The 10 Best Hunting Scope in 2023 – Top Selected Scopes

Last Updated on March 1, 2023

Hunting is a mean of adventure, recreation, food, and business and trade as well. Since ages, the hunting weapons have seen massive changes in them. Knives, spears, guns, rifles, bow and arrow, slingshot, etc. are some mostly used weapons for hunting and among all of the above weapons, shotguns and rifles are safest and easiest for hunting animals.

Hunting and shooting are much more complicated than it seems to be. It is not just about roaming with a rifle and shooting the target. It is much more than that. The precision of targeting at the right spot of the animals is the prime motive of hunting; otherwise, they escape or could destroy the body part which one needs.

For making thing more comfortable, the best hunting scope is what one needs. Hunting scopes or riflescopes are basically telescopic sights, which makes the hunting easier due to the precise targeting. It is mounted on the rifle, and the target is fixed by looking at it through the scope.

Quick Answer – Top 10 Best Hunting Scope

1. CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope

2. ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20 Smart Rifle Scope

3. Vortex Optics Diamondback Focal Plane Riflescopes

4. ATN X-Sight II HD Day/Night Rifle Scope

5. Bushnell AR Optics, Illuminated BTR-1 BDC Riflescope

6. Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope

7. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Riflescopes

8. Vortex Optics Viper PST First Focal Plane Riflescopes

9. Ledsniper®riflescope Aoe Rifle Scope

10. Simmons Truplex Riflescope

Review of the Best Hunting Scope

Riflescopes are all about lenses and magnification. To control the magnification and function it there are several adjustment knobs. These knobs are for maneuvering the reticle to get precise and more excellent accuracy.

Windage adjustment knob and elevation adjustment knob are the two main target turrets, and there are ballistic turrets as well in the target turret system. The best hunting scope also has high quality, multi-coated lenses.

These optics are divided into two types. One is Ocular lens, and the other one is the Objective lens. The ocular lens mainly focuses on eye relief, focal planes, and field of view, and the objective lens focuses on increasing the brightness.  To get into more details, we will review some of them below.

1. CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope

CVLIFE Illuminated Scope has a high-strength aircraft aluminum construction with a black matte finish. It has a fully multi-coated glass which provides 90% of the light transmission.

The light transmittance of this green lens ensures a clear image and is pretty higher than regular blue lenses. Its Kellner eyepiece eliminates almost all the image aberration and efficiently gives that clear view with the help of the dioptric adjustment lens.

It is very sturdy and built to last. It offers a field view of 100 yards. The scope and gun sight laser are assembled in a unique 2 in 1 design. It has precise elevation and windage adjustment option. For targeting at specific distances, this scope has a bullet drop compensator.

It allows quick adjustment and helps to stay on target. The reticle type is standard mil-dot, and the two types of laser light, red and green, both have five illumination modes. It works exceptionally well in both daylight and dark. It also includes a 4″ eye relief and comes with a 20mm mount.

2. ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20 Smart Rifle Scope

ATN X-Sight II rifle scope provides perfect vision and both daylight and extremely dark sight. It uses the HD technology, and this HD resolution gives crystal clear vision whenever needed.

Both the day and night visions are in millions of colors. The field view covers 1000 yards which are 240 feet, and the zero range is 100-yard. It comes up with a smart range finder which identifies the target with just two clicks.

Among the two, one distance is automatically determined and also adjusts the point of impacts. It offers 5-20 magnification, and the smooth zoom feature offers perfect magnification with its fine tune adjustments.

While changing the point of impact, the scope also quickly calculates ballistics with the ballistic calculator. It efficiently calculates and determines accurate results for both expert long range and angled shots.

It lets the user record the whole hunting experience with its 1080p HD  video recording and photos, Recoil Activated Video, and Wi-Fi streaming. The phone or tablet acts as a viewfinder. The firmware it uses is upgradable as it supports Android and iOS apps. It also has an E-compass. GPS and Barometer.

3. Vortex Optics Diamondback Focal Plane Riflescopes

Vortex Optics hunting scope is a classic solid one-piece tube. It has a hard anodized finish on it. Look-wise it is stylish and sleek and has an Argon purged, and O-ring sealed construction. The purging and sealing make it fog proof and waterproof for a lifetime. It is also durable and shockproof.

It is best for the big game, predator, muzzleloader, slug shotgun and also for long-range applications. It is from the Diamondback lineup with multiple configurations. For providing crystal clear vision and bright images, it uses multi-coated lenses.

It also has fast focus eyepiece, which allows quick, convenient reticle focusing. Coming to the reticle, it has a Dead-Hold BDC reticle which makes the complicated hold-over estimation easy while shooting in diversifying ranges.

The customized dot design eliminates the guesswork on windage corrections and hold-overs. It features metal on metal precision turrets which allows zero-reset after the sight-in. The accurate tracking and repeatability it provides are due to ti its precision glide erector system.

4. ATN X-Sight II HD Day/Night Rifle Scope

Those who are searching for a compact lens and lesser magnification than the previous ATN rifle scope to travel comfortably or smaller rifles, ATN has ATN X-Sight II HD 3-14 scope for them.

It has all the similar features but has a smaller lens and magnification is also 3-14 instead of 5-20. The smooth zoom allows perfect magnification with the fine tune adjustments.

It uses the same HD technology for a clearer vision from dawn till dusk. The view or vision is in millions of colors, and it has the best optic. It has a ballistic calculator for determining ballistics for long-range and angled shots.

For adjusting Point of Impact, it has a smart range finder, which identifies the range with two clicks and automatically adjusts once the distance is determined.

It supports Android and iOS apps, GPS, has E-Compass and barometer and also allows video recording. The phone and tablet work as a viewfinder while the hunting trips are being recorded with the help of RAV and wi-fi streaming,

5. Bushnell AR Optics, Illuminated BTR-1 BDC Riflescope

This high-quality and high-durability aluminum alloy riflescope from Bushnell is stunning as well as remarkably functional. It has a black anodize finish on it and is O-ring sealed to protect it from different elements.

It prevents dust and humidity. The nitrogen purge works in removing internal moisture. Most expensive AR platform firearm is perfectly compatible with this rustproof and virtually scratchproof riflescope.

It uses a fully multi-coated optics which offers incredible brightness and clear vision. It provides the same quality of performance even in the low light. The magnification it renders is 1-4. It comes with fast focus eyepiece, which ensures maximum reliability and accuracy.

Its first focal plane is BTR-1 illuminated. The ballistically calibrated reticle is also illuminated and has 11 settings. As we said earlier, it performs very well in low light, and the reticle also allows accurate holdovers out to 500 yards.

It will enable quick power change as it features throw down PCL lever. For pinpoint precise power changes, it has 0.1 Mil click value target turrets.

6. Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope

To stay on target and have a superior experience in any condition or situation while hunting and shooting, Nikon presents its waterproof, fog proof and shockproof ProStaff riflescope. It has an aluminum frame, and it’s imported as well.

It has a black matte finish, is nitrogen filled and O-ring-sealed with a field view of 100 yards. It conveniently supports lightweight rifles and solves the kickback issue generated due to various reasons.

The fully multi-coated 40mm objective lens provides the proper boost needed for light transmission up to 98 percent of available light and offers high contrast, unobstructed, bright views. It uses a magnification of 3 to 9x and comes with a 3.6 inches eye relief.

The patented positive-click BDC reticle holds ‘dead-on’ at ranges which seemed impossible to reach. It also features zero-reset turrets and maintains it well even with heavy recoil with spring-loaded adjustment knob.

It perfectly targets the target and offers enough power for the most extended shots and allow normal sight pictures for shorter-range shots. The survival capacity of this best hunting scope is very high, and it survives in any conditions be it rainy, dusty or bright sunlight.

7. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Riflescopes

This riflescope is perfect for low light hunting and has a hard anodized single piece tube construction and made from aircraft grade aluminum. The materials used ensures strength and shockproof performance.

It is also O-ring sealed and Nitrogen Purged which removes any moisture, even internal humidity and makes it fog proof and waterproof. As we mentioned earlier, it works in the lowest of light that too efficiently.

It uses anti-reflective, multi-coated lenses for providing clear and bright views. The oversized and adjustable objective lens and the V-Brite illuminated MOA reticle play a vital role in its performance in tough light conditions.

The objective lens provides image focus and parallax removal, and the reticle along with battery-powered electronics illuminates the center dot for precise targeting. The second focal plane reticles keep the size same even after changing the magnification.

The reticle focusing becomes easy with the eyepiece. It also adds long-eye-relief and an ultra forgiving eye box – these works for acquiring sight picture and target.  The turrets allow capped reset and finger adjustable with MOA clicks. It reset the hunting scope to zero after sighting in.

8. Vortex Optics Viper PST First Focal Plane Riflescopes

Another item from Vortex Optics is its dual-use Viper PST Gen II riflescope. It is perfect for both tactical and hunting. It is a single piece, aircraft-grade aluminum, low-glare matte finish riflescope with a nitrogen purge and O-ring seal in it.

The material, purge, and seal make it durable, shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.  The Armortek coated lenses increase light transmission and protect it from oil, scratches, and dirt.

To increase resolution and color fidelity, it uses extra-low dispersion glass. It comes with a 5-25×50 magnification. It uses a highly functional, initiative reticle with ten intensity levels. It offers precise hold points yet remains uncluttered during optimal viewing.

The EBR-2C MOA reticle uses the first focal lane, which increases the visual, and it shrinks upon changing the magnification. These types of reticles are more substantial in higher magnifications and more excellent in lower magnifications.

The turrets are laser etched, and it comes with a fiber optic rotation indicator for tracking turret position. It also features adjustable parallax and the RZR zero stop.

9. Ledsniper®riflescope Aoe Rifle Scope

Ledsniper®riflescope has a rugged one-piece tube construction.  It endures and works all types of weather and terrains. It uses multi-layered lenses, which provides optimum light transmission and clear image.

The magnification is  6-24X. The riflescope has a 100-yard field of view and approximately 40mm long tube. It has sealed windage and elevation housing, which helps to make it waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof as well.

The reticle used in it is the MIl-Dot ones with 3″ long sunshade, and it is green and red and illuminated. It has five levels for gathering maximum light, and the brightness can be adjusted for each color.

The reticle is apt for tactical as well as hunting, and the target turrets feature the unique zero lockings and resetting. It also includes an eye relief of 3.3 inches, and a CR2032 battery. The lenses on this hunting scope are covered with flip-open caps.

10. Simmons Truplex Riflescope

Simmons Truplex Riflescope is a sturdy waterproof, fog proof and shockproof, recoil proof hunting scope. It has a matte finish. The optics used in it is fully coated. It provides a brighter, higher contrast image, and the  8-point delivers incredible precision.

It includes a quick target acquisition  (QTA) eyepiece for smooth and precise target attainment. Its magnification and objective are 3-9 and 40 mm respectively and has a 100-yard field of view. The eye relief is of 3.75″, and field of view is 100 yards.

The 1-4 MOA SureGrip audible click TrueZerowindage and elevation adjustment system allows effortless adjustment keeps the lock tight to zero in the most demanding conditions. The Truplex reticle has tiny dots in the point of intersections which executes simpler aiming.

Hunting Scope FAQs

What is the Best Hunting Scope’s Magnification?

According to professional hunters, the least magnification is better as it provides hunters a clear image of the target. So, mostly they prefer 4x hunting scopes for big game hunting. With the help of such magnification, they can easily see objects within 300 yards. And if they want to cover 400 yards distance, they use 6x rifle scopes. Anyway, if you need more magnification, you can go with 8x or more powerful rifle scopes.

Vortex Diamondback Vs. Crossfire, Which is Better?

Both scopes have advantages and disadvantages. The Vortex Diamondback offers excellent optical clarity and brightness. On the other hand, the Crossfire scope provides you better eye-relief and objective lens. Although it gives you lower clarity, it offers more light control. The buying decision is up to you; you can choose either the vortex diamondback or purchase the crossfire scope.

What is the Difference Between a 50mm and 40mm Scope?

In terms of features, there is no vast difference between these two scope models. The 50mm scope can collect more light. It features a larger exit pupil and offers a higher resolution. On the contrary, scopes with 30-40 mm tubes have the reticle adjustment feature. As a result, it becomes ideal for long-range shooting.

What Kind of Rifle Scope Should I Purchase?

If your priority is offhand shooting and you want to shoot at less than 500 yards, you should purchase a rifle scope with magnification lower than 10x. Otherwise, you can choose a hunting scope greater than 10x for long-distance shooting.

The Big or Small Objective Lens, Which is Perfect?

Both bigger and smaller objective lenses offer you the same magnification. But the larger objective lens has a more remarkable light-collecting ability, which results in higher resolution and a brighter image. The only drawback of this type of lens is it tends to be a bit bulky. So, hunters who have no problem with objective lens weight find it ideal.

Final Words

The hunting experience depends a lot on having the best hunting scope, and there are no two ways about it. To get the result in the form of animals in front of you, to increase the number and to cut short the time, you need it. You might be roaming with the best of the best rifle in your hand but failing miserably in hunting your target.

The best part of this sighting device is that one can target and shoot from a long distance with precise measurement without letting the targeted animal or the herd knowing. Such hunting device is more appropriate for getting hold of the animals which are the fastest.

We have listed some of the best and sincerely hoping that you hunters, beginners, or the most skilled will find it helpful and get to buy an awesome one for increasing the ease in your hunting experience. So, if you have got your rifle scope from our list, then do not wait and get your favorite one soon.

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Campbell John

Hi, I am John Campbell, an outdoor enthusiast. Just like you, I value the habitat, heritage and tradition of great outdoors. I do my best to make sure the correct research, writing, and photo are shown on Tacticalgearslab.com. Indeed, I am committed to preserving a great online experience for you.