Varmints are nuisance wild animals that are mostly unprotected by law. They are a wide range of pests including rabbits, coyotes, some birds like pigeons, and even squirrels. Having a shotgun that is paired with a varmint scope is advisable and appropriate for successful control of varmints.
Agricultural crops are the main target for these pests and therefore farmers have great concern due to the health risks the pests pose. Humans may consume foods that have been infected by diseases thanks to these pests and hence the need to have a good scope to control them.
Due to the variations in varmints in terms of sizes, it is good to have the most suitable scope for varmints. It is also important to consider the weapon you will be using with your scope in order to get the best scope for varmint hunting.
Best Calibers for Varmint Hunting
There are many calibers that can be used for varmint hunting. The best of them tend to be smaller than their big game counterparts and they produce flat trajectories and minimal recoil.
1. .22 Long Rifle
The .22 long rifle is likely the most popular varmint hunting caliber. It is perfect for hunting all sorts of varmints including squirrels, chipmunks, and ground squirrels. It is cheap and very easy to use.
Read: Top 5 Best Scopes for 22lr Rifles
2. .223 Remington
The .223 is very popular among different shooters. This cartridge is suitable for use with the AR-15 rifles, which are perfect for varmint hunting. The .223 Remington can reach ranges of up to 500 yards and is quite affordable.
Read: 10 Best Scopes for .223 Rifle
3. .243 Winchester
If you are one to enjoy big game hunting, varmint hunting with the .243 Winchester will be a breeze. The cartridge can drop the largest wild hog and can take a 55-grain bullet down range at more than 4,000 feet per second.
Read: 7 Best Scope for .243 Winchester Rifle Reviews
4. .17 HMR
This rimfire round happens to have a higher ballistic performance than the .22LR. It has a great velocity which is great on varmints as large as coyotes.
Read: Best .177 Air Rifle Scopes
5. .22-250 Remington
This cartridge is ideal when using 40 to 45-grain bullets. It has a great speed that makes it stand out among other varmint cartridges. It is ideal for larger varmints such as coyotes and bobcats.
Best Scopes for Varmint Hunting Reviews
1) Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire Riflescope
The Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire Riflescope is made to withstand all that nature throws its way. Despite being lightweight, the housing is durable and provides 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof performance.
This Leupold scope is designed with a Rimfire-MOA reticle and matte finish. It also features the Twilight Light Management System which adds up to 10 extra minutes of shooting light and reduces glare for clear images.
It is perfect for rimfire cartridges, with parallax adjustment for 60 yards.
Key features
- It has precision 1/4 MOA finger click adjustments for windage and elevation
- It has a 1-inch main tube diameter
- Weight: 12.2 oz.
- Length: 12.39 in.
- Eye Relief (in) – Low: 4.17
- Eye Relief (in) – High: 3.66
- Linear FOV (ft. /100 yd.) – Low: 33.7
- Linear FOV (ft. /100 yd.) – High: 13.6
Pros
- It is lightweight
- Unparalleled low-light performance
Cons
- Low magnification
2) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-12×56 Adjustable Objective Hog Hunter
Vortex Optics Crossfire II scope is constructed from hard, anodized aircraft-grade aluminum which provides strength and durability to withstand rugged use. It is also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fog-proof performance.
This Vortex scope is ideal for low-light hunting, with a V-Brite reticle and an oversized objective to allow hunters to take shots from heavy cover. It has a versatile variable magnification, making it ideal for different shooting applications, including varmint hunting.
The scope features capped reset turrets that are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in. Additionally, it uses the V-Plex format along with battery-powered electronics to illuminate the center dot for better low-light performance.
Key features
- It has an adjustable objective for image focus and parallax removal
- It has fully multi-coated optics with anti-reflective coatings for maximum light transmission
- It has a 30 mm tube and an over-sized 56 mm objective lens
- It has long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box for quick picture sight in
- It has a fast-focus eyepiece that allows quick and easy reticle focusing
Pros
- Weatherproof
- It has a rugged build to withstand hard use
Cons
- The large objective lens makes it a bit heavy
3) NightForce NXS 5.5-22x56mm Scope
This NightForce scope is a tactical scope with a proven ability for long-range shooting. The scope is designed with a 56mm objective lens that allows maximum light transmission for clearer, brighter images across the entire magnification range.
The NightForce 5.5-22x56mm scope has a wide magnification factor that allows precision accuracy at the longest ranges, with the 5.5 power being still highly effective for shots at close ranges. This scope comes with rubber lens covers, a cleaning cloth, a multi-tool power throw lever, and a sunshade for lens protection.
Key features
- Made of high-quality materials
- It has a proprietary titanium beta erector spring that delivers three to four times the spring pressure of other scopes
- It has a broad magnification range
- It offers excellent eye relief and 100 MOA of elevation travel
- It has superb resolution at high magnification
Pros
- The slim profile makes it easily adaptable to a wide range of mounting systems
Cons
- It needs some expertise to use
4) ATN X-Sight LTV Ultra Light Day & Night Vision Rifle Scope
ATN X-Sight LTV Ultra Light Day & Night Vision Rifle Scope offers the user a simple experience with excellent results. It is equipped with the ATN Obsidian LT Core that is optimized for low power consumption, in a small and ergonomic form factor.
The scope has the capability to record HD videos and get on target fast all night. It provides vivid and crisp clarity during the day and amazing nighttime performance with the night vision mode which provides enhanced and rapid target acquisition in complete darkness.
It comes with a One Shot Zero feature that allows for a fast and easier sight-in of your scope. Additionally, it features a quick detach mount which allows you to move it from one platform to another while still retaining zero
Key features
- It is made of a classic ergonomic design and a user-friendly interface
- It offers a wide field of view
- It has a 10+ hour battery life
- It is easy to mount on any platform with standard 30 mm rings
- It has a QHD+ Sensor that ensures a crystal clear image quality regardless of time and distance
- Its sensor is combined with an HD screen and comfortable 3″ eye relief
Pros
- It comes with different reticle types to choose from
- It is easy to mount
- Long battery life
Cons
- A bit heavy
5) Burris Scout Scope, Compact and Slim Optic with Medium Magnification
The Burris Scout Scope is well-designed to match scout guns, with a slim, compact design. The scope offers a low-to-medium magnification which is ideal for close to mid-range targets. It features a ballistic plex, which is the simplest, most elegant, and most effective trajectory-compensating reticle available to hunters.
The scope turret indications always reflect a change in the point of impact, for pinpoint accuracy. It has positive steel-on-steel adjustments that help to ensure repeatable accuracy. In addition, this Burris scope features quality, precision-ground lenses that are larger than those of comparable scopes, thus offering better light transmission.
Burris Scout scope also has a forward mounting design which allows mounting in front of the ejection port, for extended eye relief and both-eyes-open shooting. This feature helps with fast target acquisition and increased situational awareness.
Key features
- It has a 1-inch body tube design
- It has index-matched, Hi-Lume multi-coating for low-light performance and glare elimination
- It features finger-adjustable, low-profile turrets that create a sleek profile
- It has variable power for versatility and improved accuracy at longer distances
- It has multi-coated lenses for increased lighting
- It provides a generous 9.2 to 12 in. of eye relief.
Pros
- It is waterproof
- Fog, water, and shockproof
- Compact and lightweight
- It supported by Burris Forever Warranty
Cons
- A bit costly
Best Scopes for Varmint Hunting FAQs
- What magnification is needed for 500 yards?
Magnification is one of the most important things in scope. To shoot at 500 yards, you will need a magnification of at least 5x which should be adjustable to at least 10 times (10x). Remember that what you intend to shoot also matters a lot, meaning that if you are shooting a small target, then your magnifications should be much higher.
Read 8 Best Riflescopes for 500 Yards
- Is 5x too much for hunting?
Most hunters will go for a scope with a magnification of about 3-15x or 4-16x. This allows them to view the entire animal at as close as 35 yards, and also to make long-range shots.
- Is a red dot sight good for coyote hunting?
Yes. The ultra-shot M-spec in red dot sights provide the best reticle for coyote hunting. Not to mention the wide-angle lens and anti-reflective lens coatings that provide a clear field of view.
Read Top 6 Best Thermal Riflescopes for Coyote Hunting Review
- What is a varmint rifle scope?
The best Varmint scope is equipped with a large objective lens size together with multi-coated optics for increased light transmission and superior clarity.
- Is SFP or FFP better for hunting?
While FFP is most suitable for long-range, high magnification, competition, and some professional tactical and hunting applications, SFP is very good for most target shooting, hunting, and CQB performance.
Final Thoughts
You should not risk having varmints eat your vegetables and other foods on the farm. This is because they carry infections that can be dangerous and fatal if transferred to humans.
The best scopes for hunting varmints are well-built and come with an array of features for easy and meaningful performance.
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