Looking for the best .22 Hornet scope? Look no further. Today’s post highlights a top selection of the best scopes for 22 Hornet. Pairing a scope with a .22 Hornet will take your small game hunting and plinking to greater heights.
The .22 Hornet is highly acclaimed for its speed, power and accuracy. It is the best news to hit the action-loving ears of small-game and varmint hunters. This cartridge has an exceptional performance reputation for achieving higher velocity even for a bullet with a significantly higher weight.
What Makes a Great .22 Hornet Scope?
The .22 Hornet is the most preferred cartridge for small game hunting and surviving competitions due to its power and ability to deliver a quick and clean kill. To effectively use a .22 hornet weapon, the shooter has to carefully pair the rifle with a rifle scope that best compliments the .22 hornet. Here are some of the attributes that define a scope for a .22 hornet:
- Coating technology. The lenses should be coated in such a way that allows the scope to work effectively in all light wavelengths without flooding the illumination color too much into the inside of the scope
- The scope of choice should have a strong sturdy construction material to allow the shooter to venture into rough terrain while hunting
- Sealing technology. Sometimes the hunting expeditions may encounter harsh weather such as Rain or foggy conditions and as such the scope should be effectively sealed and purged to withstand rain and fog respectively.
- The choice of reticle technology should be guided by the sighting specifications of the shooter. The shooter should choose a scope with a reticle that will not interfere with the sighting options that are important while using the 22 Hornet.
- The finish on the riflescope. The kind of finish design employed on a scope is often overlooked while it is crucial while hunting a small game with a 22 hornet. This is because small game animals have sharp eyesight and most of them are known to be nocturnal which requires the shooter to camouflage to avoid being detected first.
- Highly-priced scopes do not always reflect quality scopes. Some are cheaper but have the best specifications for a .22 hornet powered rifle.
5 Best Scopes for 22 Hornet Rifles
The versatility of the 22 Hornet cartridge is well manifested in its being a centerfire cartridge meaning it can be easily reloaded. This in turn allows the shooter to take successive shots on small game animals that are naturally slippery and harder to kill from a distance.
To enjoy the many benefits of the 22 Hornet cartridges on a hunter’s preferred weapon, it is extremely important to choose the right scope to mount on your firearm.
The superior performance of this cartridge also dictates that the shooter selects the best and most appropriate scope for use. We will review the best scopes and their features for use alongside the 22 Hornet. Let’s dive in:
1) Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9×40 Multi-X Reticle Riflescope
The Bushnell brand has for the longest time been loyal to shooters and hunters by providing scopes with top-notch optics for use on their rifles. Bushnell Banner 3-9×40 Rifle Scope harbors excellent features for the ultimate hunting experience.
As one of the best scopes for 22 Hornet, this scope is designed with the needs of the hunter in mind. The Banner Dusk and Dawn have excellent glass quality that allows it to be the best performer in low-light environments. Whether you take your hunt early in the morning or late in the evening, this scope will get the job done.
The scope combines a cutting-edge design on the multi-X reticle with high performance while maintaining a commitment to being easily accessible to all hunters. It’s also designed with a quick focusing eyepiece to facilitate smooth operation while on the field.
Another noteworthy attribute of the Bushnell Banner 3-9×40 Rifle Scope is durable construction. The tube is made of high-quality materials and the glass on the lenses is top-quality. The exceptional glass accords hunters the much-needed clarity and brightness for accurate shot placement.
Features
- Rugged construction
- Objective lens diameter of 40mm
- Durable construction
- Fully Multi-coated (FMC) lenses
- Multi-X reticle for fast and easy target acquisition
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Fingertip adjustable windage and elevation turrets
Pros
- Dials back to zero quickly and maintains for as long as the shooter needs
- Excellent clarity of glass supported by a multi-coating technology
- Extremely cheap as compared to its high-quality performance.
- Works with efficiency in low light conditions
- Incredible brightness and clarity
- Excellent eye relief
- Great value for money
Cons
- Non-illuminated reticle
- The edge of the glass gets blurry at maximum power
2) Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm Rifle Scope
The other prime choice for the .22 Hornet is the VX-5HD 2-10x42mm. The scope is defined by relentless performance, unmatched light transmission and unheard optical crispness. As one of the best scopes for 22 Hornet, the VX-5HD 2-10×42 scope meets all the needs for a hunting experience like no other.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. The Leupold VX-5HD has superior innovation in its internal features but shies away from non-impactful sophistication that would make its application in the field harder.
The optics feature the award-winning Twilight Max Light management system for optimal light transmission. The superior glass on the lenses further enhances the clarity and resolution of this scope for clear-cut images across all magnification settings.
This is not to say that its construction is retrogressive in any particular way, No! This Riflescope still has the sleek black finish and gold ring associated with Leupold products.
Durability is guaranteed in a battle-hardened construction that allows the hunter with their 22 Hornet powered weapon to easily transverse the woods without damaging the riflescope. The tube is purged with dry gases and completely sealed to ensure waterproof performance.
Features
- Knurled texturing on the turrets with a custom dial zero lock 2 system
- Eye relief of 3.8 inches at all magnifications
- Windage adjustments are in ¼ MOA adjustments
- Turrets are protected under a cap to prevent unintended dials
- Aluminum construction material
- Twilight Max HD Management system
- Guard-Ion rain-shedding coating
- Premium glass for utmost clarity and brightness
- A twin-bias spring system to protect the scope from shocks and vibrations
- CDS to match the scope to your rifle’s ballistics
Pros
- The red dot is slender and doesn’t color the entire field of view
- The duplex reticle retains the crosshairs even if the battery dies
- The speed bump helps the user in an easy and fast change of magnification
- Covered under the Leupold warranty
- Lightweight for seamless portability
Cons
- Higher cost but worth every dollar
3) Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24mm Rifle Scope
Crossfire II 1-4×24 riflescope is specially designed to give you an upper hand in the field. The excellent optics deliver outstanding performance in any lighting conditions. Complementing the superior optics is a high-quality construction that ensures relentless performance.
The low pricing of the Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24mm Rifle scope makes for a compelling case given that its high performance would put its highly-priced peers to shame. For accurate shot placement, the rifle scope has an illuminated center dot. Hunting in magic hours will not be the same again with this rifle scope.
Clear optics, toughened tube construction and bright picture representation of the target object, are some of the acclaimed qualities of this particular riflescope cementing its excellent reputation among the best scopes for 22 hornet.
The dynamic combinations of long eye relief with a fast-focus eyepiece ensure that the shooter’s eye does not strain in any way while sighting the target animals or objects. A fast focus eyepiece is another vital addition to this riflescope. It facilitates swift and flawless focusing of the reticle.
Another notable characteristic of the Crossfire II 1-4×24 riflescope is tough construction. The tube is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum and is completely waterproof courtesy of the nitrogen gas purging and O-ring seals that lock out any moisture. Like with other Vortex scopes, Crossfire 1-4×24 will deliver reliable performance in any weather conditions.
Features
- Aircraft-grade Aluminum construction of the tube
- O-ring seals make it waterproof
- Nitrogen gas purging makes it fogproof
- The tube size diameter is 30mm
- Second Focal Plane (SFP) Reticle
- Capped reset turrets
- Fast focus eyepiece
Pros
- Can be used both for tactical shooting and small-game hunting
- Cheaply priced
- Durability from the strong construction and the capped turrets
- Covered under the Vortex VIP lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not recommended for use on a handgun because to achieve the proper sight picture the shooter would get a black eye.
- The magnification power isn’t suitable for long-range shooting
4) Hawke Sport Optics Vantage WA 30mm 2.5-10×50 IR L4a Rifle Scope
The Vantage brand brings functionality and performance without compromising on the things that matter the most to a shooter. The Hawke-sport optics Vantage WA 30mm 2.5-10×50 IR l4a scope is a perfect display of efficiency making it a top contender among the best scopes for 22 Hornet.
This scope set the standards when it comes to image clarity and resolution. The large objective lens allows optimal light transmission for an incomparable performance in a low-light setting. Moreso, the lenses are fully multi-coated to enhance light transmission for pristine images throughout the day.
This scope is an affordable and reliable selection for mid-range hunting powered by the 22 Hornet cartridges. It is a powerful rifle scope supported by a 30mm single tube chassis and fixed parallax at 100 yards, perfect for your hunting rifle of choice.
Features
- Illuminated Reticle with a red color illumination
- Second focal plane (SFP) Reticle
- Capped reset turrets
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Magnification range 2.5-10x
- 50mm lens diameter
- Field of view at 4.2m-16.8m per 100 yards
- 11 layers of fully multi-coated optics
Pros
- 10-year Hawke warranty
- Wide-angle optical system
- Rheostat on the saddle offers 5 levels of brightness
- Low profile no-snag fingertip turrets make it extremely easy to adjust and dial in
- Threaded objective/ocular for optional accessories
Cons
- Does not feature a built-in rangefinder
- No parallax adjustment
5) Bushnell Prime 1-4×32 Rifle Scope
Short to mid-range hunting grounds will never be the same with the addition of the Bushnell prime 1-4×32 Rifle scope.
It is compact, lightweight and extremely clear when mounted on any rifle. The scope positions itself as one of the best scopes for 22 hornet and the features it harbors are a testament.
Its application ranges from bright light to absolute low light environments. This riflescope has multi-coated optics to deliver impressive bright sight pictures.
Working with the Bushnell Prime 1-4×32 Rifle Scope proves to be an enjoyable experience for the shooter as the sighting offers a classic picture for the hunters enabled by the multi-X reticle.
A combination of power, sleek construction, strength and unmatched picture clarity defines the Bushnell Prime 1-4x32mm riflescope.
Features
- 32mm objective lens diameter
- Spudz cleaning cloth at no additional cost
- O-ring sealed
- 0 inches long eye relief
- Fixed parallax adjustment
- Fully multi-coated, ultrawideband, Exo barrier optical coating
- IPx-7 rated water resistance
- Matte finish
- Linear field of view at 105-26 feet at 100 yards
- Multi-X reticle
- 1-4x magnification
Pros
- Variability in magnification
- Effective for use in extreme low light environments
- Highest standards of waterproof protection
- The durability of the lenses is supported by the EXO barrier lens coating which protects the glass from scratches, oil, water, dust and debris,
- Covered under the Bushnell lifetime warranty
Cons
- Non-illuminated Reticle
Related Posts
- Best Vortex Varmint Scopes
- Leupold Scopes for 444 Marlin
- Best Varmint Scopes for 223
- Binoculars for Varmint Hunting
Criteria for Choosing the Best Scopes for 22 Hornet
In a market flooded with rifle scopes, selecting the best scope for 22 Hornet will be easier said than done particularly for first-time buyers. Filtering through the numerous options is taxing.
To help you navigate smoothly when searching for a scope for .22 Hornet, here are the important factors to key factors to keep in mind:
Durable Construction
Any hunting scope should feature a tough construction for unabated performance in any environment. The best scopes for 22 hornets should be durably made for seamless performance.
The scope’s durability is first determined by the material used in the construction. Scopes made of high-quality materials deliver rock-solid performance for many years.
The other aspect that determines the durability of scope is glass quality. High-quality glass with a scratch-resistant finish is paramount for seamless performance for many years. The price of scope is a good determinant of the quality of glass. The pricier the scope the better the quality of glass on the lenses.
Still, on matters of durability, the best scopes for 22 hornet should have their tubes fully sealed and purged with dry gases. This helps to lock out moisture and other debris that may inhibit performance. Besides, you need a fogproof and waterproof scope for hunting in different weather conditions.
Lastly, a good scope for .22 hornet should be shockproof to shrug off any shocks and vibrations produced when a rifle recoils. This helps keep the internal components of the scopes functioning flawlessly for a long time.
Read: Best Scopes for Varmint Hunting
Quality Lenses
Magnification lenses are a crucial component of any optical device including a rifle scope. They dictate the performance of the scope and the weapon by extension.
For a 22 Hornet, the clarity of the picture at 300 yards out should be top-notch to enable the hunter to deliver a quick and clean kill.
The best scopes for 22 hornet should have fully multi-coated lenses for maximum light transmission for bright and vivid images. The lens coating ensures outstanding image quality by reducing the reflection of stray light in the tube.
On the outside of the lenses, the lenses should be fitted with a scratch-resistant layer to keep them clear for life.
Budget
The market offers a wide selection of scopes to meet the needs of all shooters and hunters looking to improve their rifles’ performance.
Scopes manufacturers price their optics differently depending on the features integrated, power, and quality of glass among other aspects that increase the price of a rifle scope.
When choosing a scope for .22 hornet, set a price range first and filter your search according to the set range. By doing that you will find a better deal and a scope that meets all your hunting needs.
Read: Best Scopes for Prairie Dog Hunting
Eye Relief
Eye relief is a vital consideration when searching for a rifle scope but most people overlook the feature. It refers to the distance from the eyepiece lens of the scope to your eye when you have a complete view.
The eye relief of the scope is set at the factory and sufficient eye relief is imperative as it makes the difference between a well-executed shot or having yourself scoped after firing the rifle. Anywhere between 3 and 4.5 inches is great for a hunting scope.
What You May Not Need in a .22 Hornet Scope
For hunting applications, you don’t require large objective lenses and oversized main tubes. Large tubes only provide more space for internal turret adjustments which is useful when executing long-range shots. A scope for 22 hornet should keep the rig smaller and lighter.
Large ocular lenses transmit more light but you might not need it with a .22 hornet. Scopes with fully multi-coated lenses will gather enough light for sharp and vivid images even when the objective lens is smaller.
Read: Best 444 Marlin Scopes
What is the Best Scope Magnification for a .22 Hornet?
As it is widely known within the hunting community, the 22 Hornet cartridge is the primary ammo for varmint control within homes and fields and also small-game hunting.
This, therefore, makes the 22 Hornet a perfect short to mid-range ammo when fired from a rifle. With these specifications in mind, any weapon that is using the 22 Hornet should have a standard magnification range of 3-9x.
For purposes of clarity, a standard short to mid-range target, should not be out more than 250 yards to 300 yards at most. At this range, the 22 Hornet and a rifle scope with 3-9x magnification is a perfect combination.
Read: Best Ruger 10/22 Scope
Understanding the .22 Hornet Cartridge
The highlight of the manufacturing design for the 22 Hornet cartridges is its ability to achieve a higher velocity while carrying a much heavier bullet than the 17HMR bullet which was used earlier.
It is considered more versatile ammo as compared to its peers used in small game and Varmint hunting since it is reloadable which is enabled by the centerfire technology. This cartridge is ideal for shooting in short to mid-ranges capped at a maximum of 300 yards.
This makes it ideal for use in varmint control in built-up areas without causing unintended fatal consequences. The .22 Hornet also delivers clean and accurate shots in small game hunting due to the heavy bullet traveling at a higher velocity.
Conclusion
Given the information we have provided on this extensive review for the best rifle scopes to be used alongside a 22 Hornet, we are convinced you are better placed to make an informed decision when purchasing a hunting scope.
A quality and effective rifle scope is the only guarantee that the 22 Hornet cartridges will achieve its desired effect in controlling varmint in farms and homes in a safe manner.
If you are still not sure what to choose but you want the best, start with something simple. Don’t be in a hurry to spend your money on an optic. First, ensure it meets your hunting needs, and shooting style and more importantly, it’s compatible with your rifle.