Anyone who has ever shopped for a rifle scope knows one thing for sure – there are a lot of options. Deciding which scope will work best for your needs can be a confusing process.
If you are in the market for the best Mosin Nagant scope, you’ve come to the right place. This article will cover ten of the best scopes to mount on a Mosin Nagant rifle for target shooting and hunting.
The Mosin Nagant rifle is one of the most iconic weapons from World War II. Widely available on the resale market as a surplus firearm, the Mosin Nagant is popular among military collectors, target shooters, and hunters alike.
Although surplus rifles are not as dirt cheap as they were a few decades ago, you can still find a Mosin Nagant in nice condition in the $400 range. That is about the price of a modern, entry level bolt action rifle, depending on the caliber.
If you don’t have time for the details, check out the list below for the best rated Mosin Nagant Scopes :
- Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x33mm Rifle Scope
- Burris Optics Scout Rifle Scope
- Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50mm Riflescope
- Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm Duplex
- Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical First Focal Plane Rifle Scope
- Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9×40 Circle-X Reticle Riflescope
- UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope
- Bushnell BT1040 Tac Optic Tactical Riflescope
- Firefield PU Mosin-Nagant Scope
- Sniper MG4X20 Mosin Nagant 91/30 Scope
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Table of Contents
- An Historic Rifle for Modern Times
- Uses for the Mosin Nagant
- Optics for the Mosin Nagant
- Best Mosin Nagant Scope on the Market Reviews
- 1 Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x33mm Rifle Scope
- 2 Burris Optics Scout Rifle Scope
- 3 Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50mm Riflescope
- 4 Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm Duplex
- 5 Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical First Focal Plane Rifle Scope
- 6 Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9×40 Circle-X Reticle Riflescope
- 7 UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope
- 8 Bushnell BT1040 Tac Optic Tactical Riflescope
- Russian PU Scope Replicas
- 9 Firefield PU Mosin-Nagant Scope
- 10 Sniper MG4X20 Mosin Nagant 91/30 Scope
- Wrapping It Up
An Historic Rifle for Modern Times
The historic Mosin Nagant is heavy and wasn’t designed to be pretty, but it can easily take down big game species and the ammo won’t break the bank. Millions were produced during World War II as it was the standard issue rifle for the Soviet army. If you have ever seen the movie Enemy at the Gates then you have seen a Mosin Nagant in action.
One thing that the Mosin Nagant does better than modern sporting rifles is durability. The Mosin Nagant withstood the brutal conditions on the Eastern Front in WW2 and kept throwing rounds downrange. No matter what types of conditions you hunt or shoot in, you can rest easy knowing that when you pull the trigger on a Mosin Nagant, it is going to fire.
Uses for the Mosin Nagant
If you search on the internet for the uses of a Mosin Nagant rifle, you may come across some jokes about using it as an oar for a boat, a tent stake, or a club. While the shape, toughness, and weight of this rifle could certainly accomplish those things, it is best left for shooting sports and hunting.
A Mosin Nagant is great for target shooting. That is especially true if you are interested in the history of World War II. There is something special about firing a weapon that was used so extensively in a major war. The heavy punch of the recoil and the acrid smell of the gunpowder is just a tiny taste of what a soldier carrying a Mosin Nagant would have experienced countless times in battle.
Outside of target shooting, the Mosin Nagant is also an effective big game hunting rifle. Some hunters choose to hunt without making any changes to their historic rifle while others choose to “sporterize” their rifles. That means they add lightweight stocks and other modern amenities to their Mosins.
If you do decide to hunt with a Mosin Nagant, make sure to purchase soft point ammunition instead of full metal jacket rounds and other solid cartridges.
Optics for the Mosin Nagant
You won’t find a Picatinny rail or a Weaver mount on a Mosin Nagant. However, there are ways to mount a modern scope on these iconic rifles.
Adding a scout scope mount is one of the easiest ways to add an optic. This type of mount replaces the rear iron sight on a Mosin Nagant rifle and provides a secure mounting platform for a variety of scopes. The major difference between a traditional scope mount and a scout scope mount is how far forward the optic sits on the rifle.
A scout scope mount holds the scope further forward on the rifle. That means long eye relief scopes are vital.
Best Mosin Nagant Scope on the Market Reviews
1 Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x33mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x33mm Rifle Scope is a great option for a Mosin Nagant rifle. Leupold is one of the most respected names in the optics industry, and the company makes top-quality products. Their scopes perform well in any condition, and they easily stand up to heavy recoiling rifles like the Mosin Nagant.
The aircraft quality aluminum construction and scratch proof glass make this sniper scope as durable as the rifle it is being mounted on. With 4.17 inches of long eye relief and a simple duplex reticle, this scope pairs perfectly with the Mosin Nagant rifle.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Variable – 3-9x | 3.4” | Sniper Scope |
2 Burris Optics Scout Rifle Scope
The Scout Rifle Scope from Burris Optics is a great fixed scope option for the Mosin Nagant. The low profile, black matte finish, and unobtrusive design give this scout scope the perfect look for a historic rifle.
The Scout Rifle Scope has an extra-long eye relief of 8.5 to 14 inches and offers 2.75x magnification, which is ideal for short to mid-range scenarios. With a heavy duplex reticle, this scope holds true to the simplistic design of the Mosin Nagant and provides an ideal sight picture for both target shooting and hunting.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Fixed – 2.75x | 8.5” – 14” | Scout Scope |
3 Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50mm Riflescope
With some of the best light transmission in the industry and a specially developed glass coating, the Zeiss Conquest V4 provides a clear sight picture in even the wettest conditions. Coming in at just under $1000, this optic offers top-notch performance to make it the best sniper scope for Mosin Nagants.
Choose the #94 ZMOA-2 reticle for the perfect match on your historic rifle. This reticle design has fixed MOA subtensions and can be used for windage and elevation adjustments as well as target ranging.
The 6-24x magnification range offers enough power for any shot within the Mosin Nagant’s capabilities. The Zeiss Conquest V4 is extremely tough, just like the Mosin Nagant rifle itself.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Variable – 6-24x | 3.54” | Sniper Scope |
4 Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm Duplex
The Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm rifle scope’s ultra-lightweight design makes it an ideal scout scope for any Mosin Nagant rifle or carbine.
Don’t let the slim design and light weight of this scope fool you. This is one highly durable optic. The single-piece construction and one-inch main tube allow this scope to stand up to the rigors of Mosin Nagant recoil. Completely fogproof and waterproof, the FX-II is an ideal rear sight scope for hunting.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Fixed – 2.5x | 4.9” | Scout Scope |
5 Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical First Focal Plane Rifle Scope
If you are looking for a sniper scope for your Mosin Nagant, the Vortex Optics Diamondback should be one of your top choices. Its high-quality glass offers long range shooters beautiful edge-to-edge clarity and a crisp, clear sight picture. Those are very important qualities to have when shooting at long ranges.
The Diamondback is a first focal plane scope, which means the reticle subtensions stay the same at every magnification level. This allows you to make quick adjustments to windage and elevation no matter what magnification you have dialed in.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Variable – 4-16x or 6-24x | 3.90” | Sniper Scope |
6 Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9×40 Circle-X Reticle Riflescope
With the right scope mount, a simple variable powered riflescope, like the Bushnell Banner Dawn & Dusk, makes an awesome partner for a Mosin Nagant. The scope’s modest 3-9x magnification range works perfectly for most hunting scenarios. This optic also has a simple look that compliments the classic lines of the historic Russian rifle.
The Bushnell Banner is incredibly sturdy and features a one-piece tube construction. The tube is nitrogen purged and o-ring sealed, making it reliably fogproof and waterproof. The construction also makes it perfectly capable of standing up to heavy Russian recoil without losing its zero.
Deer hunters will particularly love Bushnell’s Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) fully multi-coated glass. DDB uses unique wideband coatings to optimize brightness and reduce glare, making it the perfect optic for twilight shooting.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Variable – 3-9x | 4” | Sniper Scope |
7 UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope
Let’s be honest here. The Mosin Nagant isn’t known for its stunning good looks. It was designed to perform a job and perform it reliably, no matter what the conditions it ends up in. In that regard, the UTG BugBuster scope is very similar to the Mosin Nagant. This scope isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but it will get the job done.
The classic Mil-Dot reticle fits the military stylings of the Mosin Nagant and offers shooters an authentic shooting experience. This scope also ships with a two inch sunshade, flip-up lens caps, and mounting rings.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Variable – 3-9x | 3.20” – 4.20” | Sniper Scope |
8 Bushnell BT1040 Tac Optic Tactical Riflescope
Coming in at well under $300, the Bushnell BT1040 Tac Optic is one of my favorite fixed scope options for the Mosin Nagant. The slim tube design combined with the chunky, knurled turrets create a military-esque look that goes perfectly with the rifle’s overall design.
When used with a rear sight mount, the Tac Optic performs admirably as a scout scope for short, mid, and long range shooting. The classic Mil-Dot reticle allows for fast target acquisition and an authentic experience.
This scope’s glass is coated to repel water, dust, oil, and debris, and the o-ring sealed, argon-purged construction makes the optic staunchly fogproof and waterproof. You won’t find a better value for the money than the Bushnell BT1040 Tac Optic.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Fixed – 10x | 3.40” | Sniper Scope |
Russian PU Scope Replicas
During World War II, some Soviet soldiers were issued Mosin Nagant rifles with PU scopes. This made them snipers on the battlefield and enabled them to take out key targets from great distances.
While authentic WW2-era PU scopes are difficult to find, there are several replica models available. If you want an authentic shooting experience, consider one of the following scopes.
9 Firefield PU Mosin-Nagant Scope
The Firefield PU Mosin-Nagant scope features the timeless design of the original scopes issued to Soviet soldiers. Much like the Mosin Nagant itself, PU scopes were designed for maximum toughness and durability. This recreation from Firefield is no different. The metal body, thick lenses, and tough mechanism design combine to create a formidably durable scope.
This fixed scope features a fixed magnification level of 3.5x, is equipped with a three post reticle, and comes with its own scope mount.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Fixed – 3.5x | 2.55” | Historic Replica |
10 Sniper MG4X20 Mosin Nagant 91/30 Scope
The Sniper MG4X20 Mosin Nagant 91/30 is another replica of the original Russian optics issued with some Mosin Nagant rifles in WW2.
This is a fixed scope with a magnification of 4x and a period accurate three post reticle. The MG4X20 is nitrogen purged and o-ring sealed, making it waterproof and fogproof. The durable design makes it shockproof as well.
The Sniper MG4X20 comes with a scope mount, a drill bit and tap for drilling the holes to attach the mount, and a lens cover.
| MAGNIFICATION TYPE | EYE RELIEF (INCHES) | SCOPE STYLE |
| Fixed – 4x | 2.64” | Historic Replica |
Wrapping It Up
Every gun collection should contain at least one historic military rifle or pistol. The Mosin Nagant is a great entry point into the world of surplus rifle collecting. It was used extensively on the Eastern Front in WWII and is still a solid target shooting and hunting rifle.
You won’t be shooting quarter-size groups, but you will experience what it is like to fire a rifle used in a major war. Add a little modern flair and performance to your Mosin Nagant by mounting a scout scope or sniper scope and be prepared for a unique, historic shooting experience. Use this list to choose the best Mosin Nagant scope for your shooting needs.
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