For any hunter, having a long-range rifle scope can be a game-changer as you get to scope out targets and kill them without having to be inches away from them.
And since that means scopes can be a matter of life and death, you and I both cannot get this decision wrong.
So after trying out 50 different rifle scopes over 2 months, I decided to review the very best long-range rifle scopes on the market based on magnification, ease of assembly, price, etc. to ensure you the best bang for your buck.
Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned professional, there’s something for everyone here.
If you are in a hurry and want to avoid having to go through all reviews in detail, here’s a summary of our top picks:
But if you’d like to know more about these scopes, let’s dig right into it.
Best Long Range Rifle Scopes Reviewed
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ATN X-Sight 4K Pro | • Comes with an E-Compass, Barometer • Long battery life • Lightweight and easy to assemble | View Price |
 | Vortex Optics | • Gives excellent visuals even at 15x zoom • Strong o-rings keep out moisture and dust • Lightweight and easy to install | View Price |
 | Athlon Optics | • Provides better magnification • Extremely lightweight • FFP reticle for clear visuals | View Price |
 | CVLIFE Hunting | • Comes with an excellent magnification range • It has a 100-yard field of view • Adjustable brightness | View Price |
 | Monstrum G3 Long Range Scope | • Comes with a decent range of 800-900 yards • Turrets can be locked to prevent slippage • Hard-anodized finish prevents scratches | View Price |
 | FSI Sniper 6-24x50mm Scope | • Provides a zoom of 24x • Provides 3 reticle colors • Excellent durability | View Price |
 | Monstrum 3 | • Great durability • Excellent shock-resistance • Weighs just 13oz | View Price |
#1: ATN X-Sight 4K Pro
If you have the big bucks, riflescopes hardly get any more advanced than the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro. It will turn you into one of the most feared predators around and here’s why.
Equipped with one of the most advanced ballistic calculators and rangefinders, aiming with this bad boy is a breeze. From wind speed and direction to even angle to target and Temperature, it gives you every freaking detail without having to use multiple charts or other accessories.
Plus, it has dynamic magnification which means the reticle adjusts itself with the 5-20x Smooth Zoom taking the guesswork out and further ensuring 100% accuracy.
And it doesn’t just work like a charm in the day but also at night giving you excellent pictures even in pitch dark thanks to its Ultra HD 4K Sensor that in tandem with the Obsidian 4 Dual-Core Processor is capable of capturing millions of colors.
It is also lightweight, so you can hike around in the forest without feeling a pinch, and assembles in less than 2 minutes.
Plus, you do not have to constantly worry about battery life and charging it either as its in-built batteries can give a whopping runtime of 18-hrs.
It doesn’t just help you shoot with pinpoint accuracy but also records those kills in Full-HD so you can show off your skills to your friends and family. Not just that, you can even have it streamed to your mobile or tablet without the hassle of wires as it is Wi-FI enabled in 720p.
Oh, and to start that recording starts automatically thanks to the RAV (Recoil Activated Video) technology.
Yes, it costs a bit more than the others on the list but if you want something more advanced, accurate, and durable, this riflescope is worth the few extra bucks.
Pros
- Ballistic calculator makes aiming hassle-free
- Comes with an E-Compass, Barometer
- Dynamic magnification for better accuracy
- It has an excellent zoom of 5-20x
- Long battery life
- Ideal for both day and night hunting
- Records and streams videos
- Lightweight and easy to assemble
Cons
- On the expensive side
#2: Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical FFP Riflescope
Vortex Optics isn’t as fancy as ATN Scope but excels where it matters the most, optical quality and turret performance.
Don’t you just hate it when the scope says 16x zoom but clarity disappears at just 10x?
Not with this baby though as it is capable of giving ‘HD’ quality visuals at even 15x zoom thanks to the extra-low dispersion (XD) glass that boosts resolution, in turn giving you crisper and sharper visuals.
Further adding to the clarity is the FFP reticle which means it zooms in and out with the magnification and doesn’t just sit there like a big blob in the view at larger settings.
These features in tandem allow you to take shots from 1000 yards or more without having to waste tons of ammo.
And you will be able to make those point-accurate aims irrespective of the weather as it has nitrogen gas purging to prevent fogging and rock-solid o-rings that keep out any moisture, dust, and debris (snow, sun, dust, or rain, you get your target crystal clear).
Secondly, it comes with exposed turrets and a side parallax knob. This means you will be able to make changes on the go and get your aim spot as you move from cover to cover (or if your target moves constantly, damn those deers).
Lastly, for a mid-range scope, its durability is awesome. The use of aircraft-grade aluminum primes it to last through all the recoils and the rigors of hunting in the wild for years to come. And even with all that strength, it weighs about 646g
The aluminum is then given a hard-anodized finish that reduces the glare that comes with matte surfaces ensuring you remain camouflaged throughout (because the last thing you want is to be spotted by a grizzly bear).
Pros
- Reticle adjusts automatically based on the zoom
- Gives excellent visuals even at 15x zoom
- Exposed turret and knobs make adjustments easy while on the go
- Nitrogen gas purging prevents fogging
- Strong o-rings keep out moisture and dust
- Absorbs shocks and will last you for years
- Hard-anodized finish reduces glare for better camouflaging
- Lightweight and easy to install
Cons
- At 16x the visuals blur a bit
#3: Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope
Athlon is one of the top brands when it comes to long-range rifle scopes and this one proves just why.
Like with the Vortex riflescope mentioned above, even this one has a first focal plane reticle that automatically zooms in and out with the magnifier giving you a clearer view of any target.
Another similarity between the two is the proprietary coat on the lens that allows more light to come in, in turn, giving you visuals with the perfect amount of brightness and colors for an accurate aim irrespective of whether it is sunny or cloudy.
The reticle is once again etched on the glass which in tandem with the 6061T6 aircraft grade aluminum build gives the scope equal durability and makes it shockproof. Yup, it can withstand 1000G recoil for 1000 times like a boss. Plus, you can even fully submerge it in water.
The main difference between the two comes in terms of magnification and weight. With the Athlon, you get a better zoom and thus, can aim at targets even farther away. To be precise, it has a zoom of 6-24 x 50 compared to the 4-16 x 44 of the Vortex.
But keep in mind, beyond 18x zoom the eye relief is disappointing. In fact, it gave a scope bite but that’s something you can easily avoid with a little care.
It also weighs less. At 450g it is almost 200g less than the Vortex making it one of the lightest rifle scopes on the list.
Another reason to go with the Athlon is the price tag which is about $40-$50 lesser than the Vortex.
Pros
- Provides better magnification
- It can withstand 1000G recoil for 1000
- FFP reticle for clear visuals
- Extremely lightweight
- Costs lesser than the Vortex riflescope
- It can be fully submerged in water
- Proprietary coating for better light transmission
Cons
- Beyond 18x zoom the eye relief is bad
- Noticed a slight fog build-up
#4: CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope (Best Long-Range Rifle Scope on a Budget)
If you have just started hunting and are planning for your first big kill but skeptical about spending $500 or $600 on s riflescope, I have you covered.
What if I told you that you can get a decent rifle scope for less than $60? But don’t just buy it for its low cost. The CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope can pack a punch well above its weight.
Even though a cheaper riflescope I love the fact that it offers an excellent zoom of 6-24x 50
Also, like the high-end scopes, even this scope has multi-coating on the lens that allows for better light transmission, in turn, giving you clear visuals i.e. images with higher contrast and colors.
But that’s not all it does.
You can further adjust the brightness between 5 different levels. So that means your vision will be just as good on a cloudy day or in the evening as it was on a bright sunny day.
And unlike with most other rifle scopes in this price range where image aberration is a big problem, the CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope tackles it with an adjustable eyepiece thus, ensuring whether you are nearsighted or farsighted, you still get a clear view.
It also gives you the freedom to choose between the type of turret you prefer. You can either keep it capped or remove the covers for quick adjustments of the windage and elevation in crunch times. Removing the caps also resets it to zero effortlessly.
It is also a very versatile unit and can be mounted on any 20mm Picatinny or Weaver rail and lastly, you also have the option of choosing between a red reticle or green one.
Though keep in mind that this price tag comes with its own compromises. For example, constant recoil and bumps can easily damage the rifle. Plus, you miss out on an FFP reticle.
Pros
- Costs less than $60
- Comes with an excellent magnification range
- It has a 100-yard field of view
- The reticle can be red or green based on your preference
- Adjustable brightness
- Multi-coated lens for better light delivery
Cons
- Reticle doesn’t adjust when zooming
- Not very durable
#5: Monstrum G3 Long Range Scope
A more mid-ranged scope, the Monstrum G3 also provides good magnification at 6-16x that allows you to comfortably aim at targets 800-900 yards out.
You also won’t be disturbed by the big fat reticle even at the highest zoom as it has a first focal plane MOA reticle that makes for easy reading of the ranging details by adjusting automatically to the zoom, in turn allowing you to take the shot in quick time.
At long distances you also want the images to be bright and colorful, right? That’s just what the adjustable objective (AO) lens has been tailor-made for. It can be adjusted in seconds by moving the side focus dial and improves imaging by removing parallax.
Furthermore, you can also adjust the brightness based on the lighting around by simply turning the Illumination Control Knob (easy peasy, just how it was meant to be).
Once again, the multi-coating on the lens takes care of all the glare and reflection that can hamper your aim while also protecting the lens from any scratches.
This also has open turrets so making those adjustments should also be quick. But with open turrets comes the risk of accidental changes as you move around. This is why the Monstrum G3 has turret locks.
Durability is again top-notch as this scope is also constructed with the same 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum while the hard-anodized finish keeps out scratches and gives it better hardness thus giving you the freedom to use the gun roughly.
To keep out dust from the lenses, you get free flip-up lens covers though the anti-fog system was a tad disappointing
Another drawback of this scope is that 24x zoom isn’t great as the image becomes blurry. For the best results, you do not have to go above 16x.
Pros
- Comes with a decent range of 800-900 yards
- First focal plane MOA reticle improves vision
- Flip-up covers protect the lens from dust
- Open turrets allow for quick adjustments of windage and elevation
- Turrets can be locked to prevent slippage
- 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum build for durability
- Hard-anodized finish prevents scratches
- Lens and brightness are adjustable for better lighting
Cons
- Zoom is great only till 16x
- The anti-fog system could have been better
#6: FSI Sniper 6-24x50mm Scope
At less than $150, the FSI Sniper is a pretty impressive scope and makes up for its flaws with features that make aiming hassle-free for newbies.
For example, you shoot what you see, right? That makes getting clear images a priority. Like any of the high-end scopes, you’ll find the multi-coated optics even here for better light distribution. You can further adjust the light using the front AO for clear images.
Furthermore, the turrets are ergonomically located for precise adjustment of windage and elevation. It also helps the scope absorb shock better.
You also get 3 reticles to choose from. Blue, Green, or Red, if you are superstitious about color or have a strong preference, the FSI Sniper has you covered.
The lens is an integral part of the scope and FSI knows it. This is why they provide flip-up lens caps. Apart from that, you also get 3” sunshades.
But in case you still find the lens to be dirty, there’s also a special lens cloth that unlike regular cloth is softer and thus prevents scratches.
It also has a good zoom of about 24x, though anything above 16x to 18x can result in distortions. Its strong aluminum builds also impressed me and yes, it can take a beating but the dials were a little hard to turn at times which can be irritating.
Pros
- Provides a zoom of 24x
- Costs less than $150
- Provides 3 reticle colors
- Excellent durability
- You also get flip-covers and 3” sunshades
- Lens cloth helps remove dust without scratching it
- Absorbs shocks really well
- AO can be adjusted for better illumination
- Lightweight and easy to mount
Cons
- Weighs more than other scopes
- Does not have an FFP reticle
- Dials can be hard to turn
#7: Monstrum 3
Rounding up my review of the best long-range riflescope is the Monstrum 3 which is another good pick for anyone on a tight budget as it costs less than $100.
One of the standout features of this scope is its lens. The multi-layer coating not only limits the light entering to improve image quality but also makes sure the lens lasts for years by protecting it from scratches.
These lenses do not come cheap and thus, you want them to be durable.
Another excellent feature is the nitrogen purging that keeps out fog and moisture build-up so whether it is monsoons or winters you are hunting in, you get good visuals of your target.
The reticle isn’t FFP but you can switch between green and red illumination, or you can also stick with black based on your comfort and the lighting around you.
You also get a lens cover and lens cloth for added protection when the scope isn’t in use and one 3V CR1632 battery which will easily last between 8-10 hrs.
Its aluminum build coupled with the 1 tube build makes it just as strong as any other scope on the list capable of withstanding recoils for a long time.
The strong build doesn’t mean you will be carrying a log for all your hunting trips as this one weighs a mere 13oz.
The only main drawback with this scope is its magnification. Yes, it is good and you get clear images but it is only a 9x zoom, much lesser than the others.
The reticle isn’t FFP and thus stays still. That’s great if you prefer it that way but for many, including me, that’s a hindrance.
Pros
- Great durability
- The multi-coated lens improves brightness
- Choose between a red, green, or black reticle
- Comes with lens cover, cloth, and battery
- Nitrogen purging keeps away fog and moisture
- Excellent shock-resistance
- Weighs just 13oz
Cons
- Low magnification
Conclusion
Making accurate shots from a long-range is easier said than done but the best long-range rifle scope can be a game-changer.
These are equipped with not only a great zoom range but also a more advanced FFP reticle and other important features like a coated lens, brightness control, open turrets, etc. that make shooting a breeze whether you are a new pro or a newbie
And with his guide, we are confident you’ll be able to find a scope that matches both your experience level and budget. For any questions about these scopes or others, feel free to email us or drop them in the comments below.
