In the market for the best AR-15 scopes for coyote hunting? You are in the right place. Coyote hunting with the AR-15 demands adaptation and precision and we are here to help you find the right scope for it.
AR-15 scopes come in different features ideally suited for certain applications. For coyote hunting, there are plenty of models from different brands for you to choose from. These scopes vary in terms of durability, quality, and performance so it is important to find the model that blends best with your specific needs.
We have taken our time and put together a list of the best AR-15 scopes for coyote hunting, considering factors like optical quality, durability, and adaptability. Whether you are a beginner in hunting, an intermediate, or a professional, these scopes will be a game changer in the hunting field.
So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump right in. But first, here is how we ranked our list of the best AR-15 scopes for Coyote hunting.
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1. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope
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2. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope
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3 German Precision Optics PASSION 3X 4-12x42mm Rifle Scope
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4. Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD 3-18x50mm APRS6 Rifle Scope
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5. SIG SAUER Whiskey 3 4-12x50mm Rifle Scope
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6. Pulsar Digex C50 3.5-14x30mm Night Vision Rifle Scope
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7. Trijicon AccuPoint TR-34 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope
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8. ATN X-Sight 4K Pro 3-14x Ultra HD Rifle Scope
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1. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44mm is by far one of the best AR-15 scopes for coyote hunting. It is a rock-solid rifle scope ideally suited to provide hunters an upper hand in close, medium, and long-range hunting scenarios.
Its optical quality is hard to beat. It has a large 44mm aperture that enhances optical clarity in low light. Furthermore, it boasts extra-low dispersion optical elements that work in tandem with fully multi-coated lenses to provide bright, clear, and glare-free images.
To enable laser-sharp shot placements, this rifle scope employs an illuminated EBR-4 MOA reticle that is housed in the second focal plane. The illumination rheostat is located on the side focus adjustment dial and offers a graduated control knob with 10 adjustable brightness levels.
When it comes to construction, the scope has a high-quality aluminum housing crafted around a durable 30mm single-piece main tube. Its interior is argon-filled and O-ring sealed to provide a lifetime of waterproof and fog-proof performance.
Pros
- Lighted reticle
- Crisp clear optics
- High construction quality
- Good warranty
Cons
- Heavry
2. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope
Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope is built for the hunt. It provides quick, accurate shots in any situation and has a relatively lightweight construction for easy carrying in the field.
The scope has a variable 3-15x magnification offered in the second focal plane. In the field, you can adjust the magnification to find the perfect balance between zoom power and field of view. Other than that, the rifle scope features a custom dial system that gives you the ability to tailor the turret to your exact ballistics.
Optically, the scope is built with Leupold’s professional-grade optical system and a Twilight Max Light Management System. The two systems work together to provide hunters with a distinct edge at dawn and dusk when coyotes are mostly active.
Moreover, the scope boasts a Guard-ion rain-shedding coating that repels moisture, dust, and dust. It also features a robust aluminum body that is fully waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof.
Pros
- Long eye relief
- Lightweight construction
- Outstanding durability
- Ease of use
Cons
- Costly
3. German Precision Optics PASSION 3X 4-12x42mm Rifle Scope
Here is another high-quality AR-15 scope for coyote hunting that packs a ton of advanced features in a compact, 1-inch tube. It is simple to use even for beginners and built light to be easy to maneuver with from one point to the other.
This rifle scope offers an industry-leading field of view which is essential for quick target finding. Furthermore, it has a comfortable eye relief of 3.74” across the entire 4-12x magnification to ensure snug and safe shooting.
Another facet that makes it stand out is its solid construction. It has a magnesium alloy housing that is rigid enough to take in the beating. On top of that, the optical tube is waterproof and fog-proof for all-weather use.
To complement the high construction quality, this rifle scope has high-transmission lens coatings that maximize image brightness, clarity, and sharpness. Over and above that, it has fiber optics/tritium illumination for the second focal plane reticle.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight construction
- Interchangeable turrets
- Generous eye relief
- Great light-gathering ability
Cons
- It is a 1-inch tube scope
4. Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD 3-18x50mm APRS6 Rifle Scope
As one of the best AR-15 coyote hunting scopes, the Ares ETR UHD 3-18x50mm APRS6 Rifle Scope brings to the table all the modern features you would expect. It is built for accuracy and can be used in virtually all hunting scenarios.
A defining feature of this rifle scope is optical clarity. It has precision glass that delivers excellent resolution and brightness. Furthermore, it boasts a large 50mm objective lens with high light-gathering ability.
With the built-in erector set, the scope provides superior tracking in all environments. Besides that, it employs a first focal plane reticle that is illuminated to ensure confident shooting in low-light conditions.
To top off everything else, the Ares ETR UHD 3-18x50mm APRS6 Rifle Scope is built in a 34mm tube that is waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof.
Pros
- Illuminated reticle
- Crisp clear optics
- Easy to use
- Rock-solid construction
Cons
- Heavy
5. SIG SAUER Whiskey 3 4-12x50mm Rifle Scope
When it comes to performance and value, you can hardly go wrong with SIG SAUER Whiskey 3 4-12x50mm Rifle Scope. It is designed for medium and long-range use from the first light through to late dusk.
The scope has a 1-inch main tube made of a light and durable aluminum alloy. On the exterior, the tube is treated with an anodized finish that makes it scratchproof and corrosion-resistant. Furthermore, it is fog-proofed and O-ring sealed to an IPX-7 rating.
As impressive as the build quality is so are the optical features. The large 50mm objective lens gathers the light needed for extended use while the low-dispersion glass corrects aberrations. Other than that, the scope has extremely durable and abrasion-resistant LensArmor lens coatings that protect the lenses from scratches.
Other noteworthy features included are a textured zoom and focus collar, capped turrets, and a generous eye box with ample eye relief of 3.6”.
Pros
- Great eye relief
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Quality construction
Cons
- Non-illuminated
6. Pulsar Digex C50 3.5-14x30mm Night Vision Rifle Scope
Next in our list of the best AR-15 scopes for coyote hunting, we have the Pulsar Digex C50 3.5-14x30mm Night Vision Rifle Scope. This rifle scope has dual day and night functionality for optimal functionality.
It provides color images from sunset till dusk and black and white color in typical nighttime environments. Furthermore, it boasts over 500m night detection range and up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
With the wide-angle eyepiece, this night vision rifle scope provides a wide field of view for rapid target finding and acquisition. It also provides high-precision aiming with picture-in-picture mode.
What’s more, the scope features five individual shooting profiles and a remote firmware update. It is also IPX-7 rated against water and dust for use in all weather conditions and temperatures ranging from -25°C to 50°C.
Pros
- Multi-reticle system
- Long detection range
- Great battery life
Cons
- A bit heavy
7. Trijicon AccuPoint TR-34 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope
Trijicon makes top-tier optics and the AccuPoint TR-34 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope is not any different. This rifle scope is built for long-range precision and you can use it in any light.
With the variable 3-18x magnification, the scope aids in rapid target acquisition. You can adjust the zoom range to match your shooting environment without changing your shooting position. Besides, the reticle is illuminated to ensure confident aiming in any light.
The rock-solid construction of this rifle scope is outstanding. It has a rugged design engineered to withstand extreme conditions in the field. What’s more, the interior is waterproof, fog-proof, and ideally suited for use in extreme temperatures as high as -20 to as low as 140℉.
To complement the rugged design, the AccuPoint TR-34 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope features easy grip controls for fast, intuitive adjustments. It also brings to the table an easy-focus eyepiece and repositionable magnification lever that makes a full-featured scope for hunters.
Pros
- Illuminated reticle
- Quick and easy adjustments
- Edge-to-edge clarity
- Outstanding build quality
Cons
- None
8. ATN X-Sight 4K Pro 3-14x Ultra HD Rifle Scope
Lastly, we have the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro 3-14x Ultra HD Rifle Scope. As a night vision rifle scope with dual functionality, this scope gives hunters the ability to hunt coyotes at any time of the day or night.
Its optical features include 3-14x variable magnification via a side zoom wheel and high-definition objective optics that provide crisp clear views of the targets. Furthermore, the scope has a generous eye relief for optimal glassing comfort.
Hunting can be rough on optics but not on this particular model. It is crafted with anodized aluminum to withstand scratches, abuse, and shock. The rock-solid construction coupled with the water-resistant design make the scope ideal for use in any weather condition.
What’s more, the scope features a smart rangefinder and ballistic calculator to help you hunt responsibly. It also boasts multiple built-in sensors that stamp your images and videos with date, time, and location information.
Pros
- Intuitive user interface
- Compact and lightweight
- Decent value for the price
Cons
- Poor eye relief
How to Choose the Best AR-15 Scopes for Coyote Hunting
Whether you are buying your first AR-15 scope for coyote hunting or in the market for an upgrade, below are the important factors to consider when making your selection.
Optical Quality
The best AR-15 scopes for coyote hunting are defined by quality optics. We recommend a model that employs top-notch glass elements for high resolution and color accuracy. Furthermore, the scope should have multiple layers of anti-reflective lens coatings to fight glare and enhance the transmission of light.
Durability
It is without a doubt that the overall durability of a rifle scope is dependent on the type of materials used. Ensure that you pick a scope that is made with top-grade materials like aluminum or magnesium alloy.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is a measure of how far your eye has to be from the eyepiece of the scope during use. It varies from one rifle scope to the other and is measured in inches. We recommend at least 3.5 inches of eye relief for the best AR-15 coyote hunting scopes.
Reticle
The other thing to take a look at is the reticle the scope comes with. For coyote hunting, you need a reticle that is up to the task. A simple duplex is sufficient for close and mid-range hunting while BDC and Mil-Dot reticles are preferable for long-range use. It is also wise to get a scope with an illuminated reticle for precision aiming in low-light settings.
Weatherproof Construction
Whether you are a beginner in hunting or not, ensure that you get a scope that is made for use in all weather conditions. Its interior should be sealed to lock out moisture, dust, and any other debris. The best AR-15 scopes for coyote hunting should also be filled with an inert gas to prevent fogging.
FAQs
Which reticle is ideal for coyote hunting?
A simple duplex or BDC reticle is often recommended for coyote hunting. The simpler the reticle is to use, the better.
Is an illuminated reticle necessary for coyote hunting?
While it’s not a must-have, an illuminated reticle can be helpful for coyote hunting. These creatures are active in the low-level light settings of dawn and dusk and an illuminated reticle helps with quick target acquisition in such environments.
Final Words
Knowing the specs and features that a coyote hunting scope should have goes a long way to make your selection process quick and easy. All the scopes we have listed above come with the essential features you need for coyote hunting applications. Factor in your hunting needs and use this guide to find the scope that will be a game changer for you this hunting season.
