By Billy Allen 

As an avid Australian shooter and hunter, I’ve always appreciated gear that combines reliability, affordability and a touch of national pride. When Outback Optics reached out to The Report with its Matilda Rimfire scope 4-12×40 for review, I was keen to put it through its paces. Outback Optics was originally founded by George Barton, a two-time Olympian with a passion for shooting. Outback Optics is an Australian-owned and operated company that started with a focus on supporting rural stores. Their products, like many optics at this price point, are manufactured in China, but it’s worth noting that even bigger brands are shifting production there. 

I was in the market to replace the old scope on my Ruger All-Weather 77/22 in paddle stock configuration with one better suited for rimfire rifles, particularly with parallax adjustment tailored for closer ranges. Seizing the opportunity, I mounted the Matilda on my rifle to see if it lived up to the hype. Over the following weeks, I tested it in various conditions, from sighting in from the bench to evening hunts. What follows is my honest assessment, broken down into first impressions, technical specifications, field performance and final thoughts. 

First impressions 

Unboxing the Matilda Rimfire scope left me with a positive vibe right from the start. The packaging was store-quality—a sturdy box that protected everything inside. Inside, I found the scope itself, a user manual, standard plastic lens covers and what has to be the largest lens cleaning cloth I’ve ever seen. 

The scope is built to a budget, but it doesn’t feel cheap. Its simple, clean lines give it a no-nonsense appearance and holding it in hand, it exudes a sense of solid construction. Peering through the lenses, there was clarity right to the edges, with no noticeable distortion.  

There was some burring on the threading that the turret caps screw onto, but this didn’t hinder the function of the scope. Adjusting the windage and elevation turret dials provided positive, slack-free clicks with a satisfying audible snap that inspires confidence. 

The fast-focus diopter on the eyepiece was straightforward to use, quickly bringing the reticle into sharp focus—even for my bespectacled eyes. In many ways, this scope reminds me of the affordable models that used to come out of the USA about 20 years ago: straightforward, reliable and built to last. That nostalgic quality was a real draw for me. When I compared it side-by-side with some of those older American scopes, the Matilda held its own in terms of optical clarity. 

Adding to the appeal is the lifetime warranty, backed by a no-questions-asked replacement policy. Knowing that support is local and prompt is reassuring. I dropped by my local gun shop, The Open Range in Toowoomba, which stocks the Outback Optics line and chatted with the staff. They mentioned they haven’t had a single return due to faults, which speaks volumes about the improved quality control in Chinese manufacturing. 

I mounted the scope on both of my .22 rifles to get a feel for balance. The weight struck a good middle ground—not too heavy to burden the rifle, nor too light to feel insubstantial. It sat well on each, enhancing the overall handling. Interestingly, it’s a tad longer than some lower magnification scopes I’ve used. On my Brno, the extra tube length was a bonus, allowing the objective lens to clear the rear iron sight without issue. 

Overall, my first impressions were that this is a scope offering excellent value for its price point, blending modern manufacturing efficiencies with a timeless feel. 

Technical specs and data 

Diving into the nuts and bolts, the Matilda Rimfire 4-12×40 (model M4-12x40RF) is designed specifically for rimfire applications, with features that punch above its recommended retail price of $285. 

It’s a second focal plane scope, meaning the reticle size remains constant as magnification changes, which is ideal for hunting in my opinion. The tube is constructed from 6063 T-06 aluminium alloy, with a standard one-inch diameter for easy mounting on most rifles. The objective lens measures 47mm outer diameter, contributing to good light gathering without adding bulk. The Matilda scope is also produced with a fully nitrogen-purged scope tube to prevent fogging.  

The reticle is a BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) type tailored for rimfire ballistics, featuring additional crossbars for quick range estimation. Optics are fully multi-coated crystal lenses, enhancing light transmission and reducing glare. A fast-focus eyepiece ensures quick adjustments for individual eyesight. 

Field of view is respectable: 10.13 metres at 4x magnification over 100 metres, narrowing to 3.33 metres at 12x. Eye relief ranges from 81mm at 4x to 70mm at 12x, providing a safe and comfortable buffer. Exit pupil is 10.5mm at 4x and 3.3mm at 12x, supporting bright images even in lower light. 

Windage and elevation adjustments offer 53 MOA total travel top to bottom and left to right, with 1/4 MOA clicks. Each turret rotation has 60 teeth, allowing precise dialling. The overall length is 329mm, keeping it within a reasonable length for field use. 

Backed by that lifetime warranty and no-questions-asked replacement policy, the Matilda is built to endure the rigours of Australian shooting pursuits. 

In the field 

Theory is one thing, but real-world performance is where a scope proves its worth. I took the Matilda-mounted Ruger All-Weather 77/22 out for several evening sessions on local farms, targeting hares, rabbits, cats and foxes.  

While hunting along a creek, the sling of my rifle accidentally slipped off my shoulder, causing the rifle to have a controlled fall to the ground, where the scope took a minor bump (some might say bounced off the ground). On inspection, the finish remained unscathed and after testing the zero, the point of impact had stayed true. The Matilda demonstrated its durability and quality of build through my minor blunder. This scope stood up to the biggest test a scope can have, taking a good knock, and passed without a blemish or losing its zero. The scope held up admirably—no scratches, marks or tarnishes, still looking factory-fresh after weeks of use. 

Sighting in at 50 yards was straightforward. The 1/4 MOA clicks translated accurately to point-of-impact shifts, unlike some scopes where adjustments feel inconsistent. Once zeroed, it held firm through transport and shooting, even on my trusty stainless Ruger All-Weather 77/22. 

In low light—dusk and dawn—the fully multi-coated lenses performed admirably. It gathered enough light to extend viable shooting time right to the edge of darkness, impressing me, given the price. The field of view on higher magnification remained decent, making target acquisition easy compared to scopes I’ve used with tunnel-like views on higher magnifications. 

The BDC reticle’s crossbars were a handy feature. At 6x, the gaps corresponded to about two inches at 50 yards with CCI Velocitor and subsonic ammo; at 12x, it was roughly one inch. This aided quick holdovers, though results may vary with different loads—best to test your own groups. Even if you ignore the bars and stick to the crosshairs, they don’t clutter the view or obstruct the sight picture. 

Lower power magnification shone during a close-quarters stalk on a hare in thick scrub along a fence line. The 4x setting and rimfire-specific parallax kept things clear and focused, even at shorter ranges.  

Final thoughts 

Wrapping up my time with the Matilda, I’m impressed. The lifetime warranty, accompanied by no-questions-asked replacement, is a strong vote of confidence from Outback Optics in the durability of their product. 

This scope has earned a permanent spot on my Ruger All-Weather 77/22—I’ll be keeping it and sending a check back rather than returning the scope. At its price, it competes fiercely with bigger brands at the same price point, offering top-tier value in the current market. Twenty-five years ago, when I started shooting, comparable quality came from the USA at a much higher cost. In today’s economy, with rising living expenses, budget-conscious shooters like me will find the Outback Optics range a smart choice. 

Rimfire-specific scopes are scarce in stores and finding one of this quality in this price point is refreshing—especially from an Australian-owned and operated company. Outback Optics understands our local needs, supplying gear tailored for Australian conditions. 

Conclusion 

The Outback Optics Matilda Rimfire 4-12×40 is a testament to how far affordable optics have come. It delivers clear performance, robust build and practical features without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter upgrading on a budget or a newcomer building your kit, this scope deserves consideration. Supporting a local company like Outback Optics not only gets you reliable gear but also invests in Australian shooting culture. If you’re in the market for a rimfire optic, head to your nearest stockist and give the Matilda a look