This guide sheds a light on the best AR 15 hog hunting scopes that will change your hunting experience for the better.
Hog hunting is an everyday activity among hunting buffs. These creatures are hunted for their meat, which explains why the activity is recently on an upsurge. Hog hunting is tricky and requires some patience and skill level. This is due to the fact that the animals are most active at night. Besides, they are agile and aggressive, which makes capturing them arduous.
A good scope is made to make it easier for you. A good scope enhances the power of your AR when in the field. A scope that reaches its full potential will certainly enhance your shooting prowess. To help you find the right scope, we have jotted down the best models that guarantee a successful expedition.
What Magnification Do You Need?
The magnification of your scope is essential as it determines whether your shot is a hit or miss. When hunting wild boar, a scope with a fixed magnification is sufficient. However, you must examine both your hunting prowess and optical acuity. A competent hunter with good vision might take down a hog at 20 yards without using a scope. A rookie hunter with poor eyesight might need a 4x scope for the same kill.
A good deer shooting scope should also be adequate for hunting wild boar. Most deer hunting scopes, however, include a 3-9x scope. The scope’s low magnification can be used. Unfortunately, you might be unable to utilize the device’s 9x power. As a result, 1x to 4x is a decent range for a hog hunting scope’s magnification. This can accommodate most wild boar hunting situations.
Now, let’s dive into the top-ranking scopes.
Best AR 15 Hog Hunting Scopes
1)Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20mm Riflescope
Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20mm hosts a litany of features in a low profile and lightweight package. The 2.5x magnification is perfect for hog hunting. Its durability is worth mentioning. The scope is fogproof, scratchproof, shockproof, and waterproof to a depth of 33 feet. Leupold also tested it at temperatures ranging from -40 to 160 degrees.
With all these properties, the scope does the job regardless of what is thrown at it.
A simple Wide Duplex reticle is used in this scope. Due to the reticle’s etching into the glass, it is very visible even in dim light. On those late-night hog hunts, this facilitates simple, precise sighting.
To reinforce the scope’s performance in dismal lighting is the A-grade glass. The scope is fully multicoated using the Index Matched Lens System, producing a remarkably clear image. This is useful for moving hogs.
Also, this scope has superb light transmission. In fact, compared to trying to shoot with the naked eye, you can get an additional 20 minutes of shooting time out of this scope. Leupold’s Twilight Management System is responsible for this.
What’s more, the low-profile turrets give the scope a sleek appearance. Zeroing is a breeze as well.
It has a 6.5-ounce weight. This light weight makes the scope more resistant to recoil, which is wonderful for a comfortable shooting session. The scope thus withstands more recoils, preventing internal damage and messing with your zero.
Features
- Wide Duplex reticle
- Twilight Management System
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Glass-etched reticle
- Low-profile turrets
- 5x zoom
- Completely waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Weighs 6.5 ounces
Pros
- Premium glass
- Lightweight
- Generous eye relief
- Sleek profile
Cons
- No rings or mounts are included
2)ATN X-Sight 4K Pro 5-20x70mm Smart HD Riflescope
Hog hunters will appreciate the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro 5-20x70mm. The scope is hinged with state-of-the-art features that let you hunt from early morning to nighttime. The Smart Rangefinder is one of this scope’s most cutting-edge features.
The distance to the target will be determined by the scope using two measurements from the reticle. The range is then visible right there on the screen. Guesswork will be a thing of the past with this unit.
Also included with the X-Sight is a ballistic calculator. Using the smartphone app, program in your weapon profile and environmental data such as wind and humidity, and the scope will change your point of impact correctly.
The image quality is phenomenal. You can see every detail with amazing color fidelity during the day. This is owing to the 4k Ultra HD sensor. And at night, with the help of the built-in infrared illuminator, excellent visibility is assured.
Plus, it has a battery that can run for more than 18 hours at the lowest lighting setting, which is advantageous for all-night wild boar hunts.
As if that’s not enough, the X-Sight 4K Pro 5-20x70mm uses a digital Smart Mil-Dot reticle.
Using the smartphone app, you can adjust the spacing between the mil dots to make your reticle specifically fit your caliber and load. Furthermore, the reticle adjusts automatically as the zoom increases.
Features
- One shot zero function
- More than 18 hours of battery operation
- Ballistic calculator
- Built-in infrared illuminator
- 4K Ultra HD sensor
- Smart Mil-Dot reticle
- Top-notch aluminum body
- Shockproof, fogproof, and waterproof
- Variable 5-20x magnification
- Automatic video recording and streaming
Pros
- Comfortable eye relief
- Night vision mode
- Extremely low power usage
- Streamlined design
- Easy to zero
Cons
- Technology issues
3)Pulsar Thermion XM50 Thermal Imaging Riflescope
Pulsar Thermion XM50 Thermal Imaging Riflescope has amazing, distinctive features that will undoubtedly help you when it comes to nighttime hog hunting. The maximum magnification of the scope is 8x, which enhances the interface for target detection while giving focus at a considerable distance.
It features an IPX7 Rating, connoting that it is water resistant. This protects the scope from harsh weather conditions, including snow, rain, and drizzle.
It features 13 reticle types with four different color options: Red, Green, Black, and White. The 16GB internal storage of the device can be used to store both still images and audio-recorded videos.
Using its Stream Vision App, recorded images and videos can be shared via Wi-Fi. Two batteries, internal and external, power the Pulsar Thermion XM50. The 50 zero saves and 5 rifle profiles let you maintain your settings, so you don’t have to keep changing them when you switch guns.
Moreover, it has a 1024×768 HD AMOLED display that provides the clearest images and a heat- detection range of up to 2,500 yards. With a permanently installed recording with recoil activation, the scope records your takedowns so you can show off your incredible shot down range.
Features
- One shot zero
- IPX7 water-resistance rating
- Thirteen reticle styles
- Recoil-activated built-in recording
- Internal and external power supply
- AMOLED display with high resolution
- Stadiametric rangefinder
- 50 HZ refresh rate
Pros
- Remarkable image quality
- Superior video recording
- User-friendly design
- Great performance in humid conditions
Cons
- Control buttons
- The base power is insufficient for long-range shooting.
4)SightMark Wraith 4-32x50mm Riflescope
It runs on 4 AA batteries, which, when used judiciously, can provide juice for at least 4.5+ hours. The remarkable 850 nm detachable InfraRed flashlight makes a 200-yard night detection hunt a cinch.
It is a highly useful tool that will aid you in tracking hostile feral hogs without giving away your location. For greater accuracy that suits your hunting requirements, you can even select one suitable reticle among ten that come in nine different colors.
A straightforward switch mapping can be used to control the user-friendly controls of this digital scope. Even novices can use it because of how effortless it is to use.
Furthermore, it features built-in micro-USB and memory card slots that enable you to capture, store, and export videos and images of your memorable hunting experiences to your smartphone.
Also present is a removable eyecup that, when attached at night, prevents light from dispersing and improves viewing comfort when detached during the day. Such versatility is hard to find elsewhere.
Features
- It runs on a CR123 battery
- 60mm of eye relief
- User-friendly controls
- Ten reticle choices
- Video recording or HD photo
- Removable eyecup
Pros
- Low price tag
- Impressive clarity
- Solid construction
- Easy to use
Cons
- Poor battery life
5)Athlon Optics Ares BTR 2.5-15x50mm Riflescope
We finish off our list with the Athlon Ares BTR 2.5-15x50mm Riflescope. Precision machinery equipment is used to mill the one-piece main tube. 6061-T6 aluminum with aircraft quality ensures solid use in rugged conditions while maintaining maximum accuracy.
Its adjustable magnification delivers 15x at its highest zoom for a closer view of the target and 2.5x at its lowest zoom with a wider field of view.
This device’s lens is comprised of glass that is multi-coated to produce clear, high-quality, and high-definition images.
The 50mm objective lens can effectively prevent undesirable lights that are reflected toward the scope and could harm your eyes while enhancing brightness for clearer, higher-quality views. You will still be able to spot your target even when the lighting diminishes.
Maintaining the zero-marked position is simple with TrueZero Precision Stop Control while programming additional settings to help your shot. The reticle is placed on the first focal plane to support maintaining control of your aim for a precise zero position amid magnification changes.
Overall, it offers what you need to fully enjoy hunting at a price that is both affordable and fair.
Features
- Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum
- 5-15x magnification range
- TrueZero Precision Stop Control
- First focal plane reticle
- 9 inches of eye relief
- It runs on a CR2032 battery
- Fully multi-coated optics
- High-precision erector control
Pros
- Noteworthy build quality
- Advanced glass
- Repeatable turrets
- Great reticle
Cons
- Eye box is a bit tight
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Factors To Consider When Buying the Best Scopes For AR 15 Hog Hunting
Hogs are creatures that are most active during the night. This calls for a scope that will remain practical even then. Here are a few things to consider before purchasing a hog hunting scope.
Magnification
Understanding the proper magnification that a hog hunting scope should have is crucial. The nature of your target should be grasped. The best success for hunting and catching wild boars will probably come from a close-range magnification type.
The best magnification for hunting boars is a minimum of 1x to 4x for close-range shooting, but a zoom ranging from 4x and 14x can bring out the overall balance for pulling off a 180-yard wild boar shooting feat. When it comes to scopes designed for thrilling hog hunting, a riflescope with such power may be the most versatile.
All-Round Performance
This is another instrumental quality of an effective hog hunting scope. Every lighting situation should provide you with an excellent view of the creature. The night is when wild hogs are most active. However, especially during seasons other than summer, they can also be active during day. Feral hogs are nocturnal or crepuscular during the summer, thus a scope that excels in low light is necessary. One that is ideal for daytime hunting will be necessary due to the animal’s other-season diurnal activity. A scope that performs well during the day and night would be excellent.
Resistance
Due to the fact that wild hogs are nocturnal, it’s crucial to have a riflescope that can keep moisture, mist, and fog from getting inside the lens. These elements impair your vision because cooler temperatures often lead to cloudiness, and high heat might bring on moisture from perspiration. You will miss your shots intended for wild boars as a result of these.
Night Vision Capabilities
Wild pigs prefer to go outside once it is dark. As a result, you will need a tool that will enable you to zero in on your prey’s thermal or infrared signature. A rifle scope with built-in night vision technology is an option, as is a handheld night vision gadget. The former option is always preferred for ease by serious hog hunters.
Reticle Type
When hunting wild boars, reticle types with a lot of complexity could be difficult for you. A reticle with several markings will frequently make it difficult to see the overall finer details of the wild hog’s behavior and surroundings, especially at night when wild boars have darker skin.
The Red-Dot Reticle, Illuminated Dot Reticle, or Duplex Crosshairs Reticle are the best options for hog hunting because they are all straightforward yet efficient for achieving your aim of hunting wild boars.
FAQs
- What Time Are Hogs Most Active?
The wild hog is usually most active in the morning or evening. They might, however, be just as
active in the middle of the day if you are hunting in the winter. This is because they are actively
seeking out food.
- Is A Thermal Scope Essential for Hog Hunting?
A thermal scope would be necessary if you frequently ran after hogs at night while using an AR- style rifle to shoot them from a distance. In this type of hunting, it’s crucial to rapidly get a sight picture of the hogs which are frequently running.
- Can You Hunt Hogs at Night Without Night Vision?
The best thing a hunter can do to improve their chances of success with nocturnal hogs is to use
night vision. Your ability to see and prevent hogs from seeing you will undoubtedly change as a
result.
Conclusion
A successful hog hunting experience brings matchless joy to many outdoor lovers. The right scope is a must-have to avoid disappointment as these creatures are aggressive and hard to take down. Hopefully, this article has shined a light on the best scopes that promise a successful AR hog hunting expedition.