Shopping for the best .22lr rifle scope can be tricky. The scopes made for .22 rifles are either hard core target shooting scopes made for precision, or field proven designs for making snap shots at game. To find a good quality scope at a modest price for a job like squirrel hunting or target plinking is certainly doable. Manufactures have come out with scopes purpose driven for the .22lr with everything from fixed parallax optimized for close range, to ¼ inch adjustment at 50 yards and even calibrated reticles for the best .22 ammo.
*Updated 2018
Scope | Best |
|---|---|
Under $100 | |
Under $100 | |
$100 - $200 | |
$100 - $200 | |
Best value for money |
Understanding .22lr Scopes
The .22 isn’t made to be the end all be all cartridge, in fact it’s uses are very narrow. Relegated to target shooting, training, and small game hunting the .22 doesn’t need very much magnification nor does it warrant large objective bells for gathering light or even turrets for adjusting placement.
Among the best .22lr scopes are fixed 4x power scopes and small 2-7x power adjustable scopes. Anything more is asking for trouble as you try to stretch the range of the .22lr cartridge. Close range power in a small lightweight package is the hallmark of the .22lr.
Most people use a .22lr rifle to help train for hunting or target shooting, because it’s cheaper than shooting full house centerfire ammo. If you are doing this, it can help to choose a scope that is similar to a centerfire scope you plan on using. It makes little sense to buy a scope that is the exact same scope if that scope is overly large, with heavy bells and long eye pieces.
The vast majority of rimfire scopes are low power or fixed power and lightweight with low profile bells. This is because most people use .22 rifles for small game hunting and for making snap shots during squirrel hunting. Large heavy rifles, with high magnification leads to missed shots and unfilled limits. However, great deals can be had on variable power scopes that provide sufficient quality to get the job done without breaking the bank. Anything a person could want on their rifle is for sale somewhere.
Above all else, choose a scope that meets all the needs that you plan to use the rifle for.
Best .22lr Scopes under $100
This section of the market is filled with a lot of garbage and a few hidden gems. Don’t let people tell you that you need $500+ for a new scope. Inexpensive can get the job done for casual plinking and light hunting. These scopes will often have usable materials but foggy glass that won’t gather much light. If you don’t mind that coupled with decreased durability, then this section of the market can be great!
BARSKA 3-9 x 32 Plinker 22 Rifle Scope
One of the best .22lr scopes for under $100 is: BARSKA 3-9x32 Plinker-22 Riflescope.
Modest size with plenty of magnification this scope is a real steal. It’s durable enough to get the job done and warrantied for life. Barska is known for reliable inexpensive pieces of equipment. This scope is exactly that. It is lightweight at only 11.5 oz. and is compact enough to warrant use on a .22 rifle.
Scope rings are included as is scope caps to protect the glass. This scope is a deal, it’s not the slickest, the lightest or thee nicest but it’s a get-it-done squirrel hunting machine or a nice complement to a young shooter’s first rifle.
BSA Sweet .22 3-9 x 40mm Rifle Scope
BSA is known for low price high value optics. Don’t expect German quality high end glass instead accept this scope for what it is; a basic tool to get the job done. A solid option for a vermin killing machine. The scope is lightweight with the unique functionality of 3 different turrets that adjust to the load you’re using this scope.
The magnification and turrets are optimized for a .22 with low profile turrets that move easily for adjustments and low to medium magnification for seeing fine details without washing out the target at close range.
The versatility of being able to change the load dope, adjust the magnification and not worry about spending a large amount of money is only found on this great little scope. The whole package is a great deal and would be best for people looking for a feature packed scope at a value price. The ideal scope for an informal target plinking rifle or groundhog gun.
Best .22lr Scopes in the $100-200 Range
The vast majority of rimfire scopes fit into this category. There are so many good options for this category. Here you’ll get great serious use glass for rimfire enthusiasts who compete in target shooting or take their ground hog problem personal.
Nikon P - Rimfire 2-7 x 32 Nikoplex Rifle Scope
A fantastic piece of equipment from a great company. Fully warrantied, as if you’ll ever need it. These scopes are known for high quality fog proof, multi coated glass that gathers light and helps you see right up to the end of shooting time. Nikon is a major player in the manufacturing of optical glassware and the glass used even in the lower end lines of Nikon products is extremely high quality.
The scope itself is a rifleman’s scope. It has turrets done right for a rimfire scope. To reduce the amount of clicks needed for adjustments it is ¼ inch at 50 yards instead of 100 yards typically found in centerfire scopes. A very nice addition to the well done scope at a modest price for the quality you receive all wrapped up by Nikon for use in the field or on the range.
Vortex Crossfire II 2-7 x 32 Rimfire Rifle Scope
Made from a premium grade of aluminum normally reserved for aircrafts this scope offers reliability and strength that many scopes can’t compete with. This scope has fully multi-coated lenses controlled by capped turrets to keep inadvertent adjustments from marring your shot. The glass is clean and clear with a simply awesome sight picture. The scope also comes with a unique anti-reflective coating on all surfaces to reduce glare. This is an interesting feature than is useful and is a testament to the attention to detail of vortex optics.
The tube is a one piece and is one inch sized to work with standard scope rings to make mounting easier. Both the objective bell and eye piece are low profile allowing you to mount the scope low enough to get a good cheek weld. Finally, the reticle is specifically designed to work well for rimfire shooting, a nice touch to round off a great rimfire scope.
The scope is backed by Vortex’s unconditional warranty and just begs to be used for years.
Best .22 Scope for the Money
The best strike of cost, quality and features for a .22 rifle. A true piece of fine optical equipment designed for rimfire use by shooters, this is an heirloom quality scope. Leupold is one of the undisputed champion of sporting optics:
Leupold 113872 VX-1 Rimfire (Fine Duplex Reticle)
This particular scope has many proprietary features that really set it apart from other scopes. The glass is what you’d expect from Leupold; about as perfect as you could ever need. Very crisp reticle for making precise shots layered over an impossibly clear piece of glass. All these features weigh in at just 8oz. to keep the balance of your rifle right where it should be. Leupold continues to be leader in high end, high value optics. Leupold is also one of the best companies on the market for producing scopes of acceptable weight.
The windage and elevation is treated with a coating Leupold calls ‘Micro-friction” a smooth way to dial in the reticle for precise point of aim. While the outside of the scope is coated with “Diamond Coat” an extremely effective way to protect your investment. Of course the scope is covered by Leupold’s undeniable, best in the industry, warranty.
The .22lr Legend
The stubby little .22 is here to stay forever. Its popularity is demonstrated every time there is a run on the ammo and you can’t find .22 for weeks! The cartridge may be under-powered for 99% of what a hunter would need a rifle for, though it remains a staple in almost every shoot’s inventory.
The rifle’s that shoot the .22lr cartridge come in simple cricket or rascal rifles colored in bright pink or green for children all the way to Olympic competition grade guns for competing on the world stage. Simple iron sights come mounted on almost any .22 rifle than can be changed for aperture sights or upgraded to optics for easier shooting.
The .22 remains the small game hunter’s weapon of choice and while sometimes advocated otherwise should never be used on larger game. A very specialized cartridge that does its job well is the hallmark of the .22lr and the rifles that shoot it.
The .22 is the favorite round for many dating all the way back to black powder days. We now have the best .22 rifles to match up with the best .22 scopes purpose made for the job at hand. It hasn’t changed much over the years and neither has the American Shooter that enjoys it.
