Scopes and Optics

Top 5 Best Athlon Scopes for 22LR

Best Athlon Scope for 22LR

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Outdoorshunt.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More


Best Athlon Scope for 22LR

Best Athlon scope for 22lr? The .22lr is a fun-to-shoot ammunition ideal for a wide range of applications. From recreational target shooting to competitive shooting and hunting at extreme ranges, the 22lr is extremely versatile. This is thanks to its high muzzle velocity and ability to cover longer distances.

If you use a 22lr for whatever application, pairing your rifle with a quality scope will make the 22lr more fun to shoot. A scope will boost your vision, broaden your shooting distance and help you achieve the most from your setup.

With all that said, Athlon has an outstanding reputation for making responsive, top-performing optics and this is clear in their scopes for 22lr. In this article, we have shared our favorite five Athlon scopes that pair perfectly with the 22lr rifle. These scopes offer outstanding long-range performance no matter the activity you are engaged in. Let’s have a look.

Here is a quick list

PRODUCT IMAGE PRICE
#1) Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD  Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD
#2) Athlon Optics Neos 4-12×40 Athlon Optics Neos 4-12x40
#3) Athlon Optics Neos 3-9×40  Athlon Optics Neos 3-9x40
#4) Athlon Optics Talos 4-16×40 Athlon Optics Talos 4-16x40
#5) Athlon Optics Helos BTR 1-4.5×24 Athlon Optics Helos BTR 1-4.5x24

 

What Makes a Great Scope for 22lr?

Understanding the important features you need in a scope for your 22lr rifle will help you make select a model that works best for your needs. For a scope to be considered great for 22lr, it comes with multiple attributes.

First, the scope should be a variable power scope with a broad magnification. With wide magnification comes the flexibility to shoot targets at different ranges. The scope should also boast a big objective lens to ensure that bright images are generated even for targets at extended ranges.

Another thing that comes with the best Athlon scope for 22lr is robust and dependable housing. Whether you purpose to use it for hunting or shooting at the range, the scope should be able to endure rough outdoor conditions. It should also be designed to be resistant to weather and environmental conditions.

A good 22lr scope should also have a lightweight design for convenient portability and an easy-to-use reticle that stays visibly clear no matter the lighting conditions.

 

Best Athlon Scope for 22lr Buyer’s Guide

Choosing the best Athlon scope for 22lr is not something you can do on a whim. Here are some of the important factors you should take into account.

Magnification

A scope for use with the 22lr must have high magnification power. This will bring you closer to the distant targets and help you make the most difficult shot with ease.

For competitive shooting, a scope with more than 10x will be ideal. It will help you cover longer ranges with ease.

But for hunting, it is better to get a moderate powered scope. This is because high magnification results in a smaller field of view and a large field of view is key for tracking moving game. For optimum versatility, get a variable power scope that offers a broad zoom power.

Durability

The dependability and quality of a scope is known in the type of materials used. The scope you get for your 22lr rifle should be sturdy enough to handle hits and impacts without getting damaged.

When you are in the hunting field or shooting range, the scope gets exposed to accidental falls, recoil, vibrations and other forces that can break it. A product that is fragile will end up breaking into pieces in such situations. But a heavy-duty model made using high-grade materials will stand up to every rough handling you subject it to.

Lenses

For long-range shooting with the 22lr rifle, you need a scope with high-quality glass and multi-coated lenses. It is best to get a scope that possesses fully multi-coated optics and high-end glass such as ED or HD.

With such a scope, you are guaranteed bright, vivid, and color-accurate images that have superior edge-to-edge sharpness.

Weatherproof

Also, ensure that the scope you get is built to be waterproof. It should have O-rings and be filled with either argon or nitrogen gas. Additionally, make sure that you pick a scope that is designed to perform across a wide range of temperatures if you plan to use it in every season.

Eye Relief

Eye relief is the distance from your eye to the eyepiece of the scope. This distance plays a huge role in determining your shooting comfort and the rate of target acquisition. The best Athlon scope for 22lr offers a long amount of eye relief.

With long eye relief, you get to aim comfortably without having to change your shooting position every now and then. Long eye relief scopes also accommodate eyeglass wearers comfortably and enhance rapid target acquisition.

 

 

Best Athlon Scope for 22LR Reviews

#1) Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD 

Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD

 

 

 

The Ares ETR UHD 4.5-30×56 FFP riflescope is arguably the best Athlon scope for 22lr available on the market currently. It harbors a wide selection of top-performing and shooter-friendly features to take your long-distance shooting a notch higher.

It is constructed with a large 34mm body tube which provides room for reticle movement and optimum windage and elevation adjustment. Furthermore, it possesses fully multi-coated optics that allow for effective light transfer to give you brighter images from sunrise to sunset. More so, the scope utilizes extra-low dispersion glass which maximizes resolution and true color reproduction.

With the broad 4.5-30x magnification, there is virtually no distance this scope can’t cover. This ultra-versatile magnification is complemented by a large 56mm objective lens and a first focal plane reticle that aids with range estimation. The reticle also has 6 illumination settings for use under diverse lighting environments.

Other useful features found in this scope are precision zero stop system, an XPL lens coating and a parallax adjustment from 25 yards to infinity.

Key Features

  • 34mm main tube
  • Exposed and locking turrets
  • Precision zero stop system
  • Broad 4.5-30x magnification range
  • Advanced fully multi-coated optics
  • Premium ED glass
  • First focal plane reticle

Pros

  • Reticle illumination
  • Adjustable parallax
  • Crisp clear optics
  • Comfortable eye relief

Cons

  • Bulkier
  • Not cheap

 

 

#2) Athlon Optics Neos 4-12×40

Athlon Optics Neos 4-12x40

 

 

 

The Neos 4-12×40 is the best Athlon scope for 22lr for the money. It will increase your hunting and shooting success at extended ranges without depleting the savings in your account. If you are a beginner in long-range shooting or you are a budget buyer, the scope suits you.

Though the scope is cost-effective, it doesn’t cut corners on quality and durability. It has fully multi-coated optics which effectively reduce light reflection and enhance light transfer for brighter image views. It also has capped turrets to prevent accidental adjustment when you are carrying the scope in the field.

The best thing about the scope is its durability. It has a heat-treated 1-piece tube which gives it extra sturdiness compared with multi-piece tubes. Furthermore, it has a glass-etched reticle which provides greater durability and higher recoil resistance. It’s also built to perform under rain, fog, and varying temperatures.

Key Features

  • 1-piece heat-treated body tube
  • Fully multi-coated optics
  • 25 MOA click value
  • Capped turrets
  • Glass-etched second focal plane reticle
  • Waterproof and fog proof construction
  • 4-12x magnification range

Pros

  • Adjustable parallax
  • Clear glass
  • Budget-friendly
  • Numerous reticle options
  • Lightweight design

Cons

  • Poor eye relief

 

 

#3) Athlon Optics Neos 3-9×40 

Athlon Optics Neos 3-9x40

 

 

 

 

Next up is the Neos 3-9×40 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes. When you mount this scope on your 22lr rifle, your range will be extended and your shooting accuracy enhanced.

The variable 3-9x magnification in the scope gives you the flexibility to shoot targets at close, medium, and long ranges. At every zoom setting, the scope provides vivid image views that make the shooting expedition more fun. It also maintains a generous eye relief that is handy for rapid target scanning.

Inside the heat-treated one-piece tube is nitrogen gas which reduces build-up of moisture on the inside. This helps keep the scope fog-free and waterproof as well. Construction-wise, the scope is crafted from aircraft-quality aluminum, a premium-grade material that offers outstanding mechanical integrity, strength, and rigidity. Moreover, the second focal plane reticle is etched on glass to add durability and recoil resistance.

The scope also brings to the table a large 40mm objective lens and fully multi-coated lenses which provide outstanding image brightness, clarity, and color contrast.

Key Features

  • Aircraft quality aluminum housing
  • Capped turrets
  • Heat-treated 1-piece tube
  • Waterproof and fog proof
  • Fully multi-coated lenses
  • 1-inch tube diameter
  • Glass-etched second focal plane reticle

Pros

  • Reasonably cheap
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Multiple reticle options
  • Clear sight pictures

Cons

  • Less accommodating eye relief
  • Fixed parallax adjustment

 

 

 

#4) Athlon Optics Talos 4-16×40

Athlon Optics Talos 4-16x40

 

 

 

Another best Athlon scope for 22lr is the Talos 4-16×40. It is available in two reticle designs, the Mil-Dot and the BDC 600 IR, both of which provide a high level of precision when shooting targets at extended ranges.

The scope’s fully multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission to provide you with bright, clear, and color-accurate image views. Even in low light situations like dawn and dusk, the scope provides admirably clear images of the target. Besides that, it weighs just 16.2oz and has capped turrets for added protection.

The construction includes a 1-inch heat-treated tube that is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. This robust construction gives the scope unprecedented mechanical integrity and strength to endure anything you subject it to. To add on reliability, this scope is purged with dry nitrogen gas to keep the lenses fog proof and waterproof.

Key Features

  • Waterproof and fog proof construction
  • 1-inch body tube
  • Aircraft-grade aluminum housing
  • Heat-treated single-piece tube
  • Second focal plane reticle
  • 4-16x magnification range
  • Reticle etched on glass

Pros

  • Good price tag
  • Numerous reticle options
  • Outstanding low light performance
  • Lightweight construction
  • Capped turrets for additional protection

Cons

  • Turrets are somewhat rough
  • Reduced eye relief at the highest power settings

 

 

#5) Athlon Optics Helos BTR 1-4.5×24

Athlon Optics Helos BTR 1-4.5x24

 

 

 

Lastly on our list is the Helos BTR 1-4.5×24 Riflescope. It is a versatile scope ideal for hunting, competitive shooting, and other applications. Unlike the other long-range scopes listed above, this model is ideal for short and medium applications only. This is because it has a low power variable magnification that spans from 1x to 4.5x.

With a weight of 22 ounces, it is one of the lightest scopes on this list. The light design makes it portable and easier to use, mount and shoot. Furthermore, the scope comes with a precision zero stop system which lets you go back to your initial zero swiftly. Also, it has a revolution lock system that makes adjustment changes easier.

This riflescope brings to the table a parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity and a glass-etched reticle which provides excellent durability and greater resistance to shock, vibrations, and recoil. It also boasts fully multi-coated optics which generate brighter and clear image views by optimizing light transmission.

To top it all, Athlon designed this rifle scope to provide reliable waterproof integrity and better thermal stability.

 

Key Features

  • Revolution lock system
  • 30mm tube size
  • Precision zero stop system
  • Waterproof and fog proof
  • Fully multi-coated optics
  • Glass-etched reticle
  • 1-4.5x variable magnification range

Pros

  • Great value for money
  • Compact in size and lightweight
  • Rugged and dependable construction
  • Adjustable parallax
  • Generous field of view

Cons

  • Short eye relief
  • Can be costly for the budget buyers

 

Best Athlon Scope for 22lr: FAQs

  • What scope should I put on a 22lr?

The scope that you should put in your 22lr is one that suits your needs. It should have proper magnification power that matches your intended hunting/shooting distance. The scope should also have every other feature you need to turn your expedition into a success.

  • What is parallax on a scope?

Parallax is an optical defect that makes the reticle of your scope to appear like it moves as you move your head. This occurs when the reticle and the target are on different planes on the same scope. Parallax correction is key for accurate shooting at long range.

 

Conclusion

We do hope that you have found this article enlightening and helpful. Every long-range hunter and shooter out there should have a quality optic for bringing the distant targets closer.

All the scopes listed above have the essential features you need to shoot and hunt at extended ranges. Do your homework and identify the important features you need, then choose the right scope based on your skills and preference.