Best 18 power scope
When deciding on the ideal magnification for a rifle scope, many shooters prefer 18 power, with the 3-18x being the most popular. This article compares the best 18 power scopes on the market to help you make an informed decision because the market is flooded with options.
In addition, it provides a buying guide outlining all the qualities to seek in an 18-power scope, but first here is a summary.
| Product | Image | How To Buy |
| Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope |
|
|
| Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm Scope |
|
|
| EOTech Vudu 3.5-18x50mm Precision Rifle Scope |
|
|
| Primary Arms SLx Series 3-18 x 50 mm Rifle Scope |
|
|
| Vortex Crossfire II AO 6-18x44mm Rifle scope |
|
|
| Bushnell Banner 6-18×50 Multi-X Rifle Scope |
|
The detailed reviews…
1. Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX 6HD is one of the best 18x power scopes. It stands out for utility and is also renowned to deliver excellent images under low light. Another characteristic that favors its popularity is the ambidextrous throw lever, meaning that no matter your handedness you can easily adjust this scope to hit the target.
The shooter’s ability to find his target is also substantially aided by this scope. With features like a side parallax adjustment, a zero lock windage adjustment, an illuminated reticle, and an easy elevation adjustment.
Moreover, the scope offers good ruggedness to favor its use in the harshest environment. It’s waterproof, fogproof, and can withstand a sizeable impact.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- Tube Diameter: 30 mm
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Field of View, Linear: 38 – 7 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 7 – 3.8 in
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- Zero Lock Windage Adjustment
- CDS-ZL2 elevation adjustment dials
- Reversible throw lever
- 1/4 MOA Adjustment Click Value
- Lens Material: Glass
- Guard-Ion Rain Shedding Optical Coating
- Weight: 20.4 oz
2. Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm Scope
Vortex has mastered providing high-quality lenses as the one found here. This rifle scope utilizes a variable 3-18x magnification that’s complemented by a distinctive illuminated glass etched reticle.
Not only that, it employs a first focal plane reticle, a favorite of many shooters who engage far-off targets. The scope further aids your marksmanship with features like a fast-focus eyepiece, a fully multicoated lens for crisp images, a maximized zero adjustment, and a smooth parallax adjustment.
This rifle scope embodies ruggedness clearly visible in its construction, which uses a single piece of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum. This results in rigidity, giving it the capacity to withstand impact. It is also waterproof and fog-resistant, making it resistant to most harsh situations.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil: 78 – 16.67 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 25 – 37.8 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 7 in
- XR Plus Fully Multi-Coated lens
- Glass-Etched Reticle
- Optically Indexed Lenses
- External Rotation Indicator
- Locking Side Illumination
- Dimensions: 14.4 x 16.5 x2.32 in
- Weight: 46.5 oz
3. EOTech Vudu 3.5-18x50mm Precision Rifle Scope
Although it isn’t particularly well known, this scope will offer you one of the highest values. By using a first focal plane reticle and a multi-coated lens, it provides a clean image and makes it simple to aim at distant targets.
The rifle scope is notable for its accuracy, which is supported by the precise adjustments, which are favored by its enormous turret. It also uses an illuminated reticle with thick lines that are clearly visible
Additionally, this scope is extremely durable and able to take any abuse you may give it during your tactical operations. You get substantial impact and recoil resistance, waterproofing, and fog proofing. In addition, the lens is tough and resistant to breaking because it is composed of high-density glass.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 3.5 – 18 x
- First focal plane
- Exit Pupil: 8 – 11.2 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 7 – 29.5 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 86 – 100 mm
- Illuminated
- Over-sized and precision-machined turrets
- zero stop feature
- Side-mounted parallax adjustment
- 25 MOA Adjustment Range
- Anti-Reflective Optical Coating
4. Primary Arms SLx Series 3-18 x 50 mm Rifle Scope
The primary arms SLX comes with variable 3-18x magnification. The scope is distinct in that it does a great job of trying to balance quality with the budget.
It uses a first focal plane and although these are renowned to be expensive, this particular one is very affordable. You’ll be surprised that at this price this scope gives you an extremely advanced reticle. To favor quick calculations and reactions to a target.
The scope is accurate and has various shooter aids, including a partially illuminated reticle that can provide holds out to 600 yards, pinpoint accurate calibrations, a compact aiming point, and a zero-locking resettable turret. The scope can also endure a reasonable amount of impact, fog, and moisture.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.7 mm
- Eye Relief: 3.9 – 3.5 in
- 1Mil Rad click value
- First Focal Plane reticle
- infinitely small aiming point
- Lockable and zero-resettable turrets
- Field of View, Linear: 36.7 – 6.1 ft at 100 yds
- Weight: 25.4 oz
5. Vortex Crossfire II AO 6-18x44mm Rifle scope
A well-known scope from Vortex is the Crossfire II. This scope offers you respectable performance at a reasonable cost. It makes use of a second focal plane and has a compact, low-profile design.
Moreover, you get a generous eye relief of 4.3” and an adjustable objective lens to correct for parallax. The manufacturers multi-coated the lenses and incorporated a sunshade, to further reduce glare, so that the shooter can gain a clear image of the target.
The scope definitely tries to punch above its weight. It comes with a fast-focus eyepiece and easily adjustable windage and elevation. You also get a lot of ruggedness because it is constructed using a single piece of aluminum, it’s waterproof and fog proof.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
- Magnification: 6 – 18 x
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Eye Relief: 7 – 4.3 in
- Exit Pupil: 2.4 – 7.3 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 5.3 – 15.2 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustable Objective
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Capped Reset Turrets
- 1/4 MOA Adjustment Click Value
- Fully Multi-Coated lens
- Weight: 19.6 oz
6. Bushnell Banner 6-18×50 Multi-X Rifle Scope
The Bushnell banner is a budget alternative that offers decent performance on long-range targets. The scope has a variable magnification of 6-18x, and a wide 50mm objective lens. Features that make it a capable alternative even under low light. This is also one of the lightest scopes, and you can bring it anywhere without feeling the bulk.
You can’t get it wrong with the adjustments, on this scope, because everything is smooth on the turret. You also get fingertip-adjustable windage and elevation. Along with a fast-focus eyepiece and a nitrogen-filled lens that works really well to resist fog. You however lose out on an illuminated reticle. But not to worry because this scope is already good value at its price.
Features
- Magnification x Objective Lens: 6-18x
- Objective lens diameter: 50mm
- Second focal plane
- Eye Relief: 3.5 in
- Adjustable Objective
- Field of View: 17 ft. @ 6X to 6 ft. @ 18X
- Fully Multi-Coated lens
- fingertip adjustment
- 40 MOA elevation and windage Adjustment
- IPX4 waterproof rating
- Weight: 18 oz
Best 18 Power Scope-Buying Guide
When looking for an 18-power scope, keep an eye out for these characteristics.
Image quality
A good scope should deliver high-quality images of the target. It’s incredibly challenging to get a clear shot if you can’t see the target well. The image quality depends on the type of lens and the number of coatings that have been applied to the lens. lens coating aids in reducing reflective loss. Resulting in more transmission of light for a brighter image.
The image quality is also affected by the objective lens’s diameter. A large diameter allows more light to enter, thus enhancing the brightness of the image.
Eye relief
Eye relief measures the total distance between the tip of the eye and the end of the scope at which the target’s image is clearly visible. Longer eye relief is ideal for long-range scopes because it allows them to endure the heavy recoil of powerful guns. Without endangering the shooter’s eye. Ideally, eye relief for an 18-power scope should be greater than 3.2 inches
Parallax adjustment
Certainly, the scope will occasionally show parallax while aiming at distant targets. Since it’s almost impossible to hit the target with parallax, a parallax adjuster becomes necessary.
Durability
A Scope isn’t cheap, and one would want it to last as long as possible. The manufacturer should put mechanisms, to make sure that the scope can withstand the harshness of the field. It should be able to withstand a sizable impact as well as resist dust, fog, and moisture.
Focal plane
There is the first focal plane (FFP) and the second focal plane (SFP). The FFP has a reticle that adjusts with magnification. While the SFP The size of the reticle remains constant at all magnifications. The type of focal plane doesn’t affect a scope’s capability. However, scopes with an FFP are suited for long-range targets, because accuracy remains the same at all magnifications. Nevertheless, a sizeable number of users still favor SFP scopes since they are slightly more affordable than FFP scopes.
Best 18 Power Scope-FAQs
What is the ideal size for an objective lens?
Bigger objective lenses make brighter images and also increase the field of view which is important for tracking moving targets. Conversely, a scope with a bigger objective lens is bulky and heavy, which can be uncomfortable if you’re walking for a long time.
If a scope is meant to be used in normal lighting, a 40mm diameter will do. However, in dim conditions, a larger diameter should be employed.
How much should I spend on an 18-power rifle scope?
The price of a rifle scope depends on its features and performance. A highly capable scope is expected to cost more than a functional one with just basic features. still, it’s possible to find a good scope which is at an affordable price.
What’s the effective range of an 18-power scope?
These scopes are good for long-range targets targets further than 500 yards.
Why should I choose a 3-18x power scope?
The 3-18x magnification range offers a versatile range of magnification. At 3x, you get a wide field of view that is ideal for close to medium-range targets, and at 18x, you can achieve detailed, precise aiming at further distances.
This range allows the scope to adjust to a variety of shooting scenarios, whether in dense woodlands or open fields.
CONCLUSION
This article provides the most thorough analysis of the best 18 power scopes, the 3-18x being one of the most popular. The scopes that are included, in our opinion, will provide the best value for your money. However, if you are still doubtful and want to explore other scopes, not on this article. We are sure that the buying guide provided is insightful. And will greatly help you make an informed decision.
Related: