Make the most out of your .22 rifle by pairing it with a purpose-built rifle scope. Today’s focus is on the best scope for 22 rifle recommendations that combine quality, precision, and high performance to create dependable shooting solutions for several scenarios.
The .22 rifles are excellent for short to medium ranges and are very effective for both competitive shooting and hunting. A good scope will maximize your precision and allow you to shoot over longer ranges.
What Makes a Great Scope for 22 Rifle?
A scope for 22 rifles should have a magnification to match your needs. This means that if you are planning on short-range excursions, then it should have a conservative magnification and a more versatile one for medium-range excursions.
Next, a great scope for 22 rifles should be light. This is because the 22 rifle is predominantly used for hunting and you don’t want a scope that will weigh you down while you track your prey.
Additionally, a great scope for 22 rifles should be very durable. It should be able to withstand a fair amount of recoil and should be weatherproof as the 22rifle is mostly used in the open while hunting.
Finally, a great 22 rifle should have capped turrets. This is important as the scope will probably undergo hits and impact out in the wild which could easily alter your windage and elevation adjustments.
Best Scopes for 22 Rifles
In a market flooded with rifle scopes, finding a dedicated rifle scope that meets your shooting needs can be a daunting task. For that reason, we have compiled a selection of the best scopes for 22 rifles to make it easier for you to find the right optic for your rifle.
Now, let’s get into the best scopes for 22 rifles;
1) Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
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First, we have the Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope. What makes this scope one of the best scopes for 22 rifles is its very attractive price tag along with its array of delectable features that allow you to maximize your shooting. The scope comes with a 3x zoom range that allows for great situational awareness on the lowest magnification and excellent views of your short to medium-range targets. This Vantage by Hawke Optics also features great quality glass lenses that are fully multi-coated to ensure you have well-defined and bright images all day long. The scope features a very simple yet effective Mil-Dot reticle that comes on the Second Focal Plane. This reticle is excellent for hunting expeditions as it provides no obstructions and works great on thickly covered terrain. Additionally, this scope features a parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity and thus ensures your reticle is always well aligned to your target once you are zeroed in. To further enhance reticle performance and accuracy, the scope also features a Fast-focus eyepiece. For smooth windage and elevation adjustments this scope features, capped low-profile turrets that are finger-adjustable for convenience. Equip your rifle with the Vantage 3-9x40mm rifle scope and get the illumination you need to get the job done splendidly in any lighting condition. No better way to redefine your hunting experience than with a reliable rifle scope. Features
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2) Bushnell Rimfire 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
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The Bushnell Rimfire 3-9x40mm rifle scope is a budget-friendly shooting solution that doesn’t compromise on quality and performance. This scope will give you the precision you will never experience at this price with other scopes. This is one of the best scopes for 22 rifles as it was engineered specifically for this caliber. Match your shooting needs with a dedicated optic ideal for plinking, small game hunting and varmint hunting. The scope features a 3x zoom range that allows for a wide field of view at the lowest magnification and incredible views of your short-range targets at 9x magnification. For a relatively cheap scope, you’d expect that the optics are subpar but that is not the case with Rimfire 3-9X as it features fully multi-coated lenses that are made of good quality material. This ensures you have improved resolution, contrast, and light transmission. The scope features a DZ22 BDC reticle on the Second Focal Plane. This reticle was designed for the 40-grain 22 LR. This reticle ensures there is no guesswork and you will always be on target. The reticle makes the scope perfect for hunting small game and varmints. To protect scope zero settings this scope features capped turrets that are quite smooth and audible. Mount this rifle scope on your rifle for precise aiming for a superb hunting experience. Features
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3) Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope
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The Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm rifle scope earns its place among the best scopes for 22 rifles due to its versatile efficiency. This scope offers you great value for your money as it offers a few perks that scopes at this price point don’t normally do. First, the scope is excellent for short-range to medium-range encounters. It offers you very good situational awareness at the lowest magnification and an excellent target view at the highest magnification. The scope has fully multi-coated lenses that offer optimal light transmission for bright images even in low-light situations. This highly efficient rifle scope is a prime choice for the .22 rifle. Moreover, the glass is pretty clear all through the magnification range, though you might find a bit of image distortion on the sides of the outer borders when you zoom in to the highest magnification. The Crossfire II features a Dead-hold BDC reticle on the SFP. This reticle ensures you make the right windage corrections as well as holdovers which is very important when shooting at varying ranges. The reticle is excellent for hunting situations in the short range. Additionally, it comes with MOA resettable turrets that ensure you get back to zero every time and to enhance reticle clarity the scope features a fast-focus eyepiece. Features
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4) Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 2-7x33mm Rifle Scope
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The Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 2-7x33mm rifle scope is an efficient optic for hunting. You can only expect exceptional features and extraordinary performance from the rifle scope. First, it features a 2-7x magnification, which is a great match for the 22 rifle. This magnification allows for a wide field of view on the lowest magnification and wonderful views of your target on the higher magnification settings. The scope also features Leupold’s Advanced Optical system which makes it truly one of the best scopes for 22 Rifle. The optical system ensures the scope delivers optimal light to the eye for bright images. It also ensures you are taken care of in the face of direct light with its glare-reduction capabilities. The clarity and resolution of images delivered by this scope are just hard to beat. The scope features a non-caliber-specific T-MOA reticle that is on the SFP. This reticle features a simple design with a thinner hashmark towards the center for rimfire-specific targets. The reticles are excellent for hunting medium-sized game. The turrets of this scope allow for a quick and easy return to zero. Features
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5) Athlon Optics Neos 3-9×40 Rifle Scope
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Athlon Optics Neos 3-9×40 rifle scope is a cost-effective solution for shooting and hunting with the .22 rifle. It is one of the best scopes for 22 rifles because it offers short to medium-range hunters all they could ever need in scope on a budget. The scope features a 3-9x magnification that works well to provide hunters with a great field of view as well as great image visibility up to as far as 300 yards. The scope features fully multicoated lenses made of quality materials to offer you bright and well-defined images. Expect brighter images at dawn and dusk when hunting with this rifle scope. This scope features a BDC reticle that ensures you are always on target by removing any guesswork from windage corrections as well as holdovers. The reticle is on the SFP making the scope an excellent hunting companion. Additionally, the scope’s windage and elevation turrets are capped to ensure your adjustments remain unaltered. The scope is also nitrogen-purged to prevent moisture and fogging as well as water for tampering with the scope’s performance. Features
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6) Meopta Optika5 2-10x42mm Rifle Scope
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The Meopta Optika5 2-10x42mm Rifle Scope is where simplicity meets perfection. The scope features a 5x zoom range that allows for precision out to 500 yards. This scope makes for an excellent medium and short-range scope. The scope features top-quality lenses that are multicoated to give you 91% light transmission that ensures your images are not only clear but also bright even in the late evenings and early mornings. This scope features a very simple Zplex 1 reticle. This reticle features two lines that become narrow as they meet in the center to provide you with a precise aiming point. The reticle is also on the SFP, making it a great choice for short-range hunters in thick terrain. The scope offers a parallax adjustment 10 yards to infinity and this ensures you can easily align your reticle to your image and focus to make a precise shot. While the field of view of this scope is not that great it still offers a relatively long eye relief that will allow for optimal situational awareness, which is necessary for hunters. Mount this scope on your rifle for an exhilarating hunting adventure. Features
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7) Athlon Optics Argos HMR 2-12x42mm BDC 600 Rifle Scope
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All the attributes of the Argos HMR 2-12x42mm rifle scope point to an exceptional hunting optic. This scope offers you unmatched medium-range performance for a fraction of what it should cost. The scope features a versatile 6x zoom range that makes it one of the best scopes for 22 rifles if you are around the 600-yard mark. With this magnification the scope not only accords you medium-range precision but also a great view of your surroundings. To further enhance the quality of your views and precision the scope offers you bright and clear images throughout the day. This is owing to its fully multi-coated glass lenses that allow for optimal light transmission. The scope features an AHMC MOA BDC reticle that allows you to take precise shots every time as it calculates the right windage corrections as well as holdovers which is essential when you are constantly changing ranges. Additionally, the reticle is on the Second Focal Plane making it excellent for hunting in short and medium ranges. This scope model also offers an illuminated reticle option to ensure your reticle remains visible in varying lighting conditions. The windage and elevation turrets of this scope are also capped to ensure your adjustments remain safe in the face of impact or hits out in the wild Features
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8) Burris Fullfield IV 3-12×42 mm SFP Rifle Scope
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To hunt both varmint and big game, the Burris Fullfield IV 3-12×42 mm SFP Rifle Scope should be your top choice. This scope is one of the best scopes for 22 rifles as it offers versatility both in the range you can shoot from as well as the kind of game you can hunt. The scope features a versatile 3-12x magnification. This magnification allows you to have a relatively good awareness of your surroundings while giving you the incredible views you need to take those medium-range shots. Additionally, with this scope, you can only expect clear views. This is because the scope features fully multicoated lenses made of high-quality glass that Burris Optics is known for. This scope also allows you to choose from three MOA ballistic plex reticle options all of which are in the second focal plane to ensure you have a pleasant hunting experience. In addition to the favorable reticle, magnification, and optical clarity, the scope is also very lightweight and durable. This is a must-have feature of a hunting scope. Features
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How to Choose the Best Scope for 22 Rifle
Magnification
First, consider magnification. 22 rifles are most effective in short to medium-range excursions and thus you need to consider choosing a scope that meets these needs. This is any scope with a magnification of at least 3x zoom range and at most 6x zoom range.
Reticle
Next, consider choosing a reticle on the Second Focal Plane. An SFP reticle is great for hunting as it offers no obstructions to your view of the surroundings and is also great for hunting in thickly covered terrain.
Additionally, consider selecting a reticle that is uncomplicated. A ballistic plex reticle for example is great with the 22 LR. All you need is for your reticle to offer you a clear aiming point with as few hash marks as possible.
Clarity and Brightness
The best scopes for the 22 rifle also have excellent clarity as well as brightness. So consider a scope with fully multicoated lenses that are made of high-quality glass.
Read: Best Scopes for Pellet Guns
Cost
Finally consider choosing a scope that is well-priced, for a 22 rifle this means that the scope should cost no more than $350.
The best scopes for 22 rifles don’t have that many advanced features, they are simple but effective and thus should not cost a lot.
How Far Is a 22 Rifle Accurate?
On their own 22 rifles are only accurate up to 100 yards. However, when paired with the right scope 22 rifles can be accurate to as far as 500 yards.
Do You Need a Scope on a 22 Rifle?
The answer is yes. If you want enhanced precision as well as great target views, especially in medium-range excursions, then you must pair it with a scope of great quality such as the ones mentioned in this article.
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Conclusion
The .22 rifles are great hunting rifles and are excellent for both short and medium-range excursions. The scopes reviewed here today are some of the best scopes for 22 rifles as they are all very durable, feature the kind of magnification versatility you need on a medium or short-range scope, and have reticles that are suited for hunting. We hope that this review helps you in making your next 22 rifle scope purchase.
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