Best Hunting Scopes
In the world of hunting, accuracy and precision are key. A reliable hunting scope isn't just a matter of precision and safety. With countless options, it can be hard to know which rifle scope is the best for your hunting setup. Here is a look at some of the best hunting scopes available at Pyramyd AIR and suggestions for what to look for in a hunting scope.
Common features found in hunting scopes:
- Max Magnification: 16 or less which allows for a close-up view of distant targets.
- Parallax Adjustment: a feature that reduces or eliminates the effect of parallax, which can throw off your aim at longer distances.
- Low-light Performance: good low-light performance is essential for dawn and dusk hunting when animals are most active.
- Durable Construction: durability is crucial to hold up to the elements. Many hunting scopes are fog-proof, waterproof, shockproof, and constructed on a solid tube.
- Top 10 Hunting Scopes of 2025
- UTG SWAT 3-12x44 AO
- Athlon Optics 4-14x44 Talos BTR Gen 2
- Hawke Vantage 4-12x50 AO
- Leapers UTG True Hunter 3-9x40 AO
- UTG AccuShot SWAT 4-16x44 AO
- Hawke Vantage HD 2-7x32 AO
- Element Helix 4-16x44 FFP
- Mantis 3-9x32 AO Rifle Scope
- UTG Bug Buster 3-12x32 AO
- Hawke Vantage 3-12x44 AO SF
- Common Questions
- What is the best scope magnification for hunting?
- What is the best scope out to 500 yards?
- What are the considerations for choosing an FFP or SFP reticle for hunting?
- How to Buy
How We Picked These Products
When picking products to feature, we rely on the deep expertise and hands-on experience of our expert Insyders, who continuously test and use the products out in the field. Our recommendations are a combination of carefully curated top sellers, best reviewed and hand-picked products that our experts want to highlight. Drawing on more than 20 years of expertise, we understand the features that matter - from performance metrics to crucial model-specific nuances. When we recommend a product, you can trust that these picks come from experts who have extensive product knowledge and understand the equipment inside and out.
1.UTG SWAT 3-12x44 AO, 30mm
"Very clear picture, side focus, locking zero, flip-up lens covers, illuminated reticle, and built-in sun shade for under $200? Comes with a great user manual and a range of cheat cards, too. Absolutely great value and a quality product!"
Crafted with quality materials and impressive technology, this scope features a 30mm tube with the best-in-class multi-coated lenses to achieve maximum light transmission for the best clarity. The magnification and adjustable objective ensure incredible versatility. It boasts an illuminated enhancement system that provides the true color of the objects even in low light conditions.
Key Features
- Integrated angled front sunshade to prevent glare.
- Nitrogen filled for fog and water proofing.
- Wide-angle field of view provides excellent versatility.
- Enhanced illuminated reticle for superior performance in low light conditions.
2. Athlon Optics 4-14x44 Talos BTR Gen 2, FFP Mil APLR2 IR, 0.1 MIL, 30mm
"The Althon Talos is a great value, and it's clear and bright, I really like the reticle and the turrets, which are professional grade. It takes the hammering of my hw80 and holds zero just fine."
This reliable, feature-packed rifle scope guarantees exceptional accuracy in various environments. The magnification and objective lens diameter provide bright, clear, and sharp views. The APLR2 illuminated reticle makes targeting easy, even in low light.
Key Features
- The First Focal Point (FFP) Reticle scales in size as the scope's magnification is increased or decreased, maintaining accuracy.
- APLR2 illuminated reticle allows you to target accurately even in low light conditions.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body provides lasting durability.
3. Hawke Vantage 4-12x50 AO, Mil-Dot IR, 1/4 MOA
"Solid build quality. I really like the ability to adjust elevation and windage without tools - crisp clicks!"
The Hawke Vantage is an incredibly precise shooting accessory designed with superior quality for hunting. It features an adjustable objective for parallax correction and a mil-dot illuminated reticle that provides multiple aim points for both distance shooting and windage adjustments. It also includes 1/4 MOA click adjustments for highly accurate targeting. The 50mm objective lens promises excellent light-gathering capabilities.
Key Features
- The laser-etched reticle outperforms wire reticles for precision.
- The multicoated lenses offer superior light transmission, brightness, and contrast.
- The Mil-Dot illuminated reticle gives you multiple aim points for hold over and hold under, which is crucial for precise targeting.
4. Leapers UTG True Hunter 3-9x40 AO, Mil-Dot IR
"Great glass, lightweight. It's a UTG, so it will focus down to a ridiculous 3 yards out to infinity. I've always wanted a Leapers, and this went right on the Avenger Bullpup. It's a perfect fit."
The Leapers UTG True Hunter is an essential tool for serious hunters. Its adjustable objective offers unparalleled accuracy, and the Mil-Dot illuminated reticle enhances your vision even in challenging light conditions. Made with durable materials, it can withstand harsh hunting environments.
Key Features
- Multi-layered emerald lens coating allows 95% light transmission for a clear image.
- Bult on a True Strength platform to ensure lasting, reliable performance.
5. UTG AccuShot SWAT 4-16x44 AO, Mil-Dot IR
"The full mil-dot reticle is illuminated very brightly with selectable intensity, making this scope ideal for low-light small pest control. I was doing a budget rat rifle build (for pest control), and this scope was exactly what I needed."
This state-of-the-art scope provides variable magnification, letting you target from varying distances with ease. The adjustable objective reduces parallax for better accuracy. The weather-resistant body is built to last.
Key Features
- Flip-up lens covers protect your investment by reducing the opportunity for damage.
- Lock in zero so it doesn't get lost through jostling.
- Adjust for wind and elevation without affecting zero.
- The easy tap illumination system allows you to use and adjust the reticle setting without losing sight of your target.
6. Hawke Vantage HD 2-7x32 AO, Mil-Dot IR, 1/4 MOA, 1"
"This is a wonderful eyepiece for shooting short ranges. Very clear and has a very large range of adjustability."
This elite rifle scope boasts advanced light optics, ensuring you experience clearer and brighter views, especially in dim conditions. The crystal-clear image is further enhanced by the adjustable objective, which reduces parallax for better precision.
Key Features
- The rheostat on the saddle offers five levels of brightness.
- It has an etched glass reticle and optional red and green illumination settings.
- The mil-dot offers multiple aiming points, and the 1/4 MOA click adjustments ensure pin-point precision.
7. Element Helix 4-16x44 FFP, APR-1C MOA Reticle, 30mm Tube
"Nice glass, reticle, great tracking. Includes flip-up covers, throw lever, and sun shade. Good low light performance."
This all-purpose reticle, designed by competitive shooter Matt Dubber, offers a clean design for a simplified view. This scope is engineered to improve the depth of field while providing a crisp view with fully multi-coated glass. This scope is the perfect tool for hunters who demand top-level performance.
Key Features
- Crafted with multi-coated lenses that improve contrast, increase brightness, and give true-to-life color.
- The side focus provides parallax-free operation from 15 yards to infinity.
- The stainless steel resettable turrets have a mechanical zero stop, offering tool-free adjustments of windage and elevation with 1/4 MOA clicks.
8. Mantis 3-9x32 AO Rifle Scope, Mil-Dot Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube
"A great scope that can handle shock recoil and still give you the quality you expect. It works great with my Mag-Fire Extreme, as I tried 3 other brands that couldn't hold zero for nothing. "
This high-performing scope is specifically designed for shooting enthusiasts of all types. It is perfect for hunters and skirmishers who use firearms, airsoft rifles, air guns, and even break-barrel air rifles. It's robustly constructed, weather-resistant, and improves accuracy and precision.
Key Features
- Suitable for many types of rifles: firearms, airsoft rifles, and air rifles, including break barrel rifles.
- The snag-free turrets have a low profile and won't catch on other equipment.
- The heavy-duty aluminum body is nitrogen-filled, shockproof, fogproof, and waterproof.
9. UTG Bug Buster 3-12x32 AO, Mil-Dot, 1/3 MOA
"Very sturdy and very easy to zero in. I'm a novice; however have had numerous scopes on numerous rifles. This scope is very compact and user-friendly."
Bug Busters are high-performance optics with a compact design. The Mil-Dot reticle offers many hold points, and the 1/3 MOA clicks ensure precise targeting. Built on the Leapers True Strength platform, it ensures durability and reliability even for spring piston air guns.
Key Features
- It has a side parallax adjustment from 3 yards to infinity.
- The zero-locking reset target turrets allow you to adjust for wind and elevation without losing the zero setting.
- Built on the True Strength platform, the scope's durability makes it solid and reliable.
10. Hawke Vantage 3-12x44 AO SF, 1/2 Mil-Dot, 1/4 MOA, 1"
"The scope can focus clearly at a measured 18 ft minimum and then go out to the limit of the hunting range of your pellet gun. The half-mil dot and dash reticle gives you more reference places for good accuracy when you have to use hold-over and hold-under for range estimating. "
This scope delivers top-of-the-line performance for hunters with its half mil-dot reticle and adjustable objective for parallax control. The outstanding performance is enhanced by the 11-layer multicoated lenses, producing clear and sharp images. It's not only reliable but resilient with its high-grade aluminum construction, which is water, shock, and fogproof.
Key Features
- The fully multi-coated lenses offer impressive clarity and resolution.
- The adjustable objective controls the level of parallax.
- The 1/2 Mil-Dot reticle is perfect for long-range shooting and target estimation.
- The 1/4 MOA provides precision adjustment for superior accuracy.
Common Questions
What is the best scope magnification for hunting?
The key function of scope magnification is to bring your quarry visually closer, enabling you to aim with precision. While hunting sizable game that's within close to medium proximity, a magnification range of 3-9x is typically sufficient. However, if your hunting endeavors involve smaller game or targets that are at a considerable distance, you may find that a higher magnification range of 12-16x provides a more accurate shot.
What is the best scope out to 500 yards?
If you're embarking on a hunt that involves a 500-yard range, you'll want to consider looking into getting a scope with a large objective lens and a magnification between 10-20x. A large objective lens will allow more light to be collected by the scope for a bright and vivid image. Light collection makes a huge difference in image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Another factor to consider is the field of view. At such a long range, a wider field of view can help you track moving targets more effectively, enhancing your hunting efficiency.
What are the considerations for choosing an FFP or SFP reticle for hunting?
The decision between First Focal Point (FFP) and Second Focal Point (SFP) reticles can add another layer of intricacy to your hunting scope selection process. The reticle - your crosshairs or aiming point - can be found on either the first or second focal plane of your scope. The position of the reticle changes how it behaves when you adjust the magnification. With FFP reticles, the size of the reticle grows or shrinks in tandem with your target as you zoom in or out. This consistent ratio between the reticle and the target size is particularly handy when it comes to making precise long-distance shots. It allows for consistent holdover and windage corrections, regardless of the magnification level.
On the other hand, the SFP reticles remain consistently sized no matter the magnification. Even when you zoom in and out, the crosshairs' size remains the same. While this might make them easier to see, especially at lower magnifications, it does mean that any holdover and windage measurements will only be accurate at a specific magnification - usually the maximum.
So, if you want a reticle that maintains an aspect ratio to the image, choose FFP, but if you want a reticle that stays the same no matter the zoom level, choose SFP.
