Today’s post illuminates the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting. Coyotes are wary creatures and it is important to track and hunt them down from a distance. To have a successful coyote hunting expedition, you need to have the right tools with you including a high-quality scope to bring the distant targets into focus.
A scope will help you find the coyotes with ease, even when you are hunting in low-light conditions. Furthermore, a scope with the right features will improve your hunting skills, fine-tune your precision and make the coyote hunting expeditions more fun.
What Makes a Great Scope for Coyote Hunting
Great scope for coyote hunting is made of several facets that work in tandem to make your hunting expedition successful and more fun. The best scopes for 223 coyote hunting should be designed with top-tier features to deliver a seamless performance in the hunting ground.
First up, is magnification power. Magnification is an integral part of every scope. A scope with the right magnification power will bring the distant coyotes closer, magnify them and ensure that you place the shot in the right place. Great scope for coyote hunting will also allow for smooth adjustments from one magnification power to the next.
The best scopes for 223 coyote hunting should also have an objective lens that is large enough to collect ample light inside the optics. It should also have solid lens coatings to maximize image brightness and clarity when you are hunting the coyotes in low-light settings.
Besides, the scope should be waterproof, fog proof and dustproof to be operable in all weather conditions. To complement the weatherproof construction, the scope should have robust housing that stands up to the rough handling that always comes with hunting.
The scope has to have a wide field of view which is very important when hunting these fast-moving creatures. Lastly, great scope for coyote hunting should be easy to use and blend perfectly with your hunting habits to ensure reliable performance.
8 Best Scopes for 223 Coyote Hunting
The market offers a multitude of optics but not all scopes that are available on the market are suitable for coyote hunting. In our guide, we have put a list of the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting.
These scopes are designed to complement the performance of the .223 Remington and offer the brightest image views so you can spot the coyotes easily in any environment.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting.
1) Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24 Rifle Scope with TA51 Mount
The Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24 Rifle Scope is a first-class optic that delivers an outstanding performance in the hunting arena. It is a no non-sense variable combat optical gunsight that accommodates close to long-range hunting in any lighting or weather condition.
The scope employs superior glass quality that guarantees high resolution and rich color contrast. It is also designed with a great light-gathering ability to ensure that the images generated are bright and crisp, even when you are hunting in low-light settings.
Furthermore, the scope has an illuminated first focal plane reticle that comes in handy when you need to quickly and accurately estimate the range and apply the right hold. Besides, it will remain true at every magnification and enhance your accuracy when taking shots at long ranges.
Another feature that makes this device stand out is the fact that it is virtually indestructible. It has forged 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy housing that is robust enough for any application. The scope is also waterproof and fog proof for use in all weather conditions.
With all these handy features plus the windage and elevation adjustments, the Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24 sighting system is a valuable optic to have. Exceptional clarity, unrivaled durability and incomparable overall performance make the Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24 Rifle Scope one of the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting.
Features
- Superior glass quality
- Bright and crisp reticle illumination
- Multi-coated lenses
- First focal plane reticle
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Shockproof aluminum housing
- 1-6x magnification range
Pros
- Smooth magnification adjustments
- Long eye relief
- Solid construction
- Excellent glass clarity
- Easy to mount
- Illuminated reticle allows fast and easy target acquisition
- Effortless zeroing and click adjustments
Cons
- Big budget
- Slightly heavier
2) Meopta Optika 3-18x50mm 30mm Tube Rifle Scope
If you are looking for a long-range rifle scope for coyote hunting, the Meopta Optika 3-18x50mm scope is your ideal option. It has a vast zoom power that spans up to 18x to fine-tune your shooting accuracy at extended ranges. The outstanding long-range performance and unbeatable versatility help cement Meopta MeoPro Optika6 among the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting.
At the lowest optical power, the scope provides a massive field of view to help you locate the game easily and keep track of them as they move. It is also designed to provide rapid target acquisition for far away targets and crisp clear sight pictures at every magnification power.
Another feature that makes the scope ideal for coyote hunting is the superior low-light performance it offers. It has an oversized 50mm objective lens for superior low-light performance. It also employs MeoBright ion-assisted multi-coatings that eliminate glare and light reflections to deliver an industry-leading 99.8% light transmission.
The scope also brings to the table an RD-illuminated reticle system for optimal reticle visibility in all lighting conditions. When you mount this scope to your hunting rifle, the ability to acquire distance targets will be greatly improved and so will your shooting precision.
Features
- 30mm main tube
- RD illuminated reticle system
- Matte anodized finish
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Robust aluminum housing
- MeoBright ion-assisted multi-coated lenses
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Great low-light visibility
- Reticle illumination
- Lens protection to keep them clear for the life
Cons
- Slightly heavy
3) Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm Rifle Scope
One of the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting for beginners is the Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm. It is remarkably affordable, yet quality and durable. Besides, it is very easy to mount and use.
The scope has a 30mm body tube so it will be easy to mount to various hunting rifles. The large body tube size also provides much-needed room for adjustments and reticle movement. Besides, it is equipped with finger-adjustable windage and elevation turrets with positive clicks to fine-tune your shooting precision.
Moreover, the scope is made with ease of use in mind. For starters, the parallax adjustment knob is mounted on the side for convenient access. The scope also boasts a fast focus eyepiece for simple and speedy reticle focusing, and a lightweight design of 1.5 lbs only for easy portability.
Regarding construction, the scope is crafted from 6063 aluminum that is rigid enough to withstand any punishment you subject it to. The tube is also filled with nitrogen to be fully fogproof and waterproof.
The Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm scope also possesses fully multi-coated lenses which provide bright and sharp image views from sunrise till sunset. This feature-rich scope opens a world of possibilities for predator hunting with its wide magnification range.
Features
- Finger-adjustable windage and elevation turrets
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Side-mounted parallax adjustment knob
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Waterproof and nitrogen-filled
- 6063 aluminum body
- First focal plane reticle
- 30mm main tube
- 4-16x magnification
Pros
- Reticle illumination
- Clear glass
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons
- The turret clicks aren’t crisp
- Short eye relief
4) Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm SFP Rifle Scope
Our next scope recommendation for the .223 coyote hunting is the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Rifle Scope. This scope is your prime option if you are looking to step up your coyote hunting game with the .233 cartridge.
The scope employs a Twilight Max HD Light Management System that provides the brightest image views even in twilight conditions. This is made possible by eliminating glare effectively. Furthermore, the scope has Guard-Ion lens coatings that shield the exterior lenses from scratches, dirt and moisture.
Relentless performance in any kind of weather makes it one of the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting. It is waterproof and fogproof to ensure that bad weather conditions don’t hinder you from going out to hunt. The scope is also well-built from 6061-T6 aluminum so you are guaranteed durability.
Like any other Leupold optics, the VX-5HD 3-15x56mm is rich in features to boost performance in any environment. Other noteworthy features included are a fast-focus eyepiece, push-button Zero Lock system and FireDot reticle illumination. Expect optical brilliance when hunting with this riflescope.
Another attribute that makes the VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Rifle Scope stand out among the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting is the custom dial system (CDS). This function is very resourceful as it customizes your scope’s elevation dial to match your load, velocity and conditions to facilitate quick and accurate shots all the time.
Features
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Rear focal plane reticle with fire dot illumination
- Custom Dial System
- Guard-Ion lens coating
- 30mm main tube
Pros
- American Quality
- Great visibility in low-light settings
- Good eye relief
- Crisp clear glass
Cons
- The knobs for windage and elevation adjustment could be better
5) Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 Scope Horseshoe .223 Ballistic Reticle w/ TA51 Mount
For close and medium-range coyote hunting, the Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 Scope is your ideal option. It offers a wide field of view for easy tracking of fast-moving coyotes and long eye relief for faster target acquisition.
This compact rifle scope is built to last. It has a forged 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy housing which provides for a virtually indestructible sighting system. It is also waterproof to 100feet/50m for use even when it is raining and nitrogen-filled to eliminate fog in cold environments.
Moreover, the scope is ideally suited for hunting in any lighting condition. It boasts multi-coated lenses which provide superior clarity and light-gathering abilities from dawn to dusk. It is also designed to adjust its illumination automatically to match the ambient light conditions using fiber optics.
Best of all, the scope has a massive 35mm tube diameter that provides ample room for adjustments and an ultra-lightweight design of 14oz to ensure that it doesn’t affect the balance of your rifle.
Features
- Military-grade aluminum alloy housing
- Bindon aiming concept
- Internally adjustable
- Waterproof and nitrogen-filled
- Multi-coated lenses
- 35mm main tube
- 5x fixed magnification
Pros
- Versatility
- Solid build
- Clear display
- Battery-free illumination
Cons
- Costly for the budget buyer
6) ATN X-Sight-4, 3-14x Pro Edition Smart Day/Night Hunting Riflescope
The ATN X-Sight-4, 3-14x Pro Smart Day/Night Hunting Riflescope delivers 24/7 performance making it one of the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting. The scope offers dual functionality, so you can hunt coyotes with it at night or during the day.
It features a highly sensitive 4K ultra-HD sensor to help you spot the game with ease. The images formed are then displayed on a crisp 1280×720 pixels display. Furthermore, the recoil-activated function makes video recording a breeze when you want to document your hunting trip.
This night vision rifle scope will work well with the .223 cartridge. It has a robust hardened aluminum alloy with impact-resistant electronics to stand recoil from high recoiling rounds and ensure fast follow-up shots. It is also water-resistant and fog-proof for use in virtually all weather conditions.
What’s more? The scope has a 30mm main tube that makes it easy to mount and use. It is also equipped with a ballistic calculator and smart rangefinder which are vital features for hunting.
Features
- One Shot Zero
- Smart range finder
- Recoil resistant electronics
- Water-resistant, fog proof and shockproof
- Recoil activated video
- Ultra-sensitive 4K ultra-HD sensor
- Smart Mil-Dot reticle
- Dual stream video
- 30mm main tube
Pros
- Ultra-low power consumption
- Good eye relief
- Dual day and night functionality
Cons
- Heavy
7) Leapers UTG 4-16x40mm Hunter Rifle Scope
The Leapers UTG 4-16x40mm is one of the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting for budget buyers. It is perfectly designed with virtually every feature you need for varmint and predator hunting and you don’t have to spend a fortune to buy it.
This scope has the most precise and responsive windage and elevation adjustments. It also comes with a locking ring to lock zero and a zero-resetting function for aligning the marking after you have zeroed it in.
Furthermore, the parallax in this rifle scope is adjustable for you to have a parallax-free performance from 5 yards to infinity. The emerald coating applied on all the lenses maximized light transmission for you to have the best image clarity, even in low lighting conditions.
To complement the stunning low light visibility, the scope comes with an illuminated reticle to enhance its contrast in poor light settings. It is also shockproof, rainproof and nitrogen-filled to keep the lenses fog-free even when you move to areas with a big temperature and humidity gradient.
Features
- Emerald lens coating
- Built on a true strength platform
- Rainproof and nitrogen-filled
- Mil-Dot range estimating reticle
- Adjustable parallax
- Zero locking and zero resetting target turrets
- Built-in color/brightness memory system
Pros
- Great battery life
- Lightweight
- Clear optics
Cons
- Short eye relief
8) SightMark Core TX 1-4×24 AR-223 BDC Rifle Scope
The SightMark Core TX is specially calibrated for the .223. It offers stunning performance at close and medium ranges, thanks to the versatile 1-4x magnification range. It is also a perfect optic for tactical operations and target shooting, not just hunting.
The scope has lockable turrets that are exposed to prevent loss of zero. It also employs a BDC reticle that will be of great help when you need to quickly and accurately estimate the range and apply the right hold. Even better, the reticle has adjustable red and green illumination which helps make target finding quick and easy, even in low-light settings.
For smooth magnification adjustments, the scope has a throw level included. In terms of construction, the body is crafted from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum which is coated with an anodized finish to be scratch-proof and rustproof.
The scope is also built to provide edge-to-edge image clarity in all lighting conditions. This is made possible by the fully multi-coated glass that reduces glare and increases light transfer.
To top it all off, the scope is nitrogen-filled and sealed on both ends to ensure unimpeded field use, even in extremely harsh weather conditions.
Features
- Fully multi-coated optics
- A second focal plane BDC reticle
- Weaver mount type
- IP67 water resistance level
- Anodized finish
- Illuminated reticle
- Exposed lockable turrets
- 30mm main tube
Pros
- Accommodating eye relief
- Illuminated reticle
- Cost-effective
- Covered by Sightmark lifetime warranty
- Smooth magnification adjustment
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Choosing the Best Scopes for 223 Coyote Hunting
When searching for a .223 coyote hunting scope, you will be met with numerous optics. Choosing the best scope for 233 can be a taxing ordeal, particularly for first-time buyers.
Below are the fundamental considerations to help you distinguish an excellent .223 scope from ordinary rifle scopes.
Magnification Power
Magnification power is the first and most important factor to consider when buying a scope for 223 coyote hunting.
When you are making your selection, take into account the hunting distance and the location where you will hunt the coyotes and decide accordingly.
Read: Best Scopes for Prairie Dog Hunting
Durability
The durability of a rifle scope is directly related to its build quality. You will want to have a scope that has high build quality so you can use it for many years and in different hunting environments.
Look at the material used to make the scope. If the description says that is made from aircraft-grade aluminum or magnesium alloy, that is a durable and reliable scope. Besides, it will not just be durable, but also lightweight.
Another important part of every scope is weatherproof integrity. The best scopes for 223 coyote hunting are O-rings sealed and filled with an inert gas to offer a lifetime of waterproof, dustproof and fogproof performance.
Lens
How well does the scope eliminate glare and transmit light? It is important to take a keen look at these two properties as they determine how clear the images generated will be.
Go for a scope that employs fully multi-coated lenses. The coatings will reduce glare and light reflection that causes light loss.
This will increase the amount of light transmitted and ensure that the images you get are bright, sharp and edge-to-edge sharp. Solid lens coatings will also shield the optics from scratches and damage.
Read: Best AR-15 Scopes for Coyote Hunting
Reticle
The next thing you should consider is the reticle of the scope. For 223 coyote hunting, it is best to get either a Mil-Dot or a BDC reticle. Both reticles will give you a crisp aiming point when you are hunting in various environments.
Also, it is wise to get an illuminated reticle if you will be hunting in low-light conditions. The illumination will enhance the contrast between the reticle and the target and fine-tune your shooting accuracy.
Weight
The weight of the scope is influenced by several factors including the materials used, tube diameter and the size of the objective lens. The bigger the tube is, the heavier the scope will weigh. The same applies to the objective lens.
For coyote hunting, look for a scope that is light enough to be easy to carry around with ease. A light scope is also essential in that it disperses recoil effectively and won’t affect the balance of the rifle.
Eye Relief
Also, remember to look at the amount of eye relief a scope has. This is the space where you have to stand away from the scope when shooting.
An ideal eye relief will let you glass comfortably, with or without your eyewear and create a distance that is long enough to shield your eye from the recoiling scope. Generally, a scope with more than 3.5 inches of eye relief is sufficient.
Read: Best Vortex Scopes for Coyote Hunting
How Much Magnification Do You Need for Coyote Hunting?
The magnification that you need for coyote hunting will chiefly depend on these two factors: the hunting distance and the hunting environment.
With the hunting environment, you have to consider whether you will be hunting the coyotes in rolling plains or brushy areas near swamps and mushy areas.
For rolling plains, you will need a high and vast magnification power that lets you spot the target with ease. Typically, a variable power scope with 10x maximum magnification or more will do.
On the other hand, you will need a scope with moderate to low magnification power for hunting coyotes in areas close to creaks or swampy marshes land.
When it comes to hunting distance, the further you shoot, the more magnification the scope has to have. This way, it will bring you to the distant coyotes and help you put the shot in an accurate, ethical manner.
Related: Best Rangefinder Scopes for Rifles
What is the Best Rifle Scope for Coyote Hunting?
The best rifle scope for coyote hunting is one that fits your hunting needs and habits perfectly. The market is flooded with scopes today and there is not one device for everyone, as our hunting needs are different.
Can You Coyote Hunt with a Red Dot Sight?
Yes. You can use a red dot to hunt coyotes at close ranges where magnification is not essential. The red dot will fine-tune your accuracy and enhance your target acquisition speed. Also, you can use a red dot as a secondary optic when hunting coyotes at longer ranges.
Final Shot
Finding the best scopes for 223 coyote hunting doesn’t have to be a task that is unpleasant and overwhelming. All the scopes we have listed above are equipped with all the features you require to have it right when you go out hunting.
Regardless of the scope that you end up getting, we hope that this post has helped point you in the right direction.
Which scope will you get for your hunting rifle? Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm SFP Rifle Scope checks all the right boxes and will be a great fit for the .223.