The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire is the most capable rimfire cartridge in common production.
A 40 grain bullet leaves the muzzle at around 1,875 feet per second. At 100 yards it has dropped roughly 3 inches from a 50-yard zero, and at 150 yards that drop is approaching 9 inches. The practical effective range on small game is 150 yards in calm conditions, and varmint shooting pushes that to 175 yards for a skilled shooter.
The .22 WMR is not a .22 LR. It is a different category of rimfire cartridge.
It hits harder, shoots flatter, and extends the reach of a rimfire rifle meaningfully beyond what the .22 LR can do. A shooter who dismisses it as a scaled-up rimfire misses what makes it genuinely useful for squirrel, rabbit, prairie dog, and small predator hunting at extended range.
The scope requirements for a .22 WMR differ from a standard .22 LR setup.
Higher magnification is useful because the .22 WMR is genuinely accurate to 150 yards and a good shooter can stretch it to 200. The objective size matters less than on a high recoil cartridge because the .22 WMR produces essentially zero recoil and a small objective handles it easily.
Vortex makes the right .22 WMR scope at every price tier. These five picks are matched to the practical application of the cartridge.
Best Vortex 22 Mag Scope Comparison
| # | Image | Name | Key Features | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Vortex Crossfire II 4-12×44 | Dead-Hold BDC, fully multi-coated, 1 inch tube | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16×42 | Dead-Hold BDC, 4-16x range, 1 inch tube | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
Vortex Crossfire II 3-9×40 | V-Brite option, proven format, lightweight | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Vortex Viper HS 4-16×44 | XD glass, Dead-Hold BDC, 30mm tube | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 | Wide FOV at low power, V-Brite option | Check Price |
1) Vortex Crossfire II 4-12×44 – Best Overall
The Crossfire II 4-12×44 is the best-matched scope for a .22 WMR rifle used for small game hunting and varmint shooting. The 4-12x range covers everything the .22 WMR does well.
At 4x the field of view is practical for hunting in brush and open farmland where rabbits and squirrels appear at close range. At 12x you have enough magnification to make a careful shot on a stationary prairie dog or ground squirrel at 150 yards.
The Dead-Hold BDC reticle provides holdover references at rimfire-appropriate distances. For a .22 WMR shooter who knows their load’s trajectory, the BDC marks give practical field references without requiring elevation dialing on every shot at a new distance.
Fully multi-coated glass handles standard hunting light conditions well for a rimfire application. The 1 inch tube is perfectly adequate for a .22 WMR that produces negligible recoil.
Build quality handles field conditions reliably, and zero retention under the light recoil of the .22 WMR is essentially a non-issue. This scope is backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 4-12x |
| Objective Lens | 44mm |
| Tube Diameter | 1 inch |
| Reticle | Dead-Hold BDC (SFP) |
| Eye Relief | 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 14.4 oz |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP Lifetime |
Pros
- 4-12x covers the full practical range of the .22 WMR application
- Dead-Hold BDC provides practical holdover references at .22 WMR distances
- Fully multi-coated glass performs well in standard hunting conditions
- VIP warranty unconditional and lifetime
Cons
- 12x ceiling limits performance at the cartridge’s outer varmint range past 150 yards
- No illuminated reticle option
- Glass quality is below the Viper HS tier
Our Take
The Crossfire II 4-12×44 is the right overall Vortex scope for a .22 WMR rifle. The zoom range matches the cartridge’s practical capability, the BDC reticle gives useful field holdovers, and the VIP warranty covers it for life.
2) Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16×42 – Best for Extended Range
The Diamondback HP 4-16×42 is the right choice for a .22 WMR shooter who regularly stretches shots to 150 to 175 yards. At 16x you have enough magnification to resolve a prairie dog or ground squirrel at 175 yards clearly enough to make a confident shot placement decision.
The Dead-Hold BDC reticle covers extended .22 WMR distances. The step from 12x to 16x may seem modest, but at the .22 WMR’s practical ceiling the additional magnification translates to a meaningfully clearer, more detailed view of a small target at distance.
Fully multi-coated glass handles standard shooting conditions adequately. Build quality is solid and zero retention is consistent.
This scope is backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 4-16x |
| Objective Lens | 42mm |
| Tube Diameter | 1 inch |
| Reticle | Dead-Hold BDC (SFP) |
| Eye Relief | 3.8 inches |
| Weight | 15.7 oz |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP Lifetime |
Pros
- 16x extends useful reach for varmint shooting at 150 to 175 yards
- Dead-Hold BDC covers extended .22 WMR holdover distances
- Same zoom range as the Viper HS at a lower price
- VIP warranty unconditional and lifetime
Cons
- Glass quality steps down from the Viper HS in variable light conditions
- 1 inch tube
- No illuminated reticle option
Our Take
The Diamondback HP 4-16×42 is the right scope for a .22 WMR varmint shooter who wants extended reach at a practical price. The 16x ceiling and BDC reticle cover the outer range of the cartridge without overspending.
3) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9×40 – Best Budget Pick
The Crossfire II 3-9×40 is the proven budget option for a .22 WMR hunting rifle. The 3-9x format covers the practical hunting range of the .22 WMR for small game and varmint use inside 150 yards.
At 3x the field of view is wide for close range hunting in brush and farmland. At 9x you have enough magnification for a careful shot at 125 yards on small game. The V-Brite illuminated reticle option adds a center dot for low light small game hunting.
Build quality is solid, zero retention is reliable, and the scope handles field conditions across multiple seasons. This scope is backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 3-9x |
| Objective Lens | 40mm |
| Tube Diameter | 1 inch |
| Reticle | Dead-Hold BDC or V-Brite (SFP) |
| Eye Relief | 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 11.9 oz |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP Lifetime |
Pros
- Entry level price with Vortex reliability and VIP warranty
- V-Brite illuminated option for low light small game hunting
- Proven format covers practical .22 WMR hunting distances
- Lightest scope on this list at 11.9 oz
Cons
- 9x ceiling limits varmint shooting past 125 yards
- Glass quality is entry tier
- No magnification past the .22 WMR’s useful varmint range
Our Take
The Crossfire II 3-9×40 is the honest budget answer for a .22 WMR hunting rifle used inside 125 yards. The VIP warranty turns it into a lifetime scope at an entry price.
4) Vortex Viper HS 4-16×44 – Best Premium Option
The Viper HS 4-16×44 is the premium answer for a .22 WMR shooter who wants the best glass available in a format matched to the cartridge’s practical range. The XD extra-low dispersion glass is the upgrade that matters on a precision rimfire application.
At 16x in variable afternoon light, XD glass delivers edge clarity and image definition that standard multi-coat glass cannot match. For a varmint shooter making 150 to 175 yard shots on small targets, that optical quality difference shows in target resolution.
The 4-16x range is well matched to the .22 WMR’s full practical distance window. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle provides field holdovers at the cartridge’s practical distances.
The 30mm tube gives slightly more adjustment latitude, though for a .22 WMR it is rarely a practical requirement. This scope is backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 4-16x |
| Objective Lens | 44mm |
| Tube Diameter | 30mm |
| Reticle | Dead-Hold BDC (SFP) |
| Eye Relief | 4 inches |
| Weight | 16.7 oz |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP Lifetime |
Pros
- XD glass delivers better image quality at 16x than any other option on this list
- 4-16x covers the full practical range of the .22 WMR
- 4 inch eye relief provides comfortable use
- VIP warranty unconditional and lifetime
Cons
- Price exceeds what most .22 WMR builds require
- 16.7 oz is heavier than necessary for a lightweight rimfire rifle
- Glass quality advantage is less visible in good daylight conditions
Our Take
The Viper HS 4-16×44 is the premium option for a .22 WMR shooter who wants the best glass available on a serious rimfire varmint build. The XD optical quality and 4-16x range justify the premium for a dedicated precision rimfire shooter.
5) Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 – Best for Hunting
The Crossfire II 2-7×32 is the right scope for a .22 WMR used primarily for small game hunting in brush and close terrain. The 2x low end gives a wide field of view for fast rabbit and squirrel hunting in cover.
At 7x you have adequate magnification for shots to 125 yards on small game. For a .22 WMR hunting rifle where shots are opportunistic rather than precision varminting, the 2-7x format matches the use case precisely.
The V-Brite illuminated option adds low light capability. Compact and lightweight at 9.9 oz, it keeps a small .22 WMR rifle well-balanced and fast handling.
This scope is backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, and transferable to the next owner.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 2-7x |
| Objective Lens | 32mm |
| Tube Diameter | 1 inch |
| Reticle | V-Plex or V-Brite (SFP) |
| Eye Relief | 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 9.9 oz |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP Lifetime |
Pros
- 2x low end is wide and practical for fast small game hunting in cover
- Lightest and most compact scope on this list at 9.9 oz
- V-Brite illuminated option for low light small game hunting
- VIP warranty unconditional and lifetime
Cons
- 7x ceiling limits varmint shooting past 100 yards compared to higher magnification options
- Not the right choice for a dedicated varmint .22 WMR build
- Small 32mm objective limits light gathering compared to 40mm options
Our Take
The Crossfire II 2-7×32 is the right scope for a .22 WMR hunting rifle where fast target acquisition in close terrain matters more than extended varmint range. Compact, lightweight, and backed by the unconditional VIP warranty.
Did You Know? The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire was introduced in 1959 specifically to address what Winchester perceived as a gap between the .22 LR and centerfire varmint cartridges. Winchester engineers wanted a rimfire that could reliably reach 150 yards on small varmints. The .22 WMR’s larger case and higher pressure limits produce roughly twice the muzzle energy of a standard .22 LR. Despite being over 60 years old, no other rimfire cartridge in mass production has meaningfully surpassed its capability at the same size and cost.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Vortex 22 Mag Scope
A 4-12x covers the full practical range of the .22 WMR for most hunting and varmint applications. For regular shooting at 150 to 175 yards, a 4-16x gives the additional resolution to work confidently at the cartridge’s practical ceiling.
Not mechanically. The .22 WMR produces very low recoil, so any quality 1 inch rimfire-rated scope handles it reliably. The practical difference is that the .22 WMR’s longer effective range justifies higher magnification than most .22 LR applications require.
Yes. The VIP warranty covers every Vortex scope unconditionally regardless of the application.
A skilled shooter with quality ammunition and a good barrel can work prairie dogs and ground squirrels reliably to 150 yards. Past 150 yards wind drift becomes increasingly significant for the light projectile, and terminal performance on larger varmints like coyotes diminishes below reliable territory.
Verdict
The .22 WMR is the most capable rimfire cartridge available, and the right Vortex scope matches its genuine capability rather than underestimating or overestimating it. For most .22 WMR hunters and varmint shooters, the Crossfire II 4-12×44 is the right answer.
The 4-12x range, BDC reticle, and lifetime VIP warranty deliver everything the cartridge needs at an honest price. For extended varmint shooting at 150 to 175 yards, the Diamondback HP 4-16×42 adds the reach to work confidently at the cartridge’s ceiling.
For a budget hunting build that covers small game inside 125 yards, the Crossfire II 3-9×40 with V-Brite is the practical choice. For premium glass on a serious rimfire varmint build, the Viper HS 4-16×44 delivers XD optical quality that justifies the investment.
And for a compact hunting rifle in close terrain, the Crossfire II 2-7×32 is the fast, lightweight answer.
See Also:
Richard Brown is a long-range shooting enthusiast and competitive shooter with extensive experience in scopes across multiple disciplines. He hunts regularly across the Midwest and has built his expertise through years of hands-on testing in both competitive shooting and hunting. Richard also instructs youth rifle shooting, which has given him perspective on scopes at every price point and skill level. He combines technical knowledge with practical field experience to provide honest reviews – contact me