Whether you’re calling coyotes at sunrise, chasing foxes at last light, or waiting out wary bobcats and hogs after dark, predator hunting demands more from your optics than almost any other pursuit. Fast shots, small targets, unpredictable ranges, and tough conditions mean your scope has to deliver every single time. The right predator hunting scope should be bright, fast, and rugged—built for scanning, fast acquisition, and pinpoint accuracy. In this guide, you’ll find the best scopes for predator hunting, what features really matter, and trusted models that have earned their spot in predator country from Texas to the Dakotas.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 FFP — Top-tier glass, illumination, and dialing for open fields or brush.
- Best Value: Primary Arms SLx 3-18×50 ACSS HUD DMR — Huge zoom, advanced holds, and unbeatable price.
- Best for Night Hunting: Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32×50 Digital NV — Day/night ready, video recording, and proven coyote performance.
- Best for Fast Shots: Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 — Classic, lightweight, and lightning quick in any cover.
- Best for AR-15s: Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Red Dot + Juliet3 3x Magnifier — Unbeatable speed and flexibility for close to mid-range.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Predator Hunting Scope
- Magnification Range: Most predator shots happen between 30–300 yards. 3-9x or 2.5-10x is perfect for woods or brush. 3-15x, 4-16x, or 3-18x gives you reach for open country or crosswinds.
- Glass Quality & Low Light: Good glass and fully multi-coated lenses help you see coyotes, foxes, and bobcats at dawn, dusk, and even on moonlit nights. The best scopes excel at low light.
- Reticle Type: Simple duplex, BDC, or illuminated reticles are best for fast holds and shots at moving predators. Hashmark or dot-style reticles help in the wind and at longer ranges.
- Illuminated Reticle: An illuminated reticle is a game-changer for night, dawn, or dusk hunts—especially against dark backgrounds or in heavy cover.
- Weight & Size: Lightweight scopes balance best on AR-15s and for spot-and-stalk; heavier tactical scopes are fine for tripod, stand, or truck setups.
- Turrets & Adjustments: Exposed turrets for dialing are great if you shoot long; capped turrets are simpler for stand or brush hunting.
- Night Vision Compatibility: For true after-dark hunting, digital night vision or a high-performance illuminated scope is best. Many traditional scopes can also be used behind a clip-on NV device.
- Durability & Warranty: Field-tough, waterproof, fogproof, and backed by a real lifetime warranty—non-negotiable for serious predator hunting.
Detailed Product Reviews
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 FFP
Who It’s For: The all-around predator hunter who wants flexibility, speed, and top-tier glass—on AR or bolt action.
- Key Benefits:
- First focal plane EBR-2D reticle for holds at any zoom
- Bright, daylight-visible illumination for night or dusk hunts
- Zero stop elevation turret and side parallax adjustment
- Built to handle magnum recoil and tough field use
- Vortex VIP Lifetime Warranty
- Pros:
- Crystal clear and sharp at all powers
- Holds zero and dials true
- Great for scanning fields, calling, and long shots
- Cons:
- Heavier than classic 3-9x scopes
- More reticle info than needed for up-close shots
Final Verdict: The best all-around predator scope for serious hunters who want clarity, speed, and dialing. See latest price
Primary Arms SLx 3-18×50 ACSS HUD DMR
Who It’s For: Open country hunters, or anyone wanting precision holds for wind, drop, and moving shots—at a great price.
- Key Benefits:
- 3-18x zoom—spot predators at distance, track running game
- ACSS HUD DMR reticle—built-in wind, lead, and range holds
- Illuminated reticle for night, dawn, or dusk
- Side parallax and zero-reset turrets
- Lifetime warranty and tough build
- Pros:
- Feature-rich for the price
- Unbeatable for ARs and long-range bolts
- Tracks and holds zero through volume shooting
- Cons:
- Large and heavy compared to classic scopes
- Busy reticle for those who prefer minimalism
Final Verdict: Best for technical shooters, wind, and long shots—at an unbeatable value. See latest price
Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32×50 Digital NV
Who It’s For: Predator hunters who go hard after dark—coyotes, hogs, or foxes with night vision and recording.
- Key Benefits:
- 4-32x digital zoom—clear field of view for scanning and shooting
- Day and night modes—one optic for all hours
- Built-in IR illuminator for 200+ yard shots at night
- Video recording and simple controls
- Mounts on AR or bolt action
- Pros:
- Field-proven on predators and varmints
- Easy to sight in, zero holds true
- Affordable for digital night vision
- Cons:
- Heavier than traditional scopes
- Batteries drain fast on full IR—carry a power bank
Final Verdict: The best day/night optic for predator hunters—no need to swap optics at sunset. See latest price
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40
Who It’s For: Woods and field hunters who want a lightweight, classic, and simple scope for fast action and reliability.
- Key Benefits:
- 3-9x zoom—covers woods, brush, and most predator distances
- Legendary Leupold glass—bright, crisp, and built for low light
- Duplex reticle—simple, bold, and fast on moving game
- Fogproof, waterproof, and made in USA
- Gold Ring Lifetime Warranty
- Pros:
- Super lightweight (12.2 oz)
- Handles recoil and tough field use
- Affordable and classic design
- Cons:
- No illumination for night (add a red hunting light if needed)
- No exposed turrets for dialing
Final Verdict: The best lightweight “point-and-shoot” predator scope—classic American reliability. See latest price
Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Red Dot + Juliet3 3x Magnifier
Who It’s For: AR-15 or tactical hunters wanting the fastest target acquisition—ideal for running coyotes, hogs, or close-in brush.
- Key Benefits:
- Ultra-bright 2 MOA red dot—always visible under any hunting light
- Motion-activated, 50,000+ hour battery life
- Juliet3 3x flip-to-side magnifier for instant zoom
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof for tough hunts
- Compact and low profile—doesn’t weigh you down
- Pros:
- Fastest for close-range action
- Dot stands out under red or green light
- Low maintenance and always ready
- Cons:
- Not ideal for 150+ yard shots (unless using magnifier)
- Magnifier adds some weight for all-night carrying
Final Verdict: The best choice for close to mid-range AR predator setups—day or night. See latest price
Comparison Table
| Scope | Magnification | Reticle | Illuminated | Weight | Best For | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 | 3-15x | EBR-2D FFP | Yes | 28 oz | All-around | Vortex VIP |
| Primary Arms SLx 3-18×50 ACSS | 3-18x | ACSS HUD DMR | Yes | 25 oz | Long range, value | PA Lifetime |
| Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32×50 | 4-32x (Digital) | Digital NV | Yes | 36 oz | Night hunting | Sightmark 3yr |
| Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 | 3-9x | Duplex | No | 12.2 oz | Classic, woods | Leupold Gold Ring |
| SIG ROMEO5 + Juliet3 | 1x/3x | 2 MOA Dot | Yes | 13 oz (combo) | AR, fast shots | SIG Lifetime |
How to Choose the Best Predator Hunting Scope
- Match your terrain: 3-9x for brush/woods; 3-15x+ for open fields; night vision or illuminated reticle for after dark.
- Pick the right reticle: Duplex for speed, BDC/hashmark for longer shots or wind.
- Think about weight and balance: Lightweight for spot-and-stalk; heavy is fine for stands or truck setups.
- Consider your rifle: Red dots or LPVOs (low power variable optics) for ARs; 3-9x or 3-15x for bolt guns.
- Go illuminated if you hunt dawn, dusk, or night: Illumination makes your reticle visible on dark fur or in cover.
- Stick to proven brands and real warranties: Only trust optics backed by real field use and true lifetime support.
FAQ
What’s the best magnification for predator hunting?
3-9x or 2.5-10x is ideal for most. If you hunt big open country, 3-15x, 4-16x, or 3-18x gives you more reach. For night hunting, don’t go higher than 10–15x—too much zoom darkens the image.
Do I need an illuminated reticle?
It helps hugely at night, dawn, dusk, or against dark backgrounds. If you hunt after dark or at last light, get illumination or a night vision optic.
Are these scopes good for both AR-15 and bolt actions?
Yes! All models above work on both platforms—just make sure you get the right mount and ring height for your rifle.
Is night vision worth it for predators?
Absolutely. Coyotes, foxes, and hogs are most active at night. Digital night vision like the Sightmark Wraith HD makes you far more effective after dark—and it’s more affordable than ever.
Will these scopes hold up to recoil and field use?
All models are rated for magnum recoil and built for real-world hunting—just make sure your mounts and rings are properly installed and torqued.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Predator hunting pushes your gear—and your nerves—to the limit. The Vortex Viper PST Gen II leads for all-around, dialing, and glass. The Primary Arms SLx delivers value and advanced reticle features. Sightmark Wraith HD is king for night hunting, while the Leupold VX-Freedom and SIG ROMEO5 are classics for speed and reliability. Pick your optic, set your zero, and get ready for a predator season with more fur on the ground and fewer missed shots!
Want custom picks for your rifle, region, or hunting style? Just ask—I’ll build your personalized predator hunting scope guide for your next hunt!