Are you one of those hunters that think you need to sell your car in order to be able to buy a long range rifle scope that works well? Well, guess again. My hunting buddies and I all have had great success using long-range sights that cost less than $1000. In this article, we will take a look at some of the top model long range rifle scopes under $1000 and also tell you what features to look for when you are shopping for a good long range rifle scope at a fair price.
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Summary: Top 5 Long Range Rifle Scopes Under $1000
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Editor’s Rating (out of 5.0) |
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4.6 |
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4.5 |
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4.5 |
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4.5 |
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4.3 |
Long Range Rifle Scope Buying Guide
Not just any long range rifle scope under $1000 will work well for you. Here are some characteristics that you should consider when buying a long range rifle scope at a fair price:
- Magnification / Objective lens size
Magnification of a rifle scope is always expressed in terms of how much further that scope can see out than the naked eye. Most of the time the magnification power of a scope will be clearly marked on the lens itself and its packaging as a series of numbers. Any number that comes before the “x” is a possible magnification level for that particular scope and the number after the “x” is the size of that scope’s objective lens.
Example: a scope that has a number value of 2-8×30 means it can magnify the object you are looking at 2x – 8x times what your naked eye can see. The 30 after the “x” means it has a 30mm objective lens.
The bigger the objective lens the clearer the image you will see but it will also make that scope heavier.
- Accuracy range
Most manufacturers will list the range that there scope will be accurate at when using it. Make sure this number meshes with the distance you would like to use your scope at.
- Adjustability
Shooting long range is much different than shooting objects at close to medium range. You will need a scope that is highly adjustable in order to shoot accurately at long ranges. A scope with 1 MOA adjustability is ok but for even more accuracy look for a click adjustment for height and elevation that is even finer than that (example 1/8 MOA per click).
- Construction
The best long-range scopes are made out of one-piece metal tubing. If this tubing is something like aircraft aluminum or anodized aluminum it’s even better. They should also be corrosion resistant and waterproof.
- Reticle
Different shooters are comfortable with different reticle shapes and sizes. Make sure you know what type of reticle the sight you are thinking about buying has (example: a reticle that is laser etched on glass or a mil-dot reticle).
- Optics
Glare and fogging can be a big problem for you when shooting long range. So look for a rifle scope that has multi-coated lenses to reduce glare and the optics tube is purged with gas to prevent fogging.
Long Range Rifle Scope Reviews (Under $1000)
Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12×40
There are few bigger names in the industry when it comes to quality gun sights than Vortex Optics. This fine long range rifle sight only backs that statement up further. It literally has everything you want when shooting your rifle for distance and it cost well under $1000.
This is an impressive sight with very good multi-coated and fogproof optics. It features a 30mm objective lens and 4x-12x magnification. When you are going through its different magnification levels it changes the image size very smoothly.
It’s a very tough rifle scope too thanks to its single-piece aircraft grade aluminum tubing and its waterproof design. This long range scope also features Vortex Optics incredible lifetime warranty too.
Pros:
- One-piece aircraft-grade aluminum alloy
- 4-12x zoom
- Fogproof and waterproof construction
- Good size 30mm objective lens
- dead-hold bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticle
- Lifetime Guarantee
Cons:
- Eye relief could use a little improvement
- ¼ MOA per click could be improved for even more long distance accuracy
Konus 7259 Riflescope 6x-24x44mm Zoom
If you are looking for a good long range rifle scope that is affordable you won’t be able to do much better than this scope from Konus. It features a solid 6x-24x magnification and it’s only a lightweight 21 ounces.
You can do some extremely accurate long range shooting with this scope. It has a virtual recoil proof laser etched reticle and it also features 1/8 MOA easy finger windage and elevation adjustments. The accuracy of this scope is only further enhanced by its etched mil-dot reticle that is virtually recoil proof.
This scope will hold up well in almost any weather conditions too. It features a shockproof one-piece aluminum tube and is fogproof and waterproof also.
Pros:
- Affordable quality
- 6x-24x magnification
- Lightweight 21 ounces
- Recoil proof etched mil-dot reticle
- Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof
- 1/8 MOA finger adjustments
Cons:
- Image distorts slightly when over 18x magnification
- Windage and elevation increments could be marked better
Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-223 BDC Reticle Riflescope
When it comes to any type of magnifying optics Bushnell is a huge name in the industry and this fine long distance scope fits right in that mold. This scope will greatly increase your chances of hitting any target at a long distance.
The optics on it are exceptional for a long distance shooting scope in this price range. It offers you a wide ranging 4.5x-18x zoom option and it presents you with clear images thanks to its nicely multi-coated optics. It also has a bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticle which helps you quickly adjust your long distance shots.
Other great features on are its fast focus eyepiece and its rugged anodized aluminum body. Its highly adjustable for windage and elevation too thanks to its ¼ MOA per click.
Pros:
- Accurate to 500 yards
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Anodized aluminum body
- ¼ MOA per click
- 5x-18x zoom
- Bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticle
Cons:
- Cross hair is thick for some users
- Slightly heavy scope @ 1.3 pounds
Vortex Optics Viper HS Long Range Rifle Scope, 4-16×50
This is the second really nice Vortex Optics scope on our top review list. It features a very good 4x-16x zoom capability and its large 50mm objective lens delivers a very clear view of the targets you are looking at.
It has an advanced reticle system also. The bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticle allows you to make quick adjustments on a shot without having to adjust the windage and elevation knobs. This Vortex Optical sight also has what is known as a user-friendly eye box due to its very adequate eye relief when looking through the scope.
This scope is solidly built too thanks to its one-piece aluminum alloy body. It’s also fogproof and waterproof. Like every vortex scope this one too comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- 4x-16x magnification
- Lifetime warranty
- Bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticle
- Very good size objective lens for clarity (50mm)
- Single-piece machined aluminum alloy body
- User-friendly eye box
Cons:
- Field of view seems very small at short distances
- Reticle is large for some shooters liking
Tasco Varmint 2.5-10x 42mm True Mil-Dot Reticle
Decent long distance shooting scopes don’t get any more budget-friendly than this one from Tasco. Don’t be fooled by its affordability either. It has many features that you will also find on much more expensive long distance shooting scopes.
The optics on this scope present a clear picture of what you are looking at thanks to such things as its large 42mm objective lens and its anti-glare multi-coated lenses. It is also easily adjustable when shooting thanks to its 1/4 MOA per click windage and elevation adjustments.
What’s even more amazing is this ultra-wallet friendly long distance shooting scope comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Large 42mm objective lens
- True mil-dot reticle
- 1/4 MOA per click
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Multi-coated lenses
- Lightweight at just over 1 pound
Cons:
- Zoom could stand to be a little more powerful
- Acquisition can be slow on some zoom settings
Conclusion
In this article, we presented you with a wide variety of excellent working long range rifle scopes in all different price ranges. Which one do we think was the best of the bunch all things considered? It would have to be the Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12×40. There is just so much to like about it.
It all starts with its very nice 4x-12x zoom feature. The 40mm objective lens also presents you with a crystal clear view of your target. That view is enhanced even further by this scope’s multi-coated and fogproof optics. When you factor in that it has a lifetime guarantee, it’s made out of aircraft grade aluminum and it is manufactured by the super-popular Vortex Optics Company, then it’s definitely a long range scope you need to seriously consider when shopping for a new one.
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