Best .22LR Scopes For Target Shooting – 2021 Round-up

| Last Updated November 16, 2021

Tired of missing out on your target while shooting?

Well, not anymore! We present to you some of the top 22LR scopes that work perfectly for specifically target shooting.

If you would like to hit your target with the utmost accuracy, then this guide will lead the way. We have a list of some of the top products to choose from to make sure you are bang on target.

Comparison Chart of the Best .22LR Scopes For Target Shooting

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Best suited for rimfire cartridges
  • Magnification: Variable 2 - 7x
  • Type of Reticle: Rimfire MOA
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  • Best for the Money
  • Magnification: 2.5 - 10x
  • Type of Reticle: Mil-dot
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  • Lifetime manufacturer's warranty
  • Magnification: 3 - 9x
  • Type of Reticle: 30/30 Reticle
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  • Capped, low profile finger adjustable turret
  • Magnification: Fixed 6x
  • Type of Reticle: ACSS 22LR MOA
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What Makes a Great .22LR Scope For Target Shooting?

There are many different scopes available on the market for different price tags and specifications. However, it is you who decide which one will work best. For that, you need to identify key aspects that make any scope great for particularly target shooting.

Individual preferences and shooting requirements matter a lot when opting for a scope. Likewise, the choice varies based on these criteria. For you to make the most out of your scope, here are some key elements to consider.

Price Tag

Well, obviously, price is the first aspect you consider before buying a scope. Different models come with different price tags based on their specifications. Some offer more features than others. Hence, the price is higher.

A high-quality 22LR scope will provide decent features at a reasonable price tag. If you are looking for one, make sure it offers you value for your money.

Magnification

Now, this aspect is generally specific to your requirement. A good-quality 22LR scope would provide you with decent magnification or zoom. As a result, your accuracy will increase, and you will have a better chance of hitting your target.

Visibility

Visibility is yet another aspect that is considered crucial while buying any scope. If you plan on buying a 22LR, make sure it offers clear sight and vision while aiming. Good-quality scopes offer high definition and bright sight under all conditions.

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 .22LR Scopes For Target Shooting

You can find a wide range of scopes available on the market. Each and every one of them is designed to suit specific needs and requirements. In case you are wondering, we have listed some of the best 22LR scopes for target shooting. These work perfectly when it comes to target shooting.

Best Overall:
Leupold VX-Freedom

PROS

  • Features a rimfire-MOA reticle for easy aiming
  • Windage and elevation adjustments are available
  • Completely waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
  • Has parallax adjustment for 60 yards which is ideal
  • Comes with Twilight Light Management System to reduce glare

CONS

  • Doesn't come with a scope cap
  • Windage and elevation adjustment turrets are not reliable

What Recent Buyers Report

A high percentage of positive reviews suggest the outstanding quality and performance of this scope. Most recent buyers seem to be completely satisfied with the purchase. They believe that it is just perfect for short-range shooting.

They also refer to it as a reliable scope for target practice and close-quarter shooting.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The scope offers a multitude of features, which makes it quite desirable for most people. It has a rimfire-MOA reticle that is renowned for easy and accurate aiming. As a result, you are more likely to hit your target while aiming.

In addition, it offers parallax adjustment for 60 yards, which is quite ideal. A Twilight Light Management System is also available with this scope that improves the overall optics by providing a clear and bright vision with anti-glare properties.

Moreover, you can adjust windage and elevation with this scope using your fingers. Also, it is quite sturdy and is completely waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.

Bottom Line

This is a great scope to have, especially for target shooting purposes. Anything within 100 yards is a piece of cake with this unit. It offers a number of useful features to the bearer. Optics are quite fantastic, while it greatly improves your vision and accuracy.

Product Specs

Magnification:

2 - 7x 

Type of Reticle:

Rimfire MOA

Parallax:

Fixed at 60 yds

Objective Lens:

33 mm

Focal Plane:

Second Focal Plane

Eye Relief:

3.7 - 4.2 in

Illumination Color and Type:

Non-Illuminated

Adjustment Type and Click Value:

0.25 MOA

Length and Weight:

11.04 in ; 11.1 oz

Runner-up:
Nikon P-Tactical Rimfire 2-7X32 Matte MK1

PROS

  • Construction is durable with the one-inch body tube
  • Comes with zero-reset turrets that are spring-loaded
  • Elevation and windage calibration turrets also present
  • Eye relief is quite generous to protect your eye from recoil
  • Features an asymmetrical design reticle for multiple calibrations

CONS

  • Might be a bit bulky

What Recent Buyers Report

The majority of the reviews regarding the product's quality and performance were positive. Users believe that this is a great scope to have. It offers a number of useful features and it is quite reliable. Recent buyers also praised the overall quality of the scope and highly recommended it to other people.

Why it Stands Out to Us

There are multiple things that we like about this scope. It features an asymmetrical design reticle that offers tons of adjustments and calibrations. You can calibrate bullet-drop and range quite easily.

Additionally, the scope itself is quite durable and has a one-inch body tube. There also are a number of adjustability options that let you adjust accordingly.

It features capped reset turrets that are instantly spring-loaded for various calibrations. Also, you can adjust windage and elevation with the dedicated turrets available. Besides, the eye relief appears to be quite generous to tackle any sort of recoil to protect your eyes.

Bottom Line

In a nutshell, this is a great scope to have if you want to enjoy a multitude of features. It is also fairly simple and easy to use with a lot of adjustment capabilities. We highly recommend investing in it for an optimal shooting experience.

Product Specs

Magnification:

2-7x

Type of Reticle:

BDC Reticle MOA or MRAD

Parallax:

Fixed at 50 yds

Objective Lens:

32 mm

Focal Plane:

Second Focal Plane

Adjustment Type and Click Value:

 0.25 MOA

Length and Weight:

11.5 in ; 16.2 oz

Best for the Money:
Pinty 2.5-10x40 Tactical Rifle Scope

Pinty 2.5-10x40 Red Green Illuminated Mil-dot Tactical Rifle Scope with Red Laser Combo - Green Lens Color

PROS

  • Very durable with an aluminum alloy construction
  • Comes with a complete set of laser scope for accuracy
  • Features a magnification ranging from 2.5 to 10x zoom
  • Offers high visibility with red or green illuminated reticle
  • Optics are multi-coated for better clarity and visual performance

CONS

  • Power ring is quite stiff
  • Some users reported defective product on arrival

What Recent Buyers Report

Nearly all positive reviews from recent buyers point towards the top-quality and performance of this scope. Users admire it due to its great visibility and decent magnification that makes it quite a show. In addition, users reported flawless operation and reliable shooting experience when aiming with it.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Most users believe that this scope promises great value for money. However, we think a bit differently. What strikes us more about it are the various features that it possesses. It is capable of a magnification that ranges between 2.5 to 10x, which is pretty good.

Furthermore, the optics are superb, thanks to the multi-coating that provides clear and bright vision.

The reticle itself is illuminated in green or red light to improve accuracy in low light conditions. Moreover, there is a complete laser system available that projects lasers on the target. Also, it is ultra-durable with its aluminum alloy construction.

Bottom Line

If you are on a relatively tighter budget, but looking for a decent scope, consider this one. It has multiple features and enhanced mechanics that make it far better than most traditional scopes. What are you waiting for? Get your hands on this exceptional quality, budget-friendly unit.

Product Specs

Magnification:

2.5 - 10x

Type of Reticle:

Mil-dot

Objective Lens:

40 mm

Eye Relief:

3 - 4 in

Illumination Color and Type:

Red & Green

Length and Weight:

8.5 in ; 20.5 oz

4. BARSKA 3-9x32 Plinker-22

PROS

  • 3.5-inch eye relief ensures the safety of your eye
  • Lightweight scope that offers 3 to 9x magnification
  • Multi-coated optics with fog, water, and shockproof nature
  • Offers various adjustability options for windage and elevation
  • Comes with mounting rings, scope cover, and cloth alongside limited warranty

CONS

  • Binding screws are not of good quality
  • Vision is blurry at higher magnification

What Recent Buyers Report

We found an overwhelmingly positive response from most users who purchased this scope. They believe that it is one of the best 22LR scopes they have used so far. It is very reliable and provides great operational capabilities in all conditions. Users highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality model.

Why it Stands Out to Us

What strikes us about this scope is the build quality and enhanced features. It has a lightweight construction with a magnification that ranges from 3 to 9x. As a result, you can zoom in on your target at pretty high levels for great accuracy and precision.

Furthermore, the optics are fully multi-coated, making them completely resistant to fog, water, and shocks.

This scope provides a long eye relief of 3.5 inches, which safeguards your eye from recoil. There are also various fine-tune adjustments available to calibrate windage and elevation. Besides, it comes with mounting rings, scope cover, cloth, and limited warranty.

Bottom Line

All in all, this is a great scope to have for shooting at shorter ranges. With increased magnification, you can expect high accuracy and precision with it. The optics are quite reliable with various tweaking options to provide a great overall experience.

Product Specs

Magnification:

3 - 9x

Type of Reticle:

30/30

Parallax:

Parallax-Free

Objective Lens:

32 mm 

Focal Plane:

Second Focal Plane

Eye Relief:

3.5 in

Illumination Color and Type:

Non-Illuminated

Adjustment Type and Click Value:

0.25 MOA

Length and Weight:

12 in ; 11.46 oz

5. Primary Arms Classic Series 6x32mm

PROS

  • Offers three years of manufacturer's warranty
  • Ideal for hunting, plinking or shooting competitions
  • Has adjustable turrets to calibrate windage and elevation
  • Features an ACSS 22LR reticle design with 6x magnification
  • Comes with bullet drop calibration and range-finding ability

CONS

  • Eye relief is quite short
  • Reticle is a bit on the smaller side

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers highly recommend this 22LR scope to everyone. They believe that it is all you need for a great shooting experience. It has multiple built-in features that provide you great accuracy and reliability. It also has an attractive design that is eye-catching for most buyers. The reports tell us that this scope is a worthy investment.

Why it Stands Out to Us

What impresses us is the diverse capabilities of this scope. It looks pretty solid on paper and offers quite a number of features, unlike conventional scopes. It features an ACSS 22LR reticle design that offers a maximum of 6x magnification while aiming. The reticle itself provides bullet-drop calibration and range-finding options as well.

Furthermore, there are finger-adjustable turrets present to adjust windage and elevation. The optics are pretty sound with multi-coating and offer a clear and bright sight. Also, this scope is just perfect for hunting, plinking, and shooting competitions. All in all, it is a quality model.

Bottom Line

Looking for the best 22LR scope, right? Well, here is one to take care of all your shooting needs. Whether it is a shooting competition or hunting, you won't miss your target with this scope. Also, it comes with three years of manufacturer's warranty to safeguard your investment.

Product Specs

Magnification:

Fixed 6x

Type of Reticle:

ACSS 22LR MOA

Parallax:

Fixed

Objective Lens:

32 mm

Focal Plane:

Second Focal Plane

Eye Relief:

3.2 in

Illumination Color and Type:

Non-Illuminated

Adjustment Type and Click Value:

0.25 MOA

Length and Weight:

9.05 in ; 11.7 oz

Types of Scopes For Target Shooting

As mentioned earlier, there are several types of scopes for specific purposes. Each one of them has their own specifications and features according to their designed purpose. Likewise, there are different types of scopes available for target practice.

Therefore, in this section, we'll learn some of the scopes available for target shooting and help you become a pro.

Iron Sight

Iron sights are basically a system of alignment markers that are used for sighting while using a weapon. They are the most basic type of sight available for aiming and are still used for target shooting.

Typically, it requires you to line up the two sights on a rifle before you can take a shot. Iron sights are pretty effective as they are quite cheap and get the job done.

Red Dot Sight

Red dot sight is another type that can be used for target practicing quite effectively. While aiming, they project an illuminated target reticle on top of the image you are focusing on. These are very effective as they provide great vision and simplicity.

Laser Sights

Laser sights are quite common nowadays. They usually feature a laser projection system that projects a laser beam directly at the target. Not only does it help you clearly identify the target, but it also improves your accuracy.

Benefits of Investing in a Quality .22LR Scope For Target Shooting

Investing in a quality scope will always pay-off in the long run. A scope is something that should be considered worth an investment if you shoot every now and then.

Not only does it provide you with multiple features, but it also improves your precision and accuracy.

Here are some numerous advantages of investing in a quality 22LR scope.

Design

Most high-quality scopes offer a modern and futuristic design. They look pretty attractive and blend perfectly with your rifle. A high-quality scope also provides a user-friendly design that offers maximum comfort and convenience while aiming.

Features

A good-quality scope would almost always provide you with a multitude of features you can use. The optics are of good quality that are designed to operate under any condition. You also get to enjoy various adjustability options to make sure you don't miss your target.

Moreover, you can find quite a bit of enhancement that can improve your overall shooting experience.

User Experience

Yes, you can only experience a reliable shooting operation if you are using a quality rifle scope. It greatly improves your accuracy, precision, safety, and reliability. Not only this, but these scopes also offer solid construction and are quite durable and effective in almost any situation.

Conclusion

If you wish to improve your shooting experience, investing in a quality scope might help you a lot. You will have greater chances of hitting your targets with reliability and accuracy. This article lists some of the best 22LR scopes that you can buy for an ultimate shooting experience. Hopefully, you have a model in mind that would make for a great investment. 

People Also Ask

We have listed some really common and important questions in this section. These are often asked by most users and recent buyers. In case you have any queries or ambiguities related to the product, you can always refer to this section.

What Do Scope Numbers Mean?

You can usually find certain numbers associated with the name of the scope. Typically, the scope specification consists of two numbers. The first number refers to the magnification that the scope is capable of. Meanwhile, the other number usually refers to the diameter of the objective lens.

How Far Will a .22LR Shoot Accurately?

22LR is commonly used for target shooting even today. It is effective at shorter ranges and works like a charm for target practice.

Generally, a 22LR is quite accurate up to 150 yards. Anything further than that would be quite difficult to achieve with the large bullet drop.



My name is Caleb and I am obsessed with hunting, fishing, and foraging. To be successful, you have to think like your prey. You have to get into the mind of your target - and understand Big Game Logic. If you have any questions, or just want chat about your latest hunting score or big catch, you can reach me at admin@biggamelogic.com. Read more about Big Game Logic.