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10 Best Rimfire Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Rimfire, Second Focal Plane, 1-inch Tube Riflescope - V-Plex Reticle

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,366
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle Type
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
12795 reviews

Objective Lens Diameter
Clear view with next to no darkness at all, providing a bright and clear sight picture.
Reticle Type
The glass is generally clearer and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic that feels reliable.
Parallax Adjustment
Adjustments are accurate and consistent, adding to the scope's functionality for hunting rifles.
Eye Relief
Great eye relief of about 4 inches with minimal scope black eye ring, offering a full image at both low and high power.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Rimfire riflescope is a well-rounded option for both novice and experienced shooters looking for a reliable scope for hunting or target practice. Its 2-7x magnification range allows for versatility in various shooting scenarios, making it suitable for short to mid-range shots. The 32mm objective lens diameter ensures a decent light transmission, contributing to bright and clear views, especially in low-light conditions. The V-Plex reticle is user-friendly and adaptable for a range of hunting situations, which many users appreciate.

One of the standout features is the long eye relief of 3.9 inches, which provides comfort during prolonged use and minimizes the chance of recoil-related injuries. The fast focus eyepiece also adds to the convenience by allowing quick reticle adjustments. The construction is robust, made from aircraft-grade aluminum, which enhances durability and ensures it can handle the rigors of outdoor use. Additionally, its waterproof and fogproof capabilities make it a reliable choice in varying weather conditions, backed by a lifetime warranty for peace of mind.

There are some drawbacks. The magnification range might not suffice for users looking for high-powered options for long-distance shooting. While the V-Plex reticle is versatile, some shooters might prefer more specialized reticles for specific types of shooting. The scope is also relatively lightweight at 13.9 ounces, which is a plus for portability, but this may lead some users to question long-term durability in extreme conditions.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is an excellent choice for those seeking a dependable, user-friendly rimfire scope with solid performance for a variety of shooting applications, though it may not meet the needs of those requiring higher magnification.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,366
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle Type
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
12795 reviews

Objective Lens Diameter
Clear view with next to no darkness at all, providing a bright and clear sight picture.
Reticle Type
The glass is generally clearer and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic that feels reliable.
Parallax Adjustment
Adjustments are accurate and consistent, adding to the scope's functionality for hunting rifles.
Eye Relief
Great eye relief of about 4 inches with minimal scope black eye ring, offering a full image at both low and high power.
#2

Vortex Optics Venom 3-15x44 First Focal Plane Riflescope - EBR-7C (MOA) Reticle

Rating
9.6
Magnification
Reticle Type
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
726 reviews

Magnification
The magnification range delivers impressive clarity and precision, making targets at distances close to 600 yards easily visible.
Reticle Type
The first focal plane reticle scales perfectly with zoom, ensuring accurate range estimations and shot placement at any magnification.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope balances rugged durability with lightweight design, holding zero well even under demanding conditions.

The Vortex Optics Venom 3-15x44 is a versatile riflescope well-suited for rimfire shooting, particularly if you want the flexibility to shoot at both short and longer distances. Its 3-15x magnification range offers a useful 5x zoom, allowing clear target identification and precise aiming at various ranges. The 44mm objective lens gathers a good amount of light, resulting in bright, sharp images even in low-light conditions like dawn or dusk. This model features a first focal plane EBR-7C (MOA) reticle, which means the reticle size adjusts with magnification, keeping the range markings accurate at all zoom levels—very helpful for measuring target distance and making precise shots.

The scope includes capped windage and exposed elevation turrets that balance easy adjustments with precise control, plus a throw lever for quick zoom changes. Durability-wise, the Venom’s aluminum body is shockproof and nitrogen-purged, making it waterproof and fogproof. It also has scratch-resistant Armortek lens coatings, which protect against nature’s elements. At 1.8 pounds, it’s fairly lightweight for its capabilities but might be a bit heavy for very lightweight rimfire setups. The unlimited lifetime warranty offers extra peace of mind.

If you’re looking for a rugged, precise scope with a good zoom range and excellent clarity for rimfire rifles, the Vortex Venom 3-15x44 offers a strong balance of performance and durability.

Rating
9.6
Magnification
Reticle Type
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
726 reviews

Magnification
The magnification range delivers impressive clarity and precision, making targets at distances close to 600 yards easily visible.
Reticle Type
The first focal plane reticle scales perfectly with zoom, ensuring accurate range estimations and shot placement at any magnification.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope balances rugged durability with lightweight design, holding zero well even under demanding conditions.
#3

Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9x40 (1 inch) Rimfire MOA Reticle Riflescope

Rating
9.4
Reticle Type
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
324 reviews

Reticle Type
Reasonably compact and light, with a useful reticle for correcting drop and windage.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Well-made and dependable, worth paying for quality over cheaper brands.

The Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9x40 Rimfire MOA Reticle Riflescope is well-suited for rimfire rifles. It offers a magnification range of 3x to 9x, providing versatility for both short and long-range shooting. The 40mm objective lens ensures a clear and bright image, which is crucial for accurate targeting. The Rimfire MOA reticle is particularly effective for low-light hunting, making it a good choice for early morning or late evening outings. The second focal plane design ensures that the reticle size remains constant, which can be a benefit for some shooters.

It does lack hash marks for range estimation, which some users might miss for more precise long-range shooting. The capped finger click adjustments make it easy to fine-tune the scope settings without tools, and the robust aluminum construction guarantees durability. This scope is fully waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, ensuring it can handle harsh weather conditions and rugged use. Eye relief is not specified, but Leupold is known for comfortable viewing experiences.

Additionally, the full lifetime guarantee provided by Leupold offers peace of mind, showing confidence in their product’s quality. A minor drawback could be its weight (0.76 pounds), which might be slightly heavier compared to other rimfire scopes, but its solid build compensates for this. This scope is highly recommended for hunters and shooting enthusiasts looking for a reliable and versatile rimfire scope.

Rating
9.4
Reticle Type
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
324 reviews

Reticle Type
Reasonably compact and light, with a useful reticle for correcting drop and windage.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Well-made and dependable, worth paying for quality over cheaper brands.

Buying Guide for the Best Rimfire Scopes

Choosing the right rimfire scope can significantly enhance your shooting experience, whether you're target shooting, hunting, or plinking. The right scope will help you see your target more clearly, aim more accurately, and ultimately improve your overall performance. To make an informed decision, it's important to understand the key specifications of rimfire scopes and how they relate to your specific needs and preferences.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears through the scope compared to the naked eye. This is important because it determines how well you can see and aim at your target. Scopes typically have fixed or variable magnification. Fixed magnification scopes are simpler and often more durable, while variable magnification scopes offer more flexibility. For general plinking and short-range shooting, a lower magnification (1-4x) is sufficient. For target shooting or hunting at longer distances, higher magnification (5-9x or more) may be necessary. Choose based on the typical distance you will be shooting.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is important because it affects the amount of light that enters the scope, impacting the brightness and clarity of the image. Larger objective lenses (40mm or more) allow more light, which is beneficial in low-light conditions but can make the scope heavier and bulkier. Smaller objective lenses (20-32mm) are lighter and more compact, suitable for daylight shooting and smaller rifles. Consider the lighting conditions and the weight you are comfortable with when choosing the objective lens diameter.
Reticle TypeThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Different reticle types serve different purposes. Simple duplex reticles are easy to use and suitable for general shooting. BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticles help with long-range shooting by providing holdover points. Mil-dot reticles are useful for range estimation and windage adjustments. Choose a reticle type based on your shooting style and the complexity of adjustments you are comfortable with.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment allows you to correct the parallax error, which occurs when the target and the reticle are not on the same focal plane. This is important for maintaining accuracy, especially at longer distances. Scopes with adjustable parallax (often marked as AO for Adjustable Objective) are beneficial for precision shooting. For general plinking or short-range shooting, fixed parallax scopes are usually sufficient. Consider if you need the extra precision of adjustable parallax based on your shooting activities.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope at which you can see the full field of view. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with rifles that have significant recoil. Longer eye relief (3-4 inches or more) is better for high-recoil rifles and provides more flexibility in positioning your eye. Shorter eye relief (less than 3 inches) can be acceptable for low-recoil rimfire rifles. Choose eye relief based on the recoil of your rifle and your comfort level.
Durability and Weather ResistanceDurability and weather resistance are crucial for ensuring that your scope can withstand the conditions you will be using it in. Look for scopes that are waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. These features are important for maintaining performance in various weather conditions and ensuring the longevity of the scope. Consider the environments you will be shooting in and choose a scope that can handle those conditions.

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