Hog season is around the corner and you are on the market looking for the best scope for hog hunting. Your search has borne results. In today’s post, we are going to take a look at the best scopes for hog hunting. These riflescopes will give you clear image views regardless of the shooting range or lighting conditions.
Not to mention the better scoreboard which essentially improves your hog harvesting ability. Whether you are buying your first hog hunting scope or you are looking for an upgrade, you must factor in your needs and hog harvesting situation without putting so much focus on the price or brand popularity.
What Makes a Great Hog Hunting Scope?
Hogs are mostly active at night. To get an accurate shot, you’ll need a scope that performs well under any lighting situation. Fully multicoated lenses aid in light transmission especially under low light conditions. And if it’s a night vision scope, then you’ll have an easy time harvesting hogs at night.
Most hogs can be hunted at less than 100 yards. This calls for a small to the medium magnification power of not more than 4x. However, if you are hunting at a distance of 150-200 yards, you will benefit from a scope with a higher magnification.
What Magnification Do You Need?
The majority of successful hog kills happen at both close and long-range. It can be as close as 10 yards or as far as 150 yards. Not to mention that some cases are taken up to 200 yards. With that in mind, a riflescope with either fixed or variable magnification is enough to take down hogs.
A seasoned hog hunter with good eyesight may kill a hog at 20 yards without the need to use a scope. However, a hunting beginner will need a 4x scope to make the same kill. Therefore, the best magnification range for hog hunting is 1x-4x.
8 Best Scopes for Hog Hunting
Given the wide range of riflescopes in the market, it becomes a little overwhelming to find the right scope for taking hogs and wild boars. Today, we look at a top selection of the best scopes for hog hunting featuring stellar performance to make hog hunting more thrilling. Without further ado, let’s now look at the best scopes for hog hunting.
1) Burris Scout Rifle Scope
The Burris Scout Rifle Scope comes with all the features necessary for hog hunting. This USA-made rifle scope is easy to use and suitable for hog hunting beginners and professionals alike. Built from high-strength aluminum, this riflescope is rugged and sturdy enough to withstand any hunting environment.
The high-grade optical system delivers superior image brightness and clarity even under low light conditions. Not to mention that the lenses are fully multi-coated to enhance light transmission. You can also expect the scope to maintain a consistent point of impact under any shock or vibration
Given that hog hunting takes place all year round, the scope is fully waterproof and fogproof. It is nitrogen-filled to prevent internal fogging in cold and rainy weather conditions. You are therefore assured of clear views regardless of the weather conditions.
Another impressive feature of this riflescope is its compact and lightweight design. At only 9.7” and 13oz, the scope is easy to hold and carry for extensive hunting periods.
You also get an extended eye relief that makes it easy for you to shoot with both eyes open. Furthermore, the long eye relief will keep your eyes safe from heavy recoil rifles
Features
- Sturdy aluminum construction
- High-grade optical glass
- Made in the USA
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Ultra-fast target acquisition
- Finger-adjustable low-profile turrets
- Shockproof and impact-resistant
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Multi-coated lenses
- Easy to use
- Long eye relief
Cons
- Not ideal for long-range hunting
2) Leupold VX-R Hog 1.25-4x20mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-R Hog Riflescope is a great optic for hunting hogs. It’s arguably the best hog hunting scope in the deep woods thanks to the low zoom power and the Pig Plex Reticle.
This riflescope features an illuminated reticle. You can easily select between 8 brightness settings depending on the lighting condition. This illuminated reticle provides uses a 200 or 300-yard zero depending on the kind of ammunition.
When it comes to optical performance, this USA-made riflescope never disappoints. It’s designed to provide superior image clarity in any condition. The lenses are coated to reduce glare and maximize light transmission.
This results in the production of bright and image views throughout the whole field of view. It will also provide relentless performance on all short and mid-range hunting situations.
Crafted from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, this optic guarantees you many years of field use. Besides, it’s fully waterproof and fog proof to ensure reliable performance under any weather conditions.
The whole riflescope weighs about 0.72 pounds, so it’s perfect for long hunting trips. This great optic is undoubtedly one of the best scopes for hog hunting and the array of performance-enhancing features are a testament.
Features
- Versatile 3:1 zoom ratio
- Fully waterproof and fogproof
- 30mm main tube
- Made in the USA
- Sturdy 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Tactile repeatable finger clicks for simple adjustment
Pros
- Lightweight
- Illuminated FireDot ballistic reticle
- Multiple brightness settings for different lighting situations
- Impressive optical clarity
Cons
- Doesn’t have a lens cover
3) Firefield NVRS 3×42 Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope
If you are looking for a night vision riflescope for hunting hogs, you can hardly go wrong with the Firefield NVRS 3×42 Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope. This riflescope is equipped with a wide range of impressive features suitable for every hunter out there. As one of the best scopes for hog hunting, this riflescope will enhance your shooting experience and elevate your hog-killing skills.
For starters, this riflescope is fully weather-resistant. It has an IPX4 water-resistant rating. This means that you can use it in wet weather conditions and it won’t get damaged. With a powerful 3x magnification, this riflescope works great on both medium to long-range targets. Hogs will be in trouble if they turn up within this range.
Another impressive feature about this riflescope is the superb optical finesse. The fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and true-to-life image views regardless of the lighting conditions. Not to mention, the duplex reticle with different brightness adjustments for different lighting situations.
All NVRS 3×42 Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescopes feature a built-in IR illuminator. This high-powered IR illuminator gives you better views even in total darkness. Featuring a solid titanium body, this riflescope is durable and lightweight.
It weighs only 2 pounds, so you can have an easy time moving around as you search for hogs. With all these high-quality features, this night vision riflescope will make your hog hunting better and more successful.
Features
- High-quality image and resolution
- Powerful built-in IR illuminator
- Durable titanium housing
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Incremental reticle brightness adjustment
- Quick detach weaver mounting system
Pros
- Lightweight
- Quick power-up
- Flip-up lens cover
- Powerful 3x magnification
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- Smaller eye relief
4) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-12×56 AO Hog Hunter Riflescope
Here is another high-performance riflescope suitable for hog hunting. Made with hog hunters in mind, the Crossfire II 3-12×56 AO Hog Hunter Riflescope provides great performance and reliability.
The riflescope ranks highly among the best scopes for hog hunting because of its unrivaled performance. durability, exceptional light-gathering ability and ability to deal with different shooting scenarios.
This riflescope offers a long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box as well. These two features provide comfortable views of the target while keeping your eyes safe from heavy recoil rifles. You also get a fast-focus eyepiece which ensures rapid and simple reticle focusing.
When it comes to construction, the scope is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. This gives it rugged strength and durability to ensure many years of field use. The whole unit is also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to deliver waterproof and fog-proof performance.
Another impressive thing about the scope is the fully multicoated lenses which provide bright and clear image views. Not to mention the V-Brite reticle and large objective lens that gives you clear image views even in tough light conditions.
This riflescope also features an adjustable objective for parallax elimination. This makes it the ideal riflescope for numerous hunting situations.
Features
- Fully waterproof and fogproof
- Durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Suitable for short to long-range applications
- Adjustable objective for parallax elimination
- Fast focus eyepiece
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Superb optical brightness and clarity
- Long eye relief
Cons
- Unsuitable for hunting in certain weather conditions
5) Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro 2.5-10x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
Open a new world of shooting opportunities by mounting this efficient thermal hunting scope on your rifle. Thermion 2 Pro is one of the best scopes for hog hunting and it incorporates state-of-the-art optical features to take varmint hunting to greater heights.
This rifle scope is designed with the needs of avid hunters in mind. The flexibility to hunt during the day and night without changing gear makes it a dependable solution for predator hunting.
The scope harbors an advanced optical system to facilitate the seamless scanning of targets and the execution of precise shots. With a high-resolution display, you are assured of superior image quality at close and long range.
Another outstanding attribute of the Thermion XQ35 Pro is the ability to detect heat signatures from 1400 yards. This makes it the perfect scope for the job. It also has a splendid battery life of 10 hours to allow extended nighttime observation.
The other positive attribute of this thermal rifle scope is its rugged construction. The tube is made of high-resilient magnesium alloy to ensure durability and relentless performance in the toughest conditions.
Pulsar is committed to delivering the best thermal imaging experience and the Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro is a testament. Invest in a superior thermal scope and see the invisible.
Features
- 50 Hz refresh rate
- Multiple color palettes
- 50mm of eye relief
- Crisp AMOLED display
- Lithium Ion battery
- 10 Hours Battery Life
Pros
- Quality construction
- Photo and video recording to capture the hunts.
- Compatible with different weapons
- USB-C for convenient charging
- High-quality images any time of day or night
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
6) BARSKA Varmint Mil-Dot Riflescope
BARSKA Mil-Dot Riflescope is among the best scopes for hog hunting. It is particularly useful for long-range game hunting. It features a versatile 6-24x zoom power suitable for shooting at varying distances.
Built with an adjustable objective, you get to eliminate parallax easily based on the distance that you are shooting at. This enhances your shooting accuracy at varying distances.
The lenses are fully multicoated to enhance light transmission. This results in the production of bright and clear images full of color contrast. This 1” tube diameter scope is ruggedly built to withstand the harshest hunting environments. It’s also fully waterproof to prevent water damage and fogproof to avoid internal fogging caused by changes in temperature.
Well, that’s not all. Every BARSKA Mil-Dot Riflescope comes with a generous 3.5-inch eye relief that keeps your eyes safe from heavy recoil rifles. Not to mention that it’s shockproof to withstand harsh bumps and falls. It also features a mil-dot reticle for accurate range estimation.
Features
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Versatile 6-24x magnification
- Superior long-range accuracy
- Adjustable objective for parallax elimination
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Mil-dot reticle
Pros
- Lightweight
- Multipurpose application
- Scratchproof hard matte finish
- Scope cap and lens cloth included
- Backed by a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- The target dot a little small
7) ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Edition 5-20x Smart HD Day/Night Vision Riflescope
If you prefer night vision scopes, the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro hardly disappoints. This night vision scope uses the latest technologies to bring you excellent performance during the day and at night.
One of the best features of this night vision riflescope is how easy it is to use. It looks and feels like a traditional riflescope. This makes it ideal for hunting beginners and professionals alike.
Equipped with ATN IR850 Supernova, the scope offers a superior long-range IR illuminator. This makes it perfect for hunting hogs because they are mostly active at night.
The scope also makes use of an ultra-low-power profile so your hunting trip won’t be cut short by low power. It has 18+ hours of continuous runtime so you can have a solid night service.
Another impressive feature of this optic is the dual-stream video recording. It will record all your hunting videos, Wi-Fi stream them and record other events as well. The scope ranks highly among the best scopes for hog hunting and what makes it stand out among the rest is its versatility.
You can use the riflescope for other game hunting during the day and at night. For the price, this is one of the best night vision scopes you can get on the market today.
Features
- High-resolution and fast viewing
- Ultra-low-power profile
- Built-in rangefinder and ballistic calculator
- Quick detach mount
- Recoil activated video
- Powerful, long-range 850nm IR illuminator
Pros
- Great value for money
- Day and night operation
- Long eye relief
- Easy to use
Cons
- Expensive for those on a budget
8) Bushnell AR Optics 1-8x24mm Rifle Scope
If you want to increase the precision of your shots and gain speed when acquiring targets, look no further than the Bushnell AR 1-8x rifle scope. This compact rifle scope is masterfully designed with excellent features to improve your shooting efficiency.
This 1-8x scope is ideal for close to mid-range shooting engagements making it ideal for hog hunting. Bushnell engineered the rifle scope to deliver spectacular images by combining excellent glass with antireflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces to maximize light transmission to your eye.
The other attribute that makes the Bushnell AR 1-8x one of the best scopes for hog hunting is the functional design. The solid turrets track perfectly every time and hold zero no matter the recoil. The generous eye relief and comfortable field of view let you do your job behind the scope confidently.
Bushnell’s commitment to giving hunters the experience of a lifetime is evident in the optical construction of the rifle scope. Built with the best-in-class optics, the scope provides unbeatable contrast and excellent color saturation for bright and crisp images.
Reliability and durability are the other attributes that define this 1-8x rifle scope. The tube’s rugged construction ensures long-term use and the tube is fully sealed and purged with dry gases making it 100% waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.
Lastly, the scope incorporates useful and convenient features to make your shooting experience as smooth as possible. A throw-down power change allows fluent and quick magnification changes and the reticle illumination gives you the best aiming solution so you can shoot with conviction.
Features
- Compact size and lightweight
- Illuminated reticle for rapid target acquisition.
- Capped turrets
- Throw down the lever to change the magnification power
- Solid construction
- Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof
Pros
- Fast target acquisition
- Bright and crisp images
- Reliable performance
- Illuminated BDC reticle
- Solid turrets with caps to prevent accidental dials
- Tough construction
Cons
- None
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- Best Scopes for Varmint Hunting
Best Scopes for Hog Hunting Buying Guide & FAQs
Factors to Consider when Choosing Best Scopes for Hog Hunting
Rifle Scope Power
You can either go for a fixed or variable magnification power. If you know that hogs in your area never go beyond 50 yards, a fixed scope will be your ideal choice.
Nevertheless, scopes with variable magnification are more versatile. They are suitable for shooting at varying ranges. Plus, they strike the perfect balance between speed and accuracy.
Night Vision Capability
Hogs are more active at night. This calls for a scope that provides clear views even in total darkness. You can either choose a hand-held night vision to devise or a rifle scope that comes with the night vision capability.
Type of Reticle
What differentiates hog hunting scopes from scopes used for other purposes is the simple reticle system. Given that these targets are pretty close, there is no need for complicated markings in the reticle. A scope with a simple red dot or Duplex crosshair is more than enough for hog hunting.
Optics Quality
As we have stated earlier hogs are mainly active at night. Hunting under these low light conditions calls for a scope with superb optical performance. The best hog hunting scope should therefore have a large objective lens. This is to ensure efficient light gathering and transmission.
The lenses should be fully multicoated as well. This brightens the image quality allowing you to see the hog from a distance. Special lens coating can also enhance the overall light transmission which results in better and clearer image views.
Read
What is the Best Caliber for Wild Boar Hunting?
Wild hogs can be hunted using several cartridges. The ideal caliber should take down the animal with the first shot. The majority of hunters use the following caliber to hunt hogs: .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester and .270 Winchester. With any of these calibers, you can take down hogs of different sizes in the most ethical way.
The .30-06 caliber tops the charts for handgun users. It’s high precision and powerful round that is deadly to the pigs. Both.308 Winchester and .270 Winchester are effective firearm calibers that feature unrivaled penetration and precision to bring down wild boars swiftly.
Read: Best Scopes for 270 Winchester
What is the Best 308 Round for Hogs?
Big game hunters have faith in the .308 Winchester whenever they embark on a hunting mission. This round is ballistically balanced and works on everything from feral hogs to elk. Here are the .308 Winchester loads that will help you conquer in the field.
- Remington Core-Lokt 180-grain PSP RN
- Federal Fusion 150-grain MSR
- Hornady Precision Hunter 178-grain ELD-X
- Barnes Vor-TX Tipped Triple Shock (TTSX) 150-grain
Is Thermal or Night Vision Better for Hog Hunting?
Both thermal scopes and night vision scopes are great when used properly. The choice will depend on your hunting environment. Hunting of nocturnal animals requires a sighting tool that helps you distinguish the desired target and other objects.
Night vision scopes help you see in the dark and are more suitable for hunting in the dark as they provide higher-resolution images than their thermal counterparts. Even when there are other moving targets, you can narrow down the desired target.
Thermal scopes effortlessly sight target any time of day or night. Their detection ability is higher than that of night vision scopes making them ideal for long-range shooting.
They aren’t bowed down by the roughest weather conditions so are more dependable. The only drawback with thermal scopes is that their images are in black and white which can be confusing to hunters when there are other moving targets in the vicinity.
Read: Best Thermal Scopes for Hog Hunting
Conclusion
Hopefully, our buying guide has given you insight into the best hog hunting scopes. The best riflescope for hog hunting should provide reliable performance during the day and at night as well. All of the scopes listed above are high quality and they offer a commendable performance in low light situations. Which riflescope will be grabbing for your upcoming hog-hunting adventure?