Best 22LR Scopes for the Money: Reviews in 2023

There’s not much durability problem firing a .22 LR because it generates little recoil and is used from target shooting to hunting small varmints like squirrels.

Nonetheless, it is important to buy the best 22LR scope that would equally match its excellent performance.

Top quality optics, magnification power, clarity, brightness, weight and feel of the scope are important considerations.

Bestseller No. 1
Simmons Truplex .22 MAG 3-9x32mm Riflescope, Waterproof and Fogproof Rimfire Rifle Scope
  • Upgrade your rimfire shooting with the Simmons 22 MAG 3-9x32 Riflescope, designed to deliver reliable and accurate performance every time
  • With a versatile 3-9x magnification range and a 32mm objective lens, this riflescope is perfect for close to mid-range shooting and provides a clear and bright image of your target
  • The Truplex reticle allows for quick and easy target acquisition, even in low light conditions, making it perfect for hunting in the early morning or late evening
  • Designed to withstand tough outdoor conditions, this riflescope is both waterproof and fog proof, ensuring that it can perform in any weather condition
  • Backed by Simmons' reputation for quality and reliability, the Simmons 22 MAG 3-9x32 Riflescope is a great investment for anyone looking to take their rimfire shooting to the next level
SaleBestseller No. 2
CVLIFE 3-9x40 Optics R4 Reticle Crosshair Scope with 20mm Free Mounts
  • Specification: 3-9x40
  • Magnification: 3-9x
  • Objective Diameter: 1.57
  • Exit pupil: 0.2
  • Length: 12.20
Bestseller No. 3
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Rimfire, Second Focal Plane, 1-inch Tube Riflescope - V-Plex Reticle
  • The 2-7x32 Crossfire II Rimfire riflescope is one of many configurations in the Crossfire II line. The V-Plex reticle is a popular all-purpose hunting reticle intended for a variety of hunting applications.
  • With long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box, you'll be able to quickly get a sight picture and acquire your target. The fast focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing.
  • Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear views for the user. Capped reset turrets are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in.
  • A single piece tube constructed from aircraft grade aluminum ensures strength and shockproof performance. O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, the Crossfire II delivers waterproof and fogproof performance.
  • Backed by our unlimited, unconditional, lifetime, VIP Warranty. A fully transferable promise to repair or replace your item if it becomes damaged/defective. Does not cover loss, theft, deliberate damage or cosmetic damage that doesn't hinder performance.
Bestseller No. 5
CVLIFE JackalHowl 4X32 Compact Rifle Scope for .22 Caliber Rifles with BDC Reticle, Ideal for Medium to Long-Range Hunting up to 500 Yards(20mm Picatinny)
  • Enhanced BDC Reticle for Precise Targeting: The CVLIFE 4x32 rifle scope features a specialized BDC reticle designed for quick and accurate aiming at distances of 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards. No need to adjust the elevation turret – just lock onto your target effortlessly.
  • Comfortable Long Eye Relief: With a generous 3.9 inches of eye relief, this scope ensures comfortable and extended shooting sessions. Equipped with high-definition optics and fully multi-coated lenses, it offers edge-to-edge clarity and improved low-light visibility for a crisp view.
  • Compact and Lightweight Design: Measuring only 7.5 inches in length and weighing just 10.8 ounces, this scope is remarkably portable while preserving the essential attributes needed for accurate and efficient targeting. Its 1/4 MOA elevation and windage turrets provide precise adjustments for medium to long-range targeting.
  • Rugged Shockproof and Waterproof Construction: Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, this 4x scope is both sturdy and lightweight, still held zero after 500 rounds of .22lr through it. Equipped with an O-ring seal, fog resistance, and waterproof capabilities, it ensures long-lasting durability.
  • Exceptional Customer Support: Your purchase includes lens covers and scope rings for 20mm Picatinny rails. CVLIFE is committed to delivering top-notch customer service, ensuring you have a worry-free experience. Order today, whether it's for yourself or the hunting enthusiasts in your circle.
SaleBestseller No. 6
CVLIFE 4x32 Compact Rifle Scope Crosshair Optics Hunting Gun Scope with 20mm Free Mounts
  • Magnification:4x;Objective Diameter: 1.26" (32mm); Eye Relief: 3.3" (83.82mm) Length: 7.48"(190mm);
  • With the fully coated optical glass, the rifle scope would give you a bright and high-contrast image.
  • Made of high-strength aluminum alloy and with its one-piece tube construction, the scope is definitely for greater strength and durability.
  • Inert gas purged, fog,shock, water proof, this scope can be used under any weather condition.
  • The length of the whole scope is 7.48" (190mm), which makes this compact scope suitable for quick moving and aiming.
SaleBestseller No. 7
Bushnell Rimfire 3-9x40 Riflescope with DZ22 Reticle in Black - RR3940BS4
  • The Bushnell Rimfire 3-9x40 is Designed to deliver peak performance for the 40-grain .22 LR, this scope boasts a BDC reticle with hold positions out to 125 yards—and you'll never miss your shot thanks to capped turrets that protect your settings in the field
  • One-piece, aircraft-grade aluminum body that has no problem standing up to the elements and rough use and capped turrets to protect your scope settings in the field
  • Multi-Coated Optics for improved resolution, light transmission, and contrast to you get you on target
  • DZ22 Reticle is designed specifically for a 40 grain 22 LR, with drop points out to 125 yards. Ideal for: Varmint, small game, plinking
  • The Bushnell 3-9x40 Rimfire is covered by our Ironclad lifetime warranty

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Read reviews about the best magnification for the 22LR rifle.

A broad spectrum of lenses – from plinkers to competition optics – is available in the market, with prices ranging from the standard scope brands sold at $30 to the more pricey first-rate scopes tagged at $1,000 or over.

Below are a few choice scopes to go with a .22 LR — whether for target practice or the occasional varmint.

1. Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 3-9 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope (BDC 150)

Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 RiflescopeNikon has released its ProStaff Rimfire riflescope, to the delight of many a gun enthusiasts.

Nikon has always been associated with high-end cameras, and its signature optics and craftsmanship found its way to riflescopes.

Nikon ProStaff, which is primarily designed to complement 22LR guns, has fully multi-coated lenses that can spread up to 98% light transmission to provide incredible brightness and clarity of images so that it works well in low light environments.

It sports a black matte finish.

It is highly durable and can endure even the toughest of outdoor conditions; guaranteed water-proof and fog-proof, as it is nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed.

The scope is fitted with quick-focus eyepiece and quick zero reset turrets.

When properly sighted, shots can be pumped in a 1-inch grouping at 100 yards quite easily. It is worth twice its price, with its great quality and lifetime warranty.

2. Bushnell 2-7x32mm Rimfire BDC

The Bushnell Rimfire BDC (Bullet Drop Compensating) is made of highly-resilient aluminum alloy and weighs 19.6 ounces with a length of 11.3 inches, and a tube diameter of 1 inch.

It comes with side parallax focus for pinpoint-accuracy adjustments, along with a caliber-specific reticle to fire each round with maximum accuracy and reliability.

It sports an impressive and fully multi- coated lenses that transmit light with sharp and well-defined images.

Like the Nikon ProStaff, it is nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed to protect the inner recesses against dust, moisture, and any other harmful elements.

The exterior of the scope is rust-proof and practically scratch-proof ideal for rugged conditions.

With its right fine-tuning of the side parallax focus, it allows for shooting tight groupings at 50 yards and still be effective at 100-125 yards but with a bit of loosening.

Although the price is less than $125, this may be one of the best 22LR scope under 100 — or as close to 100 dollars as you’ll get.

3. Zeiss 3-9x40mm Conquest Z-Plex Reticle

carl zeiss conquest mc riflescope
This one good scope from Zeiss’ Conquest line of scopes
is especially designed for calibre .22 rimfire rifles.

Conquest 3-9x40mm provides a 1-inch tube with a black matte finish and uses fully multi-coated lenses that transmit light with incredibly sharp and finely-defined images for shooting targets with accuracy and reliability in low-light settings or even at dawn or dusk.

It has a non-magnifying reticle and parallax-free at 100 yards.

As with other high-end Zeiss-made optics, Conquest 3-9×40 Z-Plex Reticle is built for durability and reliability to endure the toughest of outdoor conditions and environments.

In this regard, this Conquest is nitrogen-filled to protect it against dust, dirt, moisture and other destructive elements. The package comes with a lifetime transferrable warranty.

What is the best 22lr scope for the money in 2023?

Well, if it’s simply for plinking and casual hunting, a $30 Barska with 3-9x power range has the versatility and ability to do the job fairly well without the unnecessary expense.

For more adventurous purposes, the Nikon, Bushnell and Zeiss scopes mentioned are highly recommended by reviewers on Amazon.

Find the best 22lr scope for target shooting on Amazon.

Originally posted 2023-01-01 19:11:35.