8 Best Scopes for Ruger 10/22 in 2021
Be it is high effectiveness, low recoil, low maintenance, readily accessible ammunition or high portability, there are many attributes that make the Ruger 10/22 popular among gun enthusiasts.
But, if you want to enjoy its full potential and make it an even better rifle, you also need to invest in the best scope for Ruger 10/22.
With a scope mounted on this amazing rifle, you get a great zooming range to allow you to attempt shots that you never thought would be possible and will also be able to shoot in different conditions including low light ones at dusk and dawn.
Also, you can be confident of getting better targeting, wider adjustment range, long eye relief and much more with a good scope for Ruger 10/22.
However, given that this rifle has been in the market since 1964 and close to 10 millions of them have been sold, you can be certain that there are several scopes and other modifications options available in the market.
Below we take a look at 10 amazing scopes for the Ruger 10/22 to help make it easier for you to find a good one for your rifle and also explain the things to consider as you shop for one.
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8 Best Scopes for Ruger 10/22 – Review
- 1. Vortex Optics CF2-31033 – Best Overall
- 2. Nikon Prostaff 16329 – Perfect Rimfire-Specific Scope
- 3. Simmons Truplex 511039 – Top Quality Scope at a Bargain
- 4. Tasco MAG39X32D – Built to Last and With a Beautiful Finish
- 5. BSA Sweet .22 3-9x40 – A Reliable Tool for Varmint Extermination
- 6. Barska AC10380 – Best Budget Scope for Ruger 10/22
- 7. Burris Droptine 200019 – For Top-notch Low Light Performance
- 8. Nikon P-Rimfire 16314 – Solid Enough and Fun to Shoot
- How to Buy the Best Scopes for Ruger 10/22
- Conclusion
8 Best Scopes for Ruger 10/22 – Review
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1. Vortex Optics CF2-31033 (Best Overall) |
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2. Nikon Prostaff 16329 (Perfect Rimfire-Specific Scope) |
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3. Simmons Truplex 511039 (Top Quality at a Bargain) |
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4. Tasco MAG39X32D (Built to Last & With a Beautiful Finish) |
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5. BSA Sweet .22 3-9x40 (Reliable for Varmint Extermination) |
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6. Barska AC10380 (Best Budget) |
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7. Burris Droptine 200019 (For Top-notch Low Light Performance) |
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8. Nikon P-Rimfire 16314 (Solid Enough & Fun to Shoot) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Vortex Optics CF2-31033 (Best Overall) |
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2. Nikon Prostaff 16329 (Perfect Rimfire-Specific Scope) |
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3. Simmons Truplex 511039 (Top Quality at a Bargain) |
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4. Tasco MAG39X32D (Built to Last & With a Beautiful Finish) |
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5. BSA Sweet .22 3-9x40 (Reliable for Varmint Extermination) |
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6. Barska AC10380 (Best Budget) |
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7. Burris Droptine 200019 (For Top-notch Low Light Performance) |
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8. Nikon P-Rimfire 16314 (Solid Enough & Fun to Shoot) |
1. Vortex Optics CF2-31033 – Best Overall
Photo: Vortex
- Eye Relief: 3.7 inches
- Magnification: 6-18x
- Field of View: 15.2 to 5.3 feet at 100 yards
- Objective Diameter: 44mm
Everything about the Crossfire II by Vortex is meant to ensure that you get unmatched performance and reliability whether you are hunting or target shooting, and this is what makes it our best overall model.
This amazing scope uses a dead-hold BDC reticle that will be highly useful for hunting and shooting at various ranges and where estimating the holdover is vital.
With its easily adjustable objective, image focus and parallax removal are also simplified to ensure you always get a parallax-free view. And you can always be sure of getting a bright and clear sight picture thanks to the fully multicoated and anti-reflective lenses.
Also, this scope has a decent 3.7-inch eye relief and a more forgiving eyebox. And it uses some capped reset turrets that are finger adjustable and with zero-reset capability after sighting in to ensure simple field adjustments.
While the clarity seems to suffer significantly at the high magnification setting, this is typical of most scopes in its price range.
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2. Nikon Prostaff 16329 – Perfect Rimfire-Specific Scope
Photo: Nikon
- Eye Relief: 3.6 inches
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Field of View: 33.8 to 11.3 feet at 100 yards
- Objective Diameter: 40mm
You will never go wrong with a top quality Nikon scope like the Prostaff because the company knows everything there is to know about optics and has hard more than enough time to perfect their products. And they make this scope specifically for the Rimfire rifles .
One of the elements that make this a fantastic scope for your Ruger 10/22 is the Nikon's BDC reticle as it offers a great advantage for long-range shots while still maintaining a normal sight picture.
This scope also uses fully multicoated optics that are designed for maximum light transmission so that you always get bright and clear images.
Field adjustments have also been simplified by the spring loaded and instant zero-reset turrets that mean that you will only need to dial in your required ranges.
With the nitrogen filled and O-ring sealed tube, you can be sure of always getting 100% water, fog, and shockproof performance. And the manufacturer will also provide a lifetime repair/replacement warranty.
For its size, this scope is relatively heavier, but the good news is that its weight is still within the acceptable parameters, and so this should not be a big concern. And while the adjustments will still take some getting used to for the newbies this is typical of most scopes.
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3. Simmons Truplex 511039 – Top Quality Scope at a Bargain
Photo: Simmons
- Eye Relief: 3.75 inches
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Field of View: 31.4 to 10.5 feet at 100 yards
- Objective Diameter: 32mm
Whether you are looking for the best scope for Ruger 10/22 Takedown or something simple for your standard Carbine model, this highly affordable one by Simmons will work for you.
It is a top-notch quality and well-built scope with some high-quality lenses that are multicoated with Hydroshield coatings to ensure that you always get a super clear sight picture for easy and effective aiming.
With its quick target acquisition eyepiece, this scope also ensures that focusing the reticle to acquire a target will be a breeze. And it also has parallax correction preset at 50 yards for a parallax-free view.
When you buy this rifle scope you also get free 3/8-inch dovetail mounting rings for Rimfire rifles and the scope also has a SureGrip rubber surface for easy adjustment under any condition.
The tactile clicks that the turrets make when adjusting are not very loud, but this only requires some getting used to because the more you use the scope the easier they will be to notice.
More Detailed : Simmons 511039 Review
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4. Tasco MAG39X32D – Built to Last and With a Beautiful Finish
Photo: Tasco
- Eye Relief: 3 inches
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Field of View: 17.75 to 6 feet at 100 yards
- Objective Diameter: 32mm
Tasco makes this Rimfire scope to ensure that you get the best value for your bucks and for an under $50 scope, it is as good as they can get.
Besides being among the cheapest options on our review of scopes for Ruger 10/22, it is also built to last with an advanced monotube construction and a beautiful and long-lasting matte black finish.
The scope also uses fully coated optics with several layers of magenta coatings to deliver bright and clear images even in low light conditions.
With this scope, you also get a 100% fog and waterproof performance to make this a perfect tool for outdoor use, and it also comes with mount rings for standard .22 bases.
The 3-inch eye relief is the smallest on our list, but given that you will be using the scope on the low recoil Ruger 10/22, it should still be more than enough. Also, you can easily replace the scope ring with something better without spending much.
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5. BSA Sweet .22 3-9x40 – A Reliable Tool for Varmint Extermination
Photo: BSA
- Eye Relief: 3 inches
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Field of View: 40 to 13 feet at 100 yards
- Objective Diameter: 40mm
While it is true the pesky varmints tend to move fast, this BSA scope is designed to make it easy to keep up with them so that extermination will be an easier task for you.
The easy and quick focus eyepiece and the super clear and high-quality optics will ensure that you do not miss any creature no matter how small it is. And the scope is also well-built with tough materials to ensure it can withstand the abuse that comes with hunting varmints.
Parallax should also be the least of your worries when using this scope as it has been built with an adjustable objective to make it easy to correct parallax from 7.5 yards.
With a field of view of up to 40 feet, this scope also gives you a wider view area than most others on our list. And you can easily adjust the turrets for windage and elevation. Also, it uses quick-change turrets to accommodate different bullet weights.
This scope also offers a 100% water, fog, and shockproof performance. And despite its 3-inch eye relief being among the smallest on our list, it is still good enough for the Ruger 10/22 rifles. Also, once you get used to the turrets you will not have to worry about them being too sensitive.
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6. Barska AC10380 – Best Budget Scope for Ruger 10/22
Photo: Barska
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Field of View: 36 to 13 feet at 100 yards
- Objective Diameter: 32mm
Affordability is one of the key elements that define a good scope for Ruger 10/22 because if you cannot afford it, the scope will not be of any use to you. The fact that Barska's Plinker-22 is our cheapest model means it will work for most shooters and hunters.
This highly affordable scope is designed to be perfect for plinking and general hunting, and with its solid one-piece monotube construction, you can be certain it will last long enough.
It will also provide bright and clear images thanks to its fully coated optics, and with the 1/4-inch click adjustments, you can easily and precisely adjust the windage and elevation.
This scope is also made to withstand the harsh outdoor environment, and it features a 100% water, shock, and fogproof construction and with a limited lifetime warranty to give you some assurance that it will last.
The included mounts are by far not the best quality but for most shooters, they should still be good enough. And the good thing is that you can always replace them with something better easily and cheaply.
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7. Burris Droptine 200019 – For Top-notch Low Light Performance
Photo: Burris
- Eye Relief: 3.1-4.1 inches
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Field of View: 45 to 13 feet at 100 yards
- Objective Diameter: 35mm
With the high-grade optic glasses on the Droptine that are also multicoated for maximum light transmission, you can be sure of top-notch performance when shooting in low light conditions.
The top-rated scope for Ruger 10/22 is also a solid scope with a stress-free one-piece main tube designed to withstand vibrations and shock even under the heaviest recoil.
Its up to 45 feet field of view is the largest on our list, and this makes this a more beginner-friendly scope that will make aiming easier and shooting more accurate.
You can easily adjust it to suit your specific shooting situation as it comes with low-profile, finger-adjustable turrets that will always provide precise settings.
Other things like the fact that the scope does not take a lot of effort to sight-in, it has a durable integrated eyepiece and provides 100% water, fog and shockproof performance also makes this a great rifle scope choice.
The 2-7x magnification range is on the lower side for shooters that intend to use their scope for long range shooting or are used to more powerful magnification. However, for most Ruger 10/22 applications, it will be more than enough.
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8. Nikon P-Rimfire 16314 – Solid Enough and Fun to Shoot
Photo: Nikon
- Eye Relief: 3.8 inches
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Field of View: 22.3 to 6.4 feet at 100 yards
- Objective Diameter: 32mm
Like with all their other rifle scopes, Nikon makes the P-Rimfire to be a solid scope that will serve you for long, and it features a durable aluminum and polymer construction.
This top-rated scope for Ruger 10/22 also uses some multicoated and anti-reflective lenses made with no arsenic or lead to ensure that besides getting an excellent sight picture you will also have a more eco-friendly scope.
Its zero-reset turrets are designed to simplify field adjustments to eliminate the risk of the target getting away as you try to adjust windage or elevation.
The 3.8-inch eye relief is also quite generous and the best thing about the scope is that it will keep it consistent for different shooting ranges.
Although the 2-7x magnification and 32mm objective lens are relatively smaller, this is only so when compared to others on our list. Otherwise, they are still way more than enough for most Ruger 10/22 rifles.
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How to Buy the Best Scopes for Ruger 10/22
Here is what you need to consider to get the best scope for Ruger 10/22.
1. Optics Quality
While each part of a rifle scope has a crucial role to play, the optics will play a relatively more important role than most others, and so they should always be one of the first factors to consider.
Optics are crucial for target sighting, and so you should not settle for anything less than the best. The good news is that most brands understand this, and they will use some top-notch optics on their scopes.
But, to make sure that you get the best target sighting, it is always a great idea to go with fully multicoated lenses as they will maximize light transmission for clear images even in low light conditions.
2. Magnification
You also need to check the scope’s magnification power as it will determine the range and shooting conditions that you can use it.
While many shooters tend to assume that the larger the magnification the better as it means they can easily shoot from long range, with larger caliber rifles like the Ruger 10/22 this is not always the case.
Most seasoned hunters and experts recommend scopes with 3-9x magnification like Barska AC10380 for the Ruger 10/22 because in most instances anything more than that is overkill and hence not very useful.
However, the range that you will be shooting from often will determine the ideal magnification range for you because 1-4x magnification power scopes can still be great for close range shooting.
3. Eye Relief
Eye relief measures the distance between your aiming eye and the ocular lens, and the amount that you need will depend on your shooting situation and rifle type you are using.
With the low recoil of the Ruger 10/22, you will not need a long eye relief because something with at least 3-inch eye relief will still work well enough.
But, going for something with a longer eye relief like the 3.75-inch Simmons Truplex 511039 can still be helpful for long range shooting as it offers some extra comfort and protection when shooting.
4. Fog and Waterproof
Nothing is more annoying than lenses that keep fogging up as it means that you cannot use the scope in certain circumstances. And things are even worse if the scope lets water in as it will become unusable until it dries or you clean it up.
The good news is that many manufacturers make their scopes to offer complete fog and waterproof integrity as this makes the scope great for outdoor use.
However, to be sure that your scope is effective in preventing fogging and keeping water out, you should go for something that is nitrogen or argon purged and O-ring sealed.
5. Ease of Use and Adjustment
Any scope that you buy for your rifle needs to be easy to use to serve you well. You do not want to find yourself in the hunting stand trying to figure out how to set up or adjust your scope as this will give your target precious time to get away.
Whether the scope uses low profile dials or turrets, they need to be easy to use and clearly labeled to make it easy for you to figure out how to select the settings that you want. Finger adjustable turrets like what you get on the Vortex Optics CF2-31033 will give you an easier time.
A scope that comes with mounting rings and lens covers will also give you an easier time when setting it up, adjusting and using it.
6. Durability
Some shooters make the mistake of focusing more on the looks than the durability of the scope which never ends well as they end up with a good looking but poor quality Ruger 10/22 scope.
Because you will in most instances use the scope in tough outdoor conditions, it needs to be well-built and rugged enough.
To make sure that your scope can handle the abuse that comes with both shooting and hunting, it should be made with sturdy materials.
Aluminum, steel, and polymer are the three most commonly used scope materials but aircraft grade aluminum alloy is the strongest of the three. Also, one-piece construction is also sturdier than a multi-piece scope design.
Conclusion
With a good scope mounted on your Ruger 10/22, you will not only get a better shooting experience but also improve your accuracy greatly. And the good news is that there is something for everyone in our review above.
For those looking for a more budget-friendly scope for Ruger 10/22 that will deliver an excellent performance and is well-built, the Barska AC10380 is our recommendation.
However, the Vortex Optics CF2-31033 is our best overall model as it is a reliable scope that works for both hunting and target shooting and also uses a highly efficient BDC reticle that is perfect fro shooting from different ranges.