How to Mount a Rimfire Rifle Scope - East Ridge Outdoors

How to Mount a Scope on a .22 LR Rifle

Mounting a scope on a rimfire rifle is a fairly simple project that most shooters can handle at home. I recently mounted scopes on both my CZ 457 and Henry .22 LR lever action, and the process was nearly identical for both rifles.

While there are different mounting systems available, most rimfire rifles come from the factory with a 3/8-inch dovetail rail, sometimes called a grooved receiver. These dovetail mounts work well because rimfire rifles generate very little recoil, making them a reliable option for mounting a scope.

Closeup showing the 3/8" dovetail scope mount on a rimfire rifle

Choosing the Right Rings

Most rimfire rifles are designed to accept 3/8-inch dovetail rings, sometimes called rimfire rings.

While some shooters choose to install bases or Picatinny rails, I've found that mounting rings directly to the dovetail is the simplest.

Before purchasing rings, make sure they match:

  • Your rifle's mounting system
  • Your scope tube diameter
  • The desired ring height

Most rimfire scopes use a 1-inch tube, although some higher-end scopes may use a 30mm tube.

The ring height required depends on the size of your scope's objective lens. The goal is to mount the scope so it rests close above the barrel, without touching it. 

A good starting point is:

  • Low height: 40mm and smaller
  • Medium height: 40-50mm
  • High/extra high: 50+ which is less common for rimfire rifles

Comparison of medium and high dovetail scope rings

Keep in mind that ring heights vary between manufacturers, so it's worth double-checking the specifications before ordering.

Installing the Rings

If you have a rifle vise or gun cradle, this is a good time to use it. If not, a workbench is fine.

Start by removing the top halves of the rings.

Place the bottom halves onto the rifle's dovetail rail and position them roughly where you expect them to sit. I like to orient the ring screws on the side opposite the bolt handle. The bolt will generally function either way, but this gives a little extra clearance.

Installing scope rings on CZ 457 22 WMR rifle

At this stage, only tighten the ring clamps enough to prevent them from sliding around or falling off.

You may need to reposition them later to accommodate:

  • Scope turrets
  • Magnification rings
  • Eye relief adjustments

If you're mounting a scope on a bolt-action rifle, it's a good idea to cycle the bolt and confirm it clears the bottom of the rings before moving on, although I've never had an issue with this.

Positioning the Scope

Place the scope into the bottom halves of the rings and reinstall the top caps.

Again, only tighten the screws enough to keep the scope from moving.

At this point, you'll still need to:

  • Adjust eye relief
  • Level the reticle
  • Fine-tune the scope position

Shoulder the rifle as if you were preparing to shoot.

I generally aim for about 3 inches of eye relief when possible. On my Henry .22 LR lever action, moving the scope farther forward would have provided more eye relief, but the magnification ring began interfering with the hammer. As a result, I settled for 2.5 inches of eye relief.

Henry .22 LR Lever action rifle with a bushnell rimfire scope

With a rimfire rifle, you don't have to worry about taking a scope to the face under recoil. However, I certainly wouldn't mount a centerfire rifle scope with this little eye relief.

If adjustments are needed, loosen the ring screws, reposition the scope, and try again until everything feels natural.

Leveling the Scope

Once the eye relief feels comfortable, ensure the scope is level before tightening anything permanently.

You can use specialized leveling tools if you have them, but for most rimfire rifles, carefully leveling the reticle by eye works well.

Take your time during this step. A properly leveled scope makes sighting in and shooting much easier.

Tightening the Dovetail Clamps

After confirming the scope position and reticle alignment, tighten the ring clamps to secure them to the dovetail rail.

Many manufacturers recommend approximately 30 inch-pounds of torque for the dovetail clamps.

I typically use the provided hex key and tighten them securely by hand. Because rimfire rifles produce very little recoil, I've never experienced issues with the rings shifting once properly tightened.

The main thing to avoid is overtightening to the point where you damage or strip a screw.

Tightening the Ring Caps

The final step is tightening the ring caps.

Tighten the screws evenly from side to side, gradually working your way around the ring.

Most manufacturers recommend approximately 18 inch-pounds of torque for ring cap screws.

This is the stage where you need to be more careful. Excessive torque can damage the scope tube.

I still use the supplied hex key for most installations, but I focus on achieving a firm, secure fit without applying excessive force.

Final Checks

Before heading to the range, take a few minutes to inspect everything.

I like to:

  • Shoulder the rifle several times
  • Verify the eye relief feels comfortable
  • Confirm the reticle remains level
  • Check that all screws are tight
  • Cycle the bolt to ensure proper clearance

CZ 457 22 WMR with a CV Life 4-16x44 scope mounted

Once everything looks correct, the rifle is ready to be sighted in.

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