7 Best Scopes for Long Range Shooting and Hunting

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One of the most challenging but thrilling outdoor activities is long-range shooting and hunting. Today, we look at the Best Scope for Long Range Shooting and Hunting.

If accuracy at long distances is what you are after, you need to invest in a high-performance long-range scope. A good scope will bring the far-off targets closer and improve your target acquisition.

We had earlier also looked at the Best Scopes for 1000 Yards Plus.

That said, let us now take a look at some of the best scopes for long-range shooting and hunting available on the market today.

 

Best Scope for Long Range Shooting and Hunting-Our Top Picks

NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Rifle Scope

NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Rifle Scope

 

 

The NightForce SHV offers superior accuracy at both medium and long distances thanks to the wide 5-20x magnification and the high-quality optics. It also offers superior image clarity, crispness, and color contrast throughout the whole magnification range to aid in quick and simple target acquisition.

Made with a large 56mm objective lens, the scope has a large light collection ability even in low light settings. The large objective lens also provides a large viewing angle needed for an easy target location.

It also has a zero set system for rapid, easy, and reliable return to your chosen zero and a center illuminated reticle for easy aiming and precision shooting in dismal environments.

To top it all, this riflescope has a rugged construction to stand unforgiving field conditions and endure the high recoil that heavy caliber weapons produce.

Features

  • Wide 5x-20x magnification
  • Center illuminated reticle
  • Exit Pupil: 2.5 – 8.7 mm
  • Adjustment Type: MOA, Click Value: 0.25 MOA
  • Rugged housing
  • 30mm tube diameter
  • Second focal plane reticle
  • Superior clarity, crispness, and color fidelity
  • Large 56mm objective lens
  • ZeroSet system

 

 Sightron SIII 6-24x50mm Long Range Rifle Scope

Sightron SIII 6-24x50mm Long Range Rifle Scope

 

 

 

This is the best scope for long range shooting and hunting from Sightron. It offers excellent performance when shooting targets even at extremely long distances.

What makes the scope stand out is the excellent optical performance it provides. It has an exclusive optical design that provides outstanding color accuracy and state-of-the-art resolution.

It also has Zact-7 Revcoat fully multi-coated lenses which provide superior light transmission for bright and crisp image production.

With the variable 6-24x magnification, this scope is ideal for both intermediate and long-range hunting and shooting. Furthermore, it has a feather-light design for ease of portability, a long eye relief, and a parallax adjustment from 40 yards to infinity for greater long-range accuracy.

Another strength of the scope is the high-quality construction. It has a single-piece tube made from industrial-grade aluminum for long-lasting durability.

It is also shockproof to stand accidental impact and high-caliber recoil, and IPX7 is waterproof and fog proof for use in all weather conditions.

Features

  • Second focal plane illuminated reticle
  • Lightweight design
  • IPX7 waterproof and fog-resistant
  • Durable and shockproof aluminum construction
  • Variable 6-24x magnification
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
  • Tube Diameter: 30 mm
  • Exit Pupil: 2.08 mm
  • Red LED illumination
  • Adjustment Type: MOA, Click Value: 0.25 MOA, Range: 100 MOA
  • Field of View, Linear: 3.9 – 16.1 ft at 100 yds
  • Parallax: 40 yds to infinity
  • Diopter Adjustment Range: -2 – 1 DPT
  • Long eye relief: 3.6 – 3.8 in
  • Single-piece tube
  • Zact-7 Revcoat multi-layer lens coating
  • High-quality optical glass

 

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm Rifle Scope

Best Scope for Long Range Shooting and Hunting

 

 

The Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm Rifle Scope is the best scope for long range shooting and hunting for the money. It has a versatile 1-8x variable magnification ideal for both short and long-range applications.

Vortex made this scope to provide unbeatable durability. It is built with aircraft-grade aluminum which maximizes its durability while remaining lightweight.

Moreover, it has a glass-etched reticle for greater durability and it is shockproof to stand rugged use, accidental falls, and impact for added durability.

Another impressive thing about the scope is that it is built ready for use in all weather conditions. It is charged with nitrogen gas to prevent fog buildup across a wide range of temperature and humidity changes.

It is also sealed with strong O-rings to prevent moisture, dust, and any other debris from getting inside the optics.

Furthermore, it features a fast-focus eyepiece for lightning-speed reticle focusing and an illuminated reticle for precise aiming in inadequate light settings. Above all, the scope uses extra-low dispersion glass which increases resolution and color fidelity and it has fully multi-coated lenses which provide brilliantly sharp and crisp image views from sunrise to sunset.

Features

  • 30mm main tube diameter
  • Fully multi-coated lenses
  • Magnification: 1 – 8 x
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
  • Field of View, Linear: 14.4 – 109 ft at 100 yds
  • Eye Relief: 3.5 in
  • Red LED Illumination
  • 11 Brightness Settings
  • Adjustment Type: MOA, Click Value: 1/2 MOA
  • Parallax: 100 yds
  • Extra-low dispersion glass
  • Waterproof and fog proof
  • Fast focus eyepiece
  • Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
  • Easy to use elevation and windage adjustment
  • Illuminated glass-etched reticle

CVLIFE  6-24×50 AOE Hunting Rifle Scope

CVLIFE  6-24x50 AOE Hunting Rifle Scope

 

CVLIFE optics speak for themselves when it comes to quality and the 6-24×50 AOE rifle scope is not an exception. It features a sturdy aluminum housing for ultimate durability and a wide magnification of up to 24x which is ideal for long-range hunting/shooting.

It also boasts a large 50mm objective lens which provides clear sight pictures at every magnification and an adjustable objective lens for sharp target focusing, range estimation, and parallax correction.

CVLIFE made this rifle scope is made with ease of use in mind. First, it is light for easy portability. It fits all standard 20mm Picatinny/Weaver rails and it is very easy to mount and detach.

Moreover, it has an adjustable eyepiece which provides a snug glassing experience for all users even those who put on eyeglasses.

The scope also brings to the table a fully multi-coated lens that offers amazing light transmission and superior image clarity. Furthermore, it has an illuminated rangefinder reticle for precision shooting in low-light environments and easy-to-access turrets which provide reliable windage and elevation adjustments.

Features

  • Wide 6-24x magnification
  • Illuminated rangefinder reticle
  • Ultralightweight design
  • Click Value: 1/8 inch @ 100 yards
  • Adjustable objective lens
  • Field Of View: 28 ft @ 100 yards
  • Durable aluminum housing
  • Adjustable eyepiece
  • Easy to mount and detach
  • Fully multi-coated lens
  • Reliable windage and elevation adjustments

 

Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32×50 Day /Night Riflescope

Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32x50 Day /Night Riflescope

 

 

If you are in the market for a night vision riflescope that has dual functionality, this is it. It provides full-color viewing during the day and either classic green or black and white when the sunsets. Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32×50 is the Best Scope for Long Range Shooting and Hunting for day and night use.

This rifle scope has a versatile 4-32x magnification suitable for both short and long-range hunting and shooting. At close ranges, it offers a wide field of view for easy target scanning and better target acquisition at long ranges.

It also has a high-definition sensor and a removable IR flashlight for easy target identification at night.

This day/night scope is ideal for use in any lighting condition. It features 10 different reticle options with 9 different colors for accurate and easy aiming even in adverse light settings.

Additionally, it has an additional Weaver rail where you can add extra accessories and 5 different weapon profiles for saving zeroes in different firearms and calibers.

Features

  • Removable eyecup
  • Additional Weaver rail
  • High-definition sensor
  • High-definition sensor
  • Day and night mode
  • 5 weapon profiles
  • Day/Night mode
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
  • Easy menu button manipulation
  • HD photo or video recording
  • Battery Life: 3.5 – 4.5 hours
  • Magnification: 4 – 32 x
  • Tube Diameter: 1 in
  • Exit Pupil: 1.6 – 12.5 in
  • Operating Temperature: -15 – 50 Celsius, 5 – 122 Fahrenheit
  • Digital Night Vision
  • Eye Relief: 2.4 in, 60 mm
  • Adjustment Type: MOA, Click Value: 1/4 MOA, Range: 12.5 Mil Rad
  • Field of View, Linear: 7 m at 100 m, 21 ft at 100 yds, Angle: 4 degrees
  • Parallax: 200 yds
  • Focus Range: 12 ft to infinity
  • Range of Detection: 200 yds
  • Removable IR flashlight
  • 10 reticle options and 9 different colors

 

 

ATN X-Sight-4K 3-14x Pro Smart Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope

ATN X-Sight-4K 3-14x Pro Smart Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope

 

 

If you are looking for a scope that will make your long-range hunting expedition more rewarding, the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Smart Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope suits you. It is made using modern technology and an adjustable magnification from 3x to 14x for bringing the faraway targets closer.

The scope has a 30mm tube which makes it look and feel just like a traditional scope. It is powered by a dual-core processor with a low-light 4K sensor to give you the best at night and during the day as well.

It also has a powerful, long-range IR illuminator that broadens your vision when hunting or shooting at night, a ballistic calculator to help you hunt responsibly, and a smart rangefinder for accurate estimation of how far a target is.

Moreover, the scope has a lightweight design which makes it more convenient to carry around.  It offers superior optical performance in any lighting condition and has a long eye relief for snug observation even with your glasses on.

It also provides a massive field of view for fast and simple target scanning. This rifle scope also comes with 30mm standard rings for easy mounting and an ultra-low power profile to help you hunt/shoot for as many hours as possible.

Features

  • Built-in IR illuminator
  • Recoil activated video
  • Tube Diameter: 30 mm
  • Long eye relief: 90 mm
  • Weather-resistant construction
  • 3-14x variable magnification
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
  • Field of View, Linear: 460 ft at 1000 yds
  • Focus Range: 5 m to Infinity
  • Operating Temperature: -40 – 55 Celsius
  • Battery Life: 18+ hours
  • Smart range finder
  • Standard mounting rings
  • High resolution and fast viewing
  • Ballistic calculator

 

 

Mueller Eraticator 8.5-25x50mm Long Range Red Dot Rifle Scope

Mueller Eraticator 8.5-25x50mm Long Range Red Dot Rifle Scope

 

The Eraticator Rifle Scope from Mueller Optics is one of the best scopes for long-range shooting and hunting. It is packed with an array of high-quality features which make it a favorite among rimfire shooters who are looking for a scope that has short-range focusing abilities and long-range precision as well.

It features a micro-fine crosshair reticle with an illuminated micro-dot for accurate aiming in low-light settings. The dot can be fine-tuned with 11 different brightness settings for added accuracy even in adverse lighting conditions.

Moreover, the scope is reasonably affordable but it doesn’t compromise on quality. It features superior craftsmanship so you will get many years from it.

It is fully waterproof and fog-proof for all-weather performance and shockproof to stand anything you throw at it. It also has a fast focus eye bell for quick and straightforward reticle focusing and fully multi-coated camera-quality lenses which provide razor-sharp image clarity from dawn to dusk.

Features

  • Wide field of view
  • Fast focus eye bell
  • Minimum parallax setting 15 yards
  • 1-inch main tube
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
  • Magnification: 8.5 – 25 x
  • Adjustment Type: MOA, Click Value: 0.125 MOA
  • Tube Diameter: 1 in
  • Exit Pupil: 2 – 5.8 mm
  • Field of View, Linear: 6.3 – 18.8 ft at 100 yds
  • Eye Relief: 3 in
  • An illuminated red dot with 11 brightness intensity settings
  • Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
  • Micro-fine crosshair reticle
  • Fully multi-coated camera-quality lenses
  • Matte black finish

 

Read Also

 

Choosing the Best Scope for Long Range Shooting and Hunting

Magnification

Magnification is the primary factor to consider. You will need to know the general distance of your targets so you can choose the best magnification. It is also best to go for a variable power scope with a wide magnification so it will be versatile enough to accommodate various ranges.

A tip is to get a scope with more than 10x for both long-range hunting and shooting.

Objective Lens

At long ranges, image brightness and clarity are very important. The further you shoot, the more difficult it becomes to spot the target, especially in low-light settings.

To get the most out of your scope, make sure that it has a large objective lens. It will provide superior light-gathering abilities and provide bright and clear images. It will also provide a wider field of view at longer ranges.

Reticle Type

Scopes with reticles housed in the first focal plane (FFP) are the best option when it comes to long-range hunting and shooting. The reticle will stay true at every magnification level and provide great accuracy without needing to perform ballistic calculations.

Furthermore, you will want the reticle to stay clear and crisp for easy aiming. If you are looking to use the scope in low-light settings, go for an illuminated reticle that will be easy to shoot with at such settings.

Parallax Adjustment

Parallax is an optical illusion that makes the reticle seem to move across the target whenever you change your head position. This is bad when shooting long-range as it can interfere with your accuracy. Make sure that you get a scope that has a parallax adjustment to compensate for this inconsistency.

How much should I spend on a scope for long-range shooting?

This will certainly depend on your budget. If money is not an object, you can spend as much as $1000 and more for a high-end scope that will provide unprecedented long-range shooting performance. But if you are on a tight budget, you should consider getting a lower-cost scope that has all the features that you need.

What do the numbers on the scope represent?

All rifle scopes specifications have two numbers. The first number shows the scope’s magnification while the other number shows the diameter of the objective lens. For example, a 4-12×50 scope has a variable magnification from 4x to 12x and an objective lens that is 50mm large.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have found this post insightful and you are now able to make the right buying decision. All the scopes listed above offer the features you require as a long-range hunter or shooter.

Look carefully at the features each one presents and choose the model that best aligns with your needs depending on your shooting/hunting environment and skill level.

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