The Best Long Range Scope under $1,000 (for the Money $$$) in 2023
Travis Olander 07.18.23
Whether it’s an F-class match or merely a day of pinging steel beyond a kilometer, reliably shooting long-distance means spending big bucks – or does it? It’s 2023 and the quality, capability, and price of a decent rifle scope have improved significantly in the last decade. Let’s look at the best long range scope options that are sub-$1,000 glass you can slap atop your bench rifle or bolt gun.
1. Best Long Range Scope – Sightron SIII LR 6-24x50mm
The Sightron SIII firmly earns first place. This writer’s used US Optics and Zeiss glass in the service, and in competition. It’s my opinion that Sightron’s Long Range series of 50mm optics punch far above their roughly-$900 price tags.
I ran the SFP, MOA 2 reticle-equipped unit (pictured above) atop a custom bench rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. The SIII made short work of walking the first cold shots onto steel, and it kept ringing metal at just over 1,000 meters.
The clarity of Sightron’s glass is comparable to scopes that cost twice as much, and that’s no exaggeration. This Japanese glass company advertises their “Zact-7 Revcoat” as the process used for multi-coating their lenses. I’m not sure what their exact process is, but the result is a set of lenses that provide amazing light transmission at full power, even in low light, with no chromatic aberration or mirage.
Sightron’s “ExacTrack” turrets have great action. They’re clicky and solid, with no wobble or slop between digits. I’ve walked the box to verify accuracy of windage and elevation and return-to-zero, and the SIII held true after tracking all four corners at maximum MOA.
If you’re looking at the SIII series, I recommend Model # 25127, or Model # 25133. These units come equipped with tactical turrets and MOA-2 or Mil-Dot reticles on the second focal plane. Price at retail varies between $850 to $950.
Scope Specs
- Magnification: 6-24x
- Reticle: MOA-2/Mil-Dot
- Adjustment Range: 100 MOA/29 MIL
- Adjustments Per Click: 0.25 MOA/0.1 MIL
- Length: 15.1″
- Tube: 30mm
- Weight: 24.3 Oz
2. Best Long Range Scope – Vortex Venom 5-25x56mm
Vortex introduced its “budget” long-range scope — the Venom — just two years ago. At around just $500 for its tube and glass, the Venom is one helluva high performer. The Venom ships with the well-known EBR reticle — a grid-based holdover reticle that requires virtually no turret clicks once zeroed — seated inside a massive 56mm lens with up to 25x magnification.
Target turrets, nitrogen purging, Armortek coating, the “RevStop” zero system, and Vortex’s “XD” glass adorn the Venom, which makes this entrant an impressive option for those who want to stay well under the $1,000 price point without losing important features.
For such a feature-packed scope with a great price, it should come as no surprise that the Venom is exactly dainty: It weighs in at 35 ounces without any mount, making it more suitable for a bench rifle than anything you’ll sling on foot. At publication, the Venom rings up at $500 before tax.
- Magnification: 5-25x
- Reticle: EBR-7C (MOA/MIL)
- Adjustment Range: 85 MOA/25 MIL
- Adjustments Per Click: 0.25 MOA/0.1 MIL
- Length: 15.3″
- Tube: 34mm
- Weight: 35 Oz
3. Best Long Range Scope – Leupold Mark 3HD 8-24x50mm
At around $700, the made-in-the-USA 50mm Mark 3HD from Leupold is a rare domestic entrant on our list. To keep the price under four figures, Leupold constrained the 3HD’s magnification range — it only affords a minimum 8x magnification compared to the typical 6x found on most 24x variable optics — but little else was cut in the way of corners, here.
The Mark 3HD comes with Leupold “Elite Optical” HD glass, enhancing low-light transmission and reducing glare. Optional “firedot” illumination provides a lit reticle, too, for a few extra bucks. Although the Mark 3HD doesn’t come with tactical turrets, the 3:1 zoom ration and low-profile P5 turrets get the job done well, with tactile clicks and good lock-up.
The scope’s advertised with submersible waterproofing and fogproofing, and Leupold promises the Mark 3HD can withstand high-power loads, like magnum cartridges. The 3HD’s second focal plane reticle — basically a standard Mil-Dot setup — is a bit simplistic for a long-range scope, but 0.5-MIL holdovers are provided for windage and elevation.
Weighing at 20 ounces with a total length of 14.6″, the Mark 3HD is a classy, unobtrusive option for any bench gun, and the “Made in the USA” stamp’s something to be proud of at this price range.
- Magnification: 8-24x
- Reticle: “TMR” Mil-Dot
- Adjustment Range: 15.7 MIL
- Adjustments Per Click: 0.1 MIL
- Length: 14.6″
- Tube: 30mm
- Weight: 20 Oz
4. Best Long Range Scope – ZEISS Conquest V4 4-16x44mm
The short n’ sweet, here, is that ZEISS’s Conquest V4 is one way to get your hands on glass you’d normally find on a $2,000+ optic without spending under $1,000. Sure, you’re sacrificing some total magnification, and you’re getting a smaller objective lens, 44mm instead of 50 or 56mm. But the Conquest V4’s clarity and brightness is unparalleled.
In fact, ZEISS guarantees greater than 90% total light transmission from ambient to eyesight, even at maximum magnification; most sub-$1000 scopes provide closer to 66% to 80%. The “T Coating” ZEISS applies to these lenses provides insane contrast and clarity in any conditions.
It’s difficult to really convey the quality you’re getting in the Conquest V4’s glass, but it’s simply incomparable to any other entrants on this list, including the SIII. Flared turrets, fast focus, full waterproofing, precision machinework and finishing on the tube make the Conquest V4 a cherry choice for those who want a top-shelf optic on a craft beer budget. At publication, the Conquest V4 runs about $944 before tax.
- Magnification: 4-16x
- Reticle: Z-Plex #20
- Adjustment Range: 80 MOA
- Adjustments Per Click: 0.25 MOA
- Length: 14.0″
- Tube: 30mm
- Weight: 22.6 Oz
5. Best Long Range Scope – Burris Xtreme Tactical XTR II 8-40x50mm
If German glass ground in a clean room by a spectacled scientist isn’t your thing, how about the most bang for your buck? The Xtreme Tactical XTR II from Burris provides a whopping 40x variable magnification for just over $900. This FFP, target turret-equipped long-range scope is a proper 1,000-meter challenger. The optional MOA F-Class reticle is wild, with two crosshairs offset by 30 MOA providing quick holdovers at your chosen zero and maximum range.
1/8-click adjustments with a true zero stop are housed atop a large 34mm main tube, providing the tiny adjustments and high light transmission needed for reliable shooting at a kilometer or beyond. To keep costs down, though, Burris sacrifices some adjustment range — you’re getting 70 MOA on elevation and just 30 MOA on windage. The XTR II is quite large, too, coming in at 16.7″ and 31.4 Oz.
Burris doesn’t sacrifice glass, though, with users reporting excellent clarity and light transmission through the “Hi Lume” multicoated lenses. Shooting at F-class distances typically means loading some big cartridges, and Burris says the XTR II is capable of handling rounds like .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua. At publication, the XTR II costs approximately $930 before tax.
- Magnification: 8-40x
- Reticle: F-Class MOA
- Adjustment Range: 70 MOA W/30 MOA E
- Adjustments Per Click: 0.125 MOA
- Length: 16.7″
- Tube: 34mm
- Weight: 31.4 Oz
