Looking for a new scope for your 22 or 22lr rifle? Wondering what the difference is between a scope that retails for $29 and one that costs $1,000 or even $2,000? From a distance, they all look fairly similar, but the performance can vary drastically, even among similarly priced scopes.
In this article, we’ll share our top picks for the best 22 and 22lr scopes. We’ve narrowed down the field from hundreds to a handful that we feel perform well and provide exceptional value for their price you’ll pay.
Before you begin shopping for a scope, it helps to recognize what kind of shooter you are, your skill level, your shooting conditions, and, of course, your budget. Generally speaking, people choose to mount a scope on their rifle for two reasons:
However, given the performance differences and the variety of feature sets between scopes, a model that fits someone else’s needs might not be the best choice for you. Some hunters in extreme weather conditions need superior glass clarity, while others who hunt early in the morning might want something that performs best in low light conditions. As we evaluate each of the scopes on or list, we’ll also identify what type of person each one will suit best.
The Bushnell 4-12x40 gets top marks, and it is considered one of the best scopes available for the price point. It has the features and performance of riflescopes that cost twice as much.
It also helps to consider that Bushnell has over 65 years of experience in high-performance sports optics, not only in hunting, but also spectator sports, fishing, stargazing, and nature study. They’ve mastered both the art and science of focus, durability, and usability.
One of the things we appreciate most about this Bushnell scope is its flexibility and versatility. The variable zoom of 4 to 12X makes it suitable for most conditions. Plus, the larger 40mm objective lens allows more light to pass through, providing a brighter and clearer image in low-light conditions.
The objective lens also allows for parallax corrections, increasing your shot accuracy for long range attempts.
To ensure good visibility in all light and weather conditions, the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope has multi-coated lenses. In addition to improving light visibility, this coating also resists fog and water, which would ordinarily cloud your field of vision.
All in all, this scope is one of the top choices for hunters, especially those looking for a versatile piece of equipment. As the name suggests, the dusk and dawn hours are where this riflescope shines. Though the price point is relatively modest, its performance competes with models that are twice the price.
Specs:
Magnification: Variable zoom 4-12X
Objective lens: 40mm
Reticle: Multi-X
Length: 12 inches
Weight: 15 ounces
Eye relief: 3.3 inches
Field of view: 29 ft at 100 yards (4x) | 11 ft at 100 yards (12x)
Adjustments: 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
Parallax Focus: From 100 yard-infinity
The BSA Sweet Series 22 rifle scopes were originally designed for military sniper applications due to their trajectory compensation, but they are now becoming increasingly popular among hunters and target shooters as well.
This series comes in several magnification options, but for the purpose of this review, we evaluated the 3-9X variable magnification. Other magnifications available include 2-7x, 4-12x, and 6-18x. There are also fixed magnifications available.
Though this item comes at a lower price point, it performs exceptionally well in terms of optics, getting favorable feedback for clarity. BSA as a whole seems to have made recent improvements in this area. It also boasts remarkably accurate turret calibration, and the clicks are audible, which many people find to be helpful. Further, the fast-focus clarity both up close and at a distance works very well as most users can attest.
Bottom line: don’t dismiss this scope as “junk” just because it’s not expensive. Though generally speaking you get what you pay for, we found that the BSA line is underrated and a quality piece of equipment. If you’re a novice or still finding your “sweet spot,” this item from BSA is a great place to start.
Specs:
Magnification: Variable zoom 3-9X
Objective lens: 40mm
Compensation drum: 0.36gr., 0.38gr., and 0.4gr.
Length: 13.7 inches
Weight: 16.2 ounces
Eye relief: 3 inches
Field of view: 40 ft at 100 yards (3x) | 13 ft at 100 yards (9x)
Adjustments: 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
Parallax Focus: From 7.5 yard-infinity
Boasting aircraft-grade aluminum, the Vortex Crossfire II Rimfire this lightweight apparatus is lightweight, durable and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Though affordable, the Vortex Optics line of gear gives the appearance and experience of a much higher price tag.
We appreciate the universal appeal of the Vortex Crossfire, starting with the V-Plex reticle that’s best for all-purpose hunting to the sturdiness of the design and construction.
The long eye relief and the comfortable and forgiving eye box that allows you to sight quickly and acquire your target faster. This is also thanks in part to a superior fast-focus eyepiece. We also appreciate the anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear views.
The body has capped turrets that are adjustable with smooth, tactile MOA clicks. Naturally, they can also be reset to zero after you sight in.
Bottom line: You get an advanced quality scope at an entry-level price. It’s also compact, lightweight and durable. And, because it comes with a lifetime warranty, you can expect years of enjoyment. Dollar for dollar, the Vortex Crossfire II Rimfire is hard to beat!
Specs:
Magnification: Variable zoom 2-7X
Objective lens: 22mm
Length: 11.3 inches
Weight: 14.3 ounces
Eye relief: 3.9 inches
Field of view: 42 feet at 100 yards (2x) | 12.6 feet at 100 yards (7x)
Adjustments: 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
Parallax Focus: From 50 yards
The Leupold promise is that your shots will be deadly accurate, regardless of the conditions. This brand is trusted most by US military personnel. When you also consider that the VX-II is their best-selling range of riflescopes, then it’s easy to see why this winner made it onto our list.
The precise controls allow you to act quickly and accurately. As soon as your target is in sight, you’ll be able to quickly dial in your target and be instantly ready to pull the trigger with precision.
The design and engineering teams at Leupold thought of everything, including the exclusive Index Matched Lens System that provides different coatings for each type of glass, providing an enhanced and custom experience. The lens edges are also blackened to provide greater contrast and a brighter image.
The controls are also well-marked and thoughtfully placed at a slant for convenient visibility. The wide duplex reticle allows for quick sighting, though accuracy may be compromised for long distance shooting.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for something more upscale but still reasonably priced, you’ll appreciate the fine detailing and craftsmanship of the Leupold range. This heirloom piece is meant to be cherished for a lifetime or passed down to future generations.
Specs:
Magnification: Variable zoom 3-9X
Objective lens: 33mm
Length: 12.6 inches
Weight: 11.2 ounces
Eye relief: 3.7-4.2 inches
Field of view: 34 feet at 100 yards (3x) | 13.5 feet at 100 yards (9x)
Adjustments: 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
Parallax Focus: 50 yards
There’s no doubt that Nikon knows optics, but can they make a good rifle scope? The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Whether you’re a casual hobbyist, a sporting enthusiast or a serious sportsman, Nikon provides bright and clear views with precision targeting, all in a ruggedly durable package.
Plus, it helps that Nikon’s riflescopes hold true to their reputation for having crystal clear optics. This model is easy to use, accurate, and ideal for a variety of skills. You really can’t wrong with this option. The only caveat is to get the BDC version instead if you want a more tactical item.
Nikon recognizes that your gear is useless if it breaks or malfunctions out in the field. That’s why their items include O-ring seals to lock out moisture and nitrogen purging to ensure fog resistance.
The top-rated features of this item include the positive click when you adjust the turret, the ability to instantly zero-reset, and a favorable price-to-value ratio.
If you’re looking for top performance at a moderate price point, then you can’t go wrong with the Nikon P-RIMFIRE. Even people who have chosen this after using models at higher price points are happy with their decision to trust Nikon.
Specs:
Magnification: Variable zoom 2-7X
Objective lens: 32mm
Length: 11.5 inches
Weight: 16.2 ounces
Eye relief: 3.8 inches
Field of view: 22.3 feet at 100 yards (2x) | 6.4 feet at 100 yards (7x)
Adjustments: 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
Parallax Focus: 50-yard parallax setting
The Simmons Reticle Rimfire Riflescope is shockingly inexpensive. This item is equipped with the same features that more expensive models have that cheaper scopes lack. When you receive it, you’ll be hardpressed to know that it sells for such a low price.
It has a clean Trueplex Reticle, which provides a high contrast image with heavy lines at the outer edges that become finer at the aiming lines.
What we think truly sets this item apart from even the more expensive options is the inclusion of SureGrip adjustments that make the dials easy to maneuver, even with gloves.
The brightness and clarity are above average, especially considering the low price, but this scope isn’t going to provide a stellar experience during low light situations, and you can also expect some distortion and vignettes.
For this price point, Simmons is the best in its class. If you’re on a tight budget or purchasing something for a beginner, this is a top pick. They’ve been dominating the value-priced market since 1983, and they continue to get better and better.
Specs:
Magnification: Variable zoom 3-9X
Objective lens: 32mm
Length: 10.3 inches
Weight: 16.2 ounces
Eye relief: 3.75 inches
Field of view: 31.4 feet at 100 yards (3x) | 10.5 feet at 100 yards (9x)
Adjustments: 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
Parallax Focus: 50-yard parallax setting
The Nikon Rimfire is known for its accuracy, and it gets top ratings for being fun to shoot. The high-quality optics translate well for long-range shooting distances. The BDC 150 reticle lets shooters compensate for long-distance bullet drops, but the crosshair style is also suitable for close-range shots, too.
Where this scope performs best is when you consider the glass itself. There’s a fully multicoated optical system that has advanced anti-reflective compounds. So, whether you’re shooting at dawn, dusk or midday, you’ll have a clear view.
Available as an add-on with all BDC Nikon scopes is their proprietary software system called, “Spot-On Optimized” that helps you identify where to hold the BDC reticle for each type of bullet or load that you’re shooting. You’ll need to download an app for it to work.
Bottom line: Everyone seems to love this offering from Nikon. Top commenters mention that it works flawlessly, and they love how it looks and feels. It’s also one of the best we looked at for low light conditions. At this price, you can’t go wrong!
Specs:
Magnification: Variable zoom 3-9X
Objective lens: 40mm
Length: 12.3 inches
Weight: 13.1 ounces
Eye relief: 3.6 to 3.9 inches
Field of view: 33.8 feet at 100 yards (3x) | 11.3 feet at 100 yards (9x)
Adjustments: 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
Reticle: BDC (bullet drop compensation)
Parallax Focus: 50-yard fixed parallax setting
The key to getting the best scope for your needs is to know what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you determine that, which will allow you to narrow down the field.
The first thing to answer is what your shooting style is. Are you a small game hunter, a big game hunter, a target shooter or a plinker? Then honestly assess your shooting capabilities as some scopes on our list are ideal for novices while others will be best appreciated by intermediate or advanced shooters.
As you go through our list of top picks, we’ll be discussing a variety of specifications. Here’s a list of features and specs you may want to consider as you shop:
Also referred to as power, the numbers you see in the model number indicate the level of magnification of the lens. For example, a 3-9X means that the magnification can be set to three to nine times normal size.
In general, the higher the magnification number, the more expensive the piece, though not all brands perform well at high numbers. For this article, we reviewed variable power scopes, which allow you to set a range of power so that you can turn it down for close shots and turn it up for longer shot distances.
This is the lens at the end of the scope that allows light to pass through. The larger the number in mm, the bigger the lens and the more light that passes through. Usually, the higher the power of the scope, the larger the lens, though there are exceptions.
Also referred to as turrets, these allow you to make adjustments for whether you want your bullet’s impact to land left or right (windage) or up or down (elevation). Each company has different ways of displaying this information, and some controls are more user-friendly than others.
Also known as crosshairs, there are several types available, ranging from simple lines to complex dashboards displaying a lot of information. Some have dots that display that bullet drop compensations while others have a single red dot in the middle. And still, others can be illuminated.
Most people agree that the lighter the weight of your equipment, the better. As you’re lagging gear around or taking aim, being weighed down can affect your comfort, enjoyment, and performance. In recent years, advancements in the industry have been made that have allowed scopes to be lighter than ever.
This measurement is the distance from your eye to the ocular lens once you’ve properly positioned your eye. You need an ample distance here to prevent the scope from hitting you in the eyebrow or forehead when you aim your gun.
As magnification increases, scopes are subject to something called parallax error, which can throw off your accuracy. In the everyday world, we experience this when we sit in the passenger seat of a car, and we view the speedometer. The speed we see will be different (and not accurate) than what the driver sees.
Correcting for parallax gives you the “driver’s seat” view, which is accurate. Without compensation for parallax error at high magnifications, your shots would also be off. However, lower magnifications are usually not subject to this type of error.
Most scopes today provide an adequate level of clarity in the glass, but some manufacturers do a much better job here than others. We’ll discuss this feature in each of our product reviews below.
The width of the viewing area in feet when you look through the scope from 100 yards. As your magnification increases, your field of view will naturally decrease, but a quality scope will give you a good starting point, and the larger the field of view, the better.
All of the scopes on our list earn top marks for providing excellent warranties and replacements. However, this won’t do you much good if you’re in the middle of expedition hundreds of miles from civilization. That’s why we also believe purchasing a scope that’s durable and expertly crafted is key.
This includes not only durability, but also having glass that’s coated properly to avoid view obstruction from water or fog.
The scopes we’ve reviewed in this guide are all moderately priced, and some are truly budget-friendly. We’ve found that although you tend to get what you pay for, we also agree that less can be more. Why pay more for expensive features that you don’t need and won’t use?
That being said, you should never have to sacrifice quality or the features you need. This is especially true if you’re paying for flights to go on expeditions or you’re up before dawn to begin a weekend excursion. The last thing you want is a scope that’s garbage, breaks or doesn’t perform as expected.
We’ve found that the mid-priced scopes we reviewed provide a high value-to-price ratio. They’re reliable, perform exceptionally well, and should last for years, if not a lifetime.
Here are some other interesting models that you might like:
