Best Mountain Hunting Scope-Top Rated Hunting Scopes
Hunting in the mountains is a demanding activity that requires you to be in great physical condition. Hiking to the hunting location in the mountains, actually taking down your prey, and coming back down is not an easy feat. This is the reason why you need to invest in the best scope for mountain hunting. This activity typically takes hours and you need to invest in a scope that is:
a) Lightweight
b) Compact
The reason for this is, it is important to ‘travel light’ when mountain hunting. It is a strenuous activity that needs you to carry light and compact gear. In most cases, light scopes have objective lenses with 40-50 mm in diameter, which is enough for hunting in the mountains. If you choose a scope with a bigger objective lens, you might find that is too heavy to go up the mountain. Because mountain hunting is typically done during the day, you don’t really need a scope with large objective lenses. Light transmitted through 40-50 mm objective lens diameters is enough for a clear view of the mountains.
We understand that different hunters have different skills and experience, so we have included scopes for all levels of experience, from beginners to professionals.
Here is a quick list
| Product | Image | Price |
| Leupold Mark 6 3-18x44mm Riflescope |  |
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| Tangent Theta Inc. TT315 M-Series 3-15x50mm Riflescope |  |
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| Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope |  |
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| Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescopes |  |
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| Steiner T5Xi Tactical Rifle Scope
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| Athlon Optics , Ares BTR , Riflescope , 2.5-15 x 50 First Focal Plane |  |
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| Schmidt & Bender Klassik Rifle Scope with 3-12×50
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| Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Side Focus Riflescope |  |
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| NightForce ATACR 4-16x42mm F1 ZeroHold RifleScope |  |
Best Scope for Mountain Hunting Comprehensive Review
#1) Leupold Mark 6 3-18x44mm Riflescope
The best scope for mountain hunting is one that is built to endure the terrain while still delivering great picture quality. The Leupold Mark 6 is one such scope. Its 3-18x magnification is ideal for close to long-range hunting while the 44 mm objective lens diameter is perfect for allowing maximum light for clear and bright views. The objective is big enough to allow light into the scope while also sufficient enough to keep the scope’s weight on the lighter side. As is with most Leupold scopes, this scope is fitted with the proprietary twilight max hd light management system. This system is responsible for adding up to 30 minutes of extra shooting light just in case you decide to shoot in low light conditions like dawn or dusk. It also promises to reduce glare which in turn offers high definition clarity. Still keeping it on clarity, this scope features scratch-resistant lenses that are up to military standard so you know they are what they say they are. This scope comes with the M5C2 turrets which lock at zero automatically and gives 20 MIL of elevation in two dial revolutions. What’s more, the scope is completely weatherproof so you can use it under any weather conditions. The greatest quality of this scope is arguably its ultra-lightweight construction. With all these great features, is still light which is important for a mountain rifle scope. Features
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#2) Tangent Theta Inc. TT315 M-Series 3-15x50mm Riflescope
This is a top-tier mountain rifle scope that is manufactured in Canada. It might not be as popular as the likes of Vortex or Leupold but it is one of the best scope for mountain hunting. Its lack of popularity might be due to its price but its features greatly justify that aspect. It is a precision rifle scope that is crafted to military standards. Its mechanical reliability easily outlasts the owner while its robust nature only enhances its promise of durability. This scope is designed to assure you of success in the mountains. Its optical clarity is unparalleled which allows you to see full details of your target while keeping the color fidelity. It is a scope that ticks off almost everything from the ultimate mountain rifle scope list. It comes with side parallax adjustment which makes adjusting parallax quick and easy. The knobs are non-translating with elevation zero stop while elevation and windage come with revolution and direction indicator. Features
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#3) Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope
This is a significantly cheaper mountain rifle scope in comparison to the first two. Leupold built one of the best scope for mountain hunting at a reasonable price point. The Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10×40 mm is a rigorously tested scope for ultimate performance. It is crafted from 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum which promises to deliver unparalleled durability and a lifetime of performance. The scope is also fitted with the DiamondCoat 2 lens coating that delivers high light transmission while still making the lenses abrasion-resistant. Precision 1/4 MOA finger click adjustments for elevation and windage give it high dependability and repeatability while it’s in use. With the twilight max light management system, you get up to 20 minutes of extra shooting light which can be the difference between taking down your target and missing it. Features
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#4) Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 First Focal Plane Riflescopes is a very versatile scope that works great for both close and long-range situations. It comes fitted with extra-low dispersion glass which enhances resolution and maintains color fidelity. With the lenses being XR fully multi-coated, this scope promises to deliver crisp, clear images. Armortek coatings ensure the lenses are protected from dirt, oil, and scratches. It comes with laser-etched turrets, adjustable parallax, and the RZR Zero Stop to make target acquisition easy and increase precision. The intuitive reticle delivers detailed hold points while remaining clear for the ultimate viewing. Additionally, the reticle comes with 10 intensity levels. It is argon purged and o-ring sealed for waterproof and fog-proof performance. To ensure the scope’s durability, it is crafted from aircraft aluminum. Vortex optics build really high-quality optics at reasonable prices. Mountain hunting requires a great scope and this Vortex Scope is one of the best scope for mountain hunting. Features
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#5) Steiner T5Xi Tactical Rifle Scope
This is the scope you pack when going up the mountains to hunt. It is one of the best scopes for mountain hunting and with good reason. It offers unequaled performance regardless of the distance you are shooting. A constant eye relief and a generous eye box ensure you do not get the scope eye while the field of view makes sure you view your target in its entirety while also being fully aware of your surrounding. It is fitted with a low profile turret system that ensures turrets are resettable. With this scope, it is easy to reset to zero making it easy to use. Its magnification range is wide enough for the mountains while its objective lens allows maximum light transmission for clear views. Steiner is known for producing scopes of military standards. Scopes with great precision, accuracy, reliability, and dependability. They ensure their scopes are worth the prices attached. Features
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Best Scope for Mountain Hunting Buyer’s Guide
There are several factors to consider when choosing a scope for the mountains.
Weight
Typically, mountain hunting means you will hike up the mountain to hunt down the prey. This means you will carry your gear all the way to the top. For this reason, you need to consider the weight of your scope. The weight of the scope largely depends on the hunter’s ability to comfortably carry it and still easily move around. So you might find a hunter pushing the scope’s weight limit to the higher side while others prefer ultra-light scopes like scopes from Leupold or the Swarovski. Whichever weight you choose, note that you will need to move around and most importantly, you will have to come down with the short game. This is why packing efficient light gear is important.
Magnification
High maximum magnification is important for mountain hunting. Observable distances can be quite huge so you need high magnification. A 10x magnification and more is ideal for such situations. You also want a scope with an adjustable parallax when you set it at the highest magnification. Having high magnification you probably won’t need, is better than having low power when you need high magnification. It’s better to be prepared for the uncertainties mountain hunting may present to you. The best scope for mountain hunting is one with a wide range of magnification to allow you to adjust it as you see fit.
Field of View
A large field of view lets you spot the target faster while also allowing room for more awareness of your surrounding. It means it gives more room to observe your target even after taking it down your prey. Sighting your target faster is one step closer to actually taking it down. Yes, you can switch the magnification to a higher setting but a large field of view helps in fast target acquisition.
Objective lens
As earlier stated, a 40-50mm objective lens diameter is ideal for mountain hunting. The best scope for mountain hunting comes with objective lenses within this range. The reason is, this range will allow the scope to not be too heavy while also being sufficient. The goal is to get a light but also efficient scope. Scopes with more than 50 mm objective lenses tend to be heavier and might prove a tad bit too heavy for mountain hunting. However, they do collect maximum light for clearer views.
Zero stop
If you are an avid hunter you know how crucial timing is. It can mean the difference between taking the target and missing it. So having a scope without a zero stop means you will need to be constantly looking at your scope to determine if it is on zero. Which is time-wasting. A scope with a zero stop means you don’t have to look at the turret, all you need to do is simply counting clicks or returning to zero and using the reticle for holdover. This is an important feature for a mountain scope.
Conclusion
Mountain hunting can be a fun activity with the right gear. It is especially more fulfilling if you invest in the best scope for mountain hunting. A great scope is a wise investment as it will not be limited to only using it in the mountains. You can use it on other terrains without needing to buy new a new scope. With that said, ensure you get the right scope for your needs, a scope that will serve your purpose.
The scopes we have reviewed here have been tried and tested for the mountains and have come out on the other side as the best mountain rifle scopes. We hope the review helps you make an informed buy.
Happy hunting!