Best Scope for 22 Mag
A Comprehensive Guide
The excitement you feel when it’s time to pick your rifle up and head into the woods for a good hunting time is shared by so many people. The feel of the breeze, the scent of the earth, tree barks, and leaves, the glare of the sun, and the heat of the day – all contribute to the goodness you feel while hunting and to the success of your expedition. Here we are going to review the best 5 scopes for 22 Mag.
Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7x35 Rimfire, Second Focal Plane Riflescope - V-Plex Reticle (MOA) , black
$
239
$0
In Stock
23 new from 239 Free Shipping
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Last update was on: May 28, 2023 10:32:18 PM
- The Diamondback 2-7x35 Rimfire riflescope is ideal for use at close range on 22 rimfire, shotguns, and muzzleloaders. The V-Plex reticle is a popular all-purpose hunting reticle intended for a wide variety of hunting applications.
- Lenses are fully multi-coated for crystal clear, bright images from dawn till dusk. The fast focus Eyepiece allows for quick and easy reticle focusing.
- Metal on metal Precision turrets offer the ability to zero reset after sight-in. A precision glide erector System ensures accurate tracking and repeatability.
- A solid one-piece tube with a hard anodized finish creates a shockproof and durable scope while helping camouflage The shooter's position.
- Argon purged and O-ring sealed the scope will deliver a lifetime of Fog proof and waterproof performance.
However, not everyone enjoys as much success as others. Not because they lack skill or patience, but because they have failed to equip their rifles with the right accessories. Imagine your target being more than 200 yards from you, its alertness on the high, and your best course of action is to take that shot from your position. Would it be easier to hit that game with the help of a riflescope or not?
Table of Contents
If you are in a hurry to purchase the best scope for 22 Mag, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:
Top 3 Best Scope for 22 Mag
$41.97
$49.38
49.38 new
from 41.97
in stock
$69.99
$126.95
126.95 new
from 69.99
in stock
$239
$0
0 new
from 239
in stock
What if you have limited shooting resources, I mean bullets, and you want to make the most of the ones you have? Will a scope to support your shooting not help you achieve that? If you’re unsure why you should get a scope for your .22 mag rifle, or you want to have no idea what to look out for, you’re in the right place. You’ll get answers to your questions and most importantly, our recommended scope choices for you .22 mag rifle.
5 Best Scope for 22 Mag (Ranked And Reviewed)
$239.99
$0
28 05 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new
from $
$239
$0
28 05 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
23 new
from $239
Specifications
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Dimensions:
13.7 x 3.3 x 2.7 Inches
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Weight:
14.2 Ounces
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Material:
Aluminum
The Vortex Optics Diamondback Rimfire Riflescope easily combines durability, versatility, and precision in one black 13 inches long and 14.2 ounces heavy scope. It provides crisp and clear images with the aid of its multi-layered lenses that can be used in different weather conditions, be it foggy, snowy, rainy, or sunny. Its V-Plex MOA reticle, a modification of the duplex reticle, serves different purposes – from hunting large games to smaller ones – it is also applicable in achieving short and mid-range shots. Its turrets are made of metal and it has a glide erector that helps you track your game while your adjustment is locked.
Positive
- Suitable for different weather conditions
- Easy metal on metal turrets
- Versatile
- Fast focus eyepiece
Negatives
- Too little eye relief
2. Bushnell Banner Dusk and Dawn Riflescope
$69.99
$126.95
28 05 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
28 new
from $69.99
Specifications
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Dimensions:
16.3 x 2.5 x 3.12 Inches
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Weight:
0.81 Pounds
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Material:
Plastic
The Bushnell Banner Dusk and Dawn Riflescope is so named due to its excellent light management. It functions perfectly in well-lit conditions, as in the daytime, and dusk when there is little light. The crosshair of the reticles is easy to see and offers good aim even in the dusk. It is waterproof due to its multi-layer and protects the lenses from water or fog hazards, making them suitable for use in these weather conditions. The windage and elevation turrets are easy to use and adjust. Their ease of use, combined with the speed of the eyepiece, makes for good and fast target acquisition.
Positive
- Usable in rainy and foggy weather conditions
- Fast-focus eyepiece for quick target lock-in
- Usable in different light conditions
Negatives
- Undesirably thick crosshairs
3. Simmons .22 Waterproof Fog Proof Matte Black Riflescope
$41.97
$49.38
28 05 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
25 new
from $41.97
Specifications
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Dimensions:
15.25 x 3.25 x 3 Inches
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Weight:
10.8 Ounces
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Material:
Optical Glass Lenses
The Simmons matte black riflescope is one of the rugged scopes in the market. It sports an impressive 32mm objective lens for a clear and crisp image, which in combination with the truplex reticle helps you achieve a better aim and helps you hit your target easily. It is suitable for use regardless of the weather condition as it is waterproof usable when it’s raining fog proof usable when it’s foggy – and it’s hardy enough to be used in mountainous areas in case it drops because it is shock proof.
It offers you a good view of your range at 100 yards and can magnify the image of your target to up to nine times its original size. The eye relief gives enough room to prevent eye bruising as a result of recoil and its weight, coupled with the mounting rings, gives it great balance on the rifle. Adjust the knobs easily and without slip, in any weather, and with gloves on. This is possible because it employs SureGrip rubber to line the knobs for a better grip.
Positive
- Suitable for use in every weather
- Mid and long-range magnification
- Easy knob adjustment
Negatives
- Holds poorly at zero
4. Leupold VX-Freedom Scope
$297.59
$0
28 05 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
9 new
from $297.59
$299.99
$0
28 05 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new
from $
Specifications
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Dimensions:
14 x 3 x 2.75 Inches
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Weight:
0.63 Pounds
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Material:
Aluminum
The Leopold VX-freedom Scope is an excellent choice for switching between short and mid-range targets, making it suitable for a .22 magnum rifle. It is fog-proof, waterproof, and made with aluminum whose quality can be used for aircraft. Its twilight light management system gives you ten extra minutes in the wild to get more game. Its eye relief is suitable for different rifles with different recoil as it can take more recoil than a .22 magnum produces and still keep your eye from bruising.
Positive
- Low light performance
- Lightweight and rugged
- Fog-proof and waterproof
- Variable eye relief
Negatives
- No lens cap
5. Hawke Sport Optics Vantage Riflescope
$125.99
$0
28 05 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
10 new
from $125.99
Specifications
-
Dimensions:
14.6 x 5 x 3.6 Inches
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Weight:
0.4 Kg
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Material:
Aluminum Alloy
The Hawke Sport Optics Vantage Riflescope is one of the strongest scopes for your rifle. It possesses an inch of mono-tube chassis that gives it more strength than most riflescopes. It is also adaptable to different weather conditions as the lens are multi-layered. In fact, they have 11 layers of protection against different conditions. The optical system is also optimized to provide better lighting and contrast for an improved target image through the lens. The reticle is Mil-Dot and has 5 levels of illumination that can be turned off. The illumination can also be turned high or low within its 5 levels to give your natural eyes the needed light color, red or green, it needs to see the target’s image clearly. The objective lens is adjustable to correct for parallax.
Positive
- Multi-layered protected lenses
- Superior strength
- Adjustable objective for parallax
- Different illumination levels
Negatives
- Slow eyepiece focus
Importance of a Good Scope for .22 Mag
Hunters and target shooters have not always used scopes those barrel-like additions that are positioned atop a rifle with lenses for optical purposes. If it was because it was seen as unnecessary or it was a hint at their inability to hit distant targets without aid – therefore an ego protection reason. I don’t know for sure. What I do know is, there are pronounced reasons you should invest in a scope for your rifle, as you will see.
Longer Range
The success of your trip into the woods and coming back with games is very much dependent on how much range you and your machine can cover. Some rifles can shoot exceptionally long distances, but the question is will you hit the target when the distance is so long? Scopes offer you better optics when you need them. With a long-range shot, a scope on your .22 mag rifle will bring the image of your target closer depending on how much magnification it has or you have set it to and consequently help you hit your target, no matter the distance. Also, with the longer range the scope gives you, comes comfort and better shot decision as you are not too close to your game meaning your stealth is improved.
Better Shooting Accuracy
Nothing speaks well of a shooter than hitting the mark as many times as he takes a shot. It’s like a basketball player that makes a basket almost every time he attempts. And what can boost such shooting accuracy if not a scope? With the image of your target now closer to you, and your aim, clearer, you have an increased chance of hitting the target as many times as you take that shot. The thrill in shooting isn’t in just pulling the trigger and feeling the butt of the rifle dig into your shoulder when it recoils. The main satisfaction comes when you shoot at a target and you hit it. It’s like completing a part of a mission.
Safety
There are different conditions under which one shoots. It might be during a hunting expedition, with poor light, as in the dusk, when your visibility is poor and you do not have the gadgets to help with that. The scope will help you see games from distance by focusing light on the target. On bright sunny days, when the glare of the light seems to be interfering with your vision and it is likely to make you miss your target. Use a scope and it will help you focus the light and reduce the glare. Also, it improves safety as it is possible to mistake another hunter in the woods for game when using your naked eyes as the only optics. However, with a scope as your optical aid, you will easily differentiate between an animal and a human in the forests.
Judicious Use of Resources
You want to be as efficient as possible when hunting. Get your target with as few shots as possible. You will rather hit it with a shot instead of having to use multiple shots. With a scope, you can achieve this. Since it offers better shot accuracy and longer range, it means you will need fewer shots to hit the bull’s eye. Fewer shots translate to more bullets for future use and lesser expense for buying bullets. This means, investing in a rifle scope will help you save on bullets.
Confidence Boost
It does your confidence good to get in the forests or the plains and hit your mark almost all the time. Even though scopes weren’t used before now for egotistical reasons, using them now will also do your ego some good.
What Makes a Good Scope?
While it’s beneficial economically and in performance to have and use a scope with your rifle, you should not buy just any scope. You must know what to look out for when purchasing a scope for your rifle and what factors influence the type of scope you purchase.
Know These Before Buying a Scope
Before you enter a gun and gun accessories store to buy a scope, you should know the following:
● Your Target Range
Your target range influences the type and cost of scope you should purchase for your rifle. If you are a long-range shot or you mostly hunt or shoot at distant game and targets, you may have to invest in costlier scopes while shorter-range shots 100 yards and below will require less costly scopes. In-between these two extreme ranges, that is mid-range targets of up to 200 yards, could be more the cost of the scope will be lesser than a long-range rifle scope and higher than a short-range rifle scope.
● The Nature of Your Rifle
The scope is an added weight and should be chosen carefully so as not to make your shots off mark. If your rifle produces low recoil, it is best suited for short-range shots and should use a lighter scope. The nature of your rifle affects the type of scope you buy as it determines the best suited objective lens for your use.
● Your Shooting Environment
One of the features of a rifle scope is the windage and elevation turrets. To correctly use these features, you need to be familiar with your shooting environment. Know the direction the wind blows, the intensity of light under different tree canopies, and many other influencing factors. Now that you know what influences your choice of scope, let us examine the things you should look out for in a scope to determine if it is the right one for your rifle and the purpose it serves.
Magnification
Magnification refers to the degree of closeness of a far object, in this case, your target or game. On some cars’ side mirrors, you will see an inscription that says “Objects are closer than they appear in the mirror,” it is the opposite with the magnification of a scope. Targets are farther away than they appear when you view them through a rifle scope. This is because the rifle scope increases the image size, depending on the nature of the scope, to a size that helps you hit the right target. It also helps you narrow down your field of view. When choosing a scope for your rifle and considering the magnification, choose a scope that has between 1 and 4 times magnification for short-range shots and targets.
For long-range targets, choose a scope that has, at least, 9 times magnification. Targets that are lesser than 200 yards can use scope magnifications of 5 and 8. In some cases, especially when you shoot or hunt in different locations with different ranges, you will need a rifle scope that is flexible and can function in all ranges. Such scopes are said to have variable magnification power. To know the magnification of a scope, it is written on it. If it says 4×30 on the scope, it is a fixed power scope with magnifications size 4. However, if it says 9-12×40, it is a variable power scope with magnification size that can be changed from 9 to 12 times the actual size of the target.
Objective Lens
The objective lens is the lens at the further end of the scope. It is responsible for focusing light and making the magnified image clearer. The bigger it is, the clearer the image. However, this does not mean you need to purchase the scope with the biggest objective lens as it is an added weight on your rifle. If your rifle is used for short-range, that is, it has low recoil, purchase a scope with an objective lens size of 28mm and below. Long-range shots under low light and high magnification can use scopes with an objective lens size of 50mm and above. And range shots in-between short and long can use objective lenses of about 30mm and 45mm size. Ensure you follow this guideline as bigger objective lenses reflect sunlight and that gives away your position. Your game may notice the reflection and run.
Scope Reticles
Scope reticles are the horizontal and vertical lines, called crosshairs, that help in aiming. Some are purely lines, others have dots, and they are applicable in different situations. There are three types of reticles; Mil-Dot, Duplex, and BDC. Mil-Dots have a combination of lines and dots for aim. The lines are specifically for getting your target, while the dots help you estimate the distance of the target. It is commonly used in the military. Duplex scope reticles have horizontal and vertical lines and they are most suited for hunting and target shooting. BDC is the most suitable scope reticle for long-range shooting.
Eye Relief
The eye relief of a scope is meant to protect your eyes from the bruising that may occur when your rifle recoils. Before now, magnums do not produce serious recoil but the story has changed. Therefore, you need to take eye relief seriously. Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the back lens through which you view the magnified image and see the crosshairs. On average, an eye relief of 3.5 inches will do but sometimes, for guns with big recoils, 4 inches is safe.
Windage and Elevation Turrets
These are the knobs that you see on the scope and by the side. They are used to correct the horizontal and vertical positional errors of the scope. When purchasing a scope, it is better to go for ones that produce a loud click when they have been adjusted to the right position.
FAQs
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The .22 long rifle is best suited for short-range target shooting. Therefore, it needs scopes that produce an eye relief of about 3.5 inches, a magnification that ranges between 2 and 4, and an observation lens of about 28 to 30mm. A scope that fits this description is the Hawke Sport Optics Vantage Riflescope.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The .22 magnum rifle is not the most precise but it does well for hunting squirrels, foxes, and the likes. Despite its low marks for accuracy, it can produce some accurate shots now and then. The responsibility rests on the ammo. Therefore, while many firearm companies claim to produce an accurate .22 mag rifle, it is best to test different ammo with your rifle and other .22 mag rifles, if you have them, to reach your verdict.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The best scope for a .22 Magnum rifle will depend on the purpose of use. However, in general, since .22 magnum rifles are most suited for short-range and medium-range shots, the scope should have a magnification between 2 and 9. The observation lens should also be between 28 and 35mm. Putting all these together, the best fit is the Simmons matte black riflescope.
Conclusion
.22 Magnum rifles are best suited for short and mid-range target shooting. They are excellent choices for hunting foxes, rabbits, coyotes, squirrels, and other small critters. These hunting guns are known to possess a lousy shooting precision; therefore, you need all the help you can get to hit that target, especially if it is in the 50 to 100 yards distance from you. One of the helpers you need is the scope. It gives you a clearer image of the target and game and offers you ways to make your shot better.
While it doesn’t automatically correct the precision problem of the .22 mag rifle, it helps you adjust your sight to the target and gun. To choose the right riflescope for a .22 mag rifle, you need to know what your gun acts like when in use as well as what your target range is like. Generally, for a .22 magnum rifle, it needs a scope that functions well in short and mid-range target shots. That means a scope that does not have more than a 30mm observation lens, that most likely uses a Mil-Dot reticle, and has a magnification between 2 and 9.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.
