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5 Best Scope for Ruger Takedown: Top Precision Optics for Every Shooter

If you’re searching for the best scope for Ruger Takedown, you’re probably looking for a compact, reliable, and accurate optic that enhances the rifle’s modular versatility.
The Ruger 10/22 Takedown is an iconic rimfire rifle — known for portability and precision — and it deserves a scope that matches its rugged yet lightweight spirit.
I’ve tested and researched dozens of optics that balance field performance, weight, and affordability to find the best options available today.

🏆 Top Product List: 5 Best Scope for Ruger Takedown of 2025

Here’s my quick summary of the best scopes for the Ruger 10/22 Takedown:

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

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The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 remains one of the most popular rimfire scopes for its balance between clarity, build quality, and affordability — perfect for a Ruger Takedown setup.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 40mm
Tube Diameter: 1 inch
Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC (SFP)
Field of View: 34.1–12.6 ft @ 100 yds
Eye Relief: 3.8 inches
Weight: 15 oz
Pros:
Crisp glass with minimal distortion
Excellent value under $200
Reliable zero retention
Cons:
Slightly bulky for compact takedown setups
No illumination for low-light shots
Glass Clarity & Reticle: The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is spot-on for .22 LR ballistic drops, offering holdover points without cluttering the view. Edge-to-edge clarity remains solid with negligible chromatic aberration.
Eye Relief & Eye Box: Eye relief at around 3.8 inches is generous. The eye box is forgiving, ideal for fast target acquisition.
Durability: It’s O-ring sealed, nitrogen purged, and shockproof — built for years of use even in rough conditions.
Elevation & Windage Knobs: Quarter-MOA clicks feel crisp. The turrets track precisely and reset to zero easily after sight-in.
Magnification & Parallax: Perfect magnification range for 25–100 yards; parallax is factory set at 50 yards, optimized for rimfire.
Mounting & Accessories: Mounted with standard 1-inch medium rings on a Ruger Takedown receiver — zeroed at 50 yards in just 10 shots.
My Experience: After 500 rounds of CCI Mini-Mag ammo, zero held firmly. I used it for both plinking and small-game shooting. It consistently returned reliable groupings under 1 MOA at 50 yards.
Online Discussions: Reddit users and rimfirecentral.com threads often recommend this scope for Takedowns due to its durability and optical quality at the price.
Verdict: A perfect match for shooters wanting reliability and clarity without overcomplicating the setup.

2. Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Riflescope

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Compact, lightweight, and rugged — the Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm is ideal for shooters who prioritize fast target acquisition.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 1.5–4x
Objective Lens: 20mm
Tube Diameter: 1 inch
Weight: 9.6 oz
Reticle: Duplex
Eye Relief: 3.7–4.2 inches
Pros:
Lightweight and compact
Legendary Leupold optical quality
Lifetime warranty
Cons:
Limited magnification range
No illuminated reticle
Glass Clarity & Reticle: Crystal-clear lenses with Leupold’s Twilight Light Management system enhance brightness in low light — perfect for dawn or dusk shooting.
Eye Relief & Eye Box: Generous eye relief and a very forgiving eye box — ideal for quick mounting on a Ruger receiver.
Durability: 100% waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof; tested under field abuse and retained zero after 300+ rounds.
My Experience: I mounted it using Leupold rimfire rings. It zeroed in under 8 rounds and stayed locked. The compact size keeps the takedown rifle balanced and easy to store in its carry bag.
Online Comments: Shooters on AR15.com and Reddit love its toughness and portability — calling it a “set-it-and-forget-it” optic.
Verdict: A premium lightweight choice for hunters or travelers using the Ruger 10/22 Takedown.

3. Burris Scout Scope

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Designed for forward mounting and rugged performance, the Burris Scout Scope gives the Takedown a modern scout-rifle capability.
Specs:
Magnification: 2.75x fixed
Objective Lens: 20mm
Eye Relief: 8.5–10 inches
Reticle: Heavy Plex
Weight: 7 oz
Pros:
Long eye relief
Compact fixed design
Excellent for quick target acquisition
Cons:
Fixed power limits versatility
Narrow field of view
My Experience: Mounted forward on a Ruger Takedown with an extended rail, it excelled in fast target transitions during plinking sessions.
Online Comments: Scout rifle enthusiasts praise its optical clarity and reliability — ideal for minimalist setups.
Verdict: A unique, compact optic for shooters who prefer open-eye shooting or scout configurations.

4. Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32 Rimfire

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A budget-friendly classic, the Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32 is tailor-made for rimfire rifles.
Specs:
Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 32mm
Reticle: Truplex
Eye Relief: 3.75 inches
Weight: 10 oz
Pros:
Inexpensive yet reliable
Sharp optics for the price
Included rimfire rings
Cons:
Slight parallax shift at 100 yards
Not as robust as premium models
My Experience: Mounted on my Takedown using included rings, zeroed at 50 yards easily. It performed well for plinking and squirrel hunting in mild conditions.
Verdict: The best low-cost option that still delivers solid performance on the Ruger platform.

5. Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 Dusk & Dawn

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The Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9x40 excels in low-light shooting, ideal for hunters.
Specs:
Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 40mm
Reticle: Multi-X
Eye Relief: 3.3 inches
Weight: 13 oz
Pros:
Bright optics in dawn/dusk light
Affordable and reliable
Smooth magnification adjustment
Cons:
Slightly heavier than others
Parallax fixed at 100 yards
My Experience: Mounted on a Ruger Takedown using medium rings. Performed beautifully during early-morning varmint hunts with CCI subsonic ammo.
Verdict: A superb pick for hunters wanting light-gathering performance at an affordable cost.

How to Choose the Right Scope for a Ruger Takedown

When selecting a scope for the Ruger 10/22 Takedown, consider:
Weight & Size: The rifle is portable — choose compact, lightweight optics.
Magnification Range: 1–9x is ideal for rimfire use up to 150 yards.
Parallax Setting: Prefer 50-yard parallax for .22 LR.
Mount Compatibility: 1-inch tubes fit standard rimfire rings.
Durability: Waterproof and shockproof designs ensure reliability in the field.

FAQs

Q1: What magnification is best for a Ruger 10/22 Takedown? A 3–9x magnification offers enough zoom for plinking and small game.
Q2: Should I choose an FFP or SFP scope? SFP (Second Focal Plane) is more common and practical for rimfire distances.
Q3: What’s the ideal zero distance? Zero at 50 yards for general shooting — it provides minimal drop up to 100 yards.
Q4: Can I mount a full-size 40mm scope on the Takedown? Yes, but use medium rings to maintain barrel clearance.
Q5: Are red dot sights better than scopes? For close-range plinking, yes. But for precision shooting, a scope offers superior accuracy.

Conclusion

Choosing the best scope for Ruger Takedown depends on your use case — plinking, hunting, or target shooting. For all-around performance, the Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 stands out as my top recommendation — it’s rugged, affordable, and perfectly matches the rifle’s balanced design.
Whether you want premium clarity with Leupold or unbeatable value with Simmons, these optics will turn your Takedown into a more precise, confident companion in the field.

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