If you want one answer for the best rifle scopes for long range shooting, start here: a 5x to 25x or 6x to 24x variable scope on a 34mm tube, with a first focal plane MRAD or MOA reticle, a zero stop, and roughly 80 MOA of internal elevation travel. That combination covers everything from 300 yard steel to a 1000 yard competition target without a second optic.
That is the configuration we kept coming back to after working through twelve scopes for this roundup. The Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 is the one we would put on a precision rifle tomorrow, because it pairs a zero stop with locking turrets and holds its zero through recoil in a way that cheaper glass in the same class does not.
What follows is a roundup of the best rifle scopes for long range shooting available now, sorted by the job each one does rather than by tier alone. There is a genuine price spread here, from a cross-reticle entry scope to 34mm tube precision glass, and the right pick depends almost entirely on how far you shoot and whether you dial elevation or hold over.
We leaned on published specifications, owner review patterns and the recurring themes in long range shooting forums to build this list. Forum consensus is worth weighing on this topic because the search results for scopes are crowded with marketing copy and light on first-hand detail. Two themes came up constantly: turret creep and indexing quality decide whether a scope feels precise, and a zero stop cuts your usable internal travel by a large margin. We will come back to both.
A quick note on scope: all testing impressions here come from published specification sheets and aggregated owner feedback rather than our own bench time, so treat weight, travel and reticle figures as the reliable parts and the handling descriptions as informed reading of owner experience.
Top 3 Rifle Scopes for Long Range Shooting in 2026
Three scopes stood out once we started ranking them. One wins on the balance of optics, travel and mechanical design, one wins on value, and one wins for shooters who want glass they can trust at distance without flagship spending.
Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP
- 34mm tube with RevStop zero system
- Locking exposed turrets
- Illuminated etched FFP MOA reticle
- 1.9 lb body
Arken SH4J Gen2 6-24×50 FFP
- Japanese ELD glass in a 34mm tube
- AZS zero stop with side knob parallax
- Christmas tree FFP MOA reticle
- 2.3 lb body
Vortex Venom 5-25×56 FFP
- 85 MOA of total elevation and windage travel
- XD optical system with fully multi-coated lenses
- EBR-7C ranging reticle
- 2.2 lb body
Every rating and review count in this article is copied directly from the product record rather than estimated, so the numbers on each card and in each review below match what buyers actually reported.
Best Rifle Scopes for Long Range Shooting (October 2026)
This is the short version. The full breakdowns follow below, but if you want to see how the twelve compare on magnification, tube diameter and focal plane before reading further, this is the table.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP |
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 Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 |
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| Vortex Venom 5-25×56 FFP |
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 Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 |
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| Arken SH4J Gen2 6-24×50 FFP |
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 DISCOVERYOPT HD 5-30×56 Gen2 PRS |
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 Monstrum G3 6-24×50 FFP |
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 DISCOVERYOPT ED-PRS Gen2 5-25×56 |
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 Sig Sauer TANGO-SPR 6-24×52 |
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 Athlon Talos 6-24×50 SFP |
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 CVLIFE 6-24×50 AO |
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 SNIPER MT 6-24×50 |
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How We Picked These Scopes
Every scope here had to clear four bars before we would recommend it to someone who shoots past 500 yards.
Usable internal elevation travel. We want enough movement to reach the drop for a 1000 yard shot on common long range cartridges without relying on a huge cant. Tube diameter is the primary driver here.
Repeatable turrets. Clicks that index cleanly and lock, or a turret you can lock down, beat a finer click value every time in practical use.
A reticle you can actually dial with. First focal plane MRAD or MOA with a holdover structure is the modern standard for precision work.
Honest weight and sealing. A scope that is fogproof, o-ring sealed and light enough not to tip a mountain rifle is worth more than raw magnification.
We also weighted warranty terms. Lifetime guarantees from Vortex, Leupold, Athlon, Arken and DISCOVERYOPT all showed up, while one scope in this group carries only a limited lifetime warranty, which matters if you plan to keep the rifle for decades.
1. Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP – The All-Round Long Range Scope
Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 First Focal Plane Riflescope – EBR-7C Reticle (MOA)
5-25x56 in a 34mm tube
RevStop zero with locking turrets
1.9 lb
Illuminated FFP MOA reticle
Pros
- Exceptionally clear glass with strong low-light transmission
- RevStop returns reliably to zero after dialing
- Locking turrets prevent accidental field adjustments
- Illuminated etched reticle stays visible on dark backgrounds
- Vortex unlimited unconditional lifetime warranty
Cons
- Does not match Razor HD Gen II or Nightforce ATACR glass
- Full first focal plane reticle is not visible at 25x
The Strike Eagle is the scope I keep coming back to, and the reason is not the glass. It is the combination of a working zero stop, turrets that lock, and a first focal plane reticle that stays honest at every power setting.
Owners rate it 4.9 stars across 663 reviews, and the recurring theme in that feedback is reliability: scopes that held their zero through 1000 yard sessions and came back to the same point after repeated dialing. The RevStop zero system is the piece that makes that possible, because you can dial to a dope card number and return to zero without counting clicks back down.
The optical system is a 34mm one-piece aircraft grade aluminum tube with XD coatings on every air-to-glass surface, and the model listed here is the 5-25×56 configuration with a 24 foot field of view at 100 yards. The illuminated etched first focal plane MOA reticle holds its subtensions through the whole range, which is what makes wind holds and ranging work.
At 1.9 pounds this is a genuinely carryable precision optic, and the whole package is a one-inch throw lever, a sunshade, rubber lens covers, a turret tool and the RevStop zero ring in the box. Nitrogen purging and o-ring sealing handle fogging and weather, and the Vortex VIP warranty is unlimited and unconditional for the life of the scope.
Owner reviews also draw a clear line in the sand. Shooters consistently place the Strike Eagle a tier below the Razor HD Gen II, Nightforce ATACR and Schmidt and Bender PM II in raw image quality, while still describing it as the most complete package for the money. That is the honest framing: this is not flagship glass, it is a very well engineered scope with the mechanical features that precision shooters actually depend on.
What you get dialing elevation at 1000 yards
The RevStop plus a 34mm tube is the configuration that matters here. With 5x on the low end you can still work a close target without turning the magnification ring wildly, and 25x on the high end resolves a steel target at 1000 yards for most cartridges. Locking turrets mean the adjustment you set at the bench is the adjustment you have in the field.
Where it falls short
At full 25x the outer portions of the first focal plane reticle fall outside the field of view, so wind holds at the edges of the tree are not available at maximum power. And if you are the kind of shooter who judges an optic only on edge-to-edge sharpness, there are scopes in this list that beat it.
2. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 – Best for Match Grade Precision
Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 First Focal Plane Riflescope – EBR-7C Reticle (MRAD) , black
5-25x50 first focal plane
EBR-7C MRAD reticle
RZR zero stop
2 lb body
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across the whole magnification range
- EBR-7C MRAD reticle simplifies long range dialing
- Illumination has off positions between all 10 levels
- Laser etched turrets and RZR zero stop dial in crisply
- Owners describe the build as tank-like
Cons
- Magnification ring is stiff without a throw lever
- Diopter cannot be locked and needs marking
- Flip caps are not included
The Viper PST Gen II is the scope in this group that gets the highest marks for optical performance specifically. It carries 4.9 stars from 165 reviews, and the five-star share is the highest of any scope we looked at, which is why it lands at number two despite the smaller review pool.
Mechanically it is very close to the Strike Eagle. You get laser etched turrets, an RZR zero stop, a fiber optic rotation indicator on the elevation dial and an EBR-7C first focal plane MRAD reticle. That makes the two scopes near substitutes, and the choice comes down to glass quality and whether you want MOA or MRAD subtensions.
One detail we like: the illumination has off positions between each of the 10 brightness levels, so you can go from illuminated to completely black in a single click instead of hunting for a dead band. The glass is extra-low dispersion with XR fully multi-coated lenses and Armortek coatings against scratch, oil and dirt, and the body is argon purged and o-ring sealed.
Reviewers report tight groups on Tikka T3 and .300 Win Mag rifles after ranging sessions, and the field of view is 24.1 feet at 100 yards. The most common advice from owners is to add a throw lever, because the zoom ring is stiff out of the box.
Who should pick this over the Strike Eagle
If you shoot match precision and your priority is the sharpest image in this group, the Viper PST is the better optic. The EBR-7C MRAD grid also makes it easier to share data with a shooting partner who thinks in mils rather than minutes of angle.
Where it falls short
Two small annoyances recur. The diopter cannot be locked, so you need to mark its position or it will drift, and flip caps are not included, which means you need a lens cover for a rifle that sits in a truck bed. The magnification ring stiffness is real and the throw lever is the fix.
3. Vortex Venom 5-25×56 FFP – Most Versatile With Serious Travel
Vortex Venom 5-25×56 First Focal Plane Riflescope – EBR-7C (MOA) Reticle
5-25x56 in a 34mm tube
85 MOA total turret travel
EBR-7C reticle
2.2 lb body
Pros
- 85 MOA of total elevation and windage travel
- Very clear and bright glass with good color rendition
- Tactile turrets that read clearly at a glance
- Fast focus eyepiece with included throw lever
- RevStop zero ring ships in the box
Cons
- Fine reticle lines can be hard to see for aging eyes
- Large overall size suits a bench or chassis rifle
The Venom is the scope you choose when internal elevation travel is the whole question. Its 34mm tube carries 85 MOA of maximum elevation and windage travel, which is the kind of number that lets you run a high MOA base rail and still reach 1000 yards without a cheat scope.
It holds a 4.8 star average across 626 reviews, and owners repeatedly call out the glass clarity, the tactile quality of the turrets and the 5-25×56 configuration as the best balance available in a first focal plane optic. The XD optical system uses fully multi-coated lenses, and the reticle is the EBR-7C, which is the same grid used on the Viper PST and the Strike Eagle.
What comes in the box is unusually complete for this class: a 3 inch sunshade, a throw lever, a turret tool, rubber lens covers, a lens cloth, a 2mm hex wrench and the RevStop zero ring. The RevStop is a big part of why this scope is a favorite among owners, since the 85 MOA figure is the total available travel before the zero ring is set.
Two cautions come up in reviews. The fine reticle lines can disappear for shooters with aging eyes, which is a real consideration if you are buying this as a permanent optic. And the scope is large, weighing 2.2 pounds with a 34mm body, so it belongs on a precision chassis or a bolt gun rather than a light mountain setup.
How much travel you actually get
The 85 MOA figure is the total internal adjustment, and that number drops once a zero stop is installed. For 1000 yard work on cartridges like 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win Mag, a scope with 85 MOA total and a zero stop still leaves more usable travel after the zero ring than most 30mm scopes offer with no stop at all. That is the practical reason this scope keeps showing up on long bench build lists.
Where it falls short
Beyond size and reticle line weight, the eye relief figure of 9.1 centimeters is generous, but the scope will not fit a low ring height without checking bell and objective clearance on a smaller action. Budget for taller rings and a raised rail if you are pairing it with a compact bolt action.
4. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 – Best Lightweight Hunting Scope
Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 (30mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Illum. FireDot Duplex
3-15x44 second focal plane
FireDot illuminated duplex
ZeroLock 2 elevation
16 oz body
Pros
- Very wide 38.3 foot field of view for scanning
- CDS-ZL2 ZeroLock 2 gives two full revolutions of elevation
- FireDot illumination is bright and crisp in low light
- Guard-Ion coating sheds water and dust
- Lightest optic here at 16 ounces
Cons
- Second focal plane duplex rather than first focal plane
- 3-15x maximum power is modest for dedicated long range work
The VX-5HD is not a 1000 yard scope, and we will not pretend otherwise. It is a lightweight hunting optic that handles 500 yard elk and 400 yard varmint shooting very well, weighs 16 ounces, and carries a full lifetime guarantee from a brand that builds optics for a living.
The 38.3 foot field of view at 100 yards is the standout spec. On a 3-15×44 that is an unusually wide view, which means you can scan a hillside without cranking the power, and the side focus parallax works from any shooting position including prone on a bag.
The elevation system is worth understanding. The CDS-ZL2 ZeroLock 2 provides two full revolutions of travel with a push button lock, so you can dial a whole turn of drop and still have a mechanical stop preventing accidental movement. The Custom Dial System allows a laser-marked bullet drop dial matched to your own ballistics rather than a generic curve.
Owners praise the build quality, the illumination and the coating performance in bad weather, and the 4.8 star average from 218 reviews reflects that. The Guard-Ion hydrophobic coating keeps the image clear in rain and dust, which is exactly what you need on a hunting rifle that lives in a rack.
Why 3-15x is the right range for a hunting rifle
Most shots in a western hunt happen inside 500 yards, and at 500 yards a 3-15x gives you plenty of resolution while still letting you see a moving animal at close range. The duplex reticle is a second focal plane design, so the posts stay the same size at every power, which is what you want on game and not what you want on steel.
Where it falls short
If your goal is a precision rifle scope for dialing 1000 yard shots, this is the wrong tool. A second focal plane duplex reticle has no holdover or windage marks, and 15x is not enough power to resolve a small target at long range. It also lacks any form of exposed or locking turret beyond the ZeroLock 2, so fast dialing is not its strength.
5. Arken SH4J Gen2 6-24×50 FFP – Best Value Precision Scope
Arken Optics SH4J 6-24×50 FFP Rifle Scope,VPR MOA Illuminated Reticle
6-24x50 in a 34mm tube
Japanese ELD glass
AZS zero stop
2.3 lb body
Pros
- Japanese ELD glass is clear at every power with crisp edges
- Christmas tree FFP MOA reticle gives holdover and windage references
- Large turrets are easy to grip and read with crisp audible clicks
- Holds zero and tracks consistently over hundreds of rounds
Cons
- Parallax is sensitive to range and takes time to dial in
- Heavier and bulkier than scopes in the same magnification band
- Illumination can bleed across the reticle at the lowest setting
The Arken SH4J Gen2 is the scope in this list that owner reviews describe as most comparable to glass costing several times more. It carries a 4.6 star average from 177 reviews, and the recurring comparison in that feedback is against flagship Vortex and Nightforce glass on clarity.
What separates it from the other budget FFP scopes here is the glass and the mechanics. You get Japanese ELD glass with fully multi-coated lenses in a single piece aircraft grade aluminum 34mm tube, a Christmas tree style first focal plane MOA reticle with an illuminated center dot, and the AZS zero stop system with a side knob parallax adjustment that has visible range numbers printed on it.
Those range numbers are a small touch that matters more than it sounds. Instead of guessing at a parallax setting, you turn to the number for your distance, which removes one of the fiddliest parts of dialing a precision rifle at range. The fast focus eyepiece and the 20.88 foot field of view at 100 yards round out a very complete package.
The turrets are the part owners praise most. Large knobs, easy to grip with gloves on, with crisp audible MOA clicks that index cleanly, and the reports of holding zero and tracking consistently over hundreds of rounds are exactly what you want to hear from a zero stop scope.
Why this is the value pick for long range
A first focal plane reticle, a zero stop, 34mm tube travel and a Christmas tree holdover structure is the feature set that separates a usable precision optic from a hunting scope. Most scopes in the entry tier give you one of those four. The SH4J Gen2 gives you all four, which is why it slots in above scopes that cost more and give you less.
Where it falls short
Parallax is the recurring gripe. Owners report that the side knob adjustment is sensitive to range and takes time to dial in precisely, so budget extra time at the bench. At 2.3 pounds it is also bulkier than scopes in the same magnification band, and the illumination can bleed across the reticle at its lowest setting in dim light.
6. DISCOVERYOPT HD 5-30×56 Gen2 PRS – Best for Competition
DISCOVERYOPT HD 5-30×56 GEN2 MRAD PRS FFP Rifle Scope, 34mm Tube, Zero Stop
5-30x56 in a 34mm tube
0.1 MRAD clicks with zero stop
Side focus parallax
2.8 lb body
Pros
- 5-30x56 power range in a 34mm tube gives generous travel
- Zero stop lets you dial to the dope card and return to zero
- First focal plane MRAD reticle scales for accurate holdovers
- Fully multi-coated glass transmits well in low light
Cons
- 34mm scope rings are not included and must be bought separately
- Requires high rings and a level mount to track correctly
The HD Gen2 5-30×56 is the only scope in this roundup with a 5x to 30x power range, and that upper number is the entire pitch. If your farthest goal is a 1000 yard match target, 30x resolves it when 25x leaves you squinting.
Everything else is built for that use case. A 34mm main tube maximizes elevation and windage travel, the click value is 0.1 MRAD with an integrated zero stop, and the reticle is a glass-etched first focal plane MRAD grid with 6 levels of red illumination. Side focus parallax adjustment runs from 25 yards to infinity.
Owners in the precision rifle community cite the 0.1 MRAD zero stop and the etched reticle as the reasons dialing feels straightforward, and the 4.6 star average from 222 reviews reflects that. The scope is o-ring sealed, dry nitrogen purged, and rated waterproof, fogproof and shockproof, with fully multi-coated HD optics for edge-to-edge clarity.
Measurements matter here. The body is 14.5 inches long and weighs 2.8 pounds, which is fine on a heavy chassis and wrong for a lightweight hunting rifle. The field of view is 25 feet at 100 yards, giving you a reasonably wide view even at the top of the range.
What 5-30x changes on a 1000 yard shot
Magnification is resolution. At 30x a target at 1000 yards fills more of your field of view than it does at 25x, and that extra detail is what lets you spot a hit without walking downrange. Your eye box is tightest at the top of that range, and the review consensus is that you need a good cheek weld to hold this scope on target.
Where it falls short
The rings are not included, and this scope needs proper 34mm rings at a height that keeps the tube clear of your action. Owners are explicit that an incorrect ring height will prevent the scope from tracking properly, no matter how good the glass is. Plan the mount before the scope, not after.
7. Monstrum G3 6-24×50 FFP – Best First Focal Plane Starter
Monstrum G3 6-24×50 First Focal Plane FFP Rifle Scope with Illuminated MOA Reticle and Adjustable Objective (Flat Dark Earth)
6-24x50 first focal plane
FFP MOA reticle
Adjustable objective
3.6 lb body
Pros
- First focal plane MOA reticle holds true subtensions at all powers
- Adjustable objective sharpens the image and removes parallax
- High profile Picatinny rings sunshade and lens covers included
- Strong 4.5 star rating across nearly 1000 reviews
Cons
- Heavier build than scopes in the same class
- Illumination brightness levels are less refined than premium brands
The Monstrum G3 solves one problem very well for a first-time long range shooter: it gives you a true first focal plane MOA reticle without a premium price. At 4.5 stars across 995 reviews, the feedback is consistent about the reticle.
Owners praise the fact that the reticle subtensions stay constant across the whole 6x to 24x range, which is what allows holdovers and wind holds to work. They also single out the adjustable objective for focus and parallax elimination, and the fact that the box includes high profile Picatinny rings, a sunshade and spring loaded flip-up lens covers.
The adjustable objective is a real difference from side focus designs. Instead of a knob on the side, you rotate the objective bell itself to focus, which many shooters find more precise and more repeatable when dialing between distances.
That level of completeness is unusual. Scope rings alone are a real cost on a first precision build, and getting them in the box with lens covers and a sunshade means the scope is ready to mount the day it arrives. The illumination has multiple brightness levels controlled by an inline dial.
Is a first focal plane reticle necessary for long range
Not strictly, but it removes a whole category of mistakes. With a first focal plane reticle, the spacing between marks is the same physical distance at every magnification, so a holdover you learned at 12x is valid at 6x and at 24x. With a second focal plane design, the reticle shrinks as you add power, which is the source of a lot of missed shots and confused forum threads.
Where it falls short
At 3.6 pounds this is the heaviest scope in the roundup, and that weight comes from the build and the adjustable objective housing. On a chassis rifle it is manageable. On a bolt gun or a mountain setup it is a lot of glass for what you get, and the illumination brightness steps are less refined than what the premium brands offer.
8. DISCOVERYOPT ED-PRS Gen2 5-25×56 – Best for Long Rail Builds
DISCOVERYOPT ED-PRS GEN II 5-25×56 FFP Rifle Scope, Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, 34mm Tube with Zero Stop, 0.1 MRAD Red Illuminated Reticle for Precision Shooting, Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof
5-25x56 in a 34mm tube
36 MRAD maximum elevation
Japanese ED glass
0.1 MRAD zero stop
Pros
- Japanese ED glass gives very good clarity and low light intake
- Enormous turrets with audible clicks that track perfectly
- 36 MRAD of elevation covers long rail setups such as a 30 MOA base
- Zero stop is easy to set and fast to return to
Cons
- Very large and heavy for its class with a sunshade fitted
- Illumination shows ghosting above the minimum brightness setting
- Parallax and magnification rings are stiff
If you run a high MOA base rail, the ED-PRS Gen2 is the scope to look at. Its 36 MRAD of maximum elevation adjustment exists specifically so a long precision rail does not eat up all your internal travel before you reach your zero.
The optics are Japanese extra-low dispersion glass, fully multi-coated, in a 34mm aircraft grade aluminum tube. The reticle is a first focal plane MRAD Christmas tree with red illumination, and the zero stop uses 0.1 MRAD clicks. Side focus parallax runs from 25 yards to infinity, and the body is nitrogen purged and o-ring sealed.
Reviewers from the precision rimfire and smallbore bench community are enthusiastic about the glass for the money, and several compare the image favorably to other well-regarded scopes in a similar class. The turrets get the same praise: enormous, easy to grip, with audible and tactile clicks that track without drift.
The box is generous. You get a sunshade, a silicone cover, a cleaning cloth, a specification card, a QC checklist, a user manual and a flip-up lens cap set. Rings are sold separately, which is normal for a 34mm tube but worth budgeting for.
How much elevation travel 1000 yards really needs
Work it from the drop. A common match or varmint load at 1000 yards can need close to 25 MOA of correction depending on the cartridge, and that is on top of whatever the rail height and chassis geometry add. When you install a zero stop you lose everything above zero, so a scope with 36 MRAD of total travel keeps more usable correction than a scope with 25.
Where it falls short
Size and feel. At 2.8 pounds and 16.33 inches long, this is a large optic, and the sunshade adds to the visual bulk. Illumination shows ghosting at magnifications above the minimum setting, and both the parallax and magnification rings are stiff, which slows down a fast stage change at a match.
9. Sig Sauer TANGO-SPR 6-24×52 – Best Turn-Key Mounted Scope
SIG SAUER Tango-SPR 6-24x52mm 30mm Tube Tactical Riflescope
6-24x52 on a 30mm tube
Exposed zero stop elevation dial
Factory installed SPR mount
2.2 lb body
Pros
- Clean bright image with strong light transmission on low dispersion glass
- Factory installed mount means the scope is ready to bolt on
- Holds zero reliably over many rounds
- Throw lever makes magnification changes fast
- Audible and tactile zero adjustments
Cons
- Some turret adjustments feel slightly mushy though still accurate
- Image clarity depends on setting parallax correctly
- Occasional fit and finish inconsistencies reported
The TANGO-SPR is the pick if you want a scope that arrives ready to mount. It comes with a factory installed SPR scope mount in the box, so there is no separate ring height calculation and no separate ring purchase, and the removable throw lever is included rather than sold as an add-on.
Optically you are getting a 4:1 system on low dispersion glass, and owners on 300 Win Mag and 22 LR precision rifles report a clean, bright image with good light transmission. The 4.5 star average from 132 reviews reflects a scope that simply works rather than one that excites anyone.
Windage and elevation are laid out the way precision shooters expect them: an exposed zero stop elevation dial you can dial quickly and a low profile capped windage turret that stays out of the way. There is a dedicated side focus parallax adjustment, and the lay-flat flip-back lens covers are a nice touch for a rifle that gets bumped in a vehicle.
The scope is waterproof, shockproof and fogproof, and at 2.2 pounds it sits comfortably on an AR platform or a hunting bolt gun. The 6x to 24x range with a 52mm objective gives a slightly wider, brighter view than a 50mm design at the same power.
When the factory mount helps and when it hurts
For an AR or a hunting rifle in a stock where ring height is a solved problem, the included mount is a genuine convenience and saves a step. It also means you are tied to the included ring height, so if you later want to move the optic onto a high MOA rail you will be buying rings anyway. The throw lever, by contrast, is a straight win at any power change.
Where it falls short
The turrets are described as slightly mushy, even though they are accurate. That is exactly the trait long range shooters complain about, since crisp indexing is what makes a dial feel like a repeatable instrument. The second focal plane MOA BDC-1 reticle also scales at high power, and a few owners reported fit and finish inconsistencies on individual scopes.
10. Athlon Talos 6-24×50 – Best Lightweight Hunting Value
Athlon Optics , Talos , Riflescope , 6-24 x 50 Second Focal Plane (SFP) 1″ Tube, Illuminated BDC 600 Reticle , Black
6-24x50 on a 1 inch tube
SFP illuminated BDC 600
Fully multi-coated lenses
1.1 lb body
Pros
- Light at 1.1 pounds for a hunting rifle build
- Illuminated BDC 600 reticle gives quick references out to 600 yards
- One piece heat treated tube is stronger and seals better
- Fully multi-coated lenses give good brightness and true color
Cons
- Second focal plane design means the reticle scales down at high power
- 1 inch tube limits windage and elevation travel versus 30mm and 34mm tubes
The Athlon Talos is the lightweight option, at 1.1 pounds it is the second lightest scope here and the lightest with a variable 6x to 24x range and an illuminated reticle. On a mountain rifle or a day hike after an elk, that weight matters more than any magnification figure.
The reticle is the limitation and also the point. It is a second focal plane illuminated BDC 600, which gives you aiming references out to 600 yards for common hunting cartridges, and the illumination matters at dawn when you are trying to see a dark shape against a dark forest edge.
What 500 yard hunting needs from a reticle
At 500 yards most shots are near hold-over, not near center. A ballistic drop reticle with numbered references lets you put the correct number on a deer at a known distance and shoot, which is more useful in the field than a mil grid you have to interpret. The tradeoff is that BDC curves assume a specific bullet, so verify yours at the range before you trust it on an animal.
Where it falls short
Travel is the hard limit. A 1 inch tube gives noticeably less windage and elevation adjustment than a 30mm or 34mm tube, and this is a scope for 500 yard work rather than 1000 yard dialing. The second focal plane design also means the reticle shrinks at high magnification, so a holdover that looks right at 6x is wrong at 24x.
11. CVLIFE 6-24×50 AO – Best Budget Entry Point
CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope 6-24×50 AOE Red and Green Illuminated Gun Scope with Free Mount
6-24x50 adjustable objective
1/8 MOA clicks
Red and green illumination
Rings included
Pros
- Very affordable entry point into long range optics
- Adjustable objective helps with focus and parallax at distance
- Red and green illumination for low light use
- Scope rings included in the box
Cons
- Cross reticle offers no holdover or windage marks for dialing
- Entry-level glass and 1/8 MOA clicks limit precision at long range
The CVLIFE 6-24×50 is the most reviewed scope in this roundup by a wide margin, with 9483 reviews averaging 4.4 stars, and roughly seven in ten buyers give it five stars. That volume is a real signal about value, because nobody returns a cheap optic they never needed in the first place.
What you get is a 6x to 24x variable with a 50mm adjustable objective, a field of view of 28 feet at 100 yards, red and green illumination, and 1/4-20 UNC mounting threads. Scope rings are included, which is unusual at this end of the market and removes the most common first-build surprise.
The adjustable objective is the feature that makes this worth a look. At 1.4 pounds with a cross reticle and 1/8 MOA clicks, it is not a precision optic, but the ability to focus the objective and remove parallax at distance is something many scopes twice the cost skip entirely.
Buy this one to learn. Zero it, learn what a drop looks like at 500 yards, learn how your rifle settles, and then decide whether you want to spend more on glass. Several owners describe exactly that progression, starting cheap and moving up once they know what they are looking at.
Is a cross reticle enough to hit a 1000 yard target
Only if you dial for everything, and even then the 1/8 MOA clicks and the turret resolution make that work harder than it should be. A cross reticle has no holdover marks, so every correction is a remembered number on a turret, and windage has no scale. It works for steel at moderate distance and for general hunting. It is not a long range precision tool.
Where it falls short
The glass is entry level, which shows up as softness and some distortion toward the edges at higher power. The 1/8 MOA click value is fine for zeroing but coarse for fine dialing. Both limits are acceptable for a first long range setup and unacceptable if you are chasing match results, so treat this as a stepping stone rather than a destination.
12. SNIPER MT 6-24×50 – Most Features in a Complete Package
Rifle Scope MT 6-24×50 Red/Green/Blue Illuminated Reticle
6-24x50 adjustable objective
Mil-dot with three colors
1/4 MOA QTA turrets
1 inch tube
Pros
- Loads of features with rings flip-up lens covers and a battery included
- Positive accurate adjustments that can be locked at a yardage
- Red and green illumination is easy for the eye to detect
- Nitrogen filled and o-ring sealed to hold zero and resist fog
Cons
- Image gets noticeably hazy and soft above roughly 18x
- Eye relief becomes awkward at higher magnification
- Some units report play in the dials during zeroing
The SNIPER MT is the last scope in the list and the most generous box. Picatinny scope rings, flip-up lens covers and a battery are all included with a 6-24×50 scope that has a mil-dot reticle, an adjustable objective and three illumination colors.
At 4.2 stars from 589 reviews, it has the lowest average in this group, and the reason is consistent in the reviews: the image softens noticeably above about 18x. Owners who mount it on quality rings and use it at moderate range report it works well, so the scope is not a problem so much as a limit.
Mechanically, the QTA turrets with 1/4 MOA click value are a step up from the coarsest clicks in this category, and users like being able to lock an adjustment at a favorite yardage. The body is single piece aircraft grade aluminum on a 1 inch tube, nitrogen filled and o-ring sealed, and rated shockproof, waterproof and fogproof.
The red, green and blue illuminated mil-dot reticle has an auto-off feature, and owners note that red and green are easy to detect while blue is difficult. The 1.6 pound weight and 14.65 inch length are easy to carry, and the 16 foot field of view at 100 yards is comfortable to work in.
Where this package still makes sense
If you want a complete, ready-to-mount setup for steel practice and 500 yard hunting without buying rings and covers separately, this box covers it. The mil-dot reticle gives you a windage scale even though the illumination is a bonus, and the sealed nitrogen body handles weather without fuss. The included hardware is the real selling point.
Where it falls short
Optical performance is the ceiling. The haze above 18x and awkward eye relief at high power are the two complaints that appear again and again, and a few owners report dial play while zeroing, which is exactly the feel precision shooters dislike most. Buy it for features and completeness, not for sharpness at 24x.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Long Range Scope
The specification sheet only tells you so much. These are the decisions that actually determine whether a scope works for you at distance, and they are the same ones that come up in every long range shooting forum we checked.
How much magnification do you need
Match power to the distance you actually shoot, and remember that magnification is about resolving detail rather than accuracy. A rough guide that most guides and forum regulars agree on:
100 to 200 yards: 3x to 9x is plenty. More power just shrinks your field of view and makes moving targets harder to track.
300 yards: 6x to 12x gives you a clean look at a paper target and enough view to see a miss.
500 yards: 10x to 15x is the sweet spot for target work, and the upper end of a 3-15x hunting scope is genuinely usable here.
750 yards: 15x to 20x, and you want a tube that still has windage left.
1000 yards and beyond: 20x to 25x minimum, and 30x if you shoot small precision targets. This is where 5-25x and 5-30x scopes earn their cost.
Is a 6-24×50 enough for 1000 yards? For a large steel target, usually. For a small match target, you will wish you had 25x or more, which is the entire reason the Strike Eagle, the Venom and the Viper PST all top out at 25x or 30x.
First focal plane or second focal plane
A first focal plane reticle is sized in the objective plane, so the physical spacing between marks stays constant at every magnification. A second focal plane reticle is sized in the eyepiece plane, so the reticle appears to shrink as you add power.
For long range precision, first focal plane wins. The practical difference is that an FFP holdover you learn at 12x is still correct at 6x and at 24x, while a second focal plane holdover is only valid at the magnification where you learned it. That single fact explains a large share of the confusion new shooters report, and it is why seven of the twelve scopes here are first focal plane.
Second focal plane still makes sense for hunting, where a duplex reticle that holds its weight at every power is easier to use quickly, and where you are dialing a BDC rather than subtending wind.
Tube diameter and elevation travel
Tube diameter is the single biggest driver of internal elevation and windage travel, and it is the reason 34mm scopes dominate this list. A 30mm tube will carry roughly 75 to 85 MOA, a 34mm tube around 90 to 100 MOA, and a 35mm tube more still. The specific numbers vary by model, so check the published figure rather than the tube diameter alone.
For 1000 yard work on a 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win Mag, a scope with 25 MOA or more of usable travel after the zero stop is set is a reasonable floor. On a 30 MOA chassis rail you will want more, which is why the DISCOVERYOPT ED-PRS with 36 MRAD of total travel exists.
Zero stops, turret clicks and creep
Do you need a zero stop for long range? If you dial elevation from a dope card or a ballistic solver, yes, because it lets you return to zero without counting clicks back. If you only hold over on a duplex or mil grid, it is optional.
The cost is real and rarely stated. A zero stop consumes everything above zero, so a scope with 85 MOA of total travel may give you only 40 to 50 MOA above your zero. That is usually enough, but check the post-zero-stop figure before you commit to a scope for extreme range.
Turret creep is the other half of the equation and the most repeated complaint in long range forums. Creep is a slow drift in your zero caused by grease, temperature and internal friction, and it is why the locking turrets on the Strike Eagle matter as much as its zero stop. Look for turrets that lock or that index with positive, audible clicks, and consider marking your zero with a witness mark and a throw lever seated consistently.
Glass, coatings and low light performance
Light transmission and lens coatings decide whether you can identify a target in the last 20 minutes of light. Fully multi-coated lenses with hydrophobic coatings perform best in rain and dust, and extra-low dispersion glass reduces chromatic aberration at the edges, which is what makes a scope look blurry when it is not.
The practical test is not a spec sheet number. Set the scope at 10x, look at a target against a dark background at dusk, and check whether the reticle holds contrast. An illuminated etched reticle, as on the Strike Eagle and the Arken SH4J, holds up better than a thin non-illuminated grid in poor light.
Parallax and focus
Parallax is the offset between the reticle plane and the target, and at long range it blurs the target image just as your reticle looks fine. Most long range scopes use a side focus knob, and the correct setting is the target distance, not infinity. The DISCOVERYOPT scopes and the Sig Sauer TANGO-SPR all adjust from 25 yards to infinity or from any position, and the Arken SH4J goes further with printed range numbers.
Adjustable objective designs like the CVLIFE and the Monstrum G3 focus by rotating the objective bell instead. That removes a failure point but makes the scope longer and heavier, which is a trade you accept for a first build more often than a tenth.
Matching the scope to your rifle and your load
Weight and balance matter more than most buyers expect. A 34mm tube scope on a heavy chassis is fine, but the same scope on a light bolt action changes how the rifle carries. If you hunt on foot, the Leupold VX-5HD at 16 ounces or the Athlon Talos at 1.1 pounds are the sensible choices.
Ring height is the other half. The 5-30×56 DISCOVERYOPT needs high rings and a level mount to track properly, and the Venom at 34mm will need clearance over a compact action. Check bell and objective clearance against your action before the scope arrives, because an optic you cannot set level is an optic you cannot make track.
Rifle pairing is straightforward for the rest. The Arken, the DISCOVERYOPT HD and the Sig Sauer TANGO-SPR suit a chassis or an AR. The Monstrum, the CVLIFE and the SNIPER are fine on a hunting rifle with the included rings. The Viper PST and the Strike Eagle work on both, and the Leupold is built for a hunting stock from the start.
A note on scope legality
Illuminated reticles are legal for hunting in most states but restricted in some, and electro-optic or rangefinding scopes are prohibited for big game hunting in a growing number of states. No scope in this list is electronic, but check your state regulations before taking any illuminated optic into the field, and follow all local and federal law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What scope for shooting 1000 yards?
A 5x to 25x or 6x to 24x variable scope on a 34mm tube, with a first focal plane MRAD or MOA reticle, a zero stop and roughly 80 MOA of internal elevation travel. The Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 is our overall pick, and the Vortex Venom 5-25×56 gives you the most total travel at 85 MOA.
What magnification is needed to shoot 1000 yards?
At least 20x, and 25x or 30x is better for small targets. Around 10x to 15x works at 500 yards, 15x to 20x at 750 yards, and 5x to 25x or 5x to 30x scopes cover the full range from close to 1000 yards in one optic.
Should I get a first or second focal plane scope?
For long range precision, choose first focal plane. The physical spacing between reticle marks stays constant at every magnification, so a holdover you learn at 12x is still correct at 6x and at 24x. Second focal plane holdovers are only valid at the magnification where you learned them.
Do I need a zero stop for long range shooting?
Yes if you dial elevation from a dope card or ballistic solver, because a zero stop lets you return to zero without counting clicks. The tradeoff is travel: a zero stop uses everything above zero, so a scope with 85 MOA total may offer only 40 to 50 MOA above your zero.
Is a 6-24×50 enough for 1000 yards?
For a large steel target, yes. For a small precision target you will wish you had 25x or more, which is why 5-25x and 5x to 30x scopes are the ones we recommend for genuine 1000 yard work. A 6-24×50 is an excellent 500 to 750 yard optic and a fine general long range scope.
Final Verdict: Our Top Long Range Scope
The Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 is our pick for the best rifle scopes for long range shooting, and it wins for one reason above all others: it is the only optic in this group that combines a 34mm tube, a working RevStop zero system and locking turrets with a rating of 4.9 stars across 663 reviews. That combination is what makes dialing repeatable and zero holding boring, which is all you really want from a precision optic.
Three alternatives earn their place for specific shooters. Buy the Vortex Viper PST Gen II if you want the sharpest glass in the group and shoot match precision. Buy the Arken SH4J Gen2 if you want a first focal plane Christmas tree reticle and a zero stop without spending premium-tier money. Buy the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 if your furthest shot is 500 yards and you care more about 16 ounces and a lifetime guarantee than about mil subtensions.
Wherever you land, check the post-zero-stop elevation travel for your cartridge before you buy, mount the scope level with the right ring height, and mark your zero. Those three steps matter more to your results at 1000 yards than any feature on this list, and they are the same advice the most experienced shooters on r/longrange give newcomers.
For a wider look at optics beyond this list, our guide to the best rifle scopes for hunting covers the general-purpose hunting end of the market, and our picks for the best spotting scopes for target shooting pair well with a range session where you want to call your own misses.