Rimfire rifles, cherished for their versatility, affordability, and low recoil, are ideal for everything from casual plinking to small game hunting and precision shooting competitions. They are great starter weapons. To maximize the potential of these rifles, selecting the right scope is crucial. The best rimfire scopes are specifically designed to complement the unique characteristics of rimfire cartridges, offering features such as precise parallax adjustments, optimal magnification ranges, and durable yet lightweight construction.
Finding the best scope is no easy feat. This is because there are numerous options on the market that differ greatly when it comes to features, styles, advantages and disadvantages.
Luckily, we have come up with the top-ranking options to help you find an excellent match. Let’s take a look.
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm Riflescope tops our review of the best rimfire scopes, offering an unparalleled combination of precision, durability, and user-friendly features. It is engineered with the rimfire shooter in mind and provides optimal performance in various shooting scenarios.
The VX-Freedom boasts advanced scratch-resistant lenses, providing crystal-clear optics and long-lasting durability. This ensures a clear sight picture, even in rugged conditions.
It features standard finger click adjustments, allowing for precise and effortless changes to windage and elevation settings. This ensures that your shots are consistently accurate.
The Custom Dial System dial is available, enabling shooters to tailor their scope to specific ballistics and environmental conditions. This customization enhances long-range accuracy and performance.
The high-contrast adjustment markings make it easy to read and adjust settings, even in low-light conditions, ensuring quick and accurate adjustments in the field.
The ergonomic power selector allows for swift and smooth magnification changes, ensuring that you can quickly adapt to varying distances and target sizes.
The riflescope is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, ensuring reliable performance in any weather conditions. It is crafted from rugged 6061 T6 aluminum which makes it lightweight yet incredibly durable, capable of withstanding the harshest environments and heavy recoil.
The fast locking eyepiece allows for quick and secure adjustments, providing a clear and sharp reticle focus in an instant.
Features
- 2x to 7x magnification
- One inch tube diameter
- 33mm objective lens size
- Matte finish
- 3.7 to 4.2 inches of eye relief
- 1/4 MOA adjustment click value
- 6061-T6 aluminum construction
- Fast focus locking eyepiece
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Ergonomic power selector
- Shockproof
- Second focal plane
- Finger click adjustments
Pros
- Smooth controls with audible clicks
- Crystal-clear
- Great reticle
Cons
- The turret caps could be better
2) Vortex Diamondback 2-7x35mm Rimfire Riflescope
The next top-tier choice for rimfire enthusiasts looking for exceptional performance and reliability is the Vortex Diamondback 2-7x35mm riflescope.
The scope is constructed from high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum, ensuring a lightweight yet robust build. This durable construction provides long-lasting performance and can withstand rigorous use in the field.
It features fully multi-coated optics, which enhance light transmission for bright, clear, and high-contrast images. This coating ensures optimal performance in various lighting conditions, making it easier to acquire targets.
With a construction that can withstand recoil and impact, this scope is shockproof and built to endure the toughest conditions. Its rugged design ensures reliable performance, shot after shot.
The V-Plex reticle is a versatile all-purpose hunting reticle intended for a wide variety of hunting applications. It provides a clear and precise aiming point, making it easy to acquire and engage targets.
The hard anodized finish provides a low-glare matte surface, reducing reflections and helping to camouflage the shooter’s position. This durable finish also adds an extra layer of protection against wear and corrosion.
That’s not all. The fast focus eyepiece allows for quick and easy reticle focusing, ensuring that the shooter can achieve a clear and sharp sight picture in an instant.
Lastly, the precision glide erector system ensures smooth magnification changes under the harshest conditions. This system enhances the overall performance and reliability of the scope, allowing for precise adjustments and accurate shooting.
Features
- One piece tube with a hard anodized finish
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Precision glide erector system
- 3.1 to 3.5 inches of eye relief
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- V-Plex reticle
- Second focal plane
- 50 yards to infinity focus range
- 35mm lens diameter
- Shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof
- Precision glide erector system
Pros
- Very clear glass
- Tactile adjustments
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Non-illuminated
3) Bushnell Rimfire 3-9x40mm Riflescope
The Bushnell Rimfire 3-9x40mm scope is meticulously fashioned to enhance the performance of rimfire rifles, making it an ideal companion for various shooting activities, from small game hunting to target practice.
It is waterproof-sealed, ensuring reliable performance in all weather conditions. The waterproof construction prevents moisture from entering the scope, protecting the internal components and maintaining clarity in wet environments.
It is built with a one-piece tube made from aircraft-grade aluminum. This material makes the Bushnell Rimfire both lightweight and incredibly durable. This robust construction provides superior strength and shock resistance, ensuring the scope can handle the rigors of outdoor use.
The multi-coated optics enhance light transmission, delivering bright, clear, and high-contrast images. This feature ensures optimal performance in various lighting conditions, making it easier to acquire and engage targets.
The capped turrets protect the windage and elevation adjustments from accidental changes and damage. These turrets provide precise and reliable adjustments, allowing for consistent accuracy.
With 3.6 inches of eye relief, this scope provides a comfortable viewing experience, reducing eye strain and ensuring safety from heavy recoil. This generous eye relief allows for quick target acquisition and sustained focus.
The reticle is positioned in the second focal plane, meaning it remains the same size regardless of the magnification level. This feature allows for precise aiming without the reticle obstructing the target, providing a consistent and reliable aiming point across all magnifications.
Features
- IPX7 waterproof rated
- 3x base magnification
- 9x high magnification
- 40mm lens size
- Matte finish
- Second focal plane
- Optics are multi-coated
- Capped turrets
- One-piece aircraft-grade aluminum body
Pros
- Durable quality
- Clear glass
- Lens cap included
- Bullet drop compensating
Cons
- A throw lever could be a valuable addition
4) Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 4-16x50mm Riflescope
The Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 4-16x50mm is a first focal plane scope. This means that the reticle scales with the zoom, providing accurate holdover and windage corrections at all magnification levels. This feature is crucial for precision shooting, allowing for consistent accuracy.
The wide-angle optical system provides an expansive field of view, making it easier to acquire and track targets. This feature is particularly useful for dynamic shooting situations and enhances overall situational awareness.
The 11-layer fully multi-coated optics maximize light transmission, delivering bright, clear, and high-contrast images. This coating ensures optimal performance in various lighting conditions, enhancing target visibility.
The side focus control allows for precise parallax adjustment from close range to infinity. This feature eliminates parallax error, ensuring sharp and accurate targeting at all distances.
The 30mm mono-tube chassis provides superior strength and durability. This robust construction ensures that the scope can withstand the rigors of heavy use and harsh environmental conditions.
The glass-etched reticle offers exceptional durability and precision. The reticle illumination, available in both red and green, provides enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. With five levels of brightness, you can adjust the illumination to match your shooting environment.
The exposed and locking turrets offer precise and repeatable adjustments in 1/10 MRAD increments. These turrets are designed for easy and secure handling, allowing for quick and accurate changes to windage and elevation settings.
The construction is top-tier, which is another highlight that makes this device one of the best rimfire scopes. It is nitrogen purged to prevent internal fogging and is fully waterproof and shockproof. This ensures reliable performance in all weather conditions and tough environments.
Features
- Low-profile fingertip turrets
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Glass-etched reticle
- Matte finish
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Wide angle optical system
- 5 brightness levels
- Side focus control
- 30mm tube
- Adjustable parallax from 10 yards to infinity
Pros
- Clarity is impressively sharp
- High-grade construction
- Sharp and crisp reticle
Cons
- Stiff controls
5) Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 4-12x50mm Riflescope
The Vantage riflescope features 11 layers of fully multi-coated optics, ensuring excellent clarity and superior light transmission. This multi-coating enhances image brightness and contrast, providing a clear and sharp view of your target in various lighting conditions.
The side focus control allows for precise parallax adjustment from close range to infinity. This helps eliminate parallax error, ensuring sharp and accurate targeting at all distances.
The low profile no-snag fingertip turrets allow for easy and precise windage and elevation adjustments in 1/4 MOA increments. These turrets are designed to prevent accidental adjustments, ensuring consistent accuracy.
The fast focus eyebell allows for quick and easy reticle focusing, ensuring a clear and sharp sight picture in an instant. The high torque zoom ring provides smooth magnification changes, allowing you to quickly adapt to varying distances and target sizes.
The scope is made to perform regardless of the climatic conditions as it is waterproof and fogproof. It is shockproof and made from top-quality aluminum for superior strength.
All these features work together to make the Vantage one of the best rimfire scopes.
Features
- 3.5 inches of eye relief
- 0.25 MOA adjustment click value
- 50mm objective lens diameter
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Side focus control
- High torque zoom ring
- Fast focus eyebell
- Waterproof
- Fogproof
- Shockproof
- 80 MOA adjustment range
Pros
- Good low light vision
- Excellent adjustments
- Extremely clear
Cons
- No focus on the objective lens
Considerations When Buying the Best Rimfire Scopes
There are several factors to consider before investing in a rimfire scope including:
Magnification Range
The magnification range of a rimfire scope influences its suitability for different shooting activities. Rimfire scopes typically have lower magnification ranges compared to those designed for centerfire rifles. Common magnification ranges for rimfire scopes include 2-7x, 3-9x, and 4-12x.
For general plinking and small game hunting, a lower magnification range such as 2x to 7x is often sufficient.
For target shooting or longer-distance shooting, a higher magnification range such a 4-12x may be more appropriate. It’s essential to choose a magnification range that matches your specific shooting needs.
Objective Lens Size
The size of the objective lens, measured in millimeters, determines how much light the scope can gather. Larger objective lenses such as 40mm to 50mm can gather more light, providing brighter and clearer images, especially in low-light conditions.
However, larger lenses can also make the scope bulkier and heavier. For rimfire rifles, which are often lightweight and used for quick target acquisition, a balance between light-gathering capability and size is crucial. An objective lens size between 32mm and 40mm is typically ideal for most rimfire applications.
Reticle Type
The reticle is the aiming point within the scope and comes in various designs, such as duplex, mil-dot, and BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator). For rimfire scopes, a simple duplex reticle is often preferred for its clarity and ease of use.
Mil-dot and BDC reticles can be beneficial for more advanced shooters who need to account for bullet drop and windage. Additionally, illuminated reticles can enhance visibility in low-light conditions, but they might add to the scope’s weight and complexity.
Parallax Adjustment
The next thing to consider when choosing the best rimfire scopes is the parallax adjustment. Parallax occurs when the reticle appears to move relative to the target when you shift your head.
Rimfire scopes often have fixed parallax settings, typically around 50 to 60 yards, which is suitable for most rimfire shooting distances.
However, if you plan to shoot at varying distances, a scope with an adjustable parallax can provide greater accuracy. This feature allows you to fine-tune the focus, ensuring the reticle remains aligned with the target at any distance.
Construction Quality
Rimfire scopes should be durable enough to withstand regular use and the occasional bump or drop. Look for scopes constructed from high-quality materials, such as aircraft-grade aluminum. Features like nitrogen purging, waterproofing, shockproofing, and fogproofing are essential to ensure the scope performs reliably in various weather conditions. A one-piece tube design adds to the scope’s strength and durability, providing better protection for the internal components.
Turret Adjustments
The turrets on a scope control windage and elevation. Rimfire scopes often have capped or low-profile turrets to prevent accidental adjustments. Look for turrets that offer precise, repeatable, and easy-to-use adjustments. Finger-adjustable turrets are convenient, allowing you to make quick changes without needing additional tools. The click value such as 1/4 MOA should be suitable for the level of precision you require.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope’s eyepiece where you can see the full field of view. Adequate eye relief is crucial to prevent scope bite and to ensure comfortable viewing.
The best rimfire scopes typically have generous eye relief since rimfire rifles have minimal recoil. 3.5 inches is adequate to ensure you can comfortably look through the scope regardless of your position or how long you look through it.
Next Read:
Best Rimfire Scopes FAQs
What is Special About a Rimfire Scope?
A rimfire scope is specially designed to complement the unique characteristics of rimfire rifles, which are known for their low recoil, affordability, and versatility.
These scopes typically feature lower magnification ranges, suitable for the shorter distances at which rimfire rifles are often used, and have parallax settings optimized for closer targets.
Furthermore, they are built to be lightweight and durable, often incorporating multi-coated optics for clear, bright images and robust construction to withstand frequent handling.
Is a Specific Scope Require for Rimfire Firearms?
While a specific scope for rimfire firearms is not strictly required, using one tailored to rimfire rifles can significantly enhance performance. Rimfire scopes are designed with features that match the unique characteristics of rimfire ammunition, such as lower magnification ranges, parallax settings suited for shorter distances, and lightweight construction. These scopes often include adjustments and reticles optimized for the typical shooting distances and lower recoil associated with rimfire rifles.
What Are the Benefits of Rimfire?
The beauty of rimfire cartridges is in their simplicity. They are easily built, use a relatively small amount of powder, and generally produce minimal pressure. This low pressure implies there is less felt recoil for the user. Rimfire ammunition also generates less noise than most centerfire ammunition.
Conclusion
Choosing the best rimfire scopes involves finding a balance between clarity, durability, and functionality tailored to the unique characteristics of rimfire rifles. The ideal rimfire scope enhances shooting accuracy with appropriate magnification ranges, effective parallax adjustments, and robust construction while ensuring user comfort and ease of use.