Choosing the best varmint scope for 223 is a crucial endeavor for hunters and shooters seeking unparalleled accuracy and precision in their pursuit of small game and varmints.
It can be perilous to live with varmints, especially if you have livestock or other domestic animals. They carry diseases and can seriously damage your crops. Having the right riflescope helps in their eradication. To make your varmint hunting exciting and fruitful, pair your 223 with the appropriate varmint scope.
When selecting a varmint scope for a .223 rifle, there are several factors to consider. Some factors include magnification range, reticle type, and objective lens size.
Read on, as we will discuss these factors in detail to help you narrow down your search. We will also share the pros and cons of each scope to help you make an informed decision.
Varmint hunting requires a reliable and accurate scope to ensure a successful hunt. When hunting small game such as coyotes, rabbits, and squirrels, the right scope can make all the difference.
What size Scope do I Need for a 223 Rifle?
The best scope magnification range for a 223 rifle is 3-9x or 4-12x, this range allows you to quickly acquire and track fast-moving targets while providing enough magnification for precise shots.
Best Varmint Scopes for 223
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
The VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm boasts features that perfectly suit the 223 rifles. When hunting, dangers are often unpredictable. Therefore, a scope that allows for good vision even in the darkest situations is a life-saving investment.
The VX-Freedom is exactly that. The images captured by the 40mm objective lens are crisp and free of blur and distortion. The Twilight Light Management System makes this possible. Even better, the lenses are multi-coated. These features show how amazing the scope delivers in all lighting conditions.
Despite only weighing 12 ounces, the aircraft-grade aluminum build makes it sturdy enough. The durable line layers offer shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof capabilities.
The scope employs a Duplex reticle. The crosshair lines are thin but sufficient for eyes with poor vision. The predators are not spooked by it since it is precise and elegant.
The scope’s eye relief can adjust from 4.2 to 3.7 inches. This is sufficient for high-caliber rifles since it prevents scope bites from recoiling.
Features
- Aircraft-grade aluminum design
- 3.7 to 4.2 inches of eye relief
- Twilight Light Management System
- Lenses are multi-coated and scratch-resistant
- 0.25 MOA click adjustment value
- Scratch Resistant Lenses
Pros
- Premium optics
- Durable edifice
- Easy to zero
- Lightweight
- Adequate eye relief
- Decent turrets
Cons
- Fixed Parallax
- Non-illuminated
2) Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm Riflescope
Vortex is a renowned brand in the scopes industry. It has a reputation for manufacturing high-end scopes at an easy price on your wallet. The Diamondback 4-12x40mm is the best Varmint Scope for 223, it features a durable, rugged aircraft-grade aluminum construction, hard anodized finish, metal on metal precision turrets, fast focus eyepiece, fully multi-coated for crystal clear, bright images and a fog proof and waterproof performance.
It includes fully multi-coated lenses for the clear and anti-reflective image quality you expect from Vortex. This guarantees superb light transmission in all situations.
Every time you head outdoors, you have strength, resilience, and waterproofness, thanks to a single-piece tube body. In addition, argon gas keeps your scope completely fog proof, protecting the quality of your images and internal components.
A highlight of the scope is the Precision Glide Erector System. This system’s zoom system comprises specifically engineered parts that guarantee a hassle-free transition during changes in magnification, even in the harshest situations.
A fast-focus eyepiece allows a quick focusing of the reticle to ensure you don’t miss a shot.
Features
- Precision Glide Erector System
- Waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof
- Fully multi-coated optics
- A fast-focus eyepiece
- BDC reticle
- Black matte finish
Pros
- Budget-conscious
- Lightweight design
- Weatherproof
- Durable build
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
3) Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24mm Riflescope
The Vortex Crossfire II guarantees all-around quality 1-4x24mm Riflescope for short to medium-range needs. The scope is designed with fully multi-coated lenses with anti-reflective properties and delivers impeccable light transmission for bright and high-contrast images.
The Crossfire II offers long, more than adequate eye relief of 4 inches. Another perk is a very forgiving eye box. With these features, shooters can quickly and precisely acquire targets using the fast-focusing eyepiece. It features a single-piece tube made of aircraft-grade aluminum.
This enhances durability, sturdiness, and shock resistance. You will benefit from the performance of the scope being waterproof and fog-proof when you combine this with the fact that it has been nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed. The durability of the scope is also worth mentioning.
The scope uses a high-quality SFP reticle, in this case, an illuminated V-Brite reticle. As a result, you can be sure that no matter what magnification adjustments you make, the reticle will always be the same size.
This V-Brite reticle features a fine duplex crosshair that aids in drawing your attention to the intended target. Being illuminated also ensures that it performs effectively in dimly lit environments.
Features
- Hinged with O-ring seals and nitrogen purging
- 30mm tube
- 4 inches of eye relief
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Hard anodized finish
- V-Brite second focal plane reticle
- Capped turrets
Pros
- Price-conscious
- Turrets are zero resettable
- Illuminated reticle
- High-quality construction
- Lifetime transferrable warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for long-range applications
4) Primary Arms SLx 4-14x44mm Riflescope
The Primary Arms SLx 4-14x44mm comes at a low price tag, making it a unique scope since it offers features mostly in higher-priced scopes. The scope, however, guarantees a life-long performance without any issues.
The heavy-duty aircraft-grade 6063 aluminum used in its construction provides longevity and has a strong, sturdy feel.
It is waterproof, shockproof, and fog-resistant with good and tight O-rings, making a great scope for adverse weather. You get consistent clarity even in humid conditions, and the nitrogen-purged tube shields are a nice addition to prevent corrosion.
The glass quality is remarkable for such a low-cost optic; the multi-coated lens effectively manages light transmission, and the glass is clear all the way to the edges. The scope provides excellent illumination and lets in optimal light thanks to its 44mm objective diameter. It is an FFP scope with a reticle that maintains accuracy across the full range of magnification settings. It has a red LED with six brightness settings and is run by a CR2023 3V lithium coin battery.
Windage and elevation adjustments are incredibly effortless. It has a side-adjustable parallax adjustment knob with a range of up to infinity and as low as 15 yards. Smooth and simple to operate are the rings, zoom, and focus. This speaks of how hassle-free the scope is to use.
Features
- Matte anodized finish
- Waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof
- 3.22 inches of eye relief
- First focal plane reticle
- Side adjustable parallax knob
- Lenses are multi-coated
- Illuminated reticle
Pros
- Long-lasting durability
- Superior glass quality
- Pocket-friendly price
- Seamless adjustments
Cons
- None
5) Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm Riflescope
The Bushnell AR 1-4x24mm is a champ for great-value riflescopes. The scope has fully multi-coated lenses that allow enough light to deliver clear and sharp views. The layers of anti-reflective coating that block out any other conditions you might encounter, whether at the range or when hunting, set apart the illuminated reticle.
The BDC reticle and the glass clarity are impressive features of this unit. The ability to track bullet drop as your shot distance is a plus for the reticle. The 1-4x magnification range makes it ideal for close to medium ranges. It is built to survive storms, extreme weather, and anything else nature can dish out. The waterproof and shockproof nature of the scope increases its value for you.
The eye relief is perfect for helping avoid getting a nice half-moon decoration on top of your eye or nose.
Features
- Lenses are fully multi-coated
- 1-4x magnification
- 24mm objective lens
- BDC reticle
- 3.5 inches of eye relief
- Fixed parallax adjustment at 100 yards
- Waterproof and shockproof
- Exposed turrets facilitate fast and accurate windage and elevation adjustments.
Pros
- Durable housing
- Cost-effective
- Perfectly holds zero
- Great light transmission
- Decent eye relief
- Capped turrets to protect against hard use
Cons
- Mount is not included
Related
- Best Scope for AR 223 Coyote Hunting
- 6 Best Leupold Scopes for 223
- Best Scope for 223
- Best Vortex Scope For 223 AR
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Varmint Scope for 223
Magnification
Your targets will be closer if you use a wide zoom power range scope. You can easily select a scope with the ideal magnification to meet your needs, depending on the distance you intend to cover.
Glass quality
Your scope’s glass quality provides clarity and makes it easy to identify varmints. The glass needs to be crystal clear from a distance for you to pinpoint where the varmints are. The quality glass will not only be clear but will also improve your imaging capability.
Objective lens size
These are crucial for hunters. Low-light conditions are ideal for varmint hunting. Your scope needs to transmit enough light so that you can easily see your targets. This calls for a large objective lens. On the downside, a large size connotes more weight.
Eye relief
The distance between your eyes and the scope’s eyepiece is known as eye relief. Good eye relief will prevent your eyes from being hit by the scope during recoil and allow you to see the entire field without interruption.
Weight
The other crucial thing you should take into account is weight. The diameter of the main tube and the objective lens size will directly affect the scope’s weight. Larger objective lenses make scopes heavier. The tube’s diameter was affected in the same way. Purchase the lightest scope you can if you must walk long distances while tracking your targets.
FAQs on the Best Varmint Scope for 223
1) Is 223 too big for coyotes?
For hunters looking for a versatile caliber that will efficiently kill any animal, from a smaller- fox to a 40-pound coyote, the 223 is a favored choice. Its precise caliber can be used from 50 to 300 yards out and still hit its target.
2) Does 223 have stopping power?
The 223 Rem delivers sufficient stopping power for hunting medium-sized game at 250 yards. Combat was never considered when designing the 22 LR. This round is ideal for target shooting, plinking, and varmint hunting.
Conclusion
Finding the best Varmint scope to use with a 223 cartridge doesn’t have to be unpleasant and daunting. The guide above should make the selection process an easy task. Having a good scope guarantees successful varmint hunting.
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