Top 5 Scopes for Your Ruger 10/22 - Takedown & Carbine 2022 Edition
So, you went out and got yourself a Ruger 10/22 over the weekend, great! Now what? Maybe the guy that rang you up (or lady, its, 2022 come on now) didn’t mention anything about scopes or the best ones for your rifle, so you’re probably sitting there scratching your head thinking what the heck?
No worries, I got you covered, I’m here to help you navigate the foreign waters of scopes, the uses, and advantages of getting one, nonetheless the best one for your particular Ruger 10/22 riffle!
Now, here is one very important question I want you to keep in mind as you read through this article…
What is your objective with this riffle? This is highly important, and I cannot stress it enough. Knowing what you mainly want to use your rifle for will be the driving factor in the scope you want to buy, and even prefer. You wouldn’t go hunting without a target or a plan, right? Same thing with scopes.
Buying the correct or wrong scope can be the difference between being successful in your hunting trip or going home a sad buck!
So, pay attention!
These Ruger rimfire rifles became pretty popular in 1964 due to their unique semi-automatic design that everyone loved, which is why they come in 11 different models to pretty much cater to ALL users and their interests.
Maybe you are into game hunting, target shooting, or just wanting to own them for defense. No matter the case there is a model for you, and which each model comes to the perfect scope to pair with your objective!
Why do you need to find the perfect scope or use one at all?
1. Shooting for longer range
Every rifle is different and is designed to shoot at different ranges. If you like a challenge maybe you can get away with relying on your eyesight and years of experience, but if you are new to the game and rather choose an all-purpose rifle, you might want to go with scope to really help you shoot from a farther distance with its powerful magnification!
Might just kill two birds with one stone (in this case rifle! Ha!)
Getting too close to your game can ruin your kill shot, so having something that magnifies the playing feel so you can stay farther away gets some serious golden points in my eyes!
2. Ruger 10/22 Accuracy
When hunting, accuracy is what you aim for, this is basically your WIN, without it you are just wasting bullets.
Don’t get me wrong, we can’t expect to get perfect shots every single time, but wouldn’t you want to increase your chances?
Especially as someone starting out, you are not always going to make the shot, you’ll probably get 10% of your shots if you’re lucky. Which is why scopes are so beneficial to someone starting out. Even someone with years of experience can benefit from them!
The magnitude of the magnifying glass can allow you to get within close proximity without even stepping an inch closer.
You’ll be able to see your prey much more clearly, plus you also have the comfort of time at your hands since you don’t have to worry about fidgeting with accuracy.
You can learn how to zero in you scope with our zeroing your scope guide.
3. Safety
Safety should ALWAYS be your number one priority, and it becomes even more prevalent the higher up you get in your hunting ranking.
Some of you might like to hunt only in the daytime, but others like to hunt at night, it is completely up to you.
You are probably aware that nighttime hunting is more dangerous as you are limited to sight. Many rifle scopes come with night vision, which is what you want if you are not trying to get mauled by a missed prey or accidentally shoot a person when mistaken for an animal.
Accidents happen, but why not prevent them right?
I personally like to know what I’m aiming at which is why I’m choosing a scope equipped with night vision for my late-night hunts! This helps me know exactly what’s in front of me and it eases the tension of firing a wrong shot.
4. Confidence
And lastly, what every hunter should have…. CONFIDENCE! there is nothing more detrimental to your game (in any aspect of life) as low self-confidence. Ever heard of that quote “believe you can and you’re halfway there…”?
Well, the same rules apply to hunt. If you think you can get that shot odds are you probably can, and if you think you can’t, you probably can’t.
You also have to remember that guns are powerful and without confidence, you risk putting yourself and others at danger. Handling a gun with confidence is one of the biggest safety precautions you can take.
If you are starting out, I suggest getting a scope added to your rifle, this will inspire confidence as it helps boost accuracy and safety.
When you know what to shoot and can actually see what you are shooting, you’ll be able to shoot more comfortably and more confidently knowing you have a higher chance of making that shot!
It’s all about curating that mindset with the tools that make you a more comfortable and confident hunter.
5 Best scopes for your Ruger 10/22 Comparison Table
Scope Image | Scope | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Nikon 3-9x40mm ProStaff Rimfire w/ BDC Reticle | |
 | Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire – V-Plex MOA | |
 | Simmons Truplex .22 Mag Riflescope | |
 | Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 BDC Rimfire Reticle Riflescope | |
 | Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot |
Here are the
TOP 5 Ruger 10/22 Scopes
1. Nikon 3-9x40mm ProStaff Rimfire w/ BDC Reticle
If you are looking for fun but accuracy, then the Nikon PROSTAFF RIMFIRE II is the right scope for you. This one is super popular among shooters, beginners and more advanced due to its flexibility in long-range shooting and shorter range.
You get a nice bullet drop compensation for extended shooting distance, WIN WIN!
This model is also fully equipped with multi-coated optics so you can see your target clearly day or night.
One key feature and one of my all-time favorites for this scope are that it is spring-loaded, meaning less downtime when shooting so you can quickly change up your strategy and rapid-fire much quicker.
With spot-on ballistics compatible specifications, you can be confident in precision for optimal shooting.
PROS
CONS
2. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Rimfire
Looking for something ideal for close to mid-range shooting? Look no further because the Vortex Optics is where it’s at! Not only is this one high-quality scope but it also comes with a V-Plex reticle that allows for a much broader and wider range of shooting.
If you need versatility, range, and scope this is the one you need!
Now, this all sounds great but what about quality? Lucky for you, Crossfire II is one of those scopes that were made to last, this thing is no joke. This Riflescope is made out of just one single piece of aircraft-grade anodized aluminum tube PLUS, they are O-ring sealed, meaning they are waterproof and fog proof so you can get down and dirty without worry to damage!
PROS
CONS
3. Simmons 511039 3 - 9 x 32mm .22 Mag
If what you are looking for is sophistication for cheap, this riflescope is right for you. This rifle has so many pros I don’t even know where to begin! Its 2022 and this scope knows it! Built with steel-on-steel TrueZero system to lock in hunt after hunt for optimal windage and elevation.
Maybe sometimes you suffer from heavy recoil, that could be expected when you are not using a scope during an awkward hunting position. We get shaky and lose our target, but with the Simmons scope, you can trust on a more in-focus vision for precision and confidence every time.
Simmons likes to incorporate design with technology, something I can appreciate. They also offer a very high-quality device for a small budget-friendly price, which to me is insane with the amount of power this one has (but hey lets no complain)
PROS
CONS
4. Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 BDC Rimfire Reticle Riflescope
It’s not always easy finding the right scope for your buck and have it be high quality too, but good news! Bushnell Optics Drop zone is one you want to keep your eye on this summer.
This one is designed with BDC reticle zeroes at a length of 50 yards and allowing you to achieve distances much farther by up to 125 yards. That’s some serious range there! This scope also features multi-coated lenses so you can produce high-quality images and hold immediate precision.
It’s all about precision guys!
FOV is super wide on this one, allowing smooth transitions to get a closer look at targets. It also comes with a caliber so you can utilize it to the best of your abilities for optimum acquisition.
PROS
CONS
5. Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Sight
On a tighter budget than the rest? The Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot may not be a scope, but it is a better option than a 10/22 built insight or no sight for that matter. You may not always need a magnifying optic and that’s ok, you can always use these bad boys to catch even the most camouflaged of prey.
This dot sight is also very durable, it is waterproof up to 10 feet, fog proof, and shockproof for even your toughest games! The lens is multi-coated with amber-bright high contrast lens coating to you can see with precision even in the lowest of settings.
All in all, this a great little guy when you don’t want the commitment of a fully equipped scope but still want the accuracy.
PROS
CONS
Conclusion
Remember how I told you to ask yourself what your objective with your rifle would be throughout this entire article? I hope you did because that will be the driving force between you choosing the correct scope for your rifle.
Other factors also include price range obviously, and as you can see from the ones mentioned above there are quite a few options for everyone’s budget.
What makes these scopes so exciting and beneficial is the fact that they will ultimately help you achieve what it is that you are trying to achieve in the settings you are wanting to game in. Each scope is meant to play its part on the field just like any rifle, it’s just about finding the right match that fits you and your Ruger 10/22!
Price Ranges
Under $500
Any scope under $500 is still one great scope! They are more standard features and capabilities but will all have that protective coating or material to resist tough settings. Many of them are waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof, so no worries there!
Between $500 and $1,000
Scopes between $500 and $1,000 will be more sophisticated feature-wise and come with a bigger advantage compared to their cheaper competitions. Any scope around this range will be probably be built with a stronger quality.
You also should remember that scopes that fall between this range also come with extra features, accessories, and trinkets to improve on the overall bundle and value of the purchase.
Over $1,000
If you have the budget for a scope $1,000 or higher you can find yourself with a top of the line scope. These scopes are made from the best materials and most of them come with a lifetime warranty. These will probably be around the best scopes in the market to this day for long-range accuracy.
If you are an experienced hunter that takes long-distance accuracy seriously and is in route to taking home a prize, then purchasing one these scopes would be in your best interests.
Anything short of that you can shoot for any of the cheaper counterparts!
At the end of the day scopes are meant to enhance your game experience and get you to the next level. Sometimes the level you want to be at is just to enjoy the hunt instead of winning trophies, if this is you then it makes sense to find an affordable scope that is relatively inexpensive.
It just depends what you want to do and how experienced, inexperienced or serious you are about what you want to do with your rifle.
For someone with mid-level experience who enjoys hunting but is not necessarily trying to win trophies at the moment I would recommend getting the Simmons 511039 3 - 9 x 32mm this scope is affordable, light weight, and very high-quality for the price.
It’s Built with steel-on-steel TrueZero system to lock in hunt after hunt for optimal windage and elevation. And huge plus, it helps eliminate any heavy recoil you might experience, especially for someone less experienced.
I highly suggest checking these top 5 scopes and ask yourself which one will satisfy your need right now or shortly!
Hope this was helpful
Talk soon!
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