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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

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

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,473
Reticle Type
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
318 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
9.9
Chosen by1,473
Reticle Type
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
318 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.
#2

Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x50 (1 inch) Hunt-Plex Riflescope

Rating
9.8
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
200 reviews

Durability and Weather Resistance
Fantastic clarity and well made scope.

The Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x50 Hunt-Plex Riflescope is a solid choice for hunters looking for reliable performance in various conditions. With a magnification range of 4-12x and a generous 50mm objective lens, this scope offers excellent light transmission, aiding visibility during dawn or dusk hunts. The Hunt-Plex reticle, designed for clarity, functions well in low light without the clutter of hash marks, making target acquisition straightforward.

Durability is a strong point, as this scope is 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, meeting military standards for scratch resistance. Constructed from aluminum and featuring a matte finish, it’s built to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. Additionally, Leupold's reputation for customer care ensures you’ll receive support if needed.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind. Being a second focal plane scope means that the reticle size remains constant while the target changes size, which may not be ideal for all shooters, especially those who prefer range estimation features. Additionally, some may find the weight (0.6 kg) to be on the heavier side compared to other options in similar categories.

The Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x50 is particularly suited for hunters who prioritize optical clarity and ruggedness, making it a dependable companion in the field. Its features cater well to traditional hunting needs, but those seeking advanced reticle options or lighter weight may want to explore other alternatives.

Rating
9.8
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
200 reviews

Durability and Weather Resistance
Fantastic clarity and well made scope.
#3

Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33 (1 inch) Hunt-Plex Reticle Riflescope

Rating
9.7
Reticle Type
Eye Relief
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
94 reviews

Reticle Type
The reticle tracks accurately and passed the box test, making it suitable for rough range estimation.
Eye Relief
The scope's eye relief is forgiving, although a bit tight at 7x magnification.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope can handle a couple of hundred rounds from a .30-06 Winchester model 70 and is versatile enough for an AR-15 as a coyote rifle.

The Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm Riflescope is a solid choice for hunters looking for a reliable rimfire scope. With a magnification range of 2x to 7x, it provides versatility for various shooting distances. The 33mm objective lens diameter offers a good balance between light transmission and compactness, ensuring clear and bright images.

The Hunt-Plex reticle is designed for hunting, making it easier to acquire targets quickly. The scope boasts a generous 4.2-inch eye relief, enhancing comfort and safety during use. Made from durable aluminum, the Leupold VX-Freedom is built to withstand harsh conditions, and its weather resistance ensures reliable performance in different environments.

Weighing just 0.6 pounds, it is lightweight and easy to handle. The scope is backed by Leupold’s Full Lifetime Guarantee, reflecting the brand's confidence in its quality and craftsmanship. Despite its strong features, the absence of night vision capability limits its use to daylight conditions. This scope is particularly well-suited for hunters and shooting enthusiasts who need a dependable and versatile aiming solution.

Rating
9.7
Reticle Type
Eye Relief
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
94 reviews

Reticle Type
The reticle tracks accurately and passed the box test, making it suitable for rough range estimation.
Eye Relief
The scope's eye relief is forgiving, although a bit tight at 7x magnification.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope can handle a couple of hundred rounds from a .30-06 Winchester model 70 and is versatile enough for an AR-15 as a coyote rifle.

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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