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10 Best Scope For Hunting 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Dead Hold BDC Reticle Riflescope, 3-9x40, Black (CF2-31007)

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,130
Reticle
Eye Relief
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
13318 reviews

Reticle
The glass is incredibly clear, and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic for its price range.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is generous, offering a great view with minimal scope black eye ring.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope holds zero perfectly, even after shooting multiple rounds of high-caliber ammunition.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II Dead Hold BDC Reticle Riflescope (3-9x40) is a solid choice for hunters who need reliable performance across varying ranges. It offers a magnification range from 3x to 9x, which is versatile enough for most hunting scenarios. The 40mm objective lens ensures good light transmission, providing bright and clear views. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle helps with estimating holdover, making it easier to hit targets without guessing too much on distance adjustments.

The 3.8 inches of eye relief is generous, reducing the risk of eye strain and making it suitable for high-recoil rifles. The fast-focus eyepiece allows for quick adjustments, ensuring you can acquire your target swiftly. Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, the scope is both durable and shockproof. Additionally, it is O-ring sealed and nitrogen-purged, providing waterproof and fogproof performance, which is crucial for unpredictable weather conditions.

One downside is the lack of night vision capabilities, which limits its use in low-light conditions. However, the fully multi-coated, anti-reflective lenses mitigate this to some extent by enhancing light transmission. Weighing in at 16 ounces, it is relatively lightweight and won't add much bulk to your rifle. The scope also comes with a lifetime warranty, offering peace of mind regarding its longevity and reliability. While it does not include parallax adjustment features, its performance and durability make it an excellent option for hunters looking for a dependable riflescope.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,130
Reticle
Eye Relief
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
13318 reviews

Reticle
The glass is incredibly clear, and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic for its price range.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is generous, offering a great view with minimal scope black eye ring.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope holds zero perfectly, even after shooting multiple rounds of high-caliber ammunition.
#3

Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm F1 34mm Tube Precise Illuminated First Focal Plane Black Hunting Gun Scope, Moar F1, C569

Rating
9.6
Reticle
Parallax Adjustment
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
28 reviews

Reticle
Offers the best image clarity among scopes, with a clear reticle and multiple illumination levels.
Parallax Adjustment
While the scope excels in many areas, the inability to zero the parallax to a known distance is noted as a minor inconvenience.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Exceptional quality and rugged construction make this scope a top choice for precision shooting.

The Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm F1 scope is a high-end hunting scope with impressive features tailored for precision shooting. Its magnification range of 7-35x allows for versatile usage, making it suitable for both short and long-range targets. The scope boasts a large 56mm objective lens diameter, which provides excellent light gathering capability for clearer imagery in various lighting conditions.

The MOAR F1 reticle is finely designed for accuracy with 1 MOA markings and a floating center crosshair, aiding in precise targeting, especially at long distances. Eye relief is comfortable at 3.6 inches, which is beneficial for shooter's comfort and safety, especially during extended sessions. The field of view at 100 yards ranges from 15 feet at 7x to 3.4 feet at 35x, ensuring good target visibility across different magnification levels. The parallax adjustment capability from as close as 11 yards to infinity allows shooters to maintain accuracy over varied distances.

Durability and weather resistance are strong points, thanks to its robust aluminum construction and design optimized for harsh conditions. However, its high weight (2.46 pounds) may be cumbersome for some users, and the price tag reflects its premium nature, which may not be accessible for all budgets. Additionally, the scope does not feature night vision, which could be a drawback for those hunting in low-light conditions. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Nightforce ATACR scope stands out as a powerful tool for serious hunters aiming for maximum precision and reliability.

Rating
9.6
Reticle
Parallax Adjustment
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
28 reviews

Reticle
Offers the best image clarity among scopes, with a clear reticle and multiple illumination levels.
Parallax Adjustment
While the scope excels in many areas, the inability to zero the parallax to a known distance is noted as a minor inconvenience.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Exceptional quality and rugged construction make this scope a top choice for precision shooting.

Buying Guide for the Best Scope For Hunting

Choosing the right scope for hunting can significantly enhance your shooting accuracy and overall hunting experience. The right scope will depend on various factors such as the type of game you're hunting, the environment, and your personal preferences. Understanding the key specifications of a hunting scope will help you make an informed decision that best suits your needs.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears compared to the naked eye. This is important because it determines how well you can see your target at different distances. Scopes typically have fixed or variable magnification. Fixed magnification scopes are simpler and more durable, while variable magnification scopes offer more flexibility. For close-range hunting (up to 100 yards), a magnification of 1-4x is sufficient. For medium-range (100-300 yards), 4-9x is ideal. For long-range hunting (beyond 300 yards), you may need 9x or higher. Choose a magnification based on the typical distance you will be shooting.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is important because it affects the amount of light that enters the scope, impacting image brightness and clarity. Larger diameters (40mm and above) allow more light, which is beneficial in low-light conditions like dawn or dusk. However, larger lenses can make the scope heavier and bulkier. For general hunting, an objective lens diameter of 40-50mm is a good balance between light transmission and portability. If you often hunt in low-light conditions, consider a larger diameter.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Different reticle designs serve different purposes. Simple duplex reticles are easy to use and suitable for most hunting situations. BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticles help with long-range shooting by providing holdover points for bullet drop. Mil-dot reticles are useful for range estimation and windage adjustments. Choose a reticle based on your hunting style and the type of game you pursue. For general hunting, a duplex reticle is often sufficient. For long-range or precision shooting, consider a BDC or mil-dot reticle.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope at which you can see the full image. This is important for comfort and safety, especially when using high-recoil firearms. Scopes with longer eye relief (3-4 inches or more) are safer and more comfortable to use, reducing the risk of 'scope eye' injuries. If you use a high-recoil rifle, prioritize scopes with longer eye relief. For lower-recoil firearms, standard eye relief (around 3 inches) is usually sufficient.
Field of ViewField of view (FOV) is the width of the area you can see through the scope at a specific distance, usually measured in feet at 100 yards. A wider FOV allows you to see more of the surrounding area, which is useful for tracking moving targets and situational awareness. Lower magnification scopes generally offer a wider FOV. For hunting in dense forests or when tracking fast-moving game, a wider FOV is beneficial. For long-range shooting where precision is more important than situational awareness, a narrower FOV is acceptable.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment allows you to correct the parallax error, which occurs when the reticle appears to move relative to the target when you shift your eye position. This is important for maintaining accuracy, especially at longer distances. Scopes with parallax adjustment are typically more precise but can be more complex to use. For most hunting situations within 300 yards, parallax adjustment is not critical. However, for long-range shooting or precision hunting, having a scope with parallax adjustment can improve accuracy.
Durability and Weather ResistanceDurability and weather resistance are crucial for a hunting scope, as it will be exposed to various environmental conditions. Look for scopes that are waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof to ensure they can withstand harsh weather and rough handling. Scopes with robust construction and high-quality materials will last longer and perform better in the field. If you hunt in challenging environments, prioritize scopes with excellent durability and weather resistance features.

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