What size 22cal Scope is better for small game hunting?

I think you get the most bang for the buck with a standard rifle scope rather than one made for a 22. Something in a 2-7X32 would be light enough and versatile. Something like this is as cheap as I'd go. Sometimes you can find deals on stuff under $150, but most of the scopes in the $100ish range are junk.

https://www.amazon.com/Redfield-670...qid=1508358591&sr=8-7&keywords=redfield+scope

I've had a 2-7x 32mm BSA on my 10/22 since 1999 and I like that power range for the plinking and small game hunting stuff. It was cheap and I was on a tight budget at the time. I figured on upgrading it someday to something better but its actually been good enough for what I do with a .22 that I decided to leave it on until it dies and here it is 18 years old and going strong. Have a fixed 4x Bushnell on a Mod. 121-D Winchester .22 and for a rough, rugged, good, small game hunting scope per the OP most any decent fixed 4x would be a good all around fixed power choice. Picked up a CZ-455 earlier this year and wound up getting a Vortex 2-7x 34mm rimfire scope because a friend gave a recommendation and I got a good price on it and like I said; I find 2-7x nice on a 22 for the OP's intended uses. None of these .22 scopes could be considered huge, clunky, overweighted, or overpriced either because I don't like stuff like that on any rifle.

I like a .22 hunting scope with a 28mm or smaller objective .

I had a 2-7x28 Leupold rimfire on a CZ455 American. It was the perfect fit.

I have that scope on my 60 and it is a good fit .

The best scope I've ever had on a .22 (and I've had many) is a Leupold VX II 2.5-8X. Second best was a Leupold 2-7X 33mm. Both great scopes! When I was young and had little spare cash, I tried every cheap scope on the market. All of them either ceased to work or were thrown away because they wouldn't hold zero. The scope I listed has been on my rifle for around 20 years. Prior to that, I had 4 different scopes on it.....Weaver, Redfield, and 2 others I can't recall and all eventually useless. that said, the brands I just listed make good higher end scopes, but their cheap ones, like everyone's cheap one's are cheap and mediocre.......don't buy them.

OP didn't specify a price range other than "affordable" but for what you spend those 2-7x Leupolds are well worth it. My budget nowadays would allow me to put one of those on my 10/22 if it needed a scope. But a few years ago I realized that the cheaper BSA which is now 18 years old still works well enough for plinking and small game (squirrels mostly) that it might as well stay on there. Sort of a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" scenario although if it becomes broke there will be a Leupold 2-7x replacing it because the Leupold has better optics and all around better construction.

I have a Weaver K4 on my 10-22, about $130. I've never wished I had anything else. I've hit ground hogs in the head with it at a range finder measured 70 yds. It has very good Japanese glass.

I like the looks of that Weaver above.

I recently bought a couple of Redfield Revolution 3-9x40 scopes for rimfire. First was bought from Midway for a hair over $200 for a 22lr. A few weeks ago I bought another from an ebay seller for around $180 shipped for a 22mag. These are listed as centerfire scopes and the parallax will be set from factory further than is ideal for centerfire. So far, I've not attempted to adjust.

Several of the scopes I looked at had too large an ocular for the bolt to clear when removing for cleaning with the rings I wanted to use. Something to consider if you're dealing with a bolt action.

What I shoot most often in the woods is my Marlin bolt with a 2-7X Nikon P-22. It's an ugly scope, a bit porky for its power range, and the knobs are tacky-cool like no other, but...many a squirrel has lost its mind to that combo in the past few years.

I get that a cheap Nikon has some trade-offs and that very good glass isn't too much more, I simply got a good break on price and it was all I needed for my purposes. I've also shot some .4xxs at 50 yards with it while plinking at the range.

Where my old fixed 4 Bushnell was usually fine I'd have to concur on 2-7s being much more versatile. Lately however I've dropped a dozen bushy tails and a pair of chipmunks in the backyard with a nitro pellet rifle and a 1-4X Leupold Mark AR combo. There's some parallax to correct for but if you've still got eyes that would be my next power range suggestion.

Nikon P-22


P-22 reticle with holdover circles.


Compared to a 3-9X Leupold


Compared to a 1-4X Leupold

It seems to me that right after daylight and just before dark I see the most activity.
The larger objective scopes help especially if you have one that is clear. In my experience the cheaper large scopes just lack clarity. Smaller scopes also lend to much slower target aquisition too.
This in my hop is equally important as being able to see clearly without bright sun especially if your target runs up,down,from limb to limb, then from tree to tree, or scampers around on the ground stopping just long enough for you to get him,or her in the crosshairs of a good sized scope with clear optics.
I have tried the cheaper scopes without success myself. The Nikon in the pictures above should serve fine should you choose it but it's a tradeoff between small and large,inexpensive and high end Nikon dwells just in the place I find myself looking.
Large objective,reasonably clear optics and on the lower price point of the better scopes. With a lifetime warranty, I've never had to send one back.
If you are just going to shoot beer cans and targets that sit still then a smaller scope will work but that just gives you plenty of time to aquire the target and to hit it you will need to see it clearly.
Your rifle is and will remain only as good as the sights or optics on it.
Choose wisely as supper may be on the line and going to bed full helps you sleep better.
Just my $.002

Check out the Natchez site. Scope city. See-um. Price-um. Gather information .
Make up your own mind...............

2-7x33 my vote I have inexpensive redfield revenge on my squirrel beater rifle. Kills squirrels. But I'd opt for the Leupold rimfire.

If a 2-7x Leupold would qualify as "affordable" to the OP then it would still be my recommendation. But if not then here's that 2-7x 32 mm Vortex on that CZ-455 that I picked up earlier this year. It was a lot more affordable than the Leupold and came with a very good review and praise from someone I trust. The shop also let me take it outdoors and play around with it under real life outdoor conditions before buying it. I liked it enough to buy it on the spot and 6 or so months later I still have no complaints. It's not a Leupold but for what it cost it seems a solid value.

another 2-7 P22 Nikon fan here. I chose to put one on my Anschutz 1422 and have found it about perfect for field use.

For what you are doing a straight 4x would be ok. Nikon and Weaver both make nice 22 specific scopes for a bit over 100 bucks. The Leupold 4x is on the far side of 200, but, is an outstanding scope. Weaver makes a nice 2-7 that goes for about 150. The wife has 3 or 4 Nikon 3-9 rim fire scopes which are a good value. However, they are big scopes. Leopold makes a 2-7 and a 3-9 eff. These are among the best for general hunting and shooting. Price is quote a bit higher! I recommend rim fire scopes as the parallax is set for shorter distances. This helps eliminate aiming errors at close range. Yes I know that if your head position is the same every time parallax is not an issue. When leaning around a tree, laying down, kneeling or crouching when a squirrel is about to charge you don't want to have to get your head set just right lol.

I like a 1-4, fixed 4, or 2-7, yep. Objective lens size in the 24-32mm range.

If you have the money, THE best rimfire all-around scope is the Leupold VX-2 3-9x33mm EFR. The second best IMHO, is the Clearidge Ultra Rimfire 3-9x32mm and the 2-7x28mm Leupold is no slouch either in third place.

I mounted a Tasco 3x9 32mm on my Remington 581 back in 1992 and haven't ever regretted it. I think I paid like $34.00 for it. It was not one of their better models. The rifle it self shoots best with CCI Stingers. It will shoot tight little groups at 50 yards and has accounted for more squirrels and snowshoe hares than I can count.

Charliefrank said:

I mounted a Tasco 3x9 32mm on my Remington 581 back in 1992 and haven't ever regretted it. I think I paid like $34.00 for it. It was not one of their better models. The rifle it self shoots best with CCI Stingers. It will shoot tight little groups at 50 yards and has accounted for more squirrels and snowshoe hares than I can count.

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BTW, it is not a 22 specific scope