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10 Best Sniper Rifle 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 2 3-9x50mm Riflescope with Deadhold BDC Reticle

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,416
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Eye Relief

Most important from
13312 reviews

Reticle
The glass is notably clearer, and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic for its price range.
Turrets and Adjustments
Despite lacking an audible click, the turrets are easy to adjust, with a tactile feel for each adjustment.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is excellent, offering a full image without the 'soda straw' effect, enhancing the viewing experience.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire 2 3-9x50mm Riflescope is a versatile option for hunters, offering a magnification range from 3x to 9x, which suits varying hunting distances and scenarios well. The 50mm objective lens diameter is beneficial for gathering light, meaning you'll likely get bright and clear images, especially in low-light conditions. Featuring the Dead-Hold BDC reticle, it helps with estimating holdover, making it suitable for hunting at varying ranges.

A standout feature is its long eye relief and forgiving eye box, making target acquisition swift and easy, even for those who wear glasses. The fast focus eyepiece is convenient for quick reticle adjustments, ensuring you don't miss a shot. Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, it promises durability, being both shockproof and lightweight at 18 ounces. This scope is also waterproof and fogproof, thanks to its O-ring seals and nitrogen purging, ideal for harsh weather conditions.

However, there are some aspects to consider. The parallax is fixed, which might limit precision at different ranges. The turrets and adjustments are basic, which might not suit shooting enthusiasts looking for detailed, tactical adjustments. Eye relief, while generally good, is at 3.8 inches, which might be slightly limiting for some users.

The Crossfire 2 is backed by an impressive lifetime warranty, offering peace of mind with an unconditional guarantee. While it doesn't cover theft or cosmetic damage, its coverage for repair or replacement is a big plus. For hunters or recreational shooters seeking a reliable and durable riflescope, this product delivers solid performance with a few trade-offs that might not suit all users.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,416
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Eye Relief

Most important from
13312 reviews

Reticle
The glass is notably clearer, and the reticle is crisp, making it a quality optic for its price range.
Turrets and Adjustments
Despite lacking an audible click, the turrets are easy to adjust, with a tactile feel for each adjustment.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is excellent, offering a full image without the 'soda straw' effect, enhancing the viewing experience.
#2

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Dead Hold BDC Reticle Riflescope, 3-9x40, Black (CF2-31007)

Rating
9.8
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Eye Relief

Most important from
13312 reviews

Reticle
The glass is generally clearer and the reticle is crisp, making it look and feel like a quality optic.
Turrets and Adjustments
The scope holds zero perfectly even after shooting hundreds of rounds.
Eye Relief
Great eye relief of about 4 inches and a minimal scope black eye ring in your sight picture.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II Dead Hold BDC Reticle Riflescope, with its 3-9x magnification and 40mm objective lens, is a versatile option suitable for various hunting applications. One of its standout features is the Dead-Hold BDC reticle, which is particularly useful for estimating holdover at different ranges, making it great for hunters dealing with variable distances. The scope also offers generous eye relief of 3.8 inches and an ultra-forgiving eye box, allowing for quick target acquisition and a comfortable viewing experience.

The fast focus eyepiece further enhances ease of use by enabling quick reticle focusing. Its anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses contribute to bright and clear sightings, which is essential for pinpoint accuracy. Built from aircraft-grade aluminum, the single-piece tube is robust and shockproof, while O-ring sealing and nitrogen purging ensure it remains waterproof and fogproof, promising durability in various weather conditions.

One notable advantage is the unlimited, unconditional, lifetime VIP warranty, which underlines the brand's confidence in its product's longevity and performance. However, it’s worth noting that the scope does not feature night vision capabilities, which might limit its use in low-light conditions. Additionally, while it is relatively lightweight at 16 ounces, some users might prefer a scope with more advanced features for professional sniper applications. The Vortex Crossfire II offers strong performance and reliability for hunters and general shooting enthusiasts.

Rating
9.8
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Eye Relief

Most important from
13312 reviews

Reticle
The glass is generally clearer and the reticle is crisp, making it look and feel like a quality optic.
Turrets and Adjustments
The scope holds zero perfectly even after shooting hundreds of rounds.
Eye Relief
Great eye relief of about 4 inches and a minimal scope black eye ring in your sight picture.
#3

ZEISS LRP S3 6-36x56 First Focal Plane MOA Riflescope with Illuminated Reticle

Rating
9.6
Magnification
Turrets and Adjustments
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
11 reviews

Magnification
The glass quality stands out as the best compared to other high-end scopes, delivering exceptional clarity and brightness even in low light.
Turrets and Adjustments
Adjustments are precise, and the turrets offer a satisfying tactile experience that enhances quick and reliable zeroing.
Parallax Adjustment
Parallax adjustment can be challenging, causing the reticle to shift with head movement and complicating consistent point-of-impact alignment at longer distances.
Eye Relief
The eye relief and eye box are forgiving and comfortable, making it easy to get behind the scope for accurate shots.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope’s build quality is solid and visually appealing, supporting its premium positioning.

The ZEISS LRP S3 6-36x56 is a high-quality sniper rifle scope designed specifically for long-range shooting and hunting. Its wide magnification range from 6x to 36x offers excellent versatility, allowing shooters to zoom in closely for precise targeting at various distances. The large 56mm objective lens helps deliver bright, clear images, supported by ZEISS’ advanced glass technology that ensures vibrant visuals with minimal distortion and 90% light transmission.

This scope features a first focal plane (FFP) reticle, meaning the reticle size adjusts proportionally with the magnification, which is great for accurate range estimation and holdovers at any zoom level. The illuminated reticle, available in red or green with five brightness settings, improves visibility in different lighting conditions without overwhelming the sight picture since only the center part lights up. Turrets include a ballistic stop and an external locking windage adjustment, allowing fast and reliable return to zero and easy wind corrections, which are crucial for precision shooting. The large 34mm tube offers robust construction and a rugged feel, withstanding heavy recoil thanks to its 1,500 g-force shock test rating. Parallax can be adjusted to reduce aiming errors, and the eye relief is designed to be comfortable and safe for the shooter.

This scope is relatively heavy (about 39 ounces), which might affect long hunting trips or require a sturdy mounting system. Also, its premium build and features likely come at a higher price point, which might not suit casual shooters or those on a tighter budget. The ZEISS LRP S3 6-36x56 distinguishes itself with top-tier optics, precise adjustments, and durability, making it an excellent choice for serious long-range marksmen and hunters who need reliable performance in diverse conditions.

Rating
9.6
Magnification
Turrets and Adjustments
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
11 reviews

Magnification
The glass quality stands out as the best compared to other high-end scopes, delivering exceptional clarity and brightness even in low light.
Turrets and Adjustments
Adjustments are precise, and the turrets offer a satisfying tactile experience that enhances quick and reliable zeroing.
Parallax Adjustment
Parallax adjustment can be challenging, causing the reticle to shift with head movement and complicating consistent point-of-impact alignment at longer distances.
Eye Relief
The eye relief and eye box are forgiving and comfortable, making it easy to get behind the scope for accurate shots.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The scope’s build quality is solid and visually appealing, supporting its premium positioning.

Buying Guide for the Best Sniper Rifle Scopes

Choosing the right sniper rifle scope is crucial for achieving accuracy and precision in your shooting. The right scope can make a significant difference in your shooting experience, whether you are a hunter, a competitive shooter, or a tactical operator. To make an informed decision, you need to understand the key specifications and how they align with your specific needs and preferences. Here are the essential specs to consider when selecting a sniper rifle scope.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears through the scope compared to the naked eye. This is important because it determines how well you can see and aim at distant targets. Scopes typically have either fixed or variable magnification. Fixed magnification scopes are simpler and more durable, while variable magnification scopes offer more flexibility. For long-range shooting, higher magnification (e.g., 10x or more) is beneficial, but for closer ranges or more versatile use, a lower or variable magnification (e.g., 3-9x) might be more suitable.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is important because it affects the amount of light that enters the scope, impacting image brightness and clarity. Larger objective lenses (e.g., 50mm or more) allow more light, which is helpful in low-light conditions, but they also make the scope heavier and bulkier. Smaller objective lenses (e.g., 40mm or less) are lighter and more compact, making them easier to handle and mount on the rifle.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Reticles come in various designs, such as duplex, mil-dot, and BDC (bullet drop compensator). The choice of reticle depends on your shooting style and needs. Duplex reticles are simple and easy to use, ideal for general shooting. Mil-dot reticles are useful for range estimation and holdover adjustments, making them suitable for long-range shooting. BDC reticles help compensate for bullet drop at various distances, which is beneficial for hunting and tactical shooting.
Turrets and AdjustmentsTurrets are the knobs on the scope that allow you to adjust the point of impact for windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down). These adjustments are crucial for zeroing your scope and making precise shots at varying distances. Look for scopes with tactile and audible clicks for better feedback. Some scopes offer exposed turrets for quick adjustments, while others have capped turrets to prevent accidental changes. Consider your need for quick adjustments versus protection from accidental movements when choosing turret styles.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps ensure that the reticle remains in the same position relative to the target, regardless of your eye position. This is important for maintaining accuracy, especially at long ranges. Scopes with parallax adjustment allow you to fine-tune the focus for different distances, reducing aiming errors. If you plan to shoot at varying distances, a scope with adjustable parallax (often found on the side or as an adjustable objective) is beneficial. For fixed-distance shooting, parallax adjustment may be less critical.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope at which you can see the full image. This spec is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil rifles. Longer eye relief (e.g., 3.5 inches or more) helps prevent scope eye injuries and allows for more flexible head positioning. Shorter eye relief may be acceptable for low-recoil rifles or if you prefer a more compact setup. Consider your rifle's recoil and your shooting stance when evaluating eye relief.
Durability and Weather ResistanceDurability and weather resistance are crucial for ensuring your scope can withstand harsh conditions and rough handling. Look for scopes made from high-quality materials, such as aircraft-grade aluminum, and those that are shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. These features ensure that your scope remains reliable and functional in various environments. If you plan to use your rifle in extreme conditions, prioritize scopes with robust construction and comprehensive weather resistance.

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