What is the best scope power for varmint?

[PendletonCowboy]

Wonder what everyone would recommend for a variable scope for a 22-250 varmint rifle and what size of an objective. I was trying to steer away from the 50's because I don't want to get the taller rings.

Any input one way or another?

thanks!

 

[taliv]

what kind of varmints? p-dogs? coyotes?

 

[Rembrandt]

6-to-24

 

[PendletonCowboy]

probably be shootin both with it.

 

[Zerodefect]

have had luck with 5-20x

 

[Art Eatman]

I've not tried to reach out beyond 300 yards on prairie dogs, but the 2x7 on my .243 or the 3x9 on my .223 were "plenty-nuff" scope.

Since the .22-250 could readily be used to 400 yards if you can dope the wind, a 4.5x14x40 might be a tad more helpful, although not really necessary.

FWIW, I had no trouble getting sub-MOA on my 500-yard range with a 3x10x44 on my '06. (Shrug. Whatever.)

 

[Maverick223]

Depends upon your budget. Good, clear glass with a good reticle is priority. If your budget allows I would go with a 14-20x optic, but...if it doesn't get a lesser power scope that is of better quality. I would recommend a Zeiss Conquest (a 3-9x is only about $400.00), Kahles Helia CL (CDNN still has a few 3-10x for $600.00), or the Minox which is fairly new, but has great glass as well (they start at $400.00).

 

[slabuda]

If your going to shoot coyote I wouldnt go to high on the low end. A 8-20X44 could be a problem if the yote jumps up close to you.

A 3-9x may not get you the range you want out of that 22-250.

I would go for something in the 4-16x range.

 

[stubbicatt]

IME, the clarity of the optics is more important than the magnification. Too, magnification is not your friend when shooting from field positions, as the inherent wobble in any non supported, non benched, position is distracting on higher magnifications.

I use a straight 6x IOR scope on my 223 rifle and have consistently hit prairie dogs to 400, and some beyond that when I guess the range correctly. The 6x is a bit much for coyotes, and I would prefer a 4x for that, but I have the one rifle with the one scope and it works.

 

[rangerruck]

you could max out a 44mm obj., and fit in med/high rings.
I think something between 18 and 24 max will all you will need.
Look at Weaver and Nikons.

 

[Big Russ]

I've actually got a 2-7x32mm scope on my AR that works wonders on coyotes... and for a shotgun scope it does the job pretty darn well!

 

[MachIVshooter]

a maximum of 16, 18 or 20 should do ya. I use a 6.5-20 on my .220 swift, a 4-16 on my .17 Rem.

More important than magnification is clarity and getting fine crosshairs. My 4.5-14 VX-III is a great scope........for big game. But that standard duplex will cover a rat completely at 400 yards.