For hunters and shooters who prefer the classic feel of black powder firearms, muzzleloaders remain a popular choice, if you are looking for the best muzzleloader scope for hunting or target shooting you came to the right place.
To achieve accuracy and incredible performance with a muzzleloader, a good quality muzzleloader scope is an essential accessory. With so many options available on the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one. However, a quality muzzleloader scope should be durable, easy to use, and provide clear and accurate optics, making it easier to achieve your desired level of accuracy.
In this article, we will explore some of the best muzzleloader scopes available on the market and what to consider when choosing the right one for your needs.
Here is a quick summary of the Best Muzzleloader scopes
| 1) Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Riflescope
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| 2) Burris Fullfield 3-9x40mm E1 Riflescope
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| 3) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
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| 4) Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm Riflescope
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| 5) Burris Eliminator IV LaserScope 4-16x50mm Riflescope
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What Magnification is Best for Muzzleloader?
The best magnification for a muzzleloader is 3-9x with anything between 1 and 12x being sufficient depending on the type of muzzleloader, the distance you will be shooting, and your personal preferences. The magnification should provide a good balance between magnification and field of view especially for hunting at close ranges. If you using the muzzleloader for longer ranges, an 8x or even a 12x magnification is best.
For muzzleloaders the smaller the magnification the better.
Best Muzzleloader Scopes
1) Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm is an affordable yet quality scope. It is best described as bright, accurate, and dependable making it the muzzleloader scope for the budget buyer. This scope has Bushnell’s exclusive Dusk & Dawn Brightness Coating, which produces the best focus, sharpness, and clarity possible in dismal light conditions.
It uses the straightforward Multi-X reticle that is what avid hunters and shooters demand. The reticle is illuminated to boost visibility.
A matte black finish minimizes glare and also maximizes durability. The scope is shockproof to withstand recoil. This is besides being waterproof and fog proof so that not even snowy or rainy conditions can stop you from taking down your target.
This scope’s stunning presentation is the cherry on top. This ensures that besides having a durable scope, it is also pleasing to your eye. This gives you the confidence you need to have a successful hunting or shooting experience.
Features
- Ample eye relief
- Matte black finish
- One-piece tube construction
- A fast-focus eyepiece
- MOA-Based and Capped turrets
- Multi-X reticle
- Lenses are multi-coated
- 3-9x magnification range
- 40mm objective lens
Pros
- Pretty affordable
- Classic magnification for hunting
- Exceptional low-light performance
- Elegant finish
- Fully multicoated optics
- Waterproof construction
- Robust build quality
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not illuminated
2) Burris Fullfield 3-9x40mm E1 Riflescope
When partnered with a muzzleloader, Burris Fullfield 3-9x40mm E1 Riflescope delivers impeccably. This is made possible by an array of features hinged in the scope. It has a 3-9x variable magnification range, allowing you to see targets at close- and long-range distances clearly.
The sturdy aluminum build of this Burris scope enables survival in challenging conditions without compromising performance. You can hunt in any weather since the scope’s tube is filled with nitrogen, which repels water, fog, and other particles.
This scope’s 40mm objective lens is sufficiently large to give you excellent target views under any setting. Even in low-light situations, this lens produces brighter images by increasing light transmission. Hi-Lume coatings are applied to this lens in many layers, eliminating glare in bright sunlight and guaranteeing perfectly clear images of the target in low light.
The reticle type utilized is the Ballistic Plex E1 reticle that boosts accuracy for fast acquiring of the target. It is easy to use and accurate for a hassle-free performance in the field.
Features
- Hi-Lume multiple coatings
- Ballistic Plex E1 reticle
- High-quality aluminum construction
- A fast-focus eyepiece
- The magnification ring facilitates seamless adjustments.
- Generous eye relief
- Finger-adjustable, low-profile turrets
Pros
- Robust build
- Easy-to-use and accurate reticle
- Lightweight and compact
- Tested for reliable field performance
- High-grade optical glass for clarity
- Shock and recoil proof
- Water and fog proof
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
- Eyepiece does not rotate
3) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm is the best Leupold scope for muzzleloaders. The scope features a weatherproof performance,6061-T6 aircraft quality aluminum construction, finger click windage and elevation adjustments, and Unparalleled low-light performance.
The images captured by the 40mm objective lens are crisp and free of blur and distortion. The Twilight Light Management System makes this possible. Even better, the lenses are multi-coated. All these features speak of how amazing the scope delivers in all lighting conditions.
Despite only weighing 12 ounces, the aircraft-grade aluminum build makes it sturdy enough. The durable line layers offer shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof capabilities.
The scope employs a Duplex reticle. The crosshair lines are thin but sufficient for eyes with poor vision. The predators are not spooked by it since it is precise and elegant.
The scope’s eye relief can adjust from 4.2 to 3.7 inches. This is sufficient to prevent scope bites from recoiling.
Features
- Duplex reticle
- Aircraft-grade aluminum design
- to 4.2 inches of eye relief
- Twilight Light Management System
- Lenses are multi-coated and scratch-resistant
- 25 MOA click adjustment value
Pros
- Premium optics
- Durable edifice
- Easy to zero
- Lightweight
- Adequate eye relief
- Decent turrets
Cons
- No adjustable objective
4) Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm Riflescope
The Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm ignites Vortex’s name as one of the best brands in the scopes’ world. The scope is durably made of aircraft-grade aluminum, as expected of Vortex scopes. A hard anodized finish enhances durability and helps conceal the shooter’s position.
Vortex knows its way around designing quality and robust scopes that’s why this model is O-ring sealed and has argon purging for complete waterproof and fog-proof performance. The rugged housing makes it shockproof.
After sighting in, precision turrets enable zero resets. A precision glide erector system guarantees accurate tracking and repeatability.
For optimal light transmission, the optics are fully multi-coated. This promises very clear and bright images. A fast-focus eyepiece enables quick reticle focus.
Features
- Precision Glide Erector system
- Made of premium aluminum
- Hard anodized finish
- A fast-focus eyepiece
- V-Plex reticle
- Fully multi-coated lenses
Pros
- Lightweight
- Crystal-clear glass
- Relatively fair price
- Unbeatable warranty
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
5) Burris Eliminator IV LaserScope 4-16x50mm Riflescope
Burris Eliminator IV LaserScope 4-16x50mm stands out because of its amazing features. The scope guarantees accuracy that is not found elsewhere. Thanks to the built-in inclinometer, shooting up and down hills is a piece of cake.
The optics are coated with multiple layers for maximum light transmission from early morning to twilight. This is essential for sharp, clear, and bright images.
There is a laser rangefinder that detects far-away targets. A wireless remote laser activation simplifies target ranging.
Burris has been in the business long enough and hence knows how unpredictable weather conditions can be; no wonder the Eliminator is designed to be waterproof and fog proof. With that, you can rely on the scope to do its job at all times. The one-inch tube is made of premium materials for utmost durability.
Features
- Versatile 4-16x magnification
- 1 to 3.8 inches of eye relief
- Ranging capability of 1200+ yards
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Laser rangefinder
- One-inch tube
Pros
- Easy to mount and zero
- High-quality glass
- Easy-to-use online ballistics
- Notable wireless Bluetooth remote
Cons
- None
Related
Differences between a Muzzleloader Scope and a Normal Riflescope
The higher power of riflescopes aids in increasing the range of a rifle. While powerful riflescopes can target sights further away, making them ideal for medium- to long-range shooting, muzzleloader scopes are utilized for hunting in close-range to medium-range situations.
Due to the close-range applications, muzzleloader scopes have a simpler reticle design. Because of the distance involved, riflescopes have advanced reticles. While muzzleloader scope reticles display the round portion in the center, riflescope reticles display wind speed and the actual distance between the shooter and the target.
A riflescope can magnify the target farther away than a muzzleloader scope, which can only magnify it within 100 yards.
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Muzzleloader Scope
- Magnification
Just like in other scopes, magnification is essential when it comes to muzzleloader scopes. Depending on how close or far you plan to fire, you will need to decide what magnification you want for your scope. Without the right magnification range, it is difficult to be accurate and precise, thus, it’s crucial to choose the right one for your purposes, whether hunting or shooting.
- Adjustments
The last thing you would want is to be sidetracked by the adjustments to your scope.
In light of this, look for a scope that doesn’t require any difficult modifications to use. To avoid any issues when making quick changes while in the field, try to get a scope that is basic in design but good in quality.
- Durability
Look for a scope that will be reliable with its build and durable on the interior and exterior. You can never go wrong with such a scope. Besides being constructed with tough materials like aircraft-grade aluminum, the scope needs to be able to endure all environmental conditions.
- Eye relief
Muzzleloaders occasionally have a lot of recoil. For your eyes and head to be safe when shooting your targets, it is crucial that you purchase a scope with long eye relief. Additionally, users typically find longer eye reliefs to be more convenient.
- Reticle
If you intend to shoot with greater accuracy and precision, you also need to consider the type of reticle. You must be aware that the reticle on a riflescope occasionally differs from the reticle on a muzzleloader scope.
Best Muzzleloader Scope FAQs
- Do muzzleloaders require special scopes?
A scope that can withstand recoil is necessary when using a muzzleloader. If you have a rifle scope rated for a larger caliber, it might be able to handle a muzzleloader without any problems, but you should do some research on the specific scope you have in mind to be sure it will be as durable as you require it to be.
- How far can a muzzleloader shoot accurately?
Many high-quality muzzleloaders nowadays are capable of pinpoint accuracy at 200 yards. However, shooting tight groups with a muzzleloader is more challenging than doing so with a centerfire rifle. You need to start with a solid platform. You, therefore, need a high-quality firearm.
Conclusion
A muzzleloader requires a top-notch scope to perform at its best. Hopefully, this best muzzleloader scope review has put you in a better position to know the scope you need. After all, you don’t want to waste your precious bucks on a product that will not satisfy your needs and wants.
Read Also: 8 Best Rimfire Scopes for 22LR, Hunting, Competition