The 22 long rifle’s (LR) low recoil and affordability make it a favorite for many simple tasks, but you’re missing out without the correct optic, in this case, a low-power variable optic (LPVO). A good LPVO can transform your rimfire into a versatile shooter while preserving pinpoint accuracy and rapid target acquisition.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected the best Low Power Variable Optics (LPVOs) available in the market for a 22LR rifle, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your needs without breaking the bank.
Best LVPO for 22 LR- Top Picks
1) Primary Arms SLx 1–6×24 (ACSS)
The Primary Arms SLx 1–6×24 with the ACSS reticle is a natural fit for a .22 LR. It’s designed with practical shooting in mind, which is exactly what rimfire rifles are used for, plinking, small game hunting, and consistent shooting within 100–150 yards. This LPVO gives you useful performance without unnecessary weight or cost.
At 1x, the scope is quick and intuitive, almost like a red dot, making it ideal for close-range shots where speed matters. Dialing up to 6x gives you enough magnification to clearly identify and hit small targets at typical .22 LR distances. The transition between magnifications is smooth, allowing you to adapt quickly in the field.
The ACSS reticle is the standout feature. It’s clean, easy to understand, and provides practical holdover references. While not specifically calibrated for .22 LR, it becomes very effective once you learn how your rifle and ammo align with the markings. This makes a noticeable difference when taking more precise shots on small targets like squirrels.
Clarity is solid for the price, with a bright image and good contrast for daytime and early morning use. The forgiving eye box helps you stay on target without constant adjustment, which is especially useful when shooting offhand. The scope is also lightweight and well-built, maintaining the balance of a typical .22 rifle while holding up to regular use.
Pros
- Ideal 1–6x magnification range for .22 LR
- ACSS reticle is simple and effective for holdovers
- Lightweight and well-balanced
- Forgiving eye box for faster shooting
- Strong value for the price
Cons
- Reticle not specifically tuned for .22 LR ballistics
- Glass is good but not premium
- Basic turrets not meant for constant adjustments
2) SIG SAUER Tango-MSR LPVO 1–6×24
The SIG SAUER Tango-MSR 1–6×24 is one of the most practical LPVOs you can mount on a .22 LR, especially if you want a simple, ready-to-go setup without overthinking it. It’s built around real-world usability, and that shows in how easy it is to mount, zero, and start shooting. For rimfire use, where speed, simplicity, and consistency matter, it fits right in.
The illuminated MSR BDC reticle is straightforward to work with. It isn’t specifically designed for .22 LR ballistics, but it still provides useful reference points once you understand your rifle’s trajectory. The illumination has multiple brightness settings, which helps in different lighting conditions, although it’s not the brightest under harsh daylight.
Optically, the Tango-MSR performs well for its price range. The image is clear with decent brightness, thanks to its low-dispersion glass, and it holds up well during daytime shooting sessions. The 1–6x system is smooth to operate, and the included throw lever makes quick magnification changes easy, which is a nice touch you don’t always get at this price point.
One of the biggest advantages is the overall package. It comes with a cantilever mount, so you don’t need to spend extra or worry about compatibility. That makes it especially appealing for .22 LR shooters who want a complete setup without adding unnecessary cost. The build is solid as well; waterproof, fog-proof, and durable enough to handle regular use.
Pros
- True 1x for fast, red dot–like shooting
- Useful 1–6x range for typical .22 LR distances
- Comes with included mount (great value)
- Clear glass for the price
- Throw lever allows quick magnification changes
- Durable, weather-resistant build
Cons
- Reticle not calibrated specifically for .22 LR
- Eye box tightens slightly at higher magnification
- Glass quality is good, but not premium
3) Trijicon Ascent AT424 1-4x24mm Rifle Scope
The Trijicon Ascent 1-4x24mm Riflescope is a versatile optic designed for shooting enthusiasts seeking superior performance and durability. It offers a wide range of features and specifications to enhance your shooting experience.
This riflescope allows for adjustable magnification from 1x to 4x, providing versatility for close-quarters and mid-range shooting.
The Trijon Ascent riflescope is nitrogen-filled, ensuring fog-proof performance, and it is also waterproof, enabling use in various weather conditions.
The Ascent riflescope is made from high-quality aluminum, the riflescope is durable yet lightweight, reducing strain during long shooting sessions. The multi-coated lenses deliver excellent light transmission and clarity, enabling a sharp and vivid sight picture.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1-4x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
- Eye Relief: 3.7 inches
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Reticle: Illuminated
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Overall Length: 9.2 inches
Pros
- Versatile magnification range suitable for close-quarters and mid-range shooting.
- Illuminated reticle aids in low-light shooting situations.
- Clear optics with multi-coated lenses for enhanced light transmission and clarity.
- Lightweight construction reduces fatigue during extended shooting sessions.
- Fog-proof and waterproof design ensures reliable performance in different weather conditions.
Cons
- Fixed parallax
4) Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24mm Riflescope
The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24mm Riflescope is a versatile and affordable optic designed for close- to mid-range shooting. It offers a range of features and specifications that make it suitable for various shooting applications.
The Crossfire riflescope provides a variable magnification range from 1x to 4x, allowing for quick target acquisition and close-quarters shooting.
The Vortex Crossfire features fully multi-coated lenses, which deliver bright and clear images, even in low-light conditions, enhancing your visibility and accuracy.
The Vorte riflescope features an illuminated V-Plex reticle, which aids in fast target acquisition and precise aiming, especially in low-light environments.
The riflescope offers a fast-focus eyepiece enabling quick and easy reticle focusing for enhanced target clarity.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Eye Relief: 4 inches
- Field of View: 96.1-24.1 feet/100 yards
- Adjustment Graduation: 1/2 MOA
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 100 MOA
- Max Windage Adjustment: 100 MOA
Pros
- Versatile and affordable riflescope suitable for close- to mid-range shooting.
- Clear optics with fully multi-coated lenses for bright and sharp images.
- Illuminated reticle for easy target acquisition in low-light conditions.
- The second focal plane design ensures consistent reticle size.
- Fast-focus eyepiece allows for quick reticle focusing.
Cons
- None
5) Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 Riflescope is a versatile optic designed for shooters looking for precision and speed. Its variable magnification and durable construction offer a reliable solution for a range of shooting applications.
The Strike Eagle offers a magnification range of 1x to 6x, allowing for quick target acquisition at close ranges and precise aiming for medium-range shots.
The riflescope features a single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube that is shockproof, fog-proof, and waterproof, ensuring reliable performance in various environments.
The Vortex Strike Eagle is equipped with an illuminated AR-BDC3 reticle that provides clear aiming points and enhances visibility in low-light conditions.
The scope features a fast-focus eyepiece that enables quick and easy reticle focusing, allowing shooters to rapidly acquire targets.
Specification
- Magnification: 1-6x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Reticle: AR-BDC3
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Field of View: 116.5-19.2 feet/100 yards
- Adjustment Graduation: 1/2 MOA
Pros
- Illuminated reticle for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions.
- Durable construction ensures reliability in different environments.
- Fast-focus eyepiece enables quick target acquisition.
- The second focal plane reticle maintains a consistent size relative to the target.
Cons
- None
6) Firefield RapidStrike 1-6×24 Rifle Scope
The Firefield RapidStrike 1-6×24 SFP Riflescope is a versatile and reliable optic designed for shooting enthusiasts and hunters. With its impressive magnification range and durable construction, this riflescope offers enhanced accuracy and precision in various shooting scenarios.
The RapidStrike features a 1-6x magnification that allows for quick target acquisition at close ranges and precise shots at longer distances. The riflescope is built with rugged aluminum housing, providing resistance to recoil, impact, and harsh weather conditions.
The RapidStrike offers tactical turrets that allow easy and precise adjustments to compensate for wind drift and bullet drop. The scope’s illuminated red or green duplex reticle offers increased visibility in low-light conditions, aiding target acquisition.
Specification
- Magnification: 1-6x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Reticle Type: Duplex
- Illumination: Red/Green
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Field of View: 106.1-19.2 feet/100 yards
Pros
- Versatile magnification range suitable for both close-quarters and long-range shooting.
- Illuminated reticle improves visibility in low-light environments.
- Durable construction ensures longevity and reliability.
- Easy and precise windage and elevation adjustments.
- Fast-focus eyepiece allows for quick target acquisition.
Cons
- None
7) Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10x24mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10×24 Riflescope is a high-performance optic designed for precision shooting and hunting applications. With its versatile magnification range and exceptional optical quality, this riflescope offers a range of features and benefits to enhance your shooting experience.
The Vortex Razor HD Gen III offers a versatile 1-10x magnification range, allowing for quick target acquisition at close quarters and precise long-range shots.
The riflescope features premium HD (High Density) lens elements that deliver exceptional clarity, color accuracy, and resolution, even in low-light conditions.
The riflescope is O-ring sealed and argon purged to ensure reliable waterproof and fog-proof performance, making it suitable for use in diverse weather conditions.
The scope is constructed from durable aircraft-grade aluminum, ensuring its strength and resistance to impact.
Specification
- Magnification: 1-10x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
- Reticle: Illuminated
- Field of View: Varies with magnification (e.g., 116.5 feet at 1x, 11.7 feet at 10x)
- Eye Relief: 3.6 inches
- Tube Diameter: 34mm
- Adjustment Graduation: 0.1 MRAD per click
Pros
- Versatile magnification range for various shooting scenarios
- Exceptional optical performance with HD lens elements
- Illuminated reticle enhances visibility in low-light conditions
- Easy and precise adjustments with exposed tactical turrets
- Waterproof and fog-proof construction for reliable use in any weather
- Durable and lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum construction
Cons
- Expensive
8) Trijicon VCOG VC18 1-8x28mm Rifle Scope
The Trijicon VCOG 1-8x28mm rifle scope is a high-quality optic designed for versatile shooting applications. With its impressive magnification range and compact size, it offers exceptional performance and durability for both close-quarters combat and long-range precision shooting.
The VCOG rifle scope allows users to switch between 1x and 8x magnification, providing flexibility for different shooting scenarios.
The VCOG features a robust forged aluminum housing, making it highly durable and resistant to impact, recoil, and harsh environmental conditions.
The VCOG offers generous eye relief, providing comfort and safety during extended shooting sessions. The reticle maintains its size relative to the target at any magnification level, enabling accurate ranging and holdover corrections.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1-8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 28mm
- Reticle: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Illumination: Tritium/Fiber Optic
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Tube Diameter: 34mm
- Eye Relief: 4.0 inches
Pros
- Versatile magnification range for various shooting scenarios
- Battery-free illumination ensures reliable aiming points in all lighting conditions
- Rugged construction withstands harsh conditions and recoil
- First Focal Plane reticle maintains accuracy at all magnification levels
- Bullet drop compensator aids in quick and precise long-range shots
- Generous eye relief enhances comfort and safety
Cons
- Water Resistant Mark to 66 ft only
What Makes a Good LVPO Scope?
Optics Quality
High-quality glass and lens coatings ensure clear, crisp images with minimal distortion and maximum light transmission.
Magnification Range
A versatile magnification range allows for both close-quarters shooting and long-range precision, offering flexibility in various shooting scenarios.
The choice between 1- 4x and 1-6x LPVO magnifications depends on your specific needs and preferences. If your primary focus is close to mid-range shooting, a 1-4x LPVO should suffice.
However, if you want the flexibility to engage targets at longer distances, the 1-6x LPVO might be the better choice, offering that extra reach without sacrificing close-range performance.
Reticle Options
A good LVPO scope offers a variety of reticle options, including illuminated and non-illuminated variations, with clear and precise aiming points.
Durability
The scope should be built with durable materials, offering shock resistance and the ability to withstand harsh conditions and recoil without losing zero.
Ease of Use
User-friendly controls and an intuitive interface make it easy to adjust settings and switch between different magnification levels quickly, ensuring a seamless shooting experience.
Best LVPO for 22 LR FAQs
What is an LPVO?
LPVO stands for Low Power Variable Optic. It refers to a type of rifle scope that offers a wide range of magnification settings, typically from 1x to around 6x, 8x, or 10x.
Why would I need an LPVO for my 22 LR rifle?
An LVPO can be a great addition to a 22 LR rifle because it provides the flexibility to engage targets at various distances.
What should I consider when choosing an LPVO for a 22 LR rifle?
There are several factors to consider when choosing a scope for your 22LR. Some of these include: magnification range, reticle type, durability, and eye relief.
What is the best scope for a 22LR rimfire rifle?
For a normal scope, I’d probably go with a 2- 7x and for that, I’d pick the Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7Ă—33 or 3-9x magnification, where I’d go with the Simmons 22 MAG 3-9x32mm, which is not only affordable but will give a great performance with a 22LR rimfire.
Conclusion
Choosing the best LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic) for the 22 LR requires considering factors such as quick target acquisition, durability, and a suitable magnification range.
The ideal LPVO would have a 1- 4x or 1- 6x magnification range, a strong build to handle recoil, and a clear reticle for precise aiming. Ultimately, the best LVPO for the LR 22 depends on individual preferences and needs.
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