Squirrel hunting is a game of precision, patience, and quick target acquisition. With tiny vital zones and constant movement through branches and shadows, having the right scope is the difference between filling your game bag or going home empty. The best squirrel hunting scopes are clear, lightweight, and accurate at close and mid-range—helping you place perfect shots at 20 or 50 yards, even in thick cover. Whether you use a .22LR, .17 HMR, or an air rifle, this guide reviews the top scopes for squirrel hunting, plus how to pick the perfect one for your setup.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Rimfire MOA
- Best Adjustable Parallax: AO Simmons 3-9×32 .22 Mag
- Best Premium: Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Scope for Squirrel Hunting
- Magnification: 2-7x, 3-9x, or 4-12x is perfect. Squirrels often pop up at 10 to 60 yards. High zoom is rarely needed, but 7x–9x lets you see tiny targets clearly.
- Parallax Setting: For squirrel hunting, adjustable parallax (AO or side focus) or a fixed parallax at 50–60 yards ensures your reticle stays sharp up close.
- Weight & Balance: A lighter, compact scope keeps your rifle or airgun balanced—ideal for swinging fast or shooting offhand.
- Reticle Style: Simple duplex or fine BDC reticles are easiest to see on small animals and through heavy cover.
- Glass Clarity: Fully multi-coated lenses offer brighter, sharper views at dawn, dusk, or in the woods.
- Durability: Waterproof and fogproof is essential—mornings are often dewy, and gear gets bumped in the brush.
- Warranty: Look for a lifetime warranty—now standard with most trusted brands.
Detailed Product Reviews
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Rimfire MOA
Who it’s for: Squirrel hunters who want the sharpest, most reliable scope for rimfire rifles.
- Parallax fixed at 60 yards—perfect for .22LR and .17 HMR
- Leupold’s crystal-clear glass and edge-to-edge sharpness
- Custom Rimfire MOA reticle for fast, tiny-target aiming
- Lightweight (11.1 oz), waterproof, fogproof
- Backed by Leupold’s Full Lifetime Guarantee
Pros:
- Bright and razor sharp for early morning hunts
- Unmatched reliability—holds zero for years
- Perfect fit for classic .22 squirrel rifles
Cons:
- No adjustable parallax (but fixed perfectly for rimfires)
- Priced at a premium
Final Verdict: The gold standard for serious squirrel hunters—clear, tough, and ready for any woods. See current price.
Simmons 3-9×32 .22 Mag AO Rimfire Scope
Who it’s for: Hunters who want crisp close-range focus and real rimfire performance without overspending.
- Adjustable objective (AO) for parallax correction from 10 yards to infinity
- Truplex reticle for easy aiming on small targets
- Quick target acquisition and fully coated glass
- Shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof
- Comes with 3/8″ dovetail rimfire rings
Pros:
- Great for up-close shots and long shots in the same hunt
- Excellent value and reliability
- Lightweight and fits most .22 rifles
Cons:
- Not as clear or bright as premium scopes
- Not ideal for heavy air rifles
Final Verdict: The best adjustable parallax scope for squirrel hunting on a real-world budget. See price.
Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36
Who it’s for: Hunters wanting the very best clarity and light transmission for woods and field-edge squirrels.
- VX-3HD glass—bright, crisp, and color-rich
- Light and compact (11.4 oz)
- Simple Duplex reticle, fast to aim and see in cover
- Waterproof, fogproof, ultra-reliable
- Lifetime warranty
Pros:
- Superb glass for shadowy woods and low light
- Small, balances perfectly on .22 rifles
- Legendary Leupold durability
Cons:
- Higher cost than most rimfire scopes
- Parallax fixed at 150 yards—not for ultra-close shots
Final Verdict: For those who want the best scope glass in a lightweight rimfire package. See it on Amazon.
Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire
Who it’s for: Squirrel and rabbit hunters wanting simplicity, clarity, and classic reliability.
- Parallax set at 50 yards—perfect for .22LR hunting
- V-Plex reticle, fully multi-coated glass
- Shockproof, waterproof, fogproof
- Lightweight (14 oz), great eye relief
- Lifetime VIP warranty
Pros:
- Fast target acquisition and easy to use
- Excellent for brush hunting and fast offhand shots
- Outstanding value and warranty
Cons:
- No adjustable parallax
- Not as bright as top-end Leupold glass
Final Verdict: An easy pick for new and experienced hunters—does everything a squirrel scope should. Check price.
Burris Droptine 2-7×35 Rimfire
Who it’s for: Hunters needing a robust, all-weather scope for rimfire rifles and unpredictable weather.
- Parallax fixed at 50 yards for rimfire accuracy
- Ballistic Plex reticle—fine and easy for small game
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Weighs just 13 oz
- Lifetime warranty
Pros:
- Simple, tough, and easy to mount
- Excellent close-range clarity
- Holds zero, no matter the bumps or weather
Cons:
- No AO/side focus
- Limited zoom for open field shots
Final Verdict: The “no-fuss” squirrel scope for classic rimfire rifles and fast shooting in the woods. See reviews.
Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 Drop Zone-22
Who it’s for: Hunters wanting a budget-friendly, dependable scope with a simple BDC reticle.
- Drop Zone-22 BDC reticle for easy holdover estimation
- Parallax fixed at 50 yards
- Clear glass for the price, simple controls
- Shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof
Pros:
- Very good for “real world” woods hunts
- Holds zero and survives rough use
- Great value for the price
Cons:
- No adjustable parallax
- Not for long-range rimfire shooting
Final Verdict: The best value BDC scope for squirrel hunting on a tight budget. See price.
Comparison Table
| Name | Magnification | Parallax | Weight | Reticle | Price Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Rimfire | 3-9x | Fixed 60 yd | 11.1 oz | Rimfire MOA | Check Price |
| Simmons 3-9×32 AO .22 Mag | 3-9x | AO (10 yd–∞) | 10 oz | Truplex | Check Price |
| Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36 | 2.5-8x | Fixed 150 yd | 11.4 oz | Duplex | Check Price |
| Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire | 2-7x | Fixed 50 yd | 14 oz | V-Plex | Check Price |
| Burris Droptine 2-7×35 Rimfire | 2-7x | Fixed 50 yd | 13 oz | Ballistic Plex | Check Price |
| Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 Drop Zone-22 | 3-9x | Fixed 50 yd | 16.9 oz | Drop Zone-22 BDC | Check Price |
FAQ
What magnification is best for squirrel hunting?
3-9x is perfect for most squirrel hunting, letting you zoom in for distant shots while keeping a wide field of view for closer targets. 2-7x works great in thick woods or for offhand shots.
Is adjustable parallax (AO) important?
For headshots at 10–20 yards, AO or side focus makes a huge difference—your reticle will be crisp and precise up close. For fixed parallax, 50–60 yards is ideal for rimfires.
Should I use a rimfire-specific scope?
Yes. Rimfire scopes are built for close range, lighter recoil, and often have parallax set for 50–60 yards. Centerfire scopes may not focus as sharply up close.
Can I use these scopes on air rifles?
Many of these scopes (especially the Vortex and Burris models) can handle air rifle recoil, but always check the manufacturer’s guidelines—spring-piston airguns need scopes built for bidirectional recoil.
Is an illuminated reticle useful for squirrel hunting?
Not required, but nice for very dark, early, or late hunts in heavy cover. Most hunters prefer non-illuminated reticles for simplicity and battery-free reliability.
Conclusion & Call to Action
The best scope for squirrel hunting is clear, reliable, and built for small targets in real field conditions. Whether you choose the sharp Leupold VX-Freedom, the value-packed Simmons AO, or the proven Vortex Crossfire II, every scope above is trusted in the woods and designed to help you make every shot count. Ready to fill your game bag this season? Click any link above to check today’s best prices and get set for more success in the squirrel woods!