This article looks at the best rifle scopes that come with an illuminated reticle. There are numerous types of these scopes on the market but only a few will give the shooter great performance and dependability.
A rifle scope with an illuminated reticle is a great advantage to the shooter in the following ways;
Increased visibility– it’s difficult to use most rifle scopes when the sun sets and the background turns dark. An illuminated reticle provides the desired visibility that will help the shooter still acquire their target under these conditions.
Accuracy– An illuminated reticle improves accuracy in both low-light and normal-light conditions. It accomplishes this by showing a distinct aiming point for the shooter.
Reduced eye strain– Eye strain is common in shooters with vision problems or during extended use. Rifle scopes with illuminated reticle help to alleviate this.
Versatility– Illuminated retiles typically have different brightness levels that can be adjusted depending on the environment. As a result, these scopes can be used in a variety of situations.
Despite these benefits, rifle scopes with illuminated reticles also have some drawbacks. One disadvantage is that they are heavier and slightly more expensive than non-illuminated versions. Some shooters find the illumination to be a distraction that can affect accuracy. However, this can be remedied by turning off the illumination.
Best Rifle Scopes with Illuminated Reticle
| Product | Image | Best Price |
| NightForce NXS Tactical 5.5-22x50mm scope
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| Trijicon ACOG 4×32 Scope w/ Illuminated Red Crosshair |  |
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| Vortex Crossfire II 3-12x56mm AO |  |
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| Primary Arms 4-14 x 44mm- ACSS Orion Reticle |  |
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| Primary Arms SLx 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope |  |
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| Bushnell AR Optics 4.5-18×40- Illuminated Multi-Turret |  |
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| Barska Huntmaster Pro 3-12×50 Scope |  |
Detailed reviews….
1. NightForce NXS Tactical 5.5-22x50mm scope
If In need of a long-range rifle scope with all the credibility and performance then look no further but get a NightForce NXS 5.5-22x. This scope carries all the features required to make it the optimal choice for a variety of long-range needs whether it’s hunting, competition, or Tactical use.
One of its best qualities is the versatile magnification which can still be used to handle medium and close-range targets. users can expect maximum light transmission and exceptional image quality, ensuring precise shot placement and target identification even in low-light conditions.
The reticles also are optimized to give the shooter the best performance in all situations by including a detailed hashmark to adjust for a variety of shooting situations. To add to that you get illumination which aids with visibility irrespective of the lighting conditions.
Since the scope was designed for the military forces we cannot overstate its robustness and ability to handle even the most rigorous conditions.
Features
- 100 M.O.A. of internal adjustment
- Exceptional optical integrity
- Speed and accuracy in all situations
- Rigorously tested for perfection
- Proprietary titanium beta erector spring
- Available ZeroStop version
- 7 – 17.5 ft at 100 yds Field of View.
- Weights 31 Oz.
Pros
- Excellent optical quality
- Built with highest quality materials
- Illuminated well-detailed reticles
- Versatile magnification
- Perfect for long range targets
Cons
- Might be heavy for some shooters
2. Trijicon ACOG 4×32 Scope w/ Illuminated Red Crosshair
This is a high-quality rifle scope with a fixed 4x magnification. It has been popularly used for close to medium-range targets, especially by law enforcement officers, for its accuracy and great clarity.
The rifle scopes feature a uniquely designed reticle that provides accurate target ranging to enable the shooter to aim at different distances. The reticle carries a crosshair design and allows you to use both eyes for aiming. Next, it has great illumination which allows the scope to have the same accuracy under low-light conditions.
Finally, the scope has the durability to meet and exceed military standards, albeit at a slightly higher price. It’s lightweight, tough, waterproof, and has a nitrogen-filled lens that allows it to perform well even when it’s foggy outside.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
- Magnification: 4 x
- Exit Pupil: 8 mm
- Field of View: 36.8 ft at 100 yds
- Field of View: 7 degrees
- Eye Relief: 1.5 in
- Weight: 9.9 oz
3. Vortex Crossfire II 3-12x56mm AO
This scope comes with one of the best duplex reticles the V-Brite illuminated reticle. This reticle has a bright center dot that provides excellent illumination in both low light and normal conditions.
Because of its excellent performance in low light, the Crossfire II 3-12x56mm AO is also known as the hog hunter. The scope has high-quality glass, and the objective lens’s large diameter allows for an optimal amount of light to enter, brightening the image.
The versatile magnification range of 3-12x makes it ideal for hunting medium to long-range targets.
Lastly, it is covered by the Vortex lifetime warranty, affirming Vortex’s durability and good reputation in optics.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 12 x
- Reticle: V-Brite
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 4.67 – 18.67 mm
- Field of View: 9.2 – 36.7 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.5 in
- Weight: 21.1 oz
4. Primary Arms 4-14 x 44mm- ACSS Orion Reticle
This is a rifle scope that excels in durability thanks to the numerous torture tests that Primary Arms scopes go through. It’s a perfect option for hunting varmint and mid-sized targets like the coyote and deer.
It features an advanced combined sighting system (ACSS) reticle that is a first focal plane (FFP), which means it remains true at all magnification levels. The reticle is illuminated and comes with bullet drop compensation, which estimates holdover at various distances. Next, has been calibrated specifically for rifles chambered in .308, 223, and .30-06.
Lastly, to make target acquisition fast and accurate the scope comes with a side-mounted parallax adjustment knob that keeps the reticle parallax free, especially at extended ranges.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
- Magnification: 4 – 14 x
- Reticle: ACSS HUD DMR .308
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil: 3.3 – 11.2 mm
- Field of View: 7.85 – 27.2 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.14 – 3.22 in
- Weight: 24 oz
5. Primary Arms SLx 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope
Another great option is from primary Arms but this one is an LPVO, meaning that it’s suited for short-range to medium-range targets and comes with a 1x magnification.
It’s lightweight and agile favoring quick and accurate target acquisition. Besides that, it features a good lens that gives bright images of the target.
The reticle is the patented advanced combined sighting system (ACSS), with BDC and hash marks for wind holds. The reticle has 11 levels of brightness that a shooter can easily adjust to match the surrounding conditions.
Overall, this is one of the best-performing LPVOs when it comes to accuracy. It comes at a fair price and is also covered by a lifetime warranty from Primary arms.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
- Magnification: 1 – 6 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 4 – 9 mm
- Field of View: 110 – 19.3 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.3 – 3.5 in
- Weight: 16.9 oz
6. Bushnell AR Optics 4.5-18×40- Illuminated Multi-Turret
This rifle scope has a high-quality glass-etched illuminated reticle, that provides the shooter with excellent accuracy for mid-range to long-range targets. The reticle has been adapted for the.223 caliber ammunition
The versatile 4.5-18x magnification further enhances accuracy with the ability to zoom in on targets, aided by a throw lever for quick magnification changes.
Additionally, the scope features a tactical-style exposed turret that makes the adjustments easy for both windage and elevation. A side parallax knob also allows one to keep the scope parallax free when aiming at long-range targets.
Overall, this is a solid option perfect for long-range targets, and it’s available with a lifetime warranty.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40 mm
- Magnification: 5 – 18 x
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 2.2 – 8.9 mm
- Field of View: 5.5 – 22 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.6 in
- Weight: 21.34 oz
7. Barska Huntmaster Pro 3-12×50 Scope
This is a budget rifle scope that is dependable for its ruggedness and great accuracy. The 3-12x magnification makes it an ideal option for close and medium to long-range targets. Although it lacks a well-known brand name, it is one of the best low-cost, high-performance alternative.
The scope features a high-quality lens with a wide objective lens. It also includes an illuminated reticle that allows for easy and fast targeting under low-light conditions. The illumination has 11 levels of brightness which means it can be adjusted depending on the surrounding conditions.
Additionally, the scope can keep its zero after every shot fired and includes a fast-focus eyepiece to improve the shooter’s accuracy.
Overall, if you want a rifle scope with an illuminated reticle to use for a variety of activities such as hunting, plinking, and tactical applications, this is a great budget option.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3-12x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
- Reticle: 30/30IR Cross (Illuminated Reticle)
- Field of View @ 100yds: 35-10ft
- Exit Pupil: 7-4.2mm
- Eye Relief: 7in
- Click Value: 1/4in
- Weight: 34 oz.
Buying Rifle Scopes with Illuminated Reticle
Aside from an illuminated reticle, these are some of the other factors that will influence a decision to purchase rifle scopes.
Magnification
This is typically influenced by the distance of targets where the scope will be commonly used. Long-range targets require a high magnification ideally greater than 12x, whereas closer targets say at 300 yards will work with lesser magnification ideally anything less than 5x.
Most scopes come with variable magnification and the shooter can achieve a balance between these two different types of targets.
If, however, you want to engage only close targets you can make use of an LPVO which comes with a low 1x magnification. These also give faster target acquisition, and agility because they are light and have generous eye relief.
Reticle
The reticle may be illuminated but each reticle comes with a varying design. Types of designs for reticles include the mil-dot, the duplex, and the crosshair reticles. The choice of the reticle will be greatly determined by individual preference.
Image quality
This is a very important characteristic especially if you are shooting at long-range targets. The quality of an image displayed to a shooter depends on, the quality of the glass used on the lens, and also the size of the objective lens. A wider objective lens lets in an optimum amount of light and makes the image brighter.
A good scope also includes additional coatings on the lens that reduce glare and improve light transmission resulting in a sharper image.
Durability
A good rifle scope should have protective mechanisms to protect it from harsh outdoor conditions. The material used to construct the casing has a significant impact on the scope’s durability. The scope should also be of high quality, as well as waterproof and fog proof.
Price
Rifle scopes are priced differently depending on the features included and the manufacturer’s general pricing policy. As a result, the choice of a rifle scope is determined by the shooter’s budget. Advanced rifle scopes are typically more expensive, but this does not imply that all good rifle scopes are.
FAQs
Do illuminated scopes work without batteries?
Yes, Illuminated scopes have illumination solely to illuminate the reticle; it is still functional without illumination, although it will be less noticeable.
CONCLUSION
This article is an in-depth review of the best rifle scopes with an illuminated reticle. At the end of it, you should be able to choose among the various options we have listed. The scopes we have included here will guarantee you great value irrespective of their price. Using the buying guide, we’ve provided will also help you tailor your rifle scope to your hunting preferences.
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