Choosing the best scopes for squirrel hunting isn’t just about magnification; it’s about finding the perfect balance between clarity, durability, and fast target acquisition.
Squirrel hunting demands precision, patience, and the right gear, especially when it comes to optics. Whether you’re stalking through thick woods or scanning treetops at dawn, the right rifle scope can make the difference between a clean shot and a missed opportunity.
Hunters need optics that deliver sharp images in varying light conditions, maintain zero after repeated use, and offer features tailored to small game hunting at close to moderate distances.
Let’s look at the best.
Best Scopes for Squirrel Hunting
1) Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm riflescope is the best scope for squirrel hunting, this scope brings to the table a blend of optical clarity, rugged durability, and user-friendly features. The scope features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle, best known for incredible hunting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern, long eye relief,anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses, and a weatherproof performance.
Designed with versatility in mind, this scope is part of the well-regarded Crossfire II series and is optimized for small game hunting at varying ranges. Its Dead-Hold BDC reticle, located in the second focal plane, is especially helpful for hunters who need to account for bullet drop but don’t want the complexity of calculating holdovers on the fly.
Whether you’re shooting from a close 25 yards or stretching out to 75+, this reticle gives you the flexibility and precision needed for consistent hits on small, elusive targets.
One of the key advantages of this scope is its long eye relief (up to 4.7 inches) and ultra-forgiving eye box, which allows for rapid target acquisition, a crucial factor when hunting quick-moving animals like squirrels.
The fast-focus eyepiece ensures the reticle remains sharp and well-defined, making it easier to maintain visual on your prey in the brush or treetops.
The optical performance is equally impressive, thanks to fully multi-coated, anti-reflective lenses that deliver bright, clear, and crisp images even in dim morning light or under the canopy of trees.
Built with durability in mind, the Crossfire II features a single-piece tube made from aircraft-grade aluminum, ensuring both strength and shock resistance.
The scope is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, making it fully waterproof and fogproof, a must for damp morning hunts or sudden weather changes. The exterior lenses are treated with a scratch-resistant ultra-hard coating, protecting against oil, dirt, and accidental scrapes in the field.
Despite its toughness, the Crossfire II remains lightweight at just 14.3 ounces and compact with an 11.3-inch length, making it an ideal pairing for rimfire rifles or small-caliber squirrel-hunting setups.
And with Vortex’s unlimited, unconditional, lifetime VIP Warranty, you can head into the woods with confidence knowing your investment is fully protected.
Pros
- Long eye relief (3.9–4.7 in) for fast and comfortable target acquisition
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle is ideal for varied range shooting
- Fully multi-coated lenses for excellent image clarity
- Rugged, shockproof build with waterproof and fogproof performance
- Backed by Vortex’s lifetime VIP Warranty
Cons
-
No reticle illumination for low-light conditions
2) Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm Rifle Scope is one of the best scopes for squirrel hunting.D esigned specifically for close- to mid-range rimfire hunting, this scope features the V-Plex reticle, an all-purpose crosshair setup that makes it easy to quickly line up on fast-moving targets like squirrels without the clutter of complex holdover marks.
Whether you’re stalking tree-dwellers through thick woods or taking careful aim from a distance, the Diamondback’s intuitive design ensures precision and confidence.
Optical performance is where this scope shines. The fully multi-coated lenses offer outstanding brightness and clarity from edge to edge, even during low-light hours at dawn or dusk when squirrels are most active. With a fast-focus eyepiece, you can keep your reticle crisp and clear while tracking a target through branches and leaves.
And thanks to the 50-yard parallax setting, it’s perfectly tuned for rimfire ranges, offering sharp focus exactly where it matters.
Built for real-world durability, the Diamondback Rimfire is constructed from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum with a hard anodized finish, making it shockproof and resistant to recoil, even from magnum rimfires, shotguns, or muzzleloaders.
It’s also argon-purged and O-ring sealed, giving it dependable waterproof and fogproof performance no matter the weather conditions.
The scope’s metal-on-metal precision turrets allow for accurate, repeatable adjustments and feature a zero-reset function after sight-in. Combined with Vortex’s Precision-Glide Erector System, you get smooth magnification changes and rock-solid repeatability for every shot.
At just 14.2 ounces and 11.6 inches long, the Diamondback Rimfire scope strikes a perfect balance between ruggedness and portability, ideal for a .22 rifle you’ll carry through the woods.
And as always, it’s backed by Vortex’s unlimited, unconditional lifetime VIP Warranty, giving you peace of mind for years of hunts to come.
Pros
- V-Plex reticle is ideal for general-purpose squirrel and small game hunting
- Fully multi-coated optics provide sharp, bright images in low light
- Precision turrets with zero-reset and smooth glide erector system
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof construction
- 50-yard parallax adjustment tailored to rimfire shooting
- Backed by Vortex’s no-questions-asked VIP Warranty
Cons
-
No illuminated reticle for extremely low-light conditions
3) Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm rifle scope has a versatile 2- 7x magnification range, striking the perfect balance between a wide field-of-view for close shots in dense woods and enough zoom for precise mid-range shots on twitchy targets high in the treetops.
What sets the VX-Freedom apart is its Advanced Optical System, which provides excellent light transmission, superior glare reduction, and crisp image clarity, features that make a big difference during those early-morning or late-evening hunts.
You’ll enjoy a consistently bright and vivid sight picture even under canopy cover or in backlit environments. The fast-focus locking eyepiece ensures quick and repeatable target acquisition, while the ergonomic power selector makes adjusting magnification smooth and effortless in real-time hunting situations.
Built from rugged 6061-T6 aluminum, this scope is shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof, making it more than capable of handling the bumps, drops, and weather extremes that come with outdoor use.
Weighing in at just 11.1 ounces, it’s incredibly lightweight, ideal for mounting on a rimfire rifle you’ll carry through the woods all day. The scratch-resistant lenses add long-term durability to the glass, while the tactile 1/4 MOA finger-click adjustments let you dial in accuracy with confidence.
Designed, machined, and assembled in the USA, the VX-Freedom carries the legendary Leupold lifetime guarantee, offering peace of mind that your optic will perform season after season.
Whether you’re targeting squirrels from a blind or on the move, the VX-Freedom delivers rock-solid dependability and world-class performance in a sleek, compact package.
Pros
- Crystal-clear optics with excellent low-light performance
- Lightweight and compact (just 11.1 oz and 11 inches long)
- Fast-focus locking eyepiece for rapid target acquisition
- Shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof durability
- Made in the USA and backed by Leupold’s lifetime warranty
Cons
-
No reticle illumination for very low-light conditions
4) Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope
The Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope stands out as a reliable, budget-friendly optic ideal for squirrel hunting and other small game pursuits. With a versatile 2- 7x magnification range and a compact 32mm objective lens, this scope offers the perfect balance between field of view and magnification power, making it well-suited for short to mid-range shooting in wooded or brushy environments.
Whether you’re scanning treetops or stalking game in tight cover, the Vantage scope offers quick target acquisition and consistent accuracy.
Designed with 11-layer fully multi-coated lenses, this scope delivers impressive light transmission and clarity for its price class, crucial for spotting movement in the early morning or late afternoon.
The Mil-Dot reticle provides multiple aiming points for hold-over and windage correction, making it a practical choice for hunters looking to make accurate shots across varying distances.
The fast-focus eyebell and high-torque zoom ring allow for fast, secure magnification adjustments, ensuring your image stays sharp without the risk of accidental shifts due to recoil.
Built to endure the elements, the Vantage scope features a rugged 1-inch mono-tube chassis that’s shockproof, waterproof, and nitrogen-purged fogproof. It’s engineered to handle magnum recoil, ensuring it stays zeroed even after repeated use on high-powered rifles or airguns.
The low-profile, no-snag fingertip turrets offer precise 1/4 MOA adjustments and can be reset to zero with ease. The parallax adjustment feature (down to 5 yards on the AO model) is particularly beneficial for close-range targeting—ideal when you’re hunting smaller animals like squirrels, rats, or rabbits at shorter distances.
With all these features packed into a durable and lightweight optic, the Hawke Vantage 2-7×32 proves that you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy high-quality performance in the field.
Pros
- Excellent clarity with 11-layer fully multi-coated lenses
- Durable mono-tube construction handles recoil well
- Parallax adjustment down to 5 yards (on AO model) for close-range precision
- Smooth, recoil-resistant zoom ring
- Low-profile, easy-reset turrets with 1/4 MOA adjustments
- Budget-friendly option with impressive performance
Cons
-
No illuminated reticle for very low-light conditions
5) Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Rifle Scope is an outstanding choice for squirrel hunters seeking a compact, durable optic with crystal-clear clarity and lightning-fast target acquisition. With a versatile 1.5- 4x magnification range, this scope is ideal for close to moderate-range shots in dense woods or brushy areas where squirrels are often found.
The ultra-lightweight design and 1-inch maintube make it perfect for smaller rimfire rifles or for anyone wanting to keep their hunting setup nimble and responsive.
Built around Leupold’s Twilight Light Management System, this scope delivers vivid image quality even in the early morning or late afternoon when game is most active. The system adds up to 10 extra minutes of usable light, giving hunters a distinct edge during low-light conditions.
The Pig-Plex reticle provides a clean and intuitive aiming point, while the 3:1 zoom ratio allows for quick transitions between scanning and shooting distances. Whether you’re popping targets from a tree stand or tracking fast-moving critters on the ground, this scope keeps you locked on.
Constructed from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, the VX-Freedom is engineered to endure harsh environments and hard recoil. It’s waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, and it has been Punisher tested, Leupold’s rigorous recoil simulation, for lifetime performance.
Scratch-resistant lenses built to military-grade specifications ensure your sight picture remains pristine season after season. Precise 1/4 MOA finger click turrets allow for easy windage and elevation adjustments in the field with no tools required.
Designed, machined, and assembled in the USA, the Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm is a testament to rugged reliability and top-tier optical engineering, making it one of the best scopes for squirrel hunting.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact, perfect for rimfire rifles
- Twilight Light Management System improves low-light visibility
- Rugged, shockproof construction made from 6061-T6 aluminum
- Scratch-resistant lenses meet military standards
- Easy 1/4 MOA finger click adjustments
- Waterproof and fogproof for all-weather reliability
- Made in the USA with Leupold’s lifetime performance guarantee
Cons
-
No parallax adjustment
Next Read: 5 Best Scopes for Ruger 10/22 Squirrel Hunting
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Scopes for Squirrel Hunting
Taking all these factors into account will help you settle on a scope tailored for accuracy, comfort, and performance during your squirrel hunting adventures.
Magnification Range
Squirrel hunting typically involves close to mid-range shots, often between 10 to 50 yards. A scope with a moderate magnification range—such as 2-7x or 1.5-4x—allows you to zoom in for precise shot placement while still maintaining a wide field of view for quickly spotting moving squirrels in the trees or underbrush.
Too much magnification can narrow your field of view and make it harder to track small, fast-moving targets.
Optical Clarity and Light Transmission
Squirrels are most active in low-light conditions, early mornings, and late afternoons, so you need a scope that offers excellent clarity and gathers light efficiently.
Fully multi-coated lenses help maximize light transmission and reduce glare, giving you a brighter and clearer image even in shaded or overcast environments. Superior optics not only improve your accuracy but also reduce eye strain during extended use.
Reticle Type
A clean, simple reticle, such as a duplex or mil-dot, is ideal for squirrel hunting. It should provide clear aiming points without cluttering your view, allowing you to focus quickly on your target.
Some reticles include holdover marks that help compensate for bullet drop at varying distances, which is especially helpful when using rimfire calibers or air rifles that experience more drop at longer ranges.
Weight and Size
Since squirrel hunting often involves a lot of walking, stalking, or shooting from less stable positions like tree stands or leaning against trees, a lightweight and compact scope is a smart choice.
Heavy or bulky scopes can throw off the balance of your rifle and make it more cumbersome to carry and maneuver through thick brush or woodland.
Eye Relief and Eye Box
Generous eye relief is important for comfort and safety, particularly if you’re using firearms with noticeable recoil.
A forgiving eye box, the area behind the scope where you can see a full image, helps you quickly acquire your sight picture without needing perfect head alignment. This is crucial when aiming at fast-moving squirrels or shooting from unconventional angles.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Hunting in the outdoors means your gear needs to withstand various environmental conditions. A high-quality scope should be shockproof to handle recoil, as well as waterproof and fogproof to perform reliably in wet, humid, or cold weather. Sealed and purged scopes prevent internal fogging and ensure clear visuals regardless of changing temperatures or moisture exposure.
Turret Adjustments
Look for scopes with easy-to-use, tactile turret adjustments for windage and elevation. Finger-click adjustments with audible and positive feedback make zeroing the scope straightforward and ensure it holds zero after repeated shots.
Resettable turrets are a bonus, allowing you to quickly return to your original zero if you make temporary adjustments in the field.
Parallax Setting
Scopes used for small game at close distances benefit from a parallax setting that’s optimized for shorter ranges, typically 50 or 100 yards. Adjustable objective (AO) or side parallax features are helpful for fine-tuning focus and ensuring your reticle stays steady on target, which is especially beneficial when aiming at the small vital zones of a squirrel.
Best Scopes for Squirrel Hunting FAQs
What magnification is best for squirrel hunting scopes?
A magnification range of 2-7x or 1.5-4x is ideal for squirrel hunting. These ranges offer the perfect balance between a wide field of view for spotting squirrels quickly in trees or brush, and enough zoom for precise shot placement at typical hunting distances of 10–50 yards. Going higher in magnification can reduce your field of view and make it harder to track small, moving targets.
Do I need a parallax adjustment for squirrel hunting?
Yes, parallax adjustment can be very helpful, especially when shooting at close ranges common in squirrel hunting. A scope with a fixed parallax at 50 or 100 yards may suffice, but scopes with adjustable objective (AO) or side focus allow for finer tuning and better target clarity, helping you maintain consistent accuracy on small targets like squirrels.
What makes a scope durable enough for squirrel hunting?
For squirrel hunting, a scope should be shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof. This ensures reliable performance in varied weather and terrain. Look for scopes made with aircraft-grade aluminum and fully multi-coated lenses. These features protect your optics from moisture, recoil, scratches, and impacts while maintaining clear sight pictures in different lighting conditions.
Conclusion
In the world of squirrel hunting, success often comes down to the quality of your optics. The best Scopes for Squirrel Hunting not only enhance accuracy but also boosts your confidence in the field.
By focusing on factors such as optical clarity, magnification range, build quality, and ease of adjustment, we settled on the above scopes.