp images and high contrast
- HydroShield coating ensures a clear sight picture
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- Features Truplex Reticle
- Rimfire 3/8″ dovetail mounting rings included
- SureGrip rubber surfaces simplify adjustments under any conditions
- Magnification & Objective (mm): 3–9 x 32
- Field of View (at 100 yards): 31.4 / 10.5
- Exit Pupil (mm): 10.7 / 3.6
- Eye Relief (in / mm): 3.75 / 95
- Click Value (in at 100Y): .25
- Adjustment Range (in at 100Y): 60
- Weight (oz / g): 10 / 284
Choosing the Best Scopes for Rimfire .22 Rifle
Objective lens size
An objective lens is a part positioned at the front of the scope. Its main function is to transmit light into the scope. Large objective lenses gather a lot of light providing brighter and clearer images.
Lens coating
The lens coating prevents the reflection of light off the lens of the scope. Lens coatings come in different configurations. Most scopes have fully multi-coated lenses to offer the best light transmission while also preventing light from reflecting off the lenses.
Magnification
The .22LR only has a maximum effective range of around 200 yards and hence does not require a powerful scope. A scope with a 9x magnification will be fine. You can also opt for a 12x scope if you want more power.
Fixed or variable power
Variable scopes can be used for many applications, from CQB to medium-range shooting, whereas fixed power scopes offer faster target acquisition.
Weatherproofing
Waterproof and fog-proof features ensure that the scope can be used in any weather conditions without causing compromised image quality.
Eye relief
This is the max distance between the eyes and the focal lens of a scope. It is not as important in rimfire scopes as the rifles chambered for rimfire rounds do not have that much recoil.
Final Thoughts
Your rimfire may be providing just the desired performance now but with a good scope, your experiences in the field will be more memorable. The above products are engineered to ensure that your hunting is never dull.