The .50 Brown Machine Gun (BMG) is one of the most popular firearms available today. The power that this kind of firearm offers when used for shooting and hunting is well recognized. To make it more accurate and precise, though, it still requires an accessory, much like other weapons do. This post focuses on the best Barret .50 BMG scopes.
The rifle round shoots loads ranging between 650 and 1000 grains at distances exceeding a mile and thus has a well-earned reputation for its might in the field or at the range. The military also employs the rifle as a heavy machine gun and anti-material round.
The rifle is used for long ranges and demands to be matched with an appropriate scope. The market has an array of scopes and only some are suited for the.50 BMG. Considering this situation, we have scoured the market and highlighted the top scopes that pair excellently with this beast. A buying guide is also included to make your decision-making smooth.
What Makes a Great Scope for The Barret .50 BMG?
A good scope should have a rugged construction frame for resilience and durability. It should have a good brand rating and come with a solid warranty.
The scope should be able to perform in any weather and any lighting situation. It should offer precision and clear images regardless of the environment.
Also, the scope should be able to handle the recoil of your rifle to avoid breakage or disintegration.
What else? A great scope should have adequate eye relief to keep your eyes and face safe from injury when firing. The last thing you want is to head home with a half-moon decoration you never anticipated.
Best Barret .50 BMG Scopes
1) Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope
The Leupold Mark 5HD has a 5x to 25x magnification that is flexible for mid-ranges while allowing you to dominate long ranges, making it a good pair for the Barret .50 BMG. The magnification is complemented by the massive 56mm objective lens that gathers plenty of light for brilliant images.
The Twilight Max HD Light Management System provides 30 additional minutes of shooting light while removing glare for stunning clarity in every lighting situation.
As one of the best Barret .50 BMG scopes, the Mark 5HD has scratch-resistant lenses to protect the glass quality. You don’t have to worry about its response to harsh recoil, as it is shockproof. The scope survives 5,000 impacts on the Punisher, so you can have peace of mind that will last a lifetime.
The riflescope is waterproof and fogproof for reliable performance in nasty weather conditions. Eye relief is generous, ranging from 3.6 to 3.8 inches. You can easily adjust the reticle using the fast-focus eyepiece, while the side adjustment knob lets you focus the parallax without hassle.
The reticle is set on the first focal plane and changes appearance as you increase or decrease magnification. This feature allows you to estimate range at all magnification levels.
Features
- Withstands shock, moisture, and fluctuating temperatures
- Versatile 5x to 25x magnification
- First focal plane reticle
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System
- 6 inches low eye relief
- 8 inches high eye relief
- Gigantic 56mm objective lens diameter
- Fast-focus eyepiece for reticle focus
- Scratch-resistant lenses
- The parallax is easy to focus using the side adjustment knob
- 35mm tube size
- Zerolock adjustments
Pros
- Extremely rigid and durable
- The glass quality is exceptionally clear
- The dials have very firm clicks
Cons
- No illumination
2) Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56mm Riflescope
This Barret .50 BMG scope features the APO optical system that yields excellent image quality. It uses A-grade, high-density, extra-low dispersion glass to produce images with breathtaking clarity.
All lenses have multiple layers of XR Plus anti-reflective coatings that maximize light penetration for unmatched brightness. The scope provides unparalleled performance in all lighting conditions.
The Razor HD features a 34mm, single-piece tube constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. If you want to have a long-lasting .50 BMG scope, you have to consider its durability; this particular one scores high marks in this department.
Functioning in rain or snow will not be a problem because this riflescope is waterproof and fogproof. Its shockproof construction easily withstands recoil. Armortek coatings protect the exterior lenses. To top it all, the scope has a hard anodized finish to fight abrasion and camouflage your shooting position.
Moreover, adjusting the reticle into sharp focus is a breeze using the fast-focus eyepiece. Side parallax adjustment and illumination adjustments have been combined into one knob for easy access and a more streamlined operation.
The turrets on this Barret .50 BMG scope offer quick, accurate, and easy-to-read elevation and windage adjustments. They have a locking system to deter unwanted adjustments. An external rotation indicator indicates the elevation turret’s rotating position quickly and tactilely.
Features
- 34mm tube
- L-Tec turrets system
- Hard anodized finish
- Rugged and resilience as it is made from aircraft-grade aluminum
- O-ring sealed for waterproof performance
- Argon-purged for fogproof integrity
- The reticle is illuminated and etched on glass
- XR Plus full multi-coating on the lenses
- Xtra-low dispersion glass for resolution and color fidelity
- APO optical system for crazy bright images
- A locking mechanism on the turrets prevents unintentional shifting
- Armortek coatings prevent scratches, dirt, and oil from damaging the lenses
- 7 inches of eye relief
- Weighs 48.5 oz
Pros
- Extraordinary glass
- Precise and audible clicks
- Built like a tank
Cons
- On the heavy side
3) NightForce Optics SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
The NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm riflescope marries well with the Barret .50 BMG. It offers outstanding precision at long ranges due to its powerful magnification.
The wide 56mm objective lens combined with the optics coatings deliver superior contrast, clarity, and crispness through minimum to maximum magnification. It is suitable for shooting in challenging light conditions as its light-gathering power is not found in another scope.
It features a Forceplex reticle with illumination. The reticle is a plain duplex type with a second focal plane design. Eye relief and field of view are generous, which is handy when dealing with a rifle that kicks like the .50 BMG. You don’t want a nasty injury on your face because your scope had inadequate eye relief.
This Barret .50 BMG scope has a full 80 MOA of elevation adjustment. The ZeroSet technology ensures a quick return to the original zero, regardless of how many elevation changes you have made. It also includes a side parallax adjustment to handle errors for deadly accuracy.
Features
- Magnification ranges from 5x to 20x
- inches of eye relief
- 25 MOA adjustment click value
- The side knob adjusts the parallax from 25 yards to infinity
- Lighted Forceplex reticle
- ZeroSet system provides a rapid return to initial zero
- 30mm tube diameter
- Second focal plane
- Includes lens covers
- 56mm objective lens diameter
Pros
- Superb clarity and contrast at all magnifications
- Solid as a rock
- Reticle illumination
- Adequate eye relief
Cons
- Sketchy turret design
4) Sightron SIII 6-24x50mm Riflescope
The Sightron SIII 6-24x50mm riflescope boasts Zact- Revcoat fully multi-coated lenses that increase light transmission for bright, clear pictures at any time of day. The 30mm tube is thick for tightness when shooting with your Barret .50 BMG.
Eye relief is sufficient at 3.6 to 3.8 inches for safety and protection from recoil. A fast-focus eyepiece for reticle focus is included in the scope’s design.
As one of the best Barret .50 BMG scopes, the Sightron SIII is waterproof and fogproof, so it performs relentlessly even in harsh weather conditions. Recoil from the .50 BMG will not take a toll on it as it is shockproof.
The riflescope comes with oversized adjustable tactical turrets for swift, intuitive adjustments when you need them. The ExacTrack windage and elevation system ensures proper alignment between the adjustments and the erector tube so that you never experience drift with the adjustments. It has a return-to-zero mechanism that allows you to go back to the initial settings.
The scope comes with a lifetime warranty.
Features
- Etched reticle for a superior viewing experience
- Zact-7 Revcoat multi-coating
- It is designed to be multi-proof
- Constructed from lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum
- 30mm tube
- Matte black finish
- Second focal plane
- 6-14x magnification range
- Exclusive optical design
Pros
- Superb eye relief
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Crisp and repeatable turrets
- The glass is very clear
Cons
- The reticle is not lit up
5) Mueller Optics 8-32x44mm Riflescope
Mueller 8-32x44mm riflescope is the real deal. It has adjustable windage and elevation, making your focus and aiming flexible to the weather. It features a 30mm tube and fully exposed target turrets for accurate adjustments so that you hit your target with pinpoint accuracy each time.
It is filled with dry nitrogen gas, making it completely waterproof and fogproof in any environment. It is also shockproof to prevent recoil from injuring your brows.
The objective lens size is 44mm wide enough to permit a great deal of light through the lenses, culminating in brighter images. It has a full multi-coating to amplify light transmission and minimize glare for the best performance in low and harsh sunlight.
The Barret .50 BMG scope has a fast-focus eyepiece that focuses the reticle, allowing you to see targets quicker and have more shots in a shorter span of time. The side focus parallax adjustment is 10 yards to infinity.
The package includes a free 3-inch matching sunshade. And, the scope is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
To make the deal sweeter, the scope comes at a fraction of the price, so there is no reason why you should bag it.
Features
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Matte black finish
- The construction is 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- 44mm objective lens with a full multicoating
- One-piece 30mm mounting tube
- 1/8 MOA exposed turrets
- Mildot reticle
- 8x to 32x magnification
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- Includes a 3inch sunshade
Pros
- Super clear glass
- Durable
- Clean crosshair
Cons
- No illumination
6) Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50mm Riflescope
The Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50mm riflescope is a first-star product that easily competes as one of the best Barret .50 BMG scopes. This first focal plane riflescope provides a sweet spot between precision and value, bringing to the table amazing features and performance.
It has a relatively simple design harboring a 6x to 24x magnification so that you can easily tackle the 1000-yard mark. The turrets have an exposed design for unrivaled tracking performance. They have a zero set function and adjust precisely for crazy accuracy.
The anti-reflective fully multi-coated lenses enhance visibility even without illumination at low-light conditions like dawn and dusk. The extra-low dispersion glass increases resolution and color fidelity for stunning images.
Further, the fast focus eyepiece makes reticle focusing easy, while the side parallax knob ensures you have a sighting tool that doesn’t compromise on accuracy.
Construction-wise, the scope is built from aircraft-grade aluminum. It is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, making it ideal for the Barret .50 BMG.
The precision glide erector system makes magnification transitions smooth under demanding conditions. You can never go wrong with a Vortex, particularly the Diamondback 6-24x50mm riflescope.
Features
- Shockproof 30mm tube
- Precision glide erector system
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- EBR-2C MOA reticle
- Sealed and purged for weatherproof performance
- Large 50mm objective lens
- First focal plane
- Hard anodized finish
- Fast focus eyepiece
- XD glass elements
- 6x to 24x magnification
Pros
- Well constructed for durability
- Spot on accuracy
- Incredibly clear from edge to edge
- Clear, easy-to-target reticle
Cons
- Blurs unless your eye is in the correct position
Choosing The Best Barret .50 BMG Scopes
Key pointers to streamline the selection process when buying the best Barret.50 BMG scope include:
Magnification
The magnification is an essential factor to consider as it dictates the type of activities you can do. The .50 BMG is a powerful rifle that demands a powerful scope. The firearm fires shots that can reach extended distances, but you need a scope that allows you to see your targets even when they are really far.
The best Barret .50 BMG scopes should be suitable for use in virtually any range. This allows you to be more precise and accurate in your shooting endeavor.
They should have a knob or turret that you can use to transition from one magnification setting to another.
Switching between different magnification settings goes more smoothly if you have a wide range of settings, particularly if you are dealing with targets at different distances on the shooting range.
Reticle
There are plenty of reticle options available. Since the .50 caliber is mostly employed for long-range shooting, a simplified reticle is preferable because it doesn’t obstruct the view.
You also want a glass-etched reticle. Wire crosshairs cannot withstand the forward and backward recoil of .50 BMG guns.
Lens Coating
A clear and reliable scope in all lighting conditions gives you an advantage over the competition. The coating on the lenses helps achieve light transmission. Once tons of light is transmitted to the scope, sight pictures become brighter and clearer.
The best Barret .50 BMG scopes have fully multi-coated lenses. Multiple layers of coating are way better than just a single coating.
Some manufacturers include unique coatings for their lenses, so be sure to check the type of coating first to ensure it is reliable and beneficial before making a purchase decision.
Remember that low-quality lenses will lead to unsatisfactory results, so this is a very crucial parameter.
Build Quality
A scope needs to be well-constructed for it to be long-lasting. It should be constructed from high-quality materials like aircraft-grade aluminum.
Look for a scope that has protection from rain, fog, dust, and other challenging elements that are inevitable in a shooting or hunting setup. The best Barret .50 BMG scopes have gas purging and seals inside. The gas purging prevents fogging up of the lenses, especially when there are unexpected changes in temperature. The sealing mechanism prevents moisture ingress for waterproof integrity.
The type of coating is also important as it keeps the scope free of scratches and corrosion. A durable coating type protects the exterior part of your scope.
Eye Relief
Given the recoil produced by the Barret .50 BMG, it is vital to have a scope with sufficient eye relief. A scope with adequate eye relief across all magnification levels keeps your eyes protected from the recoil.
What Is the Effective Range of the .50 BMG?
The .50 BMG is a long-range capable rifle with an effective distance of 1500 meters and can even reach 2000 meters or beyond in the hands of a skilled shooter and with specialized equipment.
Snipers have managed to weaponize math to stretch that out much further. Physics dictates that the maximum range of the .50 Cal BMG is limited to about 6700 meters.
However, how accurate and deadly it is depends on various factors like wind, atmospheric pressure, shooter’s skill, and the quality of the rifle and optics.
Conclusion
It’s a wrap for the best Barret .50 BMG scopes. A compatible scope is essential if you want to enhance your .50 BMG performance. These scopes have the best-in-class features to maximize your shooting experience. They are durable and withstand the recoil of the rifle. And their performance is admirable.
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