Ever wondered how to make your .22 rifle hit that tiny bullseye every single time? That’s where a good rimfire scope comes in. Choosing the right one can feel like a puzzle, though. There are so many brands and features, and it’s easy to get lost in all the options. You want a scope that’s clear, easy to use, and won’t break the bank, but finding that perfect fit can be frustrating.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this post, we’ll break down what makes a great rimfire scope. You’ll learn about the important features to look for, like magnification and reticles, and how they affect your shooting. We’ll also talk about common mistakes people make when buying. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to pick a scope that will truly improve your accuracy and make your shooting trips more enjoyable.
Our Top 5 Rimfire Scopes Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Rimfire Scopes Detailed Reviews
1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire
Rating: 8.8/10
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire scope is a great choice for hunters. It has a popular V-Plex reticle that works well for many kinds of hunting. This scope helps you find your target quickly and easily. It is built tough and can handle rough use.
What We Like:
- You can easily see your target.
- The scope is bright and clear.
- It is strong and won’t break easily.
- It is waterproof and fogproof.
- Vortex Optics offers a great lifetime warranty.
What Could Be Improved:
- The magnification range might be too low for very long shots.
- The V-Plex reticle is simple, which might not be ideal for advanced shooters needing more aiming points.
This Vortex scope offers good performance for its price. It’s a reliable tool for any hunter.
2. Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 Illuminated Riflescope
Rating: 8.6/10
The Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 Illuminated Riflescope is a great tool for any shooter who loves their .22 LR rifle. It’s built tough and made to help you hit your targets accurately, whether you’re hunting small game or just having fun plinking at the range.
What We Like:
- It’s designed specifically for .22 LR ammo, so it works really well with that type of gun.
- The BDC reticle has special marks that help you aim at different distances, up to 125 yards.
- The lenses have special coatings that make the picture clearer and brighter, so you can see your target better.
- It’s made from strong, lightweight aluminum and is sealed to keep water out, meaning it can handle rough weather.
- The capped turrets keep your sight settings safe from bumps and accidental changes.
- It’s perfect for varmint hunting, small game, and just casual shooting.
- Bushnell backs it with a lifetime warranty, so you can trust it for years to come.
What Could Be Improved:
- The BDC reticle is mainly made for 40-grain .22 LR bullets; other types of ammo might not be as accurate with it.
This Bushnell scope offers excellent value and performance for rimfire enthusiasts. It’s a reliable choice that will help you improve your shooting accuracy.
3. Simmons PRO RIMFIRE 3-9X32MM RIFLESCOPE
Rating: 8.6/10
The Simmons PRO RIMFIRE 3-9X32MM Riflescope is a fantastic tool for any hunter or shooter. It’s built tough to handle all sorts of weather. This scope helps you see your target clearly, even when the light isn’t great.
What We Like:
- It’s waterproof and fogproof, so you can use it in rain or fog without worry.
- The all-glass lenses are fully coated. This means you get super sharp and clear pictures.
- It works well even in low light conditions, like at dawn or dusk.
- The scope has a cool new look. It has a textured grip on the zoom ring and the caps.
- This textured grip makes it easy to adjust the scope, even if your hands are cold or you’re wearing gloves.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the magnification range is versatile, some advanced shooters might desire higher magnification options for extreme distances.
- The reticle, while functional, could offer more complex options for those who prefer advanced aiming points.
This Simmons scope is a solid choice for rimfire enthusiasts. It offers great clarity and ruggedness for its price.
4. Simmons PRO RIMFIRE 4X32MM RIFLESCOPE
Rating: 8.5/10
The Simmons PRO RIMFIRE 4X32MM Riflescope is built for rimfire shooters who want clear, reliable performance. This scope is designed to handle various weather conditions, making it a great companion for hunting or target practice. Its simple design ensures it’s easy for anyone to use right away.
What We Like:
- It is completely waterproof and fogproof, so you can shoot in rain or fog without worry.
- The all-glass lenses are fully coated. This gives you sharp, clear pictures, even when there isn’t much light.
- It features the easy-to-use Simmons Truplex reticle. This makes aiming straightforward.
- The adjustable objective parallax helps you get a crisp focus at different distances.
- Capped, finger-adjustable turrets make zeroing your scope simple and quick.
- Everything you need is in the box. It comes with bikini lens covers to protect the glass.
- It also includes 1-inch aluminum dovetail rings with a stop pin. This makes mounting the scope onto your rifle easy.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 4x magnification is fixed. This means you cannot zoom in or out like with variable power scopes.
- While the Truplex reticle is simple, some shooters might prefer more advanced reticle options for specific shooting needs.
This scope offers a solid package for its price, providing essential features for accurate shooting in a durable design. It’s a good choice for anyone starting out with rimfire rifles.
5. Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9×40 (1 inch) Rimfire MOA Reticle Riflescope
Rating: 9.3/10
The Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9×40 (1 inch) Rimfire MOA Reticle Riflescope is built for reliable performance on your favorite rimfire rifle. This scope offers a versatile magnification range, making it suitable for various shooting distances. Its clear optics and user-friendly features make it a great companion for plinking, hunting small game, or competitive shooting.
What We Like:
- It has a 3:1 zoom ratio, letting you adjust magnification easily from close to far shots.
- The Second Focal Plane reticle stays the same size as you change magnification, which is helpful in low light.
- Finger-click adjustments are capped, protecting them from bumps and accidental changes.
- This scope is built tough: waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
- It’s proudly designed, machined, and assembled in the USA.
- Leupold backs it with legendary customer care.
What Could Be Improved:
- The Rimfire MOA reticle is ideal for certain situations but might not be preferred by everyone for precise rangefinding without hash marks.
This Leupold VX-Freedom scope offers a solid balance of features and ruggedness for rimfire enthusiasts. It’s a dependable optic that delivers on its promises.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Rimfire Scope
Why a Rimfire Scope?
Rimfire rifles are popular for many reasons. They’re affordable to shoot and fun for plinking, hunting small game, and target practice. To get the most out of your rimfire rifle, you need a good scope. A rimfire scope is specially designed for the unique needs of rimfire cartridges.
Key Features to Look For
- Magnification: Rimfire scopes come with different magnification levels. For general plinking and small game hunting at closer ranges, a lower magnification (like 2-7x or 3-9x) is usually great. If you plan on shooting targets at longer distances, a higher magnification (like 4-12x or even higher) will help you see your aim better.
- Objective Lens Diameter: This is the front lens of the scope. A larger objective lens (like 40mm or 50mm) lets in more light. This means you’ll have a brighter image, especially in low light conditions like dawn or dusk.
- Reticle: The reticle is the crosshair you see inside the scope. Many rimfire scopes have special reticles with extra aiming points. These points help you aim more accurately at different distances, which is useful because rimfire bullets drop more than centerfire bullets. Some common reticles include duplex, BDC (Ballistic Drop Compensating), and illuminated reticles for low light.
- Parallax Adjustment: Rimfire bullets can drift at longer ranges. A parallax adjustment allows you to fine-tune the focus of the scope. This helps prevent your aim from shifting when you move your eye behind the scope. Many scopes have a side focus knob for this.
- Tube Diameter: The main body of the scope is called the tube. Common sizes are 1 inch or 30mm. Larger tubes generally allow for more internal adjustment for windage and elevation, which can be helpful for fine-tuning your aim.
Important Materials
Good rimfire scopes are built with quality materials. The main body is usually made of strong aluminum. The lenses are made of glass. High-quality glass with special coatings makes the image brighter and clearer. The seals inside the scope are important too. They keep water and fog out.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a scope better?
- Lens Coatings: Multi-coated lenses are much better than single-coated ones. These coatings reduce glare and improve light transmission, giving you a clearer, brighter picture.
- Build Quality: A scope that is built tough will last longer. It should be able to handle recoil and bumps. Scopes made from a single piece of aluminum are generally stronger.
- Waterproof and Fogproof: A good scope should be sealed to prevent water and fog from getting inside. This is very important if you plan to shoot in different weather conditions.
What makes a scope worse?
- Cheap Lenses: Low-quality glass can make the image blurry or distorted.
- Poor Construction: A scope that isn’t well-built might break easily or not hold its zero (meaning your aim point changes).
- Lack of Adjustments: If a scope doesn’t have enough adjustments for parallax or reticle movement, it can be hard to shoot accurately.
User Experience and Use Cases
A good rimfire scope makes shooting more enjoyable and accurate. For a beginner, a simple scope with a clear reticle and easy-to-use adjustments is best. Experienced shooters might want more advanced features like illuminated reticles or higher magnification for specific types of shooting.
Plinking: For casual shooting at targets, a scope with moderate magnification is perfect. You don’t need super high power, but something that makes targets easier to see is great.
Small Game Hunting: When hunting squirrels or rabbits, you need a scope that provides a clear image in low light. Magnification that allows for precise shots at typical hunting distances is key.
Target Shooting: For competitive shooting or serious target practice, you’ll want a scope with higher magnification and precise adjustments to make every shot count.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the best magnification for a rimfire scope?
A: It depends on what you’re doing. For general use, 3-9x is a good all-around choice. For longer distances, you might want 4-12x or more.
Q: Do I need a special scope for .22LR?
A: Yes, rimfire scopes are often made to handle the specific trajectory of rimfire rounds and may have features like special reticles for aiming at different distances.
Q: What does “objective lens diameter” mean?
A: It’s the size of the lens at the very front of the scope. A bigger number means more light gets in, making the image brighter.
Q: What is parallax and why is it important?
A: Parallax is when the reticle appears to move when you move your eye. A parallax adjustment lets you fix this, making your aim more accurate.
Q: Are expensive rimfire scopes always better?
A: Not always. While quality materials and features cost more, you can find good, affordable scopes that work well for many uses.
Q: What is a BDC reticle?
A: BDC stands for Ballistic Drop Compensating. It has extra aiming points to help you hit targets at different ranges without adjusting your scope’s turrets.
Q: Can I use a centerfire scope on a rimfire rifle?
A: You can, but rimfire scopes are often better suited for the lighter recoil and specific ballistics of rimfire cartridges.
Q: How do I clean my scope lenses?
A: Use a soft lens brush to remove dust, then a lens cleaning cloth with a special lens cleaner solution. Never use paper towels or your shirt.
Q: What does “waterproof” mean for a scope?
A: It means the scope is sealed to prevent water from entering the body, protecting the internal parts from damage.
Q: How do I mount a rimfire scope?
A: You’ll need scope rings that fit your rifle’s scope mount system and the tube diameter of your scope. It’s important to mount it securely and properly aligned.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.