The 22lr is without doubt the best rimfire ammunition for squirrel hunting. It is used in a variety of rifles, shotguns and other firearms where it excels at close and medium ranges. If you are in the market for the best scope for 22lr squirrel hunting, we have put together this comprehensive guide to help you out.
Squirrel hunting is an outdoor activity practiced by many. While many hunt squirrels recreationally to hone their hunting skills, some do it as a form of pest control. Irrespective of your reason for squirrel hunting, having a scope as your sighting tool is important.
A quality scope will help you find the squirrels easily even from a distance. It will also magnify their small size and boost your shooting precision. In our post today, we are going to walk you through the design features of a good scope for 22lr squirrel hunting. After that, we will take a look at the best scopes for 22lr that are ideal for squirrel hunting.
Attributes of a Great Scope for 22lr Squirrel Hunting
A great scope for 22lr squirrel hunting is made up of several attributes that work together to form a reliable sighting tool. The first one is solid and sturdy construction. You need a scope that is durably made to withstand recoil, repeated use and all the rough handling that come with hunting.
Moreover, the scope should have reliable protection from elements of nature to guarantee unimpeded field use. It should be fully waterproof, fog proof and dust proof as well.
Lightweight construction is another attribute that makes a scope great for 22lr squirrel hunting. The more lightweight the scope is, the more convenient it is to carry in the field.
Last but not least, the best scope for 22lr squirrel hunting should have a generous eye relief that enables comfortable shooting from any position, with or without eye wear.
Best Scopes for 22lr Squirrel Hunting
Rifle scopes are an invest no matter the kind of shooting you plan to use one for. Here is our selection of the best-rated rifles scopes that are ideal for 22lr squirrel hunting.
1)Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire Riflescope
The Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire Riflescope is by far the best scope for 22lr squirrel hunting. This rifle scope is outstanding in terms of picture quality and overall built quality. It is built with ease of use in mind and good for users of all levels.
Featuring an adjustable 2-7x zoom power, this scope is good for hunting squirrels in all environments. This versatile magnification is built in a second focal plane V-Plex MOA reticle that is an all-purpose hunting reticle.
Robust construction is another thing that makes this rifle scope stand out. It is crafted for maximum durability is a single-piece 1-inch body. Furthermore, it has dependable protection from fog, mist and other elements for optimal operation in all environments.
Optically, this rifle scope boasts fully multi-coated lenses that are responsible for optimizing every minute of shooting light. Over and above that, it is built with a fast focus eyepiece for easy reticle focusing and a precision glide erector system that guarantees accurate tracking and repeatability.
Feature
- Single-piece body tube
- Second focal plane V-Plex reticle
- Hard anodized finish
- Waterproof and argon purged
- 2-7x total magnification
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Metal on metal precision turrets
- Fast focus eyepiece
Pros
- Ease of use
- Accurate
- Bright and clear glass
- Robust construction
- Wide field of view
Cons
- Soft elevation and windage knobs
2)Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Leupold makes rugged and highly reliable rifle scopes and the VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope is not an exception. Built with the avid hunter in mind, this rifle scope offers the legendary Leupold performance with an array modern and advanced features that promise to get the job done every time.
The selling point of this rifle scope is Twilight Light Management System. It delivers unmatched brightness and clarity by providing the best balance of light transfer, glare reduction and image contrast.
Moreover, the scope is made to last. It is crafted from aircraft quality aluminum, tested for rough handing and guaranteed to perform for life. On top of that, it has scratch resistant lenses for additional protection in the field.
For all weather use, the VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope is completely waterproof, fog proof and shockproof. Other than that, it is built with a user-friendly Rimfire MOA reticle that is housed in the second focal plane.
Features
- Single-piece 1-inch main tube
- Scratch resistant lenses
- Rear focal plane Rimfire MOA reticle
- Twilight Light Management System
- 1/4 MOA finger click
- Versatile 3:1 zoom ratio
- Waterproof and fog proof
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sufficient eye relief
- Excellent build quality
- Easy to use
Cons
- Non illuminated
3)Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Riflescope
Optimized hunting, the Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Riflescope is another variable power rifle scope that offers the highest levels of performance and reliability. This makes it an ideal sighting tool for hunting squirrels.
This rifle scope is built with portability in mind. It is compact and lightweight so you will have an easy time carrying it from one location to the other. Other than that, it is built with durability in mind. It has an aircraft quality aluminum construction that guarantees great strength and shockproof performance.
Complementing the solid construction is a generous eye relief that makes the scope eyewear friendly. The fast focus eyepiece enables quick and simple focusing of the reticle for added convenience. The scope also comes with resettable MOA turrets that are capped to prevent accidental adjustment in the field.
This riflescope is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged so it is operable in all kinds of weather conditions. Over and above that, it features anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses that are responsible for amplifying light transmission.
Features
- 2-7x total magnification
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Waterproof and fog proof construction
- Capped reset turrets
- Aircraft grade aluminum housing
- Second focal plane V-Plex reticle
- Hard anodized finish
Pros
- Sufficient eye relief
- Excellent craftmanship
- Picture quality
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to use
Cons
- Turrets
4)Simmons ProTarget Rimfire 2-7x32mm FMC Rifle Scope
Coming in fourth is Simmons ProTarget Rimfire 2-7x32mm. This rimfire rifle scope strikes the ultimate balance of ease of use, value and performance. As such it is the best scope for 22lr squirrel hunting for beginners.
A highlight of this sighting tool is interchangeable ballistic turrets that make it a perfect choice for .17HMR and .22LR rimfire calibers. Furthermore, the lenses are fully multi-coated which allow for better light gathering capacity especially when you are hunting in low level light settings.
Construction-wise, the Simmons ProTarget Rimfire 2-7x32mm rifle scope is made to last for long. It is crafted with the most hard-wearing materials which maximize durability. The scope is also fully waterproof, fog proof and shockproof.
Features
- Interchangeable 1/4 MOA ballistic turrets
- Waterproof, fog proof and shock proof
- Rear focal plane Truplex reticle
- Variable 2-7x magnification
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- 32mm aperture
Pros
- Weaver style ring included
- Inexpensive
- Good eye relief
Cons
- Non illuminated
5)Tasco Air Gun 2-7×32 Rifle Scope
The Tasco Air Gun 2-7×32 Rifle Scope is another user-friendly option for beginners. This rifle scope excels in close to medium ranges, and comes with a couple of great features that make it a reliable tool for hunting.
With a mere weight of 14.7oz, the rifle scope is lightweight, portable and easy to shoot with. Through the whole 2-7x zoom range, it provides a wide field of view for quick target scanning. On top of that, it is built with a long eye relief of 4.3” so it is comfortable to shoot use with or without eyeglasses.
Another thing that makes this rifle scope ideal for squirrel hunting is stunning picture quality. Thanks to the fully coated lens, it limits glare and light loss internally via reflection. This makes the sight pictures to appear bright and clear even in low light.
In addition to everything else, this rifle scope is designed with a fast focus eyepiece for quick and easy focusing of the reticle.
Features
- Second focal plane Truplex reticle
- Fast focus eyepiece
- 1/4 MOA impact point correction
- 1-inch body tube
- 2-7x magnification power
- Fully coated optics
- Non-reflective matte black finish
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Generous eye relief
- Beginner friendly
- Bright and clear glass
- Affordable
Cons
- Not duty worthy
6)Leupold FX-I Rimfire 4x28mm Fine Duplex
Next in our list of the best scope for 22lr squirrel hunting is Leupold FX-I Rimfire 4x28mm. This fixed power rimfire scope is engineered and built with avid hunters in mind. It offers great performance at close ranges in all hunting environments.
The scope comes with a classic fast focus eyepiece with a low-profile lock ring for effortless reticle focusing. It also features micro-friction dials marked in 1/4 -MOA increments for quick and easy windage and elevation adjustments.
Leupold optics are known for rugged construction and this rifle scope is not any different. It has a 1-inch body tube that is impact tested and verified to survive rough use, shock and repetitive recoil. It is also waterproof, fog proof and operable in a wide range of temperatures.
When it comes to optical performance, the scope has a Twilight Light Management System that is outstanding. It delivers unmatched image brightness and clarity by offering the perfect balance between light transmission and glare reduction.
Features
- 4x fixed zoom power
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Twilight Light Management System
- Second focal plane duplex reticle
- 1/4 MOA adjustments
- 1-inch main tube
Pros
- Sufficient eye relief
- Spacious field of view
- Lightweight and durable
- Unmatched low light performance
7)Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
Last but not least, we have the Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope. This scope offers outstanding low light performance. As such, it is ideal for hunting in virtually all lighting conditions.
This all-round hunting scope is built with an adjustable magnification power from 3x to 9x. This gives you the flexibility to hunt at varying ranges. It also provides a wide field of view which enhances quick target acquisition.
Lightweight construction is another highlight of this scope. It weighs 13oz only for ease of maneuverability in the field. Other than that, the optical tube is filled with dry nitrogen and sealed on both ends to provide a lifetime of reliable waterproof and fog proof performance.
The other noteworthy features the scope brings to the table are multi-coated optics, fast focus eyepiece and 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustment.
Features
- SFP Multi-X reticle
- Fast focus eyepiece
- 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustment
- 3-9x variable magnification
- 100% waterproof, fog proof and shock proof
- Multi-coated optics
Pros
- Decent glass quality
- Lightweight
- Superb low light visibility
- Versatile
Cons
- Short eye relief
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How to Choose a Scope for 22lr Squirrel Hunting
These days, there are plenty of scopes available on the market. Here are some of the key things to consider when shopping for the best scope for 22lr squirrel hunting.
Magnification Power
Squirrel hunting is a hunting activity that happens mainly at close ranges. This calls for a scope that has a moderate zoom power of not more than 9x.
If you hunt squirrels at constant distances, we recommend a fixed power scope with either 3x or 4x zoom power. On the other hand, if you go hunting at varying ranges from close to medium distances, a scope with 2-7x or 3-9x should suffice.
Picture Quality
Squirrels are not easy to hunt. Because of their small size, you need a scope that will provide a clear view even in low light settings. Go for a rifle scope that is built with the best glass elements you can afford. Also ensure that the scope has quality anti-reflective coatings on the lenses.
Durability
Whether you are beginner in hunting or not, invest in a scope that will give you many years of use. With sturdy and solid construction, the scope will weather the abuse that comes with hunting and be there for you when you need it the most.
In addition to quality construction, the best scope for 22lr squirrel hunting should be all-weather operable. It should be 100% waterproof, fog proof and dust proof to withstand all elements of nature.
Weight
Go for a scope that is built with portability in mind. Anything big and bulky will come in your way of hunting and affect the precision of your hunting rifle. So, ensure that you settle for a model that is built lightweight and durable.
FAQs
- What is the best scope for 22lr squirrel hunting?
The best scope for 22lr squirrel hunting is one that is built with all the features you require for your hunting needs. It should be easy to shoot with, portable and carefully constructed with the most durable materials.
- How much magnification for a 22lr scope?
The magnification you need for a 22lr scope will depend on your shooting needs and the distance you will be using the scope for. Most scopes for this cartridge have a magnification not more than 9x which is sufficient for close and mid ranges.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have found this buying guide to the insightful and helpful. When making your 22lr scope selection, keep in mind that your hunting habits and individual preference play a big role in determining the unit that you choose. Whatever you have in mind, there is a scope out there waiting for you.