40+ Best Scopes for the Money » Top 13 Best Rifle Scope Brands Included

Best Value Rifle Scope

Identifying the best scope for the money can be a tough task for most first time buyers. Many people think that that the best rifle scope should be expensive.

The truth is that you can get a quality rifle scope that is budget-friendly. Whether you want to get a budget rifle scope or you are willing to spend money on a premium rifle scope; you can get the rifle scope that offers you value for your money. Riflescopes come with different features and different price ranges.

So as to help you identify the best scope for the money, we have created a comprehensive review of different rifle scopes with different prices ranging from the cheapest to premium rifle scopes.

We have researched on some of the renowned rifle scope brands in the market so as to help you determine which brand you should get your rifle scope.

We have also provided you with tips to guide you in selecting the best scope for the money. This article is intended to guide you and provide you with useful information on identifying and choosing the best rifle scope.

Shopping Tips for Best Scope for the Money

Shopping for the best scope for the money requires you to shop smart. You need to buy the best rifle scope that your money can buy, no matter your budget.

We understand that it is not possible for everyone to have the same budget. That is why we have created a comprehensive list of some of the best rifle scopes in different price ranges from the cheapest to the more expensive rifle scopes.

You can get a list of the best affordable rifle scope available in the market as well as premium rifle scopes. There is something great for every hunter or shooter no matter your budget.

You do not have to feel anxious about buying a rifle scope even if it is your first rifle scope. There are so rifle scopes available in the market, making choosing the ideal scope an overwhelming task.

To make the process of identifying the best scope for the money, there are several things you need to put into consideration. The first thing you need to do is determine your budget.

The second and most import thing is identifying the shooting activities you want to carry out using your rifle scope. Determine if you will be participating in long-range shooting, deer hunting or varmint control. It is also important for you to consider the type of firearm you have or you plan to mount your scope too.

If you are able to put into consideration all these factors, it will be easier for you to be able to identify the best rifle scope that will provide you value for your money. We hope that you will now find it easy to identify the best rifle scope that meets your needs and suits your budget.

If you still don’t feel confident enough to identify and select the best scope for the money, keep reading the article and learn more about some of the trusted rifle scope brands available and a list of some of the best rifle scopes from each brand and in a range of price categories to meet the needs of people with different budgets.

Top 13 Best Rifle Scope Brands

No matter your budget for a rifle scope, you will always find a rifle scope of your choice from some of the top optics companies. We have provides you with information on some of the top rifle scope brands available in the market today.

The brands provide you with some of the best rifle scopes that provide you with quality, durability, and reliability. Their rifle scopes vary in prices ranging from budget rifle scopes to premium rifle scopes. Here are some of the best rifle scope brands in the market.

#1) Burris

Burris is one of the top manufacturers of affordable rifle scopes. The brand provides quality rifle scopes that are made using quality material to ensure durability. If you are looking for a budget rifle scope that suits your budget; getting a Burris rifle scope might be a great choice for you.

You can get the best rifle scopes under 200 that are very reliable. Most rifle scopes from Burris are intended for beginners and intermediate hunters thus they are very easy to use.

Burris is an American based company that has an organized website that makes it easy for you to navigate their different rifle scopes so as to identify the scope that best suits your needs and budget. Here is a list of some of the best scopes for the money.

Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm
Burris Veracity (3-15×50) Riflescope
Burris Eliminator III 4-16X50

#2) Barska

Barska is a renowned rifle scope brand that is known for manufacturing quality and durable tactical rifle scopes and other hunting equipment.

They provide budget-friendly rifle scopes that are packed with great features that are found in more expensive rifle scopes. Barska makes it possible for you to find the best rifle scopes under $100 that provide you with high-end features.

The rifle scopes from this brand are also beginner friendly. If you do not have much money to spend on a rifle scope, you might as well try out a rifle scope from Barska. Here are some of the best rifle scopes from Barska that you can try out.

Barska 4×32 IR
Barska 1-4×28 IR Hunting Scope
Barska 3-9×32 Plinker-22 Riflescope
Barska 6.5-20×50 AO Varmint Target Dot Riflescope
Barska 1×30 IR M-16 Electro Sight Riflescope

#3) Bushnell

Bushnell is an American based brand that is known for providing high-quality rifle scopes with advanced technology features. The brand provides you with a wide range of rifle scopes ranging from tactical rifle scopes to long range hunting rifle scopes.

Bushnell is considered to be one of the best brands for beginners in hunting looking for reliable and durable scopes. Here are some of the top rifle scopes from Bushnell.

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 4.5-14x44mm Mil Dot
Bushnell Trophy XLT Bone Collector Edition 3-9X40
Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X40
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope

#4) Leupold & Stevens

Leupold & Stevens is an American brand that has been in the optics industry for a very long time. It is one of the leading brands that have a large consumer base.

The brand provides some of the most popular and reliable rifle scopes that you can find in the market today. It is one of the most versatile rifle scope brands that provide you with both budget rifle scopes as well as premium rifle scopes.

You can get some of the best rifle scopes under 500 as well as the best rifle scopes under 1000. Here are some of the best riflescopes from Leupold & Stevens.

Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm
Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5-28mm
Leupold VX-3i (4.5–14×50)

#5) Meopta

Meopta is not a popular optics company but it is one of the best brands that provide you with the best high-end rifle scopes. The rifle scopes from this brand come with top-notch optics that you can find in the market.

The rifle scopes from Meopta are premium quality but their prices are very favorable. You can get some of the best rifle scopes under 1000 from this optics brand.

Their scopes are premium thus they come with more advanced features than the best rifle scopes under 500. Here are some of their best rifles.

Meopta Optics MeoStar R1r 3-12×56 RD Rifle Scope
Meopta Optics MeoPro 4.5-14X44 HTR Rifle Scope

#6) NightForce

NightForce is a popular optics brand that is known for their quality optics. They have a wide reputation with a five-star rating for their tactical rifle scopes as well as their hunting rifle scopes.

Their optics are designed to handle heavy abuse and use. The brand pays attention to the quality of the features in their rifle scopes to ensure that the scope is not only reliable but it is also very durable.

You can get both budget rifle scopes and premium rifle scopes from NIghForce. If you are looking for the best rifle scopes under 1000; then NightForce is a great brand for you. Here are some of their best rifle scopes.

NightForce Optics NXS 5.5-22X56mm Rifle Scope
NightForce Optics SHV 5-20X56 MOAR Illuminated SFP Reticle Rifle Scope
Nightforce ATACR (4–16×50)

#7) Nikon

Nikon is another popular optics company that is known for providing some of the best rifle scopes under 500. The brand provides you with quality and affordable rifle scopes that are great for beginners in hunting.

Their optics are made of high-quality glass to ensure reliability. Their rifle scopes are also very user-friendly thus they can be great for first-time rifle scope buyers.

If you have a tight budget and you need the best rifle scope under 300; Nikon is the best place to look. Here are some of their best rifle scopes.

Nikon Monarch 3 2-8x 32mm BDC
Nikon MONARCH 5 (3.5–14×50)
Nikon ProStaff 4-12 x 40
Nikon Buckmasters II 3-9X40 BDC

#8) Redfield

Redfield is another rifle scope brand that provides affordable and low-cost rifle scopes. It is a subsidiary brand of Leupold & Stevens thus you can be assured that they offer high-quality rifle scopes.

They may not be so popular but they provide you with high-quality and durable rifle scopes at a very affordable price. For people with a tight budget, you can get the best rifle scopes under 300 with great features from this brand. Here are some of their best rifle scopes.

Redfield 3-9X40mm Revolution/TAC Rifle Scope with TAC-MOA Reticle
Redfield 3-9X40 Revolution Accu-Range Rifle Scope
Redfield Revolution 4-12x40mm Accu-Range

#9) Simmons

Simmons is another popular brand that offers economical rifle scopes. The brand provides you with high-quality optics at a very affordable price. Simmons is the brand for those looking for budget rifle scopes. You can get the best rifle scopes under 100 from Simmons.

Despite their rifle scopes being very affordable; they are quality and durable. Their rifle scopes come with great features that help improve your hunting or shooting experience.

If you are looking for a brand that offers you budget rifle scopes that provide you with value for your money; consider Simmons rifle scopes. Here are some of their best rifle scopes.

Simmons 44 Mag Rifle Scope 6-21x 44mm
Simmons 8-Point 3-9X40
Simmons 3-9X32 .22 Mag(R)

#10) Swarovski

Swarovski is a premium brand that provides you with the best high-end rifle scopes. If you are looking for a luxurious rifle scope; then Swarovski is the brand for you. They are a popular brand that provides some of the highest performing riflescopes in the market.

Their optics are designed to handle heavy abuse and recoil. If precision and accuracy is what you are looking for in a premium rifle scope; then Swarovski has the answer to all your needs.

You have money to spend on a premium rifle scope; Swarovski can provide you the best scope for the money. Here are some of their best rifle scopes.

Swarovski X5i (3.5–18×50)
Swarovski Optik Z5 3.5-18X44 P

#11) Vortex Optics

Vortex Optics is a popular high-end rifle scopes brand that provides you high-quality rifle scopes. It is an American based brand that provides you with the best hunting rifle scopes. Their optics are made from the highest quality glass to ensure reliability and durability.

If you are looking for a hunting scope; then Vortex is the best place to go. They offer you a wide range of hunting rifle scopes that vary in prices and features.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert hunter; you will always get something to suit your hunting skills from Vortex Optics. Here are some of their best rifle scopes.

Vortex RAZOR HD LH (3–15×42)
Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12X40
Vortex Crossfire II 4-12X44 Deadhold BDC MOA
Vortex Optics Viper PST 6-24X50 FFP

#12) Weaver

Weaver is one of the leading optics brands that have been in the industry for over 50 years. It is a trusted brand that has over the years been contracted by the US military to provide them with the renowned M73B1 sniper rifle scopes. Their riflescope feature quality glass for improved accuracy and durability.

Their rifle scope comes with all the fundamental features that you need when you are out in the field. Their high-performing optics and their affordable prices made this brand one of the best rifle scope brands. Here are some of the best rifle scopes.

Weaver V16 4-16x42mm
Weaver K6 6X38

#13) Zeiss

Zeiss is a famous brand that provides top-notch rifle scopes. The brand may not be familiar to most people but they are a reliable brand that offers you reliability, quality, and durability.

The brand provides rifle scopes with advanced features that are found in premium rifle scopes. You will get unique illuminated reticles, intuitive ballistic turrets, and other great features that provide you with improved accuracy.

If you are looking for the best rifle scopes that offer advanced features; consider getting Zeiss. Here are some of their best rifle scopes.

Carl Zeiss Optical Victory HT 3-12X56mm Scope w/ Illuminated Reticle
Carl Zeiss Terra 3X 3-9X42mm Rifle Scope (with 2nd IP Z-Plex Reticle)
Zeiss Victory V8 (1.8–14×50)

8 Factors to Consider When Buying a Scope

Prior to placing an order of your rifle scope, you need to know which rifle scope best suits your needs and requirements.

So as to make the process of buying a rifle scope easy for you; we have created a list of some of the important factors that you need to consider when you are buying a rifle scope. Here are some of those factors.

#1) Your Budget and Requirements

Your budget is the first thing that you need to consider when shopping for a rifle scope. Knowing your budget not only prevent you from spending more money than you initially intended but it also makes it easier for you to identify the best rifle scope that suits your budget.

Your budget helps you narrow down your options by allowing you to ignore all the rifle scopes that have the price range that is above or below your budget. If you are looking for a cheap rifle scope that cost less than 500 dollars; you can look for the best rifle scopes under 500.

You also need to determine the type of shooting you want to do using the scope. Knowing the kind of shooting you will be participating in helps you choose the scope with the features that complement your shooting needs.

#2) Reticle Options

The reticle is one of the vital features of any rifle scope. It is therefore important for you to consider the reticle options offered by the rifle scope of your choice. The type of reticle you choose will determine the range which you can accurately shoot.

If you are planning to engage in long range shooting, then getting a rifle scope with a ballistic reticle would be more applicable. If you want to shoot out to 300 yards, then a BDC reticle would not be applicable.

If you are planning to use the scope for hunting then look for a rifle scope with a duplex reticle or a more advanced reticle.

#3) Type of Magnification

You need to determine the type of magnification you want your rifle scope to have. You have to choose between fixed and variable magnification. Riflescopes with variable magnification are more costly than those with fixed magnification.

If you choose a scope with variable magnification, then you need to be prepared to pay more for the scope. You also need to determine your type of targets and the distance you want to shoot at so as to know if you need parallax adjustment on your rifle scope.

Knowing the type of magnification you want can help you get the best scope for the money that suits your budget.

#4) Parallax Adjustment

Parallax adjustment is a feature found in the best high-end rifle scopes. It is therefore important for you to note that you will spend more on a rifle scope that offers you’re a parallax adjustment feature.

If you are just looking for a budget AC rifle scope; you do not need to look out for this feature. To determine if you need to have this feature in the scope of your choice; you need to determine the distance which you intend to shoot at, your type of target as well as the magnification setting of the scope.

The best long range rifle scope should be able to provide you with a parallax adjustment feature.

#5) The Size of the Objective Lens

If you are not willing to spend so much money on a rifle scope; you need to avoid riflescopes that offer huge objective lens.

A large objective lens provides you with a wider field of view and a large exit pupil. You need to determine if having a wide field of view and a large exit pupil are worth the price.

You also need to note that rifle scopes with a large objective lens tend to be heavier than those with a smaller objective lens.

A large objective lens may not be ideal for everyone, thus you need to weigh in the options and see if you really need a rifle scope with a large objective lens or you are comfortable with a scope with a standard sized objective lens.

#6) Compatibility of the Scope with your Rifle

It is very important for you to determine if the type of rifle scope you select is compatible you’re your firearm. If you are using an air gun; you need to ensure that the rifle scope you buy is ideal for an air gun.

Choosing a rifle scope that complements your firearm not only allows you to make the best of your firearm but also helps protect your scope or firearm from damage.

If you are using a powerful rifle with a standard scope; you might end up overwhelming the scope and ruin it. You might also end up hurting yourself if the scope is not capable of handling heavy recoil.

Selecting the wrong rifle scope for your firearm will lead to loss of your money. To get the best scope for the money; you need to choose the rifle scope that complements your firearm.

#7) Turret Systems

The turret system helps you change the scope’s setting to match your type of shooting. If you are looking for the best rifle scope that allows you to easily and quickly sight in and holds zero; you need to consider the type of turret system of the scope.

You should look out for a rifle scope that provides you with a user-friendly turret system that makes it fast and easy for you to sight in and hold zero despite the recoil. Premium rifle scopes come with ballistic turret systems for effective long distance shooting.

#8) Proper Research

Proper research is necessary for you to be able to identify the best scope for the money. There are so many rifle scopes in the market today, making it hard for you to be able to identify the best rifle scope. Do proper research on the rifle scope you want to buy prior to placing an order.

Read rifle scope reviews from different sources so as to know what to expect from the rifle scope. You can also read through customer reviews from users who have tried out the rifle scope to know if the rifle scope offers you what you are looking for in a rifle scope.

Conclusion – Best Scope for the Money

No matter the type of shooting you are participating in or your budget; you will always find a rifle scope that matches your needs and budget. The best rifle scope for the money should be able to meet all your shooting needs without requiring you to spend more money that you have set in your budget.

The rifle scopes we have provided in this article are all great rifle scopes that provide you with value for your money depending on your budget. The rifle scopes vary in prices and in the features they offer ranging from the most basic rifle scopes to advanced rifle scopes.

You can read rifle scope reviews of each of the rifle scopes we have listed so as to learn more about each rifle scope. You do not have to spend so much money on a rifle scope to get quality and reliability. You can get the best budget rifle scope that will only cost you less than 500 dollars.