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10 Best Tactical Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO, Second Focal Plane Riflescope - Dead-Hold BDC Reticle (MOA)

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,329
Reticle
Eye Relief
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
13324 reviews

Reticle
The clarity of the glass and the crispness of the reticle are impressive, especially for its price range.
Eye Relief
The eye relief is excellent, providing a full image view with minimal scope black eye ring at both low and high power.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope is highly functional for a hunting rifle that will suffer abuse in the field, thanks to its durable construction.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO Riflescope is a versatile option for hunters, offering a magnification range of 4x to 12x, which makes it suitable for various distances. The 50mm objective lens diameter allows for bright and clear images, even in low-light conditions, thanks to its fully multi-coated lenses. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is particularly useful for estimating holdover at varying ranges, providing an advantage when hunting in diverse environments.

Additionally, the adjustable objective feature helps to eliminate parallax and focus the image, enhancing accuracy further. One of the standout features is its long eye relief of 3.9 inches, along with an ultra-forgiving eye box, which enables quick target acquisition. The capped reset turrets, which are finger adjustable with MOA clicks, can be reset to zero after sighting in, adding to its user-friendly design.

Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, the scope promises durability with its shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof construction, making it reliable in various weather conditions. The lifetime VIP warranty provided by Vortex is an excellent assurance of its quality and durability. However, potential drawbacks include the riflescope's weight of 2 pounds, which might be on the heavier side for some users. Additionally, it does not have night vision capabilities, which may limit its use in complete darkness. With its strong build, clear optics, and helpful reticle, the Crossfire II is a solid choice for hunting enthusiasts looking for a reliable and versatile scope.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,329
Reticle
Eye Relief
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
13324 reviews

Reticle
The clarity of the glass and the crispness of the reticle are impressive, especially for its price range.
Eye Relief
The eye relief is excellent, providing a full image view with minimal scope black eye ring at both low and high power.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope is highly functional for a hunting rifle that will suffer abuse in the field, thanks to its durable construction.
#2

Vortex Optics Crossfire 2 3-9x50mm Riflescope with Deadhold BDC Reticle

Rating
9.8
Magnification
Reticle
Eye Relief

Most important from
13324 reviews

Magnification
Great eye relief and minimal scope black eye ring provide a clear and full image at both low and high magnifications.
Reticle
The glass is exceptionally clear, and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic for its price range.
Eye Relief
Great eye relief and minimal scope black eye ring provide a clear and full image at both low and high magnifications.
Parallax Adjustment
The scope's Adjustable Objective and Dead-Hold BDC reticle are effective for ranging and holdovers, especially up to 500 yards.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope holds zero perfectly even after extensive use with different calibers, ensuring consistent accuracy.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire 2 3-9x50mm Riflescope is a versatile option for hunters and shooting enthusiasts who need reliable performance across various ranges. With a magnification range of 3x to 9x, it offers flexibility for both close and long-range targets. The large 50mm objective lens diameter ensures a bright and clear image, especially in low light conditions, thanks to the fully multi-coated and anti-reflective lenses. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle helps in estimating holdover, which is particularly beneficial for hunting at varying distances.

The scope features a comfortable eye relief of 3.8 inches and an ultra-forgiving eye box, making target acquisition quick and easy. Additionally, the fast focus eyepiece allows for swift reticle adjustments. Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, the scope is both durable and lightweight at 18 ounces, ensuring shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof performance. The O-ring seals and nitrogen purging enhance its durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions, making it suitable for outdoor use.

One notable advantage is the unlimited, unconditional, lifetime VIP warranty offered by Vortex, providing peace of mind to the users. However, it’s worth noting that the scope does not include night vision capabilities, which might be a drawback for those requiring use in extremely low light or nighttime conditions. The product is well-reviewed, with a high customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 13,000 users, indicating widespread satisfaction. The Crossfire II series is ideal for a wide range of users, including both novice and experienced hunters looking for a reliable and high-quality tactical scope.

Rating
9.8
Magnification
Reticle
Eye Relief

Most important from
13324 reviews

Magnification
Great eye relief and minimal scope black eye ring provide a clear and full image at both low and high magnifications.
Reticle
The glass is exceptionally clear, and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic for its price range.
Eye Relief
Great eye relief and minimal scope black eye ring provide a clear and full image at both low and high magnifications.
Parallax Adjustment
The scope's Adjustable Objective and Dead-Hold BDC reticle are effective for ranging and holdovers, especially up to 500 yards.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope holds zero perfectly even after extensive use with different calibers, ensuring consistent accuracy.
#3

Nightforce NX8 4-32x50mm F1 30mm Tube Illuminated ZeroSet Parallax Adjustable First Focal Plane Hunting Gun Scope, MOA-XT (C652)

The Nightforce NX8 4-32x50mm F1 hunting gun scope is a high-performance optic designed for versatility and precision. Its magnification range from 4x to 32x allows users to target both close and distant objects with clarity, making it suitable for various hunting scenarios. The scope's first focal plane (FFP) reticle maintains accuracy at any magnification level, which is a significant advantage for long-range shooting. The MOA-XT reticle provides clear and quick aiming references, which can be very beneficial in fast-paced hunting situations.

Additionally, the scope features high-quality materials and construction, including a robust aluminum body and weather-resistant design, ensuring durability in harsh conditions. The ZeroStop functionality allows for an easy return to zero, which is helpful for consistent accuracy after adjustments. Parallax adjustment from 11 yards to infinity and a comfortable eye relief of 3.5 inches enhance user experience and precision.

On the downside, the scope weighs 29 ounces, which could be considered heavy for some users, especially during extended use. Its high-end features come at a premium price, potentially making it less accessible for budget-conscious buyers. Moreover, it does not have night vision capabilities, which limits its use in low-light conditions. Despite these drawbacks, the NX8 is a strong contender in the tactical-scopes category, offering advanced features that cater to serious hunters and shooters looking for reliability and versatility.

Buying Guide for the Best Tactical Scopes

Choosing the right tactical scope can significantly enhance your shooting experience, whether you're a hunter, a competitive shooter, or someone who enjoys target practice. The right scope will improve your accuracy, range, and overall performance. To make an informed decision, it's important to understand the key specifications and how they align with your specific needs and preferences.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears compared to the naked eye. This is crucial because it determines how well you can see your target at various distances. Scopes typically have fixed or variable magnification. Fixed magnification scopes are simpler and often more durable, while variable magnification scopes offer flexibility for different shooting scenarios. For close-range shooting, a lower magnification (1-4x) is sufficient. For medium-range, consider 5-9x, and for long-range shooting, 10x or higher is ideal. Choose based on the typical distance you will be shooting.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens, measured in millimeters. This spec is important because it affects the amount of light that enters the scope, impacting image brightness and clarity. Larger diameters (40mm and above) allow more light, which is beneficial in low-light conditions but can make the scope heavier. Smaller diameters (below 40mm) are lighter and more compact but may not perform as well in dim lighting. Consider where and when you will be using the scope to determine the right size for you.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Different reticle designs serve different purposes. Simple crosshairs are great for general use, while more complex reticles with hash marks or dots can help with range estimation and bullet drop compensation. Illuminated reticles are useful in low-light conditions. Choose a reticle that matches your shooting style and the conditions you expect to encounter.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope where you can see the full field of view. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil firearms. Scopes with longer eye relief (3-4 inches or more) are better for high-recoil guns, while shorter eye relief (less than 3 inches) can be sufficient for low-recoil firearms. Ensure the eye relief is comfortable for your shooting stance and firearm.
Field of ViewField of view (FOV) is the width of the area you can see through the scope at a specific distance, usually measured in feet at 100 yards. A wider FOV allows you to see more of the target area, which is beneficial for tracking moving targets and situational awareness. Higher magnification typically reduces FOV. If you need to track moving targets or require a broad view of your surroundings, opt for a scope with a wider FOV.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps to ensure that the reticle remains on target even if your eye position shifts slightly. This is particularly important for long-range shooting where small errors can be magnified. Scopes without parallax adjustment are typically set for a specific distance (usually 100 yards). If you plan to shoot at varying distances, a scope with adjustable parallax will provide greater accuracy. Consider your shooting distances and whether this feature will benefit your accuracy.
Durability and Weather ResistanceDurability and weather resistance are crucial for ensuring your scope can withstand harsh conditions and rough handling. Look for scopes that are waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. These features ensure that your scope will perform reliably in various weather conditions and environments. If you plan to use your scope in rugged outdoor conditions, prioritize these durability features.

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