Long a favorite of varmint hunters, accuracy nuts, and long range target shooters, the .22-250 is a classic American round that has been chambered in everything from single shot pistols to high end target rifles.

I have had the pleasure of shooting a custom-built .22-250 belonging to a friend and have always been impressed by the high velocity and crazy accuracy this round is capable of. Of all the rifles my friend has, only one has an above average scope on it, and that is on his .22-250. Many shooters can “get by” with iron sights, but the .22-250 almost demands to be scoped. Otherwise, it’s like buying a high end sports car and only putting a six cylinder engine in it.

The best scope for .22-250 rifles is one that will wring the most out of its long range potential and will bring joy to a hunter or target shooter.

Nikon ProStaff

This is a constant favorite here at Reloading Addict and for good reason. It’s an awesome scope. Maybe not just one of the best .22-250 scopes but an all time best all around scope. Nikon has been building high quality optics for generations, and this skill carries over to their different rifle scopes. This offering doesn’t have the same extreme magnification as our last two choices, but it still has a healthy four to twelve power magnification with a 40mm objective lens. This is a more traditional scope for shooters who don’t want to fuss with high powered and oversized scopes. Ideal for hunting rifles or a nice day at the bench, it’s hard to go wrong with a Nikon.

Burris Fullfield 2 3-9×40 Scope

A 3-9 power scope is the classic go-to for hunting use. The .22-250 is powerful, flat shooting, and relatively hard-hitting round for hunting medium to small game. Perfect for predators like coyotes, hogs, and even whitetail deer. The Burris Fullfield 2 3-9X is an excellent option for the .22-250 rifle in your life. The Burris Fullfield 2 is a simple but competent scope. The Fullfield uses high-grade optical glass that makes it easy to visually see your target regardless of the time of day and the overhead conditions.

The Burris Fullfield 2 is perfect for tracking deer, hogs, and other animals as you hunt in the early mornings and evenings. The Fullfield 2’s 40mm objective lens allows for a low mount, which means you have a more precise optic overall. The optic is also lightweight and keeps your rifle light and handy. For the money, the Fullfield 2 is easily among the best scopes for .22-250 period.

Leupold Rifleman

Who doesn’t like a scope with a lifetime warranty and a name that stands for uncompromising quality? For that matter, who doesn’t like a high end scope that is modestly priced, and can become an heirloom to pass on to your children or grandchildren? Leupold is perhaps the most recognizable name in rifle scopes, and builds some of the best scopes on the market. With its modest four to twelve power magnification, 40mm objective lens, fully coated optics, and waterproof tube, the Leupold Rifleman is a fantastic choice for the best .22-250 scope.

Vortex Optics Crossfire

This is another high end, high powered target scope vying for the title of best .22-250 scope. Featuring six to twenty four power magnification, fast focusing eyepiece, 50mm objective lens, and a waterproof 30mm tube. Vortex Optics has been building high quality scopes for a long time, and if you are looking for a budget scope with high end features, the Crossfire (see full specs) is well worth a close examination. With its large tube and oversized reticle, you will enjoy a crisp, clear sight picture and find long range shooting is easier than ever before. This is one of the best scopes for .22-250 rifles period.

Selecting the Right .22-250 Scope

There are really two basic .22-250 rifles. There are target rifles that will never see anything other than a bench, and there are hunting rifles, and the best .22-250 scope really depends on what you plan to do with your gun. The target piece I mentioned shooting earlier is a lovely custom Mauser with a double set trigger that is so light, if you look at it funny it will go off. I’d never dream of taking something like that in the woods, but if I ever built one for myself, I’d stick the biggest scope with the highest magnification on it that I could find. For a bench gun, it’s all about the ability to bring your target in up close and personal. Big objective lenses, big tubes, and high powered magnification all combine to deliver crystal clear and close up sight pictures.

For hunting, you’d want something less spectacular. After all, you aren’t trying to put five rounds into a single .22 caliber hole. In most US states, the .22-250 is too small for deer hunting (although some would argue that it is quite suitable for taking small deer). However, it is perfectly fine for hunting varmints and other small game. With that in mind, the best .22-250 scope will have a lower magnification; certainly not more than about twelve power or so, a smaller objective lens of about 30-40mm, and usually a one inch tube. The goal here is to find a compromise scope that is powerful enough to accurately take a clean and humane shot, but that won’t burden your rifle with an ungainly target scope that has more power available than you realistically need. Because a sight picture can get “jumpy” at high magnification, you probably don’t want to be staring down a prairie dog at 25x, unless you’ve got a rock solid rest from which to shoot.

There are a lot of .22-250 rifles, ranging from field grade factory pieces, to gorgeous high end customs, and everything in between. The .22-250 has long been a favorite of skilled rifle shooters, and so a large market for scopes and accessories has sprung up. Picking the right scope for the job can be a frustrating task, especially if you are like many people and use the same rifle for target shooting or hunting. However, we’ve done most of the hard work of picking the best scope for .22-250 for your needs. Now all you have to do is go out and have some fun shooting.