In the following article, we review the best .22 250 scopes. Further, we take a look at how the different functions and features of the flashlights can impact your shooting experience, and we explain how to pick the best model for your needs.
Varmint rifles typically use ammunition designed for the 22-250 rifle caliber. This means a rifle suited for varmint hunting, especially for those who go after coyote-sized varmints. The 22-250 is an incredibly powerful caliber that was initially introduced in the 1930s.
The round is capable of reaching 1000 yards, so it stipulates the use of a top-notch riflescope. The bottom line is that if you don’t already have a quality scope, you are missing out. The best .22 250 scopes are a game-changer when paired with this iconic round.
If you don’t know what you are looking for, it is easy to end up with the wrong scope. We have reviewed the best .22 250 scopes to ensure you get the right one.
Let’s get straight to these models.
1) Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm Riflescope
You’d be hard-pressed to go wrong with the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm riflescope. It is rich in features to ensure that you dominate close-quarters and long-range shots.
The reticle is etched on the glass, making it reliable and durable. It is intuitive, highly functional, and has detailed hold points. The illumination knob provides 10 brightness settings that are easy to toggle using the off position between each setting.
The glass is not cheap. Extra-low dispersion glass enhances resolution and color fidelity, and XR full multi-coating on the lenses boosts light transmission. The result? Clear, pristine images from dusk to dawn. The outer lenses are covered with Armortek, which defends against scratches, dirt, and oil.
The construction is solid. The housing is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. The hard anodized finish prevents abrasion and corrosion and provides a low-glare matte surface for optimum concealment in a hunt.
The scope is suitable for damp, foggy, and snowy conditions because it is 100% waterproof and fogproof. It is shockproof to withstand recoil and impact.
User-friendliness is revealed by the Rapid Zero Return that prevents your turret from dialing below sight in range. Reticle focus is an easy ordeal using the fast focus eyepiece, facilitating quicker shots when it matters most.
Features
- 30mm tube
- 4 inches of eye relief
- Precision force spring system
- Scratch-resistant Armortek coating on the lenses
- Very durable hard anodized finish
- Fully waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Fast focus eyepiece for reticle focusing
- XR fully multi-coated lenses
- Precision glide erector system
- Glass-etched reticle
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- Rapid Zero Return mechanism on the turrets
Pros
- The clarity is outstanding
- Built to last
- Accurate and easy to zero
Cons
- No flip caps
2) Zeiss Conquest V6 5-30x50mm Riflescope
The next recommendation is the Zeiss Conquest V6 5-30x50mm riflescope. The scope is a beast, with a 5-30x magnification that makes shooting up to 1200 yards or beyond a breeze.
The 50mm objective lens is wide enough to gather a great deal of light. The lens internals are purged and sealed for waterproof and fogproof integrity. This prevents the entry of moisture or dirt for clean views.
The T lens coatings further enhance light filtration, while the LotuTec protective coating offers high resolution and accuracy. The V6’s optical prowess is unprecedented, making it one of the best .22 250 scopes.
The Ballistic turret with intuitive zero-stop mechanism and multiple revolutions at 20 MOA/revolution, make click adjustments on the go a walk in the park. The 6-plex style reticle offers a clean, uncluttered aiming reference for accurate shots.
The riflescope is tailored from aircraft-grade aluminum for unquestionable durability and reliability. It is a good combination for the .22 250 and is powerful enough to keep up with the high velocity of the rifle bullet.
Features
- Second focal plane
- Waterproof and fogproof
- 50mm objective lens
- FL glass for superb resolution
- Customized T coating on each lens
- Lotutec hydrophobic lens coating
- It weighs 27.9 oz
- Matte finish
- 5x low minimum magnification
- 30x maximum magnification
Pros
- Sharp and clear images
- Easy-to-use turrets
- Extremely effective performance in insufficient light
Cons
- Non-illuminated reticle
3) Primary Arms SLx Series 4-14x44mm Riflescope
The Primary Arms SLx 4-14x44mm is a .22 250 scope that delivers yet comes at an attractive price. It has an interesting ACSS Orion reticle set on the first focal plane. The reticle remains true as you zoom in or out of the 4x to 14x zoom range.
This hunting reticle is curated with the ability to range coyotes, mule deer, and other similar-sized animals. A built-in BDC eliminates second guesses, ensuring fast, accurate shots at long distances.
A side-mounted parallax adjust knob provides absolute parallax freedom and maintains the sharpness of the target image at long ranges. Parallax adjusts from 15 yards to infinity. It features exposed tactical turrets with zero reset functionality.
This durable scope is immune to fog, is waterproof, and is shockproof, so it will endure tough conditions of a hunt. The body is made from aircraft-grade aluminum for strength, ruggedness, and durability.
Features
- 30mm main tube
- Highly durable aircraft-grade aluminum formation
- First focal plane reticle
- Exposed tactical turrets
- Tactical and audible 1/10 MIL adjustments
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- 44mm objective lens size
- Fast focus eyepiece for reticle crispness
- Adjustable parallax from 15 yards to infinity
- Anodized matte finish
- 4x to 14x magnification
Pros
- Clear glass across all magnifications
- Durable
- High performance without costing a dime
Cons
- Stiff parallax knob
4) NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
The .22 250 caliber screams speed and demands a powerful scope like the NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm. This sighting device receives a lot of praise because of its wealth of features.
A side parallax adjustment is part of the scope. It has a full 80 MOA of elevation adjustment and ZeroSet technology, which allows you to rapidly return to your initial zero setting regardless of the number of elevation changes made.
The manufacturer designed this riflescope to offer incredible clarity, crispness, and color contrast across the entire magnification range. The objective lens is huge, allowing tons of light penetration for stunning images.
The .22 250 scope is not built cheaply. It is machined from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum for long-lasting use.
Hunters prize the fourplex reticle because of the way thicker lines help you quickly center your eye quickly on the target. The 0.125 MOA thick center crosshairs ensure uncompromised accuracy and allow precise shot placement on the smallest target, even at long ranges.
Features
- Massive 56mm objective lens
- 25 MOA adjustment click value
- Manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum
- 5x to 20x magnification
- ZeroSet technology on the turrets
- 30mm tube
- 5 inches of eye relief
- 80 MOA of elevation adjustment
- Fourplex reticle
Pros
- The glass is excellent
- Easy adjustment
- Good eye relief
- Solid build quality
Cons
- The turret design is sketchy
5) Vortex Crossfire II 6-24x50mm Riflescope
The Crossfire II features a 6x to 24x magnification. This means you can stretch the power up to 24x, which is perfect for long-range shots. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle removes the need to guess the trajectories of your bullet, enhancing accuracy. The customized hashmark designs on the reticle ensure you are guided on every step of the shot.
Lenses are fully multi-coated for visibility all around. Coupled with the large 50mm size of the lens, the riflescope delivers brighter, clearer, and sharper images. A fast-focus eyepiece makes reticle focus a bloodless affair, allowing crisp views of the target and enhancing target acquisition.
The scope can be used in any environment, as it contains o-ring seals and nitrogen purging that make it waterproof and fogproof. It is also shockproof, with a hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum tube.
There’s more to love about the Crossfire II. The windage and elevation adjustments are great and hold zero really well. An adjustable objective lens allows you to remove parallax and focus your image.
All these features indicate that the scope doesn’t come into play. It is easily another of the best .22 250 scopes and will do an impressive job all the time.
Features
- Resettable MOA turrets
- Staggering 50mm objective lens
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Precise windage and elevation adjustments
- Adjustable objective lens
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Hard anodized exterior
- Second focal plane
- Shockproof to withstand recoil and impact
- Fully multi-coated and anti-reflective lenses
- Suitable for all weather conditions
- Weighs 23.6 oz
Pros
- The price is perfect
- Unbeatable quality
- Weatherproof
Cons
- No throw lever
6) Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x56mm Riflescope
The Leupold Mark 5HD is as tough as nails. Its waterproof and fogproof build quality ensures relentless performance in any weather. It is also shockproof, and the lenses are scratch-resistant to protect them from harsh elements.
The scope guarantees a crisp sight picture to enhance your .22 250 shooting skills. It has a whopping 56mm objective lens that gathers light like crazy to increase the brightness and clarity of the image.
The Twilight Max HD Light Management System increases the brightness to provide you more minutes of shooting light while removing glare for flawless images. You can use the fast-focus eyepiece to swiftly bring the reticle into focus, ensuring you don’t miss out on anything, even in high-pressure situations.
The first focal plane reticle changes in magnification as you adjust the magnification. A side focus parallax adjustment makes focusing hassle-free. Equip your .22 250 with this riflescope and aiming and taking down targets will be exponentially easy and dead accurate.
Features
- Side focus
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- 35mm tube diameter
- First focal plane
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System
- Monstrous 56mm lens diameter
- A minimum magnification of 7x
- A maximum magnification of 35x
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- 6 to 3.8 inches of eye relief
Pros
- Durable, waterproof, and fogproof
- Ease of use
- Incredible clarity
- Turret tracking performance is really good
Cons
- Price
7) Athlon Optics Argos BTR Gen II 6-24x50mm Riflescope
Our list is incomplete without the Athlon Argos BTR Gen II 6-24x50mm riflescope. It comes second to none when it comes to accuracy at short, intermediate, and long distances. Low magnification is 6x, which is ideal for beginners in the shooting world, and you can crank it up to 24x when you want to handle long-range targets.
The wide 50mm lens combines with the magnification, allowing you to shoot effectively at different distances and lighting conditions. Advanced, fully multi-coated optics effectively minimize reflected light and amplify light transmission, yielding brighter and clearer images.
The reticle is etched on the glass, which enhances the scope’s durability and recoil resistance. Harsh weather will not impede the unit’s performance as it is waterproof and fogproof. The XPL coating protects the outer lenses from oil, dirt, and potential scratches.
Another highlight that places this device as one of the best .22 250 scopes is the Precision Zero Stop system. This mechanism lets you lock down your zero position and dial back to it with a sharp and precise stop at your zero setting.
Features
- Weighs 51.2 ounces
- First focal plane reticle etched on glass
- Precision Zero Stop system
- Advanced fully multi-coated optics
- 6061-T6 aluminum construction
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- 6x to 24x zoom
- Matte finish
- 3 inches of eye relief
- 5omm lens size
Pros
- Higher recoil resistance
- Rugged and durable
- Smooth turrets that hold adjustments perfectly
- Quality glass
Cons
- The reticle looks intimidating, but it becomes very accurate once you get a hold of it.
8) Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm Riflescope
We end with the Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm riflescope. It has a second focal plane Dead-Hold BDC reticle that estimates range, holdover, and drift for you, eliminating the need to do the math in your head for easy execution on the field.
You are likely to encounter harsh conditions as you look for prey. That’s why the Diamondback is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, which ensures that the scope remains solid even after being tossed or dropped.
Argon purging and o-ring seals maintain the scope’s fogproof and waterproof integrity, making it an ideal companion even when the showers drop. The outer part is hard anodized to fight off corrosion and hide your shooting position.
The high-quality optics are fully multi-coated to boost brightness and clarity by allowing plenty of light to enter the unit. Thus, you can be certain of stunning images even when lighting begins to disappear. The exceptional clarity and brightness makes the Diamondback another of the best .22 250 scopes.
The fast focus eyepiece and the capped, resettable turrets enable quick field adjustments. Thanks to the metal-on-metal precision turrets, you can zero-reset the turrets after sighting in.
If you are looking for a scope that will not let you down when using your .22 250, the Diamondback suits you.
Features
- A fast focus eyepiece for rapid reticle focusing
- The structure comprises aircraft-grade aluminum
- Fully multi-coated optics
- One-piece tube with a hard anodized finish
- O-ring sealed and argon-purged for weather reliability
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Eye relief of 3.1 to 3.4 inches
- 40mm lens diameter
- Variable 4-12x magnification
- The reticle stays the same in all magnification levels
Pros
- Crystal-clear optics
- Easy to zero
- Great quality
- Unmatched accuracy
Cons
- The clicks are not as crisp
What Should I Look for When Choosing the Best .22 250 Scopes
Consider these aspects:
Durability
Check the durability of the scope you intend to buy for your .22 250. The duration the scope will last, and the level of abuse it can withstand is very key. The best .22 250 scopes should have a solid build quality and can endure the abuse you intend to use it for.
Some factors that contribute to a scope’s durability are waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof integrity. As such, you should ensure the scope is designed with o-ring seals and filled with nitrogen or argon.
With those, you can use the riflescope in any environmental condition without worry. The shockproof performance protects it from damage when banged or dropped.
Magnification Power
The .22 250 is a high-performance caliber that is incredible for long-range shots. An equally potent scope unlocks the rifle’s full capability. The intended use of the scope largely dictates the appropriate magnification range.
For instance, you would need an exceptionally powerful scope with a 9-times magnification range if you want to use it to eradicate smaller animals or for varmint hunting. Having a scope that can provide crisp images at up to 30x magnification is also a good idea. Some of the scopes featured in this review have a 24x zoom that maintains crisp, clear images.
However, the magnification range you choose will depend on your need for the scope. If you intend to utilize it for larger game hunting, a less powerful scope will work just fine. However, it’s important to remember that clarity decreases with increasing zoom.
Eye Relief
The third parameter when figuring out the best .22 250 scopes is eye relief. This is the distance between your eye and the scope that allows you to see everything clearly. It is a vital component of a scope. If it is insufficient, your firearms’ recoil will send the scope directly to your eye.
It can also prevent you from getting the right shooting position, making it very uncomfortable. The best .22 250 scopes should have at least 3.5 inches of eye relief. Going close to 4 inches is more advisable, as the longer the eye relief, the better.
Reticle
You also need to settle on a reticle that works for your needs. Some shooters and hunters prefer simple reticles, while others love sophisticated ones. It all comes down to your comfort level, so choose a reticle style that is easy to use and provides a clear sight picture.
The reticle can be illuminated on non-illuminated. An illuminated reticle helps with visibility in dimly lit environments. Remember that some optics do a better job with light transmission than others, compensating for the lack of an illuminated reticle.
Therefore, an illuminated reticle is more vital if you want to save a few bucks with lower-end sight than if you prefer a high-end sight.
Lens Coating
Another aspect to look at is the lens coating. If you want to hunt varmints, you have to compare scopes and look for one with good, fully multicoated lenses. You should know, though, that some brands use a single chemical to coat at a low cost. However, others utilize a proprietary mixture of chemicals to filter light and lessen glare, which can enhance and increase the clarity and brightness of the image.
The best .22 250 scopes should be fully multi-coated for the best performance.
What Magnification Is Best for A .22 250 Rifle?
The .22 250 is a long-range capable rifle, so it is important to have a powerful scope with a generous eyepiece and other attributes to help you focus and target better.
For varmint and smaller game hunting, you will need a powerful scope with high magnification. We advise that you get a unit with at least 10x magnification, as it will allow you to see clearly even at extended distances. You can even go as high as 30x.
We also advise you to opt for a scope that suits your hunting style. A less powerful scope will do if you are commonly hunting small game.
However, you should be aware that a larger magnification will deteriorate the image if your optical system is subpar. For this reason, you should carefully weigh your options and search for a scope that has the appropriate power and quality for your requirements.
First Focal Plane Vs Second Focal Plane Scopes
If you’re a new shooter, you might not be familiar with the distinction between a first and second focal plane reticle. Though small, the difference matters. The size of the second focal plane reticles remains the same when looking through the scope. Thus, the reticle will fill up the whole scope, regardless of the magnification you are using.
First focal plane reticles, however, will enlarge with increased magnification. The reticle can be difficult to discern at the lowest possible magnification and will appear like a first focal plane reticle at full magnification. This has a more substantial impact than it simply being difficult to see when using lower magnification. This is because of the fact that most reticles have distinct hash markings for bullet drop and windage, and a reticle that fluctuates in size makes both functions ineffective.
Conclusion
We hope that this best .22 250 scopes guide has provided enough information to help you navigate the best .22 250 scopes and make a wise decision based on the most appropriate model for your needs. We also hope that you have more fun and rewarding shooting and hunting trips in the days, months, and years to come.
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