Best .22 / Rimfire Rifle Scope
You're shooting steel at 50 yards with a .22 LR plinking rifle and the target keeps disappearing into a blurry haze — not because the scope is dirty, but because the parallax is set for 100 yards and you're shooting at half that distance. Rimfire accuracy lives and dies on a few specific scope traits that don't always line up with what centerfire shooters prioritize. The best .22 rifle scope is one set up for close-to-mid parallax adjustment, modest magnification, and honest value — and if budget matters, there are purpose-built rimfire options below $200 that outshine premium glass on a squirrel gun.
Key takeaways
- Rimfire shooting typically happens at 25–75 yards; a scope with parallax adjustable down to 25–50 yards eliminates the focus error that ruins tight groups at close range.
- Magnification in the 4–12× or 3–9× range is usually plenty — high power amplifies wobble and narrows field of view on a platform that rarely shoots past 100 yards.
- Second focal plane (SFP) scopes are common and practical for rimfire because most shooters pick one magnification and leave it there — the reticle subtensions only matter at the marked power anyway.
- The Accufire EVRO-12 (2.5–20×50, FFP, $479) will physically work on a .22, but its parallax bottoms out at 50 yards and its price-to-task ratio is honest overkill for most rimfire applications — ideal for a shooter who also uses the same optic on a centerfire rifle.
- Most dedicated .22 scopes run $80–$200; spending more only makes sense if you're doing serious precision rimfire work, competing, or mounting the scope on more than one rifle.
What a .22 scope actually needs: parallax, magnification, and build
Parallax is the optical error that shifts the reticle's apparent position when your eye moves off-center. Most rifle scopes are factory-set parallax-free at 100 yards — fine for centerfire work, but a real problem when you're shooting at 25 or 50 yards. At those ranges, parallax on a 100-yard-fixed scope can introduce enough apparent movement to put shots an inch or more off where the crosshairs appear to sit. For a .22 LR that groups under 0.5 MOA with match ammo, that's all the error you need to waste a good shot. A scope with side-focus (AO) parallax adjustment that goes down to 25 or 50 yards corrects this. If you're doing close-range pest control or basic plinking, you can live with a 50-yard fixed parallax rimfire scope; if you're shooting 10-meter or indoor precision, you'll want AO that reaches 15 meters or closer.
Magnification follows a similar logic. A .22 LR's practical hunting and plinking range tops out around 100 yards for most shooters, with a maximum effective range well under 150 yards for hunting-sized targets. A 3–9× or 4–12× is genuinely sufficient. Going to 20× or higher amplifies heat shimmer, mirage, and trigger-induced wobble — on a lightweight rimfire, this often hurts groups rather than helping. Variable magnification is still worth having; the low end helps with moving or close targets, the high end helps spot hits on steel or read wind effects. See our rifle scopes complete guide for a full breakdown of how magnification interacts with field of view and image brightness.
Reticle type matters less on a rimfire than on a long-range centerfire. Mil-dot and MOA reticles help with holdover calculations, but if you're plinking at fixed distances you probably just use the crosshair center. First focal plane (FFP) reticles — where the reticle subtensions stay accurate at any power — are genuinely useful if you range targets or do holdovers at varying magnifications. Second focal plane (SFP) reticles are lighter, often cheaper, and perfectly functional if you always shoot at the same power level. Understanding that tradeoff is covered well in the FFP vs SFP deep-dive.
Rimfire vs centerfire: why the scope requirements diverge
A centerfire rifle generates substantial recoil and vibration, which shapes scope construction requirements — heavy recoil ratings, sturdy tube materials, and generous eye relief. The .22 LR, by contrast, produces almost no recoil. This creates a different problem: many centerfire scopes are mechanically overbuilt for rimfire duty (which is fine), but parallax specification is where the mismatch actually hurts you. A scope built for a .308 or .30-06 sees 100-yard targets as the normal engagement distance. A .22 rifle used for squirrel hunting, plinking, or smallbore competition spends most of its life shooting at 25–75 yards. Purpose-built rimfire scopes address this by spec'ing closer parallax, smaller and lighter tube sizes (sometimes 1-inch, which is lighter for a light gun), and appropriate price points for a platform that often costs less than $400 itself.
One area where centerfire scopes can double as rimfire optics without compromise: illuminated reticles and quality glass still work identically — good glass is good glass, regardless of the cartridge underneath it. The limitation is purely parallax range and, often, cost-to-use-case ratio.
Comparing rimfire scope approaches: dedicated vs. multi-use
| Approach | Parallax range | Typical price | Best for | Honest tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated rimfire scope (purpose-built .22 optics) | Close-range AO, varies by model | $80–$200 | Plinking, hunting, youth rifles, single-.22 setup | Spec'd for rimfire only; can't double on a centerfire |
| General-purpose variable with close AO (e.g., Vortex Viper PST, Leupold VX-3HD) | Lower AO floor, varies by model | $300–$700 | Dual-use centerfire/.22, precision rimfire competition | More scope than most .22 applications require; heavier |
| Accufire EVRO-12 (FFP, 2.5–20×50, 0.1 mrad, side-focus AO 50 yd–∞) | 50 yd minimum | $479 | Precision shooter with one scope for both .22 and centerfire; FFP/mil users | Premium price for a rimfire-only setup; 50 yd AO floor means some close-range parallax error below that distance |
Where the Accufire EVRO-12 fits honestly
The EVRO-12 is a first focal plane 2.5–20×50 with 30 mm tube, 0.1 mrad (MRAD) click adjustments, mil reticle, locking turrets, and side-focus parallax from 50 yards to infinity — all at $479, which puts it at value pricing for an FFP scope with those specs. It will mount on a .22 LR (30 mm rings required) and function correctly.
The honest limitation is the 50-yard parallax floor. If your rimfire shooting stays at or beyond 50 yards — longer-range squirrel hunting, backyard 50-yard plinking, precision smallbore at 50/100 meters — that floor is not a problem. If you're regularly shooting at 25 yards or closer, you'll carry some parallax error that a rimfire-specific scope would eliminate.
The other honest consideration is price-to-platform. Putting a $479 scope on a $200 .22 LR is a legitimate choice if you plan to pull the scope off and move it to a centerfire rifle later, or if you shoot rimfire precision at 50+ yards and want the FFP advantage for holdovers. It is not the obvious first call for someone who just wants to hit cans in the backyard. A purpose-built rimfire scope at $100–$150 will likely outperform the EVRO-12 at 25 yards by virtue of closer parallax adjustment, and do it for a third of the price.
This is the same honest framing we'd apply to parallax on any optic — our parallax explainer breaks down exactly why the AO range matters and how to correct it at the range.
How to pick the right .22 scope for your use case
Ask yourself three questions before choosing. First: what distances am I actually shooting at? If the answer is mostly 25–50 yards, prioritize a scope with AO that reaches 25 yards or closer. If the answer is 50–100 yards, the EVRO-12's 50-yard floor is sufficient. Second: is this a dedicated .22 setup or will the scope move to a centerfire rifle? Dedicated .22 gets a purpose-built rimfire scope; multi-use gets a general-purpose variable with close AO or a premium FFP like the EVRO-12. Third: what is the rifle worth? Putting a $479 scope on a $150 Ruger 10/22 makes sense for a serious trainer, but most casual rimfire shooters are better served matching optic cost closer to rifle cost.
For precision rimfire competitors running NRL22 or similar formats where 50–100 yard shots are standard, the EVRO-12's FFP reticle, 0.1 mrad clicks, and locking turrets are genuine assets — and the 50-yard minimum AO works at those standard distances. The scope earns its price in that context.
Ready to shop Accufire rifle scopes? Both the EVRO-12 and ATRO-20 are FFP variable scopes with mil reticles, 0.1 mrad adjustments, and 30 mm tubes — built for shooters who want precision glass without a four-figure price tag — browse the rifle scopes collection.
Accufire EVRO-12 Essential Variable Rifle Scope — $479.00, first focal plane 2.5–20×50 with 0.1 mrad clicks, locking turrets, and side-focus parallax from 50 yards — a capable FFP scope for the precision rimfire shooter who also runs centerfire. View the EVRO-12.
Frequently asked questions
What parallax setting do I need for a .22 rifle scope?
For most rimfire shooting at 25–75 yards, you want a scope with adjustable objective (AO) or side-focus parallax that reaches at least 25–50 yards. Scopes fixed at 100-yard parallax will show some parallax error at close rimfire distances, which can move the point of impact even when the reticle appears centered. Purpose-built rimfire scopes often adjust from 10 or 25 yards outward. General-purpose scopes like the Accufire EVRO-12 start at 50 yards, which works fine at 50 yards and beyond but may introduce minor parallax error at closer ranges.
Do I need a first focal plane scope for a .22 rifle?
No. A first focal plane (FFP) scope keeps reticle subtensions accurate at any magnification, which matters most for ranging targets and holding over at varying power settings on a centerfire. Most .22 shooters pick a magnification and leave it there, making a second focal plane (SFP) scope a practical and usually less expensive choice. FFP is worth the cost if you do precision rimfire competition, shoot at a wide range of distances, or plan to move the scope to a centerfire rifle.
Is the Accufire EVRO-12 a good scope for a .22 rifle?
The EVRO-12 is a capable FFP scope that will work on a .22 LR, but it is a premium pick for rimfire duty. Its parallax adjusts from 50 yards to infinity, so it is well-suited for shooting at 50 yards and beyond. Below 50 yards, you may see some parallax error that a dedicated rimfire scope would not have. At $479, it makes the most sense for a shooter who uses one scope for both a .22 and a centerfire rifle, or who shoots precision rimfire formats at standard 50–100 yard distances.
How much magnification do I need on a .22 scope?
A 3–9x or 4–12x variable is sufficient for the vast majority of .22 LR applications, including hunting small game and plinking at 25–100 yards. Higher magnification narrows your field of view and amplifies wobble, which can hurt groups on a lightweight rimfire platform. A scope like the EVRO-12 goes to 20x, which is more than most .22 shooters need but gives headroom if you shoot at 100 yards or need to spot impact precisely on steel.
Can I use a centerfire scope on a .22 rifle?
Yes. Centerfire scopes are mechanically compatible with .22 rifles and will not be damaged by rimfire recoil, which is very light. The main practical limitation is parallax. Most centerfire scopes are set for 100-yard parallax or have AO that starts at 50 yards, which introduces some parallax error at the closer distances where .22 rifles are most often used. If your shooting is at 50 yards or beyond, the practical impact is minor. At 25 yards or closer, a dedicated rimfire scope with close-range AO will generally give you less parallax error.
Picking the right scope for your .22 comes down to honestly matching the optic to your actual shooting distances and budget. If you want more context on how to read scope specs and pick the right magnification, the rifle scopes complete guide is a thorough starting point, and how to read rifle scope numbers demystifies the spec sheet before you buy.