Best Rimfire Scope Reviews in 2020 [Field Tested]

It doesn’t matter if you are hitting the shooting range for the first time or you have been a long time hunter, you probably already know that scopes are an essential tool for any shooter. While most guns these days do come with reliable iron sights, these sights just don’t safeguard against everything that you can come up against in the elements.

The best rimfire scope will not only help you estimate the distance that the bullet will drop, but it will give you a crystal clear view right to your target. Combine this with the eye relief provided by most of today’s rimfire scopes and you can already see that things are getting confusing.

Buying a rifle scope is much more than just picking one out that mounts to your rail. No, you need to consider the light transmission as well as the fog proof capabilities. Not to worry though because that is exactly what this guide is going to cover. It will not only cover what you need to look for when buying a scope, but it will provide an unbiased look at some of today’s top models.
Let’s take a look at the top10 rimfire scope reviews.

Best Rimfire Scope Reviews in 2020

#1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane, 1-Inch Tube Riflescope

The Vortex Crossfire II Riflescope is just one of many from the manufacturer Crossfire. In fact, if you have been in the weapons industry for a while now there is a good chance that you have heard the name thrown around. Whatever the situation is, you need to know that they are a reliable company that produces some of the best scopes on the market. When you see everything the crossfire ii has to offer, you won’t have any choice but to agree.

Long Eye Relief

The first thing that needs to be noted about this scope is that it provides a long eye relief with an ultra-forgiving eye box. This pretty much means that you will be able to quickly locate your target. Once you have your target, you can take advantage of the other features to line that reticle upon the target for the shot.

High-Quality Lens

The anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses will always provide bright and clear sighting in any number of environmental situations. It doesn’t matter if you are shooting in the night or the peak of the day, the scope will provide the type of lighting that you need for the situation.

#2. Nikon P-Tactical .223 3-9×40 Matte BDC600

If you are familiar with the Nikon Prostaff rimfire, you are absolutely going to love everything that this P-Tactical Scope has to offer. The first thing that should be noted is that this scope does not feature your traditional reticle. It features a BDC 600 reticle that offers shooters one of the most unique experiences that they will ever get. The reticle is an open circle and provides aiming points with hash marks at anywhere from 100 to 600 yards out.

Multi-Colored Optics 

The fully multi-coated optical system is housed in one of the most rugged one-inch tube designs that you will find on the market. You combine this with aircraft-grade aluminum used during the construction, and it will be hard to touch this scope, even in the harshest of environmental conditions. The spring-loaded instant zero-reset turrets make adjusting and operating the scope a real pleasure.

Quick-Focus Eyepiece

The windage and elevation turrets are clearly marked so that you can make quick and easy adjustments in the field or in the shop. The quick-focus eyepiece is another feature that must be mentioned. The smooth turning aluminum ring with rubberized eye guard allows for crisp reticle focus and quick target acquisition. Another really neat thing is that the windage and elevation knobs can be reset to zero after sighting in. This will give the shooter a good reference point for when quick adjustments are needed in the field.

#3. Vortex Optics Strike Eagle Second Focal Plane Riflescope

If any professional was going to classify this Strike Eagle Scope, they would do it by speed and versatility. Whether you need to engage targets 50 yards, 100 yards, or long-range, you won’t have a problem doing so with this bad boy. Not only will you be able to do it, but you will be able to do it much faster than what you can with some of today’s traditional scopes.

Durable Lens

The scope also features lenses that are high-quality and fully multi-coated. Clear and crisp images will always be a thing of the future when looking through the scope. Not only this, but the lighting was designed to specifically provide crisp sight pictures with optimal low light performance. The glass-etched BDC reticle gives shooters 11 illumination settings to play around with.

Another really neat thing is that there is an extra space for an additional battery in the windage cap. The battery and easily be accessed and changed right in the field with minimal tools.

#4. Athlon Optics 6-24 x 50 First Focal Plane (FFP) 30 mm TubeRiflescope, Illuminated APMR MIL Reticle

If you are just getting started in the rifle industry, you are probably not familiar with the Athlon name. Well, that is about to change once you see everything that this scope offers. While their other scopes are similar with similar features, this is one that really stands in a class of its own thanks to the 4x magnification. This makes the scope completely versatile for a number of shooting disciplines and distances.

Water- And Shock-Proof

The scope is not only waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof, but it features a patented XPL coating. This coating was specifically designed to protect your lenses from dirt, grease, and harsh weather conditions. This model was also designed with aircraft-grade aluminum that makes it lightweight and durable.

Very Diverse

The first focal plane reticle gives shooters the ability to fully utilize the reticle to shrink or grow along with their target as they zoom in and out. You combine this with the super-fast reaction time, and it is easy to see how the Athlon name got to where it is today.

#5. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective, 1-Inch Tube Riflescope

After seeing everything that the first Crossfire on the list had to offer it probably doesn’t come as a huge surprise to see another on here. While this scope does offer some of the similar features, it does also offer some that make it stand in a class of its own. The first is the dead-hold BDC reticle. This is a feature that will come in more than handy where estimating holdover is essential.

Easy Adjustments

There is also an adjustable objective feature that provides image focus and parallax removal. You combine this with the crystal clear views, and you won’t have a problem locating any target in any number of conditions.

Aluminum-Construction

It should also be noted that this scope also features a single tube design like the first scope mentioned. It is also constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum that is not only lightweight but one of the most durable in the industry today. The O-ring and nitrogen purged design will ensure that the scope holds up in any environmental conditions that you might encounter.

#6. Monstrum G2 1-4×24 First Focal Plane FFP Rifle Scope with Illuminated BDC Reticle

The Monstrum is a high precision tactical rifle scope that features a power magnification of 1-4x, making it one of the most versatile currently available on the market. The 24mm objective lens and eye relief of 4 to 4.5 inches don’t hurt the overall design and functionality either. Speaking of functionality, this scope was functionally designed with the very first focal plane rangefinder.

Brightness Intensity Levels

The rangefinder not only provides easy-to-read ranging information, but that information will remain constant regardless of the magnification you are using. The provides faster range estimation along with holdover correction. Shooters will be able to choose from red and green reticles to get multiple brightness intensities.

Medium-Profile Design

Simply put, it doesn’t matter if you are shooting at night or during the peak of sunshine hours, you will have the tools that you need to adjust the lighting to accommodate your specific needs. The package also comes along with a set of medium profile Picatinny scope rings for easy and quick mounting.

#7. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope

Leupold is probably a name that many are familiar with. And, there is a good reason for this. Over the years, they have created a long line of products that are known for their quality, dependability, and durability. This scope is certainly no different. It might look like a traditional scope with minimal features, but the features it does have put it in a class of its own.

Glare Reduction

The twilight light management system included adds up to 10 extra minutes of shooting light while also reducing the glare from the sun. Quickly and easily make adjustments in the field with the finger click precision ¼ MOA adjuster. The lenses included on this scope are no only multi-coated, but they are scratch-resistant. The 40mm objective lens plus the windage and elevation make this scope and even better choice.

With the 3 to 1 zoom ratio, you won’t have a problem dialing into any situation in any lighting conditions. On top of all of this, all Leupold brands are machined assembled in the United States.

#8. TRUGLO TRU-Brite 30 Series 1-6 X 24mm Dual-Color Illuminated-Reticle Rifle Scope with Mount

This scope really has it all. It offers a great combination of clarity, precision, and speed right in one unique little compact scope. While the scope might look smaller than most of the ones on this list, do not be fooled because it provides big power in a small package. The 30mm tube offers magnification powers of anywhere from 1 to 6x, which makes it optimal for a variety of shooting applications and distances. With true 1x magnification, shooters can utilize an extremely fast sight picture

Extra-Wide FOV

The images seen through the scope are not only bright, but you are going to be provided with one of the widest fields of view that you can get from a scope. When in the 1x magnification mode, users will be able to acquire and sight their targets faster and easier. With this kind of technology, you can even take precise shots with both eyes open.

Red And Green Illumination

This scope features a Duplex Mil-Dot reticle that will give you the option of choosing between a red or green illumination. There is also a standard black no illumination reticle for shooters that prefer this option.

#9. Simmons 511039 3-9 x 32mm .22 Mag® Matte Black Riflescope

At first glance, you will probably just think that the Simmons 511039 looks like any traditional scope on the market. And, this is somewhat true, but that doesn’t mean that under the surface it doesn’t include features that put it in a class of its own. The high-quality fully-coated optical glass lens provides a crystal clear field of view in a variety of environments.

QTA (Quick Target Acquisition)

There is a reason that this scope is one of the most popular rimfire scopes in the world. The QTA (Quick Target Acquisition) is just one of the reasons. It makes finding and putting the reticle on your targets easier and quicker than ever. Given that the scope is forgiving as they come, just about any shooter can benefit from this design.

Quick, Easy Adjustments

The SureGrip adjustments make it so that you can make any adjustments quickly and easily in the field, on the fly. Combine this with the fact that the scope literally includes everything that you need to mount it to the rail of your gun, and it is easy to see why more and more Americans are opting for the Simmons Rimfire Riflescope.

Simmons has created a lens coating called HydroShield. Basically it replicates the concept of a multi-coated lens without the cost of that manufacturing process.

#10. Bushnell Optics, Drop Zone Reticle Riflescope with Target Turrets

This Bushnell might be the last on the list, but do not let that deter you. The Bushnell name has grown to be one of the most recognized in the industry. You will clearly see why when you see everything that this scope has to offer. The first thing that you will probably notice is the compact and rugged design. The scope is not only sleek and compact, but it is light. In fact, it just weighs in at over a pound and is crafted from a highly durable aluminum alloy that will stand up in a number of dismal environmental conditions.

Drop Zone Reticle 

The AR optics 1-4×24 are going to provide you with some of the most superior midrange shooting that you will ever experience. You will without a doubt have the edge in close-quarter combat, but if you need to step out for some more distance, that won’t be a problem either thanks to the drop zone reticle.

Easy, Quick Turret Adjustments

The target turrets might be easily and quickly adjustable, but they also feature one of the lowest profile designs that you will ever see on a scope. You combine this with their pinpoint precision, and it is more than easy to see how the Bushnell name built such a reputation for itself.

 RIFLE SCOPE 101: How to Choose the Best Rimfire Scope

A 22 lr might be able to shoot 50 yards with less than a 1-inch bullet drop, but just knowing this isn’t going to give you the most optimal experience that this type of cartridge can provide. No, if you want to get the most from the gun or any gun for that matter, you are going to need the right scope. 

Reliable And Precise

Rimfire scopes are without a doubt some of the most popular on the market. And, there is a good reason for this. They are not only clean, precise, and durable, but they are amongst some of the most reliable. They won’t just provide you with the precision that you need. They will provide you with this time and time again for years and years.

That being said, finding your next rifle scope won’t be as easy as going out and choosing one with rimfire in the name. If you want to get the most from the experience, you will need to make several careful considerations before going out and shopping.

Consider The Magnification Level

The first thing that will need to be considered will be the magnification. This is usually something that is based on the range that you are shooting from. If you want to shoot at different distances then you will need to choose a scope that offers more than just a 9x magnification.

You don’t really need a high magnification power when you’re using rimfire cartridges. These bullets drop a foot at 100 yards, so they’re not exactly ideal for shooting at targets 500 yards away. So you don’t need 20x magnification, which would be both expensive and useless anyway.

The standard magnification range for rimfire rifles ranges from 3x to 9x. In fact, 9x may even be too much, so 7x should be fine.

If you are shooting close range, which is considered up to 50 yards or closer, you might want to opt for a 1 to 4x magnification scope. If you are going out to 100 yards, you will be best to go with a rifle scope that offers anywhere from 4 to 7x magnification capabilities.

If you really want to go long-range, which is anything over 100 yards or more, you will want to look for a rifle scope that offers 7 to 9x magnification range. Clarity is of the utmost importance when it comes to these distances, and that is exactly what this type of magnification will provide.

A Good Warranty

A rifle scope should be thought of as an investment because that is basically what it is. This is why you will want to opt for a scope that comes with a good warranty. Usually going with a well-recognized manufacturer is a good way to get a reliable warranty. Manufacturers will a well-known name will not only stand behind their products, but they will usually offer some of the longest and most comprehensive warranties on the market.

Profile And Weight

Profile and weight is also something else that will need to be considered. While you would think that bigger rifle scopes would provide more range, this is not always the case. There are some compact scopes that provide just as much if not more of a range than the bigger scope. At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference. Whatever the situation is, you want to opt for a rifle scope that doesn’t hinder your shooting or obstruct your capabilities.

Fixed or Variable Power Magnification

When you have fixed magnification, the advantage is that there are fewer moving parts and internal lenses. With variable power rifle scopes, you get greater accuracy when you need to shoot at different ranges.

So if you’re very active and you bump your rifle often, you may want to use a fixed power scope. The same goes if you’re a backyard shooter and you tend to shoot at a target at the same distance each time.

The variable power is better if you tend to hunt a lot so you’re not sure how far your target will be when you encounter it.

Objective Lens Size

A large objective lens can be very useful for low light conditions, as it’s great at collecting a lot of light so that your sight picture is much clearer. The objective lens will collect the light and convey it to the Ocular Lens. A wider objective lens offers a wider field of view. But the objective lens shouldn’t be too large like 42 mm, because then it will be too heavy.

Field of View

This is the number of yards or feet that you have horizontally when you look through the rifle scope at a distance of 100 yards. As a general rule, your Field of View (FOV) shortens as your magnification power increases. This is another reason why you don’t want too much magnification.

When you have a short field of view, it’s not a problem if you’re shooting at a fixed target at a shooting range.

However, if you’re hunting animals then the short field of view will make it very difficult for you to acquire your target through the rimfire rifle scope. Rimfires are often used to hunt quick-moving targets like varmints and rabbits, so in this case, you really need a long field of view.

Ease of Use

Adjusting the scope should be easy, especially if you’re on a hunt. So you need to check for features that make the rimfire rifle scope easier for you to use. At the very least, it should be easy to mount.

Lens Coating

The quality of the lens coating will affect the quality of the sight picture. Here the best option is fully multi-coated coating, which provides multiple layers of coating to all air to glass surfaces.

If it’s just fully coated, then there’s a single layer on all air to glass surfaces. If it’s just multi-coated, then you have multiple layers of coating on at least one (but not all) lens surface.

Reticles

You can have fine crosshairs that are great for hunting small game and for long-range shots. Large crosshairs are better for large game and for close ranges, as well as in thick foliage where you need to acquire the target more quickly. The medium crosshair is a fine compromise, and it’s best for medium-range shooting.

Parallax Adjustment

Parallax is an optical illusion that can lead to inaccuracy. Some rimfire scopes have parallax adjustment to counteract this problem. When the parallax adjustment is fixed (say, at 100 yards) then the optical illusion is fixed for that particular distance. If it’s variable, then you can compensate for the optical illusion at different ranges. However, for small game shooting, you don’t want a parallax.

Turrets

The turrets let you move the vertical and horizontal reticles so that you can adjust the impact of the bullet on the target. Some turrets can be adjusted with the fingers, while others may need a coin.

Waterproofing and Fog-Proofing

Generally, this means that it should be nitrogen-filled and O-ring-sealed. But an Argon/Krypton gas mixture may be better.

Don’t miss our Best Center Point Scopes Review

Tips for Maintaining Your Rimfire Scope

Just because rimfire scopes are generally affordable doesn’t mean that you can mistreat them or neglect their maintenance requirements. It doesn’t matter how much of a discount you enjoyed for your scope. You still have to treat it right.

Here are some tips to make sure your scope is properly maintained:

• Wipe the scope down before and after you use it. If it’s rustproof, a quick wipe-down with a clean cloth is enough. If it’s made of steel, you may need to rub it down with some gun oil.

• Check for dust in and around your lens, and get rid of it if you find any. If the scope is really dirty, use canned air and a small brush to get it clean. Once the dust is removed, wipe the surface with the same cleaning solution used for reading glasses.

• Check the turret caps and see to it that they’re snug.

• Inspect the ocular lens and make sure that it’s screwed to the eyepiece tightly.

• Look at the mounts closely, and tighten them down when they become loose. You can lose your zero if your mounts aren’t properly tightened.

• The rifle scope rings should be tightly clamped on.

• Don’t unnecessarily bump your rifle into other surfaces. That can cause the rimfire rifle scope to go out of alignment. Use a padded bag to transport your rifle, and don’t throw gear on top of the rifle when you’re packing your stuff for a trip.

• If you’re hunting in winter conditions, you may want to consider using water repellant designed for scopes. Also, you should carry your rifle with the scope lens point down. The ocular part of the scope is tucked under your arm so it will remain dry.

• Keep your rifle covered when you store it.

To keep your guns safe, make sure you read our gun safe reviews article.

FAQ

What is the best 22 rimfire scope?

Vortex Optics Crossfire II is the best .22 scope.

What Is Important For A Long Range Rifle?

When looking for the best rimfire scopes, you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting the best of the best. There are numerous things to consider when looking for a good rifle scope. Rimfire scopes are great but they are much different so you’ll need to consider objective lens, BDC reticle, eye relief, and other factors. It’s a good idea to also think about the light conditions when you will use the scope. Price range, parallax setting, adjustment knobs, magnification levels, elevation and windage, moa adjustments, field adjustments, adjustment turrets should also be considered.

You’ll want rimfire rifles that can fire up to 150 yards. This will ensure that the rifle can fire a good distance. Also, be sure to consider the magnification range to ensure you get the best results.

How Many Yards Do I Need?

When choosing a rifle with a rimfire scope, you’ll likely want to shoot over a long distance. If this is the case, you’ll want to choose a rifle with a rifle scope that can choose up to 150 yards. It is best to choose a rifle specifically designed for this purpose. It is vital to check out the range since 100 yards might not be suitable for you. If you want the best rimfire rifle for your individualistic needs, you’ll want to check the range and make sure you get something that can shoot 100 yards or further.

What About Magnification?

It is also essential to check the rifle for magnification capabilities. What type of scope does the rifle have? Will the optics offer sufficient magnification and range? All rifle scopes are different so you’ll want to find one that works great with your rifle. You’ll also want to pair the rifle’s distance with the field of view and other features. Choosing a rimfire rifle with a long range is highly recommended but the magnification will depend on what you’re trying to achieve. 3x to 9x might be suitable for some situations but not all.

Why Does Optics Coating Matter?

When it comes to optics for rifle scopes, you’ll want to make sure that they’re fully multicoated. An objective lens that has been fully multicoated since this will make the rifle scopes waterproof and fog proof. If you don’t have waterproof and fog proof scopes, you won’t be able to use the scope during bad weather. If you want the best rifle rimfire scope, you’ll want to choose one of the best rifle scopes that have waterproof and fog proof capabilities.

What Are Rimfire Rifles?

If you’re interested in buying rimfire rifles, you’ll want to learn a little more about rimfire rifles and the rimfire scope. These rifles are slightly different than the alternatives. A 22 with scope may or may not be a rimfire rifle. A sweet 22 rimfire rifle or a BDC 150 may be rimfire. It depends on the type of ammunition being used and how the rifle works. When the rifle prepares to fire, the firing pin will strike the rim of the base of the cartridge.

What Adjustments Do I Need?

All rifles are going to come with some type of parallax adjustment system. This is true whether you have a 40mm objective lens or not. These adjustment levers will enable you to adjust the magnification and sight picture. If you want the best view possible, you’ll want to ensure that your riflescope makes it easy to adjust these things.

Why buy a rimfire scope?

You should specifically by a rimfire scope for a rimfire rifle, because its features are designed to match your rifle. Rimfire scopes are usually simpler, and that’s because rimfire cartridges aren’t for very long range shooting.

So you may end up with features such as too much magnification for shooting at 500 yards, when rimfire cartridges are meant for 100 yards at the most. Basically, you don’t want to waste your money.

Can I use a rimfire scope for a centerfire rifle?

It’s not really recommended. Rimfire cartridges generate low pressure, so there’s not much recoil to worry about. That’s why centerfire scopes usually have much generous eye relief compared to rimfire scopes. So if you use a rifle scope on your centerfire rifle, you can end up getting your eye poked by your scope during the recoil.

Some centerfire scopes may also be too heavy for a rimfire rifle. That’s not a good match. It will throw off the balance of the rifle and aiming will become more difficult.

How do I mount my rimfire scope?

There’s no single answer to this. The best way to determine this is to read the instructions that came with the scope, and usually, the scope is designed for a particular type of rifle. You can also just go online and Google for the instructions, and usually you’ll find a YouTube video demonstrating the mounting procedure for your scope.

What’s a BDC reticle?

This stands for bullet drop compensator, and you can find it in some rimfire scopes. This type of reticle has alternative circles under the crosshairs that show where the bullet will drop at certain distances. With a BDC reticle, you have an easy way of aiming your rifle at different distances from the target. The high-powered scopes usually have a full BDC reticle.

What’s parallax?

Some rifle scopes come with parallax adjustment, so “what’s parallax” becomes a natural question to ask.

It’s rather difficult to explain parallax without being too sciency and technical. However, for most people, it’s enough to say that parallax is a kind of optical illusion that can cause you to be inaccurate in your shooting.