Best Long Range Rifle Scope of 2018

This won’t surprise anyone, but shooting a rifle at long ranges involves a serious amount of preparation. Aside from actually getting your long range rifle scope sighted in for 1,000 yards, you need to consider a plethora of other factors. There is the actual capability of your rifle & ammunition, selecting the best long range rifle scope, ballistic calculations, and the skill set to actually pull off the shot. We aren’t going to hold a full course on long range shooting in this article, but we will break down how to select the best long range rifle scope for your budget.

A quick disclaimer before we begin – these scopes aren’t cheap. We are talking about delivering multiple rounds on target at long range with a rifle on a consistent basis here. For the purpose of this article, consider that 1,000 yards & beyond. This is something that wasn’t even possible outside of the top shooters in the world a few decades ago. With the advent of advanced long range rifles, scopes, ballistics, & long range shooting schools we’re now able to accomplish accurate shots at these distances, but that isn’t going to be easy & inexpensive by any means.

We’re commonly asked what the best long range scope under $500 is. Since the question comes up so much we’re going to start in that price range, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re recommending these scopes over other ones on our list. 500 dollars is going to get you the best rangefinder on the market, but certainly not the best long range rifle scope. You can find our Editor’s Choice for the best long range rifle scope of 2018 in each category listed in the comprehensive comparison table below.

Feel free to skip to a specific section using the quick jump menu below:

Below you will find our comprehensive comparison grid of each long range rifle scope. You’ll also find a detailed buyer’s guide that will help you identify key points to consider while buying scopes.

COMPREHENSIVE COMPARISON GRID:

Brand	Product	Magnify	Objective Lens	Weight	Rating	Budget
	Optics Viper HS	4x - 16x	44mm	18.4 oz.		$$
	Argos BTR	6x - 24X	50mm	29.6 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$
	VX-3i	3.5x - 10x	50mm	14.7 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$
	M-308	4x - 16x	42mm	19 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$
	Prostaff 7	5x - 20x	50mm	21.5 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$
	Viper PST Gen II	3x - 15x	30mm	28.1 oz.		$$$
	Veracity	4x - 20x	50mm	27.2 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$$
	Conquest HD5	3x - 15x	50mm	24.7 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$$
	VX-3i LRP	4.5x - 14x	50mm	20.3 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$$
	Monarch 7	4x - 16x	50mm	22.9 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$$
	Eliminator III	4x - 16x	50mm	30.4 oz.		$$$$
	VUDU	3.5x - 18x	50mm	33.2 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$$$
	Z5	3.5x - 18x	44mm	15.9 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$$$
	SHV	4x - 14x	56mm	28.5 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$$$
	AccuPoint®	5x - 20x	50mm	26.9 oz.	⭐️⭐️⭐️	$$$$

Before we begin with our reviews of the best long range scopes of 2018, we should look at what features & components make for the best long range rifle scope. This way we’re all comparing apples to apples throughout the article. So without further ado, here is our long range rifle scope buying guide:

LONG RANGE RIFLE SCOPE BUYING GUIDE

It’s counterproductive to simply dive into our “Top 5” lists in search of the best long range rifle scope without first discussing what we’re looking for. This simply leads to disagreements with our picks based on people looking for different things out of their long range rifle scopes. Our goal is to be clear on exactly what we’re comparing so that we can all be on the same page.

With that being said, disagreements are flat-out going to happen. There are some passionate people in the shooting world, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Some shooters are very brand loyal, while others simply have different styles & prefer a different setup. If there was a single “right answer” here, there would only be one brand & competition wouldn’t force companies to get better.

Our point here is that a bit of disparity in the rankings is a good thing, but we ask that you are respectful of other people’s opinions. No one likes having to listen to someone that flat out insults everyone else’s opinion. In other words, we welcome a debate but please keep things civil.

Now onto the buyers guide! We are starting with the first thing people probably think about when thinking about the best long range rifle scope, which is…

MAGNIFICATION

Magnification is obviously a large part of being able to shoot over 1,000 yards. At that distance, it’s difficult to even see the target, let alone hit it. Having the proper magnification capabilities in your long range rifle scope will allow you to confidently select your shot placement. At ranges over 1,000 yards, confidence in your shot plays a very big role in putting shots on target.

WHAT IS THE BEST MAGNIFICATION FOR A 1,000 YARD SHOT?

This is a bit of a loaded question, as it is going to depend a lot on your preferences and even your eyesight. With that being said, companies like GunWerks offer some of the best long range rifle scopes on the market with their custom rifles. The scopes they recommend for rifles shooting over 1,000 yards typically range anywhere from 4X magnification on the low end to 30X magnification on the high end.

Having something with a slightly lower powered low end magnification is important, especially for hunting situations. When you’re hunting, things rarely go as planned. Although you may have been planning on a 1,200 yard shot across a valley, an Elk may suddenly surprise you at 100 yards. Having the flexibility to shoot at both short & long ranges is critical to your success.

ADJUSTABILITY

When you’re shooting at long ranges adjustability is not just something that’s nice to have in your scope, it’s a necessity. For example, a 6.5 Creedmoor round from Hornady is going to drop over 290.2 inches at 1,000 yards. That is over 24 feet of elevation that you’re going to need to account for. You aren’t going to do that simply with holdover.

The best long range rifle scopes are going to have a generous amount of adjustability for them. We aren’t just talking about elevation compensation here either. That same 1,000 yard shot is going to have the 6.5 Creedmoor drifting an incredible 63.3 inches in only a 10 mph wind.

Photo Credit: GunWerks

WHAT IS THE IDEAL AMOUNT OF ADJUSTABILITY?

Well, the short answer is it depends on your shooting style because an entire book could be written about this topic. Most of the best long range shooting rifle scopes are going to have a max elevation adjustment of around 30 MRAD (103 MOA) & a max windage adjustment of around 10-20 MRAD (34 – 68 MOA). If you’re unfamiliar with MRAD vs MOA adjustments, you can read up on this great resource we put together here.

RETICLE 

There are a ton of different reticle types for scopes. Most companies have their own proprietary names for their reticles, making it even more confusing. The reality is most of these can be classified using a few top-level reticle categories. There are only a few that would be a fit for the best long range rifle scope. Each of the scopes on our list of the best long range rifle scopes has a reticle that allows for accurate long range shooting.

COMPENSATING USING YOUR RETICLE

Depending on how you like to adjust for elevation & windage, you could even potentially argue that this topic should fall under adjustability. Most long range shooters are going to adjust for long range, 1,000+ yard shots using the turrets on their scope. This is by far the most common way to prep for shots, since you can still use the crosshairs to pinpoint your shot. However this is a time-consuming method, and in some situations, you may need to adjust using the Kentucky Windage method.

The Kentucky Windage method is essentially where you compensate for windage & elevation using the hash marks or mil dots on your reticle. For example, instead of adjusting your elevation with your turret up 2 MOA & putting your crosshairs directly on target, you would simply hold 2 MOA over the target using indicators on your reticle. The advantage to this method is that it is considerably faster than making adjustments via turrets. Military snipers & hunters alike will both likely need to use Kentucky Windage in fast-paced shooting situations.

The issue with this method is that if you have to adjust for both windage & elevation you are essentially going to be aiming using an imaginary set of crosshairs. At shorter distances this isn’t that big of a deal simply because you have a larger margin of error. However, when we’re talking about long range shooting it doesn’t take much to be incredibly far off.

FOCUS PLANE

Just as important as the actual reticle design is the focus plane that it is on. This is especially true if you’re making your adjustments via the Kentucky Windage method. This is because these adjustments rely on the precise markings of your reticle, and that reticle needs to remain accurate regardless of the magnification that the scope is currently set at. There are two primary focal planes used for rifle scopes:

Photo Credit: American Hunter (NRA)

FIRST FOCAL PLANE

If you are looking for a scope for long range shooting, you need to make sure you’re looking at scopes that utilize the first focal plane. This ensures that the scale of the reticle remains in proportion to the image/target as you zoom in and out.

In the image above, notice how the dots on the left-hand side of the deer remain the same proportional distance from the front shoulder as you zoom in. You’re then able to correctly compensate using the dots on your scope. This is why the best long range rifle scopes are almost exclusively First Focal Plane scopes.

SECOND FOCAL PLANE

While a majority of the scopes on the market are second focal plane scopes, they aren’t necessarily conducive to long range shooting. Notice how the dots on the scope actually change in relation to the deer’s front shoulder as you zoom in? That won’t matter in lower-priced scopes at short ranges, but when you are shooting 1,000+ yards you could literally miss by 10 feet using the mil dots on a second focal plane scope.

If you’d like to learn more about the logic & the debate between first focal plane & second focal plane scopes, you can read more about them here.

Now that we’ve established a bit of a baseline for what we’re looking for we can start to dive into our favorite scopes. These scopes need to have proven that they’re the best of the best long range rifle scopes. Price points are going to be high, and we are demanding the quality is there to back it up. So without further ado…

THE BEST LONG RANGE SCOPE UNDER 500 DOLLARS – TOP 5

Like we mentioned above, the scopes under $500 are great products for certain applications. However, they aren’t the greatest scopes if you are wanting to shoot over 1,000 yards. If you are looking to buy one at this price point, stick to the top option or two. Those scopes might be considered the best long range scope under 500 dollars, but they pack a lot more value than that.

1. VORTEX OPTICS VIPER HS 4-16X 44mm 

Vortex Optics has a tendency to dominate our lists of the best scopes, and once you get your hands on one it is easy to see why. The Vortex Optics Viper HS takes the cake for the best long range scope under $500, coming in at just a hair under the mark. If you are truly wanting to shoot at long ranges past 1,000 yards, you’re going to have a hard time finding a solid scope under $500.

Luckily Vortex Optics was able to squeeze the Viper under the limit for this group, and they ran away from the competition. The Viper boasts fully multi-coated optics (a must for this article) and a 50 MOA max adjustability for both windage & elevation adjustments.

If we could change one thing about this scope it is that we wish it didn’t have a capped style turret. This adds an extra step to make adjustments, which isn’t ideal but it does provide protection for the turrets. There isn’t a tool needed to make adjustments, and it is easy to reset to zero even though it doesn’t have a true Z-stop. As we’ve noted with other high-end Vortex Optics scopes, we’re big fans of the Precision-Glide Erector System incorporated in these scopes. This system makes increasing and decreasing magnification nice and easy, regardless of weather.

All in all the Viper does win our Editor’s Choice award for the best long range scope under $500. If you want to shoot out past 1,000 yards but are on a budget (at least compared to the other scopes on this list), this is a great option.

2. ATHLON OPTICS ARGOS BTR 6-24X 50mm

To be honest we were actually kind of surprised to be putting Athlon Optics on our list of the best long range scopes under 500 dollars. Athlon Optics is certainly one of the lesser-known companies on this list, which isn’t at all to say that they don’t make good products. After getting our hands on the Argos BTR & reviewing it though, we realized we shouldn’t be surprised at all.

The Argos BTR is one of the few long range rifle scopes under 500 dollars that features a First Focal Plane reticle. That alone helped them score major points, and it didn’t stop impressing us there. The illiminated reticle was a nice touch, and it’s clear that the electronics on this scope aren’t cheaply made by any means.

There is a decent amount of adjustability with the Argos BTR. It offers a maximum windage & elevation adjustment of 18 MRAD (60 MOA) in 0.1 MRAD (1/4 MOA) adjustments. We were impressed with the quality of Athlon Optics’ Argos BTR scope, and long range shooters will be pleased with the quality.

3. LEUPOLD VX-3I 3.5-10x50mm Duplex 

Leupold is one of the juggernauts of the shooting optics industry, producing some of the best scopes in the world. Most hunters & shooters are going to be very familiar with the Leupold brand, recognizing it as one of the premier scopes to mount to their rifles.

The VX-3I by Leupold is certainly a solid scope, but it doesn’t quite fit the mold of the best long range shooting scope. While the construction of this scope is all we could ask for out of a scope under $500, the magnification leaves us wishing for a bit more. While we wish the magnification was better, the adjustability in this long range rifle scope is outstanding. The VX-3I boasts a maximum elevation adjustment of 52 MOA (15 MRAD) and matches it with the same maximum windage adjustment. That should give you plenty of adjustability in order to make those long range shots accurately. One thing that we didn’t like about the VX-3I for long range shooting is that it is a 2nd focal plane reticle. That typically doesn’t bode all that well for long range shooters looking to compensate using the Kentucky Windage method.

Also worth noting is that Leupold’s VX-3I has an illuminated reticle for shooting in those low light conditions. While target shooters probably don’t care much about this, hunters everywhere will be grateful. This is certainly one of the best low-light scopes on our list, so it earns some points for that.

4. NIKON M-308 4-16X 42mm

When we’re looking for the best long range scope under $500, it should be expected to see a Nikon rifle scope on the list. Nikon’s M-308 4-16X scope with a 42mm objective lens is a very nice scope for long-range shooting at a very reasonable price.

As we discussed above, we aren’t a huge fan of 2nd focal plane scopes for long ranges and unfortunately, the Nikon M-308 is a second focal plane scope. Aside from that, this is a very nice setup with fully multi-coated lenses & Nikon’s fogproof/waterproof construction.

Adjustability with the M-308 long range scope is pretty solid for a scope under $500. Featuring 1/4 MOA increments & a maximum windage & elevation adjustability of 40 MOA (11.6 MRAD) this scope gives you a decent amount of room for different scenarios.

All things considered, this is one of the best overall rifle scopes on the market under $500, but we wouldn’t consider it one of the best for long range shooting. At distances over 1,000 yards you’ll be wishing you had opted for the Vortex Optics Viper HS or one of the pricier scopes on our list.

5. NIKON PROSTAFF 7 5-20X 50mm

Showing up with another one of the best long range scopes under 500 dollars, Nikon appears with their ProStaff 7 5-20X 50mm here at #5. Hunters everywhere are very familiar with Nikon’s ProStaff line, as they are one of the most popular lines of scopes in the industry. They’re well made, reasonably priced, and perform well when called upon.

The 5-20X magnification range on the ProStaff 7 definitely qualifies this as a long range rifle scope. There is also a good amount of adjustability, with 1/4 MOA increments up to a maximum windage & elevation adjustment of 70 MOA (20.4 MRAD).

One thing we weren’t super pleased with about the Nikon ProStaff 7 is that much like many of the other long range rifle scopes under 500 dollars, it is a second focal plane scope. This isn’t ideal for long range shooting unless you exclusively use the turrets for adjustments. If you do happen to only use the turrets for adjusting to long range shooting scenarios, this Nikon ProStaff 7 would certainly operate just fine!

THE BEST LONG RANGE SCOPE UNDER 1000 DOLLARS – TOP 5

If you’re truly wanting to put lead on target over 1,000 yards, this is probably the lowest category to look in. These scopes are almost exclusively FFP (first focal plane) scopes, and it shows at these distances. A few of these picks were absolute knockouts, and really impressed. So here we go!

1. VORTEX OPTICS VIPER PST GEN II 3-15X 44mm

Now we’re talking! We’ve been itching to get to our best long range scope under 1000 dollars, and here it is. Vortex Optics’ Viper PST Gen II is a thing of beauty out on the range. The incredibly clear fully multi-coated optics combined with the 3-15X magnification allows for serious precision.

The Viper PST does come in both second & first focal plane lenses, but we are going to opt for the first focal plane every single time.

Coming in at just under $1,000, the Vortex Optics hit one dead-center with the Viper PST Gen II. It has a max elevation adjustment of 22 MRAD (75.63 MOA) & a max windage adjustment of 11 MRAD (40 MOA) in 0.1 MRAD (1/4 MOA) increments.

The Viper PST also has an illuminated reticle that runs off of CR-2032 batteries. They were really thinking ahead when they integrated it into the side focus dial. This takes out an extra step & really streamlines the process of getting honed in on the target.

It really is hard to say enough good things about Vortex Optics’ Viper PST Gen II. Their team did an incredible job on both the manufacturing & design sides. It might set you back a pretty penny, but you’ll be thankful you spent the money as you’re ringing steel over 1,000 yards.

2. BURRIS VERACITY 4-20X 50mm

Burris is another first-timer on our lists of the best rifle scopes, and boy do they impress! The Veracity 4-20X features a 50mm objective lens to help with low light situations. This is also a first focal plane scope, which is great to see from a long range scope under 1,000 dollars.

There is solid adjustability with the Veracity. They allow for 70 MOA of elevation adjustment to go along with 40 MOA of windage adjustment. These adjustments are all based on 1/4 MOA click values, which is pretty standard for scopes in this price range.

The reviews on this scope are top-notch just about everywhere you look.  Whether it is on Burris’ site or Cabelas, everyone is raving about the high quality that Burris has built a name for. As far as reticles go, we are very fond of the Ballistic Plex E1reticle.

3. ZEISS CONQUEST HD5 3-15X 50mm  

This might be Zeiss’ first time appearing on a list of the best scopes, but it certainly won’t be the last. The Conquest HD5 is definitely a long range rifle scope that gives Vortex Optics a run for its money. This particular Zeiss scope review is going focus on the 3-15X 50mm with the RZ800 reticle since there are a few different options.

The Conquest HD5 has everything you’d expect from an award-winning company like Zeiss. There is a good amount of adjustability with this long range scope. You can account for elevation up to 70 MOA & large windage adjustments in 1/4 MOA increments. One thing we were a bit disappointed with on this scope is that it is a 2nd focal plane reticle. For shots over 1,000 yards it isn’t exactly ideal, but if you make your adjustments via turret you’ll be fine.

4. LEUPOLD VX-3I LRP 4.5-14X 50mm

One of Leupold’s scopes were bound to show up in the competition for the best long range scope under $1,000. Here they’ve got the VX-3i LRP. To be clear, this isn’t a typo. The VX-3i that was listed as one of our best scopes under 500 dollars is a different scope than the VX-3i LRP.

We were very pleased with our time with the VX-3i, and it is clear that other shooters have been too. The reviews across the board on Leupold’s VX-3i LRP are outstanding, and it is easy to see why.

A nice feature about the VX-3i LRP is that you can select between First Focal Plane & Second Focal Plane reticles. This gives a little bit of flexibility for those shopping for the best long range scope. We’re going to opt for the FFP version every time though.

There are a few different reticle options for Leupold’s VX-3i LRP. We tend to like the TMR reticle more than the CCH. The CCH is simply too busy for us to be able to accurately tell what is going on, especially in low light conditions.

5. NIKON MONARCH 7 : 4-16X 50mm

We’re starting to reach the upper range of Nikon’s rifle scopes, and they’ve got one last one to put on the list. Nikon’s Monarch 7 is certainly worthy of being considered for the best long range rifle scope under $1,000.

We certainly wouldn’t consider this the best long range rifle scope under $1,000. However, it very well might make the list of our best overall rifle scopes under 1000 dollars. That’s because this is a 2nd focal plane scope, which isn’t as good for long range shooting.

There is a good amount of adjustability with the Monarch 7 though. Allowing for 58 MOA of adjustment for both elevation & windage it can get you dialed in for sure. It isn’t the most adjustable scope, but it isn’t the least either. These adjustments are all based on a click value of 1/4 MOA per click.

THE BEST LONG RANGE SCOPE UNDER 1500 DOLLARS – TOP 5

If you thought you were getting serious value out of the long range rifle scopes under 1000 dollars, just wait till you see what we’ve got next! We’re going to take a look at the best long range rifle scope under 1500 dollars. We’ll also run through others that came close, but didn’t quite earn our Editor’s Choice badge!

1. BURRIS ELIMINATOR III 4-16X 50mm

It’s pretty incredible to think about the leap in technology between our best long range scope under $500, and here at $1,500. The Burris Eliminator is a long range shooter’s dream scope. It has a crystal clear sight picture and a 4-16X magnification range. Pair that with the 50mm objective lens for low light conditions, and we’ve found a true winner.

One of the most exciting things about this scope is not only the typical optics, but the technology it comes with. The Eliminator III actually has a built-in laser rangefinder for finding the precise distance your target is at.

Potentially even cooler than that is the ballistics tables it comes with. The Burris Eliminator III has the ability to load literally thousands of different calibers & cartridges into it from your computer. Combined with the rangefinder, it will give you precise calculations for holdover, and also provide suggestions based on windage. It is almost too complicated to explain via text, so we’ve included their product video below. This is definitely their advertisement video, but it still does a good job of explaining things.

The Eliminator III also has some good adjustability for those long range shots. It allows for 40 MOA of both elevation & windage adjustments in a very precise 1/8 MOA click increment.

2. EOTECH VUDU 3.5-18X 50MM

The best thing about climbing the ladder in terms of price point is that we get to feature different brands along the way. This is EOTech’s first time appearing on our list. Best known for their holographic sights, EOTech has one heck of a long range scope here.  Admittedly this scope tends to fluctuate above & below the $1,500 price point, but at the time we’re writing this it is currently listed just a hair under $1,500.

EOTech really did a great job with this scope, as it’s one of the scopes in this price range featuring a FFP reticle. This makes it a strong candidate for the best long range rifle scope under 1500 dollars. You can also get the reticle in both illuminated and non-illuminated versions. The illuminated reticle operates on a CR-2032 battery & lasts 500 hours before needing to change it.

There is a good amount of adjustability with the Vudu. We liked that the adjustability increments were small at 1/10 MRAD (1/4 MOA), allowing us to fine-tune those shots over 1,000 yards. The maximum elevation adjustment is 14.5 MRAD (50 MOA), and the maximum windage adjustment is 11.5 MRAD (40 MOA).

All things considered, this should be a strong candidate for your next purchase if you’re looking around the $1,500 price range. While it might drift above that mark every once in a while, it’s still an incredible value.

3. SWAROVSKI Z5 3.5-18X 44mm

It took a while, but we finally get to feature a Swarovski scope on our list. The only thing keeping them off the list so far was the price range. Now that we’re looking for the best long range scope under $1,500 Swarovski is fully in play!

The Swarovski Z5 long range scope is the result of decades of high-quality scope design & manufacturing. Swarovski is well known for their ability to strike balance between tradition & innovation, and they did it again with the Z5.

Just like what you’d expect from a Swarovski scope, the Z5 features some incredibly clear optics. We’re particularly fond of their BRX reticle compared to their Plex & BRX Heavy reticles, but to each their own. Adjustability with the Z5 is up there with any competition. They allow for up to 58 MOA of elevation adjustment & 36 MOA of windage adjustment.

4. NIGHTFORCE SHV 4-14X 56mm

Nightforce is very well known among the shooting community, and most of their scopes are made to withstand battle conditions. This would typically put most scopes out of reach for even high-budget hunters & shooters.

That’s where the Nightforce SHV line comes into play. Nightforce dialed back some of the features on their SHV product line without sacrificing the quality. The result is an outstanding, affordable scope that any Shooter, Hunter, or Varminter would be proud to own.

Boasting adjustability that you’d expect out of a high-end scope,  the SHV allows for 100 MOA of elevation adjustment & 70 MOA  of windage adjustment. That gives you enough play in your scope to handle just about any long-range shooting situation. The 1/4 MOA click value allows you to get dialed in exactly where you want to be.

5. TRIJICON ACCUPOINT 5-20X 50mm

As one of the lesser-known brands on our list of the best scopes under $1,500 Trijicon might be a bit of a surprise here. That being said, they make some rock solid long range scopes that will certainly withstand the test of time.

One of the reasons Trijicon appears so low on our list is that the Accupoint is unfortunately only a second focal plane scope. This takes any Kentucky Windage opportunities away for shots coming at long ranges. There is still plenty of adjustability in the turrets, but the mil-dots are pretty much useless.

Like we mentioned, there is some adjustability in this scope even though it’s quite a bit less than other scopes on our list. The total travel of adjustment is only 40 MOA for windage & elevation adjustment in 1/4 MOA click increments. This combined with the second focal plane option leaves us wishing for more.

All things considered, this certainly isn’t a bad scope by any means. It is going to last you your lifetime, and it will perform well during the entire timeframe. We simply just don’t think it is deserving of the honor of being named the best long range rifle scope under 1,500 dollars.