Looking for a .22 Horner scope? This is the guide for you. After vigorous research, we found the best 22 Hornet scopes that have the most essential features of a riflescope. Read on and find the best .22 Hornet scope.
The .22 Hornet is a powerful and accurate cartridge that is popularly known for its versatility. Since its introduction, it has remained a reliable round for varmint hunting and pest control. Besides, its high speed makes it more popular than some modern projectiles.
If you use the .22 Hornet for whatever application, it is essential to get a scope that matches its versatility. A quality .22 Hornet scope will improve your target acquisition speed and help you attain the full benefits of this cartridge.
What Makes a great .22 Hornet Scope?
The .22 Hornet is well known for its accuracy, speed and power. A great .22 Hornet scope should therefore be able to improve these ballistic characteristics for better predator and varmint control.
For the scope to achieve that, it should have:
- High-quality glass and fully multi-coated lenses reduce glare and enhance light transmission.
- A reticle that is highly accurate and easy to use as well.
- A variable magnification system that covers all the distances you plan to shoot with the .22 Hornet.
- Unibody construction to weather any rough handling that comes with hunting.
- Exceptional performance under any weather or lighting condition.
- Long eye relief guarantees comfortable glassing and a lightweight design as well.
5 Best 22 Hornet Scopes
With a sea of scopes available on the market today, it can be hard to determine which to choose. In this post, we have compiled a list of the best 22 Hornet scopes to help you choose right.
These scopes have all the essential features you require to make the best out of your hunting expeditions with the .22 Hornet.
Without wasting any more time, let’s dive right into the best 22 Hornet scopes available on the market.
#1) BARSKA 3-9×40 Hornet Riflescope
First up, we have the BARSKA 3-9×40 Hornet Riflescope. This 1-inch tube rifle scope is designed and engineered for accuracy, reliability and versatility. This plus more is what makes it one of the best 22 Hornet scopes.
Harboring the key ingredients of a riflescope, the 3-9×40 Hornet Rifle Scope is ideal for general hunting and target shooting applications. The unbeatable versatility makes it one of the best 22 Hornet scopes.
The scope is endowed with ¼ MOA click value adjustment for windage and elevation turrets. The turrets are also capped to prevent accidental adjustments while you are on the field.
Furthermore, the optics are fully multi-coated to increase light transmission for bright, clear and color-accurate image views.
Another impressive thing about the scope that makes it stand out among the best 22 Hornet scopes is its durable construction.
It offers a single-piece tube housing that provides greater strength and durability. It is also built to survive everyday handling under any weather condition. Overall, it makes an excellent scope for all types of general hunting.
Features
- Black matte finish
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Fast focus eye bell
- Fully multi-coated optics
- 30/30 reticle
- 1-inch single-piece tube
Pros
- Lightweight
- Crisp clear optics
- Low cost
- Great value for the money
- Mounting rings included
Cons
- Short eye relief
#2) Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
When it comes to glass quality, you can hardly go wrong with a Leupold rifle scope. This is clear in the VX-Freedom 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope.
It is designed to provide clear image views from the lowest to the highest magnification power. Reliability and versatility are the main attributes that make VX-Freedom one of the best 22 Hornet scopes.
Furthermore, the scope boasts a Twilight Light Management System which eliminates 80% more glare compared to other scopes. This guarantees brighter image views when you are using the scope in low-light settings.
Hunters will also be impressed by the lightweight yet durable construction of this scope. It weighs 16.1oz only for mobility convenience.
Other than that, it has a scratch-resistant objective lens for added protection, and fully waterproof and fog-proof housing to ensure unimpeded use in any environment.
This rifle scope also brings to the table a rear focal plane Tri-MOA reticle that minimally covers the target when the sub-tensions change with zoom change. The scope is deadly accurate and no matter the shooting scenario, it gets the job done right.
Features
- Twilight Light Management System
- 1-inch main tube
- CDS side focus
- Scratch resistant lenses
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Rear focal plane reticle
- Matte finish
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Lightweight and easy to use
- American Quality
- Great glass
Cons
- Non-illuminated reticle
#3) Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 mm Rifle Scope
If you are looking to take your hunting to the next big level, get the Fullfield E1 3-9×40 mm Rifle Scope. Burris made this rifle scope to be ideal for hunting in all sorts of terrain, weather and lighting conditions. This flexibility makes it one of the best 22 Hornet scopes.
Featuring 3-9x magnification, the scope is ideal for hunting across different ranges. It provides a massive field of view at the lowest magnification power to ensure speedy finding and tracking of the game.
Furthermore, the scope is equipped with a Ballistic Plex E1 reticle which provides great long-range accuracy out to 500 yards. It is also waterproof and nitrogen filled to prevent internal fogging in the rain and cold environments.
This rifle scope is built to survive everyday handling and anything nature throws at it. It is crafted from a durable, 1-piece tube to stand up to shock and fierce recoil.
Better yet, it has a double internal spring-tension system that helps the scope maintain zero through shock, recoil and vibrations. Moreover, the scope employs high-grade optical glass which provides outstanding image brightness and clarity with lasting durability.
Features
- Index-matches High-Lume lens multi-coatings
- Waterproof and nitrogen filled
- Positive steel-on-steel adjustments
- Second focal plane reticle
- The solid 1-piece outer tube
- High-grade optical glass
- Turret indicators
Pros
- Clear optics on every zoom power
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Highly accurate reticle
- Highly durable construction
- Unrivaled lowlight performance
- Unmatched accuracy and repeatable adjustments
Cons
- Short eye relief
#4) Hawke Sports Optics Vantage .17 HMR IR 4-16×50 Rifle Scope
As one of the best 22 Hornet scopes, the Vantage .17 HMR IR offers a wide selection of premium features for a reasonably affordable price. It is easy to use even for beginners and suitable for nearly all hunting applications.
For optimal clarity and incredibly bright pictures, this rifle scope features 11-layer fully multi-coated optics.
Additionally, it boasts a massive 50mm lens which optimizes low-light performance and guarantees that the images generated at every zoom power are of good quality.
This rimfire rifle scope is also equipped with an illuminated, glass-etched reticle with five different brightness levels. This gives you the flexibility to customize the reticle to fit the situation at hand.
Moreover, the scope is designed to stand to the harsh elements that a rigorous hunt may bring. It is shockproof to weather the vibrations of your rifle’s recoil and properly sealed and purged with nitrogen to be fully waterproof, dustproof and fogproof.
Features
- 11-layer fully multi-coated optics
- Side focus control for parallax adjustment
- Fast focus eye bell
- A high torque zoom ring
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Illuminated, glass-etched reticle
- Magnesium alloy housing
- Adjustable objective
- 1-inch main tube
Pros
- Comfortable eye relief
- Reticle illumination
- Great glass quality
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Poor light collection in low-light settings
- Slightly heavy
#5) Vortex Crossfire II AO 4-12x50mm Rifle Scope
Lastly, on our list of the best 22 Hornet scopes, we have the Crossfire II AO 4-12x50mm Rifle Scope. This rifle scope is equipped with a close to long-range magnification system that makes it ideal for tactical and hunting applications.
This rifle scope comes with an adjustable objective for parallax elimination and image focusing. It also has a fast focus eyepiece that makes target acquisition a speedy process with crisp clear focusing adjustment.
All Vortex optics products are made to be operable under any weather condition and this rifle scope is not any different. It is fully waterproof and fog proof for use in the rain, cold and mist.
Regarding construction, the scope is built on a single-piece tube made from aircraft-grade aluminum and finished with a hard anodized coating that shields it from scratches and rust. It is also shockproof for greater durability and the turrets are capped to be less vulnerable to impact damage.
The Crossfire II AO 4-12x50mm Rifle Scope also comes with fully multi-coated optics which improve light transmission in low-light settings for bright, clear and sharp image views.
Features
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Adjustable objective
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Rear focal plane reticle
- Single-piece 1-inch main tube
- Hard anodized finish
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
Pros
- Large field of view
- Clear glass
- Lightweight and easy to use
- The reticle works perfectly
- Good eye relief
Further Reading
- Best Vortex Scopes for Mini 14
- Vortex Scopes for Deer Hunting
- Best 450 Bushmaster Scopes
- 22LR Scopes for Target Shooting
What Magnification Do You Need?
Choosing the right magnification power for your .22 Hornet will depend on how far you are going to be shooting and what you plan to use the scope for.
For varmint hunting, you can choose either a fixed or variable power scope of a variable, but we recommend that you get a variable power scope. A variable-power rifle scope with a starting power of 3x will be enough. You can then extend the power of the scope to about 9x to 12x.
You also need to remember that magnification is not the only thing that makes a good scope. Once you have identified the magnification power that works best for you, ensure that the scope you get also has high-quality glass and a large objective lens.
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Criteria for Choosing the Best 22 Hornet Scopes
Whether you are buying your first .22 Hornet scope or you are in the market for an upgrade, you should consider these factors when making your selection.
Glass Quality
The performance of any rifle scope is determined by its glass quality. Viewing a target in the best detail is the most important purpose of any rifle scope. Without a clear view of the target, you will have a difficult time firing accurately.
When looking for the best .22 Hornet scope, pick a product that has the highest glass quality you can afford. Also, ensure that the lenses of the scope are fully multi-coated to maximize light transmission.
Magnification
You will notice that the best 22 Hornet scopes have different magnification power. Your choice will depend on what you intend to use the scope for as well as how far you will be shooting.
For varmint and predator control, you should get a variable power scope with about 3-9x or 4-12x magnification. On the other hand, a fixed power scope with 3x or 4x zoom power is sufficient for tactical purposes.
Read: Best Scout Scopes
Objective Lens
Another important part of every scope is the objective lens. All the light that gets into the scope is collected by the objective lens. The larger the objective lens is, the more light it collects, and vice versa.
Go for a scope that has an objective lens diameter of at least 32mm for daylight hunting and 40mm diameter or more for hunting in low light conditions.
Durability
The next thing you should consider is the durability of the scope. You will be hunting outdoors in the wild where your scope will be exposed to all manner of elements, rough handling as well as bumps and accidental falls.
If the scope you get is made of poor-quality materials, it will end up getting damaged after a few hunting excursions and you will be back in the market looking for another scope.
It is therefore important that you get a scope that is well-made using high-quality materials such as aluminum or magnesium alloy.
Weight
Hunting varmints is fun, but it is not an easy task. You will be walking from one point to the other looking for them. That’s why you need to invest in a lightweight scope.
A light scope will be easy to carry together with your hunting rifle. It will also do a better job at scattering recoil compared to a heavy one.
Turrets
Varmints are remarkably cunning creatures. They can sense a predator from a distance and run away. To have a successful hunting expedition, you will need to have a scope that boasts a crisp adjustment mechanism.
Compensating every shot for the effects of windage as well as gravity will help you track these cunning animals with superior accuracy. It is also important that you get a scope whose turrets are capped to prevent accidental adjustments.
Read: Best Scopes for 400 Yards
Conclusion
We do hope that this post has given you some insights into the best 22 Hornet scopes. All the five scopes we have mentioned above make varmint and small game hunting with the .22 Hornet more fun by providing you with more accurate shots.
Go through the key features that make each scope unique, then settle on one that works best for your needs and hunting habits. Which scope will you get for your .22 scope? We recommend Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 mm Rifle Scope as it has all essential features and pairs well with hunting cartridges.