There’s no question that a good rimfire rifle is essential in basic hunting. Having a .22 rifle in your gun cabinet is perfect for anyone with a hunting license or a homey cabin in the northern woods. With ease of fire and very little kickback, a .22 can be perfect for the beginner. Nothing adds to the quality of a good rifle, though, like a good scope.
A scope is going to improve accuracy and allow you to take more time and thought into your long range shots. It can also be the difference between a begrudging look of disappointment or a grin at making your first kill. When choosing a scope, you will have a number of options. Whether you want a holographic scope or a long ranged scope is the biggest decision to make.
The Best Scopes for your .22 Reviewed
Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9×40
Decades of optical development and manufacturing by Leupold has shown why the VX-Freedom is the embodiment of reliability, accuracy, and extreme clarity.
The VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9×40 delivers on Leupold’s legendary performance and dependability by allowing the user to unleash her inner rimfire and enjoy countless hours of shooting and hunting. This dedicated rimfire scope will maximize the experience of using your 22 caliber rifle with its unique rimfire features such as a closer 60 yard focus setting and Rimfire MOA reticle with repeatable ¼ MOA precision finger clicks for simple adjustments.
Like all Leupold optics, the VX-Freedom Rimfire is enhanced by the Twilight Light Management System for superb visibility in low-light conditions. Durable, compact, and lightweight; making it a great scope for the money.
One of the best 22 scope that offers next generation quality and best-in-class optics that produce crisp, clear images and repeatable accuracy for your rimfire rifle.
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Bushnell AR Optics Rifle Scope 1-4×24
The Bushnell AR Optics 1-4×24 a great rifle scope with outstanding value that is a perfect starter optic for rimfire AR-platform shooters on a modest budget.
It is a highly capable and fast-deploying, low-power variable optic (LPVO) with lots of features that will enhance your AR rimfire rifle.
The 1-4×24 model features the “Drop Zone 223” BDC SFP reticle with holdovers out to 600 yards. A Thrown Down PCL power change lever that offers nearly instantaneous magnification changes for fast target acquisition. Fully-Multi Coated Optics deliver crisp images in any lighting condition.
The AR Optics 1-4×24 is a best 22 scope for budget shooters that will deliver clear and accurate shots at short-range to 100+ yards.
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Simmons .22 MAG 3-9x32mm Rimfire Scope
The Simmons .22 MAG 3-9×32 continues the tradition of being one of the most popular and affordable rimfire scopes on the market. It is a best 22 scope with big-game performance quality that is excellent for small-game hunting and plinking.
This riflescope belongs to the feature-rich, ruggedly built Simmons family of scopes. Shot-after-shot the Simmons .22 MAG delivers stunning on-game performance, reliability, and overall value. It features fully-coated optics and a complete set of mounting rings.
Its SureGrip adjustments make for easy tuning, especially while wearing gloves. The QTA (Quick Target Acquisition) eyepiece delivers a constant 3.5” of eye relief throughout the entire magnification range.
The .22 MAG 3-9×32 Rimfire Scope is just as well made as more expensive scopes and is definitely one of the best 22 scope in its price range.
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Top Selling .22 Optics on Amazon
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Final Words
The best scope for a .22, according to gun nuts everywhere, is the Leupold VX-2. While its predecessor is the best-selling rimfire scope, the Leupold VX-1, the makers kept that classic design and fine-tuned it to create the VX-2. The Leupold VX-2 is all-around classic, by looks alone. It would mount nicely on any rifle, from a vintage, wooden, wild-west piece to a modern matte black frame. The design is one of, if not the most, classic looking pieces you can find.
The Leupold VX-2 comes with a 3-9x magnification, perfect for short or long range targets. This maybe comparable to some of our BSA scopes. With a wide field of view and low-end focus, it provides for maximum comfort and clarity, compared to other scopes. The variable magnification can be easily tweaked using the controls mounted atop and on the side of the scope.
Another great feature, especially for beginners, is the easy-to-use simple duplex reticle. The crosshairs are thick and bold, allowing for better sight of them during low-light situations. The classic design of the reticle itself, makes the scope even more classic in its use and functionality.
The main thing Leupold is famous for in its previous models is the crystal clear, glare-free glass that is used. No exceptions were made here, either. The glass is flawless and darkened at the edges, providing for little to no diffusion. Both lenses on either side of the scope are also multi-coated, protecting them from nicks and scratches while you are traipsing through the woods (check rifle reviews if you’re wondering what rifle to put the scope on).
The main complaint you will find with this scope is also the main compliment: It’s basic. Some fancy gun enthusiast will want a scope with more bells and whistles. They want a scope that makes them feel like the Predator, but in reality, in most cases, that’s not what you need. True hunters know that skill is more important than features and a basic, but timed true and tested scope is exactly the right kind of accessory to improve your game and help you get your game.
Very true about skill being the number one thing you really need to be a pro hunter. All the bells and whistles, the extras, are really not needed and I’ve found in some cases, they can get in the way too.
I own both a Leupold and a Nikon scope. The Leupold is a solid scope, and I love that it’s American made and offered at such a great price (you can tell the company isn’t trying to rip you off, they actually care about their products). Like the Nikon, the optics are very bright and clear (something I always look for in a scope). The Leupold is extremely durable, my only complaint would be that the adjustment knobs on the turrets seem just a tad bit squishy in their action. I have been a bit paranoid because I think that perhaps the might fall off or twist off or just simply break if I got real rough with them.
One scope I have enjoyed is one by Nikon 3-9x40mm. I would compare it to the Leupold in its quality and accuracy. I’ve found it has very nice eye relief. It holds zero perfectly. I’m impressed by the way the light transmission comes through – it’s so clear and I’m able to see it very clearly through my sunglasses. I don’t have to lean way into the eye relief. To get the scope zeroed, it took me only 5 shots. After about 450 rounds, I didn’t have to adjust anything. I’ve found that the scope is extremely accurate. The price isn’t the greatest.
In conclusion, if I had to chose, I would go with the Leupold, partly because I’m just such a fan of their company and quality.
I’ll be a Bushnell customer for life. Their products have never failed me. The 1-4×24 is a decent scope, and to be quite honest, I wouldn’t have known it was a “budget” scope if I didn’t see the cost. Around $150 – $200 for a scope you can actually use is hard to come by. Crosshairs are kinda thick for what I like, but hey, you don’t have to guess where they are. I mounted mine on a Ruger AR-556 and was shooting 100 yards, thn 300 yards, then 500 yards with zero issues. Okay, so it wasn’t supreme precision shots at 500 yards, but I was pinging metal silhouettes every time. This scope would be great for a beginner who is just getting into using variable powered optics. Really wonderful and clear.
I’ll be giving my son the 1-4×24 when he gets a little more advanced in shooting. He is loving it so far and often accompanies me on hunting outings. It’s great that we can share this sport together, and also, I think it’s important to have your older children prepared and educated on how to use firearms in general. You never know when they might need to use it to protect themselves. Lots of craziness and unrest going on in the world right now, so you gotta be prepared no matter what. Let’s just hope things don’t get so crazy where they take our guns away. I personally don’t think that would really go down very well.
Why do I never hear Weaver mentioned anymore?
To me, I’d prefer a 2X-7X variable with 32 mm objective for a .22 unless shooting over 100 yds. This combo Just looks cleaner on a more petite .22 rifle to me. This would seem an ideal combo for 90+% of .22 rifles for anything but serious target use.