A sport which is enjoyed by many people in the United States is hunting and shooting targets. Over the years, the popularity of these two sports have grown enormously, and the sales of rifles ideal for such sport has also gone up by a lot.
This has lead to the setting up of a lot of companies which specialize in manufacturing devices which are used to accessorize the rifle. It helps you improve the way you go around with your gun by helping you use it comfortably, aim better, and also to take a better shot.
So, one such accessory which is used by many hunters and shooting enthusiasts are the scopes.
These are the top rimfire scopes right now.
- Nikon ProStaff Rimfire Scope with BDC Reticle (3-9 x 40mm)
- Nikon ProStaff Rimfire Scope with BDC Reticle (4-12 x 40mm)
- Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 BDC
- Nikon P- RIMFIRE 2-7×32 Nikoplex
- Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32
As a beginner in hunting, you might have the notion that choosing the right gun is more than enough to help you with the whole process. But that is not the case. There is a need for you to come up with some well-suiting accessories to help you go hunting or target shooting with ease.
There is a need to look through many rimfire scopes to understand what it brings to the table before making a purchase. A study of all the features and aspects will give you a better idea of the kind of scope you should opt for when you are planning to go hunting. And the availability of so many different models of scopes makes the job a lot harder.
Best Rimfire Scopes 2021
You may find it hard to choose one scope from the fray and might end up buying the wrong one. So, this article is aimed at helping you get introduced to the features and aspects which makes a scope so great. By the time you finish reading this article, you will understand which rimfire scope suits your rifle the most. You will also find a buying guide in the end, which will guide you to the right rimfire scope for you in no time.
With all that being said, here are the best rimfire scopes for this year.
Nikon ProStaff Rimfire Scope with BDC Reticle (3-9 x 40mm)
This item has earned Editors’ Choice for its outstanding quality and performance.
Nikon is a pioneer in manufacturing some of the best cameras. But they do not limit themselves to developing high-quality cameras and have expanded their range to other devices aimed at scopes.
That is how they came up with the Nikon ProStaff Rimfire Scope, which is regarded as one of the quality rimfire scopes you can currently buy from the market.
From cameras, they have also taken the title of being one of the best in manufacturing visual hunting tools. It is an extremely durable tool which is versatile and at the same time cheap. It is a rifle scope which works well even in unfavorable conditions. It has the quick reset turrets which rest the scope to zero with easily adjustable knobs.
The rimfire scope has multi-coated optics which let 98% of light to enter the device without any issue. This makes it suitable for low light conditions. You will not have to worry about the time of the day; whether it is early morning, late afternoon or night, you will have no trouble with this rimfire scope.
The extent of light which enters the scope makes it ideal for all conditions. It is nitrogen purged and has O-ring sealed. The O-ring seal prevents any foreign particles from entering the scope, making it water and dust proof. The nitrogen purging helps the scope be fog proof.
Finding the best matching scope for your rifle is highly important. If that is done, the process of shooting your target becomes a breeze. With the Nikon ProStaff Rimfire scope, it is manufactured in such a way that it suits for most of the rifles which are available in the market. Instead of wasting time aiming and shooting bullets at the wrong spot, with this scope you will be able to get the right target with ease.
The Nikon Spot-On ballistics software allows you to leave it up to the scope to help you do the calculations and aim at the target with ease. The only thing you have to do is take the shot and catch your prize.
Pros:
- Nikon Spot-On Ballistics
- Multi-coated optics
- Auto zero turrets
- Sturdy construction and waterproof
Cons:
- The magnification may be blurry at close range
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 is a revolutionary rimfire scope which has made a mark for being one of the most reliable rimfire scopes you can find in the market.
The multi-coated optics deliver excellent light transmission properties for you to get great imagery even in the most unfavorable conditions.
It is nitrogen purged to make the optics fog proof. The cabinet is sealed perfectly to prevent foreign particles from entering the device. This makes it water and dust proof.
The rugged construction also withstands shocks from the device being dropped. All-in-all, the device features a sturdy construction.
It has a capped reset turrets allowing you to reset it to zero with no trouble. The caps provide extra protection from any shock which makes it more durable. The parallax setting is adjusted to 50-yards which are ideal for any scopes. Weighing at 14.3 ounces and measuring a length of 11.3 inches, the scope is lightweight and compact in comparison to most of the other scopes you find in the same range.
It is a device you can purchase in case you are looking for something which has it all. It is a versatile product which is not so expensive.
Pros:
- Magnification of 2-7X
- Excellent light transmission due to multi-coated optics
- 50-yard parallax
Cons:
- The target aim point may not deliver a sharp picture
Nikon ProStaff Rimfire Scope with BDC Reticle (4-12 x 40mm)
A product from the same manufacturer being featured in a list more than once is a testament to how great their product range is.
Nikon has delivered again with the 4-12 X 40mm ProStaff model as it is a cheap but extremely reliable rimfire scope.
It features almost similar features in comparison with the 3-9 X 40mm model with the exception that it has a 4-12 X 40mm optics. The sighting is made easy with a quarter of an inch adjustable 50 yards mechanism.
With a diameter of one inch, the tube is ideal for you to hold comfortably and to look through. The adjustment style is click type, which helps you make the adjustments with easy and get accurate aiming.
The fully multi-coated scope is ideal for you to use in unfavorable conditions. It provides protection against dust water and fog. The finger adjustable turrets are great for you to handle with the ability to adjust it to zero with no trouble. The sturdy built protects against falls as it can absorb shock up to a good level. The Nikon Spot-Ballistic feature is a great addition as you get up to 5000 information on different loads. You also get to adjust the ballistic with your smartphone as there is an app to control it.
The finish of the scope is matte black, and it weighs around 13.6 ounces. It is a compact and lightweight scope which will give you no trouble to fix on your rifle and use it with ease. It has a 75 yards parallax setting which is great in comparison with any other rimfire scope of this range.
Pros:
- Easily adjustable turrets
- Waterproof, fog proof and dust proof
- Nikon Spot-on Ballistic software accessible through your smartphone
- Lightweight and compact
Cons:
- Close range magnification can be blurry
Related: Best .223 Scopes
Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 BDC
Bushnell is known for producing some of the best visual hunting tools. Being one of the top players in the market, it is quite natural to expect great results when they released the Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 BDC Rimfire Scope. 
And it delivered everything which the consumers wanted.
It is a rimfire scope which ticks all the boxes and is a synonym for performance delivery. It is a device which delivers maximum accuracy while not compromising the reliability to tackle any situations. It is a device which does not compromise on performance and durability.
It has the target turret which delivers precision to the topmost quality. The manufacturers have kept in mind how a scope for AR rifles should be and have incorporated this scope to match any AR rifles. This makes the Bushnell rimfire scope the perfect match for any AR rifles in comparison to the others.
It is available in 6 configurations for you to choose from so that you can select the one which suits your rifle the most. With a power of 2-7 X and 32mm objective lens, you get one of the best quality images through this scope. With a compact design and weighing about 19.6 ounces, it is not the lightest scope you will find on the market.
The optics are fully multi-coated, and it is sealed well to give dust, fog, and waterproof properties. The multi-coated optics deliver great brightness, and the ballistic reticle helps you get precision aiming up to a distance of 500 yards.
It has ultra-tight tolerance which is ideal to make it a great and durable rimfire scope. It has an eyepiece of 3.7 inches length which is great to deliver amazing eye relief for anyone who wears glasses. It adds to the comfort of using the scope.
Pros:
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Water, fog and dust proof
- Great eye relief
- Easily adjustable turrets
Cons:
- Not the lightest scope you can buy from the market
Nikon P- RIMFIRE 2-7×32 Nikoplex
Nikon makes an appearance on this list for the third time because they are one of the best when it comes to manufacturing rimfire scopes.
They have got the formula bang on as they have brought out many models which are unique on its own. The Nikon P-Rimfire 2-7×32 Nikoplex is no exception.
But we had to choose the P-rimfire Nikoplex rifle scope to represent Nikon for the third time in this list. This model has rapid action turrets, and it is ideal for shooters who like to dial-in their shots which is at a distance they already know of.
With this scope, you can get the shots dead on just by making simple elevation adjustments.
The optics of the scope is fully multi-coated, and it delivers a great amount of light into the scope. This is the ideal feature which makes the scope the best-suited one to be used at any time of the day. The eye relief offers great magnification without losing any of its precision.
It is consistent with delivering the best aim. Like most of the scopes which are available in the market, this rimfire scope also features the zero reset turret feature which helps you use the spring-loaded adjustment knob to get the reading to zero and re-engage the target.
It has a 50-yard parallax setting for precision shooting. It is nitrogen purged and has an O-ring seal to make the device water, dust and fog proof.
Pros:
- 50-yard parallax
- Zero-reset turret
- Easily adjustable knobs
Cons:
- The zero-reset turret feature is found faulty in some piece by the customers
Related: Best Spotting Scope
Buying Guide – Things to look out for in a Rimfire Scope
The purchase of a rimfire scope can be a difficult task as you are investing a lot of money into it. Unlike the accessories of other devices, the accessories used for rifles are much more expensive. This brings in an issue that your purchase will be a long time, and if you make a mistake, it might end up being a disaster. So there is a need to be extremely careful before you go around and get your hands on a rimfire scope. Below are some of the factors you have to take into account before you make the purchase of a rimfire scope.
Zoom
The resolution of a rifle scope and its zoom is very closely related. You have two choices to go with – optical or digital. The optical zoom lets you magnify an image without losing its resolution. But in the latter, the image is enhanced, and there is a good possibility that you may lose the resolution. Choosing a scope which has both optical and digital zoom quality is the best way to go as you will get the best of both worlds.
Parallax
The reticle of the scope may appear to change its position with respect to the target when you slightly move your head. This phenomenon is known as parallax. When you are purchasing a scope, it is better to get one which has about 50-yard parallax correction because that is a standard in most of the scopes.
Focusing Mechanism
Focusing mechanism plays an important role while purchasing a scope. It is something that defines the comfort level you would have while using the scope. There are two types of focusing mechanisms – using a focusing collar or by the use of a small knob at the top of the eyepiece.
It will mostly depend on personal preference as to which focusing mechanism a person would use. So it is better for you to check out both this mechanism and decide for yourself whether the collar style or the small knob style suits you more.
Reticle
Good quality reticle will help you be comfortable with using the scope. If you are able to find the ideal kind of reticle, it will also deliver a great image for you to aim at. So, search through some scopes which will give you a good quality image and go for it.
Knobs
The knobs in a scope should not be too large or too small. It should also be easily adjustable to help you make the required adjustments with ease.
Budget and Preference
Coming up with your budget and researching about the features and aspects of scopes before the purchase of a rimfire scope is extremely important. Knowing the budget will help you eliminate those rifle scopes which are above the budget and also knowing the features you want from the scope will help you limit your search. This way you would not end up spending more and will get your hands on the scope which has all the features you are looking for.
Conclusion
Knowing all the aspects which are related to a product you are planning to buy gives you an idea of the model which would suit you the most. By the time you finish reading this article, you will get a great idea on the rimfire rifle scope which would bode well with your rifle. So, check out some of the features and aspects of the rimfire scopes and make an informed decision.
