10 Best Scout Scopes
A scout scope is a low-magnification, long-eye-relief optic mounted forward of the receiver so you can aim with both eyes open and keep a wide view of your surroundings. That forward position is the whole point, and it is also why an ordinary rifle scope is not a scout scope: standard scopes have only a few inches of eye relief and cannot be mounted that far forward.
The scout category is genuinely narrow. Vortex, for example, does not currently sell a dedicated long-eye-relief scout model, despite that pairing showing up in older gear roundups, so this guide sticks to scopes that are actually built and sold as scout optics today, plus one discontinued model kept for reference only.
Choose a scout scope by eye relief, forward-mount compatibility, magnification, and reticle. The NSSF firearm safety rules and your rifle’s manual should guide any mounting work.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks Table
| Product | Magnification | Eye relief (maker) | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burris Scout Scope 2-7×32 | 2-7x | 8.5 to 14 in | A widely used, higher-tier scout scope with a lifetime warranty | Amazon |
| Hammers Long Eye Relief Scout Scope 2-7×32 | 2-7x | Long eye relief (verify on listing) | A budget scout scope with included Weaver rings | Amazon |
| TACFUN Long Eye Relief Scout Scope 2-7×32 | 2-7x | 8.5 to 10.5 in | The lowest-cost current scout scope with rings included | Amazon |
| Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×28 IER Scout (discontinued) | 1.5-4x | Long eye relief | Context only; no longer in production | Discontinued |
How We Chose
We did not lab-test these optics. We built this shortlist from manufacturer product pages and current Amazon listings for eye relief, magnification, and reticle information, and we verified availability directly rather than assuming an older roundup’s pick is still sold. Because true scout scopes are a small category, we chose accuracy over volume: we excluded a well-known “budget scout” pick from an earlier draft after confirming the manufacturer does not actually sell a long-eye-relief version of it, and we flagged review-based quality concerns on the budget options below rather than hiding them.
Reviews of the Best Scout Scopes
1. Burris Scout Scope 2-7×32
Best for: Shooters who want a widely used, higher-tier scout scope backed by Burris’s lifetime warranty.
Key specs (from Burris): 2-7x magnification, 32mm objective, 8.5 to 14 inches of eye relief, Heavy Plex reticle, forward-mounting design built specifically around the Col. Jeff Cooper scout-rifle concept. Also sold in a fixed 2.75x20mm version; confirm you select the 2-7×32 variant on the listing.
Pros
- Purpose-built scout design with genuinely long, verified eye relief rather than a repurposed standard scope.
- Lifetime, transferable warranty and strong company reputation for service.
- Waterproof, shockproof, fogproof, and nitrogen filled.
Cons
- Priced well above the budget options below.
- Listed alongside a fixed 2.75x variant on the same product page, so double-check the size selector before ordering.
Skip this if: you want the lowest price. The Hammers or TACFUN cost a fraction as much, with real tradeoffs in fit and consistency.
2. Hammers Long Eye Relief Scout Scope 2-7×32
Best for: Budget builders who want included mounting rings and a low upfront cost on a used or entry-level scout rifle.
Key specs (from the listing): 2-7x magnification, 32mm objective, silver chrome finish, includes Weaver-style rings. Confirm the current eye-relief figure on the listing before buying, since Hammers does not publish as detailed a spec sheet as Burris.
Pros
- Rings are included, which lowers the total cost of getting an optic mounted.
- Low price makes it a reasonable way to try the scout-mount concept before committing to a premium optic.
Cons
- Budget glass and adjustment quality; do not expect Burris-level clarity or tracking.
- Sparser official documentation than Burris, so verify eye relief and mounting fit for your specific rifle before buying.
Skip this if: you plan to shoot at longer range or in low light, where glass quality matters more. Step up to the Burris instead.
3. TACFUN Long Eye Relief Scout Scope 2-7×32
Best for: Shooters mounting a scout optic on a low-cost project rifle, such as an older military surplus rifle with a rear scope rail.
Key specs (from TACFUN): 2-7x magnification, 32mm objective, 8.5 to 10.5 inches of eye relief, aircraft-grade aluminum body, includes Weaver/Picatinny rings and a lens cloth.
Pros
- The lowest price of any scout scope on this list, with rings included.
- Published eye-relief figures make it easier to confirm fit than the Hammers option.
Cons
- Customer reviews report inconsistent turret adjustment and zero retention on some units; this is a real quality-control risk at this price point.
- Reticle clarity in low light is a step below the Burris.
Skip this if: you are mounting this on a rifle with meaningful recoil where a scope that will not hold zero is a real problem. Reviewers report better results on lighter-recoiling rifles.
4. Discontinued Reference: Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×28 IER Scout
Best for: Context only. This is a well-regarded former scout optic, but Leupold’s own current lineup no longer lists it, so treat it as reference rather than a current recommendation.
Key specs: 1.5-4x magnification, 28mm objective, long eye relief, duplex reticle. Availability is limited to remaining used or old-stock listings.
Why it is here: Shooters researching scout scopes will encounter the VX-Freedom Scout in older articles and forums, and Leupold’s exit from the scout-scope category is part of why this list is shorter than a typical “top 10.” If you find genuine new stock, confirm the exact model and condition directly with the seller.
Skip this if: you want a current, in-production optic with full manufacturer warranty support. Choose the Burris, Hammers, or TACFUN instead.
How to Choose a Scout Scope
Scout scopes are defined by two things: long eye relief and forward mounting. Before choosing an optic, confirm your rifle has the forward rail or scout base the scope will sit on.
Eye relief is the defining spec
A scout scope needs long eye relief, often in the 8 to 14 inch range, because it mounts forward of the receiver rather than over it. Standard rifle scopes offer only a few inches of eye relief and physically cannot be used this way. When comparing scout optics, treat eye relief as the first filter, then look at reticle and glass.
Forward mounting and rifle compatibility
The scout concept only works if your rifle can mount the optic forward, typically on a rail ahead of the action. Verify your specific rifle’s mounting options before buying. A scout scope on a rifle with no forward mounting point is unusable.
Do not confuse a standard scope with a scout scope
This is the most common and most expensive mistake in the category. A standard rifle scope and a scout scope can look similar in a listing, but only the scout version has the long eye relief needed for forward mounting. Always confirm the eye-relief figure and the scout designation directly from the manufacturer before buying, since some older gear roundups have recommended standard scopes by mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes a scope a scout scope?
A: A scout scope has long eye relief, usually 8 inches or more, so it can be mounted forward of the receiver for both-eyes-open shooting. Standard rifle scopes have only a few inches of eye relief and cannot be used this way.
Q: Can I use a regular rifle scope as a scout scope?
A: No. A standard rifle scope does not have enough eye relief to mount forward of the action. If you want scout-style shooting, you need a purpose-built long-eye-relief optic and a forward mount on your rifle.
Q: Does Vortex make a scout scope?
A: Not currently. Vortex sells standard-eye-relief Crossfire II and Crossfire HD riflescopes, but no dedicated long-eye-relief scout model was available on Amazon or Vortex’s own listings at the time of this review. Do not substitute a standard Vortex Crossfire scope for a scout mount.
Q: Is the Leupold Scout scope still available?
A: Leupold’s current lineup no longer lists the VX-Freedom 1.5-4×28 IER Scout. You may still find remaining used or old stock from some sellers, but verify condition and availability directly. For a current optic with full warranty support, choose the Burris instead.
Q: Do I need a special mount for a scout scope?
A: Yes. A scout scope mounts forward of the receiver, so your rifle needs a forward rail or scout base and appropriate rings. Confirm your specific rifle supports forward mounting before buying the optic.
Final Recommendation
For most shooters, the Burris Scout Scope 2-7×32 is the safest current recommendation: it is purpose-built for the scout role, backed by a lifetime warranty, and its eye relief is officially documented rather than inferred. The Hammers and TACFUN options cost a fraction as much and include mounting rings, which makes them reasonable choices for a budget or project rifle, but real reviews on both note inconsistent adjustment quality, so budget for the possibility of needing a exchange or a step up later. Treat the Leupold VX-Freedom Scout as historical reference only, since it is no longer sold new. Whatever you choose, verify long eye relief directly from the manufacturer and confirm your rifle can mount the optic forward, because those two things are what make a scout scope work.
