The 7 Best Rimfire Scopes of 2026

At 12.2 ounces, the VX-Freedom is one of the lightest full-size scopes in this group, and that is the first thing we notice on a rimfire. A .22 rifle does not need a massive optic, and the Leupold keeps the package balanced. We think it earns its premium place because the glass and mechanics feel a class above the budget scopes, while the 3-9x40 layout stays right for rimfire distances.

The Hunt-Plex reticle is uncluttered, the capped finger-click turrets are simple to live with, and the Advanced Optical System gives strong glare control in harsh light. The 3:1 zoom ratio is useful in the field: 3x for close work, 9x for 100-yard paper. The full lifetime guarantee adds confidence, and the scope is designed, machined, and assembled in the USA.

This is a traditional scope, and that is both the appeal and the limit. It rewards a shooter who wants a clean sight picture and a light rifle, not someone chasing adjustable parallax or a ballistic reticle. On a walking .22 or a squirrel rifle, the simple formula makes sense; on a heavy precision build, it is the wrong tool.

The Diamondback is for the rimfire shooter who treats a .22 like a precision rifle: 4-12x magnification, a Dead-Hold BDC reticle, and turrets that are meant to be dialed rather than set and forgotten.

We like it for 100-yard paper and small varmints because the glass is bright and sharp across the range, and the zero-reset turrets make it easy to return to a known setting. The 14.6-ounce weight is reasonable for the magnification, and the lifetime Vortex warranty is the same generous coverage across the line. The Dead-Hold BDC gives useful holdover references once you learn them.

Eye relief is the catch. It runs short, especially as you climb toward 12x, so the scope wants a consistent cheek weld and careful ring placement. On a low-recoil .22 that is less punishing than on a centerfire, but it still makes the scope less forgiving than the Bushnell or the Leupold. If you shoot from a bench and want more magnification, the trade is worthwhile.

The Buckmasters looks like a much more expensive hunting scope on paper: a 3-12x44 configuration, low-dispersion glass, a BDC reticle, and a 15.2-ounce one-inch tube. In this group, it is the value play for a rimfire shooter who wants more reach than a 3-9x. We recommend it for 100-yard rimfire and small-game hunting where a little more magnification helps.

The 44mm objective and clear glass make it easy to pick out targets in flat light, and the 3-12x range covers close work and longer shots. The Buckmasters BDC reticle has holdover dots, but it is not calibrated for .22LR; treat the dots as a starting point and verify your own dope at the range. The capped turrets and one-piece tube keep the scope simple and weatherproof.

Eye relief gets tighter as you increase magnification, so the scope rewards a consistent cheek weld. For a rimfire hunter who mostly shoots at 50 to 100 yards, that is a manageable compromise. If you need a dedicated 25-yard paper scope, the CVLIFE AO is a better fit.

The adjustable objective is what earns this CVLIFE a spot. It focuses from 10 yards to infinity, which is a real advantage on a rimfire that spends time at 25 yards and under; most scopes in this group are fixed at a longer parallax setting.

The 3-9x40 layout is familiar, the glass is clear for the money, and the package includes 20mm rings and lens caps. We like the AO for indoor-range work and close pest control because you can dial out blur and parallax error instead of living with it. The R4 crosshair is simple, and the capped turrets are easy enough to adjust with your fingers.

The trade is consistency. Zeroing takes patience; some scopes track cleanly, while others need a few shots to settle. We treat it as a budget scope that rewards careful setup, not a precision instrument. If you want a dedicated close-range .22 scope and you verify zero before you rely on it, it is a lot of useful capability for the money.

A 1-4x scope on a rimfire is for the rifle you carry more than the one you bench: a close-cover squirrel gun, a truck .22, or an AR-style trainer.

The Crossfire II gives you a true 1x for both-eyes-open work and a useful 4x top end, with a V-Brite illuminated center dot for dark timber. The 30mm tube and long eye relief make it easy to get behind, and the capped turrets are simple to set. We like the compact size on a light carbine.

It is not a red-dot replacement, but we still recommend it for close-range rimfire because the glass is clear, the eye box is forgiving, and the price leaves room for decent rings. If most of your shooting is 100-yard paper, choose a 3-9x or 4-12x instead.

The Tango MSR arrives as a kit: the 1-6x24 scope, a one-piece Alpha-MSR cantilever mount, and flip-back covers. That completeness is a big part of the appeal for an AR-style .22 trainer, because you do not have to guess at ring height or spend another afternoon sourcing a mount.

The 1-6x range is practical for rimfire close work and 100-yard steel, and the illuminated MSR BDC-6 reticle has 11 brightness levels, with an etched reticle that stays visible when the battery is off. The glass is clear, the turrets are positive, and the throw lever makes magnification changes quick.

The catch is the mount height and the weight. At 2.3 pounds as a package, it is heavy for a slim .22, and the cantilever mount is set up for an AR-style rail, so it may sit too high on a traditional rimfire. On a dedicated .22 AR trainer, those are not problems; they are the reason it works.

We recommend it when you want one box that gets an AR-style rimfire shooting, not when you are building the lightest walking rifle. The 1-6x magnification and bright reticle make it easy to move between close targets and 100-yard paper.