The best scope for a Ruger 10/22
Quick answer: the Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35 (around $240) is the best scope for a Ruger 10/22, because its 50-yard parallax, wide field of view and clear XD glass suit the way a 10/22 is actually shot, and it mounts low and clean on the receiver. On a tight budget the Barska 3-9x32 Plinker-22 (around $75, rings included) is a complete starter setup. Both are covered in depth on our best rimfire scope guide.
The Ruger 10/22 is the most popular .22 in America, and it is almost always shot inside 100 yards at plinking and small game. That means the right scope is not about maximum power; it is about a close parallax setting, a forgiving view and a low, clean mount. Here are the two picks we recommend and how to set them up.
Our picks for the 10/22
Best overall: Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35
around $240 4.9/5, 54 reviews on OpticsPlanet
This is the scope 10/22 owners reach for. Its 50-yard fixed parallax matches rimfire distances, the 64.3-foot field of view at 2x makes it easy to catch a moving squirrel, and the XD glass is clearly a step above budget rimfire optics. Owners specifically praise mounting it low on the 10/22 for a clean cheek weld, and the Vortex VIP lifetime warranty means it outlasts the rifle. The one thing to watch is its larger ocular bell, which can want a slightly taller ring.
Best budget: Barska 3-9x32 Plinker-22
around $75 4.1/5, 23 reviews on OpticsPlanet
If you just bought a 10/22 and want it shooting without spending much, the Barska Plinker-22 is the honest starter. It is purpose-built for .22 rifles, parallax-free at 50 yards, and it includes 3/8-inch dovetail rings and scope caps in the box, so it is a complete mounted setup with nothing else to buy. The glass is entry-level and the reticle is a simple 30/30, but for a first .22 optic it does the job for the price.
How to mount a scope on a 10/22 (low and clean)
The 10/22 gives you two mounting paths. Most receivers are grooved for 3/8-inch tip-off rings, which clamp straight onto the receiver and are the simplest option. Alternatively, you can add a Weaver or Picatinny base adapter, which opens up far more ring choices and is the better route if you want quality rings or a red dot later. Whichever you choose, the goal is to mount as low as the barrel and bolt clearance allow: a low scope keeps your face down on the stock for a natural, repeatable cheek weld. A scope with a big ocular bell (like the Diamondback) may need a medium ring rather than low, so check bolt clearance before you torque anything down. If you are new to this, our how to mount a rifle scope guide walks through leveling, eye relief and torque.
Why a rimfire scope, not a centerfire one
It is tempting to bolt on a spare centerfire scope, but at 10/22 distances that costs you accuracy. A centerfire scope is set parallax-free at 100 yards; at the 25-to-50-yard ranges you actually shoot a 10/22, its reticle can appear to drift off the target as your head shifts behind the scope. Both picks here are set at 50 yards, right in the middle of rimfire distances, so your point of aim stays honest. For the full explanation, see rimfire vs centerfire scopes.
FAQ
What is the best scope for a Ruger 10/22?
The Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35 is our top pick for the 10/22: it has a 50-yard parallax tuned to .22 LR ranges, a huge field of view for small game, clear XD glass and a lifetime warranty, and owners consistently mount it low and clean on the receiver. For a tight budget the Barska 3-9x32 Plinker-22 (around $75) includes rings and is a complete starter setup.
What magnification do I need on a 10/22?
For the ranges a 10/22 is used at, plinking and small game inside about 100 yards, a 2-7x or 3-9x scope is ideal. More important than top-end magnification is a 50-yard parallax setting (so the reticle does not drift up close) and a low mount. Very high magnification is unnecessary and only narrows your field of view for fast targets.
How do you mount a scope on a Ruger 10/22?
Most 10/22 receivers are grooved for 3/8-inch tip-off rings and also accept a Weaver or Picatinny base adapter, which gives you more ring choices. Whichever you use, pick a ring height that lets the scope clear the barrel and bolt while sitting as low as possible, because a low scope keeps a comfortable cheek weld on the 10/22 stock. Scopes with a large ocular bell may force slightly higher rings.
Can I use a regular rifle scope on a 10/22?
You can, but a rimfire-specific scope is better up close. A standard centerfire scope is parallax-free at 100 yards, so at the 25-to-50-yard distances a 10/22 is usually shot the reticle can drift off target as your head moves. A 50-yard rimfire scope like our picks keeps aim consistent at those ranges.
Prices and stock verified August 18, 2026, carried over from our best rimfire scope hub, whose figures these are. Prices move, so confirm the current figure on the retailer page before you buy.
More: best rimfire scopes · Vortex Diamondback Rimfire review · rimfire vs centerfire scopes · what distance to zero a .22.