None of my Ruger 22's have the accuracy that I require.
The rifle is going to be used as a beater that will get left outside on a atv fulltime. Most of the time my wife will be using the atv checking cows. As far as accuracy goes I'd like to be able to shoot a penny at a 100yds. A variable scope is what I'm looking for, we might be shooting a snake at 10' or launching a 200yd shot at a varmint hoping for a hit. I'm not against spending money and will probably end up just buying a Leupold VX 3hd.
Which VX3hd were you considering? Most focusing models adjust only down to 75 yds. The fixed focus VX3s are parallax set to 150 yds.
The 6.5-20 EFR is a superb optic. I have one on an Anschutz 1712. That particular .22, and my 52c Bull gun, will put 5 CCI SV in 1" at 100 yds. Sometimes 10 rds on calm days. A penny is 0.75" in diam, so reliable hits means group averages well below 0.86" or so. Not many .22rf sporters will do that, even with Eley or RWS.
Christensen guarantees MOA at 50 yds. That is not the same as a MOA guarantee at 100yds. IME doubling distance from 50 to 100 roughly triples average group size. Some of considerably more experience say it quadruples group size. I shoot paper at distance some, and at 200 yds am happy with 4-5" SV groups with sporters that average 1.5" at 100 yds.
I shoot dairy farm pigeons, crows, etc in volume out to 110 yds with .22s. Like you am not afraid to take any shot at a predator (we have chickens). Didn't start with this viewpoint but now value bankable turret adjustments and dialing to make hits. A 50 yd zero requires a 6" or so correction at 100 yds with subsonic HPs. I can use a ranging reticle, but prefer to dial if there's time. Guessing with duplex reticles is just poke and pray for me.
Many scopes will not adjust consistently, linearly, and in accordance with stated increments (mils or 1/4 MOAs). Have several VX3s but Leupolds are not among the ones I'd consider if dialing. I do not use the turrets on that 6.5-20EFR. There's a reason for that.
Which brings me to my current favorite optics for about all .22rfs: the already mentioned SWFA 10x. It focus adjusts down to 10 yds (spec), actually less. Turrets are bankable. And it works for fast and close shots keeping both eyes open. If I had to mostly shoot things on the move I'd use the 6x version.
Lack personal experience with the Vortex D-backs, but others cite a lack of durability. You did mention you were going to keep it on an ATV. The SWFA fixed models are pretty vibration resistant. My personal experience sez Leupolds are not.