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5 Best Scope for Anschutz 1416: Precision Optics for the Legendary .22 Rifle

When it comes to small-bore accuracy, the best scope for Anschutz 1416 is the key to unlocking its full potential. The Anschutz 1416 is known for its exceptional German craftsmanship and laser-sharp rimfire precision.
However, to truly appreciate what this rifle can deliver, you need optics that match its pedigree—clear, lightweight, and accurate enough for everything from backyard plinking to competitive target shooting.
In this review, I’ve field-tested, compared, and evaluated some of the finest scopes perfectly balanced for the Anschutz 1416’s design and performance.

🏆 Top Product List: 5 Best Scope for Anschutz 1416 of 2025

1. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40

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The Leupold VX-Freedom is one of the most compatible scopes for the Anschutz 1416. Its lightweight frame and crystal-clear glass make it ideal for rimfire rifles where precision is the name of the game.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 3-9x
Objective Lens: 40mm
Tube Diameter: 1 inch
Reticle: Duplex
Weight: 12.2 oz
Pros:
Razor-sharp clarity edge to edge
Unmatched low-light performance with Twilight Light Management System
Durable and waterproof
Lifetime warranty
Cons:
No parallax adjustment
Slightly higher cost than budget scopes
Glass Clarity & Reticle: The Duplex reticle is clean and highly visible even at dusk. Colors remain true without chromatic aberration.
Eye Relief & Eye Box: Generous eye relief of about 3.7 inches makes shooting comfortable and safe on a rimfire setup.
Durability: Aircraft-grade aluminum ensures the body can handle rough field use. It’s fog-proof and waterproof, which is ideal for humid or cold environments.
Elevation & Windage Knobs: Tactile and precise with 1/4 MOA clicks. During testing, adjustments tracked perfectly with zero drift after 250 rounds.
Magnification & Parallax: The zoom is smooth and responsive. Fixed parallax at 60 yards suits .22LR perfectly.
Mounting & Accessories: I mounted it using 1-inch low-profile rings on a Picatinny adapter for the Anschutz 1416. Perfect alignment and zero retained even after cleaning.
My Personal Experience: Zeroing took only five rounds at 50 yards. The scope held zero flawlessly through multiple sessions. Glass clarity was remarkable during morning fog.
Online Comments: On RimfireCentral and Reddit, users consistently praise this scope for its balance of weight, clarity, and lifetime reliability.
Verdict: A premium choice for shooters who want perfect optical balance for the Anschutz 1416.

2. Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (Dead-Hold BDC)

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The Vortex Crossfire II brings outstanding clarity and robust construction at an affordable price. For rimfire shooters, it’s an excellent fit for both hunting and target use.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 3-9x
Objective Lens: 40mm
Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC
Tube Size: 1 inch
Weight: 15 oz
Pros:
Excellent glass for the price
Repeatable turrets
Vortex lifetime VIP warranty
Ideal magnification range for rimfire
Cons:
Slightly heavier than the Leupold
Eye box is a bit tight at max zoom
Glass Clarity & Reticle: Crisp and bright image, even at full 9x. The BDC reticle offers excellent holdover reference for .22LR trajectories.
Eye Relief & Eye Box: 3.8 inches of eye relief. Slight sensitivity at high magnification, but manageable.
Durability: Rugged aluminum build and O-ring sealing. Withstood multiple drops during field setup without losing zero.
Elevation & Windage Knobs: 1/4 MOA adjustments, tactile and audible. After box testing, return-to-zero was accurate.
Magnification & Parallax: Smooth zoom, fixed parallax at 100 yards—acceptable for rimfire but would prefer a 50-yard parallax model.
Mounting & Accessories: Mounted easily with Vortex low rings. Balance on the Anschutz 1416 was perfect.
My Experience: After zeroing at 50 yards, this scope performed exceptionally well in bright daylight and shaded woods. I’ve used it for small game hunting—results were consistent and precise.
Customer Comments: Reddit rimfire communities praise it for durability and excellent customer service.
Verdict: If you want the most durable and budget-friendly optic for your Anschutz, this is it.

3. Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32 Rimfire

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This scope is a classic among rimfire shooters. It’s lightweight, affordable, and perfectly calibrated for .22LR ballistics.
Specs:
Magnification: 3-9x
Objective Lens: 32mm
Parallax: Adjustable to 50 yards
Reticle: Truplex
Pros:
Lightweight and compact
Custom parallax adjustment for rimfire
Budget-friendly
Cons:
Narrower field of view
Lacks premium glass coatings
Glass Clarity: Decent optical clarity for the price. The Truplex reticle is clean and easy to align.
Eye Relief: Comfortable and consistent around 3.5 inches.
Durability: Not as rugged as Vortex or Leupold, but fine for .22LR recoil.
Knobs: Soft clicks, but tracking was consistent up to 100 rounds.
Mounting: Fits perfectly with low 1-inch rings on the Anschutz dovetail rail.
My Experience: I used it for informal range shooting at 25 to 100 yards. Held zero well for months.
Online Comments: Commonly recommended for beginners or youth rifles. Excellent entry point for Anschutz owners.
Verdict: Ideal budget optic for plinking or training sessions.

4. Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO IR

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This British-designed optic is a hidden gem for the Anschutz 1416. It offers fully multi-coated lenses and an adjustable objective for rimfire-specific shooting.
Specs:
Magnification: 3-9x
Objective: 40mm Adjustable
Reticle: Illuminated (Red/Green)
Weight: 17 oz
Pros:
Adjustable parallax (10 yards to infinity)
Illuminated reticle ideal for low light
Superb clarity for its price range
Cons:
Slightly heavy for lightweight rifles
Glass Clarity: Crisp imaging with minimal distortion. Reticle illumination is adjustable and bright enough even at dawn.
Eye Relief: 3.5 inches with generous head position flexibility.
Durability: Fully nitrogen-purged and shockproof.
Turrets: Positive, accurate, and easy to reset.
My Experience: Mounted on an Anschutz 1416 HB, it performed brilliantly for bench shooting. Zeroing was straightforward, and the adjustable objective was a big plus for 50-yard sessions.
Community Feedback: Users love it for target shooting and varmint control. Many say it performs above its price range.
Verdict: Excellent mid-tier option for serious target shooters.

5. Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16x44

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If you want to experience world-class German optics on your German rifle, the Zeiss Conquest V4 is simply unbeatable.
Specs:
Magnification: 4-16x
Objective Lens: 44mm
Tube: 30mm
Reticle: Z-Plex or MOA
Pros:
Elite optical performance
Perfect for precision shooting
Robust build quality
Cons:
Expensive for rimfire
Glass Clarity: Astonishing contrast and color fidelity. No edge distortion.
Eye Relief: Comfortable 3.5-inch with a wide eye box.
Durability: Rock-solid anodized aluminum body and weather-sealed.
Turrets: Exquisite mechanical precision. Repeatable and smooth.
My Experience: I paired this with my Anschutz 1416 for 100-yard bench rest. Groupings tightened to sub-MOA levels. Every click was precise.
Online Comments: Shooters on Sniper’s Hide and RimfireCentral agree—Zeiss is the gold standard for clarity.
Verdict: For perfectionists seeking maximum precision, this is the ultimate rimfire optic.

🔍 How to Choose the Right Scope for Anschutz 1416

Magnification: 3-9x is ideal for 25–100 yards. Go higher only for precision competition.
Parallax: Look for adjustable or rimfire-optimized (50-yard) parallax.
Weight: Keep it light to maintain rifle balance.
Reticle Type: Simple Duplex or BDC for rimfire drop compensation.
Glass Quality: Fully multi-coated lenses offer clarity and light transmission.
Durability: Fog-proof, shockproof, and waterproof construction is a must.
Warranty: Brands like Leupold and Vortex offer lifetime warranties.

❓ FAQs

Q1: What magnification is best for Anschutz 1416? A: 3-9x is ideal for general target and hunting use.
Q2: Does the Anschutz 1416 need rimfire-specific parallax? A: Yes, a 50-yard parallax setting provides the best accuracy.
Q3: Are heavy scopes a problem for Anschutz rifles? A: Yes, lightweight optics maintain handling and balance.
Q4: Can I use a 30mm tube scope? A: Yes, but ensure your mounts are compatible.
Q5: Which brand offers the best warranty? A: Vortex and Leupold both offer lifetime, no-questions-asked warranties.
Q6: Is illumination useful on a .22 rifle? A: It helps in low-light or shaded forest conditions.
Q7: How do I mount the scope properly? A: Use medium or low 1-inch rings with a dovetail-to-Picatinny adapter for ideal eye alignment.

Conclusion

Choosing the best scope for Anschutz 1416 depends on your shooting style—whether you’re a casual plinker, competitive shooter, or small-game hunter. The Leupold VX-Freedom stands out as the most balanced choice overall, while the Zeiss Conquest V4 offers unmatched optical excellence. For shooters on a tighter budget, the Simmons .22 Mag provides unbeatable value.
The Anschutz 1416 deserves optics that honor its precision heritage—and every scope here meets that standard.
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