Finding the best rifle scope for long-range shooting can be a challenge. This guide will show you the importance of a good long-range scope, what makes a good long-range hunting scope, and what will work best with your kit. We’ll help you zero in on the best rifle scope, so you’re hitting your mark 100% of the time.
Before investing in a riflescope, you need to consider a few things: the range and environment you will be shooting at, what the application is, what type of firearm, mount, and cartridge you will be using, and what your budget is. With this in mind, you can start thinking about what features you want like magnification ranges, focal planes, turret options, and reticle designs.
Range, Environment, and Magnification
The distance to your target and the environment play an important role when deciding what magnification you want your rifle scope to be. For instance, when hunting whitetail deer in densely wooded areas in Pennsylvania, you’re probably not going to be shooting over 100 yards (there are many exceptions to this of course).
With this in mind, a 3.5-10x scope such as the Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50 Dead-Hold BDC Riflescope, is more than sufficient.
For hunts in the wide open prairieland of Colorado, its not uncommon to be taking shots that exceed 300 yards. At this range, you might want to think about a scope in the 3-18x magnification range like the Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm FFP EBR-7C MRAD Riflescope.
Firearms, Cartridges, and Reticles
Choosing the right reticle for your scope is definitely going to be affected by both the firearm you are mounting it on and the caliber that weapon is chambered in. The target’s range will affect what reticle to choose, but personal preference will also play a massive role in reticle choice. There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of reticles to choose from, but for now we will focus on the basics: crosshairs and bullet drop compensation reticles.
Crosshair reticles are literally just 2 intersecting lines, sometimes having extra features like a center dot. Many shooters prefer crosshairs due to their simplicity, ease of use, and unobstructed field of views. These reticle designs are perfectly suited for firearms chambered in common hunting cartridges like .308, 30-06,and 6.5 Creedmoor intended for medium range. The simple crosshair design also excels on straight-wall cartridge firearms as well as with rifled shotguns loaded with slugs. The Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44mm FireDot Duplex Riflescope is a perfect choice for any of the aforementioned platforms.
The downside of crosshair reticles is they tend to be harder to use on targets at extended ranges, however, this can be overcome by scopes equipped with exposed ballistics turrets (we’ll expand on this later) and simply just getting more experience with your rifle.
Bullet drop compensation reticles – BDC – are exactly what they sound like, a reticle designed to accommodate bullet drop among other things. Available in countless configurations, BDC reticles are typically composed of a “grid” structure in the shape of a pyramid, sometimes affectionately referred to as “Christmas Tree Reticles”. These grid structures feature hash marks and holdover points that shooters can use to accommodate bullet drop as well as wind drift. These types of reticles are often paired with laser range finders and weather meters to great effect. Certain types of BDC reticles such as the Leupold Mark 3HD 1.5-4x20 AR-Ballistic Riflescope are designed for specific cartridges like 5.56 NATO and 7.62x51 NATO.
Aside from caliber specific options, scopes with BDC reticles are a perfect choice for long action and magnum firearms intended for extremely long ranges such as .338 Lapua, .338 Win Mag, and .300 Win Mag, in addition to smaller and more common calibers intended for long range. For long range, heavy-caliber firearms consider choosing the Leupold Mark 4HD 6-24x52 FFP PR2-MIL Riflescope.
The downside to BDC reticles is their complexity and less experienced shooters might have difficulty using them. Complicated BDC reticles can also be distracting, and can sometimes obstruct the shooters field of view.
Ultimately, the type of reticle you choose should be the one you are most comfortable using. Many people learned to shoot using simple crosshairs and will continue to stick with what works best for them. Others may see the potential benefits of a complex BDC reticle and will take the time to learn how they work.
First vs Second Focal Plane:
Another important reticle aspect to consider is focal plane. In general there are 2 types of focal plane: first focal plane and second focal plane. With a first focal plane riflescope, the reticle will appear to increase in size when magnification is increased and decrease in size as magnification is decreased, whereas a second focal plane riflescope’s reticle will appear to remain the same size across the entire magnification range, and there are pros and cons to both.
One of the main benefits of first focal plane riflescopes is that ballistic holdover points on BDC reticles will remain accurate regardless of magnification. On high magnification first focal plane scopes like the Nightforce NX8 4-32x50 MOAR Riflescope, this can greatly improve accuracy at extreme ranges.
For low power variable optics (LPVO) such as the Nightforce ATACR 1-8x24 F1 .1 Mil-Radian NVD PTL FC-DMX Riflescope with first focal plane reticles, the user can dial back the magnification and use the riflescope an impromptu red dot sight for targets at close range.
There are a few drawbacks to first focal plane rifle scopes however. First focal plane scopes are generally more expensive than their second focal plane counterparts, and the reticle might be too small at low magnification to use holdover points or too large at high magnification and will obscure the target.
While second focal plane scopes lack the more advanced features of a first focal plane scope, they are still an excellent option and typically cost less. This makes second focal plane scopes like the Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 BRH Riflescope a great choice for typical hunting scenarios.
Exposed vs Capped Turrets:
Its also worth thinking about is you want exposed or capped turrets. Scopes with exposed turrets like the Schmidt Bender 6-36x56mm PM II US LPI P5FL Riflescope, allows shooters to instantly make changes to elevation (and sometimes windage) in the field without the use of tools, allowing users to “dial” to their target at extended range. Exposed turrets generally have a locking feature to prevent unintentional adjustments, have a ballistic stop function that allows users to return to their original zeroing after making adjustments.
Similar to first focal plane optics, scopes with exposed turrets tend to be more expensive, and can be difficult to use for newer shooters.
On the other hand, scopes with capped turrets like the Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x44 Dead-Hold Riflescope are usually less expensive and have a slimmer profile, but since the adjustment dials are covered, making adjustments in the field is a bit more tedious.
Final Thoughts:
After determining you magnification, reticle, focal plane, and turret configurations, you should consider a few, sometimes overlooked details. One thing to think about is an illuminated reticle like the one found on the Schmidt Bender 3-12x42 Klassik LM L3 Riflescope. This will probably cost a little more but will enable more accurate shooting in low light environments.
Glass quality is another detail many people don’t take into consideration. Swarovski optics offer some of the best image on the market, providing a significantly noticeable difference in brightness and clarity.
Choosing the right hunting scope is the key to precision and long-range success. Whether you’re tracking game across wide-open terrain or lining up a shot in low-light conditions, the right scope gives you the exceptional clarity, accuracy, and confidence you need to make every shot count. Take the time to evaluate your hunting style, environment, and budget so you can invest in optics that won’t let you down when it matters most.