10/22 rifles are incredibly popular due to their high versatility and easy modification, which enables them to be incredibly reliable as well. They are comparatively inexpensive and lightweight, which enables them to perform a multitude of actions and allows them to work for competitive shooting, game hunting, around the farm, etc.
Perhaps one of the most important accessories to be mounted on a 10/22 rifle is a scope. It is incredibly important to have good optics for a superior hunting experience. No matter how good your rifle is, the scope you use for it will make a world of difference.
Therefore, we present to you our complete buyer’s guide on the best 10/22 scopes, including some incredible recommendations to begin with. To find out more, keep on reading!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 1022 Scopes
Comparison Chart of the Best 10/22 Scopes
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Can Any Scope Be Used For a 10/22?
The scope you use for a 10/22 will differ according to the purpose the rifle is being used for. This can be particularly confusing as 10/22 rifles are known to be highly versatile and can serve as excellent weapons for hunting, defense, shooting, etc.
Depending upon your use, a rifle that is being used to take care of nocturnal varmints on the farm would work wonderfully well with a red dot scope. Furthermore, a 10/22 rifle that is being used in competitive shooting will benefit more from an optic that is high powered. It is, nevertheless, a matter of finding the scope that works out best for your use. These rifles are pretty amazing and capable of adapting incredibly well to a variety of scopes.
How to Choose a 10/22 Scope
What should one look for when one is in search of a great quality scope for a 10/22 rifle? Well, there are certain factors that need to be taken into consideration when you’re looking for a great scope. Let’s take a look at them one by one so you have a better understanding and a guideline of what to look for:
Magnification
The magnification of the scope will solely depend upon the situation you are going to be using it in. This would essentially mean how powerful you need your scope to be, which is, again, a personal preference. Generally, someone who needs to shoot really small targets should opt for a more powerful scope or, in other words, one with a higher magnification. Meanwhile, someone who isn’t shooting long ranges can stick to ones with lower magnifications. Red dots are a great option in this scenario.
Construction
It is crucial to opt for a scope that strikes the perfect balance between size and weight. You wouldn’t want one that is too heavy, as it would make the hunting process uncomfortable for you, and you wouldn’t want one that is too flimsy and lightweight, such that it is unable to handle even the recoil of the gun. Furthermore, the unit you opt for should be constructed from superior quality materials and should be protected against adverse weather conditions.
Light Transmission
This is a very important factor to consider as the most crucial part of any scope is its optics. Look for one with lenses that are multi-coated from edge to edge so they are able to provide you a brighter, better, and clearer visual by enabling better light transmission. Furthermore, this will also enhance the longevity of the lenses.
Review of the Best 10/22 Scopes
There are plenty of options out there in the market, and the process of sorting through them to narrow your options can be a rather daunting one. Therefore, we have made it easier and more convenient for you. We have reviewed some incredible scopes that are both reliable and durable, along with being highly functional.
Best Overall:
Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 BDC Rimfire Reticle Riflescope
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were thrilled with this scope for a number of different reasons. It is capable of providing excellent visuals due to the innovative features it is equipped with. Furthermore, it has a very sturdy and heavy-duty design; even though might be slightly heavier than what some people are used to, it works incredibly well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 BDC Rimfire Reticle Riflescope captured our attention because it is constructed from a high-quality aluminum alloy, features an anodized finish, and is sealed to protect all the elements inside. All of this adds to its durability. Furthermore, it is O-ring sealed, which makes it fog-proof and waterproof, further enhancing its longevity.
Who Will Use This Most
This product would work great for you if you’ve been in search of a superior 22 LR bullet drop compensating reticle. It has a fast-focus eyepiece and a side focus parallax adjustment, which makes it adjustable for long-range accuracy. Furthermore, it is also fog-proof and waterproof, meaning that it is adaptable to different weather conditions.
Bottom Line
To put it simply, this fabulous piece of optics is unquestionably worthy of the best overall position on our list, given its incredible features and amazing design. Overall, this is as close as it gets to a perfect scope. It features a sturdy construction coupled with innovative features to enhance visuals to the maximum.
Runner-up:
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Rimfire
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent customer reviews express deep fondness for the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Rimfire, mainly thanks to its very versatile design, which is capable of working well under numerous adverse conditions. The optical results it produces are very high-quality compared to much more expensive alternatives. All of this contributes to its status as a consumer favorite product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This scope is both O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, which makes it both waterproof and fog proof and contributes to them being versatile. Furthermore, they are multi-coated and provide excellent light transmission for brighter and better visuals.
Who Will Use This Most
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Rimfire works great under multiple weather conditions, as it is both waterproof and fog-proof. It should handle gun recoil pretty well, as it has a shockproof construction, making it incredibly versatile. However, it is better suited for short ranges and small hunting activities than for long ranges.
Bottom Line
Overall, this wonderful product features an incredible construction and enables a superior optical experience. The design is very well thought through, which makes it highly innovative and effective. Furthermore, it is incredibly reliable, a delight to own, and certainly worthy of investment.
Best Budget Scope for Ruger 10/22:
Burris Droptine Riflescope
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Users found the Burris Droptine Riflescope to be highly functional, incredibly compact, and fundamentally versatile. Its impeccable design not only makes it convenient to travel with but also incredibly convenient to use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product captured our attention with its very stylish overlook, but it's so much more than just style. It is built to be convenient, compact, comfortable, and waterproof. Furthermore, it has a versatile array of four different scan modes.
Who Will Use This Most
Capable of serving multiple scenarios, aided by its high-quality 6x camera magnification, this unit is highly recommended for hunting, bird watching, shooting, golf, climbing, engineering measurements, etc.
Bottom Line
All in all, the Burris Droptine is truly wonderful. It provides superior quality optics at an amazing price, both of which make it worthy of splurging on. The design is durable and reliable at the same time.
Best Scope for Ruger 10/22 Takedown:
Simmons 511039 3 - 9 x 32mm
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Users of this scope were impressed with how well-designed, well-constructed, durable, and reliable it was. The overall construction is of great quality and equipped with features that ensure clear and sharp visuals.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Simmons 511039 3 - 9 x 32mm is incredibly well-constructed, which is rare to see for a product in this price range. Furthermore, it features a HydroShield lens coating, which allows it to maintain a clear picture regardless of the weather conditions. Its SureGrip rubber surfaces allow simple adjustments under any condition.
Who Will Use This Most
This is great for those of you who are just starting out with hunting and need a more lightweight and accessible scope mount. It is hassle-free and comes with all the accessories needed for mounting the scope on your rifle. Even better, it is capable of providing excellent on-game performance.
Bottom Line
In sum, this unit is pretty solid. It features an incredible design that is equipped with superb features to ensure superior quality optics in every situation, all at an amazing price point. Its lightweight and easy-to-install nature is also a delight.
Best Scope for Ruger 10/22 Target Tactical:
Trinity Hunting Compact Sniper Scope Kit for Ruger 10/22 Tactical
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Consumers love the Trinity Hunting Compact Sniper Scope Kit for Ruger 10/22 Tactical because its durability and reliability mean that one doesn’t have to worry about it breaking. It is lightweight and very easy to mount, so users also found it to be quite convenient.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit features an incredibly sturdy aluminum body and multi-coated lenses that provide incredible visuals and protect your lens at the same time. This was certainly our primary reason for including it on our list.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be perfect for users who are interested in target tactical, given its incredible construction and amazing features. Beyond that, its surprisingly budget-friendly price would make it a superb choice for those who are looking for an econimocal option.
Bottom Line
Overall, this unit is a gem. It features incredible construction and some amazing features that enable high-quality images. Its convenient design enables it to be easy to use and incredibly reliable. It is jam packed with features to promote clearer optics for better visuals and increased performance in multiple situations.
Best Scope for Ruger 10/22 Squirrel Hunting:
WEAVER Rimfire 2.5-7X28
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Experienced rimfire riflemen were able to get great use out of this. It features a stunning, stylish matte black look and an incredibly durable construction, which is capable of withstanding multiple weather hostilities.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The WEAVER Rimfire 2.5-7X28 stands out to us for multiple reasons. First, it is built from high-quality materials that ensure durability and enable it to be sturdy. Furthermore, its multicoated lenses provide an edge to edge clarity for superior quality optics. Finally, its fog-proof, shock-proof, and waterproof nature enables it to be incredibly reliable.
Who Will Use This Most
This scope features multi-coated lenses, which gives it edge to edge clarity and makes it great for hunting, particularly squirrel hunting. As you may have experienced yourself, squirrel hunting requires fast and clear optics. We strongly recommend this for those who enjoy rimfire rifles or air guns.
Bottom Line
Last but definitely not least, the WEAVER Rimfire 2.5-7X28 features an amazing construction and stunning optics. It is incredibly reliable and carries some incredible features that make it a highly capable investment.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Scope
All of this sounds amazing, but why exactly should you invest in a quality scope? Well, if you’re still on the fence about making the investment, perhaps understanding the benefits of a superior scope can help you decide.
Better Visuals
The most obvious benefit of buying a better scope is the vast improvement you will see in the visuals. Quality scopes are multi-coated with layers of substances that enhance light transmission and enable you to see a brighter and clearer vision.
Durability and Reliability
Quality scopes should be a one-time investment as they are constructed from superior materials that make them durable. Furthermore, they should be capable of withstanding different weather conditions due to being fog-proof and waterproof. Plus, they handle gun recoil incredibly well due to being shockproof.
Ease of Use
Try to find a scope that will be easy to mount and easy to use. This enhances the entire process of hunting or any other activity. Also, focus on finding one that is the right size and weight so that it is comfortable for you.
How to Install a Scope on Your 10/22
Installing a scope on your 10/22 is pretty easy. Let’s look at a quick step-by-step rundown of the entire process:
- First, pull out the screw hole plugs from the rifle using a 3mm flathead screwdriver.
- Then, fix these screws with Permatex red and Loctite red. Use denatured alcohol with a cotton swab to clean up the threads and decrease them with it as well.
- The mounting hardware you receive with the product will include an aluminum base and screws. Decrease the screws using a cotton swab as well. Decrease the bottom and top of the receiver (aluminum base) as well as the scope base.
- Then, let all of these components dry.
- Add drops of thread locker all along the scope base where the Aluminum base will fit so it’ll glue everything together.
- Correctly place the Aluminum base on top of the rifle.
- Place all the screws and tighten them using the same screwdriver.
- Let the whole mechanism dry and clean any leaking Permatex using a Q-tip. Make sure you wait for the thread locker to dry before moving on with the last step.
- Finally, you can now freely mount the scope on top of it!
All of this might be a little confusing at first, but you can check out the video linked below to get a better idea and a visual representation of the entire process to make it easy for you.
Conclusion
The process of finding the perfect scope is kind of personal and requires you to have a thorough thought process. This means that all scopes won’t work for everyone. Instead, the one that works for you is the one best suited to your requirements. So, consider under what conditions you will be working with the scope.
At times, it may need trial and error, but you will eventually figure out the ideal scope, and your 10/22 will eventually adapt to it. Anything that needs to perfected requires practice and patience. Thus, be sure to give it that. Hopefully, by the time you reach this section of our article, you will have a better understanding of which scope to invest in and how to choose one.
People Also Ask
People tend to be highly confused when they decide to invest in a scope, and that’s to be expected, given how technical some terminologies and the process of buying a good scope can be. Thus, we picked your most frequently asked questions and answered them.
How Far Can a 10/22 Shoot Accurately?
10/22 are classic rifles that have great popularity. However, they are not manufactured to shoot long ranges. These rifles can accurately shoot up to 50 yards. This may not seem like a lot to some of you, but it’s important to realize that these rifles were built to shoot short range without completely obliterating their targets.
Can a 10/22 Shoot Magnum?
No, a 10/22 cannot safely shoot magnum. It isn’t recommended to try it either as it might be potentially dangerous. This is because the cartridge used has a smaller diameter and would potentially burst or split if used in a larger magnum chamber. In turn, it could release gun powder gasses and fragments at high speed, possibly causing injury to the shooter or those standing nearby.
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