Best High End Rifle Scopes
Technology has advanced most, if not all, of the equipment, used the world over, and rifle scopes have not been left behind. In this review, we look at some of the best high end rifle scopes on the market. High end rifle scopes offer more than the average rifle scope but their prices might make your heart pump a little faster than usual. The prices however come with an enhanced and improved hunting experience you probably might never have experienced.
These scopes are show stoppers in every sense of the word and are revered amongst any enthusiast hunter or shooter out there. The manufactures focus on the scope’s performance to justify the prices and most of these scopes prove to you why they come with such jaw-gaping prices attached.
So, which are the best high end rifle scopes on the market today?
Here is a quick list
| Product | Image | Price |
| Schmidt Bender 5-25×56 PM II |  |
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| Steiner T5Xi Tactical Rifle Scope |  |
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| SWAROVSKI Z5 3.5-18×44 Ballistic Turret Riflescope with 4W Reticle |  |
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| Nightforce Optics 5.5-22×56 NXS Riflescope |  |
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| Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 Riflescope |  |
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| Burris Eliminator 4-16x50mm Laser Rangefinding Rifle Scope |  |
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| Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Riflescope |  |
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| Maven RS.1 2.5-15 x 44 mm FFP Hunting Rifle Scope SHR Reticle |  |
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| Vortex Optics Golden Eagle HD 15-60×52 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes |  |
Why You Need The Best High End Rifle Scopes
Accuracy and Precision
The best high end rifle scopes take your accuracy levels to levels you could only dream of. With the state-of-the art glass used in these scopes, the likelihood of hitting your target with the first shot increases dramatically. This means you save on time and bullets.
Long-range shooting
If you are an avid hunter like me, you know the thrill that comes with shooting a target at long range. It is such an addictive feeling! The best high end scopes help you quickly and accurately hit targets that are very far away. Long-range shooting has some advantages:
1. The risk of danger is eliminated especially in tactical missions as you do not have to get too close to the target.
2. You get enough time to study your target and wait for the perfect shot
3. The probability that you might just hit the target increasing your shooting confidence.
Better Scoreboard Results
For target shooters, results on the scoreboard score you some bragging rights and even improves your confidence. Getting the best high end scope improves your results.
Best High End Rifle Scopes Reviews
#1) Schmidt Bender 5-25×56 PM II
As the pinnacle of state-of-the-art scopes, the Schmidt Bender 5-25×56 PM II is one of the best high end rifle scopes on the market today. In the optics industry, Schmidt and Bender is known for its high-quality glass on its scopes. This means the scope delivers clear, crisp, and sharp images whilst maintaining color fidelity. The easy to access turrets come marked clearly which takes away the guesswork. The tactical turrets also come with a locking mechanism that has been capped so your settings remain the same when you don’t want to change them. This makes the scope very reliable. This is a highly revered scope among the military and law enforcement for its wide magnification range. The fact that you can move below zero even after the scope has been zeroed makes this scope a favorite of shooting enthusiasts. Features
Schmidt Bender 5-25×56 PM II Pros
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#2) Steiner T5Xi Tactical Rifle Scope
The best high end rifle scopes come with a hefty price tag but deliver on enhancing your hunting experience. The Steiner T5Xi Tactical Rifle Scope is a scope that gives you the ultimate accuracy with its 34mm main tube that enhances its reliability and strength. This scope is ideally designed for precision competition so you know all its features are meant to deliver on accuracy and precision. It is fitted with a throw lever that makes it easy to make magnification changes and its lenses are covered in Tenebraex lens covers effectively protecting them from moisture and dust. A generous eye box and consistent eye relief make sure you avoid an injury to your eye due to heavy impact. Features
Steiner T5Xi Tactical Rifle Scope Pros
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#3) SWAROVSKI Z5 3.5-18×44 Ballistic Turret Riflescope with 4W Reticle
SWAROVSKI manufacture premium optics from binoculars to scopes and this SWAROVSKI Z5 3.5-18×44 Ballistic Turret Riflescope is among the greatest of its production. It is fitted with a 1-inch main tube and a side focus system that allows you to adjust settings to your preferred settings. Its 44 mm objective lens allows maximum light transmission and its wide magnification range ensures you can hunt at extended distances. This scope comes with fully multi-coated lenses that offer crystal clear images even in unfavorable light conditions. The optics come in HD which ensures color fidelity is maintained. It is a light and durable scope that comes with a black matte finish to enhance its beauty. Features
SWAROVSKI Z5 3.5-18×44 Ballistic Turret Riflescope with 4W Reticle Pros
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#4) Nightforce Optics 5.5-22×56 NXS Riflescope
This is the scope you get when you want to take your hunting experience to another level. It’s a scope that offers you dependability and ruggedness through and through. Its unfailing performance makes it a favorite among law enforcement personnel and the military. This scope is taken through rigorous tests to ensure it is a scope you can depend on out there in the field. It is fitted with the innovative titanium beta rector spring that provides three to four times spring pressure in comparison to other scopes. It is totally waterproof and weather-resistant with a zero stop feature that lets you return to true zero. It is built using 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum that gives it durability through and through. Features
Nightforce Optics 5.5-22×56 NXS Riflescope Pros
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#5) Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 Riflescope
The price of this scope is one of the few things in life that can your heart pump very fast. However, with the price you get a lot of premium features perfectly bundled into this scope. From delivery of crisp clear images to a huge objective lens diameter for maximum light transmission. This is a masterpiece fitted with the optical excellence found in German glass. With its broad magnification range, you can easily shoot long-range to well into the twilight. The huge 56 mm objective lens ensures maximum light is transmitted for these clear images you are paying for. It also comes with the AVS Bullet Drop Compensator and a 36 mm main tube. This scope is fitted with exposed tactical-style elevation turrets that feature a Ballistic Stop that lets you return to your true zero easily. Features
Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 Riflescope Pros
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#6) Burris Eliminator 4-16x50mm Laser Rangefinding Rifle Scope
As one of the best high end rifle scopes, the Burris Eliminator 4-16X comes with high-quality optics that allow maximum light transmission for quality images. With this scope, you get great features that have the most advanced technology. It is fitted with a built-in integrative inclinometer that compensates for angle shots downhill or uphill. By the push of a button, you easily eliminate the guesswork as this scope is fitted with an eliminator that calculates holdover at your exact distance for the cartridge you are using. A built-in laser rangefinder lets you calculate the distance to the target instantly. This scope is fog proof and waterproof which means you can use the scope regardless of the weather conditions. Features
Burris Eliminator 4-16x50mm Laser Rangefinding Rifle Scope Pros
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#7) Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Riflescope is one of the best high end rifle scopes ideal for long-range hunting and shooting. It is a scope that really gives you value for money and for a long period of time. This scope is packed with so many great features that you will not regret dishing out the amount of money this scope goes for. It comes with an illuminated reticle that ensures you get accurate and precise shots even in low light conditions. It is also fitted with the Xtended Twilight Light System that contributes to great images even in bad lighting conditions. For quality and unparalleled clarity and visibility, this scope is fitted with a twin bias spring erector system. The optics are top of the line which makes your sight picture very clear and bright. Features
Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Riflescope Pros
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#8) Maven RS.1 2.5-15 x 44 mm FFP Hunting Rifle Scope SHR Reticle
The Maven RS is a scope that is from a not-so-popular brand but is one of the best high end rifle scopes today. It easily withstands the harsh conditions out there in the field and by this, I mean dropping the scope or accidentally pouring water over it. It is a well-built hunting and target scope that proves its price. It is easy to use and seamless to operate. Its glass is the world-class Japanese glass that delivers great and high-quality images. It is fitted with ED glass that ensures color fidelity is maintained and the 44mm objective lens allows maximum light transmission for even clearer and brighter images. It comes with built-in single-piece aluminum tubes with precision machined adjustments and a wide enough magnification range to enhance your hunting experience. It comes with a first focal plane reticle which makes holdovers accurate regardless of the magnification power. Features
Maven RS.1 2.5-15 x 44 mm FFP Hunting Rifle Scope SHR Reticle Pros
Con
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#9) Vortex Optics Golden Eagle HD 15-60×52 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
Can you really have the best high end rifle scopes guide without featuring a Vortex? Vortex optics makes scopes for all ranges and budgets. From pretty budget-friendly scopes to scopes like Vortex Optics Golden Eagle HD which is a top-of-the-line scope with premium features. The 52mm objective diameter lens collects maximum amounts of light to deliver crisp, sharp, and bright images even in low light conditions. The huge objective diameter combined with premium XR anti-reflective coatings delivers crisp clear images even when the magnification is at its highest. The lenses are coated in the superior Armortek coatings to ensure they are protected from oil and scratches. The broad magnification range of 15-60x makes shooting at targets from a long distance easy. It is fitted with a side focus parallax adjustment which effectively removes down range parallax. It is also fitted with an aperture stop ring and wind indicators. The Vortex optics Golden Eagle is argon purged and o-ring sealed giving it fog proof and waterproof capabilities. Features
Vortex Optics Golden Eagle HD 15-60×52 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes Pros
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Best High End Rifle Scopes Shopping Guide
Some people will not understand why you want to sell your second kidney for a scope, or why you are scouring the internet so late at night, almost every night looking for the best high-end rifle scopes reviews. They won’t even get the reason as to why you want to analyze, re-analyze a scope that you have already, but not yet, settled on. But, we here at outdoors hunt, together with all the shooting enthusiasts and hunters out there, get it. We totally understand.
If you are going to spend all that money for a worthwhile high-end scope, you should at the very least make sure you get the top-notch, state-of-the-art high-quality features like:
Eye relief: A great rifle scope should have more than 3″ of eye relief to prevent an injury to your eye, sometimes known as a ‘scope eye’
Warranty– You want a warranty for your high-end scope that covers any damages on the scope.
Glass: Quality glass delivers crisp and clear images edge to edge. Some of the premium glasses fitted on high-end scopes have elements like HD, Ex, ED. Quality glass coatings are also features found on high-end scopes. These include anti-reflective coatings, mirror and phase-correction coatings, layered coatings, etc…
Parallax: Most of these scopes are best suited for long-range or ultra-long-range shooting and with that, you will need one that comes with a parallax correction turret. Ballistic turrets are also important features to have on your scope.
A quick comparison table
| Product | Magnification | Objective Lens | Reticle |
| Schmidt Bender 5-25×56 PM II | 5-25x | 56mm | Illuminated FFP |
| Steiner T5Xi Tactical Rifle Scope | 5-25X | 56mm | Illuminated FFP
SCR (special competition reticle) |
| SWAROVSKI Z5 3.5-18×44 Ballistic Turret Riflescope with 4W Reticle | 3.5-18X | 44mm | 4W |
| Nightforce Optics 5.5-22×56 NXS Riflescope | 5.5-22X | 56mm | SFP |
| Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 Riflescope | 2.8-20X | 56mm | Illuminated Plex Style |
| Burris Eliminator 4-16x50mm Laser Rangefinding Rifle Scope | 4-16X | 50mm | SFP |
| Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Riflescope | 4-24X | 52mm | Rear Focal Plane (RFP)
Illuminated Reticle |
| Maven RS.1 2.5-15 x 44 mm FFP Hunting Rifle Scope SHR Reticle | 2.5-15X | 44mm | FFP reticle |
| Vortex Optics Golden Eagle HD 15-60×52 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes | 15-60X | 52m | SFP
(ECR-1 MOA or SCR-1 MOA)
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How to Care for Caring Your High End Rifle Scope
Investing in a high-end rifle scope is one part, the other part is taking proper care of it. Fortunately, most high end scopes do not require constant maintenance.
Here are some tips to help:
- Cleaning: As you use your scope outdoors, it is bound to get dirty. NEVER try to take it apart for cleaning. This might ruin the scope as taking it apart releases any argon or nitrogen inside the scope. Releasing these gases means internal fogging will take place rendering your scope useless.
You should also not wipe the lenses with your sleeve. It may look like the quickest way to get rid of fingerprints or dirt but it leaves minute scratches on the lens coatings and over time, the image quality of your scope is affected. You can use a camel hair brush or a microfiber cloth to clean the lenses. For the exterior, canned air is best to blow away dirt and dust.
If by any chance your scope’s lenses have stubborn smudges, a microfiber cloth with either water or lens cleaner in small amounts will do the trick. You also need to ensure oil does not get to the scope when you are cleaning your gun.
- Storage: Store your high-end scope with lens caps on. A scope cover is also a great addition as it helps in holding the caps in place all the while protecting the body of the scope.
If you are storing your scope plus rifle in a gun safe for an extended period of time, a dehumidifier might be something to consider having. It helps in ensuring your scope is dry.
Conclusion
The best High end rifle scopes do not come cheap and if you feel they are way above your budget, there are brands that manufacture the best scopes and you will not have to drop a pretty penny for them. Manufacturers like Vortex to Leupold have scopes that are affordable and deliver great performance.