If you use the 22lr for recreational hunting and are looking for the best scope for 22lr rabbit hunting, you are in the right place. This guide lists the best scopes for rabbit hunting with the 22lr.
The 22lr is a popular round widely used for recreational hunting, target shooting, and pest control. The low recoil it generates makes it ideal for teens and young adults hunting. Besides, it is cheap and fun to shoot with.
You need a scope if you want to get the absolute best from your rabbit-hunting expeditions. A scope will magnify the rabbits irrespective of the distance they are at and increase your chances of placing the shot ethically. It will also improve your visibility when hunting in low-lighting conditions.
5 Best Scope for 22lr Rabbit Hunting
With all that in mind, here are the best scopes for 22lr rabbit hunting currently available on the market. Let’s take a look.
1) Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Adjustable Objective Riflescope
The Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle 4-12x40mm is the best scope for 22lr rabbit hunting. It has various user-friendly and quality features for target shooting, small game hunting, and more. The scope is built to excel at close to long ranges. This is made possible by the vast 4-12x magnification range. Furthermore, it features a Multi-X reticle with a classic sight picture and a large 40mm aperture that guarantees bright and quality image views at every magnification. Another stunning feature of the scope is the waterproof construction. It is O-rings sealed to keep the optics dry under any weather condition. The tube is also filled with argon gas, offering the ultimate fog-proof protection. This rifle scope also features a fast-focus eyepiece, an adjustable objective for parallax correction, and Dusk & Dawn Brightness multi-coated lenses for clarity and brightness, even in low-light settings. Features
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2) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope, Rimfire MOA Reticle
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope has every feature to make your rabbit hunting trips successful. It has a lightweight design to ensure ease of use and a variable 3-9x magnification range suitable for use under any situation, from close to long ranges. When it comes to versatility, the scope is hard to beat. In addition to having an ultra-versatile magnification range, it is also suited for rimfire and centerfire guns, rifles, and muzzleloaders. Further, it offers vast adjustment ranges for windage and elevation to compensate effortlessly for windage and bullet drop. Construction-wide, the scope is crafted from 6061-T6 aircraft-quality aluminum. It is tough enough to take in the beating, and with scratch-resistant lenses, you are guaranteed added protection in the field. The scope is also fully waterproof and fog proof for use under any weather conditions. This riflescope also features a Rimfire MOA reticle which is great for rimfire-specific targets, and a Twilight Light Management System, which provides stunning visibility in low-light conditions. Features
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3) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12×40 AO Dead-Hold BDC (MOA) Riflescope
Next up is the Crossfire II 4-12×40 AO Dead-Hold BDC (MOA) Riflescope. It is one of the multiple configurations in the Crossfire II line that is ideal for hunting at close to long ranges. The scope features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle which is good for taking shots at different ranges where estimating holdover is a concern. In terms of construction, it has a single piece tube crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. It is also sealed with O-rings to prevent moisture and dirt from getting inside the optics and nitrogen purged to keep both the interior and exterior lenses fog free. Another admirable feature of the scope is that it’s built with ease of use in mind. It has a fast-focus eyepiece that allows for easy reticle focusing and long eye relief, making glassing effortless with or without eyewear. It also is equipped with capped turrets which are finger adjustable and an adjustable objective for parallax removal and image focus. This model has fully multi-coated lenses, which yield bright and detailed views in all lighting conditions. Features
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4) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Riflescope
The Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Riflescope is the best scope for 22lr rabbit hunting for budget buyers. Though inexpensive, the scope doesn’t cut corners on features, quality, or durability. This rimfire rifle scope is built and ready for hunting. It features an adjustable 2-7x magnification suitable for close and medium-range hunting. It has a V-Plex reticle, an all-purpose hunting reticle ideal for virtually all hunting applications. The scope has a durable yet lightweight single-piece body tube crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. It is O-ring sealed and purged with nitrogen to survive in all weather conditions. It also features capped reset turrets to provide additional protection from bumps and ensure no accidental dialing occurs. This optic is also equipped with fully multi-coated lenses that reduce glare and light loss via reflection. This enhances light transmission for bright and clear image views. Other noteworthy features the scope brings to the table include a long eye relief, lightweight construction, and a fast-focus eyepiece. Features
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5) BSA 3-9X40 Sweet 22 Rifle Scope
The BSA 3-9X40 Sweet 22 Rifle Scope is a high-quality scope designed for the .22lr. It has a 30/30 duplex reticle that is easy to use, even for beginners, and a side parallax adjustment that you can use to eliminate parallax from as close as 10 yards to infinity. The optical performance of this compact rifle scope is admirable. With the large 40mm aperture, you are guaranteed stunning low-light resolution. It also comes with a 3-inch sunshade to prevent glare and fully multi-coated lenses, which enhance light transmission for bright, vivid, and tack-sharp views. Moreover, the scope is built to be virtually indestructible. It has a 1-inch single-piece body tube crafted from aluminum. It is shockproof and recoil resistant to add durability and fully waterproof and fog proof to survive even in the most adverse weather conditions. To top it all off, the scope features multi-grain elevation turrets that are ballistically calibrated for 36gr, 38gr, and 40gr cartridges. Features
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How to Choose the Best Scope for 22lr Rabbit Hunting
Here is a guide on the factors you should consider when shopping for the best scope for 22lr rabbit hunting.
Magnification
The first thing to consider is magnification. Different scopes have different magnifications, and your ideal optical power will suit the type of rabbit hunting you do.
The most common magnification range for rabbit hunting is 3-9x. It offers sufficient magnification, which meets the needs of most rabbit hunters. It also maintains a wide field of view which is vital when hunting rabbits.
Build Quality
Whether you are buying your first 22lr scope for hunting or not, ensure that you pick a durable model to survive the rough handling that comes with hunting, scopes made from a single piece of aircraft-quality aluminum are the best. They are robust and rigid enough to take in any beating.
The best scope for 22lr rabbit hunting should also be built to survive weather conditions. It should be O-ring sealed to ensure no moisture, dust or debris enter the optics. It should also be filled with argon or nitrogen gas to make the exterior and interior lenses fog free.
Lens Coatings
The next thing to consider is the scope’s quality of lens coatings. For rabbit hunting and hunting in general, getting a scope with fully-coated lenses is best. The coatings go a long way to reduce glare and loss of light via reflection. This maximizes light transfer in low-light settings to ensure the images generated are bright, clear, and rich in colors.
Accuracy
Accuracy is an important feature that a scope should have. If the scope has few accuracy features, placing the shot where you want it to land will be hard. So, make sure you pick a model that offers excellent accuracy regardless of the hunting situation.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is the maximum distance from the tip of your eye to the scope’s eyepiece. It is an important factor to consider as it affects your viewing comfort. Irrespective of whether you put on eye glasses, pick a scope with an eye relief that’s longer than 3.5 inches. It will be comfortable on your eyes, even during long hunting sessions.
Weight
Portability is very important when hunting. You will be moving around a lot, looking for rabbits. If the scope is heavy and big, it will not just be cumbersome to carry but might even come in the way of your movement. Conversely, a lightweight scope will also be easy to carry and simple to use.
Cost
The other important factor to consider is the price. Different scopes come in different costs depending on the quality of features included. If money is no object, you can go for the best scope money can get you. On the other hand, there are plenty of budget scopes suited for beginners and budget buyers.
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FAQs on the Best Scope for 22lr Rabbit Hunting
1) Do I need an illuminated scope for hunting rabbits?
It depends. A scope with an illuminated reticle will be helpful when hunting in low-light conditions. It will increase the image and reticle’s contrast and enhance your odds of placing the shot accurately.
However, an illuminated scope is not mandatory if you hunt during the day when ample light is available.
2) What is the best scope for 22lr rabbit hunting?
With the sea of scopes available, it is hard to say that there is a model that fits all. Look for a scope that is easy to operate, clear, and reliable when selecting.
3) What is the best scope magnification for 22lr?
3-9x. 22lr rifles work great with any scope that has a 3-9x optical power. This versatile range is ideal for both close and long-range hunting. It also offers an excellent field of view for effortless target finding and acquisition.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best scope for 22lr is key to having a rewarding and memorable hunting expedition. All the scopes listed above are highly versatile and a great choice for rabbit hunting and plinking, in addition to recreational target shooting and skill development with the 22lr.
Choosing the correct scope for your needs takes some research, but regardless of your hunting needs or budget, there is a model out there for you.