The .22 is one of the most popular cartridges for a host of reasons. There is the price, which is very low; there is also the fact that it offers little to no recoil which is helpful when teaching new shooters, especially kids.
Most of the scopes that have been designed for .22LR rifles have been designed for either precision target shooting or for use in the field when taking snap shots at small game.
Shopping for rimfire rifle optics is not something that you should jump into without doing some research first. For starters, you will need to find the scope that is perfect for the way that you intend to use your rifle. Note also that you can find scopes in a broad range of prices, ranging from well under $50 for standard models all the way up to $1,000 and above for the powerful higher end optics. However, there is no need for larger and more powerful scopes on a .22LR rifle and most .22LR riflescopes are lightweight and low or fixed power. As a result, it is possible to find quality scopes for .22LR rifles that fall well below the $100 price point.
Choosing .22LR Riflescopes
It is important to note that the .22LR cartridge is not meant to be an all-purpose round. While it can be enjoyable to shoot and can even be used for small game hunting, the ways in which it can be used are relatively limited. Rimfire cartridges can certainly go a considerable distance, but not effectively. By the time it gets to 100 yards, it will drop by a foot or more. When rimfire cartridges are described as not having much range, practical range is what is meant.
The short effective range is the main reason that there is no real need for high magnification, nor is there a need for many of the other features that you might find on a centerfire scope. In other words, you do not need a 16x scope when you are going to be shooting at targets that are within 100 yards. In fact, a more powerful scope may actually cause problems like blurriness and eye fatigue; a larger scope will also be unnecessarily heavy.
Lower magnification will be more effective. The standard magnification for .22LR riflescopes is 3 to 9 but even then you will probably never use the 9 power. Some of the best .22LR scopes are 4x fixed power scopes. Compact 2-7x scopes are also good choices.
As noted above, one of the best reasons to use .22LR cartridges is the fact that they are relatively inexpensive when compared to centerfire ammunition. This makes them ideal if you are training to hunt larger game. If this is how you are using your .22LR rimfire rifle, you may want to choose a scope that is similar to the centerfire one that you intend to use.
Factors to Consider When Buying .22LR Scopes
Weight
Remember, one of the main reasons to use .22LR rifles is to teach new shooters. This includes younger shooters. Rimfire weapons are typically very light and a lighter scope can make them much easier for smaller shooters to use. Heavier optics can affect the balance of a rifle making it awkward to handle. Consider also the fact that one of the main benefits of a .22LR rifle is the ease of shooting small, fast game. The fact that these animals move quickly means that a shooter may have to adjust their aim rapidly in order to get a solid hit. The weight of the scope can affect the ease and speed of that adjustment.
Parallax
To put it simply, this is an optical illusion that can make you inaccurate. A simple definition of parallax is the way that objects within your field of view appear to move in relation to the reticle. Ordinarily, this is not something that you have to worry about unless you are looking for extreme accuracy and using high magnification scopes. However, a fixed parallax of 100 yards is common on most scopes and can be problematic if you are shooting at targets within that range. If your targets are within 100 yards, you will need a scope that allows you to adjust the parallax.
Reticle
When using a .22LR rifle, a simple duplex reticle will be all you need in most cases. It should have thin cross hairs that make it easy to see small targets at different ranges. Most of the targets you will shoot with a .22LR rifle will be close enough to make windage and elevation irrelevant, a mil dot reticle is suggested if you do plan to shoot at longer ranges.
Finger Adjustable Turrets
These are great if you are going to be shooting at long ranges but you may not need them with a .22LR rifle.
Reticle Illumination
These are mostly used for tactical purposes and can may not work well depending on the quality of the illumination. If they are too bright, they can make it more difficult for you to see your targets.
Top Recommended Scopes
A word of warning: if you are shopping for a budget scope, there are many substandard products at the low end of the market. You may find a lot that are not fog-proof or that are inadequate for low-light conditions. Even so, you can still find a few excellent products if you look carefully. Below are some products in various price ranges that you should consider.
Barska 3-9×32 Plinker-22 Riflescope
Yes, this scope is made in China; however, do not let that play too big a role in your decision. Barska is known for high quality products and this scope is exactly that. It is an affordable piece of equipment that offers decent magnification and is lightweight at 11.5 ounces If that is not enough to convince you, keep in that it is priced below the $100 mark. Note that it ships with rings and caps and comes with a lifetime warranty. It may not be the nicest scope available or even the nicest one on this list, but it can certainly get the job done.
BSA Sweet .22 3-9x40mm Riflescope
This is another brand known for providing solid value at a low price. The BSA Sweet offers target turrets that can be adjusted easily, along with a 40mm objective lens that maximizes light gathering. The BSA Sweet is also waterproof, shockproof and fog-proof. Overall, this is definitely one of the best scopes for shooters on a budget; it is especially good for those who want a precision scope. It weighs in at 20 ounces and you will have to buy the rings separately.
Nikon Prostaff 3-9×40 Riflescope
The Nikon brand has long been associated with high quality cameras. They have now applied their signature craftsmanship to the construction of rifle optics. Features include coated lenses to provide brightness and image clarity in low-light environments along with being waterproof. ProStaff scopes are also nitrogen filled to prevent fogging. Their versatility offers you the ability to hunt in all types of terrain, whether heavily wooded or wide open. The compact ProStaff scope is designed mainly for .22LR guns and weighs 15 ounces.
This scope allows you to make fine adjustments for pinpoint accuracy and also has a caliber-specific reticle so that you can fire different rounds accurately. In addition, You get a parallax focus that delivers an even greater degree of accuracy. Furthermore, the lenses are multicoated to ensure that images are clear and sharp. It is filled with nitrogen to keep the interior free of moisture and its exterior is rust-proof and scratch-proof. The Bushnell 2-7x32mm Rimfire BDC weighs 19.6 ounces and is constructed from an aluminum alloy.
Zeiss Conquest 3-9×40 Z-Plex Riflescope
The Zeiss company has been in business since 1846 and has built a reputation for quality design and mechanics since the beginning. The Conquest 3-9x40mm scope is especially designed for .22LR rifles and has a low profile that helps you to track your game without drawing attention to yourself. This scope is on the higher end when it comes to both price and quality but it is designed to be durable and reliable. Along with being nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging, it features multicoated lenses to help with low-light shooting and for precise images.
Leupold 113872 VX-1 Rimfire Scope with Fine Duplex Reticle
This scope offers a number of proprietary features that place it in a different class from other .22LR optics. The glass is about as clear as could be expected and the weight is very low too at about 8 ounces. Leupold has also used a special coating (called “Micro-friction”) on windage and elevation dials that allow for the reticle to be dialed in with greater precision. The exterior of the scope has Diamond Coat, which reduces abrasion and thus provides a degree of protection.
Leave a Reply