8 Best Scopes For 22 Long Rifle of 2026 For Sharp Rimfire Focus

1

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

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  9.4
• Brand
  Vortex

Key specs2

Reticle and Focal Plane

The Dead-Hold BDC reticle sits on the second focal plane, keeping the hash marks at a fixed visual size as you adjust magnification between 2x and 7x.

Mounting Hardware

Rings not included; requires 1-inch tube mounts

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Second focal plane Dead-Hold BDC reticle maintains a consistent reticle size across the entire 2-7x zoom range
• Compact 32mm objective lens keeps a low profile on rimfire receivers to preserve rifle balance
• Standard 1-inch main tube diameter matches widely available aftermarket scope rings

Cons

• Mounting rings are not included in the box and must be purchased separately
• Parallax calibration distance is not specified in the listing, requiring verification before close-range shooting
• Fixed 32mm objective bell gathers less light than larger 40mm or 50mm optics in low light

2

UUQ 3-9×40 Rifle Scope with Red/Green Illumination and Rangefinder Reticle

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  9.2
• Brand
  UUQ

Key specs2

Receiver Compatibility

Includes 11mm dovetail rings

Illumination System

Dual red and green reticle illumination runs on included batteries to maintain crosshair contrast against shaded targets.

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Includes 11mm mounts designed to clamp directly onto standard rimfire and air rifle dovetail rails
• Dual red and green illuminated reticle improves crosshair contrast against dark timber and brush
• Built-in rangefinder reticle assists with target distance estimation in the field
• Sealed construction is rated waterproof and fog-proof for wet-weather use

Cons

• Bundled 11mm rings will not fit modern 20mm Picatinny or Weaver receiver rails
• Tube diameter is not specified, so measure before buying replacement rings
• Parallax focus distance is unlisted and may cause reticle shift inside 25 yards

3

UUQ 3-9×40 Rifle Scope with Red/Green Illumination and Rangefinder Reticle

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  9.0
• Brand
  UUQ

Key specs2

Rail Interface

20mm Picatinny and Weaver compatible

Lens Coating

Blue-coated optical glass

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Ships with free 20mm mounts ready for rifles fitted with Picatinny or Weaver rails
• Blue-coated optical lenses assist light transmission through the 40mm objective bell
• Red and green reticle illumination includes batteries right in the box
• Sealed against water and fog to protect internal elements during damp outings

Cons

• Included 20mm rings will not clamp onto narrow 11mm or 3/8-inch rimfire dovetail grooves
• Fixed parallax setting is unstated, which can lead to target blur at close rimfire ranges
• Added illumination hardware requires battery maintenance to stay functional

4

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

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  9.0
• Brand
  TASCO

Key specs2

Parallax Calibration

Fixed 50-yard rimfire setting

Optical Construction

Built with a 1-inch Advanced Monotube and fully coated lenses with magenta multi-layer coatings for clean rimfire imaging.

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Factory-set 50-yard parallax eliminates sight picture blur at typical rimfire target distances
• Lightweight 0.71-pound build avoids making a light .22 rifle top-heavy
• Fully coated optics with magenta multi-layered lens coatings improve image clarity
• Tailor-made for .22 rimfire rifles and includes mounting rings in the package

Cons

• At 14.1 inches long, the tube requires careful receiver positioning to clear the rear sight
• Traditional non-illuminated 30/30 reticle can be difficult to pick out against dark woods
• Included rings must be checked to confirm if they match your rifle's dovetail width

5

CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope 6-24x50 AOE Red and Green Illuminated

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  8.8
• Brand
  CVLIFE

Key specs2

Parallax and Focus Adjustment

The adjustable objective (AO) allows shooters to tune out parallax error and sharpen target focus directly at the front bell.

Magnification Range

6x to 24x high-power zoom

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Adjustable objective (AO) lens lets you dial out parallax error across varying yardages
• Powerful 6-24x magnification range brings small distant targets into close view
• Large 50mm objective lens gathers substantial ambient light
• Dual red and green illuminated reticle enhances visibility in dim timber

Cons

• Large 50mm objective bell requires high-profile mounts and can disturb natural cheek weld
• Mount rail compatibility is unstated, requiring you to verify ring size before mounting
• High minimum 6x magnification is too narrow for quick shots on close running game

6

Pinty 3-9X40 Red Green Rangefinder Illuminated Optical Rifle Scope

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  8.8
• Brand
  Pinty

Key specs2

Physical Weight

1.63 pounds

Warranty Coverage

2-year manufacturer warranty

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Red and green illuminated rangefinder reticle assists with aiming in low contrast light
• Versatile 3-9x magnification covers both close plinking and medium-range rimfire targets
• Backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty for extended protection

Cons

• Listed weight of 1.63 pounds makes it notably heavier than typical rimfire scopes
• Rail size and mount inclusion are unstated, so confirm ring specifications before purchasing
• Parallax calibration is not listed and must be verified for shooting inside 50 yards

7

CVLIFE 3-9x40 Optics R4 Reticle Crosshair Scope with 20mm Free

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  8.6
• Brand
  CVLIFE

Key specs2

Dimensions and Weight

• Weight: 0.76 pounds
• Length: 12.28 inches
• Objective diameter: 1.57 inches

Reticle Type

Non-illuminated R4 crosshair

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Weighs just 0.76 pounds to keep your .22 rifle nimble and easy to carry
• Compact 12.28-inch overall length leaves ample clearance over factory iron sights
• Includes 20mm free mounts for fast attachment to Picatinny and Weaver rails
• Clean R4 crosshair reticle provides an unobstructed field of view

Cons

• Supplied 20mm mounts cannot clamp onto narrow 11mm rimfire receiver dovetails
• Non-illuminated crosshair offers lower contrast in deep twilight or heavily shaded brush
• Lacks adjustable parallax, requiring confirmation of the factory focus distance

8

CVLIFE 4X32 Compact Rifle Scope for .22 Caliber Rifles with

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  8.6
• Brand
  CVLIFE

Key specs2

Optical Configuration

Features a simplified fixed 4x optical setup with a 32mm objective lens and an integrated BDC bullet drop reticle.

Rifle Suitability

Engineered specifically for .22 caliber rifles

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Compact and streamlined scope body avoids adding excess weight or bulk to .22 rifles
• Dedicated BDC reticle provides holdover references calibrated for bullet drop
• Fixed 4x magnification offers simple operation with no zoom rings to adjust in the field
• Moderate 32mm objective allows low mounting for a consistent and comfortable cheek weld

Cons

• Fixed 4x power cannot zoom in for pinpoint target inspection at longer distances
• Ring inclusion and rail type are not specified, so verify mount requirements separately
• Close-range parallax setting is unlisted and should be checked before shooting at 25 yards

Last update on 2026-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Do scopes for a .22 LR include 11mm dovetail or 20mm Picatinny rings?

It depends on the specific package, as some optics ship with 11mm mounts while others provide 20mm hardware. For example, UUQ offers its 3-9x40 scope with either 11mm free mounts or 20mm free mounts, and CVLIFE packages its 3-9x40 R4 reticle scope with 20mm mounts. Other options, like the Tasco MAG39X32D, include rings tailor-made for .22 rimfire rifles. Before buying, check your rifle receiver to confirm whether it features an 11mm grooved dovetail or a wider 20mm rail so you do not get stuck with mismatched hardware.

Can a rimfire optic focus sharply at 25 and 50 yards without parallax error?

Yes, provided the optic features an adjustable objective or a dedicated rimfire focus. Models like the CVLIFE 6-24x50 AOE include an adjustable objective to dial out blur and reticle shift at specific target distances. If you mount a scope factory-set for 100 yards, shooting paper or tree targets at 25 yards can leave the sight picture fuzzy. Choosing an optic designed for close-range pesting helps eliminate aim drift on tiny targets. Always verify the minimum focus distance on the product packaging before making a choice.

What magnification works best for squirrel hunting and casual plinking?

Magnification settings from 2x up to 9x cover almost all rimfire hunting and plinking situations. Compact fixed models like a 4x32 provide simple point-and-shoot operation, while 2-7x or 3-9x variable scopes offer flexibility for different shooting lanes. A lower 2x setting gives you a broad field of view to locate small pests in brush, and stepping up to 7x or 9x lets you place clean shots on 50-yard targets. Higher magnifications, such as 6-24x, exist for long-distance bench shooting, but lower magnification keeps tracking fast and targets sharp.

How much do rimfire scopes weigh, and will a heavy scope ruin rifle balance?

Weight varies significantly between models, ranging from under a pound to over 1.6 pounds. The Tasco MAG39X32D weighs 0.71 pounds and the CVLIFE 3-9x40 weighs 0.76 pounds, keeping overall heft low so your setup points naturally. By contrast, the Pinty 3-9X40 weighs 1.62921611618 pounds, which adds noticeable top-heaviness to a light sporting rifle. Selecting an optic with a trimmer footprint promotes better rifle balance and prevents arm fatigue during long shooting sessions.

What reticle types are available for .22 LR rifles?

You can choose between traditional crosshairs, ballistic drop reticles, and illuminated rangefinder patterns depending on your shooting habits. The Tasco MAG39X32D features a standard 30/30 reticle, and the CVLIFE 3-9x40 uses an R4 crosshair design. If you need holdover marks for varied yardages, the Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32 provides a Dead-Hold BDC reticle on a second focal plane, and CVLIFE offers a 4X32 with a BDC reticle. For low-light shooting against dark tree bark, scopes like the UUQ 3-9x40 and Pinty 3-9x40 supply red and green illuminated rangefinder reticles.

Are .22 rifle scopes protected against rain and fog?

Weatherproofing depends on the model, as some scopes feature fully sealed construction while others offer basic weather resistance. The UUQ 3-9x40 explicitly lists waterproof and fog-proof housing to protect internal glass from damp mornings and sudden downpours. Less expensive or non-sealed rimfire optics can fog internally when temperatures shift rapidly between a heated truck and cold woods. Check the manufacturer specifications for waterproof and fog-proof ratings if you plan to hunt in wet weather.