High-end rifle scopes are not only designed with a high-quality finish in mind, but they also deliver the best performance, which unfortunately comes at a cost.
These scopes are expensive, but you can be confident that you’re getting something with cutting-edge features that make these scopes preferred by the military.
This article will go over some of the best high-end rifle scopes that will ensure you as a shooter exceptional performance in all aspects except price.
| Product | Image | Best Prices |
| Steiner M5Xi 5-25x56mm |  |
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| NightForce NX8 4-32x50mm F1 |  |
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| Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56mm |  |
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| Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm |  |
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| NightForce ATACR 5-25x56mm |  |
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| Zeiss Conquest V6 3-18x50mm |  |
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Swarovski X5i 3.5-18×50 |
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| Sightron SVSS 10-50x60mm
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Here goes the detailed reviews….
1. Steiner M5Xi Military Scopes 5-25x56mm Rifle Scope
This rifle scope not just excels in terms of quality but is excellent when it comes to performance so much so that it’s widely used by the military for tactical operations.
When designing and building this model, many factors were taken into account, one of which was the lens. It has a Steiner superior-grade glass that produces a very sharp image with edge-to-edge clarity. It also has a 56mm wide objective lens that lets in the maximum amount of light for a brighter image.
Not to mention that the turret adjustments have been meticulously calibrated to ensure that long-range shots are inch accurate and precise. The FFP reticle is also illuminated, allowing you to use it in a variety of lighting conditions.
Lastly, you’ll notice about this rifle scope is its toughness. It’s built to last and is completely waterproof and fog proof.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
- Magnification: 5 – 25 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.2 – 9.8 mm
- Field of View: 4.6 – 23.6 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.1 Mil Rad
- Eye Relief: 3.5 – 4.3 in
- Weight: 36.3 oz
Key features
- Excellent low-light capability
- High-quality finish
- Very accurate over long-range
2. NIGHTFORCE NX8 4-32x50mm F1 Scope
The Nightforce NX8 is outstanding over long distances because of its high 32x magnification that adequately zooms in on targets enabling the shooter to get that perfect shot. The magnification can be reduced to 4x which will perform great on mid-range targets.
Furthermore, the scope includes a throw lever as standard, which greatly improves the speed with which the shooter moves across the magnification range, which is very useful when the target’s position changes.
Following that, this rifle scope has superb clarity through its lens, providing the highest possible resolution for any lens.
The well-calibrated turret improves accuracy even more by perfectly adjusting for windage elevation and perfectly aligning the FFP reticle with the target. It’s also fairly lightweight which makes shooting more comfortable
The NX8 is classified as a high-end scope because it is well-made and has a detailed finish. Not to mention that every aspect of its design was done with longevity in mind.
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: 4.6 – 26.1 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.1 Mil Rad
- Eye Relief: 3.5 in
- Weight: 29 oz
Key features
- Fairly lightweight
- Highest magnification
- Extremely durable
3. Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56mm Rifle Scope
If you’re familiar with the Vortex brand, you’re probably aware of its reputation for producing high-quality optics. This particular scope is no exception; it possesses all of the good qualities for which Vortex is well-known, with no compromises.
One distinct likable feature is a very advanced turret constructed using rugged steel components. It provides quick adjustments and gives a visual reference to the elevation position. It also has infinite zero settings positions that allow zero to be set between clicks for optimal accuracy.
The scope then employs an index-matching lens, which corrects colors across the entire visual spectrum to provide the shooter with ultimate edge-to-edge clarity. The image’s brightness is also enhanced by the 56mm wide objective lens, which allows for good performance even in low light.
Finally, you get four different first focal plane reticles with detailed hash marks for estimating holdover and wind holds.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
- Magnification: 5 – 27 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.07 – 12.4 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 25.3 – 4.4 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.7 in
- Weight: 48.5 oz
Key features
- High-quality lens
- excellent reticles
- advanced turret
- Vortex lifetime warranty
Cons
- Heavy
4. Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Rifle Scope
This is a premium scope for shooters who prefer the second focal plane (SFP) reticle. Its distinguishing feature is a versatile 4-24x magnification that allows a shooter to use this rifle scope to take on a variety of targets without sacrificing accuracy.
This scope has a number of useful features, including a throw lever for changing magnification and a well-calibrated turret. A detailed reticle that supports a wide range of shooting applications such as hunting, competition, and tactical is another standout feature.
The reticle is an electronic crosshair with a center dot that is illuminated and powered by a fiber optic. When shooting for fast target acquisition, this design draws the eye to the center. Furthermore, the brightness of the illumination can be adjusted, allowing the scope to be used in a variety of conditions.
Overall, this is an excellent rifle scope that will perform admirably in field conditions. It is designed and built in the United States, which ensures that quality is not compromised.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 52 mm
- Magnification: 4 – 24 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.2 mm
- Field of View: 28.1 – 4.8 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.7 – 3.8 in
- Weight: 25.4 oz.
Key features
- Different reticle options
- Fiber-optic-powered red dot
- Leupold professional grade optical system
- Magnification throw lever
5. NightForce ATACR 5-25x56mm Rifle Scope
As a characteristic of most high-end rifle scope, this one is no different when it comes to the glass quality. The scope has a high-quality lens that gives a shooter a bright and impressive image of the target
It then complements this with a wide objective lens and multi-layer coatings that help reduce the amount of glare on a sunny day.
Another distinguishing feature of this model is a turret designed with extra travel to provide a shooter with a wide range of adjustments to ensure that all shots are inch accurate. The 25x magnification then aids in bringing the target closer, and with the proper skills, a shooter can hit targets out to 1500 yards.
Other features of the Nightforce ATACR include a power throw lever, a zero-stop elevation feature, and an illuminated reticle for clear visibility in a variety of conditions.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
- Magnification: 5 – 25 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.3 – 8.3 mm
- Field of View: 4.92 – 18.7 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.5 in
- Weight: 38 oz
Key features
- Capped turret
- Digital reticle illumination
- High-quality lens
6. Zeiss Conquest V6 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope
The Zeiss Conquest is a high-end rifle scope because it is designed from the ground up with quality and a refined finish in mind. It is one of the most durable rifle scopes, with the manufacturer rating it as able to withstand impact up to 1500g of G-forces, different temperature conditions, fog, and immersion in water.
This scope will set standards when it comes to long-range shooting for all types of targets whether big or small not to mention it’s one of the lightest rifle scopes on the market.
Regardless of the weather, the optics provide a clear view and brilliant high-contrast images to the shooter thanks to a premium layer of coating from Zeiss that guarantees 92% light transmission.
The scope has several SFP reticle options. Some are illuminated, but even those that aren’t are designed with such attention to detail that you won’t have any difficulty viewing them in any conditions.
Overall, this is an excellent choice for a shooter looking for a lightweight rifle scope with a refined finish and the best image display when hunting medium to long range targets.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.8 – 9.5 mm
- Field of View: 37.2 – 6.3 ft at 100 yds
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Water resistance: 400 mbar
- Eye Relief: 3.5 in
- Weight: 22.2 oz
Key features
- Excellent quality lens
- 92% light transmission
- Durable
- Lightweight
7) Sightron SVSS 10-50x60mm Rifle Scope
This scope is designed for precision, with high-quality features such as an extra dispersion (ED) glass lens that is fog-proof and a Fine Adjustment Sight Tuner (FAST) focusing mechanism for precise shots.
This FAST system consists of two focus dials. The first is the typical focus gear ratio. The second has a 4:1 gear ratio for superfine focus adjustments.
The reticle is a second focus plane that is etched onto glass for durability. Furthermore, the rifle is designed to withstand the hardest recoil conceivable, allowing you to use it with the most powerful calibers.
Features
- Locking Precision Tactical Turrets
- Eye Relief: 3.8 – 4.5 inches
- Zero-Stop and non-Zero-Stop Options
- ED (Extra Low Dispersion) Glass for superior viewing
- F.A.S.T. focus system for super-fine focus adjustments
- Exclusive ExacTrack Windage and Elevation adjustment system
- Weight 42.7 oz
Buying a high-end rifle scope
You have to justify the amount of money that you are spending on a rifle scope and these are some of the characteristics to look at when buying one.
Magnification
This is the most important factor to consider when purchasing a rifle scope. Depending on the target’s distance, different magnifications are required. A higher magnification, such as 14x to 32x, is required for a long-range target, which will help bring the target closer for a perfect shot.
Of course, if you’re not going for a long-range target, you can skip the scope with the highest magnification and go for one with just enough magnification. Most scopes, however, provide a shooter with the option of variable magnification, which is common on most high-end rifle scopes.
Optical clarity
Anyone paying top dollar for a rifle scope would want one with a vivid lens. this will help a shooter to detect and identify a target even when it’s located at a distance.
The optical clarity largely depends on the type of glass that has been used as well as the coatings on it. Among all the riflescopes listed in this article, the Zeiss Conquest V6 stands out when it comes to optical clarity.
Of course, the rest don’t fall behind especially the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56mm, but the Zeiss is just exemplary.
Reticle
The design of the reticle is critical to a shooter’s accuracy. This means that a good riflescope should have a reticle that is simple to use, accurate, and easily visible. Some rifle scopes come with multiple reticle options, giving the shooter more options when purchasing.
Weight
Unfortunately, because of the numerous features and high-quality materials used, most high-end scopes are quite heavy. However, one in particular, the Zeiss Conquest V6 3-18x50mm, is of high quality and lightweight.
CONCLUSION
If you want the best performance, go with a high-end rifle scope. These scopes are quite expensive, but you can be confident that they are well-made and will last a long time. These scopes are also usually available with a good warranty, so you shouldn’t be too concerned about your wallet.
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