The Ultimate Guide to the Best AR-15 Scopes for Coyote Hunting Under $400
The hunt is on. The sun bleeds over the horizon, casting long shadows across the frost-covered landscape. A high-pitched distress call cuts through the silent morning air, and you wait, rifle at the ready. A flicker of movement, a flash of grey fur—a coyote, cautious and clever, materializes at 200 yards. This is the moment of truth, where months of scouting and hours of patience come down to one single, split-second opportunity. In this moment, the bond between you and your rifle is absolute, and the most critical part of that bond is your optic.
Coyote hunting with an AR-15 is a thrilling challenge. The platform is fast, ergonomic, and effective, but the standard red dot or iron sights you use for close-range plinking simply won’t cut it. Coyotes are wary, they rarely stand still, and they are most active in the challenging low-light conditions of dawn and dusk. To be consistently successful, you need an optic that can gather light, magnify your target for positive identification, and give you a clear aiming point for a quick, ethical shot.
The problem? High-end optics can cost more than the rifle itself. But they don’t have to. The market for budget-friendly scopes has exploded in quality over the past decade. You can now get exceptional performance—clear glass, durable construction, and intelligent reticles—for a fraction of the cost.
This guide is for the dedicated predator hunter on a real-world budget. We’re diving deep into the market to find the absolute best AR-15 scopes for coyote hunting under $400. We’ll break down the top five contenders, reveal what features really matter in the field, and give you the knowledge to turn your AR-15 into the ultimate coyote-dropping machine.
Our Picks for the Best AR-15 Coyote Scopes Under $400
After extensive research and analysis of the features that matter most to predator hunters, we’ve zeroed in on five scopes that deliver the best performance, durability, and value in this highly competitive price bracket.
1. Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm with Dead-Hold BDC Reticle
The Do-It-All Workhorse
Vortex Optics Copperhead Second Focal Plane Riflescope - Dead-Hold BDC Reticle
If you ask a dozen seasoned hunters to name a fantastic budget scope, the Vortex Diamondback will likely be mentioned by more than half of them—and for good reason. This scope has built a legendary reputation for punching far above its weight class, delivering optical clarity and ruggedness that rivals scopes costing hundreds more. For the AR-15 coyote hunter, the 4-12×40 configuration is a near-perfect sweet spot.
The optical system is the star of the show. With fully multi-coated lenses, the Diamondback excels at gathering light during those critical first and last 30 minutes of legal shooting light. The 4-12x magnification range is incredibly versatile, offering a wide field of view at 4x for scanning and tracking moving targets, with the ability to zoom in to 12x for precise shot placement on a hung-up coyote across a field.
Key Features:
-
Magnification: 4-12x
-
Objective Lens: 40mm
-
Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC (Bullet Drop Compensating)
-
Tube Diameter: 1 inch
-
Construction: Single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum, argon purged (waterproof/fog proof)
-
Specialty: Vortex VIP Unconditional Lifetime Warranty
The Coyote Hunting Edge:
The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is a game-changer for hunting. It features customized hashmarks that allow you to quickly compensate for bullet drop at various ranges without ever touching your turrets. Once you know your rifle’s ballistics, you can hold dead-on at 200, 300, and even 400 yards, which is invaluable when a coyote appears suddenly and you don’t have time to dial for elevation. The fast-focus eyepiece ensures that reticle is always perfectly sharp, and the entire package is built to handle the bumps and scrapes of a hard field hunt.
Pros:
-
Exceptional glass clarity and low-light performance for the price.
-
The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is simple, uncluttered, and highly effective for hunting.
-
Backed by the best, no-questions-asked lifetime warranty in the industry.
-
Extremely durable and reliable construction.
Cons:
-
The turret clicks are a bit “mushy” compared to more expensive scopes.
-
Eye relief can be a little tight at maximum magnification.
2. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm with Tri-M.O.A. Reticle
The Lightweight Legend
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Leupold is a name synonymous with American-made quality and uncompromising durability. While many of their scopes are in a premium tier, the VX-Freedom line brings that legendary performance into a budget-friendly package. The 3-9x40mm model is a classic hunting configuration for a reason: it works. It’s lightweight, incredibly tough, and provides a crystal-clear image.
What sets the Leupold apart is its Twilight Light Management System. This proprietary lens coating system is specifically designed to enhance visibility in low-light conditions, targeting the blue and red wavelengths of light that are most prevalent at dawn and dusk. This can give you those precious extra few minutes of shooting light when predators are most active.
Key Features:
-
Magnification: 3-9x
-
Objective Lens: 40mm
-
Reticle: Tri-M.O.A. Reticle
-
Tube Diameter: 1 inch
-
Construction: 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.
-
Specialty: Twilight Light Management System, Designed & Assembled in the USA.
The Coyote Hunting Edge:
The Tri-M.O.A. reticle provides a clean sight picture with hashmarks at 1 M.O.A. increments on the horizontal and vertical crosshairs. This offers precise holdover points for long-range shots and windage adjustments. More importantly, the VX-Freedom is noticeably lighter than many of its competitors, which makes a real difference when you’re carrying your AR-15 all day. Its durability is second to none; these scopes are built and tested to withstand extreme recoil and harsh environmental conditions, ensuring it will never let you down on a hunt.
Pros:
-
Outstanding low-light performance thanks to the Twilight Light Management System.
-
Incredibly lightweight and durable, perfect for a mobile hunting setup.
-
Crystal-clear, edge-to-edge image quality.
-
Guaranteed for life by a legendary American company.
Cons:
-
The 3-9x magnification might feel slightly limited for very long-range shots.
-
The reticle is excellent but may be less intuitive for beginners than a BDC reticle.
3. Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm
The Magnification Master
BURRIS Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm Waterproof Fogproof Accurate Sleek Matte Black Hunting Scopes | High-Grade Optical Glass
For hunters who operate in wide-open country where shots can stretch, the Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm offers a serious advantage in magnification. Burris has a long-standing reputation for producing tough, reliable scopes with high-quality glass, and the Fullfield line is a prime example. This scope gives you a bit more reach than its 12x competitors, allowing for more confident identification and shot placement at extended ranges.
The scope is built on a robust, nitrogen-filled tube that is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof. The Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses provide excellent brightness and contrast, even in the flat, grey light of an overcast morning. The standout feature, however, is the Ballistic Plex E1 reticle.
Key Features:
-
Magnification: 4.5-14x
-
Objective Lens: 42mm
-
Reticle: Ballistic Plex E1
-
Tube Diameter: 1 inch
-
Construction: Nitrogen-filled, quad-sealed, and double-spring tensioned for durability.
-
Specialty: Burris Forever Warranty.
The Coyote Hunting Edge:
The Ballistic Plex E1 reticle is a brilliantly designed BDC. It features traditional cascading dots for bullet drop compensation, but also adds small hash marks on the sides of the lower post. These marks are calculated to represent the hold for a 10 mph crosswind for most common hunting cartridges. This is an incredibly useful feature that takes the guesswork out of windage adjustments, a critical factor when shooting at small targets at distance. The side parallax adjustment is another premium feature, allowing you to eliminate parallax error for tack-sharp focus at any range.
Pros:
-
Higher top-end magnification (14x) is excellent for long-range applications.
-
The E1 reticle’s integrated windage holds are a significant advantage.
-
Side parallax adjustment ensures a crisp target image.
-
Excellent build quality backed by the Burris Forever Warranty.
Cons:
-
The 4.5x low end provides a slightly narrower field of view than 3x or 4x scopes.
-
The reticle is calibrated for traditional rifle cartridges; AR-15 shooters will need to verify their holds carefully.
4. Sig Sauer Buckmasters 3-12x44mm BDC
The Hunter’s Collaboration
SIG SAUER Buckmasters 3-12x44mm 1" Tube Second Focal Plane/SFP/F2 Durable Shockproof Waterproof Fogproof Black Riflescope
When a world-class firearms manufacturer like Sig Sauer teams up with a legendary hunting organization like Buckmasters, you can expect a product that is laser-focused on the needs of the hunter. The Sig Sauer Buckmasters 3-12x44mm is exactly that. It’s a no-nonsense scope that packs impressive optical performance and a highly intuitive reticle into an affordable package.
The scope provides a bright, clear image through its 44mm objective lens, giving it a slight edge in light-gathering over 40mm models. The overall build quality is solid, designed to handle the elements and maintain zero. Where it truly shines for the AR-15 hunter is its custom “Buckmasters BDC” reticle, which is designed for incredible speed and efficiency in the field.
Key Features:
-
Magnification: 3-12x
-
Objective Lens: 44mm
-
Reticle: Buckmasters BDC
-
Tube Diameter: 1 inch
-
Construction: IPX7 waterproof and fog-proof performance.
-
Specialty: Custom BDC reticle designed for hunting.
The Coyote Hunting Edge:
The Buckmasters BDC reticle features holdover dots for up to 500 yards. What makes it unique is that these dots are “tunable” to your specific rifle and ammunition by adjusting the magnification. Sighting in at 100 yards on max power, you can then decrease the magnification until your holdover dots line up perfectly with your bullet’s trajectory at longer ranges. This allows for a level of customization not often seen at this price. The 3-12x magnification range is also incredibly versatile, covering everything from close-in shots in the woods to long-range opportunities in open fields.
Pros:
-
Very good glass and a bright sight picture thanks to the 44mm objective lens.
-
The tunable BDC reticle is versatile and can be matched to your specific load.
-
Excellent magnification range for all-around coyote hunting.
-
Backed by Sig Sauer’s Infinite Guarantee.
Cons:
-
The tuning process for the BDC reticle requires some time at the range to perfect.
-
Turrets are functional but lack the tactile feel of more expensive options.
5. Burris Signature HD 3-15x44mm with Ballistic E3 Reticle
The Custom Turret Contender
Burris Signature HD Hunting Scope with Premium Multi-Coated Glass
For hunters who want premium features without the premium price tag, the Burris Signature HD line is a revelation. It takes the solid foundation of the popular Fullfield series and elevates it with better glass, a more versatile magnification range, and—most importantly—a high-end turret system you typically have to pay much more for. This scope is for the shooter who wants the option to dial for a long shot with absolute confidence, making it a powerful and versatile choice for the modern predator hunter.
The Signature HD features high-performance glass with multi-coated lenses that deliver sharp, bright images with excellent contrast. Its 5x zoom ratio (3-15x) provides outstanding flexibility, offering a wide field of view for scanning timbered draws on its low end, and ample magnification to reach out and touch a coyote across a wide-open prairie. However, its push/pull locking turrets and zero stop feature are what truly set it apart in this crowded price bracket.
Key Features:
-
Magnification: 3-15x
-
Objective Lens: 44mm
-
Reticle: Ballistic Plex E3
-
Tube Diameter: 30mm
-
Construction: Aircraft-grade aluminum, nitrogen-filled, waterproof/fog proof.
-
Specialty: Push/Pull Locking Turrets with Zero Stop.
The Coyote Hunting Edge:
This scope is a game-changer for hunters who might need to react to a long-range opportunity. The push/pull locking turrets mean you never have to worry about losing turret caps or accidentally bumping your adjustments while walking. You can dial your elevation for a 400-yard shot, take it, and then lock the turret back down. The Zero Stop feature is even more critical; it provides a hard mechanical stop that allows you to return your elevation turret back to your original 100-yard zero instantly, by feel alone, even in complete darkness. This provides incredible peace of mind. The Ballistic E3 reticle is clean and effective, offering cascading dots for bullet drop and windage holds, giving you the choice to either hold over with the reticle or dial with your advanced turrets.
Pros:
-
High-end locking turrets with a zero stop are an incredible feature at this price point.
-
The 5x zoom range (3-15x) is extremely versatile for all hunting scenarios.
-
Clear, bright HD glass provides excellent image quality.
-
The 30mm tube offers a wider range of elevation and windage adjustment.
-
Covered by the no-questions-asked Burris Forever Warranty.
Cons:
-
Often pushes the absolute upper limit of the $400 budget, sometimes exceeding it slightly.
-
It is slightly heavier and bulkier than the 1-inch tube scopes on this list.
-
The E3 reticle is very effective, but some may find the lines a bit fine in the lowest light conditions.
The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
Understanding why certain features matter is as important as knowing which scopes to buy. This guide will turn you into an educated consumer, ensuring you choose the perfect optic for your specific needs.
Magnification: Finding the Sweet Spot
A range like 3-9x, 4-12x, or even 4.5-14x is the ideal sweet spot for most coyote hunting scenarios, offering a wide field of view on the low end and precision on the high end.
The Reticle: Your Key to First-Shot Hits
Look for a BDC (Bullet Drop Compensating) or a simple M.O.A. Grid. These reticles allow you to quickly account for bullet drop at distance without touching your turrets, which is essential for fast-paced predator hunting.
Glass Clarity & Light Transmission: Seeing in the Shadows
Always look for “Fully Multi-Coated” lenses. For AR-15s, a 40mm to 44mm objective lens is a perfect balance of light-gathering ability and keeping the scope from being mounted too high.
Durability & Turrets: Built for the Field
A single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube that is waterproof and fog proof is non-negotiable. For a hunting scope, you want capped turrets to protect your zero from accidental bumps in the field.
The Final Verdict: Our Top Recommendation
This is an incredibly competitive field, and frankly, you cannot go wrong with any of the five scopes on this list. The Burris offers outstanding magnification, the Leupold provides legendary low-light performance, the Sig Sauer has a clever BDC, and the Primary Arms brings FFP technology to an incredible price point.
However, after careful consideration, one scope still stands out as the ultimate blend of performance, simplicity, durability, and unmatched customer support.
The Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm with the Dead-Hold BDC reticle remains our top recommendation.
Vortex Optics Copperhead Second Focal Plane Riflescope - Dead-Hold BDC Reticle
- Reticle: Features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle for precise hold-over estimation across various distances.
- Optics: Fully multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission, with anti-reflective coatings for superior clarity and brightness.
- Design: Offers long eye relief and a locking diopter for comfortable viewing and easy adjustments.
- Durability: Made from hard-anodized single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum; waterproof, fogproof, and weatherproof due to nitrogen purging and O-ring sealing.
- Warranty: Backed by an unlimited, unconditional lifetime VIP Warranty covering repair or replacement for defects (excludes loss or deliberate damage).
- Specifications: Measures 14.84 x 3.66 x 3.19 inches, weighs 0.68 kg (14.8 oz), and features a magnification range of 3-9x40.
- Brand: Produced by Vortex Optics, suitable for unisex-adult users, and includes removable lens covers and a dust cloth.
It is the perfect jack-of-all-trades for the AR-15 coyote hunter. The glass quality is exceptional for the price, delivering bright and clear views when you need them most. The 4-12x magnification range is perfectly suited for the varied distances of coyote hunting. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is brilliantly simple and effective, and the entire package is housed in a rugged, reliable body. But the tie-breaker, the feature that elevates it above all others, is the Vortex VIP Warranty. Knowing that your investment is protected for life, no matter the cause, provides a level of confidence that is simply priceless.
The right scope transforms your rifle from a tool into a precision instrument. Choose wisely, practice diligently, and you’ll be well on your way to outsmarting one of North America’s most cunning predators.
