Best Rimfire Rifle Scopes for the .22LR: Leupold, Nikon, and Other Optics Reviews

What is the best rimfire scope? Most rimfire rifle scopes can be used interchangeably for hunting large and small game.  The .22LR is the most popular rimfire cartridge, and the .17 HMR is right behind it.  For the purpose of today’s breakdown, we specifically focus on the .22LR due to the sheer popularity of the caliber. Most of the scopes in our list will be flexible enough for any other rimfire cartridge you plan to shoot.

Due to its relatively inexpensive ammunition and low recoil, the .22LR cartridge is quite likely the single most popular rifle cartridge in the world. In fact, many shooters got their start shooting a .22 rifle. The .22 remains the perfect choice for backyard target practice and for small game hunting.

If you’re still learning about scopes, get your 101 on the topic, otherwise you may not understand what makes the best rimfire scopes. If you are the type of person that knows your way around a scope, you can fast forward to the 10 best rimfire scopes.

OUR TOP THREE RIMFIRE RIFLE SCOPES

Our rating

Nikon Prostaff

TOP OVERALL PICK

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Our rating

Leupold VX-2

HIGH END PICK

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Our rating

BSA Sweet 22

BUDGET PICK

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Now that you’ve seen our top 10 choices for a the best rimfire scopes, let’s dive a little deeper and take a look at our buyer’s guide. But first, a run down on scope 101 so you understand basic terminology.

Best Rimfire Scope: Buyer’s Guide

We’ve broken down our buyer’s guide into two parts: scope 101 and rifle scope anatomy.  You should understand both scope basics and what each scope piece does.  This way, you understand exactly what you should address before adding an optic to your rimfire rifle and finding the best rimfire scope.

1. Rifle Scope 101

While a person can get by without mounting a scope on their .22 rifle, not doing so limits you to shooting at relatively close ranges. It also prevents you from experiencing the amazing pinpoint accuracy that this little cartridge is capable of. The best rimfire scopes operate well in the medium to long-distance range, typically making them different than the optics you would choose for an AR-15 or other centerfire cartridge.

Most .22 rimfire rifles are relatively inexpensive to purchase. We’ve outlined several important items below to consider when looking for the best rimfire scope.

Power 

To find the best rimfire scope, you must first understand all the different parts of a scope, their function, and how they affect the scope’s performance. Some rifle scopes feature fixed power magnification, while others feature variable power magnification. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Some hunters have a distinct preference for fixed power rifle scopes because they have far fewer internal lenses and moving parts, making them less likely to get un-zeroed.  Some shooters prefer variable power rifle scopes because they make it easier to achieve the level of accuracy they require at different ranges.

Light Conditions

Another thing to consider is the light condition you plan to hunt in. When hunting in low light conditions, a large objective lens does a far better job of collecting light and provides a clearer picture. Scopes with large objective lenses also require significantly taller rings, which also raises the position of the ocular lens. This forces the shooter to place their cheek higher on the stock.

It should be noted: for any given diameter Objective Lens, when you increase the magnification of a rifle scope, you also decrease the size of the Exit Pupil.  This means a rifle scope with a larger Objective Lens will provide a brighter picture at higher magnifications because it has a larger Exit Pupil. 

Lens Coatings

Lens coatings are also important. Coatings affect both the amount of light transmitted through the scope tube and the clarity of the sight picture. In fact, the more coatings the objective and ocular lenses have, the greater the clarity of the sight picture will be due to both glare reduction and light gathering ability.

Turrets

You should also consider turret adjustments when considering the best rimfire scopes. Although low-profile turrets are standard on most .22 LR rifle scopes, some scopes do feature high-profile, target-style turrets that make it easy for the shooter to adjust the point of impact for different ranges, and then quickly and easily return to the original zero point.

Resistance to Elements

You should also look for a scope that can withstand the elements. Make sure your scope is designed to be both waterproof and fog proof. While most .22LR rimfire rifle scopes feature tubes that have been purged and filled with nitrogen, scopes filled with Argon or Krypton gas mixture are a better choice because the Argon and Krypton atoms are significantly larger than the Nitrogen atom. This makes them less likely to migrate from the hypertonic atmosphere inside of the scope tube to the hypotonic atmosphere outside of the scope tube.

2. Rifle Scope Anatomy

Now that you understand what to look for when purchasing the best rimfire scope, a more in-depth explanation of a rifle scope’s anatomy will helpful you better understand what each term means and how it affects the performance of the scope.

Scope Tube

The Scope Tube is the metal tube that contains both the Ocular and Objective lenses, as well as the Reticle. It consists of the Objective Bell and the Eye Bell, which contain the Objective Lens and the Ocular Lens, respectively.

Eye Bell

The Eye Bell is the flared part of the scope tube located closest to the shooter’s eye. It contains the Ocular Lens.

Eye Piece 

The Eye Piece is located at the end of the scope closest to the shooter’s eye. It consists of the Eye Bell and the Ocular Lens, and it is designed to move in or out to focus the picture seen through the scope.

Ocular Lens

The Ocular Lens (contained within the Eye Piece) is the lens located closest to the shooter’s eye when looking through the scope tube. It is used to focus the image created by the Objective Lens by moving the Eye Piece in or out to change the focal plane. Ocular Lenses measure in millimeters. The larger the Ocular Lens, the larger the scope’s field of view.

Objective Bell

The Objective Bell is the part of the scope tube located farthest from the shooter’s eye. It contains the Objective Lens.

Objective Lens

The Objective Lens is the lens located farthest from the shooter’s eye when looking through the scope tube, and its purpose is to gather light to create the Sight Picture within the scope. Like the Ocular Lens, the diameter of the Objective Lens measures in millimeters.  The larger the diameter of the Objective Lens, the more ambient light it collects and transmits through the Scope Tube to the Ocular Lens.

Thus, The larger the Objective Lens is, the brighter the Sight Picture will be, especially in low-light conditions. Rifle scopes with larger Objective Lenses require taller scope mounts, allowing for the increased diameter of the Objective Bell.

Exit Pupil 

The Exit Pupil is a virtual aperture within the scope tube, also measured in millimeters. All light entering the Objective Lens must pass the exit pupil to reach the Ocular Lens. The larger the Objective Lens, the larger the Exit Pupil. Thus, the brighter the Sight Picture will be at any given ambient light level.

To determine the size of the Exit Pupil, divide the diameter of the Objective Lens by the level of magnification (ex. a 4 x 32mm scope has an exit pupil of 8mm).

Focal Plane

All variable power rifle scopes focus on either the first or second focal plane. The focal plane is perpendicular to the plane of a lens and passes through a focal point.

Still confused? A better explanation of focal plane is that, when referring to variable power rifle scopes, the first focal plane increases or decreases with the power setting so that the reticle appears the same size when viewing a target.

The second focal plane remains the same size as the image increases or decreases with the power setting. This causes the reticle to also increase or decrease in size when changing the magnification power. This means the reticle covers more area when a low power setting is used, and less when a high power setting is used.

Second focal plane rifle scopes are both smaller and lighter than first focal plane rifle scopes, but the point of impact can also change when changing magnification levels. European hunters prefer rifle scopes that focus on the first focal plane, while American hunters prefer rifle scopes that focus on the second focal plane.

Lens Coatings

According to a law of physics called Snell’s Law, any time light strikes a glass lens at an angle of less than 48.5 degrees, that light is reflected and it does not pass through the Objective Lens. Any light that strikes a glass lens at an angle greater than 48.5 degrees does pass through the lens and the scope tube, creating a sight picture within the scope tube.

Coating rifle scope lenses both reduces the amount of glare and the amount of light lost to reflection. Different types of lens coatings affect the amount of reflection and the clarity of the sight picture. Two popular lens coatings are Magnesium Fluoride and the mineral Corundum (aka Ruby). This coating is necessary for maintaining any of the best rimfire scopes.

Thus, when viewing rifle scopes on a manufacturer’s website, you will commonly see four different designations consisting of:

• Coated: A single layer on at least one lens surface.
• Fully Coated: A single layer on all air to glass surfaces.
• Multicoated: Multiple layers on at least one lens surface.
• Fully Multicoated: Multiple layers on all air to glass surfaces.

Field-of-View

A rifle scope’s field-of-view is the number of feet or yards measured horizontally that a shooter sees at a distance of 100 yards when looking through the scope’s Ocular Lens. A wide field-of-view is desirable in a rifle scope because it makes it easier to acquire your target and track if it moves. However, the higher the magnification, the narrower the field-of-view becomes.

Magnification Range

As mentioned above, rifle scopes are available with either a fixed or variable level of magnification. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, fixed-power scopes have no moving parts other than the reticles, and they require fewer internal lenses, making them both lighter and more rugged than variable-power scopes.

Variable-power rifle scopes enable the shooter to quickly change the magnification of their scope for shooting at short, medium, or long-range distances. For hunting dangerous game in heavy cover, you might choose a fixed 1.5 power scope or a variable 1×4 power scope so that you can acquire the target quickly. For hunting at medium-to-long ranges, a fixed 4 power scope or a variable 3×9 power scope remains a better choice and works for a rifle like the .22LR.

Reticles

Rifle scope reticles are available in several different types. However, the most popular type of reticle for hunting is the fine, medium, or heavy crosshair. While fine crosshairs are a good choice for long-range shots or for hunting small game, medium crosshairs are a good choice for large game at medium ranges.  Large crosshairs are best suited for hunting large game at close ranges and/or in thick foliage, where acquiring the target quickly is of paramount importance.

Another popular type of reticle for close-range hunting is the Duplex Reticle, which consists of wide bars extending from the edges of the lens that transition to narrow bars in the center of the lens. This enables the shooter to quickly acquire a sight picture in a tense shooting situation, but still have a fine point-of-aim.

The third type of reticle that is popular for hunting at close ranges is the Target Dot reticle. It consists of a set of medium crosshairs and a medium-sized dot in the center of the crosshairs which, once again, allows the shooter to pick up the point of aim very quickly in a tense shooting situation.

Lastly, a type of reticle that is popular with long-range shooters is the Modern Range Finding Reticle. It enables the shooter to accurately gauge the distance to the target and compensate accordingly.

Parallax

Parallax is an optical condition that occurs when the image of the target is not focused precisely on the Reticle Plane (located at the turrets near the center of the scope tube).  It presents itself as movement between the reticle and the target or, in extreme cases, as an out-of-focus image when the shooter moves their head.

By rotating the Parallax Adjustment Ring on the Objective Bell to the hashmark that matches the range of the target, the Objective Lens becomes properly focused on the Reticle Plane to provide a clear sight picture. Scopes with a parallax adjustment provide a more clear sight picture when shooting at varying ranges.

Turrets

The turrets on a rifle scope serve the purpose of enabling the shooter to move both the vertical and horizontal reticles up or down and right or left separately. This adjusts the bullet’s point of impact on the target. Rifle scopes have one of two different types of turrets, depending on their purpose.

Hunting scopes generally have low-profile turrets that are designed to be adjusted with a coin, whereas tactical and target rifle scopes generally have high0profile turrets that are easily adjusted with the shooter’s fingers. In addition, each “click” on either type of turret equals ¼” of adjustment left/right or up/down at 100 yards. This type of adjustment is called a 1/4 Minute of Angle adjustment, because one M.O.A. equals one inch at 100 yards.

Eye Relief

The amount of Eye Relief a rifle scope has contributes to our verdict on the best rimfire scopes. Some shooters like to place their eye as close to the Ocular Lens as possible to block out ambient light. Other shooters prefer to have it placed farther away from their eye due, as heavy-recoiling rifles can cause the Eyepiece to impact the shooter’s eye socket. Choose a rifle scope with an eye relief appropriate for both your needs and the caliber of the rifle.

Resistance to Elements

Since early rifle scope tubes were not purged of air and then sealed (called negative pressure), they were subject to the variances of both ambient air pressure and humidity. This made lenses fog up whenever the air became moist, and they could even collect water inside of the scope tube if the rifle was dropped while crossing a stream or wading in a swamp.

Rifle scope manufacturers have invented a process to evacuate all of the air from a scope tube and then replace it with either Nitrogen or an Argon/Krypton gas mixture (both of which are inert). They then seal the scope tube to maintain the positive internal pressure so that moist air cannot enter the scope tube and thus fog the lenses.

The Best Rimfire Scopes: Our Favorites

Now that you’ve gotten a a little bit of rifle scope 101, let’s look at the 10 best rimfire scopes on today’s market. All of the scopes below work for any type of rimfire rifle. 

We’ve ordered our favorites according to the typical distance they are used in, with the exception of our top choice. The Nikon Prostaff tops our list of the best rimfire scopes for many reasons. Read below to find out why!

1. Nikon Prostaff 3-9×40 Rifle Scope

Product

NIKON ProStaff 3-9 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope (BDC)

• Compact riflescope with 3 to 9x magnification and 40mm objective...
• Fully multicoated optical system transmits up to 98 percent of...
• Zero-reset turret with spring-loaded adjustment knob; 3.6 inches...
• Nitrogen-filled, O-ring-sealed housing for waterproof, fogproof...
• BDC reticle; quick-focus eyepiece; measures 12.4 inches

Our rating

Details

• Compact riflescope with 3 to 9x magnification and 40mm objective...
• Fully multicoated optical system transmits up to 98 percent of...
• Zero-reset turret with spring-loaded adjustment knob; 3.6 inches...
• Nitrogen-filled, O-ring-sealed housing for waterproof, fogproof...
• BDC reticle; quick-focus eyepiece; measures 12.4 inches

What we like: Ease of use, versatility, cost.
What we don’t: Manufactured overseas.

The Nikon Prostaff is the best rimfire scope on our board for a few reasons.  First and foremost, it’s a great all-around scope that you can use in virtually any situation. The variable power will predominantly be used in the medium-long distance range, making this an excellent distance scope for those on a budget. This scope sits in-between the quality matrix of your cheap scopes and your top-end optics choices. The best part about it is that it will equally mount to other rifles, including AR-15s or other tactical variants, with relative ease.

The field-of-view is clear at all magnifications, and the BDC reticle is easy to view no matter the distance.  It’s notoriously easy to zero in, making it a fantastic choice for beginners that don’t have a lot of time logged at the range. Shooters just starting out or on a tight budget can’t find a better tried-and-test scope than Prostaff.

2. Leupold VX-2 Rimfire 3-9x40mm

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What we like: Leupold quality, ease of use.
What we don’t: Cost.

The VX-2 series is Leupold’s entry-level series of rifle scopes specifically designed for hunters who are looking for a relatively inexpensive rifle scope. It features 100% waterproof construction with a standard 1-inch tube and a 40mm objective bell for easy, low-profile mounting.

It also includes Leupold’s high-brightness, multi-coat lens system. Additionally, a fine duplex reticle makes it easy to achieve pinpoint accuracy on small game species. In addition, it also features micro-friction windage and elevation dials marked in 1/4″ MOA increments with 60-yard parallax correction, a generous eye relief range, and an incredibly rugged construction equal to their Gold Ring series.

3. Nikon P-Rimfire 2-7x32mm

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Nikon P- RIMFIRE 2-7x32 Nikoplex Rifle Scope, Black

• For shooters who prefer to "dial-in" their shots at a known...
• The P-Rimfire features Nikon Eco-Glass lenses, made without lead...
• The P-Rimfire offers precise, 1/4-inch at 50 yard target-style...

Our rating

Details

• For shooters who prefer to "dial-in" their shots at a known...
• The P-Rimfire features Nikon Eco-Glass lenses, made without lead...
• The P-Rimfire offers precise, 1/4-inch at 50 yard target-style...

What we like: Ease of use, specifically designed for rimfire use
What we don’t: Manufactured overseas

Widely considered to be one of the top rifle scope manufacturers in the business, the Nikon P-Rimfire series scopes are specifically designed for use with the .22 LR cartridge. Featuring a 100 percent waterproof and fog proof construction with a nitrogen-filled 1-inch diameter tube, this scope also features a 2x to 7x magnification range and a fully multi-coated lens system for maximum light transmission with a 32mm objective lens for a good compromise between low profile and light gathering ability.

Also, it features Nikon’s Ballistic Drop Compensation 150 reticle which provides shooters with unique, open circle, aiming points from 50 t0 150 yards with a 50-yard parallax setting. Also, it features tactical-style turrets with 1/4 inch click adjustments at 50 yards and a Zero-Reset Turret feature than enables shooters to sight-in as usual and then easily reset the scope to zero after making field adjustments.

4. Bushnell AR Optics Rimfire 2-7X32MM

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Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 BDC Rimfire Reticle Riflescope...

• Fast focus eyepiece
• Drop Zone 22 LR Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle
• Side focus parallax adjustment for adjustable long range accuracy...
• Target turrets (1/4 MOA click value) for pinpoint precise...
• Fully multi coated optics for incredible brightness
• Made of high durability aluminum alloy, anodize finished and...

Our rating

Details

• Fast focus eyepiece
• Drop Zone 22 LR Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle
• Side focus parallax adjustment for adjustable long range accuracy...
• Target turrets (1/4 MOA click value) for pinpoint precise...
• Fully multi coated optics for incredible brightness
• Made of high durability aluminum alloy, anodize finished and...

What we like: Bushnell brand, cost, designed for AR-15 style .22 LR rifles.
What we don’t: Weight.

A little less expensive than the Leupold and Nikon scopes listed above, the Bushnell AR Optics series scopes are specifically designed for use with AR-15 style rifles chambered for the .22 LR cartridge. Thus, they feature 3.7-inch eye relief combined with a 2x to 7x magnification range, and a 32mm objective lens with a fully multi-coated lens system.

In addition, they also feature Bushnell’s Drop Zone .22LR specific reticle and an extra-wide field of view to make it easy to pick up moving targets. Plus, it also features three target-style turrets with 1/4 inch MOA at 100-yard adjustments.

5. Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm

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Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Second Focal Plane, 1-inch...

• The 2-7x32 Crossfire II riflescope is one of many configurations...
• With long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box, you'll be...
• Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and...
• A single piece tube constructed from aircraft grade aluminum...
• Backed by our unlimited, unconditional, lifetime, VIP Warranty. A...

Our rating

Details

• The 2-7x32 Crossfire II riflescope is one of many configurations...
• With long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box, you'll be...
• Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and...
• A single piece tube constructed from aircraft grade aluminum...
• Backed by our unlimited, unconditional, lifetime, VIP Warranty. A...

What we like: Vortex Brand, cost.
What we don’t: Not specifically designed for rimfire cartridge.

The Vortex Crossfire II Series scope is another mid-range rifle scope but, unlike most of the other rifle scopes listed here, it is not specifically designed for use with the .22LR cartridge. Even so, it still makes the cut as one of the best rimfire scopes! Featuring a 2x to 7x magnification range with a 32mm objective bell. It has fully multi-coated, machine locked lenses, providing a clear, bright picture.

Also, it features a single-piece, 1 inch, purged and nitrogen-filled tube. This makes the Vortex Crossfire II waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof. In addition, it features standard, low-profile, adjustable windage and elevation turrets with a fast reset zero function. The fast-focus eyepiece makes easy to adjust the focus for varying ranges.

6. BARSKA Plinker 22 3-9x32mm

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Barska AC10380 Plinker-22 Scope 3-9x32 30/30 Reticle with...

• 3-9x magnification scope features 1/4 MOA click adjustments for...
• Fully coated optics provides impressive viewing clarity.
• Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof scope that’s built with...
• Scope is parallax free at 100 yards, making it easy to target at...
• 30/30 crosshair reticle provides easy targeting, ideal for any...

Our rating

Details

• 3-9x magnification scope features 1/4 MOA click adjustments for...
• Fully coated optics provides impressive viewing clarity.
• Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof scope that’s built with...
• Scope is parallax free at 100 yards, making it easy to target at...
• 30/30 crosshair reticle provides easy targeting, ideal for any...

What we like: Cost, decent track record.
What we don’t: You get what you pay for, manufactured overseas.

Like the BSA scope listed above, the BARSKA Plinker-22 series rifle scope falls somewhere in between the Leupold and Nikon scopes listed above, and the Simmons and Tasco scopes listed below. It features fully-coated optics with a 30/30 reticle that is parallax free at 50 yards, and it has standard, low-profile, windage and elevation turrets with 1/4 inch MOA click adjustments. This scope works best for hunting and plinking with a .22LR cartridge.

It also features a standard 1-inch tube that has been purged and sealed to be 100% waterproof and fogproof. It includes two 3/8-inch rings and two lens covers.

7. Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32mm

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Simmons Truplex .22 MAG 3-9x32mm Riflescope, Waterproof and...

• Upgrade your rimfire shooting with the Simmons 22 MAG 3-9x32...
• With a versatile 3-9x magnification range and a 32mm objective...
• The Truplex reticle allows for quick and easy target acquisition,...
• Designed to withstand tough outdoor conditions, this riflescope...
• Backed by Simmons' reputation for quality and reliability, the...

Our rating

Details

• Upgrade your rimfire shooting with the Simmons 22 MAG 3-9x32...
• With a versatile 3-9x magnification range and a 32mm objective...
• The Truplex reticle allows for quick and easy target acquisition,...
• Designed to withstand tough outdoor conditions, this riflescope...
• Backed by Simmons' reputation for quality and reliability, the...

What we like: Cost, designed to use with .22 LR and .22 Mag.
What we don’t: You get what you pay for, manufactured overseas.

An entry-level .22 LR rifle scope for hunters on a budget, the Simmons .22 Mag series rifle scopes are hard to beat for what you get. It features a 3x to 9x magnification range with a 32mm objective lens and fully coated optics with 1-inch diameter tube that are waterproof and fogproof. The scope and its accompanying rings total a weight of only 10 ounces. This is the best rimfire scope for lightweight rifles chambered for the .22 LR cartridge.

Also featuring a Quick Acquisition eye piece and generous eye relief, on top of a relatively wide field of view and Simmons Truplex reticle, this scope comes with a matte black finish.

8. Tasco .22 Rifle Scope 3-9x32mm

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Tasco MAG39X32D Rimfire Series 3-9x 32mm 30/30 Reticle .22...

• Beautiful design and durability built to last
• Tailor-made for .22 rimfire rifles--includes rings
• Features full-sized, 1-inch Advanced Monotube Construction,...
• Magenta multi-layered lens coatings and fully coated optics...
• Magnification: 3x to 9x
• Objective lens: 32mm

Our rating

Details

• Beautiful design and durability built to last
• Tailor-made for .22 rimfire rifles--includes rings
• Features full-sized, 1-inch Advanced Monotube Construction,...
• Magenta multi-layered lens coatings and fully coated optics...
• Magnification: 3x to 9x
• Objective lens: 32mm

What we like: Cost, ease of use.
What we don’t: You get what you pay for, manufactured overseas.

Similar to the Simmons scopes listed above, the Tasco .22 Riflescope is specifically designed to be an inexpensive, lightweight, .22 LR-specific rifle scope for hunters on a budget. It features a 3x to 9x magnification range with a 32mm objective lens, and fully coated lenses with Tasco’s 30/30 reticle, a 50-yard parallax setting, and 1/4 inch MOA click adjustments. Tasco designed this scope for hunting small game species.

9. BSA Sweet 22 Series 3-9x40mm

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What we like: Cost, good track record.
What we don’t: You get what you pay for, manufactured overseas.

Although perhaps not as well known as Leupold and Nikon, BSA also manufactures high-quality sporting optics, such as their Sweet 22 series. Unlike most scope manufacturers who incorporate ballistic drop compensation reticles calibrated for a specific cartridge, the BSA Sweet 22 series uses adjustable, target-style windage and elevation turrets with interchangeable drums. BSA made this weapon calibrated for 36 grain, 38 grain, and 40 grain .22 caliber bullets fired from the .22 LR cartridge.

In addition, it also features a 3x to 9x magnification range with a 40mm objective lens and a parallax adjustable objective bell. Plus, it features a standard 1-inch, waterproof, fogproof tube with multiple internal lenses.

10. Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 4-12x40mm

Product

Nikon 6729 ProStaff 4-12 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope (BDC)

• Compact riflescope with 4 to 12x magnification and 40mm objective...
• Fully multicoated optical system transmits up to 98 percent of...
• Zero-reset turret with spring-loaded adjustment knob; 3.7 inches...
• Nitrogen-filled, O-ring-sealed housing for waterproof, fogproof...
• BDC reticle; quick-focus eyepiece; measures 14.1 inches

Our rating

Details

• Compact riflescope with 4 to 12x magnification and 40mm objective...
• Fully multicoated optical system transmits up to 98 percent of...
• Zero-reset turret with spring-loaded adjustment knob; 3.7 inches...
• Nitrogen-filled, O-ring-sealed housing for waterproof, fogproof...
• BDC reticle; quick-focus eyepiece; measures 14.1 inches

What we like: Nikon quality, great for distance shooting.
What we don’t: Manufactured overseas.

The Nikon Prostaff Rimfire sits among the best rimfire scopes specifically designed for the .22 LR cartridge. It features a 4x to 12x magnification range with extra-large 40mm, fully multi-coated lenses for a superior sight picture, even in low-light conditions. It also features Nikon’s Spot On Ballistic Match Technology, which provides users with exact aiming points on the BDC reticle for any load or ammunition at a specified range.

In addition, sighting in is easy with a ¼ inch MOA adjustment at 50 yards, and a 75-yard parallax setting with Spring-Loaded Instant Zero-Reset turrets. These allow you to reset your turrets to zero after sighting in, simplifying adjustments in the field. Plus, it’s 100 percent waterproof, fogproof, shockproof, and it’s backed by Nikon’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

The Best Rimfire Scopes: Parting Shots

You should now have a better understanding of what to look for when purchasing a rifle scope for your .22 rimfire rifle. Hopefully, you also understand what all of those obscure terms scope manufactures mean. Finally, you should have a basic understanding of how each part affects the performance of the scope, and this should help you understand the wide range of price points.

It’s important to keep in mind the old adage “You get what you pay for,” especially when purchasing a rifle scope. While price is not always a true gauge of a particular rifle scope’s quality, the simple fact is that it costs the manufacturer significantly more to produce a high-quality rifle scope.

Due to the necessity of including numerous internal lenses when building a variable power scope, fixed power rifle scopes are significantly cheaper for the manufacturer to make than variable power scopes. While the ability to quickly zoom in or out when viewing a target is a nice feature, constructing such a rifle scope requires more moving parts, making variable power rifle scopes more prone to failure than fixed power scopes.

Having said that, it is also important to note that any modern, well-made rifle scope is specifically designed for durability. Failures remain few and far between among the best rimfire scopes. In fact, most rifle scope failures are caused by dropping the rifle onto a hard surface, denting the scope tube or cracking the lenses.

Purchasing the best rimfire scope for your .22 rifle depends on which features are most important to you, then choosing one within your price range.

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