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10 Best Tactical Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm F1 34mm Tube Precise Illuminated First Focal Plane Dark Earth Hunting Gun Scope, Moar F1 Reticle, C689

The Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm is a high-end tactical scope designed for precision shooting at both short and extreme long ranges. Its wide magnification range from 7x to 35x lets you easily zoom in on targets far away, while the large 56mm objective lens helps deliver bright and clear images even in low light. The MOAR F1 reticle, located in the first focal plane, means your aiming points stay accurate across all magnifications, which is great for quick adjustments. The illuminated reticle enhances visibility in various lighting conditions. Eye relief of 3.6 inches provides a comfortable viewing distance, reducing strain during use. With a generous field of view, especially at lower magnification, it’s easier to spot and track targets.

Parallax adjustment down to about 10 meters helps maintain sharp focus on targets at any distance, boosting precision. Built with a durable aluminum body in a weather-resistant Dark Earth finish, this scope can handle rough outdoor conditions. Features like ZeroStop allow quick return to your zero setting, which is helpful in fast-paced tactical scenarios.

The scope is relatively heavy at nearly 40 ounces and quite long at 16 inches, which might affect balance on some rifles. It also comes at a premium price, reflecting its advanced capabilities. This scope is suited for serious hunters or tactical shooters who need versatile, reliable performance from medium to extreme distances and who accept the extra weight in exchange for quality and features.

#2

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

Rating
9.7
Magnification
Reticle
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
30 reviews

Magnification
At 1,200 yards, the clarity is so sharp that bullet impacts on steel targets are clearly visible on a clear day.
Reticle
The illuminated reticle enhances visibility in low light, making target acquisition faster and more precise.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Built with a rugged 34mm tube, the scope offers excellent durability and internal adjustment travel for varied shooting distances.

The Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm scope is a strong choice for serious hunters and tactical shooters looking for precision and durability. Its magnification range from 5x to 25x offers flexibility for both medium and long-distance shots, while the large 56mm objective lens allows plenty of light, improving visibility in low-light conditions. The first focal plane (FFP) MOA-XT reticle is a standout feature—it stays accurate at any zoom level, helping you make quick, precise adjustments without guessing. This reticle includes clear markings and a fine center dot, which is great for fast target acquisition.

The scope provides a comfortable eye relief of about 3.5 inches, which is sufficient for most shooters to avoid recoil injury and maintain a clear sight picture. The field of view narrows from roughly 18.7 feet at the lowest zoom to about 4.9 feet at the highest, which is typical for scopes with this level of magnification, balancing between wide situational awareness and detailed long-range sighting.

Durability is a strong point here: the ATACR is built rugged and is waterproof and fogproof, making it reliable in harsh weather and rough handling. Its 34mm tube design allows for plenty of internal adjustment travel, which is beneficial for dialing in shots at different ranges. One possible drawback is the weight—at around 37.6 ounces, it’s on the heavier side, which could affect balance on lighter rifles or during extended carry. This scope is well-suited for users who prioritize precision, reliability, and high-quality optics in tactical or hunting scenarios. Beginners might find some features complex, but for experienced shooters, it delivers excellent performance and versatility.

Rating
9.7
Magnification
Reticle
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
30 reviews

Magnification
At 1,200 yards, the clarity is so sharp that bullet impacts on steel targets are clearly visible on a clear day.
Reticle
The illuminated reticle enhances visibility in low light, making target acquisition faster and more precise.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Built with a rugged 34mm tube, the scope offers excellent durability and internal adjustment travel for varied shooting distances.
#3

ATN X-Sight 5 LRF Smart Day/Night Gen 5 Scope w/Ballistics Calc, 12MP Resolution, Video Record, Wi-Fi, 14hrs+ Battery

Rating
9.4
Reticle
Magnification
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
3267 reviews

Reticle
The optics deliver crystal clear images with reticles that remain easy to use both day and night, ensuring precise accuracy.
Magnification
The integrated range finder combined with ballistic calculations makes long-range shooting straightforward and reliable.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Unlike traditional green night vision, the grayscale system is durable and unaffected by sunlight exposure, allowing seamless day-to-night use.

The ATN X-Sight 5 LRF is a versatile tactical scope designed for both day and night use. It offers a solid magnification range of 3-15x, allowing you to zoom in on targets clearly at various distances. The scope features a high-quality 12MP sensor and Ultra HD 4K+ resolution which delivers sharp, vivid images with true-to-life colors. Night vision mode is a standout feature here, providing crisp visuals even in low light, which is important for tactical or hunting situations after dark.

This scope comes with multiple reticle options, so you can choose the aiming style that suits your preference and shooting conditions. Parallax adjustment is included, helping to keep your target clear and accurate at different distances. Durability-wise, the scope is made from aluminum, offering a good balance between weight (around 2.1 pounds) and toughness. It’s built to handle outdoor use and the weather conditions you might face while hunting or on tactical missions.

The smart features are where this scope really stands out: it includes a ballistic calculator to make aiming easier with different loads, video recording in crisp 4K quality, and Wi-Fi connectivity for live streaming or transferring videos. The recoil-activated video can capture exciting moments automatically, which can be fun and useful. Some users might find the tech features complex if they prefer simple scopes. Also, the scope is somewhat heavier than basic models, which could affect handling over long periods. Battery life is strong with 14+ hours, but relying on electronic features means you always need to keep it charged. This makes the ATN X-Sight 5 LRF an excellent choice for hunters and tactical users who want advanced digital features combined with reliable optical performance, especially if night vision and video capabilities are important to you.

Rating
9.4
Reticle
Magnification
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
3267 reviews

Reticle
The optics deliver crystal clear images with reticles that remain easy to use both day and night, ensuring precise accuracy.
Magnification
The integrated range finder combined with ballistic calculations makes long-range shooting straightforward and reliable.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Unlike traditional green night vision, the grayscale system is durable and unaffected by sunlight exposure, allowing seamless day-to-night use.

Buying Guide for the Best Tactical Scopes

Choosing the right tactical scope can significantly enhance your shooting experience, whether you're a hunter, a competitive shooter, or someone who enjoys target practice. The right scope will improve your accuracy, range, and overall performance. To make an informed decision, it's important to understand the key specifications and how they align with your specific needs and preferences.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears compared to the naked eye. This is crucial because it determines how well you can see your target at various distances. Scopes typically have fixed or variable magnification. Fixed magnification scopes are simpler and often more durable, while variable magnification scopes offer flexibility for different shooting scenarios. For close-range shooting, a lower magnification (1-4x) is sufficient. For medium-range, consider 5-9x, and for long-range shooting, 10x or higher is ideal. Choose based on the typical distance you will be shooting.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens, 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 but can make the scope heavier. Smaller diameters (below 40mm) are lighter and more compact but may not perform as well in dim lighting. Consider where and when you will be using the scope to determine the right size for you.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Different reticle designs serve different purposes. Simple crosshairs are great for general use, while more complex reticles with hash marks or dots can help with range estimation and bullet drop compensation. Illuminated reticles are useful in low-light conditions. Choose a reticle that matches your shooting style and the conditions you expect to encounter.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope where you can see the full field of view. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil firearms. Scopes with longer eye relief (3-4 inches or more) are better for high-recoil guns, while shorter eye relief (less than 3 inches) can be sufficient for low-recoil firearms. Ensure the eye relief is comfortable for your shooting stance and firearm.
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 target area, which is beneficial for tracking moving targets and situational awareness. Higher magnification typically reduces FOV. If you need to track moving targets or require a broad view of your surroundings, opt for a scope with a wider FOV.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps to ensure that the reticle remains on target even if your eye position shifts slightly. This is particularly important for long-range shooting where small errors can be magnified. Scopes without parallax adjustment are typically set for a specific distance (usually 100 yards). If you plan to shoot at varying distances, a scope with adjustable parallax will provide greater accuracy. Consider your shooting distances and whether this feature will benefit your accuracy.
Durability and Weather ResistanceDurability and weather resistance are crucial for ensuring your scope can withstand harsh conditions and rough handling. Look for scopes that are waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. These features ensure that your scope will perform reliably in various weather conditions and environments. If you plan to use your scope in rugged outdoor conditions, prioritize these durability features.

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