Essential Guide to Choosing the Best Riflescope [Top Picks 2023]
Whether you’re planning on plinking, target shooting, or hunting, you want to get the most out of your 22 and you are thinking of purchasing a rifle scope. You may be asking yourself, what is the best 22 rifle scope? We have done some research and have come up with a few of our favorite 22 rifle scopes.
Our favorite rifle scope for a 22 is the Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 3-9x40mm.
This scope boasts Nikon’s fully multicoated optical system and innovative adjustment technologies. This scope has a superior hunting performance that will fit into any hunter’s budget.
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Table of Contents
Choosing The Best Scope
I’m sure you are already aware of this, but there are many things to consider as you are shopping for a scope for your 22. As you think about which gun scope to purchase you need to think about how you will be using it. Not only does your options depend on what type of firearm you will be shooting, it also depends on how you will be shooting.
After you have decided what firearm you will use the scope for and how you will be using it, there are some other things to consider.
Magnification – The first thing to consider is how much magnification power do you need.
Objective Lens Size – After you decide how much magnification power you need then you will have to decide on an objective lens size.
Reticle Style and Shape – After power and lens size, you need to know what your reticle style and shape is.
RIFLE USE
You can purchase a scope for a handgun or a rifle. Since we are looking for the best scope for our 22 rifle we will only consider rifle scopes in our discussion.
There are a lot of different rifles that have different uses. A rifle is typically meant for medium to long range shooting, but can be used for short range shooting. For a 22 rifle used for varmint hunting, consider a rimfire scope with variable power ranges.
BUDGET
After you have a good understanding of scopes and you know what to look for, you are going to have to decide on a budget. Depending on the gun and what you are using it for, scopes can go for a lot of money.
Thankfully, there are good quality scopes that are affordable. Basically, the higher the scope costs the more premium features it should have. Sometimes you may be paying for a brand name. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing all the time. Sometimes paying for the name means the company is reliable and will have some sort of warranty.
Premium features include increased adjustment precision and repeatability, optical clarity, and overall durability. Sometimes you don’t need all of these features though, and as I stated before, there are plenty of good quality scopes that are affordable.
BOTTOM LINE
What’s the bottom line? Choose appropriately for your circumstances. For your 22 rifle, you don’t need a fully tactical scope if you’re going to be using it for plinking in the back yard. There is an ideal scope for you and your rifle. I think the biggest takeaway for today is, know what you’re hunting for, out in the field and in your scope shopping.
Gun Scopes 101
Gun scopes have been around for a long time. Since before the Civil War, as a matter of fact. After World War II scope manufacturers started making improvements to scopes to help hunters have more reliable equipment. Now scopes are made for just about everything that shoots, including handgun and bows.
Gun scopes are simply tubes with lenses to help you see a longer distance than the naked eye can see. They use a reticle, or crosshairs, to help you aim more precisely. That is the reason why they are so popular with rifles.
Rifles are known for shooting longer distances. It’s pretty common to see a modern rifle no longer has their iron sites anymore because most people put a scope on them.
PROTECT YOUR GLASS
The best way to keep your scope lenses clean and protected is to use the lens cap. If you are hunting, you can keep your lens caps off unless there is constant rain. A lot of quality scopes have flip up caps to give you quick and easy access to your lens.
There are also scopes that have see through caps. You can wipe them off to remove smudges without worrying about scratching the glass lens.
CLEAN YOUR GLASS
To clean your lens, dampen a lens cloth with an eyeglass or lens cleanser, without spraying the solution directly onto the lens. Wipe the lens with soft circular strokes.
TRAVEL WITH A SCOPE
Packing your rifle in a hard case is the best way to travel with a scope. When placing your rifle in the case keep the scope towards the top so the scope is up when picking up the case.
Top 22 Rifle Scopes
Let’s get to our top picks for the best 22 rifle scope.
1. NIKON PROSTAFF RIMFIRE 3-9X40MM
This scope’s optical system transmits up to 98% of available light, ensuring maximum brightness from dawn to dusk. Nikon integrated a zero-reset turret into the scope, to ensure easy simple field adjustments.
Features
- Fully multicoated optics
- Up to 98% available light usage
- Quick zero reset turrets
- Full lifetime warranty
- Guaranteed waterproof/fogproof
- Quick focus eyepiece
Pros
- Feels high quality
- Sturdy
- Excellent clarity
- Lifetime warranty
- Mid to low price
- Holds zero
Cons
- Can be a pain to zero in
2. SIMMONS 9X32MM RIFLE SCOPE
This scope features fully coated optics and a complete set of mounting rings. SureGrip adjustments make adjustments easy, even while wearing gloves. The QTA eyepiece delivers a constant 3.5 inches of eye relief through the entire magnification range.
Features
- Hydro shield coating ensures a clear sight picture
- High quality fully coated optical lens
- Parallax correction preset from 50 yards
- Rimfire ⅜ inch dovetail mounting rings included
- Suregrip rubber surfaces simplify adjustments
Pros
- Nice scope for the price
- Good clarity
- Dialing in is easy
- Good lens
- Reticle is nice
Cons
- The rings aren’t good, you’ll need to order different rings
- Horizontal line may jump up and down
- Probably wouldn’t be great in low light
3. BUSHNELL AR OPTICS RIFLESCOPE
Maximum accuracy and reliability for every tactical scenario. It holds zero and is dead on at all magnifications.
Features
- Drop zone 22 Rimfire BDC reticle
- Target turrets
- Fully multicoated optics
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Side focus parallax adjustment
Pros
- Clear optics
- Has all the controls you want
- Top notch scope
- BDC reticle
- Ultra sharp
- Easy to zero
Cons
- Screw on bottom gets in the way for low mounting
- Heavy
4. CVLIFE HUNTING RIFLE SCOPE
The CVLife 6-24*50 AOE Red and Green Illuminated Rifle Scope is made of high strength aluminum alloy. Completely sealed and 100% nitrogen filled makes it rain and fog proof. Adjustable dual illuminated reticle allows for night or low light use.
Features
- Magnification 6-24x
- Objective diameter: 50mm
- Kellner eyepiece allows greater field of view
- Scratch resistant coating on outer lenses
- Completely sealed
- Nitrogen filled to keep it water and fogproof
Pros
- Nice quality
- Great value for the money
- Zoom is good
- Lights are good
Cons
- May have to refocus after a shot
- Adjustments seem stiff
- Eye relief is not that great
5. BSA OPTICS 22 RIFLE SCOPE
This scope is accurate, reliable, versatile and a fine choice for your 22. Perfect for plinking, target shooting and getting rid of varmints.
Features
- Quick change turret system
- Specially calibrated for multiple grain weights 22
- Affordable
Pros
- Good product
- Works good
- Accurate
- Affordable
- Fits well
Cons
- Blurry after 10x magnification
- Eye relief is not great
- Not great optics
Final Thoughts
Rifles are often defined by their optics so it’s important to pick a scope that meets your needs. There are many choices available in different budget ranges. I tried to list a few from the mid price range and a few from the low price range for a 22 rifle scope.
At the end of the day, I feel the Nikon is the best out there. It’s a high quality, mid priced scope that works great and has some nice features.
You can use this scope for your target practice, plinking, and varmint hunting without having to spend a fortune to get good quality and reliability.
For more gun scopes reviews, visit our Gun Scopes Resource.
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- Best Shotgun Scopes
- Bushnell Rifle Scopes
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- Rifle Scope Early Beginnings
- Gun Scope Reviews
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I recently read that Nikon is no longer making rifle scopes and store inventories will not be replenished. Is there another brand that you recommend? Since Nikon is ending production of rifle scopes will parts/repairs be limited?