The .22-250 rifle cartridge is usually the ammo of choice for what we call varmint rifles. This means a rifle that is used in hunting varmint. The .22-250 is a very powerful caliber and it was first introduced back in the 30s. It is surprising to see how .22-250 ammo and rifles have resurged in the market.
If you own one of these great caliber rifles, you might want to up your game with the best scope for a .22 250. With the best scope for this rifle, you can benefit from great windage and elevation adjustments, great magnification range to target objects from any distance and boost your overall shooting or hunting experience.
Without wasting more time, let us walk you through our top 7 picks for the best scope for 22 250 rifles.
The Best Scopes for 22-250 Rifles Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-24x50mm Adjustable Objective, SFP, 30mm Tube Riflescope |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Athlon Optics, Argos BTR, 6-24x50mm Riflescope |  |
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| 3. Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Riflescope |  |
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| 4. Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 4-12x40mm with BDC Reticle |  |
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| 5. Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12x40mm Second Plane Riflescope |  |
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| 6. Leupold Rifleman 4-12x40mm Riflescope |  |
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| 7. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9x40mm Circle-X Reticle Riflescope |  |
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1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-24x50mm Adjustable Objective, SFP, 30mm Tube Riflescope
The first on our list is the Vortex Crossfire II Adjustable Objective SFP 30mm Tube Riflescope. This is one of the best scopes for .22 250 rifles you can find on the market.
The high velocity of this rifle’s bullet ensures it can travel very fast and far, which is why it needs a very powerful scope. This scope comes with a magnification range of 6x to 24x. This means you can zoom in on your target up to 24 times, which is great for long-distance shots.
This scope comes with an adjustable objective lens that allows you to remove parallax and put your image on focus. It also comes with dead hold BDC reticles, which helps with accuracy, eliminating the need to guess the trajectories of your bullets. You will also be guided on every step of the shot, thanks to the customized hashmark designs on the reticle.
This scope features great windage and elevation adjustments and it does a great job of holding zero. It allows for easy and quick reticle focusing, thanks to its fast-focus eyepiece. The objective lens of this scope is a whopping 50mm and it allows for optimum light penetration. The lenses are also multicoated and anti-reflective to provide you with super clear, sharp, and bright images.
This scope offers very clear images at all zoom levels and all hours of the day. You can also use it in any weather condition, as it is O-ring sealed and nitrogen-purged to prevent fog and water from entering. The eye relief of this scope is 4 inches while its field of view at 100 yards is 17.3 to 4.4 feet.
Specs
- 6 to 24x magnification
- 5 inches
- 6 ounces
Pros
- Great magnification range
- Weatherproof
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Highly durable
Cons
- The mounts are somewhat low
2. Athlon Optics, Argos BTR, 6-24x50mm Riflescope
The Athlon Optics 6-24x50mm Riflescope also made it to the top of our list because it just won’t be complete without it. One of the major selling points of this scope is its precision and shooting accuracy for short, medium, and long-distance shots. With this scope, you can acquire targets from 200 yards out or more, thanks to its great magnification range. This scope features a minimum zoom level of 6x with a maximum zoom range of 24x.
It comes with an impressive 50mm objective lens that does a great job of allowing more than enough light to pass through. With such a large objective lens and magnification range, you can effectively shoot at a variety of distances and in different light conditions. This unit also comes with an illuminated APMR Mil reticle and a 30mm tube, further boosting its precision and target acquisition ability.
This scope is also pocket-friendly and it comes with fully multicoated lenses, providing you with great light transmission for optimal brightness. The reticle is also perfectly etched on the glass, which increases the durability of the scope with a higher recoil resistance. It is shockproof, waterproof, argon purged, and it features a heat-treated one-piece tube construction. The eye relief is 3.3 inches while its FOV at 100 yards is 16.7 to 4.5 feet.
Specs
- 6 to 24x magnification
- 1 inches
- 6 ounces
Pros
- Fully multicoated optics
- Solid and durable
- Waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof
- Higher shock resistance to recoil
Cons
- It is weighty
3. Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Riflescope
If you are looking for the best scope for 22 250 for short to medium-range shootings, then you should consider the Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Riflescope. This is a highly versatile scope and it is ideal for a wide range of uses. The zoom level of this scope is from 3x to 9x, which makes it great for short to medium-range shots.
If you are looking for a durable and compact scope that you can use for a very long time, then this is your scope. With an objective lens of 40mm, this scope will provide you with super bright and clear images in all magnification levels. It is made with the proprietary nitrogen sealing process of Leupold, which helps to prevent water, fog, and dust from entering the scope.
It comes with a multicoated 4-lens system that delivers outstanding contrast, bright sight images, and extreme clarity even in low light conditions. The diameter of the tube is 30mm and it is spacious enough for many features including wide adjustment ranges. It features generous eye relief and it is lightweight.
Specs
- 3 to 9x magnification
- 6 inches
- 1 ounces
Pros
- Weatherproof
- Multicoated lenses
- Ideal for both beginners and professionals
- Suitable for short to medium-range shots
Cons
- Not the best option for long-distance shots
4. Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 4-12x40mm with BDC Reticle
The Nikon ProStaff Rimfire with BDC Reticle is one of the best scopes for 22 250 rifles on the market. It is an all-round scope that comes with many great features. This scope is highly durable and it is made of aluminum and polymer. It also comes with a great magnification range that is ideal for varmint hunting.
The zoom range of this scope is great for short, medium, and long-range shots. The objective lens of this scope, which measures 40mm, allows for great light transmission to deliver bright and clear views. It comes with a fully multicoated eyepiece with a black matte finish. The optical system is also multicoated, and it allows up to 98 percent of available light to pass through.
It is nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed, making it waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. This means you can use this scope under any weather condition. It comes with a BDC reticle with unique see-through ballistic circles. The scope is easy to zero in and it holds zero pretty well. It features an eye relief of 3.7 inches and the overall length of the scope is 14.1 inches.
Specs
- 4 to 12x magnification
- 1 inches
- 6 ounces
Pros
- O-ring sealed and nitrogen-purged
- Lightweight and compact
- Consistent, generous eye relief
- Durable construction
Cons
- 4x might be too much for some short-range shots
5. Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12x40mm Second Plane Riflescope
The next on our list is the Optics Diamondback 4-12x40mm from Vortex. This is another great scope that will enhance your shooting experience with a .22 250 rifle. This scope delivers very clear and bright images, thanks to its multicoated lens. This also allows you to use the scope in any light condition, making it easy to shoot at dusk or dawn.
With this scope, you can zoom in on your target from 4x to 12x, which is pretty powerful. It is a bit too powerful for close-range shots but it is great for medium to long-range shots. The objective lens of this scope is 40mm, and it greatly contributes to the clarity of this scope.
It comes with a BDC reticle, which allows you to see through its markets to keep track of your target as you line up the shot. It is etched onto the second focal plane, which means the size will remain the same regardless of the zoom range.
It features a single-piece construction and it is waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof. This scope is made with durable materials to boosts its longevity. The eye relief of this scope is 3.1 inches, while the field of view at 100 yards is 32.4 to 11.3 feet.
Specs
- 4 to 12x magnification
- 12 inches
- 6 ounces
Pros
- Dead-hold BDC reticle
- Lightweight and compact
- A single-piece construction
- Easy and smooth tracking
Cons
- A more generous eye relief would have been better
6. Leupold Rifleman 4-12x40mm Riflescope
When it comes to taglines, Leupold prides itself on providing high-quality scopes at pocket-friendly rates. The Leupold Rifleman 4-12x40mm Riflescope is one scope you should consider if you are looking for the best scope for 22 225. Some of the major benefits of this scope include its fast target acquisition, eye box, and eye relief.
It features a magnification range of 4x to 12x, which means you can close in on targets up to 12 times. This zoom range is perfect for medium to long-distance shots. The 40mm objective lens is large enough for great light transmission to provide you with clear and bright images.
This scope comes with a Ballistic Aiming System (BAS) that can help to boost your accuracy on long-distance shootings. It will help you understand how far away your target is and will help you assess the adequate placement of your reticle to get more accurate shots. It features a duplex reticle and matte finish
This scope also features Twilight Light Management System that adds up to ten extra minutes of glassing light. It is waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof. The scope is ultra-lightweight, as it features a 1-inch tube design. It also features a generous eye relief of 4.9 inches to 3.7 inches.
Specs
- 4 to 12x magnification
- 3 inches
- 1 ounces
Pros
- Lightweight
- Rugged performance
- Unparalleled low light performance
- Great eye-relief
Cons
- It is a bit pricey
7. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9x40mm Circle-X Reticle Riflescope
The last on our list is the Bushnell Banner Dust & Dawn Circle-X Reticle Riflescope. If you are looking for a quality scope with stunning HD clarity, then this is one of the best options you have. This is a highly versatile scope for the .22-250 rifle. As clearly stated in the name, you can use this scope early in the morning, during the day, and in the evening.
This scope is made with high-quality materials to ensure it lasts for a very long time. it is shockproof, which means every piece and part would remain intact whenever it falls to the ground accidentally. In addition to that, you can use this scope in rainy and foggy weather, as it is both waterproof and fog-proof. Not only is the scope protected in such weather conditions, but it would also provide you with clear and sharp images.
It also comes with an impressive objective lens of 40mm with a magnification range of 3x to 9x. This might not be the best zoom range for long-distance shots, but it does a perfect job when it comes to short and medium-range shots. The scope is easier to mount and it requires very little maintenance.
While its manual could use some improvements, the scope is still pretty easy to use. It features upgraded optics to allow you to spot your target clearly and easily. it comes with a Circle-X reticle with easy to operate windage and elevation adjustments. The eye relief of this scope is 4 inches, which is pretty generous.
Specs
- 9x magnification
- 12 inches
- 5 ounces
Pros
- Clear optics
- Lightweight
- Durable design
- Waterproof and fog-proof
Cons
- It can be too bright sometimes
Things To Consider When Looking For The Best Scope For .22-250
When looking for the best scope for your .22-250 rifle, there are some vital things you need to put into consideration. Regardless of what you want to use the scope for, whether varmint hunting or deer hunting, here are some factors you should consider.
Magnification Range
The 22-250 is a high-performance caliber and it is great for long-range shots. You can fully unveil the power of this rifle if you use it with equally powerful scope, such as the scopes reviewed above. However, the ideal magnification range is largely dependent on what you want to use the scope for.
For instance, if you want to use it to hurt smaller animals or for varmint hunting, you would need a very powerful scope with a magnification range of 9 times. A scope that can deliver clear images as high as 30x magnification is also great. Some of the scopes on this guide can zoom up to 24 times while keeping the image sharp and clear.
Reticles
After settling for the ideal magnification range that will suit your needs, the next thing is to make sure the scope is suitable for your hunting skill level and style. While many shooters and hunters like simple reticles, others tend to like complicated reticles. However, this depends on your level of comfort, so you can choose a reticle style that will give you better ease of use and sight picture.
Durability and Ruggedness
When looking for a great scope for your 22 250, you should also check the ruggedness and durability of the scope. How long the scope will last and the level of abuse it can handle is very important. As such, you should go for a scope with solid construction; one that can handle the abuse you intend to use it for.
Waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof integrity are some of the factors that contribute to the durability of the scope. As such, you need to make sure the scope is sealed with O-rings and filled with nitrogen or argon.
Final Thoughts
The .22-250 is a very powerful rifle cartridge, but it could do a lot more if your rifle has the best scope for 22 250. The best scope for this rifle caliber would significantly boost your accuracy, speed, and shooting experience. With the top picks and buyer’s guide in this article, choosing the best scope for your .22-250 rifle should no longer be a problem.
From the scopes reviewed in this guide, our top recommendation is the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-24x50mm Adjustable Objective, SFP, 30mm Tube Riflescope because it features a fast-focus eyepiece, great magnification range, super clear images, and its weatherproof.
