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7 Best Ruger 10/22 Scopes & Red Dots for 2023

Want to get the max accuracy out of your Ruger 10/22 rifle? We cover some of the best scopes made for rimfire rifles on a variety of budgets.
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    We’ve talked a lot about the Ruger 10/22 here at Pew Pew Tactical.

    It’s one of the most popular rifles currently available and has an extensive market for third-party parts and accessories to upgrade your rifle. So extensive, in fact, that you can build a 10/22 exclusively from aftermarket parts.

    Fully Upgraded 10/22
    Fully Upgraded 10/22

    But today, I’m going to talk about one particular accessory for your Ruger 10/22 rifle, the scope.

    Good optics are essential for precision shooting, especially at long ranges, particularly if you’re hunting or precision target shooting.

    Summary of Our Top Picks

    1. Best Budget Option

      Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32mm Scope

      Decent glass, solid turrets, and included scope rings make this a great value buy.

    2. Best Warranty

      Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32

      In addition to good glass, you get an unconditional warranty that is the best in the industry.

    3. Best 10/22 Red Dot

      Bushnell TRS-25

      Affordability and durability make this red dot a great addition to your 10/22 while staying on a budget.

    4. Best 10/22 Scope

      Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire Riflescope

      The glass clarity and build quality put this scope above everything else in its class.

    Table of Contents

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    Best Ruger 10/22 Scopes & Red Dots

    1. Simmons Truplex .22 Mag Riflescope

    First up on our list is the Simmons Truplex .22 Mag riflescope.

    It’s one of the most popular consumer riflescopes currently on the market and is especially popular among hunters. And it’s made specifically for use with a .22 rifle like the Ruger 10/22.

    At only around $50, it’s an affordable option, but Simmons didn’t cut corners with quality and durability.

    These scopes are right at home on common rimfire rifles. (Photo: Robar Guns)

    For starters, the main tube of the scope is constructed from a single piece to make the scope lighter, stronger, and more durable. It’s also waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.

    Scope lenses are made of high-quality optical glass and have a HydroShield coating. This provides you with a sharp, high-contrast picture no matter what the weather is like.

    Eye relief is a nice 3.75 inches with the 3–9×32 version and 4 inches with the 4×32 version.

    Best Budget Option
    42
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Simmons has a proprietary version of a duplex reticle called the Truplex, but really it’s effectively the same thing and works well!

    The Truplex .22 Mag scope features Simmons’s TrueZero windage and elevation adjustment system for more crisp clicks and precise adjustments that make it easier to zero your rifle and prevent the scope from losing zero, even after a thousand rounds.

    Also handy are the SureGrip rubber surfaces on the eyepiece diopter adjustments, windage, elevation caps, side parallax adjustment knobs, and power change rings to make adjustments even easier, even in cold or wet weather or when you’re wearing heavy gloves.

    Best Bang-for-the-Buck Shooting Glove
    22
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Finally, it comes with rimfire ⅜” dovetail mounting rings.

    2. Tasco Rimfire Series .22 Riflescope

    Another solid option for Ruger 10/22 shooters on a budget is the Tasco Rimfire Series .22 Riflescope.

    If you’re a serious hunter or target shooter, you may want to just skip to the next scope on this list, but for plinking or hunting within the about 50-yard mark, such as varmint and small game hunting, this scope with definitely do the job.

    42
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    It’s also great for shooters that are trying out scopes for the first time since it’s very easy to use.

    The included scope rings make the scope a breeze to mount to your 10/22. The adjustment knobs on the top and side of the scope make it easy to sight in and zero the Tasco Rimfire Series .22 Riflescope.

    The lenses offer a clear picture and are magenta multi-coated to protect the lens from scratches and reduce glare and reflection. However, in low lighting or beyond about 100 yards, you may not get a great picture.

    The parallax isn’t adjustable but is set at 50 yards which is plenty long enough for plinking and small game hunting.

    Hunting Is Never This Easy
    Hunting Is Never This Easy

    Tasco Rimfire Series .22 Riflescope is well-constructed and made from a 14” long, one-inch diameter monotube. It’s also lightweight enough that it should be barely noticeable as you maneuver your 10/22 rifle.

    However, Tasco offers a lifetime warranty should something happen to your scope.

    3. Crimson Trace Brushline Pro 2-7×32 BDC-Rimfire

    Crimson Trace came out with 50 scopes in two different main categories. The Hardline is marketed toward the tactical professional, while the Brushline was designed with hunters in mind.

    Naturally, a few options for rimfire rounded out the lineup with 2-7, 3-9, and 4-12 models designed specifically for the venerable .22 LR. The 2-7×32 BDC Rimfire is an excellent fit for the Ruger 10/22.

    Available Coupons

    This 2nd focal place scope has a one-inch aluminum tube made of aerospace aluminum. The objective is 32 mm, and there is a fixed eye relief of 3.5 inches.

    The turrets are capped though both windage and elevation have 90 MOA adjustment ranges. Click values are set at ¼ inch using spring-loaded stops.

    The knurling on the turrets and the magnification adjustment is substantial and makes handling them a breeze, even with gloves.

    The Crimson Trace Rimfire Reticle.

    Shooters can mount up the 2-7 Brushline and enjoy the ability to reach out to known distances with ease because of the BDC reticle. Crimson Trace configured it with six holdover hash marks ranging from 60 to 110 yards (based on a 36-grain bullet and other factors).

    The glass is extremely clear, with light transmission being very good, and it features a multi-coat to keep it protected.
    The rimfire scope is built tough for the rigors of the field, and Crimson Trace also covers it with a lifetime warranty.

    4. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Riflescope

    For a slightly more affordable option that’s also not short on features, consider the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x 32 Rimfire Riflescope.

    Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32
    Vortex’s warranty is the best in the business and should have you feeling confident in your purchase. (Photo: Scopes Field)

    It’s constructed from a single piece of hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum which is nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed to make the scope waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof. It’s easy to handle, doesn’t add too much extra weight, and is simple to install.

    The scope is durable enough that it should have a long service life, but Vortex Optics offers an unconditional, unlimited lifetime warranty for all of their scopes.

    All air-to-glass surfaces are fully multi-coated to allow plenty of light to travel through them while minimizing reflection and glare and protecting the lenses from scratches, dirt, and oil.

    Best Warranty
    129
    at Brownells

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    The result is a clear, bright picture that persists even at extended ranges and in low-light conditions. An integrated sunshade further eliminates glare on the objective lens.

    In addition, the objective lens is adjustable to prevent parallax errors.

    This scope has a second focal plane reticle, which means that the reticle is installed past the magnifying lens so that it stays the same size regardless of the magnification level the shooter uses. The V-plex MOA reticle is well-suited for both hunting and target shooting.

    V-Plex
    Simple, easy, and just right for Rimfire – the V-Plex reticle

    The scope’s fast-focus target lens makes it easy to shift targets quickly without major adjustments.

    Plus, the Crossfire II also has wind and elevation reset turrets, making it easy to zero the scope and make field adjustments. Caps protect the turrets from being moved out of position while attaching or detaching the scope and during travel.

    The 2-7x 32 Rimfire model is particularly well-suited for the Ruger 10/22 rifle and performs well for both hunting and precision long-range shooting.

    Still, Vortex’s entire Crossfire II line is pretty great, so you may want to look at some of the other models in the line to see if there’s one that you think might be better for your particular needs.

    What do you think of the Vortex? Rate it below!

    Readers' Ratings

    4.99/5 (1146)

    Your Rating?

    5. Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot

    Red dots are still a great option if you just want something better than the 10/22’s sights and for times when you don’t need a magnifying optic.

    Bush TRS-25 on AK
    Bushnell TRS-25 on one of our AKs!

    The Bushnell TRS-25 is one of my favorite red dots, especially for shooters on a tight budget.

    The TRS-25 is waterproof up to 10 feet, fog proof, and shockproof. It stands up to round after round and a fair bit of knocking around (though I wouldn’t recommend testing the latter) without losing your zero.

    Best 10/22 Red Dot
    64
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    The lens is multi-coated with Bushnell’s Amber-Bright high contrast lens coating, making it easier to spot even the best camouflaged prey in low light settings.

    This red dot sight has a 3 MOA reticle and 11 brightness settings for a wide variety of lighting conditions. At the lowest setting, the TRS-25 has an advertised 3000 hours of battery life.

    This is also a very low profile sight, certainly lower profile than a scope, and has unlimited eye relief, but some TRS-25 users have difficulty getting a solid, comfortable cheek weld.

    In this case, just using it with the included riser will generally fix the discomfort.

    Some users have also said that using the sight with a riser makes target acquisition easier. You can try it both ways and see which one you prefer.

    Bushnell TRS-25
    Bushnell TRS-25 with Riser

    6. Sig Sauer Romeo5 Red Dot

    If you want something a little higher-end and would work on an AR platform…we’re loving the Romeo5.

    Sig Sauer Romeo5 Red Dot
    Sig Sauer Romeo5 Red Dot

    This thing boasts 40k hours of battery life…yup 40k!

    Plus it has an option to set up shake-awake so you’re never left without a sighting option.

    Glass is clear and not too blue…and the dot is crisp.

    Plus it has withstood 5.56 rounds and full-auto 9mm as well…so it should do fine on the 10/22.

    Romeo5 on MP5K and AR-15
    Romeo5 on MP5K and AR-15

    See the full review here.

    Brutally Tested Budget Red Dot
    119
    at Palmetto State Armory

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    7. Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire MOA Riflescope

    Like the Tasco scope, the Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire MOA Riflescope is designed specifically to be paired with a rimfire rifle like the Ruger 10/22.

    It has rimfire-focused features, like a 60-yard focus distance and Leupold’s Rimfire MOA reticle with thinner hash marks to accommodate rimfire targets.

    Leupold is known for their quality optics, and that definitely extends to their entry-level and rimfire products as well. (Photo: Hunting Mark)

    The scope comes in 3-9×40 and 2-7×33 models. Either would be an excellent choice for your 10/22. Just choose the magnification that best fits your purposes.

    Both options have a lengthy eye relief 3.7 to 4.2 inches, and a second focal plane reticle. It will feature Leupold’s Advanced Optical System for improved light transmission, glare reduction, and resolution. The windage and elevation turrets will be finger-click adjustable.

    The scope will also be very durable, so you know you’ll have it in great condition for years to come. It’s waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof, plus it has scratch-resistant lenses. And to top it off, Leupold covers the scope with a lifetime warranty. 

    Best 10/22 Scope
    299
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Finally, the VX-Freedom Rimfire MOA Riflescope is pretty lightweight. The 2-7x model weighs 11.1 ounces and is 11.04 inches long, while the 3-9x model weighs 12.2 ounces and is 12.49 inches long.

    Mounting a Scope on the 10/22

    Some models (see our Best 10/22 Models), including the OG standard model Ruger 10/22 Carbine and the ever-popular Ruger 10/22 Takedown, come with a gold bead front sight and adjustable rear sight, which are okay if you don’t need to shoot very far with high precision.

    Other models, like the 10/22 Tactical, the 10/22 Compact, and the 10/22 Competition, come with no sights at all, so you’ll need to get a scope or sight to use with them.

    All but the Ruger 10/22 Competition come with a combination scope base adapter that works with both Weaver-style and .22 tip-off scope mounts.

    Weaver and Picatinny
    (left) Weaver and (right) Picatinny

    All that is to say that the 10/22 is basically begging you to put a scope on it. It’s an excellent precision rifle, so give it a scope to go with that.

    Which scope?

    Well, I’m glad you asked.

    Final Thoughts

    An effective optic goes a long way in improving your precision; a shooter with a mediocre gun and a high-quality scope will often outperform a shooter with a high-quality gun and only a mediocre scope.

    In other words, treat buying any type of optics like an investment.

    9 Tested Long Range Scopes
    Tested Long Range Scopes in the Best Long Range Scopes.

    Scopes are not the place to pinch pennies, and it’s definitely worth it to take the time to make sure that you’re choosing a quality scope that’s suitable for your needs, whether they are eliminating pests in your backyard, long-range target shooting, or something in between.

    .22LR Ammo In Stock

    Deal
    Grain
    Cost Per Round
    Notes
    36gr
    $0.06
    Free shipping
    40gr
    $0.06
    40gr
    $0.09
    40gr
    $0.08
    40gr
    $0.09

    All of the options that I’ve talked about here are excellent choices, but they each have their own little nuances that make them best suited for different things.

    Whichever one you go with, you’ll have an exceptional optic to put on your Ruger 10/22.

    10/22 Triggers with FAB Defense Stock
    10/22 Triggers with FAB Defense Stock

    Need .22 LR ammo? Take a look at the Best .22 Long Rifle Ammo! Or want to fully kit out your rifle? Check out Best 10/22 Upgrades.

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    21 Leave a Reply

    • Commenter Avatar
      Silky Johnson

      The Burris 3-9x Droptine Rimfire scope is a fantastic option. Better glass(not made in China) than your typical budget scope and usable BDC reticle.

      January 8, 2023 9:47 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Paul F

      I got a sig romeo5 with the low mount on mine, works well for me.

      January 3, 2023 10:09 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      DesertRacer225

      Does any manufacture make a LVPO that would work well for a Ruger Competition .22? I think a LVPO might give the best of both worlds- speed and precision.

      January 3, 2023 3:59 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        DesertRacer225

        I meant LPVO, I’m dyslexic apparently.

        January 3, 2023 5:53 pm
        • Commenter Avatar
          BTheez

          Yes, I have the Primary Arms 1x6 with 22lr ACSS reticle on my 10/22. The reticle is incredibly well thought out and the overall quality is superb. Got mine on an open box sale for around $200. There were zero blemishes or issues with the product. I would highly recommend picking one up when they come in stock. They sell out very quickly.

          January 4, 2023 5:37 am
          • Commenter Avatar
            DesertRacer225

            Thanks for the info, I’ll check it out.

            January 4, 2023 7:19 am
        • Commenter Avatar
          Dick Hertz

          You mean dyselxic?

          January 4, 2023 11:49 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Modern Mountain Man

      I am surprised you didn't feature Primary Arm's Rimfire ACSS

      January 17, 2022 2:44 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        Chadjo

        I don't think you can buy that one anymore.

        February 28, 2022 7:36 am
        • Commenter Avatar
          Modern Mountain Man

          I thought so as well, but they seem to sell out of it and then bring it back. I have seen it listed as unavailable and available, multiple times.

          February 28, 2022 8:30 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Jonathan Rivera

      Apparently Nikon will no longer be making riflescopes! I don't think they have the Ballistic Match Tech program either. :( I'll be looking at one of the other scopes now.

      January 3, 2021 4:12 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      John

      What's missing in this lineup is a low light alternative. When I'm driving out of the woods toward the end of the day of Grouse hunting, I want a scope that can handle low light to give me last crack, on those back country logging roads, just before end of shooting time.

      April 5, 2019 12:20 am
      • Commenter Avatar
        Bull o' the Woods

        For those of us who are older and participate in Appleseed, I recommend the Leupold VX-Freedom EFR 3-9x33 scope. The Leupold is a little expensive but is the only currently-manufactured scope I know of that allows parallax adjustment down to 10 yards, something that is important at Appleseed. Apparently to confuse customers, Leupold insists on calling parallax adjustment "Extended Focal Range." Other scopes that allowed for parallax adjustment down to 25 yards or less were (1) Simmons .22 Mag Rimfire Rifle Scope 3-9x 32mm Adjustable Objective (predecessor of the scope above); and (2) Weaver Classic Rimfire RV9 Rifle Scope 3-9x 32mm Adjustable Objective. Both are out of production. If you find the Weaver on Ebay, buy it!

        May 16, 2020 8:18 pm
        • Commenter Avatar
          Allen

          Vortex crossfire ii offers AO adjustment 10yrds to infinity. But i certainly would not put the Vortex crossfire ii in the same class as the Leopold...Leopold being the better glass. With that being said my buddy and i both own the Vortex crossfire ii and are very happy with it

          December 26, 2022 3:35 pm
        • Commenter Avatar
          Jon

          While I have heard of appleseed I’ve never competed. There are other disciplines that require a 10 yard parallax. I use a Crimson Trace. It has much greater magnification than model reviewed. It came with these markings on the side that you lined up with the “openings” (gaps) on the rings to insure alignment. I still checked it with bubbles and a laser. They were however right on. I’ve had no issues with the optic. P.S.: I’m kind of surprised you didn’t mention reverse pulsation when selecting a .22 scope. Otherwise a really well written piece.

          January 5, 2023 6:41 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Wayne

      3-9 magnification is utterly absurd for a rimfire scope, as it is for most centerfire hunting scopes, having ridiculously narrow field of view for finding moving targets, and it's inability to focus at close range. The size and height above the bore line is disproportionate to the compactness of a 22. Thanks to silly marketing and a gullible public, scopes have gotten far too big for any practical use beyond extreme range shooting.

      April 4, 2019 9:12 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        Silky Johnson

        That’s your opinion, and a bad one at that.

        January 3, 2023 1:17 pm
      • Commenter Avatar
        Ken

        I disagree with that statement. I have a Vortex 4-18x50 scope on my 10/22 bull barrel. I like to shoot out to 100+ yards with it. It's nice to be able to see the bullet holes without having to go to the target. I can see where my last shot was. If I need a wider range, I can reduce the magnification. The more expensive scopes have better mechanisms in them that make adjustments more accurate.

        January 3, 2023 4:48 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Ilya Koshkin

      ProStaff is an OK scope. TRS-25 is a surprisingly decent red dot. Other optics mentioned here, forgive my bluntness, are best suited for shooting at, not shooting with.

      April 4, 2019 7:18 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Jacob

      I have a PROSTAFF Rimfire II mounted on a Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle. Perfect combo to practice distance shooting- I've been getting consistent 1/2 inch groupings at 100 yards even with my lack of experience. Combined with the inexpensive ammo, as a poor college student I couldn't ask for a better setup!

      April 4, 2019 3:47 pm
    • Commenter Avatar
      Donny

      I put a Leupold FX-II 4x on my 10/22 takedown lite. Awesome combination to keep the whole package light and compact yet extremely shootable

      April 4, 2019 1:59 pm
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