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Best 22lr Scopes of 2025: Winners
- Overall Best 22lr Scope – Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32
- Upgrade Pick – Nikon ProStaff Rimfire BDC
- Budget Pick – BSA Sweet 22 3-9×40
- Best 22lr Scope for Hunting – Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 2-7×32
- Most Weather Resistant 22lr Scope – Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire
- Best 22lr Scope for New Shooters – Burris 2-7×35 Droptine w/ Ballistic Plex Reticle
- Best 22lr Scope For Target Shooting – UTG 3-12×44 AO
- Lightest Weight Hunting 22lr Scope – Simmons 511039 3-9×32
- Easiest to Use 22lr Scope – Primary Arms Classic Series 6×32 ACSS
There’s a lot of different scopes on the market today.
Getting the right scope is important if you want a complete shooting experience.
This is particularly true if you’re going to be hunting as it’s important to have a scope which enables you to pick out your targets easily or quickly switch to another target should an unexpected animal come across your path.
The Best Scopes for .22 Long Rifle Rimfire Rifles
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best 22lr scopes on the market today and what you can expect from each one.
By the end of the article, you’ll have a good understanding of what each type of scope offers and how you can get the best of each one.
Overall Best 22lr Scope – Vortex Optics Crossfire II
Our pick for the best 22lr scope is the Vortex Optics Crossfire II.
Vortex has managed to produce a high-performance scope that is also affordable.
The scope is suitable for different types of shooting due to the magnification and zoom levels. Vortex also makes a special mention that the scope excels when hunting at short or medium range.
Vortex has included full instructions on how to operate the sight and how to fix it to your rifle so you’ll be ready to use the scope straight out of the box1.
Overall, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II is an excellent scope that will last for years to come should you decide to pick on up.
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is a high performance yet economical scope with a lens diameter of 32mm and an eye relief of 3.9 inches.
This level of eye relief allows you to get a sight picture and acquire your target quickly, and the optical quality is good for a scope of this price range.
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II delivers shockproof performance, and the sight comes with a full life-time warranty, which gives you peace of mind that you’re covered should anything happen to the sight.
This scope is primarily designed for hunting at short to medium range, and the sight is perfect for compact hunting rifles.
The Crossfire II is also waterproof and fog proof, so it can be used in all weather conditions.
Upgrade Pick – Nikon ProStaff Rimfire BDC
The Nikon ProStaff Rimfire is a compact riflescope with 4 to 12x magnification and a 40mm objective lens.
Its fully multi coated optical system transmits up to 98% of available light.
The sight comes with an eye relief of 3.7 inches, so your eyes won’t be strained when you’re using the scope.
The scope body is nitrogen-filled and contains an O-ring-sealed housing for waterproof and fog-proof performance, so the sight can be used in all weather conditions.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Nikon ProStaff Rimfire is the clarity of the lens and an excellent BDC reticle that aids you in being able to focus on your target.
The scope weighs just 13.6 oz, so it’s nice and lightweight.
The turrets on the scope are very easy to reset, simplifying sight-in and allowing you to lift the spring-loaded adjustment knob, rotate to zero, and re-engage at a different range.
Nikon’s 22lr Scope has also included a no-fault warranty with this scope.
Budget Pick – BSA Sweet 22 3-9×40
The BSA Sweet 22 is a smart-looking riflescope, complete with a fully matte black finish.
The scope weighs around 20 ounces, so it is a little heavier than the other scopes we’ve reviewed so far.
The scope has a magnification level of 3-9 times, which is a healthy range and will allow you to zoom into your target as much as you want to.
The BSA Sweet 22 has three adjustable turrets for three different 22 bullet sizes; there’s a 36 grain, a 38 grain, and a 40 grain setting. All you need to do is set the right grain level for the specific bullet you are using.
The BSA Sweet .22 has an eye relief of 3’’ so your eyes will be comfortable when you’re using the sight.
One of the main advantages of the BSA Sweet .22 is how versatile it is, and the fact that it can be used for different types of shooting means the scope certainly provides value for money.
Best 22lr Scope for Hunting – Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 2-7×32
The Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 aims to provide maximum accuracy and reliability to master every tactical scenario by giving you optical precision, rugged reliability, and uncompromising performance.
This makes it a great hunting scope.
The scope is fully waterproof and fog proof, so it’s fine to use whatever the weather conditions.
The scope has bullet drop compensator built into the reticle, which you can use to judge where your shot is going to land on the target.
If you zero the main crosshair at 50 yards, the first dot down will correspond to 75 yards, the second dot down will be 100 yards, and the next dot down will be 125 yards.
It’s worth noting that this feature works best when you’ve got the scope set to its maximum magnification.
A lower magnification level is useful if you’re out hunting and need to fire shots at short notice.
This feature allows you to shoot at targets quickly and confidently and have a high level of control over where your shot will land, perfect for hunting.
Most Weather Resistant 22lr Scope – Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire
The Leupold VX-Freedom is a particularly lightweight scope, weighing just 11.1 oz and measuring 11.04 inches.
It has eye relief measurements between 3.7 to 4.17 inches.
With the Leupold VX-Freedom being so lightweight, it won’t add too much weight to your rifle, making it great for a trip into the wilds for a round of hunting.
Also great for hunting is the fact that the Leupold VX-Freedom is entirely water and fog proof and gives 100% shockproof performance.
Leupold has also included its twilight management system into the scope for industry-leading brightness and clarity.
This feature aims to balance light transmission, reduce glare, and ensure a crisp image in any lighting condition, perfect if you’re heading out for a hunt at dawn or later in the day.
Leupold also states that every riflescope is designed to perform between negative 40 to 160 Fahrenheit, so wherever you are in the world, the scope will work well in virtually all weather conditions.
Best 22lr Scope for New Shooters – Burris 2-7×35 Droptine w/ Ballistic Plex Reticle
The Burris Droptine comes in a few different sizes.
The smallest and the one we tested is the 2-7x35mm scope; this size of scope is designed to match the needs of .22 caliber rifles.
The lens is made with high-grade optical glass that provides excellent brightness, clarity, and lasting durability and he scope has parallax adjustment on the objective lens.
One thing we did notice is that we did have to mount the scope slightly higher than anticipated.
The objective lens is quite large, so you want to make sure the rings you are using to fit the scope lift the lens high enough over your rifle’s barrel so they don’t touch.
This Burris scope uses a ballistic plex reticle, which is a simple, easy to use reticle.
The reticle has three stadia lines on the elevation cross-hair below the center point, which helps to give a sense of the distance of the shot.
The scope is suitable for entry-level hunters and those looking to ease their way into shooting or hunting.
The zoom ranges from 3-9x, so it’s suitable for stationary shooting if you’re looking to shoot a target, but also if you’re going to be using the sight for hunting.
Burris also covers the scope with their forever warranty, so you’re covered should anything happen to the scope.
Best 22lr Scope For Target Shooting – UTG 3-12×44 AO
The UTG AO 3-12×44 is an impressive rifle scope.
The magnification of the scope can range from 3x to 12x, much better than most .22lr scopes.
If you select the 3x magnification level offers a full 34-foot view, while the 12x magnification level measures at 8.4 feet.
This level of visibility that the scope provides is useful for both stationary target shooting and if you’re out hunting shooting at live targets.
The scope comes with a full 36-color EZ tap reticle; this reticle includes adjustable color illumination, which makes the mil-dot reticle easily visible against any backdrop and in any light condition.
This means that the scope works well whether you’re using it day or night.
For example, if you find yourself using the scope indoors or in a wooded area, then a bright orange or yellow optical would work well.
If you’re out in the open in the sun, then you may want to set the reticle to a more contrasting color.
The emerald coated lenses allow for a reasonable amount of light to come through. The scope can be used in all weather conditions as it’s completely water and fog proof.
The scope also comes with a lifetime warranty, so you’re covered should anything happen to the scope.
Lightest Weight Hunting 22lr Scope – Simmons 511039 3-9×32
The Simmons 511039 3-9×32 is a sturdy scope finished with a completely matte black finish.
The scope is entirely waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof and the HydroShield lens coating ensures image clarity no matter the weather conditions.
This Simmons scope is particularly lightweight, weighing just 10.8 ounces, which makes the scope great for long hunting expeditions.
The scope provides 3.5 inches of eye relief.
Not only is the Simmons Rimfire Scope is optimal for .22 lr rifles, the scope is perfect for hunting small game but can also be used for shooting stationary targets.
The scope also comes with lens covers so you can prevent any dust or scratches from affecting the lenses of your scope.
Overall, though the Simmons 511039 3 is a durable scope that you can use daily, safe in the knowledge that it’s a well-manufactured piece of equipment.
Easiest to Use 22lr Scope – Primary Arms Classic Series 6×32 ACSS
The final scope of our review is the Primary Arms classic series rifle scope with ACSS reticle.
It comes with a three-year warranty as standard, so your scope is protected.
Primary Arms note that each scope is inspected before it leaves their facility in Houston to ensure all their products are premium quality.
ACSS stands for Advanced Combat Sighting System, which shows that the Primary Arms scope is designed for high-pressure situations. This means that the scope can be used for stationary target shooting or live hunting, particularly if you need to switch targets at short notice.
The reticle used on the sight starts at 50 yards and goes all the way to 200 yards, so you have plenty of control over the distance of your shot.
The scope weighs 12 oz, so it’s relatively lightweight, and it’s easy to maneuver. The scope is 9.25 inches long soit’ll fit easily onto your rifle.
It’s a solid scope and works really well for if you’re target shooting or live hunting.
What Makes a Great 22lr Scope?
As you can see from the scopes reviewed in this article, nearly every scope is lightweight and easy to move around with.
Ease of movement and agility are key if you’re going to be hunting out in the wild as circumstances can change quickly, and dangerous situations can arise.
Having a scope that is easy to use, easy to maneuver, and gives you a clear sight of your target are musts for any great 22lr scope.
You also want to make sure that the scope you buy is comfortable for your eyes.
It’s important to remember that safety is vital with every firearm, and having a scope that is comfortable your eyes will not only make your whole shooting experience more enjoyable but will also help with the safety of your shooting2.
Points to Consider When Purchasing a 22lr Scope
There are a few key points to consider before you make a purchase. The first is how much do you want to spend?
If you’re new to shooting and you’re purchasing your first scope, then going for a slightly cheaper sight would be beneficial. You’ll want to make sure that the scope is easy to use and easy to set up.
Every scope that we looked at came with clear instructions on how to set up the scope and how to use it.
If you’re an experienced shooter and you know how most scopes work, then you may desire a scope with greater functionality.
If you’re a beginner, it may be worth heading down to a gun store with your rifle and scope to make sure that it’s sighted in correctly and that it’s ready to use.
You should also consider getting some lessons at a shooting range to hone in your skills, particularly if you’re going to be hunting.
Magnification
Having a scope with a wide range of magnification means the scope is optimized for different types of shooting3: e.g., stationary target shooting, clay pigeon shooting, or game hunting.
A lower magnification level is useful if you’re out hunting game4. In this environment you may have to switch targets quickly or reposition your firearm at short notice.
This is because a lower magnification gives you a wider field of view
A higher magnification level is useful if you’ll be shooting at stationary targets and want as much precision as possible.
Fixed magnification scopes have less to go wrong, making them more durable at the expense of versatility.
Lens Size
You should take into consideration the lens size of any scope before you buy one.
The lens on your rifle helps to focus natural light so you can more easily view the target under darker lighting conditions.
Some scopes also come with illumination systems that allow you to shoot at night or in the day.
Do you plan on shooting at night or just in the day time?
If at night, then you’ll want to make sure that your scope has an illuminated reticle.
If you’re only planning on using the sight for day use, then illumination isn’t as important.
Water and Fog Proof
Making sure the scope you buy is water and fog proof ensures that your scope can be used in all weather conditions.
Each scope we reviewed is water and fog proof, along with being shockproof.
This is great if you plan on shooting in different climates or weather conditions, as often happens when you’re hunting
Warranty
Each scope has some sort of warranty that comes with it.
The level of warranty can depend on the type of scope that you buy.
It’s always worth checking out the warranty which a manufacturer offers before you buy a scope so you can make sure the warranty suits your comfort level.
Make Sure You Buy The Best Scope For Your .22 lr Rifle
Hopefully by now you have a good idea of what to look for in a 22lr scope.
It’s important to keep in mind what you’ll be using the scope for when you make a purchase and what kind of shooting you’ll be carrying out.
For us, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II was the clear winner and works well no matter what kind of shooting you take part in.
The good news is that all the scopes we reviewed come with detailed instructions on how to set them up and use them, so you can get down to business right away after you receive your sight.
Once you’ve set your sight up and you’re happy with the configuration, you can head out and start shooting!
Resources
- https://rimfireworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Vortex-Crossfire-ll-Rifle-Scope-Manual.pdf
- https://www.nssf.org/safety/rules-firearms-safety/
- https://www.atncorp.com/blog/scope-magnification-explained
- https://www.bushnell.com/through-the-lens/bu-blog-whats-the-right-magnification-for-the-average-hunter.html
