When going hunting or target shooting, a good scope can make a huge difference in your aim. The .22 Mag is popular in hunting rifles and can easily kill small games such as rabbits and foxes, etc. It is easy to use and does not have heavy recoil, which contributes to its popularity.
As the saying goes, you should spend on the glass the same as you spent on the rifle. So buying a good-quality and durable scope is very important for the overall hunting or shooting experience.
In this article, we will look at our picks for the best scopes for .22 Mag, but before that, let’s see what makes for a good .22 Mag scope.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Scopes For .22 Mag
- OUR TOP PICK: BARSKA 6-18x40 mm
- RUNNER-UP: UTG 4-16X50
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: BARSKA 4x32 Plinker-22
Comparison of the Best Scopes For .22 Mag
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What Makes a Scope Suitable For a .22 Mag?
Finding a good scope for a .22 Mag is not much different than for any other firearm. Some requirements are going to remain the same throughout. Here are the main things you need to be careful about when buying a scope.
Durability
Scopes don’t come cheap, especially if you are buying a high-quality one. When you are hunting outside, you are going to come across plenty of different environments. It might rain, get foggy, you might fall on a rock, etc.
For this purpose, the scope should be waterproof and scratch-resistant. You can’t have it break down after just one fall. Look for the best quality material and, if possible, some warranty as well.
Clarity
This is the main purpose of buying a scope so that your target is made clear to you. If the lens is of low quality, blurry, or has aberrations, then there is no point in wasting money on it. Look for a high-quality lens, possibly with multiple optical coatings and edge-to-edge sharpness.
Magnification
The magnification depends on how you use your rifle. If you often aim far away, then you will need a scope with a high magnification range. Just keep in mind that the more the magnification, the more the cost. Therefore, if you don’t shoot at targets far away, there is no need for extra magnification. Besides, .22 Mag is mainly used for small to medium-range targets.
Adjustment
The scope should be user-friendly and easy to adjust for windage and elevation. This way, you can aim consistently and accurately in all weather conditions and landscapes.
How Accurate is a .22 Mag?
The .22 Mag comes in 30, 40, and 50-grain bullet masses. They all have different velocities and energies, though not highly different. The most common 40-grain bullet has 1875 ft/sec velocity and 439J energy. It has an effective range of 125 yards.
On average, you get an accuracy of 1.5” at 100 yards. But you should not expect to hunt large prey with it. It is meant for smaller animals.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
- Magnification: This is the minimum and maximum amount of magnification the scope provides 4x means the image is magnified four times larger than its actual size.
- Type of Reticle: The reticle is the central aiming point, also known as the crosshair, when viewed through the scope. (BDC, Firedot, and MilDot, Illuminated, and Duplex are common types).
- Parallax: The amount of visual shift that is noticeable when viewing through various angles. This occurs when the image appears behind or in front of the reticle.
- Objective Lens: This is the component used for gathering light. Larger diameters let in more light for dim lighting conditions.
- Focal Plane: This refers to whether the reticle changes size as you zoom or not. FFP (First Focal Plane) reticles change size as you zoom while SFP (Second Focal Plane) reticles are always the same size regardless of zoom.
- Eye Relief: This is the distance between your eye and the outermost lens of the scope that enables full view of the image without distortion or a black circle around the edge.
- Field of View: This refers to the width of the area you can view through the lens of the scope.
- Adjustment Type and Click Value: This is measured in MOA (Minutes Of Angle) or MRAD/MIL (Mill Radians) and both refer to the amount of correction being applied to the height and width to accurately hit your target. MOA is based on degrees and angles while MRAD is based on radial lines (units of an angle). The click value refers to how much change in the measurement occurs with each “click”.
- Length and Weight: The length of the scope and carrying weight of the scope.
Review of the Best Scopes For .22 Mag
Now that you have a basic idea of what makes for a good scope, let’s jump into our picks for the best .22 Mag scopes.
Best Overall:
BARSKA 6-18x40 mm
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This scope is very reasonably priced, has good magnification, and sharp results. For a .22 Mag, it works great. You get your money’s worth. It can even shoot as far as 300 yards with accuracy.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The BARSKA scope has a high magnification of 6-18x and a 40mm objective lens. This way, you get to aim far away and get plenty of light in for a sharp and clear image.
The multi-coated optics and 30/30 reticle help make your aim more precise. Its elevation has been compensated for elliptical drops of different grain bullets of .22 caliber.
It also has plenty of eye-relief and 1.4 MOA adjustments. This, combined with a waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof construction, allows you to use it in any environment and condition.
With a pre-calibrated trajectory compensation of up to 300 yards, you can easily do both long and short-range shooting.
Bottom Line
For .22 Mag, this is our top pick because of the range and magnification. This, combined with a high-quality lens and a durable outer cover, ensures you get good value out of your money. It is durable and lightweight and has easy adjustments.
Product Specs
Magnification:
6 - 18x
Type of Reticle:
30/30
Parallax:
Adjustable
Objective Lens:
40 mm
Focal Plane:
Second Focal Plane
Eye Relief:
3.1 in
Field of View:
4.5 - 14.5 ft at 100 yds
Adjustment Type and Click Value:
0.25 MOA
Runner-up:
UTG 4-16X50
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to reports, this scope is a steal at the given price. It’s very accurate, and the illuminated scope at this price gets the job done. It zeroes in quickly and shows sharp images. For a .22 Mag, it holds its zero well. For this price, you can’t get much better results and features.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product has a good range of 4-16x with a large 50mm objective lens. Combine that with its illuminated reticle, and you should have no problem shooting in poor lighting.
It has a nitrogen-filled, fog proof, shockproof, and rainproof design. You can also adjust it easily with ¼ MOA per click adjustments for different elevation and weather conditions. It also has a 3-inch sunshade for protection.
There is also parallax adjustment and multi-coating to improve your aim and give you a sharp image. It can be adjusted for parallax from five yards to beyond that.
Bottom Line
Illuminated scopes come in handy when you are shooting in the dark or low light. This scope gives you that feature at a very reasonable price. You also get long-range shooting options with its adjustable magnification.
Product Specs
Magnification:
4 - 16x
Type of Reticle:
Mil-Dot
Parallax:
5 yds to Infinity
Objective Lens:
50 mm
Focal Plane:
Second Focal Plane
Eye Relief:
3.2 in - 3.0 in
Field of View:
23 - 5.8 ft at 100 yds
Adjustment Type and Click Value:
0.25 MOA
Best for the Money:
BARSKA 4x32 Plinker-22
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
It can hold it’s zero very well, and for the price, the lens is very clear. Adjustments are very easy; you don’t need any tools. It is perfect for medium-range shooting, which is what .22 Mag does best. Without having to spend money on any extra magnification, you get a decent product for your .22.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like this scope because it is made for low to medium-range shooting. It has a 4x magnification, parallax correction up to 50 yards, and a 32mm lens, which is good for its purpose. You also get a 30/30 crosshair reticle for precision shooting.
The lens is coated for a clear and sharp image. It is waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof, making it a durable product. There is also plenty of eye relief, i.e., 3-inch, and it is very lightweight at 16.08 oz.
It comes with its own ⅜-inch dovetail rings and lens caps for protection.
Bottom Line
For a budget-friendly .22 Mag scope, this is one of the best options you can get. It has been designed to accommodate for use with .22 rimfire rifles. It is great for short-range shooting and gives accurate and consistent results.
Product Specs
Magnification:
4x
Type of Reticle:
30/30
Parallax:
50 yds
Objective Lens:
32 mm
Focal Plane:
Second Focal Plane
Eye Relief:
3 in
Field of View:
29 ft at 100 yds
Adjustment Type and Click Value:
0.25 MOA
Best Simmons .22 Mag Scope:
Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users state that this scope holds its zero pretty tightly and can handle back to back multiple rounds of shooting. It has a large lens, so you get a good view, and it’s also crystal clear. It is one of the high-level scopes at this price and definitely something to add to your bag.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It has 3-9x magnification, which is not too long, but for a .22 Mag, it will do just fine. The objective lens is 50mm, which is fully coated and gives high contrast images. It is also recoil-proof, fog-proof, and waterproof, just as any good quality scope should be.
It can hold its zero even after constant use and during trips. You also get ¼ MOA audible click adjustment. It uses a triplex reticle for improving aim and has Quick Target Acquisition Eyepiece for fast targets.
You can get accurate results at up to 100 yards with a 10.5-foot field of view at 9x magnification. The eye-relief is also one of the longest at 3.75-inch.
Bottom Line
Simmons scopes come in some of the popular budget-friendly options. For a .22 Mag, this is our pick for its quality, design, and various features that are all suited for low-medium range targets.
Product Specs
Magnification:
3 - 9x
Type of Reticle:
Truplex
Parallax:
100 yds
Objective Lens:
50 mm
Focal Plane:
Second Focal Plane
Eye Relief:
3.75 in
Field of View:
31.4 ft at 100 yards at 3X and 10.5 ft at 100 yards at 9X
Adjustment Type and Click Value:
0.25 MOA
Best .22 Mag Scope BDC:
Vortex Optics Crossfire II
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Reports suggest that this scope can get you accurate results at long yards. It lives up to the hype of a Vortex scope, and you get what you were promised. It is really a great product for the price. Constantly accurate and dependable, you get your money’s worth with this one.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The dead-hold BDC reticle is designed to eliminate the need for calculating or guessing bullet hold-over, i.e., aiming above the target to compensate for bullet drop. It is a great feature to have for both beginners and pros.
This scope also has 4-12x adjustable magnification with a 40mm lens. You also have focus and parallax correction options. The lens is coated to get rid of reflections and give you a clear view of the target.
It is O-ring sealed, nitrogen-filled, and shockproof. This, along with aircraft-grade aluminum, makes it very light and highly durable.
Bottom Line
For our last product, we have chosen the Vortex scope with a BDC reticle, so you get the option for precise shooting and high-quality design at a reasonable price range. With its magnification range, you can also aim easily at long-range targets.
Product Specs
Magnification:
4 - 12x
Type of Reticle:
Dead-Hold BDC
Parallax:
10 yds to infinity
Objective Lens:
40 mm
Focal Plane:
Second Focal Plane
Eye Relief:
3.9 - 4.4 in
Field of View:
8.4 - 24.7 ft at 100 yds
Adjustment Type and Click Value:
0.25 MOA
Should Any Scope Be Used on a .22 Mag?
The .22 Mag does not have any special or extra requirements that need to be met from its scope. But most of the time, manufacturers will make scopes for specific rifles or cartridges to compensate for the bullet drop, trajectory, etc.
You can see the compatibility on the box; it is given with them. A .22 Mag scope does not need to be able to handle too much or have extra-high magnification. As it is medium-range ammo, the focus is more on the clarity of the lens, its quality, and overall precision. Having an accurate reticle is always a plus.
How Far Will a .22 Mag Shoot Accurately?
As we have mentioned above, a .22 Mag is made for short to medium-range shooting and can get as far as 125 yards for a 40-grain bullet mass. More specifically, it is used in hunting and varmint rifles.
Beyond this, you will not get good enough penetration to kill. It has a more reliable penetration than the .22 LR has more energy and a longer range. You will probably be using it for small game hunting for which it is very accurate and kills effectively.
Conclusion
That does it for the .22 Mag scopes. We have made sure to add models that come within everyone’s budget without compromising on quality. Your choice will largely depend on your preference. You might have good experience with a particular brand, some of you might want magnification, and some might not. But rest assured, these are all durable and accurate products for a .22 Mag.
People Also Ask
The question of cartridges, rifles, and scopes is never simple. There are a lot of terms related to it that can get confusing sometimes. So it is understandable if you have more questions that need answering. Read through these frequently asked questions, and maybe you will find what you are looking for.
What is a .22 Mag?
22 Mag is short for 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire. It is a rimfire cartridge (a type of ammunition) that contains the more commonly known bullet. This cartridge was made in 1959 by Winchester and is used for medium-range hunting.
Does the .22 Magnum Have Stopping Power?
The stopping power of a gun or any firearm refers to its ability to incapacitate its target. The .22 Mag is not the most popular option for self-defense and has half the power of a 9mm pistol. It works best on small games like rabbits.
Which is Better, a .22 Mag or a .17 HMR?
The .22 Mag is better at killing its target and has more energy. If that is what you are looking for, then this is the better choice. But the .17 HMR also has its advantages. It has more velocity and accuracy.
Can You Shoot a Deer With a .22 Magnum?
It is not advisable to use a .22 Mag for deer hunting as it will not be able to kill it; it will just wound it.