Our Top Picks
Best Overall Scope for 22LR
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm
- Build Quality: 4.5/5
- Optics: 4.5/5
- Value: 3.5/5
Best 22LR Scope for Short Range
Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22
Best 22LR Scope for Medium Range
Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32
- Build Quality: 3.8/5
- Optics: 4/5
- Value: 4.1/5
One of the best rimfire scopes out there.
Check Price on AmazonWhether hunting small game, pest control, recreational shooting, or any other shooting application, you can rely on the best scopes for 22LR to achieve tighter groups. But before we get to the exciting part, we’d have to go through a long list of potential riflescopes.
Just kidding! We did hours of research and testing and ended up with five scopes. How’d we do it? Read on…
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison of the Best .22LR Scopes
How We Choose + Features to Consider
| Category | Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm | Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 | Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 | Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 | Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 | Category Average |
| Overall score | 3.54 | 3.44 | 3.48 | 3.6 | 3.54 | 3.52 |
| Ergonomics | 2.2 | 3.4 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 2.32 |
| Build Quality | 4.5 | 3 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.04 |
| Optics | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.22 |
| Battery | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3.4 |
| Value | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 3.62 |
Optics
You want crystal-clear images, vibrant colors, and enough light coming through that you could practically shoot by moonlight (though I wouldn’t recommend it). Look for high-quality glass, multi-coated lenses, and a generous objective lens size.
Magnification
Even if you are most likely shooting at short distances, having a scope with variable magnification will be helpful in making adjustments as you engage targets at varying distances along the way. If you’ll be shooting at long distances, the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 scope’s high magnification and wide magnification range is more than suitable for longer-range applications.
Reticle
You may want a scope reticle with special holdover points to compensate for possible wind drift and bullet drop or just generic markings that you can use to create your own dope if shooting at medium to long ranges. If you’re mostly hunting small game, you could likely get away with something simpler like a Duplex reticle.
How do we rate it?
High marks go to scopes that offer excellent low-light performance and the ability to maintain a sharp, bright image under various conditions.
Build Quality
Build quality is all about how rugged and ready your scope is for action. Can it handle a drop? What about water, dust, or a sudden cold snap? A reliable scope could double as a club in a pinch and still hold zero.
How do we rate it?
Is it waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof? A high rating in this category means your scope is the tank of the optics world—reliable, tough, and ready for anything Mother Nature throws at it.
Ergonomics
A .22LR scope’s windage and elevation knobs should have crisp affirmative clicks for you to calibrate your scope better. Also, decide if you want your turrets exposed for easier access or capped so your settings are secured. Also consider the riflescope’s weight as you should still be able to move around effortlessly even with a rifle scope mounted on your rifle.
How do we rate it?
Is the scope’s weight balanced, or does it make your rifle feel like you’re lugging around a medieval weapon? A top-rated scope in ergonomics should feel intuitive like it’s an extension of yourself rather than an awkward appendage.
Battery
If your scope has any electronic components, like an illuminated reticle, then battery life is your new best friend. There’s nothing worse than getting ready for the perfect shot only to find your reticle as dark as your chances of hitting the target without it. Long battery life is a must. You should also have easy access to replace batteries and shouldn’t have to think about it much until you need it.
How do we rate it?
We give lower scores to scopes that require battery changes more often than you change your socks. High ratings go to models with efficient power usage and long-lasting battery life, ensuring you’re always ready for the shot, day or night.
Value
Value is not only about the price tag, it’s also about getting the most bang for your buck. Sure, you could drop a small fortune on a scope, but is it overkill? A good scope should fit both your budget and your needs, offering the features you’ll actually use without the fluff you won’t.
How do we rate it?
A high rating in value means the scope offers the best blend of quality and features for its price point, striking that sweet balance between cost and functionality. Think of it as the difference between a deal and a steal.
5 Best Scopes for 22LR
Best Overall Scope for 22LR: Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm
| Category | Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 2.2 | 2.32 |
| Build Quality | 4.5 | 4.04 |
| Optics | 4.5 | 4.22 |
| Battery | 3 | 3.4 |
| Value | 3.5 | 3.62 |
Score: 3.54/5
Like all Leupold scopes, the VX-Freedom is equipped with the Twilight Light Management System. This technology allows maximum light transmission and reduced glare because of several layers of proprietary lens coatings. This feat will let you hunt in the evening and still get crystal-clear images.
It’s also impressive how this scope is tested to perform in the most extreme climate and pressure changes. Not only is the VX-Freedom made from 6061-T6 aircraft-quality aluminum, but it’s also impact-tested using Leupold’s recoil simulation machine.
Pros
- Affordable (MSRP: $349)
- Impact-tested
- High-quality glass
- Lightest pick (12.2 oz)
Cons
- Elevation and windage turret clicks are a little spongy
- No illumination
What Customers Say
Great scope, going Bear hunting and this scope is perfect!
Amazon Customer
Review2Only complaint is the adjustment knobs feel cheap. Feel like my Burris FFII is a little better quality, however, I like that this Leopold is made in the USA for a good price. Glass seems the same as the FFII.
M.M
Best 22LR Scope for Short Range: Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22
| Category | Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 3.4 | 2.32 |
| Build Quality | 3 | 4.04 |
| Optics | 3.5 | 4.22 |
| Battery | 3 | 3.4 |
| Value | 4.3 | 3.62 |
Score: 3.44/5
Our next pick is designed to get optimum performance out of your .22LR. Its drop zone reticle and multi-coated optics offer precision, resolution, contrast, and light transmission like no other. Together, these features give you superior accuracy in close quarters.
The Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 features capped turrets so your settings are secured, an aircraft-grade aluminum body that can withstand regular wear and tear, plus a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Most affordable pick (MSRP: $204)
- Capped turrets
- IPX7 waterproof
Cons
- Heavy (18 oz)
- Not great for low-light use
What Customers Say
This is an incredible scope! The glass is very clear and light transmission is great. I was impressed as my groups and overall time were comparable to previous times with a red dot that the scope is replacing.
Riley M.
Mounted it on my Ar15 and was shooting walnuts out of trees at 75 yards with no effort. Incredible.
Seth
Best 22LR Scope for Medium Range: Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32
| Category | Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 2.5 | 2.32 |
| Build Quality | 3.8 | 4.04 |
| Optics | 4 | 4.22 |
| Battery | 3 | 3.4 |
| Value | 4.1 | 3.62 |
Score: 3.48/5
Vortex riflescopes ensure shockproof performance since they’re made from aircraft-grade aluminum. Aside from its durable construction, the Crossfire II holds zero well at 25 to 75 yards, and parallax is set at 50 yards. Plus, the Crossfire II is secured with an O-ring seal and is nitrogen-purged for moisture protection.
With the lifetime warranty, you won’t have to worry about it failing on you!
Pros
- Affordable (MSRP: $179.99)
- Comes with Vortex Lifetime Warranty
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Illuminated reticle
- Lightweight (13.9 oz)
Cons
- Low-quality lens caps
- Requires higher mounts because the rear of the scope is larger than the front
What Customers Say
Mounted to a Ruger Precision Rimfire used 100+ yards. Glass is great and holds dead on zero. Ok its a rimfire but does get bumped around some in matches. Image is very bright even in less than optimal light. Eye relief is also as good as my other Vortex scopes. If you shoot rimfire this is the scope for you. True the radical is just a simple crosshair and doesn’t have holdover dots but for the price you can’t beat it.
Art
I needed something for my MP15-22 and I didn’t want to break the bank. I wanted a variable optic vs a red dot for this rifle, and this is perfect. I got the 2-7x Rimfire model and I really like it! The eye relief is really good, and for $120 I can’t complain one bit! The glass is really good too. I posted some cell phone pictures (best I could take) looking through the scope at 2x, 4.5x, and 7x. Looks good to me!
Steven Lawrence
Best 22LR Scope for Long Range: Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 Scope
| Category | Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 1.1 | 2.32 |
| Build Quality | 4.4 | 4.04 |
| Optics | 4.6 | 4.22 |
| Battery | 5 | 3.4 |
| Value | 2.9 | 3.62 |
Score: 3.6/5
The Argos BTR riflescope is considered the workhorse among all Athlon scopes. It comes with reliable locking turrets and uses the first focal plane, so it’s great for long-range shooting. Argos is also one of Athlon’s most cost-effective scopes. It guarantees quick target acquisition in all lighting conditions. It’s also zeroed easily and holds zero well. Plus it features a side parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity. It’s more than capable of performing at long distances as high-end scopes.
A few tradeoffs that you’d have to deal with are that there’s a slight image distortion at high magnification and it doesn’t have long eye relief.
Pros
- Compact
- Accurate windage and elevation adjustments
- Illuminated reticle
- Wide magnification range
Cons
- Heaviest pick (30.3 oz)
- Image distortion at high magnification
- Priciest pick (MSRP: $429.99)
What Customers Say
The scope is as big and heavy as you’d expect, considering the specs. (30mm tube, 24×50) However, the first focal plane (FFP) reticle zooms with the optics, so the mil dots stay accurate. For any kind of rested shooting, this scope is great. The only time it’s not is when you want to hunt with a lower zoom setting. Since the reticle zooms out, it gets finer and finer and is sometimes hard to see at 10x, for example. The reticle lights up with a red LED when it’s turned on, which is good for finding the reticle when you’re after that pesky skunk who is stinking up the neighborhood. I would buy one of these again in a second. It’s better than my high-end Hawke Sidewinder 30 for about the same cost, and it adds the very nice FFP feature.
Smaug
I love this scope. 5 shot group I pulled 1 shot my fault it was 38degrees. Easy zero. Rem700XCR/CT .308 with 20moa base, high rings, been to range twice shot about 50 rounds so far no issues! Don’t let scope snobs talk you out of trying this! Glass is super clear even at edges and at all magnification’s.
Chad Knapp
Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire Scope
| Category | Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 2.4 | 2.32 |
| Build Quality | 4.5 | 4.04 |
| Optics | 4.5 | 4.22 |
| Battery | 3 | 3.4 |
| Value | 3.3 | 3.62 |
Score: 3.54/5
The Diamondback rimfire scope comes with a V-Plex MOA reticle that’s designed especially for hunting.
Like every Vortex Optics scope, the Diamondback Rimfire is constructed with aircraft-grade aluminum alloy so expect durability and high resistance to impact and recoil. These features also help hold zero well. It’s also Argon-purged so this one-piece scope is protected from moisture and the fully multi-coated lenses offer incredible clarity.
Pros
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- Exposed turrets
- Affordable (MSRP: $329.99)
- Second lightest pick (13.7 oz)
- Comes with lifetime warranty
Cons
- Mushy turrets
What Customers Say
I put this on my 10/22. I have 2 acres and it works great out to that range. I’ve killed groundhogs, gophers, squirrels and rabbits with it. I wish they had dots on the reticle to help me remember my holds better at 200 yards.
F. Taylor
Good scope, I keep in my Ranger always. Gets knocked around and still stays true. Good for about a hundred yards as stated. Recommended.
Ray
Conclusion
There you have it, the cream of the crop among the 22LR rifle scopes. And whichever you decide to buy will surely improve your rimfire accuracy!
Last update on 2024-12-06 / Images from Amazon Product API