If you are looking for a scope for your next expedition, this review narrows down the best hunting scopes. With a thorough insight into the scopes, you will be able to know what each unit brings to the table. A buying guide also follows. In the end, you will, without a doubt, be in a position to make a wise decision.
Hunting is an art that requires skill, patience, and the right gear to be successful. Nothing is paramount for a hunter as being able to see clearly and hunt accurately. With the right riflescope, this will be an easy feat. Regardless of your skill, a scope will enhance your accuracy and improve your overall shooting game.
Unfortunately, there are many scopes to pick from, which can make the process of finding a unit complex. Worry not. We have uncovered the secrets of the premium models curated to make your hunting memorable. Let’s dip dive into high-ranking hunting scopes.
Best Hunting Scopes
1) NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm opens up our analysis of the best hunting scopes. The scope promises perfect clarity, crispness, and color contrast at all power levels.
Speaking of power, the magnification varies from 5x to 20x, enabling you to capture species from short to long distances.
The 56mm objective lens complements the superb magnification by allowing maximum light to enter the scope. This way. You can be sure that the images you view through the scope are bright and clear.
Included is the ZeroSet function that provides a quick return to your desired zero even after making many elevation adjustments. The side parallax adjustment handles parallax errors for unswerving accuracy throughout your hunting session.
The scope is rugged. It will withstand the power and recoil of heavy calibers as well as extreme conditions inherent in hunting. This is made possible by the 6061 T6 aircraft-quality aluminum used for construction.
Features
- Weatherproof caps on the metal dials
- Massive 56mm objective lens
- ZeroSet functionality
- High-quality construction materials
- Generous 5-20x magnification
- Eye relief of 3.5 inches
- 30mm tube size
- The reticle is on the rear focal plane
Pros
- Adjustment clicks are audible
- Reticle illumination
- Tough build
- Decent glass
Cons
- Bulky
2) Vortex Razor LHT 3-15x42mm Riflescope
Vortex Razor LHT 3-15x42mm riflescope is configured with optically indexed lenses that maximize edge-to-edge sharpness and brightness. They have a full multi-coating whose job is to allow plentiful light from the surroundings, reinforcing the brightness and clarity.
The LHT scores highly as far as durability is concerned. Aluminum that is of aircraft quality is used to make it. This makes it shockproof and gives it the ability to endure heavy use in the field.
Besides being shockproof, the riflescope is also waterproof and fogproof for reliable performance in adverse
weather conditions.
After making multiple turret adjustments, you can go back to the initial zero without hassle, as enabled by the RevStop Zero System.
The elevation turret has a locking design to deter unwanted modifications. The patent pending elevation turret ensures fast, easy, and accurate adjustments. On the other hand, the windage turret is well protected by caps and also ensures accurate adjustments.
The scope will dramatically enhance your hunting skills with all the features it boasts.
Features
- Armortek coatings on the lenses
- Single-piece tube enhances accuracy and visual performance
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Locking elevation turret
- Capped windage turret
- HD elements on the glass
- XR plus fully multi-coated lenses
- 42mm objective lens size
Pros
- Brilliant image quality
- Solid ruggedness
- No issues, even in harsh climatic conditions
- Illumination works well
Cons
- Mushy dials
3) Bushnell 4-16x50mm Elite 4500 Riflescope
Bushnell 4-16x50mm Elite 4500 Riflescope is a joy to use. The riflescope will be up for the job when your mission needs generous magnification. With features like a massive objective lens, long eye relief, and superior ruggedness, the Elite 4500 is the ticket for all sorts of hunting.
It has aircraft-grade aluminum as the foundation, revealing its ruggedness. It is lightweight with an anodized finish, so corrosion is not an issue you have to think about.
Besides, the scope is fully waterproof and fogproof to manage moisture and fog. It uses the Multi-X reticle, eliminating searching and second guesses for pinpoint accuracy.
The 50mm objective lens collects sufficient light, enabling you to see the target against a dark background. Coyotes or deer will fail at trying to hide as the ultrawideband coating helps to optimize the image.
To add to that, the Exo barrier repels water and dirt to maintain the clarity of your image. Another dope inclusion is the turret caps that prevent accidental moving and shield against damage. They are also low-profile for snag-free performance.
Features
- Ultrawideband coating on the 50mm lens
- Versatile 4-16x power
- Multi-X reticle
- Exo barrier protection on the lens
- Side focus for adjustment of parallax
- Fast-focus eyepiece for reticle adjustment
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Easy and comfortable to use
- Holds zero and tracks superbly
Cons
- Non-illuminated reticle
4) Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Burris is famous for producing high-quality scopes at an affordable price, such as the Fullfield II 3-9x40mm. The riflescope is made with hunters in mind because it has top-quality glass that offers unmatched brightness and clarity with long-lasting durability.
The index-matched, Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses increase light penetration in dark conditions and minimize glare in bright conditions. Shots in low-light areas will be a snap with this fantastic riflescope.
As another recommendation for the best hunting scopes, this Burris equipment has a sturdy, integrated eyepiece design with a slip-free grip for ease of adjustment in the kill zone.
The one-piece tube ensures that shock and vibrations from high-recoiling rifles are a non-bother for you. It is nonetheless waterproof and fogproof to survive in cold and rain.
This easy-to-use scope will make your hunting expedition one of a kind.
Features
- Matches with any caliber or bullet weight
- Hi-Lume multi-coated optics
- Ballistic plex reticle
- Nitrogen filling ensures performance is fogproof
- Matte finish
- Single-piece tube with recoil and vibration-resistance capabilities
- Includes the Burris forever warranty
Pros
- Outstanding construction for a long life
- Price
- Admirable image quality
- Great warranty guarantee
Cons
- No illumination
5) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm has a Duplex reticle perfect for hunting various species ranging from varmints to big game in all conditions. The reticle is easy to use, effective, and centered with a 3:1 zoom ratio erector system for reliability and repeatability.
The riflescope has a multi-coating that results in really good pictures from sunrise to sunset. The Twilight Light Management System merges with the coatings to deliver glare-free, color-accurate, and clear views.
The low-profile caps ensure no snagging on objects and deliver accurate adjustments. The elevation adjustment has a Custom dial system for bullet drop compensation and seamless adjustments in all conditions.
Nitrogen purging means fog-free performance. The 40mm objective provides an expansive field of view so that you can see your target clearly.
Aircraft-grade aluminum is used in the scope’s engineering, connoting its top-tier durability. The lenses ensure that scratches have no chance of impeding with the flawless functioning of the internal components.
Features
- Matte black finishing
- Twilight light management system
- Low-profile, capped turrets
- Duplex reticle
- One-inch main tube
- Lenses are scratch-resistant
- Leupold’s custom dial system
Pros
- First-class durability
- Easily suits your budget needs
- Smooth adjustments
- Clear glass
Cons
- Underwhelming quality of the adjustment turrets
6) Simmons 8 Point 3-9x50mm Riflescope
Last up is the Simmons 8 Point 3-9x50mm riflescope, which is a budget-friendly unit with first-class clarity and brightness as ensured by the fully coated lenses. The scope is easy on the eye, making it ideal for hunters of all skill levels.
SureGrip knobs aid in adjustments for windage and elevation, no matter the condition. The TrueZero windage and elevation adjustment systems lock tight your zero so you never second guess your zero mid-hunt again.
It is ideal for all climatic conditions with its waterproof and fogproof design that make sure dust particles, moisture, and other element don’t sneak into the internals.
Recoil will be handled thoroughly as the scope is shockproof. The Truplex reticle has crisp and clear crosshairs that make aiming a snap.
Features
- QTA eyepiece for rapid target acquisition
- Optics have a full coating
- SureGrip windage and elevation adjustment mechanism
- Truplex reticle
- Wide 50mm objective for ample light collection
- The finish is matte black
- Recoil and adverse weather will be the least of your concerns
Pros
- Simple reticle
- Easy on your pocket
- Ticks the durability box
- Easy adjustability for precision
Cons
- Rings are not included
- Fixed parallax could be an issue
Criteria for Selecting the Best Hunting Scopes
Consider the following factors before buying the best hunting scopes:
Lenses
This is a vital component of a scope as it determines the image quality. The lenses should be of A-grade. An anti-reflection, full multi-coating should be applied to the lenses of the best hunting scopes. This helps to minimize light reflection, increasing the brightness and contrast of the sight picture.
Field of View
This is the area of space that can be seen in the eyepiece of the sight and is measured in degrees or meters. A wide field of view provides more convenience to observe and scout for game.
Reticle
Another crucial aspect to think about is the reticle. While there are many reticle configurations, the Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC) grid and its many variations are by far the most well-liked by hunters. This grid, which is used by military snipers, makes it simple to calculate the distance from the target.
Magnification
The right magnification is based on the hunting type and conditions encountered in the field. A low magnification scope with 1-4x is recommended for close-range and fast-moving species like birds and deer in thick brush.
A scope with medium magnification is favored when taking down larger game like elk or deer in open plains. 3-9x is a good choice that provides a relatively wide field of view with the capability to zoom in for more accurate shots at intermediate distances.
Varmint hunting or long-range engagements need a high magnification scope with 10x and above.
Durability
Get a scope that can effectively handle the rigors of hunting. The best hunting scopes are crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. They are also multi-proof to survive weather adversaries like fog, rain, snow, and humidity.
Eye Relief
A decent scope for hunting should give you adequate eye comfort to prevent getting an eye punch in your eye from recoil. A scope with eye relief ranging from 3 to 4 inches will be ideal.
Weight
The best hunting scopes should be lightweight. The last thing you want is a unit that will weigh you down on the hunting grounds. Also, remember that you may move around often looking for prey. A low-weight scope will, therefore, make things easier for you.
Read Also:
Best Hunting Scopes FAQs
Q: Is There a Difference Between a Tactical Scope and a Hunting Riflescope?
Yes. The scopes differ when it comes to reticle types and turret styles. Hunting scopes have capped turrets, as once zeroed, they seldom get moved again, while tactical scopes feature exposed turrets for easier adjustability.
Plus, a tactical scope has more of a ladder-style reticle for ranging, holdover, and wind adjustments. On the other hand, a hunting scope sports a basic reticle like the duplex or BDC for a single point of aiming.
Q: Do I Need an Illuminated Riflescope?
An illuminated scope is valuable not only at the break of day or dusk but also in dark or dense cover. It improves visibility in poor lighting conditions, allowing clear viewing of the target. It is beneficial when acquiring fast-moving targets.
Illuminated scopes are by far the finest low-light scopes when merged with a large objective lens.
Q: Is Zeroing Important in A Scope?
A scope that doesn’t zero properly is as good as useless. Zeroing out your scope entails lining it up with the barrel of your rifle so you can make a kill. This way, when you go to fill that tag, you don’t miss and mess up your soon-to-be dinner plans.
Conclusion
A quality hunting scope will be your trusted companion, delivering ethical and precise shots. It is a must-have for beginner and experienced hunters alike. It is a gateway to an elevated hunting experience. We hope you have been armed with appropriate knowledge of what qualifies a scope as excellent for hunting and can now make a wise choice.