Hunting squirrels is easy and exciting. It can, however, be quite challenging because squirrels are quite hypervigilant and erratic small animals. For this reason, you will need to invest in good-quality scopes that are specifically designed for this type of hunting.
A squirrel-hunting scope is an optical instrument for hunting squirrels at a long distance from the hunter.
There are various types and brands of scopes for 22lr squirrel hunting that make selection hard. This review has the 7 best scopes for 22lr squirrel hunting. Each of the scopes stands out for some aspect in particular that will best suit your needs.
They are high-quality and durable and also fully coated with optical glass for precise magnification and view.
Scopes for 22lr Squirrel Hunting
1) Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Waterproof Fogproof Matte Black Riflescope
Simmons 3-9x32mm riflescope features Simmons’ patented true zero adjustment system and quick target acquisition eyepiece (QTA) that delivers a constant eye relief of 3.5 inches for the entire magnification range.
In addition, it boasts a set of Rimfire rings that allow easy and quick mounting and SureGrip adjustments that allow easy adjustment, even while wearing gloves.
This Simmons’ scope features high-quality optical glass and fully-coated optics that allow maximum light transmission for bright, sharp images. In addition, it has a Hydro-Shield lens coating, which helps prevent fogging for a clear sight picture, regardless of weather conditions.
Key features
- It is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- It has a black matte finish for increased d
- Truplex Reticle
- Rimfire 3/8″ dovetail mounting rings included
- Field of View: 31.4/10.5 ft. @ 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.75 inches
- Exit Pupil: 10.7 – 3.6 Millimeters
- Weight: 10.3 ounces
- Click Value (MOA): 1/4
- Adjustment (Range): 60/60
2) Athlon Optics Midas TAC 6-24×50 First Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Athlon Midas TAC 6-24×50 comes with high-quality features to suit different hunting applications, including squirrel hunting. The HD Glass offers increased light transmission for brighter and sharper images in all ambient light conditions.
The riflescope has fully multicoated lenses that ensure clear images for accurate shots at short, medium, and long ranges. In addition, this Midas riflescope comes with XPL Coating to protect exterior lenses from dirt, oil, and scratches.
It also has a hard precision zero stop that allows a repeatable return to zero position and a capped Windage Turret that prevents accidental adjustments. The APLR4 FFP MOA reticle style is a blend of a precision marksman and a long-range hunter with an open-center design.
Key features
- It features a 30mm aircraft-grade aluminum tube for strength and shockproofing
- The riflescope has HD glass for increased light transmission for brighter, sharper images
- It has fully multicoated optics for reduced glare
- A true hard Zero Stop allows you to return to zero position and dial back it with a sharp, precise stop
- It has a capped Windage Turret to prevent accidental adjustments (10MIL/25MOA Travel-Per-Rotation Turrets)
- It offers a 17.8-4.6 ft field of view at 100yds
3) Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 BDC Rimfire Reticle Riflescope
Many hunters use the Bushnell Optics BDC riflescope for its quality and affordability. It has an AR optics rimfire reticle that provides accuracy and reliability in every hunting scenario. It also features multicoated lenses for maximum brightness with aiming points out to 500 yards.
The riflescope’s air-to-glass surfaces come with multiple layers of anti-reflective coating for the brightest, highest contrast images and minimal eye strain. In addition, it gives high light transmission and a large magnification range.
It also comes with a side parallax target featuring target turrets for pinpoint accurate adjustments. The windage and elevation adjustments click through the full range. It also has a caliber-specific reticle to deliver every round with keen eye accuracy. This Bushnell riflescope is O-ring sealed to ensure no dust or moisture hence durability.
Key features
- It is made of high-durability aluminum alloy for durability
- It is sealed for water and rust proofing
- Fully multi-coated optics offer incredible brightness and image clarity
- Maximum accuracy and reliability to master every tactical scenario
- Drop Zone 22 LR Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle
- Side parallax focus with target turrets for pin-point precise adjustments.
- Field of View (ft @00yds / m @00m): 0/@2x / 7/@7x
- Weight: 9.6 oz
- Length: .3 / 287(in. / mm)
- Eye Relief: 3.7 / 9(in. / mm)
- Exit Pupil (mm): 3.@2x / 4.6@7x
- Click Value (in. @000yds / mm @00m): 0.2 / 6.9
- Adj. Range (in. @00yds / m @00m): +0 / .3
- Mounting Length (in. / mm): 4.6 / 8
4) Simmons 510513 Truplex Riflescope
The 8-Point riflescope offers many high-quality features including fully coated optics for a brighter, higher-contrast image, and 1/4-MOA SureGrip audible-click windage and elevation adjustments for effortless adjustment.
It is also equipped with a triplex reticle and the QTA eyepiece that allows easy target acquisition.
This Simmons riflescope is waterproof, fog proof, and recoil-proof, which makes for outstanding precision in a basic riflescope. It comes with an included mount system that makes it easy to mount on your rifle.
Key features
- Waterproof, fog proof, and recoil proof
- Magnification & Objective (mm): 3-9x 40
- Weight: 70 ounces
- Field of View (ft. at 100 yds.): 31.4 / 10.5
- Eye Relief: 95 mm; 3.75 inches
- Exit Pupil: 10.7 / 3.6 mm
- Click Value (in at 100Y): 0.25
- Adjustment Range (in at 100Y): 60
5) Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire, SFP
The Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire riflescope is unbeaten in image quality, build quality, and overall feel of the turrets and the fast-focus eyepiece. It is suitable for close-range use on 22 rimfires, shotguns, and muzzleloaders.
The scope features the V-Plex reticle, which is a popular all-purpose hunting reticle meant for a wide range of hunting applications.
The one-piece tube scope has a hard-anodized finish that is highly shockproof and durable and helps camouflage the shooter’s position. It is Argon purged and O-ring sealed to provide a long-lived fog-proof and waterproof performance.
Key features
- Shockproof and durable
- Fully multi-coated lenses provide clear and bright images all day long
- A precision glide erector system ensures accurate tracking and repeatability
- Has a fast-focus eyepiece for quick and easy reticle focusing
- Metal-on-metal precision turrets allow zero reset after sight-in.
- Second focal plane (SFP) reticles are located near the scope’s eyepiece behind the image erecting and magnifying lenses
6) BARSKA 4×32 Plinker-22 Riflescope
The BARSKA 4x33mm riflescope features high-quality construction and comes with fully coated optics that provide impressive viewing clarity. The 1” diameter tube is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof hence able to take the knocks of long-term use in all conditions.
Its reticle is an illuminated 30/30, with 1/4 MOA click values for the windage and elevation turrets. It is parallax-free at 50 yards and comes with two 3/8 dovetail mounting rings, lens covers as well as scope covers.
The 4×32 Plinker-22 Riflescope is engineered for plinking and general hunting with a .22 rimfire rifle. It is durable and lightweight, perfect for hunting or target practice. The 4x magnification allows you to get up close to the target during mid-to short-range targeting.
Key features
- The 4x magnification scope features 1/4 MOA click adjustments for precision accuracy
- It comes with a 30/30 crosshair reticle for easy targeting,
- It is parallax-free at 50 yards, making it easy to target at a closer range
- 4x Magnification
- 32mm Objective Lens
- Fully Coated Optics
Choosing the Best Scopes for 22lr Squirrel Hunting
Optics
The lens is the most significant feature of a hunting scope. It is an essential asset that requires attention for the best hunting performance. The lens should have a good level of light transmission efficiency for bright images in all lighting conditions.
Size
The size of the scope is also important when choosing a 22lr rimfire scope. The best scope for squirrel hunting should ideally be slim and compact in the frame for a firm hold and easy handling. A good shape ensures comfortable handling increasing the chances of a successful hunt.
Weight
The weight of the scope is essential when hunting with a 22lr squirrel hunting scope because it contributes to the rifle’s stability. Your scope should be easy to carry around and should not fatigue you while hunting.
Eye relief
This is the distance between each lens and the shooter’s eyes. Large or long eye relief is more comfortable and offers safety for the eyes and eyebrows, especially when using high-power rifles. Eye relief is critical for users who wear glasses; it should be greater than or equal to 3 inches.
Coatings
Having reflection of light from lenses causes a reduction in the amount of light that passes through the lenses making the image appear dark. For reduced reflection, the lenses are coated for increased light transmission and clear, bright images.
Weatherproof
Many times the weather changes when hunting or your scope accidentally drops on wet ground. You might also use your scope on board a boat, and having a waterproof scope prevents damage by moisture. Waterproof scopes have rubber-sealed tubes to prevent moisture from entering. The sealing also helps to keep off dust or contaminating particles from inside the scope.
Versatility
Many hunters prefer scopes that can be used for different purposes to cater to all their needs. This means that they do not need to invest in multiple scopes and can save money. Such scopes come in a wide range of magnifications and large objective lenses for wide fields of view.
Final Thoughts
Squirrels are small and fast animals that can be quite a nuisance when in the compound or farm. In recent years, squirrel hunting has become a common thing and is made even easier and more fun by having a suitable scope.
The best scopes for 22lr squirrel hunting allow you to keep up with the animal’s speed, making accurate shots They boast well-built features for reliability and long-lived performance.
See also; 10 Best Scopes for Pellet Guns