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6 Best Scope for .22-250 – Top Optics for Precision, Varmint, and Long-Range Shooting

Finding the best scope for .22-250 can make or break your experience with one of the fastest, flattest-shooting cartridges ever made. The .22-250 Remington is renowned for its laser-like trajectory, making it a favorite for varmint hunting and long-range target work.
To fully harness its potential, you need a scope that balances clarity, repeatable tracking, and fine-tuned magnification. After years of personal field testing and comparing optics side-by-side, I’ve narrowed down the very best models that truly complement the .22-250’s ballistics.

🔝 Top Product List: 6 Best Scope for .22-250 of 2025

Each of these scopes was selected for its ballistic matching capability, glass clarity, and durability under recoil and field conditions.

🥇 1. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 FFP

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The Vortex Viper PST Gen II combines precision engineering with elite glass quality. It’s a long-range performer that offers incredible repeatability and an intuitive reticle for shooters who demand precision from their .22-250.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 5–25x
Objective Lens: 50mm
Reticle: EBR-2C FFP
Tube: 30mm
Weight: 31.2 oz
Adjustment: 0.1 MRAD
Pros:
Exceptional glass clarity
Zero stop turrets
Excellent tracking
Lifetime warranty
Cons:
Slightly heavy
Pricey for beginners
Glass Clarity & Reticle: The EBR-2C reticle is perfect for holding windage and elevation, with crystal clarity even at 25x. It makes prairie dog shots at 400+ yards achievable.
Eye Relief & Eye Box: Eye relief is forgiving at 3.4 inches, and the eye box remains consistent across magnification.
Durability: Built from aircraft-grade aluminum, this scope withstands recoil and rough field use with ease.
Elevation & Windage Knobs: Tactile, crisp, and easy to adjust. The RZR zero stop system is one of the best.
Magnification & Parallax: The parallax adjustment is precise, and magnification transitions smoothly.
Mounting & Accessories: I recommend Vortex Precision Match rings for perfect alignment.
My Personal Experience: Using the PST Gen II on my Savage Model 12 .22-250, I managed consistent ½-MOA groups past 600 yards. The zero stop and FFP reticle made adjustments seamless.
Online Customer Comments: Redditors on r/longrange praise the PST Gen II for its reliability and performance beyond its price class.
Verdict: A powerhouse for the .22-250—accurate, durable, and feature-rich.

🥈 2. Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40

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A lightweight, bright, and ultra-reliable optic for hunters who prefer simplicity and durability.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 4.5–14x
Objective: 40mm
Tube: 1 inch
Reticle: Duplex or Wind-Plex
Weight: 13 oz
Pros:
Crystal-clear Twilight Max HD system
Lightweight and compact
Excellent warranty
Cons:
Limited reticle options
Not FFP
Glass Clarity & Reticle: The Twilight Max HD coating delivers exceptional low-light performance—perfect for early morning coyote hunts.
Eye Relief & Eye Box: Eye relief of 3.7–4.4 inches ensures comfort during prone or bench shooting.
Durability: Leupold’s proven waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof build.
Elevation & Windage Knobs: Smooth and precise, though capped for hunting setups.
Magnification & Parallax: Side focus parallax ensures tack-sharp images at long range.
Mounting & Accessories: Mounts easily on lightweight hunting rifles.
My Personal Experience: It’s my go-to for mobile varmint setups. The clarity and repeatability are stunning for its weight class.
Online Customer Comments: Leupold users frequently note its edge-to-edge clarity and ruggedness in high-dust environments.
Verdict: Ideal for hunters who need accuracy without bulk.

🥉 3. Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 6-24x50 FFP

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Athlon’s Argos BTR GEN2 brings tactical-grade precision to an affordable optic.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 6–24x
Reticle: APLR2 FFP IR MIL
Tube: 30mm
Weight: 30.3 oz
Pros:
Great price-performance ratio
Illuminated reticle
FFP precision
Cons:
Slight chromatic aberration at max zoom
Glass Clarity & Reticle: Glass is bright with good color contrast; reticle illumination helps during dusk shooting.
Eye Relief & Eye Box: 3.3 inches of relief; comfortable even under recoil.
Durability: Solid aluminum tube and weather-sealed internals.
Elevation & Windage Knobs: Audible clicks and reliable tracking.
Magnification & Parallax: Adjusts smoothly with minimal image shift.
Mounting & Accessories: Works great with Athlon’s own Precision Rings.
My Personal Experience: For under $500, this optic surprised me—easy to zero, and perfect for groundhog hunting across 400 yards.
Online Customer Comments: Shooters online often compare it to scopes twice the cost, calling it the “budget Vortex.”
Verdict: Best value for a tactical FFP scope in the .22-250 class.

4. NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Zeroset

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The NightForce SHV is a precision scope built for serious long-range varminting.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 5–20x
Objective: 56mm
Tube: 30mm
Reticle: MOAR
Weight: 29 oz
Pros:
Unmatched tracking and reliability
Massive objective for brightness
Zeroset turret system
Cons:
Expensive
Heavier than average
Verdict: A professional’s scope—worth every cent for accuracy and reliability.

5. Burris Veracity 3-15x50mm

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Excellent all-around hunting scope with a ballistic reticle designed for varmint and predator work.
Specs:
Magnification: 3–15x
Objective: 50mm
Tube: 30mm
Reticle: Ballistic Plex E1 FFP
Pros:
Affordable for its quality
Excellent holdover marks
Crisp turrets
Cons:
Slight tunnel effect at low mag
Verdict: Fantastic performer for hunters needing precision at variable ranges.

6. Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16x44

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Zeiss’ legendary T* lens coating provides unparalleled light transmission and contrast.
Specs:
Magnification: 4–16x
Objective: 44mm
Reticle: ZMOA-1
Tube: 30mm
Pros:
Ultra-premium clarity
Superb mechanical reliability
Lightweight for its class
Cons:
High price point
Verdict: The finest glass quality in this roundup—ideal for precision shooters.

🧠 How to Choose the Right Scope for .22-250

When pairing optics with the .22-250, consider these factors:
Magnification Range – The .22-250 excels at long range, so 4–16x or higher is optimal.
Turret Precision – Look for repeatable, audible turrets with zero stop.
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