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Riflescopes Buyer's Guide

How to Choose the Right Riflescope for Hunting, Long-Range Precision, and Competition

A riflescope is the bridge between your eye and your target. The right one makes precise, repeatable shots possible at distances iron sights can't reach — and the wrong one will frustrate you with poor glass, unreliable tracking, or features that don't match your shooting style.

This guide covers everything you need to evaluate before buying a riflescope: focal plane, magnification, reticle types, turret systems, glass quality, and how to match it all to your shooting discipline and budget. Whether you're setting up a hunting rifle, building a long-range precision rig, or outfitting for competition, you'll find the specs that matter here.

Looking for a broader overview of sport optics? Start with our Sport Optics Buyer's Guide.

First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane

This is the single most important decision when choosing a riflescope, because it determines how your reticle behaves across magnification settings.

First Focal Plane (FFP)

The reticle scales with magnification. At 10x, the reticle appears larger; at 3x, smaller. The key advantage: holdover and windage marks stay accurate at every power setting. If your reticle says 2 MIL at 10x, it's still 2 MIL at 5x. You never have to worry about which magnification you're on when making corrections.

FFP is the standard for precision and tactical shooting where you dial or hold at varying distances. It's also increasingly popular for hunting, since it allows quick adjustments without checking your power ring first.

Second Focal Plane (SFP)

The reticle stays the same size regardless of magnification. This means subtension values (holdover marks) are only accurate at one specific power — usually the highest. At other settings, you'd need to calculate the offset.

SFP works well for hunting and general-purpose use where you typically set a zero and use reticle holdovers at known distances. The reticle is always easy to see (doesn't shrink at low power), and SFP scopes tend to be less expensive than FFP equivalents.

Which Should You Choose?

  • FFP if you shoot at varying distances, use holdover marks frequently, or compete in PRS/NRL matches.
  • SFP if you primarily hunt at known distances, prefer a consistent reticle size, or want more scope for your budget.

Magnification Range

Riflescopes are designated by their magnification range and objective lens size — for example, 4.5-27x50 means 4.5x to 27x variable magnification with a 50mm objective. Here's how to match the magnification to your shooting:

1-6x or 1-8x (LPVO — Low Power Variable Optic)

Close-to-mid range versatility. At 1x, you get both-eyes-open situational awareness similar to a red dot. Crank to 6x or 8x for shots out to 300–500 yards. Popular for 3-gun competition, general hunting, and defensive use. We carry LPVOs from Athlon (Midas BTR, Cronus BTR) and Vixen (1-8x28).

1-10x (Extended Range LPVO)

A newer category bridging LPVO speed with mid-range precision. The Athlon Ares ETR 1-10x24 is an example — true 1x for close work, enough magnification for 500+ yard engagements. Ideal if you want one optic for everything from close quarters to moderate distance.

2.5-15x or 4-16x (Mid-Range)

The versatile sweet spot for most shooters. Works from 100 to 800 yards — fine for hunting, range days, and general precision work. Lines like the Athlon Midas HMR and Alpen Apex live here.

4.5-27x, 4.5-30x, or 5-30x (Long-Range Precision)

Designed for target shooting, PRS/NRL competition, and long-range hunting where you need to see impacts at 1,000+ yards. Scopes like the Athlon Midas TAC, Ares ETR, and Cronus BTR in the 4.5-30x range, or the Alpen XP 5-30x56, are built for this. Larger objectives (50–56mm) keep the image bright at high magnification.

15-60x (Extreme Long Range / Benchrest)

Maximum magnification for F-class, ELR competition, and benchrest shooting. The Athlon Ares ETR 15-60x56 is designed for this niche — fixed-position shooting where you need to see bullet splash at extreme distance.

Reticle Types

Modern reticles go far beyond a simple crosshair. The reticle you choose determines how you make corrections in the field.

BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator)

Pre-calculated holdover marks for specific cartridges and velocities. Point the right mark at your target at a given distance and shoot. Simple and fast — ideal for hunting where speed matters. The downside: BDC reticles are caliber/load-specific. Models like the Alpen Apex WBDC and Athlon Midas HMR BDC use this approach.

MIL (Milliradian) Hash/Christmas Tree

Grid-like hash marks at precise MIL intervals for both elevation and windage holdoffs. Universal across cartridges when paired with a ballistic calculator or DOPE card. The standard for precision and tactical shooting. Available in our Athlon Midas TAC, Ares, and Cronus lines.

MOA (Minute of Angle) Hash

Same concept as MIL but measured in minutes of angle. Each MOA mark subtends ~1.047 inches at 100 yards. More granular per click (0.25 MOA vs 0.1 MIL), traditional in the US. Available across most Athlon and Alpen lines.

Duplex / Crosshair

Clean, simple reticle with thick outer posts tapering to thin center crosshairs. Fast to aim, uncluttered, and a favorite for general hunting where you zero at a set distance and don't need holdover marks. Kite Optics B6 scopes with the 4Ai reticle follow this pattern.

Illuminated Reticles

A lit center dot or crosshair for low-light shooting and fast target acquisition at low magnification. Essential for LPVOs where you want a red-dot-like experience at 1x. Most quality scopes in our catalog offer illumination — look for "IR" in the model name.

MIL or MOA — Which to Choose?

Neither is objectively better. MIL is the international standard used by most precision shooters and military. MOA is more traditional in the US and offers finer clicks. The critical rule: match your reticle unit to your turret unit. A MIL reticle with MOA turrets creates constant conversion headaches. Stay consistent.

Turret Styles and Adjustments

Turrets are the dials on top and side of the scope that adjust your point of impact. How they're designed determines how you interact with the scope in the field.

Exposed Turrets

Tall, tactile dials with clear markings that you turn by hand to adjust elevation and windage. The standard for long-range and precision scopes where you "dial" your solution for each shot. Look for scopes with tool-less zero reset — you can re-zero the turret marks after sighting in without any tools.

Locking Exposed Turrets

Exposed turrets with a locking mechanism (push-pull or button) to prevent accidental bumps from changing your zero. This is the best of both worlds — quick adjustments when you need them, protected when you don't. Standard on premium hunting and tactical scopes like the Athlon Ares and Cronus lines.

Capped Turrets

Turrets protected under screw-on caps. You set your zero once, cap them, and rely on reticle holdovers for shots at different distances. Ideal for hunting scopes where you want a set-and-forget zero with no risk of accidental bumps on a pack or in a truck. Kite Optics B6 series uses capped turrets.

Zero Stop

A mechanical stop that prevents you from dialing below your zero. After adjusting elevation for a long shot, you can spin the turret back to zero without counting clicks or looking at the marks. Essential for any precision scope where you dial regularly.

Total Elevation Adjustment

Measured in MOA or MIL, this is the total range of elevation adjustment available. For long-range shooting (800+ yards), you need enough elevation travel to reach your distances — typically 25+ MIL or 80+ MOA total. Scopes with 34mm main tubes generally offer more adjustment range than 30mm tubes.

Tube Size, Glass, and Build Quality

A riflescope lives on a weapon that generates significant recoil with every shot. Build quality isn't just about feel — it's about whether the scope holds zero and survives thousands of rounds.

Main Tube Diameter

  • 30mm — The most common size. Adequate adjustment range for most applications. Compatible with the widest selection of rings and mounts.
  • 34mm — More internal space for greater elevation and windage travel. Preferred for long-range precision scopes where you need maximum adjustment range. Requires 34mm rings/mounts.
  • 1 inch (25.4mm) — Older standard, still used on some hunting scopes. Limited adjustment range but lightweight.

Objective Lens Size

Ranges from 24mm on LPVOs to 56mm on long-range scopes. Larger objectives gather more light for brighter images at dawn and dusk, but add weight and require taller rings (which raises the scope higher above the bore). 50–56mm is standard for precision scopes; 24–32mm keeps LPVOs compact.

Glass and Coatings

Fully multi-coated lenses are the baseline for quality riflescopes. ED (extra-low dispersion) glass reduces chromatic aberration for sharper, more color-true images. HD or UHD designations (as in Athlon's Gen2 HD and UHD lines) indicate premium glass quality with higher light transmission.

Durability

Quality riflescopes use a one-piece main tube machined from aircraft-grade aluminum. They're nitrogen or argon purged for fog-proofing and sealed against moisture. Recoil testing varies — reputable manufacturers test to withstand the recoil of magnum cartridges (hundreds to thousands of rounds). All brands in our catalog build to this standard.

Choosing a Riflescope by Shooting Discipline

The "best" scope depends on what you're doing with it. Here's what to prioritize for each discipline.

Hunting (General / Whitetail / Western)

A 2.5-15x or 4-16x with SFP and BDC or duplex reticle covers most hunting scenarios — from close timber shots to 400-yard meadow crossings. Capped turrets protect your zero; illumination helps at dawn/dusk. Prioritize light weight, rugged build, and reliable glass over extreme magnification. The Athlon Midas HMR, Kite B6, and Alpen Apex are built for this.

Long-Range Precision / PRS / NRL

A 4.5-27x or 5-30x FFP scope with MIL or MOA hash reticle, exposed locking turrets, zero stop, and generous elevation travel. Glass clarity matters — you're spotting impacts at 1,000+ yards. The Athlon Midas TAC, Ares BTR/ETR, and Cronus BTR and the Alpen XP 5-30x56 are competition-ready in our catalog.

Close-Quarters / 3-Gun / Home Defense

A 1-6x or 1-8x LPVO with an illuminated center dot or simple reticle. Speed at 1x is the priority — you want both-eyes-open awareness with the option to crank up for mid-range precision. The Athlon Midas BTR 1-6x24, Cronus BTR 1-6x24, and Vixen 1-8x28 serve this role.

Benchrest / F-Class / ELR

Maximum magnification (15-60x) for fixed-position shooting where you need to read mirage and spot bullet trace at extreme distances. The Athlon Ares ETR 15-60x56 is purpose-built for this.

Night Hunting

Two options: thermal riflescopes that detect heat signatures in total darkness, or digital night vision riflescopes that amplify available light. Guide thermal scopes include models with integrated laser rangefinders for ranging in the dark. Luna Optics offers day/night digital scopes that switch between modes.

Our Riflescope Brands

We carry riflescopes from six manufacturers — from value-focused hunting scopes to flagship competition glass and specialty thermal/night vision optics.

Athlon Optics

The core of our riflescope lineup. Midas HMR for hunting (SFP, BDC/hash reticles), Midas BTR for LPVO and mid-range (SFP/FFP), Midas TAC for precision (FFP, MIL/MOA), Ares HLR/BTR/ETR for premium hunting and long-range, and Cronus BTR as the flagship with UHD glass. Every scope comes with Athlon's lifetime, unconditional warranty.

Kite Optics

Belgian-designed B6 series hunting scopes — clean, reliable optics with 4Ai (duplex) and 23i (illuminated) reticles. Available in 1-6x24, 2-12x42/50, and 3-18x50 configurations. Capped turrets, elegant European design, and excellent glass quality. A strong choice for hunters who prioritize a clean sight picture.

Alpen Optics

Apex series for value-oriented hunting (BDC and WBDC reticles) and Apex XP with SmartDot illuminated reticles for precision work. The XP 5-30x56 Mil-Dot is their long-range competition entry.

Vixen

Japanese-made quality in two configurations: a 1-8x28 LPVO available with four reticle options (Mil Dot, BDC8, G4, 18C) and the premium Artes ED 5-30x56 long-range scope with ED glass. The 1-8x28 is particularly notable for its 1x true magnification and daylight-bright illumination.

Guide Sensmart

Thermal riflescopes for night hunting, ranging from the compact TU425 to the flagship TU1250M with dual thermal and night vision sensors. Many models include integrated laser rangefinders (LRF) for ranging in complete darkness.

Luna Optics

Digital day/night vision riflescopes that switch between optical and digital modes. The Quantum Elite 4K series offers 3.5-21x and 6-36x magnification ranges, with optional integrated laser rangefinders. A more affordable alternative to thermal for shooters who primarily need light-amplification capability.

Budget Guide

What you get at each price level for optical (non-thermal, non-NV) riflescopes.

$580–$700 — Solid Entry Point

Quality hunting and mid-range scopes with good glass, reliable turrets, and modern reticles. The Athlon Midas HMR and Midas BTR series start here — SFP models with hash, BDC, or fiber-dot reticles and illumination. Alpen Apex hunting scopes and Kite B6 standard models also fall in this range. These aren't stripped-down entry-level scopes — they're serious optics with lifetime warranties.

$700–$1,000 — Precision Capable

FFP scopes with MIL/MOA hash reticles, exposed locking turrets, and HD-grade glass. The Athlon Midas TAC FFP (4-16x44, 6-24x50, 5-30x56) and Ares HLR series live here. Kite B6 LR models with their refined 23i reticle and Alpen Apex XP with SmartDot illumination round out this tier. You can compete in PRS matches with scopes at this price.

$1,000–$1,500 — Premium Performance

UHD (Ultra High Definition) glass, larger tube diameters for maximum adjustment range, and top-tier build quality. The Athlon Cronus BTR UHD (1-6x24 LPVO, 4.5-29x56 long range), Ares ETR UHD (1-10x24 through 15-60x56), Alpen XP 5-30x56 Mil-Dot, Vixen 1-8x28, and Vixen Artes ED 5-30x56 represent the best optical performance in our catalog.

$1,500+ — Thermal and Night Vision

Specialty optics that detect heat or amplify light. Guide thermal scopes ($1,899–$6,999) provide true darkness capability with optional LRF. Luna Optics digital NV scopes ($650–$1,000) offer a more affordable path to night shooting. These are purpose-built tools — if you hunt at night or need darkness capability, the investment pays for itself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What rings or mount do I need for my scope?

Match the ring diameter to your scope's main tube size (30mm, 34mm, or 1 inch — check the scope specs). Ring height depends on the objective lens size: larger objectives need taller rings for clearance above the barrel. For bolt-action rifles, medium-height 30mm rings work for most 40–50mm objective scopes. Picatinny/Weaver-style rails are the most common mounting standard.

For precision shooting, consider a one-piece cantilever mount with built-in 20 MOA cant — this angles the scope slightly to give you more elevation adjustment range for long-distance shots.

What does 'zero stop' mean and do I need it?

A zero stop is a mechanical limit that prevents the elevation turret from dialing below your established zero. After you dial up for a long shot and want to return to your 100-yard zero, you simply spin the turret back until it stops — no counting clicks, no looking at numbers.

If you dial elevation regularly (precision shooting, long-range hunting), zero stop is essential. If you use a hunting scope with capped turrets and rely on reticle holdovers, it's less important.

Can I use a riflescope on an air rifle or crossbow?

Air rifles and crossbows generate a unique recoil pattern (double recoil on spring-piston air rifles) that can damage scopes not designed for it. While many quality riflescopes will physically work, spring-piston air rifles specifically require scopes rated for their reverse recoil. Gas-piston and PCP air rifles are gentler and generally compatible with standard riflescopes.

Crossbow scopes are often just riflescopes with BDC reticles calibrated for bolt drop at crossbow velocities. A standard riflescope will work on a crossbow — you'll just need to confirm the BDC marks match your bolt speed, or use a hash reticle and build your own drop chart.

How do I sight in (zero) a new riflescope?

The standard approach:

  1. Bore sight first — remove the bolt and look through the barrel at a target 25–50 yards away, then adjust the scope to match. This gets you on paper.
  2. Fire a 3-shot group at your chosen zero distance (usually 100 yards).
  3. Measure the offset from your point of aim to the center of the group.
  4. Adjust turrets — each click is 0.25 MOA (~0.26" at 100 yards) or 0.1 MIL (~0.36" at 100 yards), depending on your scope.
  5. Fire another group to confirm. Repeat until the group centers on your point of aim.
  6. Set the zero stop (if equipped) and reset turret markings to zero.

What's the difference between a thermal scope and a night vision scope?

Thermal scopes detect infrared heat radiation. They see heat signatures — animals, people, warm engines — regardless of light conditions. They work in total darkness, fog, and light brush. You're seeing temperature differences, not reflected light.

Night vision (digital) scopes amplify available light (moonlight, starlight) to create a visible image. They need at least some ambient light to work and are less effective in complete darkness without an IR illuminator. They can identify subjects by appearance (species, features), which thermal cannot.

Thermal is better for detection (finding animals in the dark). NV is better for identification (confirming what you're looking at). Some premium models like the Guide TU650M and TU1250M combine both technologies.

Do riflescopes come with a warranty?

Athlon Optics provides a lifetime, unconditional warranty — they'll repair or replace your scope regardless of fault. Alpen Optics, Kite Optics, and Vixen offer manufacturer warranties. Guide and Luna Optics include standard manufacturer warranties with their thermal and NV products. Check the individual product page for specific terms.

Find Your Scope

A quick summary to guide your decision:

  • Hunting (general): 2.5-15x or 4-16x, SFP, BDC or duplex reticle, capped turrets.
  • Long-range precision / PRS: 4.5-27x or 5-30x, FFP, MIL or MOA hash reticle, exposed locking turrets with zero stop.
  • Close quarters / 3-gun: 1-6x or 1-8x LPVO, illuminated center dot, SFP or FFP.
  • Benchrest / ELR: 15-60x, maximum magnification for fixed-position shooting.
  • Night hunting: Thermal riflescope (Guide) or digital NV scope (Luna Optics).

Invest in the best glass your budget allows. A scope is a long-term investment — it often outlasts the rifle it's mounted on, and good glass makes every shot more enjoyable.

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