Best Scope for Ruger 10/22

I have a Leupold fx-i 4x28 on my .22 and I love how light and compact it is.

Another VX Freedom owner here. 3-9x40. $299 just about everywhere.

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Vortex Crossfire Rimfire

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I have this one in 2x7 on a .22 mag. I really like it. I taped the turrets, I don't use the elevation adjustment on it since I'm shooting pretty flat out to around 80 yards.

Eta: I'm dumb. I have a Redfield 2x7 rimfire on it, not vortex.

+1 for the VX Freedom, awesome little scope.

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AdmiralApe

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I really think you should read this before buying.

You dont need to spend $500 on that. You won't be dialing so just get any scope under $200,preferably a Nikon for $100+

When I younger I went squirrel hunting a lot. At that time, I favored lower power variables like a 2-7X or straight 4X. I had scopes from Simmons, Weaver and Leupold. Later, all my buddies had high power variables so I bought a 4-14X Simmons ATV for my Ruger 77/22. All of these scopes had a parallax set for 100 yards. Later I acquired a Burris 4.55-14X Burris Timberline (w/ AO) in a gun trade. I put it on my old Ruger 10/22 and really liked it. Since then, I’ve bought a number of 22’s and have tried out some different brands of scope. Since I don’t squirrel hunt anymore, my scopes are more powerful. All have a bullet drop compensator (BDC). All have AOC except for the Hawke. From my experience, I can recommend of the scopes I currently use:

Hawke 4-12X w/ illuminated reticle. I bought this for a Savage bolt action for night time hunts in my subdivision using subsonic ammo. The parallax is set at 75. I thought having an AO might complicate things when it’s dark. The BDC reticle is set for 22 LR subsonic loads at at 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 and 175 yards. The reticle is pretty accurate, at least to 100 yds since that’s the furthest I’ve shot it.

I have two of the aforementioned Burris Timberline scopes. One is still on the 10/22 while the other is on a Howa Model 1100. I really like the scope, but it’s been discontinued. It’s a compact scope that looks good on a 22 LR. I recommend it, but you’ll hav to find one on the used market.

Athlon 6-18X Neos w/ illuminated reticle. This scope is on my Tikka. I wanted a little extra magnification for my most accurate 22 LR.

I have a 4.5-14X Burris Droptine. I believe 50 yards is the closest setting for its AO. It’s a decent scope but I replaced on the Howa it w/ the Timberline.

All these scopes will fit under your budget w/ much room to spare. For a 22 LR, I now prefer a riimfire scope over a big game scope. AO is a nice feature, but depending on the use, I don’t think it’s mandatory. My Savage w/ the fixed parallax Hawke is pretty accurate, but I have to concentrate more on eye alignment at shots >75 yards. For night hunting, I think an illuminated reticle is mandatory. It’s nearly impossible for me to see the ballistic marks at night. Just don’t leave IR turned overnight or you’ll find your battery dead the next day. I still think a 2-7X is the best scope for squirrel hunting. You can buy two really good 22 LR scopes and still fit under your budget. If you’re going to play around at “long range”, I’d suggest a a a 4-12X or 4-14X scope w/ ballistic vertical reticle.

Keep us updated.

Adjustable parallax makes a world of difference in short range accuracy. A 100 yard parallax scope is horrendous at 20 yards and accuracy suffers with anything but perfect shooting form. Parallax adjustable down to 10 yards is the ticket for a .22 or a pellet gun if you want to shoot the eyeball out of a squirrel

I have a Tasco 3x9x32 Model 21012 I put on my Marlin Model 60 in 1985 and I would shoot against anyone at 50 yards or less.

I took it to the deer lease shooting range a couple years ago and was shooting holes in spent rounds at 50 yards. Hit 10 in a row.

I know there are WAY better scopes out there, but they’re overkill for a 22 IMO.