18+ Best Rifle Scopes For Long Range Shooting & Hunting

Nowadays, most of the youngsters and adults interested in hunting and shooting and they love to spend their leisure time exploring the wild.

To encourage their interest and upgrade their games, there are many technologies and gadgets being developed and created every day.

As a hunter or shooter, among other gears, having a scope is much important as a rifle or crossbow. The major use of a scope is to sight and zoom in on your target.

Traditional handheld scopes are now replaced with mounted riflescopes that can be attached to the rifle so the hunter doesn’t want to carry extra on another hand.

If you are in a hurry and don’t have time to read the entire blog, here is our best pick after 48 hours of search and review.

#1 Rated Thermal Rifle Scope

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If you are looking for a riflescope on a budget, here we have listed a few best riflescopes with their budget and features for you.

Best Rifle Scopes Over $1000

Best Rifle Scopes Under $500

Best Rifle Scopes Under $400

Best Rifle Scopes Under $300

Best Rifle Scopes Under $200

Best Rifle Scopes Under $1000

2021’s Best Rifle Scopes – 20 Scopes Reviewed 

1. Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Riflescope

The award-winning product of our list of the best rifle scopes is Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Riflescope which comes with the EBR-1 MOA reticle.

It uses the premium fully multicoated and low dispersion lens that offers the most color fidelity and highest resolution views.

The notable feature of this scope is its XR coating that helps to enhance the light gatherings. Its armor tech coating used to prevent the lens from scratches. This scope is nitrogen purged fog and waterproof so you can use this scope at any weather conditions.

A user shared his experience of using a Vortex riflescope for a bolt gun.

It’s 50 mm objective lens brings enough light while there is poor lighting, and it has a sunshade that helps to decrease the glare while hunting in the daytime.

This scope offers an excellent magnification range, which starts from 6 to 24 X. It is the perfect choice for long-range shooting.

Another notable feature of this scope is its three built-in reticles.

1. Focal plane reticle
2. Glass-etched reticle
3. Illuminated reticle

The focal plane reticle helps to keep the images in the ideal size. And it is also used for range and wind estimation at the highest magnification.

The glass-etched reticle brings a highly functional, intuitive, and detailed view of your target, so you can easily achieve your target.

And it allows complex reticle design and helps to protect between two layers of glass for durability and reliability.

Finally, the illuminated reticle offers accurate aiming even at the low-light conditions.

Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Riflescope is completly safe and easy to use in any weather and low light conditions as they have a waterproof body and 50mm objective lens.

2. Nightforce Optics 5.5-22×56 NXS Riflescope

If you are looking for a best quality gaming riflescope despite the budget, choosing Nightforce Optics 5.5-22×56 NXS Riflescope will not let you down.

They are using toughest and military-grade materials when compared to the other competitors.

You get the best multi-coated glass and parallax adjustment that paired with a wide breadth objective lens with this scope.

It is an ideal choice for those who always indulge in long-range shooting. Its high-quality construction, crystal clear glass, and complex ballistic reticle are making this a performing scope in the field.

It comes as a bit expensive, but its features and performance worth every penny.

You get the fastest and more accurate view with an NXS MOAR reticle. This illuminated reticle ensures high-quality images whatever the lighting conditions.

Fully shock-resistant housing prevents the scope from the water incursion and fog. So it can able to perform at any weather conditions.

Nightforce Optics 5.5-22×56 NXS Riflescope made of premium grade materials and designed with the best technology to ensure that the quality lasts long.

3. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope

Are you ready to spend over $2000 on a well-performing riflescope that can make excel in your game? Then, believe me, you can’t think of other riflescopes than Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope when you know its features. Let’s dip into it.

It is packed with excellent features including side focus, weatherproof, throw lever, crystal clarity glass, and adjustable tube.

It has a very large tube of 35mm that is very strong, thick, and lasts for a long day. It also brings more user adjustments to achieve your target.

This scope housed with built-in Twilight Max HD systems that offer incredible image quality even in low light situations. The fog and waterproof design of this riflescope allows the hunter to continue their game at any weather conditions.

This scope offers extra comfort to the hunter while hunting or shooting especially at low light. The windage indicator located on the top of the scope helps to get an easy view.

When compared to the other riflescopes, this indicator feature is slightly new. The integrated lever works for an easy transition. The objective lens is of high quality and lighter than other competitors.

Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope has a very strong, durable, and thick tube of 35 mm. The scope offers three revolutions for long-range shooting and hunting.

4. Swarovski Z5 3.5-18×44 Ballistic Turret Riflescope

If you would like to get the vivid quality images from your riflescope for the perfect shot, then this Swarovski Z5 3.5-18×44 Ballistic Turret Riflescope is the most recommended one for you.

The flexible housing of this riflescope make the task easy to attach on any weapon.

It comes with the side focus, 4 point coil spring system, and ballistic turret. Field flattener lenses use the Swarovision technology that delivers unbelievable quality images.

The fluoride-containing HD lens helps to reduce the color fringing and ensures the maximum color fidelity. The large eye relief of scope gives a clear view even if you are wearing the eyeglasses.

Another notable feature of this scope is its lock mechanism that is used to prevent you from turning it inadvertently.

It is integrated with a lever that ensures the consistent pressure at every position of the inversion system.

The ballistic turret flex allows you to stay on the target at the desired range. If you are using this turret at the top, then it can compensate for bullet drop. If you are using the side turret, then it is best for windage adjustment.

Swarovski Z5 3.5-18×44 Ballistic Turret Riflescope packed with features like side focus, 4-point coil spring, low profile, ballistic turret, and multiple reticle options so you can use it as per your preference.

5. Bushnell Elite Tactical G2DMR FFP Reticle Riflescope

The Bushnell elite riflescope designed with the G2 reticles that give an accurate image to achieve your target.

You can easily see your prey even that is hundreds of yards away from a sniper.

This scope uses the rain guard HD technology that prevents the optics from the fog.

This optics is multi-coated with ultra-wideband that delivers bright images even if you are in low light conditions or poor weather conditions.

It is constructed with 3 sunshades that help to decrease the glare during sunlight hunting or shooting.

It provides the longest range of magnification for every elite tactical rifle. This scope has a 30 mm diameter solo piece tube that ensures durability.

The blackout finishing helps to avoid the sunlight reflections. The important feature is that it comes with an adjustable side parallax knob that helps to improve the exactness. Definitely, you get the wonderful shooting experience using this scope.

Bushnell Elite Tactical G2DMR FFP Reticle Riflescope comes with rain guard HD technology that helps protect the scope from the damages due to fog and smug.

6. Nikon Black X1000 Riflescope

Nikon optics are always known for its weatherproof housing and premium grade materials. They implemented the features of their ideal in this riflescope also.

The riflescope made of high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum material, which is fog, water, and shockproof. So it can able to perform at any weather conditions. It’s been o ring sealed and the nitrogen purged interior ensures reliability and durability.

It comes with a second focal plane with the magnification range starts from 6 X to 24 X. It has a 50 mm objective lens that offers ample light collection.

This scope also gives a perfect view of your target even at the higher magnification range. And this lens is illuminated and glass-etched. The unique feature of this scope is its 10 different types of red illumination.

This Nikon Black X1000 rifle scope built with side focus parallax and a multicoated lens which is antireflective and helps to boost the light and also decrease the reflection of sunlight.

Thus, you get the vibrant color clear images. It also protects the objective lens from all damages. The adjustable windage knobs provided for better user convenience.

The adjustable side parallax, perfect eye relief, zero-reset turret systems are making this scope to stand out in the field of long-range shooting or hunting.

Nikon Black X1000 Riflescope has a multicoated lens for vibrant images with perfect clarity. The eye relief and adjustable parallax focus help to adjust the focus as per the target.

7. Vortex Optics Viper HS-T Riflescope

If you are searching for the long-range rifle scope under $1000, choosing the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T rifle scope will be a good decision.

It comes with a commendable magnification range from 6 X to 24 X. The optic lenses are coated with two different types of material that are XR and Armortek. The XR coating helps to increase light transmission and also boost the sight images.

When compared to the other competitors, this scope offers color fidelity images even at the higher magnification range.

The Armortek coating helps to prevent the lens from all scratches and damages and keep the clarity even if you are using it on a long day.

The turrets attached to the radius bar said as a notable feature of this scope. This bar allows you to adjust the turrets via tactile sensation.

This scope constructed with target style turrets, which are located on the side of the scope.

You can easily adjust the windage, parallax values, and elevation of the scope as per your convenience. It also includes the zero stop feature, that returns the values to zero, after that it does some changes and improvements.

Another important thing is the precision glider rector system that provides smooth and soft magnification changes within a minute. And also this system protects the lens from jamming, while you change from power to power.

Vortex Optics Viper HS-T Riflescope is one of the best multipurpose models for medium and large game hunters that offers high-quality images even at higher magnifications.

8. Leupold VX-3i 3.5x10x40mm Rifle Scope

Leupold VX-3i 3.5x10x40mm Rifle Scope is one of those valuable optics that available under $500 with all the basic features and effective functions.

If you are a beginner in hunting, then this scope is very much helpful to explore the rifle and know how great you can use it.

This scope is constructed with Twilight Max Light Management System and Diamondcoat 2 that are works well and gives enough brightness, perfect light transmission, high-quality images, and color variation.

The scope comes with three different reticles.

1. Crockett reticle
2. Illuminated reticle
3. BDC reticle

Most of the military departments and police force prefer this scope for decades. Its optic illuminated with firedot reticle which is well combined with low profile turret systems.

You can use this scope at any weather conditions because this scope is 100% water, fog, and shockproof. So it doesn’t affect by any weather situations.

Leupold VX-3i 3.5x10x40mm Rifle Scope is an all-rounded model with Twilight Max Light Management System and Diamondcoat 2, which offers enough brightness, color contrast.

9. Athlon Optics 6-24 x 50 Riflescope

Athlon scope has multi-coated lens attached with exclusive XPL material which gives an outstanding light transmission and helps to increase your sight images.

If you are trying to find a target that blends within the environment where this coating is very helpful for you to achieve your target. It also prevents the optics from oil, scratch, and all damage.

It comes with a first focal panel reticle and a wide range of magnification settings that start from 6X to 24 X.

Its 50 mm objective lens offers fine focus even at a high zoom level.

Magnification and lens are the two factors that play major roles in long-range shooting. In that case, this Athlon scopes is an ideal choice for long-range shooting or hunting.

The illuminated reticle etched solidly on to the glass to provides good clarity even at the early morning, dusk hours and low ambient light levels.

This scope made of aircraft-grade aluminum that ensures durability and also provides better mechanical integrity.

This argon purge construction is waterproof and improves thermal resistance.

Athlon Optics 6-24 x 50 Riflescope with etched reticle options and turret adjustment make it a perfect start-up gear for any beginner that perfectly fits the budget.

10. Nikon P-223 3-9×40 Mate BDC 600

If you are a beginner who just now started practicing shooting, I’m sure you will not ready to spend hundreds of bucks on the scope at the initial stage. For those people, Nikon P-223 3-9×40 Mate rifle scope which is under $300 is the best option.

Nikon P-223 is one of the best accurate scopes available on low-budget. It is made of polymer material that makes the scope lightweight and firm.

This scope is particularly designed for the AR platform with .223 cartridges. With a unique construction, it provides open circle aiming points with hash marks to the shooters to achieve their target easily.

Its multi-coated lens gives you maximum brightness and also sends 98 percent of light.

Nikon P-223 rifle scope comes with tactical-style turrets that offer more precise 1/4 of the MOA. You get fast and accurate adjustment even at the frequent firing.

The notable feature of this scope is its 100-yard parallax setting, that ensures the parallax elimination.

Nikon P-223 3-9×40 Mate BDC 600 Riflescope made of polymer materials and has a multicoated objective lens that ensures 99% clear and bright light transmission at any weather.

11. Nikon Monarch 3 BDC Riflescope

Nikon Monarch 3 BDC Riflescope specially designed for heavy caliber shooting. It provides a long-range magnification with a 4-inch eye relief that delivers the quick identification of the target because of its quick focus technology.

It has a multi-coated optics to deliver bright, crisp images even if you have to fire at poor light conditions because of bad weather, dawn, and dusk.

This feature allows the hunter to enter the wild at any time. The wide magnification range supports all other features on the scope and makes sure you get a clear image of your prey.

It constructed with the patented Nikon technology which makes this scope as waterproof, fog proof and also shockproof.

It is one of the best all-purpose rifle scopes on our list. It includes side focus parallax adjustments, BDC reticle, zero-reset turret system, and spring-loaded adjustable knobs. With the 50 mm objective lens, you get the clear, crisp, and bright images.

For the user’s convenience we’d like to inform you that, this particular product is unavailable right now. If it comes back to the market intimations will be given shortly for the customers by us.

Nikon Monarch 3 BDC Riflescope comes with the zero-reset turrets system to easily reset the turrets using the comfortable spring-loaded adjustment knobs.

12. SWFA SS 10×42 Tactical Riflescope Mil-Quad Reticle

If you would like to purchase extra value scope for tactical use, then SWFA is the most recommended one for you. It comes as most affordable and has all the essential features that a hunter will look for.

It has a tactical and exact turret system, which allows you to adjust the mRAD to get a pinpoint accurate target view.

The multi-coated lens offers enough amount of light, which is very helpful while aiming at the target. Its turret system allows you to adjust the 1/4 MOA adjustment.

This scope uses .50 caliber ammunition. Another notable feature of this scope is its 30 mm diameter main tube that offers plenty of adjustments while you are shooting or hunting. You can easily adjust the tube as per your needs.

Most of the quality scopes are expensive, but this scope comes as affordable. It is a fixed power rifle scope, which means this scope doesn’t change the magnification range.

It delivers extraordinary precise adjustments and comes with 3.9-inch eye relief. This water, shock, and fog proof housing ensure safety and durability.

SWFA SS 10×42 Tactical Riflescope with the Mil-Quad Reticle options has tactical and accurate turrets system that allow you to adjust the mRAD even in low-budget.

13. Nikon Buckmasters II 3-9x40mm Riflescope

Nikon Buckmaster II is another best riflescope that comes at an affordable price with a high-quality lens for long-time usage, ultra-clear glass to get successful shots. 

One thing that makes hunters think about this scope is its clarity. This scope uses a multi-coated lens which offers 92 percent light transmission and unbelievably bright, color, and clear images even if you are in the dusky light.

Its ultra-clear glass attached with a 40 mm amble objective lens that helps to shoot the target on low light.

The next thing that stands out in this one is the BDC reticle that is specially designed for the fast target. This feature is very helpful for those who tried to shot fast-moving animals.

Its 3.6-inch eye relief and zeroing system are more comfortable with .308 rifle. It is waterproof, nitrogen purged and very easy to mount on the rifle. So you can use this scope in bad weather conditions or wet climates.

Nikon Buckmasters II 3-9x40mm Riflescope uses advanced anti-reflective technology that makes the device sturdy and able to perform at extreme hunting conditions.

14. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-24×50 AO, SFP Riflescope

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-24×50 AO is one of the best higher-end rifle scopes at a reasonable price on our list. It is a built-in single tube of aircraft-grade aluminum that ensures enough light transmission and clarity images.

This scope delivers unbelievable clarity images even at high magnification range in poor light conditions. It is the ideal choice for who wants frequent shoot at dawn or dusky lights.

The 50 mm wide diameter objective lens delivers the maximum amount of light and helps to increase the clarity while you are in bad light conditions.

It constructed with two reticles that are V plex and Dead-Hold BDC. The V plex is the simple reticle that provides less obstruction, and it doesn’t have the range hash marks and overholds for range estimation.

Then the Dead-Hold BDC reticle is a bit complex when compared to the previous one. This reticle has hash marks which are used to create shots at a different range without making any range changes.

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-24×50 AO, SFP Riflescope made of a single tube of aircraft-grade aluminum and laser alignment to ensure enough light transmission and crystal clear images.

15.UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope

One of the best low budget rifle scopes on our list is UTG 3-9X32 1inch BugBuster Scope. If you are looking for the scope under $100, then you can choose this scope without any oscillation.

This 1-inch bugbuster scope comes with UTG’s proprietary Emerald Coating that delivers the best transmission of light. It includes the lockable zero, and resettable turret system. This turret system allows you to adjust 1/4 MOA per click.

It comes with both red and green illumination, which is very useful for all-weather conditions and environments. This RGB feature helps to reject rheostat usage.

It constructed with a mil-dot reticle that helps to find the range. Then the main thing that stands out on this scope is it comes with two sunshades that are used to reduce the glare while you are hunting on the direct sunlight.

It entirely sealed and filled with nitrogen. You don’t have to worry about the bad weather condition because this scope is fully water, shock, and fog proof.

Another important thing about this scope is it uses the smart spherical technology to make communication between inside and outside tubes.

UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope uses Proprietary Emerald Coating to deliver better light transmission and has resettable turrets and Red and green illumination.

16.Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II Riflescope

Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen is a high precision rifle scope which is mostly recommended for the long-range shooting. It ensures the dialing precision while you are in critical situations. It is an ideal choice for serious shooters.

It comes with EBR-2C ranging reticle, MOA subtension lines, and 6X zoom range. It has L-Tec turret system that offers high performance-oriented features for extreme precision.

This scope has made of 34 mm single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube, which ensures durability. Its premium HD lens is fully water, shock and fog proof.

This high-density lens produces extra-low dispersion for high definition image quality.

The XR plus fully multicoated air-to-glass surfaces ensure the maximum amount of light transmission. The argon purging designed for fog-proof performance and the O ring sealing is for waterproof performance.

This razor scope designed as ultra-hard and the outside lenses constructed with scratch-resistant Armotek coating which protect your lens from all damages and scratches.

Its APO system, optical index lens, plasma tech technology, quick focus eyepiece, and hard-anodized stealth shadow finishing work well and made this scope standout of all other models.

Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II Riflescope offers 78MOA for a 1-Mile Shot at over 7,000 feet elevation which is great for its price.

17. ATN X-Sight II HD Smart Day/Night Rifle Scope

If you are searching for the scope that should have HD optic lens, video recording feature, rangefinding, ballistic calculations, and image stabilization, then you can spend on ATN X-Sight II HD Smart Day and Night Rifle Scope. 

This digital night vision scope comes with high definition quality such as HD lenses, display, and sensors. You get full HD resolution with 160 mm. The unique feature of this scope is it like a smart phone. You get plenty of features at your fingertips. Don’t forget the unique feature of this scope that is it can able to record the video with 1080p at 30 fps resolution, and it is Bluetooth and wifi compatible. It is a water-resistant scope.

Most of the digital NV scopes constructed with a laser rangefinder and ballistic calculator and ATN X-Sight II HD scope is not exceptional.

But the mind-blowing feature of this scope is that it automatically adjusts the correct aiming point for every shot. You will achieve pin-point accuracy by using this scope because it uses E-Barometer, Gyroscope, and E-Compass.

ATN X-Sight II HD Smart Day/Night Rifle Scope equipped with the night vision technology so you can use this for night hunting or in the dark places also.

18.Trijicon 1-6×24 VCOG Riflescopes

Trijicon VCOG is another best choice for tactical scope. It is most preferable choice of the military and government agencies for over a decade. Crystal clear images without any distortion is the reason of its reach.

It comes with two reticles that are Horseshoe Dot Crosshair reticle and Segmented Circle Crosshair reticle. Both work well and help fast shooting at each range.

These reticles illuminate either red or green while you are shooting in dark environment. It uses one AA battery that offers 700 hours of continuous use, so you don’t have to carry a ton of backup batteries.

It is fog, water and shockproof, so it is an ideal choice for all weather conditions.Though the price is bit high, the features packed with the scope are worth the money. It is the best choice for tactical shooters, 3-gun shooters, and rough handle shooters.

Most military and government agencies prefer Trijicon 1-6×24 VCOG Riflescopes target acquisition because of its sharp images without any distortion.

19. Nightforce Optics 5-20×56 SHV Riflescope

Are you a deer hunter? Then Nightforce Optics SHV Riflescope is for you. It is one of the best deer hunting scopes on our list. Its magnification range starts from 5 X to 20 X which is perfect for big game hunters and competition shooters.

Sharp and contrast images with the clarity is assured despite the weather conditions. So you can shoot or hunt at dawn and dusky nights.

Its 56 mm diameter objective lens delivers enough light transmission. It is a great choice for extreme long-distance hunting or shooting. It is one of the best long-range scopes under $2000 on our list.

The premium quality materials used in the housing ensures the durability. Its 30 mm T6 aircraft-grade aluminum tube is last for a long day.

Its great glass, illuminated control, and durable construction work well and loved by many hunters. This scope is an ideal choice for target shooting and varmint hunting.

Nightforce Optics 5-20×56 SHV Riflescope ensures crystal clear images with the required clarity at all the magnification ranges and the light environments.

20. Leupold Mark 4 ER/T 6.5-20x50mm rifle scope

Leupold Mark 4 ER/T 6.5-20x50mm rifle scope got #20 rank comparing other 19 products not because of its quality.

It offers a high level of accuracy, and it is the perfect choice for hunting, tactical use, and range hunting. If you want to hunt at twilight, then this scope will be your greatest companion. You will get a wonderful hunt experience using this scope.

It includes both illuminated and non-illuminated reticles such as Mil-Dot Reticle, H37 Reticle, H27 Reticle, TMR Reticle, and MOA Reticle, H58.

It’s Leupold Index matched lens system helps to give crystal clear and vivid color images for easy targets. This scope comes with a multi-coat 4 lens coating system that helps to increase light transmission.

Finally, the Xtended Twilight Lens System promises the bright view at low light conditions.

It uses patented TMR reticle (tactical milling reticle) that helps to achieve the target quick more accurately. Its front focal plane allows all magnification ranges. 

You get the clear and sharp images even at high magnification range. If your concern is about quality not price, you can confidently buy this scope.

For the user’s convenience we’d like to inform you that, this particular product is unavailable right now. If it comes back to the market intimations will be given shortly for the customers by us.

Leupold Mark 4 ER/T 6.5-20x50mm Riflescope is recommended for those who want the highest-grade equipment for their rifles to do best in their games.

How to Choose the Right Rifle Scope?

There are so many models available in the rifle scope industry. As, per our testing, customer reviews, design, quality, the price, we made this list of factors that you should consider while buying a rifle scope.

1. Objective Lens

Generally, every scope has an objective lens to give an accurate view of the target. The larger objective lens helps to view the objects even at the poor light conditions with a large field of view. 

But it is not true that having a scope with a large objective lens is only the best option. 

Other than the field of view, there are things you should account while choosing an objective lens are a mounting position, weight, glass quality, exit pupil, and settings for magnification.

Mounting Position – The larger the objective lens, the larger the objective bell is. To accommodate the large bell, you have to use high rings for mounting so that it won’t affect the barrel. But it compromises the repeatable cheek and weld method.

A small or medium-sized objective lens allows a low profile. Frequent cheek and weld method is also possible with this size.

Weight – A large objective lens adds more weight to the weapon. If you concerned about overall weight, go for 40 mm or below.

Most of the expensive scopes are comes with 30 mm tubes. Check if the diameter of the tube is enough for your tasks.

Glass Quality – To get brighter and high-quality images, not only lens size is important but the glass quality too.

The rifle scopes under $1000 come with multiple coating to increase light transmission and give crystal clear images with expected quality. 

Exit Pupil – A exit pupil is a virtual aperture of optical systems. You can see this as a circle or light beam in the ocular lens. This value tells how much light is transmitted to your eyes. 

Exit pupil is computed by dividing the objective lens size with the magnification value. When you turn down the magnification value, you get highly improved and brighter images.

Magnification Settings – Hunters need to range further from longer distances. This is one of the reasons why they choose the high objective lens. 

With light goes down, your hunting range also goes down. In that situation, you have to reduce the magnification to use available light.

2. Reticle Options

The available reticle options for a rifle scope are explained below.

Original Reticle

• Combination of single horizontal and vertical crosshairs.
• It is the most commonly used reticle for many years.

Dot Reticle

• An enclosed circle with a dot at the center.
• It is the Simplest reticle to use.

German # Reticle

• German #1 and #4 are the most common and simple reticle options.
• These reticles mostly come as illuminated.
• It has thick left, right, and bottom crosshairs with width-off towards the center.

BDC Reticle (Bullet Drop Compensator Reticle)

• A group of horizontal lines at the lower half of the crosshairs to adjust the distances. 
• It helps to shoot accurately even at different target ranges without changing elevation settings.

Duplex Reticle

• All the hunting rifle scopes have a Duplex reticle.
• This all-purpose reticle has thick four crosshairs (up, down, left, and right) that are thin out to make the center clear to the viewer.
• It is the best option for big hunting or hunting in thick brush areas.

MOA Reticle (Minute Of Angle Reticle)

• An angle measurement that we use in angular adjustments by turrets.
• Hunters relate minutes with the angle where 1 minute equal to 1/60th degrees in an angle.
• 1 MOA = 1-inch at 100 yards. Meaning, a 1-minute adjustment in scope will impact a bullet with 1-inch change at 100 yards. So every minute is countable for hunters and shooters.

Mil-Dot Reticle

• A ballistic reticle that is calculated in Mrad (Miliradians). A single dot on this reticle values 1 Mrad, and it equals 3.6 inches at 100 yards.
• MOA and Mil-Dot are different. Mil-Dot specially designed for the military.
• It is Best for snipers and long-range shooting.

Illuminated and Non-illuminated Reticles

• Non-illuminated reticles are in black without built-in illumination qualities. These are best to use at day time and inexpensive.
• Illuminated reticles – All the above reticles can be illuminated. Center-illuminated reticles are so popular.

Tree Shape Reticle

• Look like a Christmas tree. At the bottom crosshair, the hash marks get lower from bottom to top for every marking.
• Best to avoid the strike and velocity of the bullet getting affected by wind deflection.

3. Magnification: Variable or Fixed

Decide how much magnification you will need in your gaming. Usually, the magnification value of scope comes with two numbers, such as “3-10×30”. The figures before the “X” show how much bigger your target will look to you when compared to the naked eye. Here, 3x means you can see the target three times bigger in the rifle scope.

• A magnification below 10x is recommended for off-hand shooting.
• For recreational hunters or beginner shooters, 3.5x to 9 x or the reflex sight is the best option.
• For long-range shooting, choose the magnification anywhere between 12-20x.

Based on your shooting or hunting positions, you have to choose the magnification.

4. Eye Relief

A high-quality rifle scope should have high eye relief. It determines up to which distance from the back of the scope your head can see everything in front of you. Most commonly, 4 inches eye relief is seen on rifle scopes today.

16 to 20 inches eye relief scopes also available and used for the pistols and bigger guns.

5. Parallax Adjustment

This is a premium feature that can hype or down your cost of purchase. Find the low budget Adjustable Objective (AO) rifle scope that can work fine in the yard.

But what it means? 

Parallax

• An apparent movement or crosshair travel when we move the head and eyes to another direction.
• It presents if the image is not focused or not placed on an optical plane same as a reticle. 

Why parallax need adjustment?

For the hunter: To make the crosshairs stay on the target to get the right shot.

For the scope: To set the image of the target, you are viewing on the same optical plane as a reticle and make sure the light beam falls on the reticle focal plane correctly.

To decide if you need this feature, consider your hunting distances, magnifications settings, and type of target.

6. Scope and Firearm Combination

Are you buying the right scope for your weapon? Is it can be used for a shotgun or air gun?

It is essential to know the possible combinations for your forearm. Not only, it makes the purchase worthy, but it also protects your face.

Know about your firearm, shooting limitations, and your target to not afford to lose because of the wrong choice.

7. Turret Systems

Any hunter would want to buy a scope that is easy to sight and hold its zero for an extended period.

A user-friendly ballistic turret system of high-end quality can help to sight in easy for a long distance and hold zero despite recoil amount.

Things You Must Know About The Rifle Scopes

Sighting, Mounting and Maintaining a Rifle Scope

Just as selecting the best rifle scope, getting it mounted on a weapon correctly is also essential.

You need to make sure that you mounted it in the right place, sighted-in correct, and provide proper maintenance.

Mounting on a Rifle

Apart from a scope and rifle, you will need size rings correctly, bases to attach to a rifle scope and tools to add them.

Scope rings work as a bridge between a scope and a rifle. A ring carries the scope actively without giving stress to a scope. It uses a base or rail to fit on weapons that the scope can’t move. 

There are different sizes and types of rings available. For hunters or hobbyists, most rails work fine. If you use a precision rifle with a high-end scope, use lapped rings. They cost high, but they can take out the best performance from your gun.

Each scope uses different rings with a specific size. The range can be anywhere between 1-inch and 30mm. You should use a ring that better fit with your scope. 

You can purchase it as two separate rings or as a set with a base. A rifle with a rail system will work with either one. If your weapon needs a base to mount, then separate rings are best.

Scope bases are the small rails attached to the rifle receiver. AR 15 rifle has a rail system that doesn’t need bases. The important thing you have to check here is to ensure whether the scope rings well fit with bases. This may either Weaver-style or Picatinny but are interchangeable.

After doing these all, you will need tools to mount the scope on the rifle. Most rifles attached with hex head screws, so using a hex wrench will be fine. But you can also use a torque wrench that avoids damage to the scope.

Now, align bases and attach to the torque as per the specific manufacturer instruction. Then the lower ring half attaches to the bases. Make sure they are fixed firm.

With everything ready, place the scope in the ring at the center position and set the top half on. Use Loctite in a small amount for each screw and tighten until it is firm on the scope. Now, check if the crosshairs are aligned to the point where the windage line is flat to the rifle top. This time-consuming process makes sure you get an accurate view. 

After you are confident about your alignment, use a torque wrench to tighten everything to the level mentioned by the manufacturer in the user manual or on their website.

Sighting in a Scope

The most fearful aspect of buying a scope for the first time is getting zeroed, especially for beginners. But, as far as our talk to the professional hunters and shooters, it is not that much complicated as you think. Within a short time and practice, you can get a zero very quickly.

Bore sighting your scope is the first step. You can get it from a local shop or any suppliers. It may take a few minutes but save you from tedious tasks.

Note that this process is based on how I and most of the hunters whom we discussed zero a rifle. Assume you are sighting in at 100 yards.

Next, you have to range. Using a gun vice or sandbag, you have to steady your rifle because keeping rifle steady is more important to get zero.

In the starting, zero at 10 yards and test if you can hit the paper. Don’t worry about hitting the bullseye; just make sure you got the target but not shooting around it. Do it a couple of times.

Extend it to 50 yards and repeat. Try to hit on at least a few inches of the bullseye—Shoot 2 to 4 times. If you got it all on paper, just move the target to 100 yards.

From here, you have to start tuning. Hold crosshairs straightly on the center of the bullseye and shot for a group of three rounds. Target with gridlines makes the task easier.

Once you got a group, start adjusting. First, adjust elevation. Make the shots you do as best. Shot for two more times holding the center of the target. Repeat adjusting and firing until aligned with the target center vertically.

Now, if you got the correct elevation, do the same for windage. For 2 to 3 shots, move and fire a couple more times until you got the centered with a bullseye.

After you got zero, fire on a new target for 3 round groups continuously, so you can check how they reach the target. Here, you can tune zero or keep the same. 

I would advise you to take down the notes of your scope settings before you put it back to your backpack. The scope with the zero-reset, you can slacken screws and reset to zero.

Now, your scope is zeroed.

Maintaining a Scope

Modern rifle scopes don’t need more maintenance. They just have to be cleaned, dried and set aside. Never try to dismantle your scope, it will surely make you worry at the end. As only specialty tools and machines are used to fix the scope, so you can’t do it yourself.

Use a cleaning solution and microfiber towels. Either you can buy or try to make a homemade cleaning solution with water and white vinegar in equal amount.

Don’t apply any solvent directly to the lens. Rather, wet the microfiber cloth and wipe the lens gently. Let it dry and then store.

Use a cleaning cloth that is free of particles so that it won’t make scratches to the lens, or the chemical will not create a mess. Store the cleaned lens by covering it with lens caps.

Rarely, the body of the scope is cleaned. If you need to clean it, use steel wool gently with less pressure. 

While cleaning your weapon, make sure you did not oil the scope because some oils can stick into your scope that will create issues with the lens. Removing a scope from a weapon will change the zero, and you need to sight in again, so don’t remove the scope from the gun.

After cleaning the scope, keep it in a dry place that it does not affect by moisture. It is essential to store a scoped rifle in a place where it will not touch or press the side of other firearms.

Cover the lens of scope with lens caps all the time you store. If you can, use the scope cover also. Though scopes are manufactured with a sturdy body, being pressed always will inevitably affect them to change.

Which is The Best Rifle Sights?

Rifle sight is classified into three types that are Open sight, Aperture sight, and Telescopic sight.

Open Sight

It is the primary type of rifle sight that offers an accurate view of your shooting. It includes front sight and rear sight posts. Most of the rifles consist of this open sight. It is an ideal choice for any weather conditions. These sights are more reliable and don’t break quickly.

It also has some downsides. It may block your aim sometimes.

Its front sight is the plastic dead which is a perfect choice for low light conditions. You can also adjust the elevation distance in this open sight. 

Aperture Sight

Aperture sight is the best choice for military and competitive shooting. This sight also includes front sight post and rear sight posts.

The main difference between the rear sight post and front sight post is a ‘ring’.

The ring blocks levels of light, which helps to increase the field. Thicker rings offer more depth of the field when compared to the thinner rings.

Its rear sight is adjustable, you can move the line of the sight to left or right and up or down on the front sight. The notable thing of the aperture sight is its bullet drop.

The aperture sight is quick, durable, and more accurate. It doesn’t block your vision like an open sight. Few rifles come with this aperture sight.

Telescopic Sight

It is the last type of rifle sights which is very expensive when compared to the Aperture sight. One thing which is not provided by the aperture and open sights but by telescopic sight is a magnification of the target. This sight can able to zoom more easily and accurately.

Advanced Scopes Used in Hunting

In hunting and shooting, a scope is a very important tool to have. From the earlier stage to now, there are many kinds of scopes that have been used by the people. Let see the major types of scopes used by a hunter, shooter, or any wild explorer.

Night Vision Scopes

While some standard scopes can perform at dimmer conditions of dusk and dawn, but they can’t work at no light conditions or night.

Night vision scopes created to solve this problem. It uses the ambient light and provides green color night vision images at the displays of scopes or any NV devices.

These NV devices also called Star/Moon devices as they use the light from star and moon to provide vision in dark areas.

These are classified into two different types such as true night vision and digital vision. Both are performing in different ways, but their target is the same.

True night vision scope is used by the military departments. It magnifies ambient light, which gives strength to see in the dark than digital night vision.

The price of this scope is too high when compared to the digital scope.  But the drawback is you can’t use these scopes in the day time.

Digital night vision scope mostly used in home security systems. It works with invisible infrared light.

If you add IR illuminator to the scope, you can use it in any conditions. Without the illuminator, it doesn’t work.

The drawback of Night vision devices (or Image Enhancement devices) is it can’t work in no light conditions. If there is no moon or star light, NV devices can’t help you.

Thermal Scope

To overcome the downside of the NV devices, thermal imaging technology is created.

Much like night vision scope, thermal scopes can able to see in the dark with or without any light source even it is raining and cloudy.

It is the second technology developed for night vision. It used for military, defense, security, home defense, hunting, and other applications. 

Thermal scopes work with the thermal energy or heat radiation emitted from the objects.

It detects the IR radiation, process, and produce a thermal image with various colors denoting temperature variations.

As it doesn’t require any light source, it can help you whatever the weather. Thermal imaging is expensive than night vision.

Spotting Scope

The last one is the spotting scope. Spotting scopes are not a weapon-mounted. It is an ideal choice for hunters and shooters who interested in long-range shooting. And it is preferred by military and police snipers.

It has more power and a larger field of view when compared to the rifle scope. It allows you to see the more precise details.

Most of the shooters use this spotting scope for easy targets. It makes the entire process simple. This scope is more efficient to scan the large area.

Best Brands of Rifle Scopes

In producing hunting and shooting gears, there are so many manufacturers are getting invloved after knowing the growing interest of people in outdoor activities. Every day, we have new brands that comes with something unique in their products.

So here we’ve mentioned the top most popular brands with years of field experience.

Bushnell, Leupold, Burris, Meopta, Nikon, Redfield, vortex, Zeiss, Barska, and Nightforce are the most popular brands of Riflescope.

Bushnell

It is a US-based company found in 1948 by David Bushnell that manufactures optics, range finders, and GPSs. They are producing long-range scopes, tactical scopes for ambitious shooters.

Leupold

In 1907 they started to produce sights and binoculars. This American company plays a significant role in the optics industry and becomes the world’s leading brand.

Leupold produces the “best of best” optics. They have the world’s best engineers, expert glass men, and the master scientist to deliver low, medium, and high price range of top hunters recommended scopes.

Meopta

This Czech Meopta company produces optics for military use. In 1933, they started to provide high-quality tactical gear.

It is one of the underdog companies which offer excellent quality products. This company is not famous when compared to the others, but their optics speak their quality.

Nikon

Nikon found in 1917 in Japan, and it is a famous company for the camera, optics and measuring instruments. Most of the hunter trust and love this Nikon brand because of their excellent quality and innovation. It offers user-friendly, affordable, and top-notched quality optics.

Redfield

It is another famous brand that provides affordable and low budget optics. It is the subsidiary brand of Leupold & Stevens. If you are a practical hunter, then you can choose this Redfield optics without any confusion.

Vortex

Vortex offers rifle scope, red dot sight, range finders, binoculars, spotting scopes, and tripods. It is one of the high-end rifle scope manufacturers on the market. It provides a lifetime warranty for all scopes, rangers, and ocular products.

Burris

Burris produce affordable and low budget models, their concept is “buy the best of what you can afford.” So this is the best choice for the small budget shooters. Their lens made of 6061T6 aluminum and injected with nitrogen. 

Final Verdict

When we are in the search of products for hunting and shooting, especially rifles and scopes, surely we get confused with many brands and models. I can suggest a few ways that I follow usually for any product.

Create a checklist of features and functions you needed in your scope, decide the budget, and then start research. Also, mind your type of game and requirements of the gaming field. This will cut off your shopping time.

Nothing is best than choosing a product that perfectly suits your needs.

Share your experience of buying riflescope with us that may help someone who needs to buy one.

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