If you are in search of the best scope for deer hunting, you have come to the right place. We have created this deer hunting scopes review to help you find the right sighting tool for your hunting excursions.
Deer hunting is distinctive in its details. When hunting, you will cover vast terrains and different distances looking for the perfect shot. This is where a scope comes in handy. With the right deer hunting scope at your disposal, you will increase your rate of success during this deer hunting season and be more competitive in the field.
It is however not an easy task to find the best scope for deer hunting. The market is flooded with so many models suitable for different hunting environments. In this post, we have a round-up of 10 scopes that are best for deer hunting.
These scopes have features that elevate them above other models. They also have the best-in-class optics, extremely accurate reticles, and other handy features that will enhance your success on the hunting grounds.
If you are in a hurry,
Here is a summary of the best scopes for deer hunting
| 1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
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| 2) Bushnell Banner 3-9×50 Multi-X Rifle Scope
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3) NightForce SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Rifle Scope
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| 4) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
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| 5) ATN X-Sight 4K Pro 5-20x70mm Day/Night Rifle Scope
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| 6) Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 Rifle Scope
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| 7) Bushnell AR Optics 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope
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8) Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope
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Best Scope Magnification for Deer Hunting
The best scope magnification for deer hunting is 3-9x, a 3-9×40 scope because it features a 3x power and large exit pupil and field of view which is low enough for close-range shooting, and a 9x power for longer shots.
What Makes a Good Scope for Deer Hunting
Best Scope for Deer Hunting Buyer’s Guide
There are a ton of features that you should consider when buying a scope for deer hunting. Below are the key factors to take into account.
Optical Quality
The quality of image views a scope provides can make or break your hunting trip. Good optical quality is a combination of both quality glass and good lenses coatings that enhance light transmission.
Look for a scope that is made with ED or HD glass. Additionally, ensure that the scope has fully-coated or multi-coated lenses to ensure that more light gets through.
Magnification
Magnification power is the next thing to consider. Typically, your ideal magnification power will depend on the environment you will be hunting the deer in and how far you will be hunting. 3-9x magnification is the most versatile zoom power for deer hunting. However, you will need something higher than 10x for hunting at extended ranges.
Weight
Deer hunting requires you to move from one point to the other. This calls for a light scope that will be easy to carry around together with your hunting rifle. Another benefit of having a light scope is that it will be compatible with different platforms. Additionally, it will do a better job of scattering recoil.
Durability
Hunting can be rough on your scope, especially when you are looking for game in new, unfamiliar terrains. Getting a durable scope will not just guarantee reliable performance under any environment, but also ensure that you get to use the scope for many hunting seasons.
The scope you get should also be built to be operable in all weather conditions. It should be fully waterproof and dustproof to keep moisture and dust from entering the optics, and filled with an inert gas to prevent internal fog build-up.
Reticle
In a riflescope, the reticle is the aiming point and different scopes have different reticle designs suitable for various applications. Get a scope whose reticle you will find easy to use. This is irrespective of whether you are a beginner or a seasoned hunter.
If you purpose to use the scope for hunting in low-light conditions, look for a model whose reticle is illuminated. Illumination increases the contrast between the reticle and the target in such lighting conditions.
Best Scopes for Deer Hunting
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
Leupold is a household name in the field of optics. It is known for its rugged and high-quality optics and the VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope is not any different.
This versatile rifle scope has everything you require to make the most out of your hunting excursions. It is simple to use even for beginners and built to offer unmatched accuracy and dependability in any environment.
The custom dial system, CDS ensures that you are able to tune the scope to the ballistics of your rifle. Moreover, the scope boasts a Twilight Light Management System which provides incredible image brightness and clarity when you are hunting in low light settings.
The scope is built with scratch-resistant lenses to withstand rough use in the field. It is also fully waterproof and fog proof for all-weather use.
Features
- 3:1 zoom ratio
- Twilight Light Management System
- One-inch main tube
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Scratch resistant lenses
- Waterproof and fog proof
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Great low-light visibility
- Long eye relief
- Affordable
Cons
- Non-illuminated
2) Bushnell Banner 3-9×50 Multi-X Rifle Scope
The Bushnell Banner 3-9×50 Multi-X Rifle Scope is the best scope for deer hunting in low-light settings. It boasts a large 50mm aperture which maximizes low light resolution, and Dusk & Dawn Brightness multi-coated lenses that cast clarity and brightness in nearly all lighting conditions.
With the variable 3-9x zoom power, the scope is ideal for close and long-range hunting. It offers a large field of view to ensure that you get on deer quickly. Furthermore, the windage and elevation controls have resettable dials to help you reduce the time you spend sighting in the scope.
To minimize glare and keep you inconspicuous when you are hunting in broad daylight, the scope features a matte satin finish. It also features a fast-focus eyepiece which offers the clearest view all though.
Features
- 1-inch main tube diameter
- Multi-X reticle
- Multi-coated optics
- Fast focus eyepiece
- 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustment
- Fully waterproof and fog proof
Pros
- Superb low-light visibility
- Lightweight and durable
- Easy to use
Cons
- Fixed parallax
3) NightForce SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Rifle Scope
The NightForce SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Rifle Scope is your ideal sighting tool if you want to take your deer hunting skills a notch higher. It is loaded with a vast range of fine and intuitive features that make it a practical solution for all your hunting trips.
At close and medium ranges, the scope provides a wide field of view for quick target finding. It also maximizes your speed of target acquisition at longer ranges thanks to the high 14x magnification power.
With the large 50mm objective lens, you are assured of bright and quality sight pictures even at higher magnifications. The adjustments are intuitive and precise for those moments you are supposed to make a hurried shot after locating your prey. Besides, the ZeroSet function lets you get back to your first zero settings effortlessly after multiple changes.
Features
- First focal plane reticle
- Adjustable parallax
- 30mm main tube
- Robust aluminum construction
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Zero Set Elevation function
Pros
- Illuminated reticle
- Outstanding clarity
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Quite heavy
4) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm is the best scope for deer hunting for those on a budget. It excels at close to medium ranges where it provides the best balance between performance and reliability.
Built with professional-grade optics, this rifle scope is well-suited to low-light environments. The fully-coated optics maximize light transfer to provide bright and crisp target views. Also included is a sunshade to make the scope more comfortable to use on sunny days.
The scope is built to last. It has a 1-inch main tube that is crafted from aircraft-quality aluminum. The solid build quality is rigid enough to cart around across vast terrains. Besides, it is coated with an anodized finish to be scratch-proof and resistant to rust and corrosion.
Features
- Water, fog, and shockproof construction
- Aircraft grade aluminum
- Fully multi-coated glass
- Hard anodized finish
- Adjustable objective
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Capped reset turrets
Pros
- Clear glass
- Illuminated reticle
- Great price
- Holds zero well
Cons
- 150 hrs battery life could be better
5) ATN X-Sight 4K Pro 5-20x70mm Day/Night Rifle Scope
The ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Edition 5-20x70mm is a smart day and night rifle scope built with the avid hunter in mind. It is ideal for hunting in all light conditions where it yields outstanding performance.
It is built with a classic design so you will be able to mount it on your hunting rifle with standard 30mm rings. Moreover, this night vision rifle scope is built with a super sensitive 4K ultra HD sensor with a dual-core processor that you use to record and stream videos of your hunting trip simultaneously.
Regarding construction, the scope features an aluminum housing that is ultra-durable and recoil resistant. It is also fully waterproof and fog proof for use under any weather condition.
Best of all, the scope features an ultra-low power profile that provides up to 18 hours of continuous runtime on a full battery.
Features
- 60Hx refresh rate
- Multiple reticle system
- Recoil activated video
- Smart rangefinder
- Ballistic calculator
- One Shot Zero function
- Ultra-High Definition 4K sensor
Pros
- Easy to use
- Long battery life
- Rugged and durable construction
- Great resolution
Cons
- Requires updates to the latest version before an operation
6) Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 is the best scope for deer hunting at long ranges. It is built with a variable 3-15x magnification power which offers extreme accuracy across different ranges as well as vast hunting environments.
Another selling point of this rifle scope is the professional-grade optical system. With this system, the scope offers unmatched light transmission to outperform in the most challenging light settings. It also yields industry-leading glare reduction and the resolution that hunters demand in the field.
With a weight of 19oz only, the scope is light enough to be easy to maneuver the field. When it comes to construction, it features a robust 6061-T6 aluminum housing that is fully waterproof and fog proof for use in adverse weather conditions.
The scope also brings to the table a side focus for parallax adjustment and a ZeroStop system that makes it easy for you to return to your initial zero setting no matter the number of elevations you have made.
Features
- Second focal plane reticle
- 30mm main tube
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- 6061-T6 aluminum housing
- Professional-grade optical system
- ZeroStop system
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Lightweight
- Exceptional clarity
- Quality construction
Cons
- Pricey
7) Bushnell AR Optics 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope
The Bushnell AR Optics 1-6x24mm is the best scope for deer hunting for beginners. It is available at a reasonably affordable price and has an intuitive and user-friendly design.
Adding this rifle scope to your hunting rifle will help you find the trail less traveled and ensure that you perfect your shots, even in the most challenging and unforgiving hunting situations. It boasts an illuminated BTR-1 BDC reticle which provides a precise point of aim in low-light settings. It also features drop points to get you on targets quickly.
Furthermore, the scope features fully multi-coated lenses which guarantee bright and crisp target views even in low lighting conditions of dawn and dusk. It is also built with capped turrets to provide additional protection in the field, and a waterproof and fog proof construction to create a durable scope that is sturdy enough to weather rough use.
Features
- 1-6x magnification
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Capped turrets
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Throw down power change lever
- Second focal plane reticle
Pros
- Long eye relief
- Easy to use
- Great build quality
- Clear glass
- Crisp clear illuminated reticle
Cons
- No EXO Barrier and ED Prime
8) Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope
Last but not least, we have the Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope. It is a highly functional, intuitive, and simple-to-use rifle scope suitable for all your hunting and shooting needs.
The scope has a 30mm main tube diameter that provides maximizes internal adjustment and reticle movement. It is made from aircraft-grade aluminum to maximize strength and guarantee many years of use. Besides, it is fully waterproof and purged with argon gas to keep the lenses free of fog.
Another outstanding thing about this rifle scope is its optical features. It employs XD lens elements that yield crisp sharp images. Additionally, the lenses feature multiple anti-reflective coatings to increase light transmission in low-light settings.
For added convenience, the scope has built-in accuracy features that facilitate accurate shooting at longer ranges. It also has a fiber optic radius bar that assists in tracking turret rotations and a fast-focus eyepiece for hasty and easy reticle focusing.
Features
- Scratch-resistant Armortek coating
- Hard anodized finish
- Shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof
- Fast focus eyepiece
- XD lens elements
- Second focal plane reticle
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- 30mm tube diameter
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Illuminated reticle
- Quality glass
- Rugged and reliable construction
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Related
- 7 Best Vortex Scopes for Whitetail Hunting
- 6 Best Leupold Deer Hunting Scopes
- 7 Best AR 15 Deer Hunting Scopes
- 10 Best Vortex Scopes for Deer Hunting
- 8 Best Deer Feeders(Gravity,Pail,Tripod)
- 6 Best Leupold Scopes for Deer Hunting
FAQs
- What is the best scope for deer hunting?
The best scope for deer hunting is one that meets your hunting needs in the best manner possible. It is simple to use, accurate, and built to last long and be operable in any weather condition. Good scope for deer hunting is also lightweight and built with decent optical quality.
- What is the effective range of the 3-9×40 scope?
This depends on several factors including the optical quality of the scope and the hunting/shooting environment. But on average, a 3-9×40 scope is good for close to a long-range shooting where you will be able to see your subjects clearly out to about 300 yards.
Conclusion
We hope that this best scope for deer hunting post has given you some insights into the best scope for deer hunting. There are two things that will dictate the type of scope that you get for deer hunting: how far you plan to hunt and the hunting environment. Take into account these two important factors then use our guide to find the scope that matches your hunting needs.