Finding the best 3-9×50 scope can be a challenging task especially if you are a beginner or have no time to search on all Optics Websites. This is why we created this comprehensive buying guide to help you narrow down your search.
Read on, as we will also share some of the important factors you need to keep in mind when shopping for a 3-9×50 scope. These factors will help you to make a well-informed purchase especially if you are a beginner.
What Range is a 3-9×50 Scope Good for?
A 3-9×50 scope is generally suitable for a variety of shooting distances, making it a versatile choice for different applications. The effective range of a riflescope depends on several factors, including the shooter’s skill, the type of firearm and ammunition used, as well as the specific conditions of the shooting environment.
Here’s a general guideline for the effective range of a 3-9×50 scope:
- Close Range (0-100 yards): At 3x magnification, the scope provides a wider field of view, making it suitable for close-range shooting. This is useful for scenarios such as hunting in dense woods or engaging targets at short distances.
- Medium Range (100-300 yards): The 3-9x magnification range is well-suited for medium-range shooting. At lower magnifications, you can quickly acquire targets, and at higher magnifications (up to 9x), you can achieve more precision for targets at greater distances. This is ideal for hunting in open fields or engaging targets on a shooting range.
- Long Range (300+ yards): While a 3-9×50 scope may not be considered a long-range scope in the traditional sense, it can still be effective at longer distances, especially with the 9x magnification setting. However, for dedicated long-range shooting, shooters often opt for scopes with higher magnification levels.
- Low-Light Conditions: The 50mm objective lens allows for better light gathering, making the scope suitable for shooting in low-light conditions. This is particularly useful during dawn, dusk, or overcast days, extending the effective shooting range in low-light situations.
What is a 3-9×50 Scope Good for?
A 3-9×50 scope is a type of rifle scope with variable magnification ranging from 3x to 9x and a 50mm objective lens diameter. This specification indicates that the scope can magnify the target image from 3 to 9 times its actual size, and the objective lens has a diameter of 50mm. Here are some common uses for a 3-9×50 scope:
- Versatile Shooting Distances: The 3-9x magnification range makes this scope versatile for various shooting distances. At 3x magnification, it provides a wider field of view for close-range or fast-moving targets, while at 9x magnification, it allows for more precise aiming at longer distances.
- Hunting: This type of scope is often favored by hunters for its versatility. The 3-9x magnification range is suitable for a variety of hunting scenarios, from dense woods to open fields. The 50mm objective lens gathers more light, making it useful in low-light conditions such as dawn or dusk.
- Target Shooting: For target shooting at medium to long ranges, the 3-9×50 scope provides enough magnification to precisely aim at targets. The larger objective lens helps gather more light, making it useful for shooting in different lighting conditions.
- Low-Light Conditions: The 50mm objective lens allows for better light transmission, making this scope suitable for low-light conditions. This is advantageous for activities like hunting during dawn or dusk when visibility is reduced.
- Big Game Hunting: The 3-9x magnification range is well-suited for hunting larger game at moderate distances. The larger objective lens aids in acquiring targets in varying lighting conditions, and the versatility of the magnification range is beneficial for different hunting scenarios.
- Tactical Applications: Some shooters prefer 3-9×50 scopes for tactical purposes. The variable magnification allows for adaptability in different scenarios, and the larger objective lens aids in low-light situations.
Best 3-9×50 Scopes
By the end of this post, we are sure that you will find the best 3-9x50mm scope. We have only included models with a high-quality optical system and rugged construction.
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x50mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x50mm Riflescope is the best 3-9×50 scope combining precision, advanced features, and rugged durability for hunting and shooting.
Optics and Clarity
The riflescope features crystal-clear optics for sharp and vivid images across the entire 3-9x magnification. The scope’s 3:1 zoom ratio provides a versatile range suitable for various shooting scenarios.
Lens Protection
Leupold understands the importance and puts a lot of work into lens protection and durability, the lenses are scratch-resistant and designed to withstand the rigors of the field for clarity and optimal light transmission even in challenging environments.
Low-Light Performance
The most outstanding feature of this scope is the Twilight Light Management System. This feature helps to improve the color fidelity and contrast of shadows. This means that you can effectively use it in any lighting situation.
This riflescope excels in low-light conditions with its enhanced contrast and brightness during dawn or dusk for extended time for successful shots.
Durability and Construction
Crafted from 6061-T6 aircraft-quality aluminum, the VX-Freedom is both robust and lightweight. The one-inch main tube provides a sleek and classic look while contributing to the overall durability of the scope. The construction ensures reliability in the face of recoil and harsh weather conditions.
All-Weather Performance and Shockproof
The exterior of this scope is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum to ensure its longevity. This ensures that it can withstand powerful recoil and impact.
With unpredictable weather conditions, this scope will handle these with ease. The riflescope is waterproof and fogproof making it a dependable companion in the field.
User-Friendly Design
The scope features an intuitive and user-friendly design, it comes with an ergonomic power selector for adjusting the magnification from 3x to 9x. The 1/4 MOA Finger Click adjustments are intuitive, allowing for on-the-fly changes with confidence.
In summary, the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x50mm Riflescope brings to the table optical clarity, durability, intuitive user-friendly features, and weatherproof performance. Whether you’re a hunter or a precision shooter on the range, this riflescope will deliver the needed performance.
Specifications
- Weight: 14.6 oz
- Length: 12.1 in
- Eye Relief: 4.2 – 3.7 in
- Reticle: CDS Duplex, Duplex
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 5.9 mm
Pros
- It comes with proprietary coatings to increase light transmission
- It comes with an excellent lifetime warranty
- Matte finish for camouflage and reduced glare
- 100% Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- It offers good eye relief to protect you from recoil
Cons
- No BDC Dial and Custom Dial System (CDS)
- Fixed Parallax
2) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3x9x50mm Riflescope
Vortex is one of the best brands in the world of optics, and you wouldn’t miss a vortex scope in the best 3-9×50 scope list. The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x50mm Riflescope stands out with incredible features such as Capped Reset Turrets, Fast Focus Eyepiece, Aircraft-Grade Aluminum, and Fully Multi-Coated optics.
Optics and Magnification
The riflescope features a 3-9x magnification range which offers versatility for many shooting scenarios.
The fully multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission for bright and clear images.
The second focal plane reticle ensures consistent subtensions across the entire magnification range, maintaining accuracy and ease of use.
Durable Construction
This scope is made from aircraft-grade aluminum for durability and rigidity. This construction plus a hard anodized finish, ensures longevity and resistance to the weather elements. The shockproof design handles recoil for high-caliber rifles.
Waterproof and Fogproof
With argon purging and sealing this scope is waterproof and fogproof, keeping the internals protected in rain or wet environments.
Precision Controls and Design
The riflescope features capped reset turrets, allowing for quick and easy zero resets without tools. The 1/4 MOA Finger Click adjustments offer tactile feedback and ensure precise windage and elevation corrections.
The fast-focus eyepiece enables rapid and easy reticle focusing, ensuring that shooters can acquire targets quickly. The design prioritizes user convenience, allowing for efficient adjustments in the field or on the range.
In conclusion, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9x50mm Riflescope as one of the best 3-9×50 scopes features optical excellence,robust construction, and versatility.
Specifications
- Weight: 18.4 oz
- Eye Relief: 3.8 in
- Length: 12.7 in
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 5.56 – 16.67 mm
- Parallax: 100 yds
Pros
- The O-ring seals prevent moisture, dust, and debris from penetrating.
- It has a hard-anodized finish for low glare, camouflage, and durability
- Aircraft Grade Aluminum construction for strength and durability
- Good for hunting and Shooting
- Clear Images thanks to the Anti-reflective and fully multi-coated lenses
Cons
- Battery life(150 hours) could be better
3) Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
Simmons 8 Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope is a budget-friendly feature-rich 3-9×50 scope.
Optics
The scope features fully coated optics for brighter and higher contrast images at dawn or dusk enhancing the overall shooting experience. These fully coated optics for optimal brightness allow you to use your rifle effectively in almost any lighting condition.The scope features the QTA eyepiece for easy target acquisition.
Durability
Durability is very important for any riflescope. This specific riflescope is waterproof, fogproof, and recoilproof, making it suitable for a variety of harsh conditions. Ruggedness and durability ensure that the scope maintains outstanding precision, even in challenging situations.
Windage and Elevation
The 1/4-MOA SureGrip audible-click windage and elevation adjustments add a level of precision that is essential for any shooter. Adjustments are effortless, providing a tactile response to each click, allowing you to make quick and accurate changes on the fly.
The Simmons 8 Point includes the TrueZero windage and elevation adjustment system which stay locked tight to zero, even in the most strenuous conditions, ensuring that your settings remain consistent over time.
In conclusion, the Simmons 8 Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope is the best 3-9×50 scope if you are looking for affordability, premium features, and rugged durability.
Specifications
- Weight (ounces): 13.2
- Reticle: Truplex
- Parallax Settings: 100 yds
- Eye Relief (inches): 3.75
Pros
- It features true zero windage and elevation adjustment
- Durable and rugged single-tube
- Recoil-proof and shockproof performance
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Capped turrets
Cons
- Does not come with rings for mounting
4) SIG SAUER Whiskey3 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
SIG SAUER Whiskey3 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope, one of the best 3-9×50 scopes is a versatile and reliable riflescope for a variety of shooting scenarios thanks to its optical clarity, ease of use, and durability.
Optical Zoom, Clarity, and reticles
The scope features a 3x optical zoom which works well for short, medium, and long-range applications. It features two reticle options (BDC-1 Quadplex or Quadplex) on the Second Focal Plane (SFP). With Low Dispersion (LD) glass, the scope has enhanced optical clarity for clear and sharp images.
Eyepiece
The scope features a European-style eyepiece designed for smooth, fast, and precise reticle adjustments for ease of use and accuracy.
Waterproof and Fog-Proof Performance
The riflescope is IPX-7 rated for waterproof performance, allowing for complete immersion up to 1 meter.The Fog-proof design ensures clear visibility even in challenging weather conditions.
Versatility
The scope is designed for traditional hunting rifles and common MSR/AR platforms.It is also suitable for short, medium, and long-range engagements, as well as dangerous game hunting and recreational shooting across a wide range of calibers
Specifications
- Weight:18.1 oz
- Length: 16.25 in
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 5.6 – 16.6 mm
- Eye Relief: 3.6 in
- Parallax: 100 yds
- Mount Type: Ring
Pros
- 3x optical zoom o
- Multiple reticle options
- Low-dispersion glass for incredible optical clarity
- European-style eyepiece offering a smooth, fast, and precise reticle adjustment
- Dependable waterproof and fog-proof performance
- Ring attachment
- 10 brightness settings
Cons
- None
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Factors to Consider When Shopping for the Best 3-9×50 Scope
Here are the vital factors you need to keep in mind:
- Scope Mount – When buying a 3-9×50 scope, you need to think about the scope mount. You need a sturdy mount that will securely hold the scope in place because of the high recoil produced. This ensures that the scope will not shift when taking a shot. It is important to note that cheap scopes are not very durable and they tend to deform easily.
- Quality glass – It is important to buy a scope fitted with quality glass. It should provide you with an unobstructed view across the magnification levels. This ensures that you do not miss any target, especially in low lighting conditions.
- Lens Coating – The lens coatings are very important for light transmission, especially when using your rifle in low light conditions. The scope you buy should include proprietary coatings if you want to see a clear image across all the magnification levels. These coatings also help to reduce glare and loss of light caused by reflection.
- Objective Lens Size – The other important feature you should check is the objective lens size. It is important to buy a scope with a large objective lens that lets in more light to produce a brighter image. This will allow you to use the scope effectively in any lighting condition. This is very important if you want to use it for hunting applications.
- Quality Warranty – We recommend buying a scope with a good warranty. This ensures that your spotting scope is fixed or replaced if it suffers any damage. In addition, it is important to have a warranty that matches the quality of your purchase.
- Versatility – We highly recommend purchasing a versatile scope that is ideal for both hunting and tactical shooting applications. This is very important if you own a large arsenal.
- Eye relief – It is important to invest in a scope that has enough eye relief across the entire visual spectrum. This reduces eyestrain and ensures you have a wide field of view.
- Price – It is important to note that there are many excellent scopes priced under $1000. However, if you want a scope with special features, they are available at higher prices. This is why it is always important to define your shooting requirements to make the selection process easy. In addition, you need to invest in a model that will deliver value for the money you spend.
- Durability – We recommend buying a model constructed from durable materials to ensure its longevity. This ensures that they last for a very long time and can withstand powerful recoil and impact.
- Optics Quality – It is advisable to buy a scope fitted with high-quality optics. This ensures that you get HD-quality images, ensuring you do not miss any shots. This is why we recommend buying a scope with a big objective lens to let in maximum light. However, a scope with a large objective lens tends to be heavy.
Conclusion
In summary, we have reviewed the best 3-9x scopes available today. As you have seen, we have only included models from brands that have been in the optics business for a long time.
These scopes are very affordable, but they do not compromise on quality. They will deliver value for the money you spend on them.
We hope that this post provided you with all the information you needed to know to make a well-informed purchase.
Video Review of the Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x50mm