Today we look at the best scope for prairie dog hunting. When it comes to prairie dog hunting, having a high-quality scope is crucial for a successful hunt.
A good rifle scope for prairie dog hunting should have the right combination of adjustability, durability, magnification, reticle design, and clarity to meet the demands of this unique hunting style.
Prairie dog hunting is a fun activity that many people indulge in. The activity becomes more fun and successful if you have the right gear. One of those is the right riflescope. The scope you have determines whether you fill a tag or go home empty-handed. That’s why it’s essential to have the best one.
However, this can be a difficult and overwhelming task with the plenty of options available. Fortunately, this article have you covered. We have put together the best six scopes for you to choose from.
Even better, a buying guide follows so that you get nothing but the best. But first, let’s explore the best models.
What Makes a Good Scope for Prairie Dog Hunting
For prairie dog hunting, get a riflescope with a variable low to medium-range magnification (such as 3-9x) this helps you shoot close and long-range shots. In matters of reticle choice, one with precise crosshairs and illumination will enhance accuracy. The scope should also be durable and strong to handle rugged and harsh environments.
Adjustability is also key, whether it’s elevation or windage, it should be easy to adjust to meet the needs of the different shooting conditions. Clarity is also important, get a scope with multicoated and anti-reflective optics for clarity and quality light transmission.
A compact and lightweight scope will also help you traverse the field without feeling weighed down.
Best Scopes for Prairie Dog Hunting
1) Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x44mm Riflescope
With solid construction being very crucial for a riflescope, Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x44mm is built of aircraft-grade aluminum that is extremely robust and lightweight. The scope is designed to function optimally in all weather conditions as it is completely waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.
Its lenses are fully multi-coated to boost light transmission in all lighting conditions. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle in the scope is ideal for shooting at diverse ranges.
In addition, the scope boasts a long eye relief that helps in the easy acquisition of targets and protects your eyes from recoil.
A wide field of view ensures that you spot your target easily, regardless of how far away it is. Turrets are zero-resettable and capped to ensure protection from outside elements.
Features
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Resettable MOA turrets
- Single piece tube
- Constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum
- Long eye relief
- Hard anodized finish
Pros
- Wide field of view
- Completely weatherproof
- Affordable
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
2) Bushnell Engage 6-24x50mm Riflescope
Bushnell Engage 6-24x50mm comes at a price that is easy on your wallet. Despite its low price tag, the scope doesn’t disappoint. Bushnell uses two distinct glass coatings.
The EXO Barrier Protection is one, and it protects against water, debris, fog, and smudges. The other one is the fully multi-coated lenses. Distortion and glare will be the least of your concerns as a result.
Being able to shoot in all weather conditions without having to worry about damaging my lens is what you get from this scope.
The scope is constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum, making it survive tough conditions outdoors.
The windage and elevation turrets are tactile and user-friendly. Dialing or setting the turrets is toolless. Additionally, it is easy to see the elevation and windage markings. The fact that the turrets lock is a plus when hunting.
Features
- Deploy MOA reticle
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Locking turrets
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- Tactile windage and elevation turrets
- 5 inches of eye relief
Pros
- Comfortable eye box
- The reticle has a great design
- Remarkable glass quality
- Easy adjustments
Cons
- No reticle illumination
3) Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24mm Riflescope
The 1-6x magnification of the Vortex Viper PST-Gen II makes it ideal for accurately hitting prairie dogs within close and medium ranges or if you using a AR 15. A daylight-bright illuminated red dot with ten brightness settings is already built into the VMR- 2 MOA reticle.
Even with moving objects, target acquisition is made simple by this and the wide field of vision. Target size won’t be an issue as you change magnifications because the reticle is etched onto the second focal plane.
Construction-wise, the scope has a single-piece tube constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. A matte black finish keeps reflections at bay. The tactical scope’s argon-purged and O-ring sealed construction makes it water and fog-proof. The turrets are conveniently placed and have unique metrics. They include a grooved shape to make turning easier when wearing gloves or in wet conditions.
When it comes to optical clarity, the scope does not disappoint. Extra-low dispersion lenses, a Vortex exclusive, provide outstanding edge-to-edge clarity, and the Armortek coating protects it from scratches, dirt, and oil.
Features
- inches of eye relief
- More than 150 hours of battery life
- Grooved windage and elevation turrets
- Matte black finish
- Single-piece tube
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- VMR-2 MOA reticle with ten brightness levels
Pros
- Sturdy build quality
- Great eye relief
- Fairly lightweight
- Accurate turret settings
- Multiple brightness settings
Cons
- No mounting hardware is included
4) ATN X-Sight LTV 5-15x50mm Riflescope
If you are looking for a riflescope for daytime and nighttime hunting, the ATN X-Sight LTV 5-15x50mm is ideal. The scope is easy to use and doesn’t have bells and whistles but only features that serious marksmen demand.
There are Day and Night Modes on the LTV. You have a color display for shooting during the day and, for nighttime hunting, a black and white display.
A lithium-ion battery powers the LTV digital rifle scope and can operate continuously for more than ten hours. For a digital scope to still have the typical digital capabilities like a 3D Gyroscope, 3D Accelerometer, and Video Recording is very astounding.
There are multiple reticle patterns to choose from to select the one that best matches your needs.
The new Obsidian LT Core and QHD+ M584 Sensor are features of the unit. Use this technology and display it on a 1280×720 HD screen, and you will have an incredibly clear, sharp, and crisp image.
Features
- One Shot Zero
- Video recording
- Lithium-ion battery provides more than ten hours of battery life
- Stunning HD display
- Day and Night Mode
- 3D Gyroscope and 3D Accelerometer
- Many reticle patterns
Pros
- Tough construction
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Quite pricey
5) Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44mm Riflescope
A major highlight of the Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44mm is the advanced optical system that produces clear, high-quality images even at the highest magnification power. Also, this rifle scope’s fully multi-coated optics and ED glass elements guarantee that you will receive sharp image views from dawn to dusk.
The ease of use of this scope is notable. It boasts a fast-focus eyepiece that makes it easy to focus the reticle, a raised rib on the magnification ring that makes it quick and easy to change the magnification, and a reticle that is straightforward to use even for newbies.
The scope does not weigh like a tank but is built like one. It is manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum that withstands anything that comes with mother nature.
Further, because it is completely waterproof and fog proof, it is designed to provide dependable, all-weather performance. The scope has a highly-durable hard-anodized finish on the exterior to conceal your hunting position.
Features
- Adjustable 4-16x magnification
- 44mm objective lens
- First focal plane reticle
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Made of aircraft-grade aluminum
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Hard anodized finish
- ED glass elements
Pros
- Intuitive design
- Generous eye relief
- Bright and clear views
- Notable tracking performance
Cons
- No reticle illumination
6) Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD 4.5-30x56mm Riflescope
Athlon Optics 4.5-30x56mm has 110 MOA total elevation adjustment and is constructed with a durable 34mm one-piece tube. Adjustments are consistent and repeatable from top to bottom, thanks to a stainless-steel turret design and a high-precision erector system.
The scope features UHD glass that delivers chromatic fringe-free, sharp, and bright images.
There are locking turrets that enable you to lock your turret in position by pushing down on it after pulling up on it to dial it. This prevents unintentional tweaks.
The Precision Zero Stop System allows you to y lock down your zero position and dial back to it with an accurate stop precisely at your zero mark.
Features
- First focal plane reticle
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- XPL coating enhances protection
- Precision Zero Stop System
- Parallax adjustment from 25 yards to infinity
- Six brightness settings
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact
- Great turrets
- Good eye relief
- Clear glass
Cons
- Sunshades and caps are not included
Read Also: 7 Best BDC Scopes for 350 Legend
Criteria for Choosing the Best Scope for Prairie Dog Hunting
Durability
Riflescopes used for prairie dog hunting must be durable enough to withstand a shot from a powerful weapon without breaking.
This is particularly crucial because you don’t want your pricey piece of equipment to break years after purchase.
Lens coating
Every lens is coated to help prevent cracking and scratches. You should consider how many coatings your riflescope has when going on prairie dog hunting expeditions. The surface is better protected the more coatings there are on it.
Eye relief
The eye relief of the telescopic sight determines the distance you can see through your riflescope. Ensure the eye relief is adequate to prevent recoil and scope bite injury. A minimum of 3.5 inches is ideal.
Objective lens
The objective lens needs to be big since more light will enter it the bigger it is.
Because there is more ambient light, you can shoot in low-light scenarios and see small details, such as animal fur, much more clearly.
Weatherproofing
Its weatherproofing should also be considered when choosing a riflescope for prairie dog hunting. This way, light rains or snowy conditions won’t cause the telescopic sight to fog up or harm it.
What Caliber is Best for Hunting Prairie Dogs?
The .223 caliber is the best for Prairie dog hunting, others include the 204 and 22-250 calibers. The .22 LR (Long Rifle) caliber is also gaining popularity thanks to its accuracy, low recoil, and minimal impact on the environment.
Why do people shoot prairie dogs?
FAQs
Can a riflescope be used at night?
Using a telescopic sight at night might be easier if it has an IR (illuminated reticle). Your crosshair will illuminate and make your target much simpler to identify. To simplify things you can also get a night vision scope, one of the best examples of a scope that looks like a normal rifle scope is the InfiRay Outdoor Bolt TD50L 4x50mm it can be used both during the day and night.
Is 6x magnification too much for hunting?
In the hands of a seasoned shooter, a scope with a 6x maximum magnification gives enough magnification for most reasonable hunting shots. The best magnification for a hunting scope is frequently 10x, which should be taken as the maximum for most general hunting.
How far can a prairie dog be shot?
A hunter may be shot from 100 yards and as far as 1,000 yards away.
Conclusion
Having the best scope enhances your accuracy when hunting prairie dog. You can never go wrong with any of the scopes reviewed in this article. Happy hunting.
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