In the world of hunting and shooting sports, the number of rifle scope options can be overwhelming.
There are classic brands that have been trusted for decades, as well as newer brands making a name for themselves.
In this article I want to introduce you to the scope manufacturers that have proven themselves to be high quality and reliable - so much so that we consider them the top scope brands out there today.
I also chose one scope from each brand that is ideal for longer-distance shooting to expand on (we chose five scopes that are fairly similar in statistics and purpose to give you a good idea of some of the options from each brand).
5 Top Rifle Scope Brands
1) LEUPOLD
Leupold built their first nitrogen-purged, fog proof rifle scope in 1947. The innovation has continued from there, including the development of the very popular duplex reticle. With their factory in Oregon, they are proud that their optics are American made.
My favorite Leupold Scope: LEUPOLD VX-3HD 6.5-20x50 SIDE FOCUS CDS-T
The VX HD line from Leupold is known for its clear HD Elite Optical System glass that is fog proof, waterproof, and scratch resistant. This glass is also known for its glare resistance, so the rising or setting sun shouldn’t be a problem.
The 3 in VX-3HD, means that scopes in this line have a 3:1 zoom ratio. So, the highest zoom is three times that of the lowest. This optic - at 6.5-20x zoom - is ideal for hunting or shooting at the range when your target may be fairly close or a few hundred yards away. The 50mm lens is also designed to allow greater light into the scope, so you should have a clearer view of your target during those first and last minutes of legal shooting light. And the lightweight design makes it ideal for hunting.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Dimensions: L 14.37” x D 2.3” w/30mm tube
- Weight: 20.8 oz
- Side Focus adjustable parallax
- Eye relief: 4.4”-3.6”
- Custom Dial System compatible
- ¼ MOA windage and elevation adjustments
- Second Focal Plane reticle
- Available reticles: Diamond, Fine Duplex (neither illuminated)
- Lifetime Warranty
- MSRP: $949.99
2) Riton
As one of the newer brands on the block, Riton’s website may not boast as much about their history as Leupold. But, they’re very adamant that they strive to offer customer-focused optics that are high quality and affordable.
My favorite Riton Scope: RITON 5 CONQUER 5-25X56
Whereas Riton’s Primal line is constructed more for the rigors of hunting, the Conquer line is optimized for long-distance precision shooting. The HD/Extra Dispersion (ED) glass is designed to allow the greatest light transmission with dispersion at levels where more clarity and color contrast can be seen. Riton also offers multi-coated glass that is scratch and glare resistant and ideal for low-light performance.
Similar to Leupold, the 5 in 5 Conquer means that it has a 5:1 zoom ratio. This wide range allows for shooting targets that are inside 100 yards as well as those that are several hundred yards out. And, that 56mm lens with the 34mm tube permits more light transmission and enhances adjustability and precision. The larger tube does, however, make it a heavier optic than other “hunting” scopes, so just keep that in mind.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Dimensions: L 15” x D ** (measures) w/34mm tube
- Weight: 37 oz
- Side focus adjustable parallax
- Eye Relief: 3.5”
- Riton’s R5 Zero Stop Turrets allow for fast return to zero
- ¼ MOA windage and elevation adjustments
- First Focal Plane reticle
- Available reticle: PSR (MRAD), MOR (MOA)
- Illuminated reticle
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- MSRP: $959.99
3) Steiner
Steiner is another optics company that has been around for decades. They began in post-war Germany with a goal to make optics that are not only clear and visually superb but those that can also withstand the harshest of hunting conditions.
My favorite Steiner Scope: STEINER PREDATOR 4 6-24X50
The Predator 4 line is compact and lightweight and meant for the rigors of any type of hunting terrain. The Second Focal Plane, illuminated E3 was created specifically for the needs of hunters. Plus, with enhanced light transmission, wide field-of-view, and clarity of picture, your long-range hunting pursuits shouldn’t be a problem.
Similar to the other brands, the 4 represents a 4:1 zoom ratio. Again, this wide zoom range offers optical clarity for closer targets as well as those significantly farther out. With its lightweight design, it could be the ideal scope for hunting when your target animal is hundreds of yards away.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Dimensions: L 14.76” x D ** w/** mm tube
- Weight: 23.6 oz
- Side focus adjustable parallax
- Eye Relief: 3.5”
- ¼ MOA windage and elevation adjustments
- Second Focal Plane reticle
- Available reticle: E3 Reticle with illuminated crosshairs - specifically for hunters
- 10-Year Warranty
- MSRP: $1,379.99
4) Vortex
If you’ve ever shopped for any type of scope, you’ve heard of Vortex. The Wisconsin-based company prides itself on being an employee-owned business whose main focus is customer care. Their unconditional, unlimited VIP Warranty is just one way they show that.
My favorite Vortex Scope: VORTEX VIPER HD 5-25X50
Vortex’s Viper HD line focuses on quality glass and optical clarity. The multi-coated HD glass is meant to provide higher color quality, image clarity, and sharpness from edge to edge. The 50mm objective lens will also improve light transmission for the “golden hours” of hunting when animal movement is greatest. Increased light transmission as well as anti-glare glass coatings make the Viper HD ideally suited for hunting.
The Viper HD line also has offerings in other magnifications and reticle options. But, this 5-25x50 falls in line with the other samples we’ve discussed. The wider magnification range can be used in a variety of settings and situations, so adjustments can be made quickly, depending on the situation. The higher magnification also makes seeing your target easier at longer ranges. Plus, at 25 oz, it’s well suited for carrying through the woods or open country.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Dimensions: L 15.2” x D 2.3” w/30mm tube
- Weight: 25 oz
- Side focus adjustable parallax
- Eye Relief: 3.4”
- ¼ MOA windage and elevation adjustments
- RevStop Zero System on turret
- Second Focal Plane reticle (FFP option also available)
- Available reticle (5-25): Illuminated VMR-3 (MRAD or MOA)
- Vortex VIP unlimited, unconditional warranty
- MSRP: $1,299.99
5) Zeiss
Zeiss is another German company that has long been well known for its superb glass quality - and not just for rifle scopes. They’ve engineered higher end glass for microscopes, medical devices, corrective glasses, photography equipment, and more. The Zeiss glass is supposed to be some of the absolute best you can buy.
My favorite Vortex Scope: ZEISS CONQUEST V4 6-24X50 ZBI ILLUMINATED RETICLE
In case you haven’t figured it out by now, the V4 line includes optics with a 4:1 zoom ratio. This particular scope at 6-24x zoom is like the others in that targets should be clearly seen at a wide variety of ranges. They boast a 90% light transmission with highest-in-class clarity at those really far-off distances.
Zeiss’s proprietary T* coating is a 6-layer glass coating that is meant to boost image clarity and provide higher color contrast, making target acquisition and identification easier. Their Lotutec coating causes their lenses to repel water and dirt, making them easier to clean and clearer in harsh hunting conditions. With a variety of magnification choices and reticles, the Zeiss Conquest V4 could be the ideal long-range hunting scope.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Dimensions: L 14.5” x D ** w/30mm tube
- Weight: 24.3 oz
- Side focus adjustable parallax
- Eye Relief: 3.54”
- ¼ MOA windage and elevation adjustments
- Absolute aero Ballistic Stop
- Second Focal Plane reticle
- Available reticles: (All Illuminated) Plex Style with dot, ZMOAi-1, ZMOAi-T20, ZMOAi-20, ZBi
- Lifetime Warranty and 5-year No Fault Warranty
- MSRP: $1,399.99
Final Thoughts
There you have our take on five of the top rifle scope brands you can buy .
Again, there are so many options out there, this article could be three times as long, and we probably still wouldn't cover them all.
And, as I mentioned, we haven’t even begun to discuss which optic within each manufacturer's offerings would be most ideal for you. But, hopefully this gets you a good starting point for your next purchase.