There are a lot of rifle scopes out there on the market. I've gone through thousands of reviews and picked out the best affordable options you can find on Amazon right now.
FYI, Prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II - 30mm-Tube Second Focal Plane
Highlight: Battery powered illumination increases visibility in low light conditions.
Helpful review: I finally found the perfect rifle scope after searching seriously forever. It’s everything I’ve been looking for and the best part is that it’s actually something I can afford and fits into my budget!
Before I got this, I had a Bushnell, but honestly it just didn’t live up to what I expected it to. It’s super smooth and sleek and I love how easy it is to use the focus and the zoom control and focus. The illumination control has eleven different settings right near the eyepiece. I also love that I can see the crosshairs inside, and even when it’s dark out I can still see the red center dot which helps me land my target better.
About ninety percent of the time I used the six illumination setting, and doing that, the battery lasts about three days. The clarity is awesome, even with different power settings. Hands down, it’s the most versatile scope I’ve ever owned, and I seriously can’t wait to take it out on the range. I doubt it will have issues, but I ordered it through Amazon, and I know their customer service is solid.
UPDATE:
Woooo! Took it to the range and can’t say enough good things about this baby. Mounted on my Tavor and it was spot on, even up to a hundred yards. I did have to adjust it at the two hundred and three hundred mark, but honestly it was so easy to use. Really can’t complain. Love this thing. A steal if you ask me. Do it! You won’t regret it. — Gary Anderson
Get it from Amazon now: $169.99 & FREE Returns
2. Bushnell Banner - 3-9X40 Dusk & Dawn Riflescope
Highlight: Stunning HD gives great clarity and quality optics.
Helpful review: I mean, I never write reviews, so let that be clear that that’s how much I love this thing. This is the sixth time I’ve bought this model of scope, and I mainly use it as a mount on my deer rifles. I just can’t say more good things.
When my vision started declining (hello old age), I started swapping out scopes after cheaper models I was using weren’t cutting it anymore. Seeing in low light conditions became a struggle, enough so that I was missing out on some valuable hunting time between dawn and dusk. I tried a lot of different kinds and without a doubt, these Bushnell Banners are the best I’ve had.
Not only do they add clarity to my hunting, but the entire process becomes more enjoyable and I can hunt longer–I don’t need to head home when the sun starts to set. Using these, I can see the hair on a whitetail deer from like fifty yards out. They’re super durable too, never had any issues with it losing zero when I use it.
The accuracy of the adjustments is just awesome. When I make four clicks up and four clicks right, and then I reverse it, it goes back to the exact same original spot. I used to spend over two hundred dollars on scopes and never got that kind of consistency. Really can’t recommend it enough!
MY NEIGHBOR’S REVIEW:
I tested this out on an annual hunt me and my buddies go out on every year, and it was a great opportunity to compare my model to theirs. Long story short, my scope beat all the other models out, specifically when it was darker out, or the lighting conditions were more dim. Mainly around dusk and dawn. Found that half my buddies couldn’t see a thing with their scopes then. I think I convinced all of them to go out and buy one of these haha. Definitely recommend this model. Since you can only legally hunt deer half an hour before sunrise and after sunset, I really don’t think there’s a point to spending more on a scope unless you're shooting beyond the three hundred yard mark.
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
For the price, this scope went above and beyond what I expected of it. I mounted it on my Marlin 30-30 right before deer season kicked off, and I had it sighted at a hundred yards in just four rounds. I ended up putting another hundred rounds through it at the range that same day, and it held zero perfectly. — Brandon Kulm
Get it from Amazon now: $126.95 & FREE Returns
3. CVLIFE - 1-6X24 LPVO Rifle Scope
Highlight: One hundred percent fog and rain proof.
Helpful review: I really wanted to dish more dollars toward ammunition and training, and if you’re like me in that regard, just do it. Read no further, this is the scope for you.. If you need more info why, then buckle up folks. Feels great in my hands, but beyond that, it’s been super reliable.
Right now I have it mounted on a thirty millimeter cantilever that has a 5.56 build. For a decently built optic, this is the setup that’s gonna get you training fast! Sure, there’s other brands out there, but this one is the best because of its consistency, and it does the job exactly as you need it. No frills, no unnecessary clutter.
The clarity is great for the price too. You’ll be able to accurately place shots at both far and near distances. I'm no snob and not gonna compare this optic to Nightforce–I’m looking for budget and efficiency. So yeah, if you’re like me and wanna get into training and shooty, but don’t wanna dump your bank into the sea, then this is the optic for you. I’ve tried out a lot of budget options too, and this is just by far the best if you ask me. Train hard and save money. That’s my motto. And this is the real deal.
A FEW WORDS FROM A NEIGHBOR:
After a few weeks of loving this scope, I did notice a few issues, mainly on the reticle. When I reached out to customer service, they requested a pic of the issue, and as soon as I sent it in, they were super receptive. My replacement arrived in three days! Really can’t beat that. Oh, and the replacement was everything I wanted and more. The scope in general is solid, has a little integrated throw lever, and comes with clear glass. I’m obsessed with the eye relief and overall just so happy with this thing. The great customer service is just an added bonus. — Daniel Shultz
Get it from Amazon now: $129.95 & FREE Return
4. UTG BugBuster - 3-9X32 Scope
Highlight: Most commonly used along with airsoft assault rifles.
Helpful review: I mounted this baby on my factory Bushmaster without any modifications to the original weapon. I mainly got it to replace a red dot sight that I freaking detested. When I used it last week, I managed to zero it at the fifty yard mark and I hit all fifteen of my shots, and I even got the smaller pieces after my first few shots.
When I went out on the longer ranges, I found that for one hundred yards, I only needed to adjust one mil left. I ended up skipping two hundred yards and jumped straight to the three hundred mark, and that was where I got to really test it out. Without using any data on this scope, I guessed the mils based on my .308’s MOA dope and found that using Monarch 55 grain ammo at seven bucks a box, I judged I had about five shots to locate the target, then another five to test out the repeatability. I wasn’t far off, and after a few minor tweaks, I hit five out of five shots at both the three hundred and four hundred yard mark.
When I got to five hundred, I hit three out of five. But I only missed the first two and landed the last three, so there’s that.
At the three hundred yard mark, I adjusted up four point one mils, at four hundred yard, I put it up to eight mils. At five hundred, I went to thirteen mils, and I still had some room to spare in the scope. Overall, the whole experience took like less than half an hour, and I did all of this based on a fifty yard zero, using the cheapest ammo available haha.
The red dot of this rifle really annoyed me, and I couldn’t even get the clay at fifty yards, and now I rarely miss it!!! Also, it’s way cheaper to shoot than my .308 (granted I still do use that for those longer one thousand yard shots). I love the eye relief at about the three times power, but it does get a bit on the tight side when it hits nine times. Pro-tip: you can collapse the stock halfway and that helps to make it consistent.
So what’s the bottom line you ask? If I haven’t made that clear, yet, I freaking love this scope haha! For the price, you’re not gonna find much better. This baby is proof that you don’t need to spend a massive fortune so you can successfully shoot long distances. I likey this baby soooo much. Bet you will too. — Mike Greenbaum
Get it from Amazon now: $159.97 & FREE Returns
5. Simmons Truplex - .22 MAG 3-9x32 Riflescope
Highlight: Fog-proof and waterproof with an endless preset range starting at fifty yards.
Helpful review: First things first…I’d recommend getting new rings if you purchase this. The included rings don't work with the OEM Ruger rail, and I got this specifically for my Ruger 10/22. It’s super clear and crisp when you look through it. I’d say that the eye relief could probably be a tiny bit better, but honestly you get what you pay for, and if you ask me, this is worth it.
You’ll need a screwdriver to alter the elevation or windage. Overall, it’s about performance, and that’s where this thing shines. No lie, I think I shot my best grouping at twenty five yards, like ever. Really just an overall great budget scope, but just remember to get those rings.
MY FRIEND’S REVIEW:
For those wanting something for general plinking or to hunt rabbits, this is a great rimfire scope. Love how the glass is bright and clear. Cross hairs are solid, and a good thickness, def the kind you need for hunting. You’ll def have all the zoom you’ll need for backyard plinking. It’s not the long-range type of target scope that you might use for long distance rim fire competitions. But... for sub one hundred yard shots you wanna play with in the backyard for those pesky squirrels or rabbits in your garden, then this is it. If you want separate parallax adjustment, mil dots, or those sort of things, then this is prob not for you. It’s budget, so I’d recommend it if that's your goal to save up the dollars. Know the limitations and you won’t be disappointed. Really just a great affordable scope. Can’t recommend enough.
A FEW WORDS FROM A NEIGHBOR:
With the included rings, I used them on two of my guns and had zero issues. This 3rd scope went on my Marlin 60 with the included rings. This is my third scope, and the first two lasted like seven years with no issues. Only once, I lost zero and it definitely wasn't the scope's fault…literally, the gun fell from my truck hood lol. As with any screw on any weapon, it’s probably a good idea to take some extra effort with some blue loctite. You’ll thank me later. Sure, if you have money to spend on a high end scope, do it. But honestly, I like saving my money and this still gets the job done. — Tammy Rice
Get it from Amazon now: $89.99 & FREE Returns
6. UUQ Prism - 4x32 Red/Green/Blue Illuminated Rifle Scope
Highlight: Compatibility with 20mm weaver and ⅜ inch dovetail rails.
Helpful review: Before we get into the details, let me start off by sharing two important details: First, I got this scope at a pretty solid discount in exchange for writing a full review, so I wanna be honest with that right out the gate. And second, I didn’t technically need another scope, I already have a few of them for my rifles, but I really enjoy testing out new gear so I can find great values for good prices.
I consider myself a pretty seasoned hunter, and I’ve definitely seen my fair share of poor quality scopes. I’m usually the go to for friends who are just getting into hunting, so I do like to test this stuff out so I can give solid recs to newbies or those who are on a budget.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for this scope, thinking it would be just another one of those cheap, plastic tactical gadgets that have pretty much a limited use. And then I actually tried it out, and man, this scope is solid. And I don’t say that lightly. This scope is legit solid.
GLASS:
That being said, if you're looking for superior glass quality you won’t necessarily find it at this price point. But for a budget scope with solid glass for the cost, yeah, this is pretty impressive. It’s not gonna be a high end prism scope, but it’s not really marketed as such. For a budget tool, yeah this definitely ranks the top. For less than a hundred bucks, the quality of the glass is definitely clear. There’s pretty good contrast and focus, and yeah, there’s a bit of distortion around the edges that kind of creates this fish eye effect, but it's not something you’re really gonna notice unless you really focus on it. With 4x magnification, it does the trick for the price.
EYE RELIEF:
I’d say that the eye relief hovers around three inches, and I think it works pretty well for a .223, but it could also work good for even heavier calibers on an AR. Probably not for 458 or .500 though. The eye box isn't as forgiving as red dots I’ve tested on other models, but I like that it’s magnified. Take that for what you will.
RETICLE:
I like this reticle a lot. Because it’s a prism scope, the reticle is essentially etched in the glass and it lights up, meaning that you can still use it even if the battery dies. There’s hold over marks out to four hundred yards, and they’re small but helpful when you’re focusing on those targets that are further away. The reticle lights up in three different colors–red, blue, and green–and I like the blue, because it’s the most subtle, but that’s probably more a personal choice.
ADJUSTMENT:
The adjustments on this are pretty straightforward for the most part, and they have small knobs, and just a heads up, you’ll probably need a dime or a small tool to actually adjust the knob. The clicks are fairly solid and from testing it out, I’d say they’re accurate. A lot of pricier scopes don’t even have that. I’d also say that there’s a good amount of internal adjustment so you can get on the target quickly.
DURABILITY:
I tested about thirty rounds yesterday and it held zero, which was awesome. Not necessarily a torture test, but budget scopes have failed at less. The durability wasn't necessarily designed for a shotgun, so yeah, I’m not gonna test it on that. Use it on the tools it’s meant for and you’ll find that it works. I reached out to the manufacturer out of curiosity and was actually surprised when they got back to me and told me to try it out on a shotgun using slugs for deer and see how it works. In other words, they’re confident in the durability of this thing.
Just keep in mind that at the end of the day it’s a prismatic scope, there’s a solid, yet simple, erector that holds zero. Pretty happy with it if you ask me.
OTHER FEATURES:
I really enjoy the fiber optic sight on the top; it’s a nice touch if you ask me. Def a handy feature if you’re planning to use it for quick target acquisition on a shotgun or even a 300 Blackout. I’ll be honest, I haven’t had it long enough to test out its longer term durability, but I’d say it seems pretty solid for what you’re paying for it. If UUQ added struts to the fiber optic, it’d probably help it stay in the spot for a little bit longer. Battery life is pretty good if you ask me. I found that out because I actually left the scope on overnight haha and yet still worked the next day, which actually surprised me.
BOTTOM LINE:
Overall, what are my thoughts? I’d say it’s worth it. It’s a solid value, especially if you're looking for a scope with that budget mindset. Sure, there’s gonna be better scopes out there, but you’re gonna spend twice as much, and for under a hundred bucks, I really don’t think you can get better than this. — David Buckstein
Get it from Amazon now: $65.99 & FREE Returns
7. Monstrum - 3-9x40 AO Rifle Scope
Highlight: Three to nine times magnification is adjustable, allowing targeting up to five hundred yards and beyond.
Helpful review: After looking at the reviews on the Monstrom, I figured that for this price point, I’d probably get an optic that wasn’t too great in the quality of the components. I mean, it’s pretty much cheaper than buying a solid box of good ammo haha. I figured best I’d get it for one use, and worst case, I’d just reuse it for parts.
The build quality surprised me at first. It all just looked solid and felt good–including the adjustment points and the tolerances on the tube. Even the mount was awesome. Yeah, the optic is kinda heavier than the specs, but only by a few ounces. I really expected the glass to be poor, but the clarity was surprisingly clear. Yeah, you’re gonna get sharper clarity if you spend more, but for the price, it was solid. I mean I didn’t think I could have something like this for under sixty bucks haha. Granted I had low expectations, but still. I will say that the reticule is on the basic side and the instruction booklet lacked info on the mils appropriate caliber.
You’re not gonna get a real FFP rangefinder on this. It’s budget for a reason, but honestly for the price it’s still really good! The AO dial allowed me an estimate between the distance to the target mainly by judging the optical sharpness. Didn’t expect that to be on this because again, it’s cheap, so it was a nice plus.
The glass is realllllly good. It gives a pretty good range calculation, too and it offers really solid visual acuity, which is saying a lot considering the magnification is at nine times. You’re getting every cent out of this thing.
When I tested it out at the range, I began at a hundred yards and missed the papervat min magnification. I ultimately ended up rotating the windage dials and the elevation one unit each and lo and behold–missed again. After a few more twists, I finally hit the paper. In other words, you may have to play around with this to figure it out, but once you do, it gets the job done.
After a few more shots after a full mount, I managed to get the actual feel of the reticle mils, and I pulled to fifty yards and discovered zero in three shots. Back at a hundred yards, I got a solid zero after I figured out the system adjustments. 100 and was able to get a good zero after learning the system and adjustments.
The eye relief definitely went above my expectations. Def excellent. I also found that the recoil was pretty much non-existent. The optic probably held zero across two hundred shots throughout the day.
Honestly, I just can’t say it enough: a scope at this price range probably shouldn’t have this level of accuracy and quality haha. Sure, it’s not a high end two grand piece of equipment, but by far, it’s better than my five hundred dollars scopes. Never ended up in my box of parts and have definitely used it more than once! You won’t regret spending fifty bucks on this haha. Do it. You’ll thank me later. — Shannon Credle
Get it from Amazon now: $79.95 & FREE Returns
8. CVLIFE - 6-24x50 Hunting Rifle Scope with Mount
Highlight: Adjustable objective lens offers sharp target image and solid range estimation.
Helpful review: Wow, really can’t say this enough. Love this thing. Ignore the negative reviews, folks. I’m glad I did. The part about it being blurry? Sure, it can be when you’re adjusting the focus, but it takes a second to find the good spot. At its shortest and farthest setting, I managed to get a crystal clear view.
I also had no issue adjusting the focus and zoom at the distances in between. It has 3 knobs to adjust it which is cool, one for zoom, and two for focus. The second focus on is close to your eyes and unscrews a little, so maybe the blurry comments were because people didn’t figure that part out, I dunno. But I didn't have that issue once I figured it out.
A little more effort, but honestly, not a problem with the tool at all. I like that there’s a green and red light feature. It comes with cross hairs, but the lights mainly just reflect so you can see better in different light conditions. Oh, and if the battery dies, it still is good! And works!
Super durable build quality, and if I hadn’t known the price, I’d say it was probably closer to three or four hundred bucks–definitely not only sixty! So how does it work with recoil? Yep! And it definitely holds zero.
Sure, I could spend more bucks on a fancy scope, but I’d much rather put most of my money toward a quality gun, instead of spending all this money on a scope that’s the same price as my gun. If the gun is good enough, then you won’t have any problems with this, because for real, it does the job and it works. The magnification alone is worth the price. Ten out of ten! — Kory Lawrence
Get it from Amazon now: $60.99 & FREE Returns