Best 50 BMG Scope
The 50 Browning Machine Gun (BMG) is one of the largest mass-manufactured cartridges in the world. It’s renowned for delivering a hard hit on targets over a mile out and will even pierce armor.
Although only used by the military at first, it has gained popularity among civilians, most likely for shooting at distant targets.
The drawback of the 50 BMG is that it’s expensive and has a high recoil compared to other commonly used rounds which is why a good rifle scope is required to make an accurate shot.
This article carefully goes through the various rifle scopes available on the market that will give you that accurate hit when you are using a 50 BMG cartridge.
Without further ado, let’s get started…
Best 50 BMG Rifle Scope-Top Picks
- NightForce Benchrest 12-42x56mm
- Leatherwood ART M1200 6X-24X50
- Sightron SIII 6-24x50mm
- SightMark Latitude 10-40×60 F-Class
- Trijicon ACOG 4x32mm
- NightForce NX8 4-32x50mm
- Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm
1. NightForce Benchrest 12-42x56mm
This is built purposely for the long-range and for the 50 BMG cartridge. The first detail you’ll recognize is the extremely clear lens courtesy of a high-quality multi-coating applied to the glass surface.
The lens is extra wide to allow in an optimum amount of light which is extremely helpful to distinguish fine detail on distant objects.
A 42x magnification allows the shooter to clearly zoom in on the long-range targets, and get a closer view for that clean shot. Next, the shooter gets the option of 2 illuminated reticles.
One of the reticles is a cross-hair with hash marks both on the vertical and horizontal lines, and the other is a thin crosshair with a center dot for a precise target marking.
The scope has useful features such as an adjustable objective lens, a fast reticle focusing eyepiece, and a coil plunger adjustable return system that improves tracking accuracy.
Overall, this is a perfect scope that’s renowned for its world-record repeatable performance. It’s clear and accurate, and the reticles are optimized for long-range shooting using a powerful round. One of its drawbacks however is that its purchase isn’t forthrightly allowed, because it’s regulated.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
- Magnification: 12 – 42 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 1.4 – 4 mm
- Field of View: 2.3 – 6.7 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.125 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3 in, 75 mm
- Weight: 36 oz
2. Leatherwood ART M1200 6X-24X50 scope
This is a versatile option that you do not have to change when aiming with different caliber rounds. It works as effectively with both a .223 and a 50 cal. and for both medium and long-range targets.
In fact, the manufacturer claims that this cope can be calibrated for 75% of today’s calibers and still deliver exceptional performance.
The first highlight of the rifle scope is the detailed reticle. It’s a mRad and every Mil and a half mil is indicated by tick marks on the axes.
Next, it comes with an automatic ranging trajectory (ART) system designed for military snipers. The system employs a built-in range finder to estimate the distance to a target and then adjusts the crosshairs accordingly to assist in making a perfect shot.
Overall, this is a professional scope, which means exceptional accuracy. It also performs admirably against heavy recoil and long-range targets.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 6 – 24 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2 – 8.5 mm
- Field of View: 4 – 12 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3.75 in
- Weight: 32 oz
3. Sightron SIII 6-24x50mm Rifle Scope
The Sightron SIII will handle targets perfectly with a 50-cal round. This is because the scope is designed as a tactical option with features like large tactical knobs on the turret that are easy to adjust. Moreover, you get tactile and audible clicks all through the .250 MOA adjustments.
The scope has a perfectly clear display and color accuracy courtesy of a high-quality multi-coating that allows for an optimum amount of light inside the lens.
The reticle is a MIL- dot with 4 MIL dots extending from the center to all four quadrants. It works perfectly and is clearly visible when used in reduced lighting.
Lastly, it has been toughly designed to withstand heavy recoil and harsh conditions. The outside casing is made of solid 30mm single-piece aluminum and is waterproof and fog proof.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 6 – 24 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.08 mm
- Field of View: 3.9 – 16.1 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3.6 – 3.8 in
- Weight: 21.9 oz
4. SightMark Latitude 10-40×60 F-Class Rifle Scope
This is a valuable rifle scope because it is available at a fair price and gives out superb performance, especially with a skilled shooter.
Its fully-coated scratch-resistant lens allows excellent light transmission further enhanced by a wide 60mm objective lens. This, however, may be a disadvantage for some shooters because the wide objective lens makes this scope unwieldy.
It comes with a Benchcrest reticle that’s effective in two ways, first it’s thin which makes it more precise on a target. Small dots evenly spaced on both axes then helps the shooter estimate the windage and holdover
Additionally, the scope is tough in a couple of ways. First, the reticle is glass etched, which means it will retain its accuracy over time. It is waterproof and fog proof to IP67 standards.
Finally, the solid casing will enable it to withstand the heavy recoil from the 50-cal round as well as constant heavy impact.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 60 mm
- Magnification: 10 – 40 x
- Reticle: F-class
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 1.5 – 6 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 5 – 10 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.125 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3.8 – 4.1 in
- Weight: 36.2 oz
5. Trijicon ACOG 4x32mm Rifle Scopes
The Trijicon ACOG is well renowned because of its fixed magnification and its wide use by law enforcement. It’s designed and assembled in the USA which assures you of quality and dependability.
One of the reasons why it’s used extensively is because It’s rugged and purposely built for a demanding user. It’s also easy to use considering one doesn’t have to consistently keep tweaking the magnification.
Another standout feature is the different reticle options that are available to the shooter. All these options are illuminated with a specialized fiber optic known as tritium.
This illumination doesn’t require a battery and automatically adjusts its brightness to always be visible to a shooter
Finally, the scope stands out for optimal clarity, which comes from a high-quality lens, and it supports both eyes shooting, which keeps the shooter well aware of the surroundings.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
- Magnification: 4 x
- Tube Diameter: 32 mm
- Exit Pupil: 8 mm
- Field of View: 36.8 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 1.5 in
- Weight: 14.96 oz.
6. NightForce NX8 4-32x50mm Rifle Scope
This is a premium scope built with high-quality features without any cost-cutting. It gives a shooter superb durability and performance under all conditions.
The first reason why this is possible is that it comes with the option of 4 detailed first focal plane (FFP) reticles. These reticles give you inch-perfect adjustments when making a shot and guarantee that you will hit the target.
Next, the rifle scope is fairly lightweight with small dimensions despite its wide objective lens.
The scope also stands out for its high magnification and high-quality optics characteristics which allows it to be effective when aiming at long distant targets.
Lastly, it comes with a zero-stop feature that allows the shooter to return to a pre-set zero after making all the necessary adjustments.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 4 – 32 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil: 1.6 – 7.3 mm
- Field of View: 26.1 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 87.6 mm
- Weight: 28.6 oz
7. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm 30mm Rifle Scope
We cannot go through our list without including the Vortex PST rifle scope. This scope carries the reputation of Vortex for great optics. As a result, the shooter receives a bright, well-defined image of the target.
Additionally, the scope comes with various adjustments integrated into the turret. The knobs, including the one for adjusting the parallax, are optimally placed making it convenient for the shooter to make rapid adjustments
Another great feature of this option is that the shooter receives two simplified reticles that are glass-etched to ensure durability in the face of heavy recoil.
Finally, anyone who purchases this scope will have peace of mind knowing that it is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Magnification: 5 – 25 x
- Exit Pupil: 2 – 10 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 4.8 – 24.1 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.4 in
- Weight: 31.2 oz
Buying a 50 BMG BDC Rifle Scope
As you can see from our reviews, we have different scopes that can be used with a 50 BMG rifle scope. Because these rifle scopes aren’t the same, we have to go through other characteristics that define what scope one should choose for their 50-cal cartridge.
Reticle
There are numerous reticle options on the market. However, because the 50-cal cartridge is mostly used for long-range shooting, a simplified reticle is preferable because it will not obstruct the view.
Another consideration is that the reticle can be etched on glass and able to withstand the heavy recoil from the round.
Magnification
Magnification enlarges the image of the target, allowing the shooter to identify it and place his shots accurately. For the best accuracy, you need enough magnification to bring the distant target closer. Select a magnification that is appropriate for your level of experience.
Lens Quality
The scopes on this list all have excellent lens quality, which means they can provide sharp images with full color. The Vortex PST, on the other hand, stands out for having the highest quality lens.
Price
Choose a price that you are okay with depending on your budget. Out of the many options available the Leatherwood ART M1200 comes at the cheapest price and also gives a decent performance.
50 BMG FAQs
What is the effective range of 50 BMG?
The effective range of the 50 BMG is determined by both individual skills and underlying conditions. The effective range, on average, ranges from 2000 yards to around 3000 yards.
Is the 50 BMG legal?
Except for California and a few other states, the cartridge is legal in most of the United States. However, it is subject to severe restrictions in other countries, such as Canada.
What’s the size of a 50 BMG?
The cartridge for the.50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) is 12.7x99mm in size.
What does the military use 50 BMG for?
The.50 BMG is primarily utilized by the military to demolish and disable enemy equipment and infrastructure such as lightly armored vehicles, trucks, ground-based aircraft, radar stations, and communication systems.
CONCLUSION
We are confident that after reading this detailed review of the best 50 BMG BDC scope, you will be able to make the best decision when purchasing rifle scopes. To further improve accuracy, it is recommended that you work on the cartridge’s tremendous recoil with a muzzle brake.
Aside from that, you can choose any of the options we’ve provided and have fun shooting your rounds.
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