8 Best Long Range Scopes for the Money

If you are an up-to-date shooter, then you may have noticed that manufacturers are bringing heavy barreled rifles. These rifles are chambered in magnum calibers, which is suitable for long-range shooting. Being a serious hunter or just a sport shooter, you may need to reach a little further than using regular sights.

The range is sometimes within hundreds or even a thousand yards. However, to reach this range, you must need a long-range scope. The demand for long-range scope is increasing with time due to its constant innovation and development.
Hence, it can be challenging to find out the best long range scope for the money because you need to check several factors such as reticle system, wide elevation adjustment ranges, etc.

In case you are in a rush and don’t have enough time to look into details. Here we present our top picks, and all of them are the best long range scopes. They will fit any budget. Let’s get started.

For long-range scopes, compare tracking, reticle type, adjustment range, eye relief, and mount compatibility. The NSSF firearm safety resources are a useful baseline before choosing optics.

Quick Picks Table

Reviews of the Best Long Range Scope for the Money

So, if you are ready to take the challenge of taking shots in the thousand-yard range. Here, we will help you to find the best long range scope for the money. Although there is no exact definition of long-range, it could be 100, 200, 500, and to more yards. Hence, your scope attachment should be precise and accurate.

It should have better magnification, good optics with parallax focus, and so on. By having all these factors in mind, we have concluded some of our top recommendations. So, consider all these factors and pick one which suits your requirements.

1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Riflescopes

Most avid shooters have rated the Vortex Optics Crossfire II as a high-end scope. It is the reason it grabs our top place. The Vortex Optics Crossfire riflescopes offer the highest level of performance and reliability.

This single piece tube is made with aircraft-grade aluminum, which ensures strength and shockproof performance. It is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, which makes it waterproof and fog-proof.

It has a Dead-hold BDC reticle, which is suitable for shooting or hunting at varying ranges. The scope features an adjustable objective that provides image focus and parallax removal to the shooter.

The lenses are anti-reflective and fully multicoated so that you can see bright and unobstructed views. Also, you can quickly get a sight picture with the more extended eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box.

Also, it comes with the capped reset turrets, which are adjustable. You can adjust them with just MOA clicks. You can reset it to zero after sighting in. Again, the Long Range Scope for the Money features a customized hashmark design, which helps eliminate guesswork while you are correcting windage.

Overall, it can be an excellent purchase. You can use it for tactical shooting or hunting. Whether it is about features or build-quality, there’s no compromising on the Vortex Optics Crossfire II. The price is also within range.

Pros

• It can hold zero
• Heavy-duty construction
• Adjustable objectives
• Bright and clear views
• Longer eye relief
• Quicker sight pictures
• Quick and easy reticle focusing

Cons

• A bit heavy
• Losses clarity at higher powers

2. Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 6-24×50 Riflescope

The Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 replaces the discontinued Argos BTR model on this list with a first focal plane 6-24×50 scope, which keeps the reticle subtensions accurate at any magnification setting.

It ships with a sunshade included, which is a useful extra for reducing glare on bright days without buying a separate accessory. Athlon has built a solid reputation in the value long-range scope segment over the past decade.

The illuminated MOA reticle and zero-stop turrets are aimed squarely at shooters who want serious long-range capability without paying premium-tier prices.

Pros

• First focal plane reticle stays accurate at any zoom level
• Includes a sunshade
• Illuminated MOA reticle with zero-stop turrets
• Strong reputation in the value long-range segment

Cons

• Not as widely available at retail as Vortex or Bushnell

3. Athlon Argos BTR Gen 3 10-40×56 Riflescope

Nikon exited the riflescope business entirely a few years back, so this slot moves to Athlon’s newest Argos BTR Gen 3, a 10-40×56 scope built for serious distance work well beyond typical hunting ranges.

The 56mm objective lens pulls in more light at high magnification, which matters once you push past 20x and start losing brightness on smaller-objective scopes.

A 30mm main tube gives it more internal adjustment range than the 1-inch tubes common on entry-level scopes, which is useful if you’re dialing for distance rather than holding over.

Pros

• 10-40x range for serious long-distance work
• Large 56mm objective for better light at high magnification
• 30mm tube offers more adjustment range

Cons

• Overkill magnification range for shorter hunting distances

4. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope

Leupold’s VX-2 line has since been replaced by the VX-Freedom series, and this 3-9x40mm model carries forward the same Leupold reputation for clarity and rugged build quality this list’s original pick was known for.

It uses a MOA reticle tuned for rimfire trajectories, so holdover points line up correctly at typical rimfire ranges rather than requiring guesswork.

Leupold backs its scopes with one of the strongest warranties in the optics industry, which matters for a piece of gear that’s going to take recoil and weather exposure over years of use.

Pros

• From Leupold’s current VX-Freedom line
• MOA reticle tuned for rimfire trajectories
• Strong industry-leading warranty

Cons

• Rimfire-tuned reticle isn’t ideal if you mainly shoot centerfire long-range

5. Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR3 3.5-21x50mm Riflescope

The DMR3 replaces the discontinued G2DMR on this list as Bushnell’s current professional-grade long-range competition scope, built with an ED Prime objective lens for sharper resolution and better color correction.

It carries the G4P precision reticle, designed specifically for holdover and windage correction at extended distances rather than general hunting use.

This is a serious competition-grade tool rather than an entry-level scope, so it’s aimed at shooters who want precision over the more budget-friendly options on this list.

Pros

• ED Prime objective for sharper long-range resolution
• Precision-focused reticle for holdover and windage
• Professional/competition-grade build

Cons

• One of the pricier options on this list

6. Sig Sauer Whiskey4 4-16x44mm FFP Riflescope

This Sig Sauer Whiskey4 brings a first focal plane reticle to the mid-range magnification segment, replacing the discontinued Bushnell Mil-Dot model on this list with a modern equivalent from a major optics brand.

It uses Sig’s MOA Milling Hunter 2.0 reticle, a non-illuminated design built for holdover and range estimation without needing a battery.

The 30mm main tube and shockproof, waterproof, fogproof build put it in the same durability class as the Bushnell tactical scopes elsewhere on this list.

Pros

• First focal plane reticle stays accurate at any zoom level
• MOA Milling Hunter 2.0 reticle for holdover and ranging
• Shockproof, waterproof, fogproof construction
• No battery required for the reticle

Cons

• Non-illuminated reticle is harder to see in low light

7. Trijicon TR24G AccuPoint 1-4x24mm Riflescope

Trijicon’s AccuPoint line uses a fiber-optic and tritium illuminated reticle that needs no batteries, and this TR24G model brings that same technology to a fast, low-power 1-4x configuration built for closer, faster shots rather than pure long range.

The green triangle post reticle is designed to stand out clearly against most backgrounds, and the self-powered illumination means it keeps working even if you forget to check a battery before a hunt.

Trijicon is a premium optics brand, and this scope’s price reflects that positioning compared to the more budget-oriented picks on this list.

Pros

• Fiber-optic/tritium illumination needs no battery
• Fast 1-4x range for closer, quicker shots
• Premium Trijicon build quality

Cons

• The most expensive scope on this list
• Lower top-end magnification than the dedicated long-range scopes here

8. Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope

Nikon exited the riflescope business entirely a few years back, so this slot moves to Trijicon’s AccuPoint 5-20×50, a genuine long-range scope with a mil-dot crosshair and green dot reticle.

Like the rest of the AccuPoint line, it uses fiber-optic and tritium illumination that requires no battery, which is a meaningful advantage over illuminated reticles that depend on battery charge in the field.

The 5-20x range and 50mm objective put it squarely in the long-range hunting and shooting category this list is built around.

Pros

• 5-20x magnification with a 50mm objective for real long-range use
• Battery-free fiber-optic/tritium illumination
• Mil-dot crosshair with green dot reticle

Cons

• Premium Trijicon pricing compared to the value-oriented picks on this list

Buying Guide of the Best Long Range Scope for the Money

When looking for a long-range scope, you should consider numerous factors. So, here are some key features to look for when purchasing a long-range scope.

Reticle Type

For the best performance from your hunting scopes, you should use a reticle with evenly spaced markings on both the horizontal and vertical axis. In the riflescopes, reticles are measured in mils or MOA.

Mildot or the MOAR (for Nightforce) are the common names of the reticle. Also, a long-range scope is excellent for hunting in low-light conditions. Also, when hunting at night, a long-range scope with an illuminated reticle can be pretty helpful.

Magnification

The magnification scale for most long-range scopes is 12-60 x 60. This implies you can zoom in between 12 and 60 times. In general, the scope will include a rotary dial that allows you to select magnification levels of 12, 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60. However, increased magnification will allow you to see further away objects, but you’ll experience issues with decreased image clarity.

Objective Lens

You can determine the size of the objective lens by checking the magnification rating. A scope with a max magnification of 8-34 x 56 has an objective lens of 56 mm.

Also, larger objective lenses allow more light to pass through them and into a viewer’s eyes, making it possible for you to see a brighter image. If you want to use your scope in low light or extreme magnification situations, we recommend getting the largest size possible.

Turrets

Another critical component of a long-range rifle sight is the turrets. To make adjustments, you’ll need to turn the turrets, and some will be simple to turn while others will be challenging.

We recommend seeking turrets that offer some resistance to obtain more precise results but avoid difficulty turning or have an unpleasant feeling as they move.

Durability

Durability is an excellent feature for any scope. When you look at the features, look at how durable the scope is. Always be careful when handling your rifle scope, especially under bad conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What is a long-range scope?
A: A long-range scope is an optical device used for shooting targets at a distance, usually over 500 yards.

Q: What makes a good long-range scope?
A: A good long-range scope should have a high magnification, a large objective lens, good quality optics, precise adjustment turrets, and a durable construction.

Q: What is the ideal magnification range for a long-range scope?
A: The ideal magnification range for a long-range scope depends on the intended use. For hunting, a magnification of 10x-20x is sufficient. For long-range shooting, a magnification of 20x-30x or higher is recommended.

Q: What is the difference between first focal plane and second focal plane scopes?
A: Click Here..

Q: What is the minimum effective range for a long-range scope?
A: The minimum effective range of a long-range scope depends on the caliber of the rifle and the size of the target. Generally, a long-range scope is effective at ranges of 500 yards or more.

Q: What is parallax adjustment, and why is it important?
A: Parallax adjustment helps to ensure that the reticle is in the same plane as the target, regardless of the shooter’s head position. It is important for accurate long-range shooting.

Q: What is an MOA?
A: MOA stands for Minute of Angle. It is a unit of measurement for angles and is commonly used to measure the adjustments on a long-range scope’s turrets.

Q: What is the eye relief on a long-range scope?
A: The eye relief is the distance between the scope’s eyepiece and the shooter’s eye. It is important to ensure that the shooter can maintain a comfortable and safe shooting position.

Final Words

The above choices are all appropriate contender for the money. They can cater to every customer’s needs and demands. Still, if you are going to any specific one among them, make sure the model has all the particular specifications you required. Most importantly, even if it is a higher-end scope, always keep your budget in mind before you go for one.

Also, the quality of glass and coatings in our suggested scopes just won’t be matched by any others. Your new brought rifle or existing hunting rifle will get a better grip from these scopes. So, it’s time for the shopping for the best long range scope for the money.

Related reading: rifle scope magnification guide and spotting scope vs binoculars guide.