Best Rifle Scope For The Money

Getting into a hobby is fueled by passion, but is funded by money – and hobbies can be quite expensive. Individual purchases can add up, and then of course there’s the higher-end material and equipment that can demand hefty figures with each purchase. This is why doing some research before making an all-important financial decision is an important step. Knowing what is available on the market, what the best value for money is, and how well each option works is a must for anyone looking to sink more money into buying material or equipment for any pursuit they might be undertaking.

Jump To The > Best Rifle Scope For The Money

When buying a rifle scope, the same principle applies. While once upon a time iron sights – which are built onto the rifle itself – were enough, these days it’s quite a different game. Proficiency and precision are the name of the game, and as such many models of rifle scopes have emerged, each of them good rifle scopes in their own way. Different people will have different criteria in mind when picking the best hunting scopes for them, but what should any shooter look for when buying one?

1. Magnification – a scope’s main function is to help a shooter aim. As such, picking a scope with effective magnification is a must. Pick a scope with good magnification to be able to get a good capture.
2. Design – scopes tend to feature in 1” diameter sizes, but for more precise light transmission one can pick an also-common 30mm model. Current manufacturing trends point to an increased use of 34mm scopes. Eyepiece distance is also a factor – most will recommend an average of one to four inches of distance between the eyepiece and your eye.
3. Price – the best value for money should mainly be affected by the durability of the scope, what features the scope has, how well it can be fine tuned, and what additional items it comes with. Don’t be swayed by scopes that charge extra for an attractive finish, unless a particular type of finish is a required consideration for buying that particular scope.

Best Rifle Scope For The Money

It will be up to you to determine which is the best rifle scope for the money according to your needs. However, to help you get informed about some good rifle scopes, here are some quick rifle scope review reviews for currently popular models. Links to full reviews will be added if you want to find out more about them.

NIKON PROSTAFF 3-9 X 40

Typically priced upwards of $140, the Nikon Prostaff 3-9×40 has simplified field adjustment settings that make rezeroing a quick move. The signature BDC reticle also allows shooters to hold “dead on” even at ranges past the conventionally-accepted upper limits. Perhaps the most notable feature, though, is the see-through ballistic circles, which give sighting benefits for both short-range shots and long-range shooting. [Read Our Full ProStaff Review]

NIKON P-223 3-9X40

Commonly seen online for prices hovering in the $190 range, it is worth nothing that the design for the Nikon P-233 focuses on allowing for excellent long-range accuracy as well as quick sighting speed, so if these are things you value, this might be the better option. The P-233’s optical system construction allows for superior light transmission and is complemented by the signature Nikon BDC 600 reticle. [Read Our Full P223 Review]

BUSHNELL AR OPTICS FFP ILLUMINATED RETICLE

As always, Bushnell focuses on providing reliability, durability, performance and optical precision. Also a roughly $200 unit, the Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x 24mm BTR-1 riflescope offers a caliber-specific reticle for remarkable accuracy. The optics are multi-coated to allow for noteworthy brightness, and the usual features for optimum performance – nitrogen purging to prevent fogging, o-ring sealing to keep out moisture and dust – are present, all topped off by a durable, rustproof and scratchproof shell. [Read Our Full Review]

AIMPOINT PRO PATROL RIFLE OPTIC 12841

Often seen at a comparatively hefty $400+ price tag, the Aimpoint Pro Patrol Rifle Optic works hard to counterbalance its price point with a slew of strong features. Its versatile nature – allowing it to be used with night vision devices from all generations – is thanks to the band-pass coating of its front lens. Thanks to its modular QRP2 mount, it can also work smoothly with iron sights on a variety of models, from M4 to AR15 to M16 – and you can even skip this to use the sight with a submachine gun or stock police shotgun. A wealth of brightness and night vision options give it even more of a versatility boost as well. [Read Our Full Review]