Mounting a Scope on a Ruger 22 Rifle: Step-by-Step Guide

Mounting a scope on a Ruger 22 rifle can enhance its accuracy and usability for shooting. This guide will walk you through the process of installing a scope on your Ruger 22, whether it has a built-in scope mount or not.

Pre-Drilled Holes for Scope Mounting

Most modern Ruger 22 rifles, including the 10/22 and 77/22 models, come with pre-drilled holes for scope mounts. However, if your rifle lacks these features, you need to ensure it has the necessary mounting points before proceeding.

No Built-in Scope Mount?

If your Ruger 22 does not have a built-in scope mount, it may not have the required pre-drilled holes. In such cases, you have two options:

No Dovetailed Upper Receiver? - If the rifle does not have a dovetailed upper receiver, take it to a gunsmith to drill and tap the receiver. Drilling and tapping the receiver is necessary to accommodate standard scope mounts. Doing this yourself is not recommended due to the pressures involved with cartridges. Ruger 10/22 or 77/22 Lack Cutouts? - If you have a Ruger 10/22 or 77/22, these models are already drilled for scope rings. The 10/22 has pre-drilled holes, while the 77/22 has the proprietary scope ring cutouts.

Adding a Scope Rail

If you prefer a more modern and versatile solution, consider adding a scope rail to your Ruger 22. A scope rail offers a straightforward and secure way to mount adjustable scope bases. The process typically involves:

Ordering the appropriate scope rail from Ruger, as they offer a Picatinny mounting plate that fits the 10/22. Ensuring that the mounting plate comes with the correct attachment screws. Using the rail to easily attach any scope that has a Picatinny mount.

Factory-Drilled and Tapped Receivers

When purchasing a new Ruger 22, you may find that the receiver is already drilled and tapped for mounting scope rings. This is standard for most Ruger 22 models, including the 10/22.

Factory-Drilled and Tapped Holes

Even early models of Ruger 10/22s are known to have pre-drilled and tapped holes for an add-on mount. Ruger uses very small screws as fillers in these holes, which can be easily removed to add the scope mount. Here's how you can do it:

Obtain the appropriate scope base and mounting hardware. Loc-tite the screws used to mount the base to ensure stability. Remove the small filler screws, and install the scope mount according to the manufacturer's instructions.

By following these steps, you can successfully mount a scope on your Ruger 22 rifle, enhancing its capabilities and accuracy.