The Ruger 10/22 is one of the best-selling rimfire rifle designs ever produced in the United States. These inexpensive, lightweight, low-recoil rifles can be used for hunting small game, high-stakes competition shooting, or plinking cans off fence posts.
In continuous production since 1964, the Ruger 10/22 features the most aftermarket support of any firearm on the market (except maybe the AR-15). A good scope is the most common accessory shooters add to these easy-to-shoot rifles. However, with so many options to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially for those new to shooting.
We’ve done the dirty work for you by sorting through the options to separate the wheat from the chaff. Here are what we consider the best scopes for the Ruger 10/22.
Nikon 3-9x40mm ProStaff Rimfire w/ BDC Reticle
With an impressive 98 percent light transmission, the Nikon ProStaff Rimfire scope makes it easy to hit your target, even in low light conditions. This scope delivers crystal clear, razor sharp images out to 150 yards. Plus it has a BDC (bullet drop compensator) reticle to help you make more accurate shots, no matter the target distance. To simplify field adjustments, Nikon even added spring-loaded Instant Zero-Reset turrets.
While the Nikon ProStaff Rimfire scope helps you get up close and personal with your targets, be prepared for some blurriness on targets closer than 25 yards.
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire with V-Plex MOA
Perfect for close to mid-range shooting, the Crossfire II rimfire riflescope from industry leader Vortex Optics features a versatile V-Plex reticle and a generous field of view (FOV).
Crafted from a single piece of aircraft-grade anodized aluminum tubing, the Crossfire II is truly a premium optic, just without the premium price. Quality features include capped reset turrets that are finger adjustable and anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses.
Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 2-7x32mm BDC Rimfire Reticle
While there aren’t any fancy bells and whistles on the Bushnell Drop Zone-22, this is still a high-quality optic. You should expect no less from a scope produced by one of the most recognized names in the industry.
This rimfire scope features a caliber-specific BDC reticle, fully multi-coated glass, a fast-focus eyepiece, and side focus parallax adjustment for improved long-range accuracy. It is also made from a durable aluminum alloy for extra tough performance in the field.
Simmons Truplex Rimfire 3-9x32mm Scope
Perfect for budget-conscious shooters, this scope is designed specifically for .22 long rifles and is particularly popular among small game hunters. It features Simmons’ patented TrueZero adjustment system, a QTA Quick Target Acquisition eyepiece, high-quality optical glass with a HydroShield coating, and a simple-to-use TruPlex reticle.
One of our favorite features is the SureGrip rubber surfaces on the eyepiece diopter adjustments, windage and elevation caps, parallax adjustment knobs, and the power change rings. This unique no-slip coating makes adjusting your scope easy, even when you’re wearing thick gloves.
If you think that’s an awful lot of features for a budget scope, you’re right. We still aren’t sure how Simmons manages to pull off this type of quality and performance at this price point.
Tasco Rimfire Series 3-9x32mm .22 Riflescope
Although this Tasco Rimfire Riflescope may not be the best option for precision target shooting, it does a fine job for plain old plinking. It even works well for small game hunting, as long as you’re shooting squirrels and rabbits within the 50-yard mark.
What we love most about this scope is how easy it is to use. Perfect for inexperienced shooters, this scope is easy to mount, easy to zero in, and easy to get on target. It even features special magenta multi-coated lenses to provide a nice clear picture by reducing glare and reflection.
Leupold FX-I Rimfire 4x28mm Riflescope
No list of the best riflescopes (this one included) would be complete without a scope from optics megastar Leupold. The Leupold FX-1 Rimfire riflescope is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find another rimfire riflescope with better low light performance. Featuring Leupold’s Twilight Light Management system, this scope delivers some of the brightest, clearest images you’ll ever see through a riflescope. Leupold accomplishes this feat by balancing light transmission, glare reduction, and image contrast to produce razor-sharp images in any light condition.
Vortex Optics SF-BR-503 Strikefire II Red Dot Sight
Although it isn’t technically a “scope,” we love pairing a good red dot sight with the Ruger 10/22. The Vortex Strikefire II is designed to get you on target quickly, only without magnification. This one can even be used at night in its night-vision compatible mode. In addition to two night vision settings, you can choose from ten different illumination settings, making this red dot sight easy to use no matter what light conditions you encounter. Plus, it has an impressive battery life, helping ensure you never get left in the dark.
This compact, rugged red dot optic features fully multi-coated lenses for a clean, bright sight picture, as well as unlimited eye relief for rapid target acquisition. The single-piece chassis is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed, making it both fogproof and waterproof.
Final Thoughts
Many shooters will overlook the importance of a good-quality optic. Whether you’re using your Ruger 10/22 to shoot squirrels, competition targets, or aluminum soda cans, you’ll be more successful if you outfit your weapon with a rifle scope.
Even a basic, inexpensive optic will improve your shooting accuracy. However, a high-quality optic can have a monumental impact on shooting precision. A so-so rifle with a high-performance optic will often outperform an expensive rifle topped with a crappy scope. So, treat your optic like a valuable investment. If you can afford it, this isn’t the place you want to pinch pennies. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable rimfire scopes for you to choose from.
All the optics on our list are first-rate options. However, no matter which scope you choose, make sure to spend some time sending lead downrange in practice. Ultimately, that is what will most improve your shooting consistency, no matter what you have mounted on your rimfire rifle.
