Long range shooting is a thrilling and highly addictive sport. One of the most important things you can do to ensure success is invest in a quality optic. However, finding the best sniper scope is no easy feat, especially if you’ll be engaging targets at 1000 yards or beyond.
If you’re serious about precision, long range shooting, we’re here to help you find the right scope for the job. Hang with us as we dive deep into the world of long-range optics. We’ll even share some of our top picks before we’re done.
If you don’t have time for the details, check out the list below for the best rated sniper scope:
- Schmidt & Bender 5-25×56 Police Marksman II LP
- Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm
- Zeiss Conquest V6 5-30×50
- Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50
- Steiner PX4i 4-16×56
- EOTech Vudu 5-25x50mm
- NightForce ATACR 7-35x56mm
- Nikon Black FX1000 6-24x50mm
- Monstrum G3 6-24×50 Riflescope
- ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20x Digital Scope – Best Night Vision Sniper Scope
Table of Contents
- What to Look For in a Sniper Scope?
- Best Sniper Scope on the Market Reviews
- 1 Schmidt & Bender 5-25×56 Police Marksman II LP
- 2 Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm
- 3 Zeiss Conquest V6 5-30×50
- 4 Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50
- 5 Steiner PX4i 4-16×56
- 6 EOTech Vudu 5-25x50mm
- 7 NightForce ATACR 7-35x56mm
- 8 Nikon Black FX1000 6-24x50mm
- 9 Monstrum G3 6-24×50 Riflescope
- 10 ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20x Digital Scope – Best Night Vision Sniper Scope
- Final Thoughts
What to Look For in a Sniper Scope?
If you want to hit targets at extreme ranges with sniper-level accuracy, you can’t use just any old scope to do it. For best results, you’ll need to make a solid monetary investment. Punched targets at 1000 yards rarely happen with cheap optics, unless you have some serious luck on your side. Quality long-range optics aren’t cheap, so plan to spend some cash.
Here are a few key qualities to look for in a scope for your long-range sniper rifle.
- High quality glass – Look for ED or XD.
- Fully multi-coated lenses – Multiple layers of coating will reduce glare and maximize light transmission. This will help you see long-range targets more clearly, especially in low light.
- Parallax adjustment – A side focus knob or an AO (adjustable objective) will compensate for this sometimes problematic optical effect and help you make accurate shots, no matter the distance to your target or the magnification you’re using.
- Eye relief – This is the distance from your eye to the rear lens of your scope. To reach long-range targets, you’ll need to shoot a pretty powerful load. A scope with plenty of eye relief will provide enough room to save your eye from punishing recoil.
- Magnification – For long range shooting, a variable power optic will be more useful than a fixed power scope. Anything in the 4-25x range should work well.
- Turrets – Fingertip adjustable turrets are a must for precision long-range shooting. You want turrets that allow you to hear AND feel your clicks, so you can keep an accurate count.
- Reticle Design – Look for a fine reticle that won’t obscure your target. The reticle should also have marks for holdover and windage corrections.
Best Sniper Scope on the Market Reviews
We promised you our top picks, and here they are.
1 Schmidt & Bender 5-25×56 Police Marksman II LP
Designed with input from law enforcement and military personnel around the globe, the Police Marksman II from Schmidt & Bender is our top pick. However, you don’t have to take our word for how incredible this scope is: the PMII has a long list of honors and awards. That includes being crowned the winner of the 2011 Precision Sniper Rifle competition.
This scope performs impeccably, even in harsh conditions. The scope tube is made from a single piece of aircraft grade aluminum. The housing is o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for reliable performance in any temperature or weather condition.
We love the PMII’s low-profile Double Turn turrets. Not only are adjustments crisp and easy to feel, but Scmidt & Bender also provided a visible rotational indicator. This handy indicator changes color to help you keep track of your rotations.
The PMII also has stunning image clarity. It has premium glass that is fully covered with multiple layers of an advanced proprietary coating. The result is light transmission that is out of this world. If you need crisp, bright resolution, and razor-sharp edge-to-edge clarity, this scope delivers, especially in low light conditions.
This is a serious high end optic, and it comes with a serious high end price tag. However, we think it is well worth the monetary investment.
2 Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm
This premium, American-made riflescope from Leupold is one of the finest long-range optics you’ll find for under $1000. LRP stands for “long range precision,” and this optic definitely deserves the name.
The Leupold VX-3i LRP delivers reliable match-grade accuracy. Although built with a lightweight design, the optic is designed to withstand punishing recoil, making it a terrific partner for your bolt-action .338 Lapua or .300 Win Mag.
Long range shooters will appreciate the scope’s easy-to-read, zero-stop adjustment dials and target-style turrets. These premium turrets offer simple ¼ MOA windage and elevation adjustments. The scope also features a built-in quick-turn throw lever for instant magnification changes, as well as a convenient side focus knob for parallax adjustment.
The VX-3i LRP comes with Leupold’s patented Twilight Max Light Management System. Designed to reduce glare and maximize light transmission, this system provides incredible edge-to-edge clarity. More importantly, Twilight Max can add up to 20 minutes of extra shooting visibility at dawn and dusk.
3 Zeiss Conquest V6 5-30×50
Zeiss produces some of the best optical equipment in the world, designing and manufacturing everything from tiny microscopes to lenses for NASA space missions. They bring the same quality and cutting-edge designs to their riflescopes.
The Conquest V6 is one of Zeiss’s best products to date. It features state-of-the-art glass, fluoride lenses, and six layers of T star multi-coatings. The result is 92 percent light transmission and some of the sharpest, high-contrast images available on this planet or beyond.
The Conquest V6 also features Zeiss’s special LotuTec lens coatings that are designed to repel fingerprints, dust, sweat, and water, ensuring you’ll always have instant access to a crystal clear image no matter the weather.
Designed to stand up to hard use and harsh conditions, the Conquest 6 is made with both a hard shell and hard core. The housing is sealed to protect delicate inner components and prevent internal fogging.
For sniper-level, extreme distance shooting, the Zeiss Conquest V6 features an ultra-fine illuminated reticle. The reticle is only a fraction of the thickness of a single human hair and provides only minimal target coverage. It also operates on a fiber optic system, so the reticle illumination is always ready and visible, even on small target areas at insane distances.
4 Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50
Priced right around $1000, the Vortex Viper PST Gen II riflescope is a serious performer and delivers some serious value for the money.
Made with extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, fully multi-coated lenses, and Amortek protective coatings, the Viper PST has amazing image quality. It provides crisp resolution and bright clarity through the entire magnification range.
Long range shooters will appreciate the scope’s laser etched turrets that provide crisp, audible clicks for precise holdovers. These knobs have just the right amount of resistance and have a level of quality that will even please the turret snobs in the crowd.
The scope also features a side parallax adjustment, RZR zero stop, and a detailed FFP reticle. This reticle really delivers at maximum power. Although some shooters may find the reticle design somewhat cluttered, for shooting targets at extreme ranges, the detail is perfect for ranging, holdover, and windage corrections. .
5 Steiner PX4i 4-16×56
Steiner knows optics, so when they claim their PX4i model is “the ideal riflescope,” you should probably take them at their word.
Built for rough battlefield conditions, the PX4i has a main tube milled from solid high-grade aluminum. Because the housing has no seams or welds, there are no weak spots, resulting in unmatched strength and durability. This riflescope can easily handle bumps, slams, and drops. It can even endure freezing temperatures, abrasive sand, and sloppy mud, and it can do it all without losing its zero.
The turrets on the PX4i are incredibly easy to use. Refreshingly stiff, these knobs provide the perfect amount of tactile resistance. The white circle on the turrets also changes color after one full rotation to help you keep track of your revolutions.
Precision shooters will definitely love the illuminated SCR (Special Competition Reticle) on this scope. This FFP reticle is designed for competition, although it works for any shooting application where fractions of an inch can mean the difference between victory and defeat. This design also has an extended illumination area that is perfect for lining up crosshairs in low light environments.
6 EOTech Vudu 5-25x50mm
Although EOTech is best-known for their high-tech holographic sights, the company also designs other innovative sighting systems. Their Vudu riflescopes offer battle-proven reliability and extreme durability. These tough tactical scopes are torture-tested to prove their durability, reliability, and performance, even in the harshest shooting conditions.
It’s easy to fall in love with this super short, long-range riflescope. The EOTech Vudu is the shortest scope on our list. Measuring only 11 inches, it is the perfect option for short platform rifles like the AR-10 (or an AR-15 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor).
Not only is this riflescope practically indestructible, it also has amazing image quality. The EOTech Vudu features extremely clear XC, high-density glass for impressive light transmission and sharp image clarity.
The Vudu also features an illuminated FFP mil dot reticle that is highly visible through the entire magnification range.
7 NightForce ATACR 7-35x56mm
The NightForce ATACR is THE long-distance precision riflescope for shooters, especially those with an unlimited optics budget. Although this high-end scope comes with a serious price tag, it is one serious scope.
When it comes to scopes, we tend to believe you get what you pay for. If you want peak precision performance, you’re going to pay for it. However, this scope is definitely worth every single penny you’ll invest.
The ATACR has everything you would expect from a high end optic, including an illuminated FFP reticle, fully multi-coated glass, an incredible FOV, and what might be the best zero stop on the planet.
Did we mention this is the optic US Marine Corps snipers run on their sniper rigs?
8 Nikon Black FX1000 6-24x50mm
The Black FX1000 is an affordable, sniper-level, match-grade optic from Nikon. It has an exclusive, richly detailed FFP reticle designed by Nikon specifically for this scope. The glass-etched reticle incorporates everything the shooter needs for accurate ranging, holdover, and windage corrections. However, it is arranged so the reticle doesn’t clutter up the sight picture. The reticle also maintains high contrast visibility in any light condition.
The high-speed target turrets on the Nikon Black FX1000 are easy to use and feature a built-in zero stop function. The scope also features a fast focus eyepiece, side focus parallax adjustment, and constant, generous eye relief.
Made with high-quality, fully multi-coated glass, the Nikon Black FX1000 provides vibrant color contrast and a crystal clear sight picture through the entire magnification range. It is also built for rugged conditions and hard use. O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, the optic is reliably shockproof, fogproof, and waterproof.
9 Monstrum G3 6-24×50 Riflescope
It is really hard to find a decent long-range scope for under $500, but somehow Monstrum delivers. The G3 riflescope from Monstrum Tactical is packed with tons of awesome features you would only expect to find on a much more expensive scope.
If you’re looking for an affordable, entry-level long range optic for hunting, target, or tactical shooting, this is it. It makes a near perfect partner for a stock Remington 700, especially one chambered in .308. And it has an FFP reticle to boot!
Features include a generous 6-24x magnification range, an adjustable objective lens (AO), and beautifully tactile target turrets. It also features a functional, easy-to-read reticle for faster range estimation and holdover corrections. You can easily adjust the brightness of the reticle to match ambient lighting conditions, providing maximum visibility in bright sunshine or low light.
10 ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20x Digital Scope – Best Night Vision Sniper Scope
If you need to make precision, long-range shots after dark, you need a very special optic to make it happen. The X-Sight II is more than a basic riflescope. This optic from ATN uses digital technology rather than a series of lenses to help you make accurate nighttime shots.
Unlike traditional night vision, this scope can be used after dark or in bright sunshine, and you don’t have to worry about light damaging any of the internal components. With both day and night modes, you only need one optic for every lighting condition.
The X-Sight II also comes packed with a ton of extra high-tech features. It has an integrated rangefinder and a ballistic calculator.
It also comes with RAV (Recoil Activated Video) recording. Activated by the recoil of your weapon, the X-Sight II automatically records footage of all the shooting excitement from 30 seconds before the shot to 30 seconds after the shot.
These scopes are designed for long-range centerfire rifles. If you’re looking for the best sniper scope for airsoft, check out the CVLIFE 3-9×40 R4.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re making sniper-quality shots on game animals, steel, or paper targets, you need high-quality gear. Aside from your rifle and personal shooting skills, nothing is more important to long-range shooting success than your optic. With the best sniper scope mounted on your rifle, (and some polished shooting technique) you’ll be popping targets outside of 1000 yards in no time.
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