10 Best Cheap Rifle Scopes 2025 in the United States

The Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 riflescope offers a versatile magnification range from 3x to 15x, making it suitable for a variety of shooting distances, from close to medium-long range. Its 40mm objective lens is slightly smaller than the spec sheet mentions (44mm) but still provides good light transmission for clear images in most conditions. The illuminated FireDot Duplex reticle is helpful for aiming in low light, and the side focus parallax adjustment allows quick and precise focusing, which is useful for maintaining accuracy at different distances.

The turrets include the ZeroLock 2 system that prevents accidental changes to your elevation setting, paired with the Custom Dial System that can be tailored to your specific ammunition, which is a great feature for those wanting precise ballistic adjustments. The scope is built tough with waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof qualities, plus a hydrophobic coating on the lenses to repel water and dirt, making it reliable in various weather conditions. Weighing just 1 pound, it’s lightweight and won’t add much bulk to your rifle.

This scope is not the cheapest option on the market, so it might not fit a very tight budget if you're strictly after the lowest price. However, it delivers excellent durability, clarity, and customizable features usually found in higher-end models. This makes it a solid choice for serious hunters or shooters who want a dependable, easy-to-use scope with good adjustment options and a lifetime warranty, rather than just a basic entry-level scope.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9x40 riflescope offers a solid balance of features for its price, making it a great choice for budget-conscious hunters or shooters looking for dependable performance. Its 3-9x magnification range is versatile enough for close to medium distances, and the 40mm objective lens provides a bright, clear image thanks to the fully multi-coated lenses. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is designed to help estimate holdover without complicated adjustments, which is especially useful for hunting at varying ranges. Eye relief is generous, and the scope’s forgiving eye box allows quick target acquisition, even in fast-paced situations. The fast focus eyepiece makes reticle adjustments simple, which adds to ease of use.

Durability is another strong point: the scope is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, is shockproof, and sealed against water and fog, so it holds up well in different weather conditions. Adjustments via turrets are straightforward, although the scope doesn’t have advanced features like night vision compatibility or a first focal plane reticle. Weighing just about a pound, it’s lightweight enough for most rifles without adding bulk.

More experienced shooters might prefer scopes with finer turret adjustments or illuminated reticles, which this model lacks. However, its unlimited lifetime warranty adds great peace of mind. For those needing a reliable, clear, and affordable rifle scope for general hunting or target shooting, the Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 fits the bill nicely.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9x50 riflescope is a solid choice for hunters and shooters looking for an affordable yet reliable scope. It offers a versatile magnification range from 3x to 9x, making it suitable for medium-distance shooting. The large 50mm objective lens provides bright and clear images, especially helpful in low light conditions. This model features a Straight-Wall BDC reticle designed specifically for popular straight-wall cartridges, which helps in estimating bullet drop without complicated calculations. The scope has a generous eye relief and an easy-to-use fast focus eyepiece, making target acquisition quick and comfortable. It also offers a decent field of view at 32 feet, which aids in tracking moving targets.

Turrets for windage and elevation adjustments are precise and responsive, helping you fine-tune your shots. Durability is a strong point here; the scope’s aircraft-grade aluminum body is shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof, ready to handle rough outdoor conditions. However, the 1-inch tube diameter is on the smaller side compared to some competitors who use 30mm tubes, which can affect light transmission and adjustment range. Also, the reticle is not illuminated, which might be a downside in very dim lighting. While it doesn’t support night vision, the anti-reflective lens coatings improve clarity during the day.

Backed by an excellent lifetime warranty, this scope offers great value, especially for entry-level shooters and hunters who want dependable performance without spending a lot.