There are so many brands of rifle scopes on the market today. How do you find one that works best for you? You’ve come to the RIGHT PLACE! We put together this one-stop shop site full of in-depth reviews on long range rifle scopes to help you make the decision on choosing the best rifle scope that suits your needs.
What are the Best Rifle Scopes Reviews?
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Before you buy any long range scopes, allow us provide you with some buying tips enabling you to become an informed consumer with the ability to select the best rifle scope within your budget. We will provide you with in-depth useful information on features and functionality of the highest rated rifle scopes here in our reviews.
Having an accurate and dependable scope to use will allow you to enjoy your time and fire-arm without the stress, coming from missing your target due to poor vision and aim.
All the information you need to pick the best gun scope is here! The interactive table of reviews provides a summary of the best features helping you decide which is the best scope for you.
Comparison Guide For Choosing The Right Scope :
Included in the matrix are 8 columns:
- Picture of Scope
- Scope Name
- Finish
- Magnification
- Reticle
- Objective diameter
- Price – approximate prices on Amazon.com. The prices can change from time to time based on seller, special sales, availability, etc. But in general terms, the pricing range is: $ = under $100, $$ = $100 to $150, $$$ = $150 to $200, $$$$ = $200+
- Rating – combined user rating on Amazon.com. A rating that is provided by someone who has used the product can be extremely informative and helpful in making a buying decision.
In addition, our one of a kind comparison guide will have a link to purchase your riflescope from one of the largest on-line retailers on the internet. Save time and gas money by purchasing the best scope on-line from a trusted retailer. After the purchase, your riflescope will be delivered to your front door in just a few days after placing your order. This is the best purchase method to save time, money and sales taxes.
The rifle scopes reviews incorporated into this table are a selection of the highest rated riflescopes available. Since there are so many brands and models that exist, we are not able to include all of them. However, this table contains our choices, listing down the best long range riflescopes selected from various price ranges, from a wide assortment of excellent companies.
Most of the rifle scopes reviews included in this one of kind riflescopes comparison chart are gun scopes that experienced professionals recommend to use for the most accurate shots.
Top 5 Best Rifle Scopes Reviews
Honestly, all of the riflescopes included in the table above are excellent choices; but there are some of the scopes that we want to distinguish as our team favorites. In the rifle scope reviews below, you will learn about the best rifle scope for the money.
The rifle scope reviews below are linked to more comprehensive reviews. So settle into a comfortable chair and let’s begin learning more about each of the best rifle scope to fit your needs.
1. Primary Arms 1-6X ACSS
The Primary Arms 1-6X is part of an array of popular rifle scopes in the market. The scope is well known for its advanced magnification, Low Power Variable Optics (LPVO) ranging from 1x to 6x24 mm magnification. Some scopes can range all the way up to 9x magnification.
This provides the user with a variety of options on the field and helps one choose their desired range efficiently. Equipped with the patented Primary Arms ACSS reticle, which is illuminated, enables the user to be able to efficient in Close Combat Battles (CQB) and Long range distances.
For its efficiency the Primary Arms price point is affordable.
2. Leupold 3-9x VX Freedom
- Package dimension : 8.4 cm x 9.3 cm x 35.7 cm
- Product type : AIMING SCOPE SIGHT
- Package weight : 0.564 kg
- MADE IN United States
This scope is popularly known for its toughness and simplicity. When exposed to environmental harshness and conditions, the Leupold 3-9x VX Freedom is on top of the game. It can withstand damage from scratches or major hits. Preferred for long distance ranges with a magnification of between 3x to 9x.
Has great Eye relief and has is a good clear glass on the scope. Also, you are able to get various scope rings to complement it.
It's best suited for hunting situations and comes at a price point of around USD249.
3.Primary Arms SLx 3 Prism
Primary Arms SLx 3 is rated as one of the best if not the best when it comes to it's size and functionality. Since it contains fewer moving parts it is smaller and robust in comparison to other scopes in the market.
With a fixed 3X magnification, at a price point around USD290. For it's price range it gives decent eye-relief, and a reticle that is well suited to give quality shots. May be difficult to take close up shots due to the fixed range but with frequent practice it can be easily achieved.
4.Sig Sauer Bravo 5
- EXPORT CONTROLLED ITEMS: These items are controlled for...
- Variable 1-6x magnification second focal plane scope...
- ACSS reticle combines BDC, wind holds, moving target leads,...
- Partial red illumination with 11 brightness settings powered...
- IP67 waterproof and fog resistant with a 6063-aluminum scope...
In comparison to the Primary Arms SLx, The Sig Sauer Bravo 5 has been known to be a premium scope in the market. It uses prism lenses but is slightly heavy when compared to other scopes.
One of its major benefits is that it poses a large and clear FOV. It also has better glass as well as better fixed magnification. For it's price point, it offers the user with major upgrades in comparison to other rifle scopes.
5. Trijicon TA648 6x48mm
- Magnified, self-luminous tactical sight enhances target...
- Incorporates a bullet drop compensator (BDC) with additional...
- To further improve target acquisition and hit potential,
- The new ACOG 6x48 is battery free and waterproof to 328 feet
- With TA75 Mount
The Trijicon TA648 6X48mm boasts to be part of a successful line of products made by Trijicon. Trijicon are known for the best ACOG scopes in the market which was led from their successes on the military grounds on the M16 and M14 carbine.
The Trijicon TA648 just as its predecessors is durable and dependable rifle scope. It competes with the popular TA31 4x32mm which is highly recommended as well (Though smaller). It is expensive on it's price but it is based on its reputation as well as make-up. Contains a ballistic reticle, dual scope and .50 BMG reticle.
How to Choose the Best Rifle Scope
Whether you are hunting for that trophy buck or tracking down a turkey, you want to make the one shot you get count! When you only have one shot, there is no margin for error. Because of this it is essential to come prepared with the right equipment.
One of the most vital pieces of hunting gear that you can own is a good scope for your gun. It has been said many times that a superior scope on a mediocre rifle is by far better than a mediocre scope on an expensive rifle.
Gun scopes are used today by hunters who are trying to kill game animals and by people who enjoy target shooting. The benefit of using a riflescope is that it makes it easier to see your target and thus easier to hit your target. When looking through a riflescope, the target will look much larger because of the magnification provided by the riflescope.
When looking through a riflescope, the scope will magnify the intended target. So your ability to see the target in greatly enhanced. Therefore, your aim will better especially for a target that is located far away.
Using a gun scope just makes it so much simpler for you to learn how to shoot and easier to hit your target. When shooting with a scope mounted on your gun, all you have to do is line up the scope on your target before you pull the trigger.
Using a scope on your long range rifle or favorite target shooting gun gives you a much better chance for success in hitting your target whether it is that trophy buck or a clay pigeon. Without the benefit of a gun scope, you would have to follow the traditional method of attempting to line up the front and rear iron sights located on top of the gun simultaneously while lining up your target which may be located 100 yards away from you and moving.
When using a riflescope to shoot a target, all you have to do is look through the scope and line up the crosshairs with your target and shoot. Riflescopes provide a real helping hand when learning to shoot a target. A gun scope is much easier to use than the old iron sights and since scopes also magnify your target the target is easier to see for aiming at.
Shopping for the Best Scopes
In the world that we exist in today, we live extremely busy and hectic lives. Most of us have to work long hours every day just to make enough money to pay bills and have some left over to enjoy a hobby or two.
Sometimes, when we are not busy with our normal work activities, we can be involved in attending our kids’ or grandkids’ extracurricular activities. Or maybe a significant part of the weekend is spent taking care of the honey-do-list. Because we are so busy being pulled in more than one different direction, the time left for us often gets squeezed.
So when we get an opportunity to take a break and participate in an activity or hobby for ourselves, we certainly want to make the most of it. When you have limited time to participate in an enjoyable hobby like hunting or target shooting, you definitely need the right equipment to maximize your enjoyment.
Having an accurate and dependable scope to use for deer hunting or target shooting will allow you to enjoy your time without any stress associated with a rifle not working properly or continually missing your target because you are struggling to aim correctly.
One of the most important pieces of equipment needed for success in target shooting or deer hunting is a good scope. A good riflescope can greatly increase your chances of hitting your target every time. So how do you choose the scope that is right for you?
The answer to that question will really depend on the kind of shooting that you will be doing and the kind of gun that you will be shooting with. Here at RifleScopeReviewsGuide.com, we provide you with a one of a kind comparison chart that will give you detailed rifle scope reviews of the most popular scopes.
Buying an excellent riflescope that you can afford is a much better idea than buying the best rifle that you can afford. Because you could buy an expensive rifle that is easy to shoot but without a great scope on it you will not be able to hit your target very well if it is located 500 yards away.
The smart consumer will look to buy a good quality rifle (not the most expensive one) and then look to buy the best long range scope that he can afford to place on the rifle. Since scopes generally cost less than a rifle, you save money and you will be much more satisfied with your combination purchase. A riflescope will serve you well when you are trying to aim at your target that is located 300-500 yards away.
The best gun scopes will make seeing and hitting your target much easier. The level of magnification provided by a gun scope is incredible. Having a good scope on your rifle is like seeing your target through high powered binoculars.
A hunter will have a much better chance of success in hitting his target using a high quality scope mounted on a average rifle. A hunter using a cheap riflescope will not be pleased with the results that gets shooting it with an expensive rifle because he will not be able to aim as well.
What to Look for When Shopping for the Best Scopes
Long range riflescopes come in many different assortments. The kind of scope that you should select to buy really depends on the type of shooting that you will be doing. The riflescope that is needed for shooting clay targets is different from the scope that is needed to hunt and shoot that trophy deer.
In addition to selecting a riflescope to improve your shooting accuracy, you will need to make the right selection on a rifle because no two rifles shoot exactly the same. Even the same brand rifles made by the same manufacturer will shoot differently due to its own unique characteristics.
So you can’t expect to get the same results using the same scope on different rifles. The adjustments on the riflescope will have to be adjusted when moving the scope from one rifle to the next rifle.
How to Find the Best Scope That Fits Your Needs
In the interactive comparison guide that provides reviews of riflescopes above, you will find some of the most popular and highly rated scopes on the market today. However, before diving into the deep end of this comparison guide, let us explain what is included in the guide.
So, in the chart above you will find the Ultimate Riflescope Comparison Guide that will provide a summary of reviews in one convenient spot. This guide will help you pick the best rated scope for your needs.
We all have our own preferences as to what we think will make a good scope for shooting at a target. But to do your best at hitting your target each and every time, you want to buy the absolute best gun scope available. With this in mind, we are here to help navigate you through the choosing and buying process.
Understanding Rifle Scope Specs
The conventional wisdom used to be that you should buy a riflescope that was about half the cost of your rifle. Using this thought process, you should end up with a good quality scope. Well that recommendation is not as valid today because you s can only buy the scope you can afford.
If you are interested in buying a riflescope, some of the terminology can be a bit confusing. The following article will cover many of the basic terms that you will come across when dealing with riflescopes.
1. The Numbers
A riflescope’s numbers are arranged in a pattern that is predictable. They are similar to numbers that you will find on other optics such as telescopes and binoculars. The first number will be the power of the magnification, the second number will be the size of the objective lens, listed in millimeters. The letter ‘x’ will divide both numbers.
a. Magnification
A riflescope’s magnification will let you know how powerful it is. More power is indicated by a larger number. A magnification of 2x means that the object being looked at will be doubled in size, 4x means it will be quadrupled, etc. There are many scopes that are able to be adjusted to different powers based on the need of the person using it. This type of variable power scope is indicated by two numbers before the x, indicating the lowest and highest possible powers. For example, a scope could be 3-9×40. This means it is able to be adjusted from 3x to 9x.
b. Objective Lens Diameter
This number indicates the size of the objective lens. Larger objective lenses provide more light for a person to see their target.
2. Light Transmission
Light transmission is the amount of usable light that passes through a riflescope or other type of optic device. It is a number that is represented by a percentage. This percentage is based on the total amount of original light that entered the scope. High end scopes have a light transmission of 94 percent or better. This means that 94 percent of the original light is preserved and able to be used. Three other factors can determine light transmission: Effective use of the lenses in the scope, the use of anti-reflective lens coating and the glass used in the lenses.
3. Eye Relief
Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the lens at the rear of the scope. The eye relief distance will provide a complete field of view with no dark ring around the edges. The desired amount of eye relief for most hunters is 3.5″ or more.
4. Parallax
This is the point inside the reticle’s position that the target appears at various ranges. It is most easily noticed when a person removes their eye from the dead center of the scope. Being “parallax free” means that the crosshair stays on the same position on the target, even if you move your eye off center in any direction. However, if the movement of your eye causes the target to move within the crosshair, “parallax error” is being experienced. This usually happens in variable magnification scopes that contain a large range in their magnification. As a way of preventing parallax error, some scopes have an adjustable objective. This enables a person to adjust the parallax to a specific range and magnification.
5. Objective Lens
The lens that is on the front of the riflescope is the objective lens. The amount of light that enters the riflescope is affected by the size of this lens. The bigger the objective lens, the more light will enter the scope. During cloudy seasons, dusk and dawn, this is especially important. A larger amount of light gives the user better visibility, allowing targets to be seen in dark conditions.
6. Tube Diameter
In optics, the diameter of a lens is often a way to measure the magnifying power of the lens, equal to the amount of times the linear dimensions of an object are increased. While the tube diameter plays a role in magnification, it does not affect the light transmission of a lens.
7. Lenses
A lens is a piece of curved glass found in an optics device, designed to increase the magnification of an object to make it appear closer than it actually is. The number of lenses used in a riflescope depends on the type and manufacturer of the scope you are using.
a. Fogproof and waterproof
Many of the better riflescopes available on the market today will be fogproof and waterproof. A fogproof riflescope means that the air inside of the scope has been purged and replaced with argon or nitrogen. Then the scope is sealed to prevent any condensation or fogging on the lens from occurring. Waterproof, as the name suggests, means that the lens has been sealed to prevent water from getting in.
b. Coated lenses
Glare and loss of light are reduced by the addition of microscopic coatings on the surface of a lens. These coated lenses help to minimize the amount of light that gets reflected and does not get transmitted through the lens. This provides an image that is higher in contrast, clearer and brighter. The more coatings that are put on a lens, the wider variety of wavelength light rays will be transmitted.
8. Field of View
Field of view (FOV) refers to the amount of area that is able to be seen through a riflescope from right to left at a distance of 100 yards. FOV decreases as magnification gets increased. For example, a 3x variable riflescope could contain a FOV of slightly over 30 feet at 100 yards. However, at 9x, it would now have an FOV of roughly 14 feet. These figures would not be changed by using a larger objective lens.
9. Turret Adjustments
The turret is one of the two knobs that are found on the outside center of the riflescope tube. These knobs have increments marked on them, usually in 1/4 MOA. In other words, a standard one click change will impact ¼” at 100 yards.
The turret adjustments are used to compensate for windage and elevation, two factors that can affect the distance and direction that a bullet travels. Elevation refers to vertical adjustment, windage refers to horizontal.
10. Minute of Angle
Minute of Angle (MOA) is the unit of measurement used for a circle. It is 1.0472 inches at 100 yards. However, it is generally referred to as one inch at 100 yards, two inches at 200 yards, etc. The elevation and windage turrets on riflescopes generally correlate with MOA. Most scopes are made to adjust MOA at 1/4 MOA for each click.
11. Reticle
The reticle can be cross hairs or mil dots with a set of smaller lines to compensate for bullet drop.
12. Bullet Drop Compensators
A system that is able to adjust a riflescope to compensate for the drop of a bullet caused by gravity at different ranges so the person does not need to hold-under or hold-over while he or she is aiming.
Why is Amazon the Best Place to Buy Your Rifle Scope
Amazon.com has expanded to the point that the company has become the largest online retailer in the world. Ever since its beginnings, Amazon has been widely accepted as the best place to buy online just about any product you can possibly find. If you happen to be in the market for the best AR 15 rifle scope, Amazon should be the first place you look.
Selection
One of the biggest reasons for Amazon’s enormous popularity is the fact that their selection is enormous. It is much bigger than any brick and mortar store. Therefore, you will not only be able to find the type of item you are looking for, you will also be able to find the specific make and model you want to buy. This also applies to rifle scopes. It does not matter if you are interested in scopes made by Nikon, Leupold or Browning, Amazon has an enormous selection to choose from that is unmatched among all other retailers. Also, you will be provided with detailed descriptions of each scope carried on Amazon. All of the features, accessories and warranties will be clearly listed so you know exactly what you will be getting for your money.
Pricing
Finding the best AR 15 rifle scope you want is step one of the process. However, you also want to avoid getting ripped off. You will find many brick and mortar chains such as Dick’s, Best Buy and Menards that will charge you an arm and a leg. There is no need to be held hostage to the prices these stores are charging. Amazon.com offers prices that are considerably lower than all of their brick and mortar competitors because they provide a competitively priced market. Because of the level of competition among sellers on Amazon, you can be assured that you will be getting the lowest prices on rifle scopes that you will be able to find anywhere.
Reviews
One of the features that Amazon.com customers depend on the most is their customer review section. Underneath each product, you will see a list of reviews written by people who have bought that particular item. You can Also check the many other reviews of scope reviews. This will allow you to find out if specific rifle scopes have the capabilities you are looking for. These customer reviews can be a valuable resource when shopping for a long range rifle scope because they will prevent you from wasting time buying a scope, only to find out later on that it is not up to your standards. In many cases, the customer reviews will offer more detailed descriptions of scopes like ar15 scopes than the actual Amazon listings. Always remember to read a wide range of reviews to get a general consensus of a specific camera’s capabilities.
Shipping
On Amazon.com, you can buy a long range rifle scope and ask that they be shipped directly to your door. You don’t even need to leave your home. What could be simplier than that? Amazon also provides everything you need to track delivery of your items. Just log into your Amazon account, click on the purchased item and click on the “track this item” button. All of the tracking information on hat package will be displayed.
The Ultimate Riflescope Comparison Guide
The riflescope reviews discussed above are just a small cross section of the gun scope reviews provided on this website. Take your time to read the reviews and discover which riflescope will best fit your needs.
Also, the Ultimate Riflescope Comparison Guide provides an extensive list of the gun scopes that can fit your needs. The guide provides an interactive list of features to help you find the right scope. Please visit that page for more information.
Now it’s Time to Make a Choice
Now that you have spent your valuable time learning about each scope’s features and reviewed our top picks for the best scopes for the money, it’s time for you to choose the best rifle scope that meets your needs and is within your budget to provide with the right equipment needed for a successful hunting season.
As you know, new models of riflescopes are being manufactured each year. Because of this reason, the comparison guide will be revised as new scopes are brought on the market for sale.
FAQs
What is the best all-around rifle scope?
Schmidt & Bender's PMII 5-2556mm Scope is the epitome of high-end scopes. It extends your accuracy to super-long range distances and provides image quality that is superior to anything you'll ever see with your eyes.
What scopes do Navy Seals use?
The Aimpoint and EOTech red dot sights, to name a few, are commonly used by the United States' elite military units. They have previously and currently used the Aimpoint Comp M2 & M4 EOTech 553 Holographic Sight.
What is the clearest rifle scope?
As per many reviewers and enthusiasts, Leupold or Schmidt & Bender scopes are pretty much in the running to be the most transparent rifle scopes available in the market.
Is Leupold better than Vortex?
With the quality of their scopes, Leupold may have a significant edge, but Vortex has the cost advantage. Despite Vortex's lesser experience, both brands have outstanding reputations. If you're looking for a scope, your final decision will most likely be based on personal taste.
Which Scope is better, Nikon or Leupold?
It is hard to deny that both bring a broader range of features that surely delight their users. Nikon also, known for camera products and optical gadgets, is set to be more experimental with their approach to their scopes, while Leupold is geared to create a better reputation hence, creating high-quality performance scopes. Also, Nikon is cheaper, appealing to many due to the cost of added accessories for rifles.
Is Vortex better than Nikon?
In this case, Nikon emerges as the winner when it comes head-to-head with Vortex. This is because though both give more durability and high image quality, the price tag on Nikon scopes and binoculars are more than favorable.
Which Scope is the best?
Definitely the Schmidt & Bender PMII with a magnification of 5-25x and an objective lens of 56mm; this is definitely one of the best, if not the best, Scope in the market.
Why is Nikon discontinuing scopes?
Nikon announced that they are discontinuing rifle scope manufacturing but will still produce other sports-based optics, e.g., rangefinders, spotting scopes, and binoculars. This is alleged to be because of internal conflict, not consumer dissatisfaction. Speculations have also been made, leading to the fact that the area of scopes in terms of risk and investment was not that of a major priority even though Nikon held a large size in the market.
Why did Nikon stop making scopes?
At the moment, it somehow isn't evident as to why they did it, but one thing is speculated by many is the influx of newer players in the industry, and internal disagreements made it clear that manufacturing rifle scopes was not worth the risk. Also, the pursuit of new products and markets is a mentioned narrative.
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