Hunting is a sport that requires precision and accuracy. That said, having the proper hunting scope can make all the difference. A good hunting scope can help you get a clear and accurate shot, even at long distances, while allowing you to track your target easily.

If you’re in the market for a new rifle scope but need help figuring out where to start, look no further! In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of rifle scopes to help you make an informed decision when purchasing. Plus, we’ll discuss some of the best hunting scopes available today!

Rifle Scope Basics

Before we start, let’s review some technical terms you’ll need to know. These terms will help you ask the right questions to make a better purchase decision.

Reticle and Illumination

Reticle is just a fancy term for crosshairs. Different scopes use different types of reticles, such as a circle, a chevron, a dot, or a series of lines. Having the reticle illuminated allows the user to see it in low-light conditions. Nothing is worse than looking at a dark object in low light and being unable to see where the center of your crosshair is.

First and Second Focal Plane

The focal plane has to do with the physical placement of the reticle in the glass lens. The first focal plane reticle grows as you increase zoom, making it great for long-range shooting. A second focal plane reticle remains consistent, making it ideal for defense setups.

Zeroing

Zeroing is aligning your point of aim with your point of impact. Proper zeroing is necessary to ensure the scope accurately guides your shots.

Eye Box

The eye box is an imaginary box you place your head in when looking through the scope. If you’re not “in the box,” you won’t see the crosshairs. Larger eye boxes are more forgiving of improper cheek weld or shooting stance.

Eye Relief

Eye relief is the distance between the end of the scope and your eye. You’ll want to ensure you get a scope with enough eye relief to avoid “scope bite,” aka hitting yourself in the eye with the rifle’s recoil. Most scopes have 3.5 inches of eye relief, but high-caliber rifles may require lengthier ones. If you hunt while wearing glasses, choose an optic with more eye relief.

Turrets

Turrets are the knobs that aid in adjusting your rifle’s zero, with windage and elevation being the most critical. The windage turret is typically located on the right-hand side of the scope, while the elevation one is on the top of the scope. The third turret is the parallax adjustment dial on the windage dial’s opposite side.

Windage and Elevation

Windage and elevation turrets adjust your point of aim. Windage adjusts left and right, while elevation adjusts up and down.

Parallax

Parallax occurs when the reticle and target are not on the same focal plane, resulting in a blurry image. However, it’s also present when a scope is used outside its set distance and produces “reticle wobble.” Most scopes are factory fixed for parallax, but some offer an adjustment knob for on-the-fly fixes.

Magnification

The level of zoom a scope provides is known as magnification. Scopes come in two magnification options. Fixed magnification cannot be increased or decreased, while variable magnification lets you zoom in and out within a set range. For long-range hunting, most desire a scope with higher magnification.

Glass

For long-range hunters, the lens plays a vital role. The quality of lens glass determines the clarity of the target in both bright and low light conditions. Shooters widely recognize Germany and Austria for producing exceptional quality glass. The glass manufactured in Europe is among the finest in the world. However, higher quality often reflects relatively higher costs.

Objective Lens and Weight

The objective lens is glass on the end of the scope facing away from the shooter. A larger objective lens provides a wider field of view and brighter, crisper images. However, it also increases the scope’s overall size and weight.

If you spend extended periods on foot during hunting, the weight of the optic becomes a critical factor. The combined weight of the rifle, bipod, and optic can become burdensome. Therefore, select an optic compatible with your hunting style and preferences.

How Much Should I Spend on a Hunting Scope?

Now that you know the terminology basics, you may wonder how much to spend on a rifle scope. We recommend spending up to half the cost of your rifle to ensure quality optics that won’t disappoint you in the field.

Remember, a cheap optic can lead to inferior results. You don’t want to be the one with a blown-out scope on a hunt. Invest in a quality scope, and you won’t regret it.

What Are This Year’s Best Rifle Scopes for Hunting?

Presented below are the top five hunting scopes meticulously chosen for their exceptional features designed to cater to the needs of long-range hunting. With an abundance of optics available in the market, manufacturers consistently innovate to offer advanced features that appeal to modern hunters.

This list is a starting point, as most scopes are also available in other configurations, such as lower magnification ranges. However, we’ve prioritized the scopes below for their solid construction, lightweight build, and other significant attributes crucial for hunters.

Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22×50

The Vortex Razor series has established a reputation in the target shooting community by offering professional-grade features at an affordable price point. The hunting-focused Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50 is a well-designed optic that draws on the proven qualities of its target-shooting counterparts.

The compact 30mm tube packs many features, including a locking elevation turret, capped windage, illuminated reticle, and side-parallax adjustment, making it a well-rounded hunting optic. It is the most affordable option on this list due to its smaller magnification range and tube size while remaining a lightweight and user-friendly optic for hunting.

• Price: $1,999.99

• Glass: Japan

• Magnification: 4.5-22×50

• Weight: 21.7oz / 615g

• Eye Relief: 4” / 101mm

• Illumination: Yes

• Reticle(s): XLR-2 (MOA)

Leupold VX-6HD 4-24×52

Hunters widely regard Leupold as the workhorse of the optics industry. Among the most sought-after models for long-range hunting, the VX-6HD series offers an excellent balance of quality and affordability. The equipped push-button locking mechanism on the turrets provides security against accidental movements.

Moreover, it features an inbuilt electronic reticle level that blinks if the optic is off-center by one degree, ensuring precise targeting. With its bright, clear glass and rugged construction, the VX-6HD series gives tough competition to premium European brands.

• Price: $2,199.99

• Glass: USA

• Magnification: 4-24×52

• Weight: 25.9oz. / 734g

• Eye Relief: 3.7″ / 93mm

• Illumination: Yes

• Reticle Option(s): FireDot Duplex

ZEISS V8 4.8-35×60

Experience more successful moments on your hunt with the ZEISS V8 riflescope — the ultimate companion for any hunting situation. The V8 delivers unparalleled performance with outstanding optical quality, an extra-large eye box for fast target acquisition, and the finest illuminated dot in the world. Users must pull up its windage and elevation turrets to make adjustments, which then lock into place to prevent accidental change of zero in the field.

For those looking for a heavy-hitting, purpose-built, long-distance hunting optic, the German-made Zeiss V8 is the perfect choice. Its 60mm objective lens and 4.8-35 magnification range provide crystal-clear images with high-light transmission. Even at maximum magnification, the optional bullet drop compensation allows hunters to take precise shots from the longest possible distance.

• Price: $3,999.99

• Glass: Germany

• Magnification: 4.8-25×60

• Weight: 35.1oz / 995g

• Eye Relief: 3.62” / 92mm

• Illumination: Yes

• Reticle Option(s): #43, #60

Swarovski Z8i 3.5-28×50

For those seeking the highest quality optics, the Swarovski Z8i is unparalleled. Swarovski optics are renowned among shooters worldwide for their durability and unmatched clarity. The illumination controls on top of the scope’s eyepiece provide easy access to night and day illumination control, making it highly versatile.

Additionally, a spare battery is included in the windage turret, ensuring uninterrupted use. The Swarovski Z8i is a clear winner in low-light conditions, providing exceptional clarity and precision while boasting superior European glass quality. Furthermore, it is lightweight and compact, making it one of the best hunting scopes in today’s market.

• Price: $4,388 - $4,443

• Glass: Austria

• Magnification: 3.5-28x

• Weight: 23.5oz / 666g

• Eye Relief: 3.74″ / 94mm

• Illumination: Yes

• Reticle Option(s): 4A-I, BRX-I, 4W-I

Schmidt & Bender Exos 3-21×50

The Schmidt & Bender Exos, one of the priciest optics on our list, exemplifies the adage “you get what you pay for” when investing in a high-end scope. The scope boasts superb true-color glass quality, customizable turrets of exceptional quality, and rugged military-grade construction, making it an excellent all-around hunting scope. With extremely tactile clicks, the turret design is arguably the best on the market.

With its 7x zoom and 3-21x50 magnification range, this Exos riflescope is ideal for hide hunting, long-distance hunting, or target shooting. The crystal-clear image quality, optimized for the human eye, is essential for hunters and shooters to identify their targets accurately without experiencing eye exhaustion. The military-grade construction makes it compatible with night vision attachments and well-suited for various applications.

• Price: $4,310 - $4,540

• Glass: Germany

• Magnification: 3.0-21×50

• Weight: 32.6oz / 925g

• Eye Relief: 3.54″ / 90mm

• Illumination: Yes

• Reticle Option(s): D7 (SFP), LRH-MOA (SFP)

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