Are you looking for 7 Best Rimfire Scopes under $200? you come to the right place. some of the most frequently used and produced guns in the world, rimfire rifles like the Ruger 10/22 and Marlin Model 60 are used by millions of people for plinking, competitive target shooting, and varmint hunting in addition to being a great way to get started shooting.
However, you require a top-notch sight to fully realize the capabilities of your weapon. Rimfire scopes were often treated as an afterthought by many sight manufacturers for many years since they were associated with cheap optics that had low clarity and much worse light transmission.
Fortunately, this mindset has radically evolved in recent years, and not only are there several high-quality optics options that are specially created for the distinct ballistic characteristics of rimfire cartridges but there are also a number of reasonably priced solutions as well.
An Introduction to “Budget” Scopes
There is no getting around the fact that the market for low-cost optics is filled with subpar copies, subpar components, and scopes that simply cannot withstand the normal wear and tear of hunting and recreational shooting. Sorting out the good from the bad can be challenging, especially in light of the fact that some dishonest manufacturers would even go so far as to purchase phony customer evaluations on well-known online retailers.
However, it’s vital to understand that budget scopes will always miss some of the features of their more expensive rivals. For example, they may have a lesser magnification power, less clear or crisp glass, adjustment knobs that don’t track as precisely, etc. The good news is that you can still find a fully functional, high-quality optic for around $200 that won’t fail you down in the field or at the range if you know where to search.
Let’s get to the list of the top rimfire scopes under $200 without wasting time:
7 Best Rimfire Scopes Under $200
1. UTG 3-9X32 BugBuster Rifle Scope
Even though the UTG BugBuster costs just under $100, it’s a good alternative for plinking and varmint hunting for anyone who can’t afford to stretch their budget.
Features
This rimfire scope, unlike the majority of others, has a red/green illuminated reticle. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but I think if you frequently shoot in bright daylight or want to bag a small game, the faster target acquisition is useful, and it’s more than precise enough to put some meat on the table. Additionally, it is good to have a reticle that you can keep track of when firing into the dense brush or in low light.
The fast detach rings that come with the BugBuster are decent for the price; they aren’t locking, but they are adjustable, and they seem to hold zero just fine.
The major problem with this optic is that you should anticipate some point of impact shift as you change the magnification; the movement from 3x to 9x is evident, and eye comfort suffers at the highest magnification as well. Although it won’t be a significant concern for everyone, it might become bothersome if you frequently travel distances of 25 yards to 100 yards and back.
2. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire
Anyone hunting with popular cartridges like.22 LR or.17 should choose the rimfire version of Vortex Optic’s popular Crossfire II sight. The 2-7x magnification range is perfect because almost all rimfire hunting occurs within 100 yards; it gives you enough room for your needs while also allowing Vortex to reduce some of the weight and size that would result from a higher-power scope.
Although the duplex-style V-plex reticle may seem monotonous at first, especially if you’re coming from the realm of centerfire rifle optics, it serves its purpose well, whether you’re bagging squirrels or punching holes in paper.
Features
The glass has excellent clarity, and the relatively big objective lens admits enough light for you to continue shooting for a little while longer in low light. The eye box and total eye relief, in my opinion, are both extremely generous.
After sighting in, windage and elevation knobs can be reset to zero and have a 14 MOA click value. I would advise zeroing in this scope at 50 yards because that is the distance for which parallax is set.
The Vortex Crossfire II has a very solid feel to it in terms of durability. It is made of a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, has an interior that has been nitrogen-purged and sealed with O-rings to make it waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, and is covered by Vortex’s VIP Warranty, one of the best warranties in the industry.
3. Simmons Truplex .22 Mag Rifle Scope
The Simmons Truplex.22 Mag is the most affordable scope on our list, costing just over $30. This is actually good if unremarkable, scope at a price that is tough to beat without taking a chance on no-name brands produced with subpar materials. Normally, I am reluctant to ever suggest anything at this price point because quality control issues may be quite uneven.
features
The optical quality of this scope is reasonably clear and bright, it is relatively robust (though not as durable as most other options on this list), and it holds a zero. However, take my advice and do away with the 3/8th inch dovetail rings that it comes with in favor of at least purchasing a more durable scope mount.
Given the low recoil of a rimfire rifle and the smaller eye box that comes with such a long eye relief, the eye relief on this scope may even be overly generous. The windage and elevation adjustment knobs track reasonably well, but they have a very soft feel, and you can’t hear the click as clearly as you can with a better optic.
If your budget is less than $50 and you just want something to plink with, you won’t find better at this price. However, it may not be a really remarkable scope.
4. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X BDC Reticle
Despite its absurdly long name, the Bushnell Dusk & Dawn rimfire riflescope is designed specifically for shooting in low light, making it a desirable alternative for varmint hunters. The Multi-X reticle eliminates the guesswork associated with using a centerfire scope and incorporates BDC hash marks calibrated particularly.17 HMR and.22 ballistic profiles.
Features
This scope boasts a somewhat brighter sight image than most of the competitors thanks to the multi-coated lenses, which were created to enhance light transmission. A 10-foot field of view at 100 yards on maximum magnification offers you enough space to track a moving animal without too much difficulty, and clarity and contrast are very strong.
A welcome feature for a scope at this price is the changeable objective and fast-focus eyepiece, which make it simple to focus quickly after altering distance and magnification level and also enable you to minimize the influence of parallax.
Even in their low-cost lines, Bushnell produces tough optics, and this one is no exception, including a totally waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof design. You would be hard-pressed to find a specialized hunting scope with better features for less than $100.
5. Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 Riflescope (BDC)
Even though Nikon no longer formally produces rifle scopes, you can still get one of these for about $150, making it a great option for a rimfire optic. The BDC reticle might be a bit too much for cartridges that typically have a maximum effective range of around 150 yards, but you can still use Nikon’s bullet drop calculation software to enter your range, caliber, and scope model to determine exact holdover points. The 3-9x magnification range is ideal for the majority of applications.
Features
This optic has good clarity and brightness, and its adjustable turrets are spring-loaded with a zero-reset feature. Turrets themselves work nicely and track precisely, however, I’m not a huge fan of capped turrets, especially when the cap threads are made of plastic. However, I am appreciative of the fast-focus eyepiece, particularly given that while I’m plinking with a.22, I frequently set up targets at various distances.
The Nikon Prostaff Rimfire weighs one pound without rings and is a substantial scope, but it is made to last. The housing is nitrogen-purged and o-ring sealed, making it waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof. It also maintains a zero even after traveling over some rough terrain.
6. CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope
The CVLIFE 3-9x scope is another great low-cost choice. It’s not a dedicated rimfire scope, but it can be used on a.22 or.17 rifles and is a good optic for hunting and target shooting.
Features
An interesting feature of a low-cost scope is the CVLIFE 3-9x’s changeable objective lens, which eliminates parallax starting at a distance of 10 yards. For the price, optical clarity is excellent, and the 40mm objective lens on the fully multicoated lenses still allows plenty of light to enter the camera.
The elevation and windage knobs had a little too much motion, which is the only drawback I could find with this optic. For a while, I even worried if they had dead spots. for 100-yard shooting and under it isn’t necessarily a deal breaker like it would be if you were using it on a centerfire rifle, but it’s still something to be aware of.
7. Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire Riflescope
With their Diamondback 2-7x rimfire scope, which provides a lot of performance and versatility in a small, affordable package, Vortex earns another slot on the list.
Features
The duplex reticle is a straightforward, no-frills reticle that can be used for both hunting and target shooting. It is thick enough to avoid getting lost in heavy bush or fur while sharp enough not to obscure your target.
Thanks to Vortex’s special precision glide erector technology, the turrets provide surprisingly accurate and consistent tracking adjustments, something that many low-cost scopes frequently struggle with.
The one-piece aluminum tube has a hard anodized finish, making it durable enough to function in any weather you may encounter and resistant to scuffs and normal wear. I’m always delighted to suggest Vortex products to those looking for optics that won’t break the budget because, as I already indicated, they really go above and beyond with their lifetime guarantee and customer care.
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7 Best Rimfire Scopes under $200 FAQs
How much scope magnification do I need for 1000 yards?
The magnification query that is asked most frequently is, “What magnification do I need to shoot at 1000 yards?” The typical response is 10x.
Can you use a regular scope on a rimfire?
You can, is the response? Some gun owners like the quality and dependability of centerfire scopes over rimfire scopes.
Conclusion
We sincerely hope that this post about the Best Rimfire Scopes under $200 has been helpful to you. Your hunting style and the terrain you’ll be hunting in will determine which scope is best for you. This hunting season, invest in one of the aforementioned scopes and use it to improve your hunting methods.