Imagine spotting that perfect target, miles away, clear as day. But can your scope truly bring that moment home? Choosing a long-range hunting scope feels like picking the right arrow for a very long shot. There are so many numbers and features to understand: magnification, reticles, and glass quality. It’s easy to feel lost when you need gear you can trust when the distance really matters.
Picking the wrong scope can mean missing that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You worry about clarity in low light or if the adjustments will hold true when you need them most. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what you need to look for in a top-tier long-range hunting scope.
By the end of this post, you will know how to match the right glass to your rifle and hunting style. Get ready to zero in on the best scope for your next adventure. Let’s dive into the details of finding your perfect long-range optic.
Table of Contents
Top Long Range Hunting Scope Recommendations
- MASTER EVERY SHOT - Clear, rugged, and bright, the SIG SAUER TANGO-SPR shooting riflescopes are packed with premium features that keep you on-target, near or far; Outfitted with a removable magnification throw lever and a locking zero-stop elevation turret, this 30mm maintube rifle scope ensures lightning-fast, no-guess adjustments
- PRECISION REDEFINED - Designed for those who demand pinpoint accuracy, this F2/SFP shooting rifle scope comes equipped with an exposed zero-stop elevation dial and low-profile capped windage turret, providing reliable adjustments with every shot; Dedicated side focus, elevation, and windage controls mean you're always tuned for perfect precision
- UNMATCHED CLARITY - Equipped with SIG's MOA BDC-1 reticle and a superior 4:1 optical system featuring low dispersion glass, this riflescope brings your target into vivid focus; Whether you're pushing the limits of long-range competition or stalking backcountry game, this riflescope delivers crystal-clear views and precise control in any environment
- DEPENDABLE PERFORMANCE - With dependable waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof construction, this second focal plane shooting optic is ready to handle the real-world demands of serious hunters; Built with superior craftsmanship and advanced technology, this hunting rifle scope is made to perform when it matters most
- READY OUT OF THE BOX - Every TANGO-SPR riflescope comes with a factory-installed SPR Scope Mount, providing a rock-solid fit to your favorite rifle for maximum stability; Plus, the included lay-flat flip-back lens covers protect the low dispersion glass lenses from dust, debris, and scratches, ensuring your optics stay crystal-clear from the range to the field
- Magnification: 6-24x
- Objective Diameter: 50mm
- Field Of View: 28 ft @ 100 yards
- Click Value: 1/8 inch @ 100 yards
- Illuminated Type of the rifle scope: Red and Green
- Magnification: 6-24X, Objective Diameter: 50mm, suitable for close to mid range or long range shooting.
- Rangefinder reticle with 5 levels of illuminations in green and red color,diopter adjustable fast focus eyepiece for people with different eyesight.
- AO adjustment:the adjustable objective (AO) lens can be moved by the parallax dial at the end of the scope.Etched Reticle on the Glass(EG) make sure the reticle won’t fall apart.
- Eavy duty scope ring mounts for .79(20mm) rail only.2x ring mounts,CR2032 battery and lens cover included
- Made of aerospace aluminum alloy, shockproof,waterpfoof,fog-proof,solid and durable.Hard anodizing multi-coated lenses ensure a good hand feeling and avoid scratching.
- Superior Multi-Coated lenses for reduction of glare and reflection, while maximizing light transmission for ultimate image brightness and clarity from edge to edge.
- Red, Green and Blue illuminated color Mil-Dot reticle, along with auto off to save battery life.
- QTA (Quick Adjustment) turrets with precise 1/4 MOA click value for wind and elevation adjustment.
- Constructed with single piece of premium Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy with 1 inch tube diameter body.
- Nitrogen filled scope body, completely sealed with o-ring, making scope shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.
- The Venom 5-25x56 First Focal Plane (MOA) riflescope is built for long-range and competition with a 5-25x mag range built into a 34mm tube for a massive amount of turret travel (85 MOA max elevation/windage).
- XD Optical System delivers impressive resolution, edge-to-edge sharpness and greatly reduces chromatic abberation. Fully multi-coated lenses provide superior light transmission for exceptional clarity and low-light performance.
- The RevStop Zero System offers an easy to set, fast and reliable return to zero. Side knob parallax adjust allows quick and easy parallax adjustments with range numbers visible while in use.
- EBR-7C reticle ensures subtensions are accurate throughout the mag range making it easy to measure and range targets.The fast focus eyepiece allows for easy reticle focusing while the included throw lever allows for fast transitions between magnifications
- Nitrogen purged and o-ring sealed providing water and fogproof performance. Armortek coating protects the lenses from scratches and oil. The one-piece, aircraft grade aluminum, 34mm tube is shockproof.
- Fully Multi-Coated Japanese ED Glass: Features extra-low dispersion glass paired with fully multi coatings to deliver crystal clear clarity, zero edge distortion at throughout 5-25x power, and up to 98% light transmittance for precision long-range hunting and competition
- First Focal Plane Illuminated Reticle: The Christmas-tree style MOA reticle features specially designed markings and 6-level red illumination that help improve clear, simple, fast target acquisition and maintain accurate holdovers at all zoom levels in low-light conditions
- Precise Zero-Stop and Locking Turrets: The zero-stop feature allows quick and reliable return to zero. Resettable 1/4 MOA locking turrets provide tactile, crisp, accurate clicks and prevent zero shift during recoil
- Wider FOV and Side Parallax Adjustment: Wider field of view (26.2'-5.2' @ 100 yds) and ultra forgiving eyepiece provide generous eye box and quick target acquisition. Side Parallax Adjustment allows for streamlined process, extreme close to long range accuracy, and clear focus.
- Shockproof, Waterproof, Fogproof: Built with aircraft-grade aluminum, long range rifle scope for hunting ensures strength and withstands 1000 rounds of high power recoil for impressively maintained zero. O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fogproof performance
- The Crossfire HD 6-18x50 Second Focal Plane riflescope has an HD Optical System that uses select glass elements to deliver sharp resolution, reduces chromatic aberration, and provides excellent color fidelity with edge-to-edge clarity.
- Fully multi-coated lenses feature anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces to enhance light transmission and improve clarity in low-light conditions.
- The Widerange Plex reticle is designed for open terrain and extended-range use, its thinner crosshairs reduce obstruction, giving you the clarity and focus to lock in on small, distant game.
- The fast focus eyepiece quickly adjusts your reticle focus for rapid target acquisition, whether you're in timber or at the range. Adjustable parallax for more clarity at range.
- Built from aircraft-grade aluminum with a low-glare matte black anodized finish; waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof for lasting field performance.
- Long range optic from 6-24x magnification and a 50mm objective lens allowing for more light transmission and a wider field of view
- Fiber optic reticles differ from traditional etched or wire reticles in that the light source is channeled through a fiber optic filament to the center of the reticle to produce a daylight bright center dot, similar to that of a red dot.
- Includes a side focus parallax adjustment dial - that allows for sharper focus of the target image, elimination of parallax, and range estimation
- Available in multiple newly designed second focal plane options: FIB04-MOA and FIB04-MIL reticle. Second focal plane reticles remain the same size at all magnification levels for high visibility at all magnifications.
- Scope comes in a 30mm tube configuration and includes a Monstrum one piece cantilever scope mount. Also comes with a set of bikini lens covers.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Long-Range Hunting Scope
Hunting at far distances needs a great scope. A good long-range hunting scope helps you see your target clearly. It also helps you hit it accurately. This guide will help you pick the right one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a long-range scope, look for these important things:
Magnification Range
- High Power: Long-range shooting needs high magnification. Look for scopes that go up to 15x, 20x, or even higher.
- Zoom Flexibility: A good zoom range lets you use the scope for closer shots too. A 4-16x or 6-24x is often a great starting point.
Objective Lens Diameter
- This number is the size of the front lens (e.g., 50mm in a 6-24×50). Bigger lenses let in more light.
- More light means a brighter picture, especially at dawn or dusk. Aim for 50mm or 56mm for serious long-range work.
Reticle Type and Features
- Mil-Dot or MOA: These markings help you adjust for bullet drop and wind drift. Mil-Dot (milliradians) and MOA (minutes of angle) are the standards. Learn which one matches your rifle’s turrets.
- Illumination: A lighted reticle helps you see the crosshairs against dark targets. Make sure the brightness levels work well for day and night use.
- First Focal Plane (FFP) vs. Second Focal Plane (SFP): FFP scopes keep the reticle size correct at all magnifications. This is best for long-range shooting where you use the reticle for holdovers constantly. SFP scopes are simpler and usually cheaper.
Turrets and Adjustments
- Tactical Turrets: Long-range scopes need easy-to-use turrets. Look for “capped” turrets for hunting (to keep settings safe) or “exposed” tactical turrets for fast adjustments.
- Tracking Precision: The turrets must track true. When you dial in a specific adjustment, the scope must move the point of impact exactly that amount.
Important Materials and Durability
A quality scope is built tough. It must handle recoil and weather.
Lens Coatings
- Good scopes use multiple layers of coatings on the glass. These coatings reduce glare and increase light transmission. Look for terms like “Fully Multi-Coated” (FMC).
Tube Construction
- Most good scopes use aircraft-grade aluminum. This material is strong but light.
- One-Piece Tube: A single tube design is stronger than scopes made from multiple pieces joined together.
- Waterproofing and Fog-Proofing: Quality scopes get purged with inert gases like nitrogen or argon. This stops internal fogging when temperatures change quickly.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a scope excellent or just average?
Quality Factors (Improve Quality)
- Glass Clarity: Premium glass provides sharper images from edge to edge. This is the biggest difference between budget and high-end scopes.
- Eye Relief: This is the safe distance between your eye and the eyepiece. Good eye relief prevents “scope bite” (getting hit by the scope under heavy recoil).
Quality Reducers (Reduce Quality)
- Parallax Error: Parallax is when the reticle seems to move when you shift your eye slightly. High-quality scopes have an adjustable objective or a side focus knob to eliminate this error at long ranges.
- Mechanical Slop: If the turrets feel loose or mushy, they will not hold zero reliably. Precision mechanics are essential.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where and how you will use the scope.
Hunting Scenarios
- Mountain Hunting: Weight matters a lot here. You need a durable scope that stays clear but does not weigh down your pack.
- Varmint/Predator Control: High magnification and excellent clarity are crucial for small targets far away.
- Big Game in Low Light: If you hunt near dawn or dusk, prioritize light transmission (large objective lens and excellent coatings).
User Tip: Always practice adjusting your turrets at the range before you hunt. You must know how your scope dials in quickly and reliably.
10 FAQs About Long Range Hunting Scopes
Q: What is the most important feature for long-range shooting?
A: The most important feature is precise, repeatable turret tracking combined with a clear, illuminated reticle, usually on a First Focal Plane (FFP).
Q: Should I choose MOA or Mil-Dot reticles?
A: Choose the system that matches your scope’s turrets. If the turrets adjust in 1/4 MOA clicks, MOA reticles are often simpler to use for beginners.
Q: What is “Zero Stop” and why do I need it?
A: A Zero Stop lets you quickly return your elevation turret back to your original zero point after making adjustments for long distances. This is vital for fast target re-engagement.
Q: Does a bigger objective lens always mean a better scope?
A: Not always. A 56mm lens lets in more light than a 50mm lens, but it also makes the scope heavier and larger. Balance light gathering with weight for your specific hunting style.
Q: What is the minimum magnification I should look for?
A: For true long-range hunting, avoid scopes that start lower than 3x or 4x. A good low end is usually 4x or 6x to maintain a usable field of view up close.
Q: How does temperature affect my scope?
A: Extreme cold can affect the internal lubricants, making adjustments stiff. High-quality scopes use specialized greases designed for wide temperature swings.
Q: What does “eye relief” mean in simple terms?
A: Eye relief is how far back your eye needs to be from the scope’s eyepiece to see the full picture safely. Longer eye relief is safer, especially with hard-kicking rifles.
Q: Are illuminated reticles necessary if I shoot during the day?
A: They are not strictly necessary during bright daylight, but they become very helpful when shooting at dark animals or in shadowed areas where the black reticle disappears.
Q: How often should I check my scope’s zero?
A: You should check your zero after any hard travel, dropping the rifle, or changing ammunition types. A quick check at the range once a year is good practice.
Q: What price range suggests good long-range quality?
A: While deals exist, scopes with proven tracking, quality glass, and FFP reticles usually start in the mid-to-high range. Expect to pay more for proven precision.