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10 Best Scope For Hunting 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm First Focal Plane (F1/FFP) 34mm Tube Durable Precise Waterproof Fogproof Hunting Gun Scope, Illuminated TReMoR3 Reticle

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,377
Magnification
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle

Most important from
30 reviews

Magnification
The optics deliver exceptional clarity, allowing precise shot placement even at 1,200 yards with visible bullet impact.
Objective Lens Diameter
The large 56mm objective lens produces bright, clear images, ideal for dawn and dusk hunting scenarios.
Reticle
The illuminated reticle significantly enhances low-light performance and enables rapid target acquisition in varied conditions.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope's sturdy construction ensures reliable durability in demanding hunting environments.

The Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm scope is designed for serious hunters who want a high-quality, reliable optic. Its 5-25x magnification range covers both close and long-distance shooting, giving flexibility in different hunting situations. The large 56mm objective lens lets in plenty of light, which helps produce bright, clear images even at dawn or dusk. The scope uses a first focal plane (FFP) reticle, meaning the aiming points stay accurate no matter the zoom level—a big plus for precise shots at varying distances. The illuminated TReMoR3 reticle also aids quick target acquisition and helps with wind adjustments, useful in real hunting environments.

Eye relief of 3.5 inches is comfortable for most shooters, reducing the chance of scope impact during recoil. The field of view ranges from a wide 18.7 feet at low zoom to a narrower 4.9 feet at max zoom, allowing good situational awareness when scanning and detailed focus when zoomed in. Durability is a strong point here—the aluminum body is built tough, waterproof, and fogproof, making it dependable in rough weather.

One potential downside is the weight at 2.38 pounds, which might feel a bit heavy for some on long hunts. This scope is a solid choice for hunters who need a precise, rugged optic with excellent clarity and versatile aiming features, especially useful for medium to long-range hunting.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,377
Magnification
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle

Most important from
30 reviews

Magnification
The optics deliver exceptional clarity, allowing precise shot placement even at 1,200 yards with visible bullet impact.
Objective Lens Diameter
The large 56mm objective lens produces bright, clear images, ideal for dawn and dusk hunting scenarios.
Reticle
The illuminated reticle significantly enhances low-light performance and enables rapid target acquisition in varied conditions.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope's sturdy construction ensures reliable durability in demanding hunting environments.
#2

Swarovski Optik 5-25x52 dS P Gen II Digital Riflescope (4A-I Illuminated Reticle)

The Swarovski dS Digital Riflescope 5-25x52 P GEN. II is a high-end riflescope aimed at hunting enthusiasts. With a wide magnification range from 5x to 25x, it offers versatility for various distances, making it suitable for both close-range and long-range hunting. The 52-millimeter objective lens diameter ensures ample light transmission, providing clear and bright images even in low-light conditions. This is particularly beneficial for dawn or dusk hunting sessions.

The illuminated 4A-I reticle, which allows users to select from six different reticles, enhances target visibility and accuracy, which is crucial for precise shooting. Additionally, the scope includes windage marks for adjusting to different wind speeds, ensuring better shot placement in diverse conditions. The range indication feature, capable of measuring up to 1500 yards, and the alignment indicator, which displays if the rifle is level, add to its precision capabilities.

The dS Configurator App, which connects via Bluetooth, allows hunters to customize the ballistics profile, making the scope even more tailored to individual needs. Durability is another strong point, with the scope constructed from titanium, known for its strength and lightness, and is also weather-resistant, making it suitable for various hunting environments. However, the scope is relatively heavy, weighing 2.4 pounds, which might be cumbersome for some users during long hunting trips. The inclusion of accessories like a transparent protective cover, microfiber cloth, and adjustment tools is a nice touch, adding to the product's value. Priced at the premium end, this scope is best suited for serious hunters who are willing to invest in high-quality gear. Despite its high price, the limited lifetime warranty on parts and a two-year warranty on electronic components offer some reassurance regarding its durability and reliability.

#3

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

Rating
9.7
Reticle
Eye Relief
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
13672 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
9.7
Reticle
Eye Relief
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
13672 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.

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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