Although it is true that the best-performing rifle scopes are typically the most expensive, there are still budget alternatives on the market that will provide a shooter with enough performance.
Please keep in mind that budget rifle scopes are not the cheapest, but rather those that are cheaper than premium ones providing the shooter with value for money.
This article lists and reviews the best budget rifle scopes at various price points, to assist a first-time buyer in making an informed purchase.
Best Budget Rifle scopes-Top picks
- Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm
- SIG SAUER Whiskey3 4-12x50mm
- Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm
- Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 mm
- Vortex Crossfire II AO 6-18x44mm
- SIG SAUER Tango-MSR FFP 1-10x26mm
1. Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
This is probably the cheapest one on this list and the reason it makes it here is not because of its price but what it offers at that price.
To begin, it has one of the longest eye reliefs in the industry at 6 inches, allowing the shooter to remain comfortable when firing at a target.
The Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope will surprise you with its simplicity, as well as the accurate x crosshair reticle perfect for hunting. The reticle carries the design of a duplex with thin center lines that narrow in on a target eliminating guesswork.
Next, the lens ensures that you get a quality image of the target. Its nitrogen purged always delivering sharp images even under foggy conditions.
Overall, this is a great rifle scope for a budget shooter. The fit and finish doesn’t in any way resemble that of a budget scope, as well as the image quality delivered to the shooter.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Reticle: Multi-X
- Field of View: 32 @3x 11 @9x ft at 100 yards
- Click Value: .25 in at 100 yards
- Exit Pupil: 13.3@3x – 4.4@9x mm
- Eye Relief: 6 in
- Weight: 13 oz
Pros
- Lightweight
- Long eye reliefs
- Clean reticle design
- Decent lens
2. SIG SAUER Whiskey3 4-12x50mm Rifle Scope
The Sig Sauer Whiskey goes for just under $300. It’s the ideal rifle scope if you want a one for short to medium to fairly long-range targets, thanks to its versatile 3-12x magnification.
The lens also delivers one of the best quality images with the use of a low dispersion glass, a wide 50mm objective lenses and high-quality coatings on the surface to optimize light transmission and reduce glare.
Another great feature you’ll notice is its European style eyepiece that guarantees the shooter smooth fast and precise adjustments. This is a great advantage if you want to quickly aim a target that keeps on changing the position.
Lastly, this rifle scope has great durability one of the highlights of this quality is an IPx7 waterproof rating that allows it to be completely immersed in water up to 1 meter.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 4 – 12 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 4.17 – 12.5 mm
- Field of View: 7.9 – 23.6 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3.5 in
- Weight: 18.9 oz
Pros
- High-quality images
- Rugged
- Versatile magnifications
Cons
- Hefty
3. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
Yet another simplistic rifle scope that comes at a budget price and can be relied on if you desire the best accuracy when aiming at a target.
It comes with a custom dial system (CDS) feature which saying the least is one of the best features on a rifle scope. The CDS is a feature that allows the dial to be customized to match the ballistics of a particular rifle as well as the average shooting conditions.
This makes it easy and fast to aim at a target because every adjustment you make is tailor made for the target.
Next, the scope has a duplex reticle that comes in different forms that one selects based on their preference
The images are of the highest resolution courtesy of a Leopold’s Advanced Optical System feature that ensures optimal transmission of light while reducing glare, when the sun is too bright
Overall, this should make it on everyone’s list of rifle scopes. It’s affordable, durable, with sharp images and a distinct CDS feature that can make a novice make adjustments like a pro.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 4.7 mm
- Field of View: 33.1 – 13.6 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Eye Relief: 4.2 – 3.7 in
- Weight: 12.2 oz
Pros
- Built in the USA
- Long eye relief
- Lightweight
- Custom Dial System
- Simplistic
Cons
- Not good for long-range
4. Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 mm Rifle Scope
According to the manufacturer, this rifle scope is the greatest option for hunting in dense timber, and this is supported by evaluations from seasoned hunters.
Another plus is that it has been around for a long time and has a high reputation for dependability and performance.
The build quality is one of its primary selling points. It’s a sturdy rifle scope designed to survive the extreme harshness of the outdoors. The use of quad seals instead of the normal O-rings found on most scopes is an illustration of its high quality.
Next, it comes with a ballistic plex reticle that’s not only simplified but has added hash marks that can be used to compensate for bullet drop from 100 to 500 yards.
The lens gives a bright image and a European style adjustable eyepiece makes all the adjustments fast and easy.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Reticle: Ballistic Plex
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 4.44 – 13.33 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 31 – 13 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3.1 – 3.8 in
- Weight: 13 oz
Pros
- Light weight
- Perfect for whitetail hunting
- BDC reticle
- Burris forever warranty
5. Vortex Crossfire II AO 6-18x44mm rifle scope
The Crossfire II AO 6-18X costs just less than $300. It’s a Vortex and with it is the reliability that’s associated with the brand when it comes to quality optics.
Sure, this particular rifle scope doesn’t disappoint although it’s available at a budget price. The first thing you’ll notice is the sleek design that streamlined with capped turrets and a sublime finish.
Next, you’ll notice the high-quality glass that gives you the exact natural image of the target, without any aberrations.
Because of the high 6-18x magnification, this is the best option for a shooter who wants the best budget rifle scopes for both a medium and a long-range target
You then get the option of two types of reticles each with a thin center point that draws your eyes perfectly to a target for that clean and accurate shot.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
- Magnification: 6 – 18 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.4 – 7.3 mm
- Field of View: 5.3 – 15.2 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3.7 – 4.3 in
- Weight: 19.6 oz
Pros
- Value for money
- Sleek
- Long eye relief
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Bulky at 19.6oz.
6. SIG SAUER Tango-MSR FFP 1-10x26mm Rifle Scope
The last one on the list is the Tango-MSR 1-10x. by the look of its price, that’s just shy of $500, one might argue that it doesn’t belong with the budget rifle scopes, but its performance and build -quality says otherwise.
This LPVO resembles a high-end rifle scope because it has all of the features but unlike them it remains reasonably priced.
First and foremost, this is an FFP, and any shooter knows that these are more expensive, but they are easier to use because the reticle changes with magnification, providing the shooter with accurate reading at all magnification levels.
Next the versatile magnification is perfect for short-range targets as well as medium-to long range targets which is quite a distinct characteristic on a rifle scope.
The fit and finish is excellent and the scope guarantees you durability with waterproof and fog proof characteristics.
The reticle is detailed with BDC and illuminated with 10 levels of brightness for use in all conditions
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 26 mm
- Magnification: 1 – 10 x
- Reticle: BDC
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.6 – 7.6 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 12 – 120 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.5 MOA
- Eye Relief: 82.5 – 87.5 mm
- Weight: 21.9 oz
Pros
- Versatile magnification
- High-quality
- Illuminated reticle
- Life warranty
Cons
- Heavy
Buying the best budget rifle scopes
These are the characteristics to look at when buying a rifle scope;
Objective lens
The size of the objective lens typically determines the amount of light that will get inside your lens which determines how bright will be your image. A wide objective lens on the other hand makes the rifle scope heavy and unwieldy.
If you are hunting long-range, you’ll definitely need a wide objective lens because a long-range target definitely requires a bright image to be identified.
Magnification
Similar to the objective lens higher magnification brings a target closer and makes it easy to identify and aim. Long-range targets need a scope with a higher magnification, ideally one greater than 12x, for short and medium target 1-10x magnification would suffice.
Optics clarity
This is an important feature of a rifle because a low-quality lens interferes with accuracy when shooting at a target. A lens’s optical clarity is typically determined by two factors: the type of glass used and the coating put on the surface.
A high-quality glass, such as ED glass, minimizes aberration and provides a sharp image to the shooter. Similarly, multiple-layer coatings improve light transmission, resulting in a brighter image.
Durability
A scope needs to be well built using tough materials that can withstand the harsh outdoors. This is a great characteristic to watch out for because a durable rifle scope will exist for longer resulting in better value to the owner.
Reticle
Rifle scopes have various reticle designs, some with illumination and features such as BDC, which is useful when estimating holdover. However, the selection of a reticle is largely determined by personal preference.
Mounting
Different scopes are fitted differently on the rifle. Before purchasing a scope, ensure that it is compatible with the mounting options in use on your rifle, such as scope rings and Picatinny rails.
The whole mounting technique is not difficult, but it can be tedious, especially for someone who is doing it for the first time.
FAQs
How much should I spend on a budget rifle scope?
A budget scope doesn’t necessarily have a fixed budget however they range from around $100 to $500.
Can you use a budget rifle scope for hunting?
Yes. If the rifle scope meets stipulations such as magnification and appropriate reticle it can be used for hunting.
Are budget scopes durable?
Yes, budget scopes are as long-lasting as more expensive options. Some even include comparable warranties.
CONCLUSION
In summary, the rifle scopes we have included on the list will guarantee you the best value if you are working on a budget. The scopes come at different prices and also carry different features which are suitable for different shooter’s preference.
If you have any doubts, you can still use the buying guide that we have provided to scour the market for other budget alternative.
Enjoy your rifle scope!
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