Best 1000 Yard Scopes – Top 8 Rated Scope in 2023 Reviews

Anyone who is serious about long-range shooting needs a very special scope. Securing one will help achieve your aim and your target. By long range, we are referring to a distance of 1000 yards or more. To accurately scope your target at these distances demands top precision and of course top-quality optics.

It goes without saying that these precision optics do not come cheaply. That is why you need to look very carefully before buying one of the best 1000 yard scopes on the market today.

Hopefully, our 8 best scopes for long-range shooting will be effective in pointing you in the right direction.

What’s Your Target?

You don’t need telling, 1,000 yards is a very long way. Those wanting to be ranked in that select group of skilled shooters will want to make this range their goal.

Make no mistake, reliably scoring a hit on a 12-inch target at 1000 yards is a feat in itself. It is something that anyone who achieves this should be rightly proud of.

Be Prepared For Some Serious Investment – It’s Not Just The Money!

The most reliable and accurate long-distance optics do not come cheaply, but that is not the only investment required. While accepting a hit on your bank balance, you should also be prepared to invest a good amount of time in some serious practice. Only through time, patience and determination will you become consistently proficient over these distances.

The financial outlay may hurt initially, but the joy, personal pride, and kudos of achieving such accuracy with regular practice will far outweigh and initial monetary pain!

Personal Preference Is Everything

Your best 1000 yard scope should be exactly that: An optic that is best suited to you. We will touch on major considerations in this area later in the piece, but first, let’s review 8 of the very best long distance scopes out there.

Top 8 Best 1000 Yard Scopes To Buy In 2023 Reviews

1 Nightforce Optics 5.5-22×56 NXS Riflescope, Matte Black Finish

Where better to start our best quality 1000 yard scopes than from a company who is a real force in the optic world.

Nightforce Optics rank this long-range optic as the cream of their crop. If that statement does not attract attention, very little will!

Coming with a magnification range that is 5.5x to 22x and its high-quality 56mm objective lens, you are assured of seeing that target at 1000 yards.

The magnification offered with this scope is truly remarkable. So good that you can double the distance just quoted!

An extremely wide magnification factor will provide you with precision. Long-distance accuracy is assured, but you should also note that this scope will not let you down at close range.

Being classed as a tactical long-range scope, this optic offers a field of view to be reckoned with. Taking the minimum and maximum magnification you get a very impressive 17.5 feet @ 5.5x and 4.7 feet @ 22x. One thing is for sure, with this excellent field of view, you will not be losing your target any time soon.

Made from T6 aircraft grade aluminum, you will feel and appreciate its robustness. Solid it may be, but it offers a lot more.

A very sizable amount of internal adjustment is available: 100 MOA. This adjusts at 0.25 MOA, meaning your long-distance target always appears near at hand.

There is a zero stop reset function that gives confidence when taking into account bullet drop corrections. Parallax adjustment starts at 50 yards and stretches to infinity.

You can choose from MilDot, MilR, MOAR or MOAR-T reticles. Each has individual hash marks.

All-in-all, there is little wonder that this scope is consistently ranked in the best and most popular 1000 yard scopes out there.

2 Steiner Model 5122 T5Xi 5-25x 56mm Riflescope, w/SCR Reticle

Competition shooters will appreciate this long-range optic. This is because this Steiner scope is specifically made for them. It features a specific SCR reticle that is designed for competition shooting. The long-range abilities of this optic are also enhanced through a 34mm tube, and it offers between 3.5 to 4.3-inch of eye relief.

The etched glass is illuminated and will offer excellent views in all but the worst of conditions. Another plus on the weatherproof issue. This robust scope is waterproof up to 33 feet.

Magnification extends from 5x to 25x, and in terms of power, you have ease of battery replacement; the scope takes the very common CR2450 batteries.

Windage/Elevation comes in at 1 cm every 100 meters, or, put another way: 1/10 mRad.

While it is in the mid to upper price range, this should be ranked as one of the best competition 1000 yard scopes available.

3 Vortex Optics Viper HS-T Second Focal Plane Riflescopes

Our 3rd long-range scope review moves down a notch in terms of price, but you can be assured that Vortex does not make products of low-quality.

Because whichever Vortex optic you buy comes with the company’s unconditional lifetime warranty, that should tell you how confident they are in terms of the quality of their scopes, be they budget or in the top price bracket.

The glass featured on the scope is extra-low dispersion. This means you can expect a crisp, clear view with variable magnification.

Those familiar with the Vortex range of optics have an advantage. This scope combines features from their PST and HS models. Good eye relief of 4 inches gives quick, easy target acquisition. The use of windage and elevation turrets is very straightforward, and it holds zero well.

A hash-mark style reticle affords ‘at a glance’ readings, and there is a sunshade when conditions require. Package all of this up, and you have one of the best 1000 yard budget scopes on the market.

4 Leupold VX-6 7-42x56mm Riflescope

Next up is one of the best weatherproof 1000 yard scopes on the market. Leupold is famed for its quality riflescopes, and their VX-6 is a point in case.

This optic provides excellent long-range prey sighting and shooting accuracy for those low light hunting expeditions. The illuminated reticle gives a very good range. It also features BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) making those all-important kill-shots of 1000 yards that much more achievable.

With a Leupold featured Custom Dial System (CDS) you will achieve quick setup and ease of use. The diamond coat 2 external lens prevents scratching, or finger marks and affords a constant clear view.

Have no fear of taking this through the roughest terrain and harshest hunting conditions. In terms of durability, the coating actually exceeds set military standards while the scope itself is fully water, fog and shockproof.

5 Nikon Black FX1000

Straightforward in name, highly effective in nature. The Nikon Black FX1000 comes from a world-renowned, well-respected optics manufacturer.

This first focal plane scope features the FX-MOA reticle. The no-nonsense design optimizes a clear target picture and gives accurate measurements when it comes to range, holdover, and windage.

The illuminated side controls let you choose between 10 intensity settings. You do not have to worry about draining the battery as it automatically closes down when not in operation.

A stand-out in terms of excellent features has to be the high-speed turrets. You will find windage/elevation turrets click at 1/4 with a maximum internal adjustment of 60 MOA. Its zero stop is immediate, giving a quick return to zero and the side-mounted parallax adjustment feature is highly effective.

The reticle comes in two versions; MOA or MRAD, but the turrets are available in MOA only.

It should be classed as one of the best 1000 yard scopes out there. You can also rest assured that your investment in this long-range scope will be long-term.

This optic is solidly built, stylish in design and comes with O-ring seals to prevent moisture. It also has a nitrogen housing which provides complete thermal shock resistance.

6 Mueller Target Rifle Scope, Black, 8-32 x 44mm

We move back to one of the best 1000 yard lower price tag scopes with this offering from Mueller. It is not for everyone, but will certainly suit many.

Because this long-range scope will not meet all the needs of specialist long-distance marksmen. Having said that, it certainly deserves to be considered by those new to the enjoyment of long-range shooting. As well as, anyone who is an occasional long-range shooter but majors on target acquisition over shorter distances.

Magnification comes in at 8X-32X, and it has a fast focus, 44mm objective eyepiece with great clarity. The 4-inch eye relief should be seen as another plus.

Ease of use is assured thanks to the micro-fine crosshair with target dot. This will help build confidence over longer-distances. On this point, it should be noted that not many scopes offer this feature. As for the target turrets, these are fully exposed and give ease of access to ensure fast target adjustment.

There is nothing fancy about this scope, but it is a solid, all-round choice at an excellent price.

7 Burris Optics XTR II Rifle Scope – 5-25x50mm Riflescope

This long-distance riflescope will interest tactical shooters as well as those into long-range competition matches. This is because users of this long-range precision optic hail it as a marksman’s delight. It comes with 25x magnification and a very generous 58mm objective lens. You will also find a versatile and useful 5x zoom system that assures a wide field of view.

Glare is reduced thanks to the multi-coated lenses, and you will find visibility, brightness, and clarity all enhanced. And this illuminated scope will help hunters in different light conditions.

There are 11 different settings to choose from. These cover: low light, daytime, and night vision needs. You should not have to worry too much about the battery saving feature; there is one between each setting.

Many users choose this optic thanks to the First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle. The advantage here with regard to distance sighting is that the reticle size changes as magnification is changed. Dependent upon your use and preference, you can choose between a Special Competition Reticle (SCR) and the Mil-Dot. Both are offered in MIL and MOA.

Coming with 1/4 MOA click per adjustment you will find the windage and elevation features are quick and easy to use.

And a very neat zero-reset function is provided. The excellent instant zero-reset click feature will be appreciated by many. Without having to count clicks, you can quickly return to your original yardage setting.

8 Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20x56mm Riflescope, Plex Reticle (#60) ASV/BDC Turret

This superb optic may well be beyond the financial outlay of many, but we feel duty-bound to mention it. In terms of the best high-end 1000 yard scopes available, it is head and shoulders above others.

With a lower-end range of magnification starting at 2.8X and extending to 20x, this optic should cover any distance you desire.

Zeiss has been in the optical business since 1846. It would seem that they have put the best of their highly-rated optical expertise into this scope. Crystal clear glass is yours. Combine this with the illuminated, second focal plane (SFP) reticle, and you will find outstanding performance in low-light conditions.

The tube itself is a huge 36mm in diameter, the objective lens is 56mm, and its quality glass use offers light transmission of 92%.

You should not have too much of a problem with the windage and elevation choices. This optic offers 46 MOA windage and 72 MOA elevation adjustments.

Whatever environment you choose to use this scope in, you will do so with confidence. The tube is single-piece and made from airplane grade aluminum, the scopes come with 8x magnification, and it is water and shockproof. As for the tube, this is nitrogen purged and sealed so fogging is not an issue.

Best 1000 Yard Scopes Buyers Guide

Long-range scopes do not come cheaply. This means close consideration of what you are after is essential to ensure you get value for money. By taking into account the following, you will quickly get a feel for which long-range optic best meets your needs.

You should always bear in mind that this does not need to be the most expensive optic.

What Are You Using It For?

First off, think about what you really need the scope for. Just some of the considerations could be:

The ‘real-life’ situations you will need a 1000 yard scope for, should be a key factor in determining which features and price bracket will meet your needs.

If you do not need a heavily featured long-range scope, then stick with fewer features that will achieve your goals. ‘Feature-factor’ has a big impact on cost.

Magnification

It is obvious that magnification over longer distances plays a highly important part of target acquisition. For long distances, you should consider scopes with a minimum of 18X. From a safety point of view, this is particularly important for those who hunt large game.

It should also be remembered that the higher the magnification, the less field of view. Trying to hit a moving target becomes far more difficult with a field of view that is limited.

Choice of Reticle

Those who have experience of reticles will know what suits them. Those who are new to reticle use should not over-complicate things.

If you are familiar and comfortable with a certain reticle, then look for these features in long-range scopes. This will reduce any learning curve and make use that much easier.

On the other hand, those just starting out should look for a straightforward reticle. This is particularly the case with elevation and windage adjustment functionality. Don’t over-complicate; you will have enough to contend with, without adding even more tech.

Multi-featured reticles are well and good for those who are competent and confident in use. The opposite will be true for the less experienced. The main point here is that you should be comfortable with the chosen reticle, or be prepared to invest time in getting used to it.

Turret Adjustment

Bear in mind that turret adjustment and parallax removal are key when choosing a scope for 1000+ yard targets. This is because you will have to contend with significant bullet drop over these distances. You need windage and elevation adjustment features that are easy to access.

In terms of range, look for a minimum of 40 MOA adjustment that affords individual graduations of no less than 1/4 MOA.

Also, consider the choices when it comes to the zero-reset. Easy zero-reset, which locks into place is a very useful feature.

Lens Quality

In terms of objective lenses. The larger the lens, the more light you will receive, the more light, the clearer the picture.

Long-distance zooming requires as much light as possible. The flip side of larger objective lenses is that they are heavier and can restrict fast rifle movement. Plus obviously, they cost more.

A second consideration is the multi-coating and anti-reflective quality of your chosen lens: the best offer high contrast and clear identification of targets under varying hunting conditions.

Cost

We have already mentioned it; Long-range scopes do not come cheaply. Having said that, some are far more affordable than others. Think long and hard about the amount of use, the conditions you will be using it, and what features are necessary.

Combine these factors, along with the considerations above. By doing so, you will certainly find that there are the best 1000 yard scopes to fit every budget.

So What’s The Best 1000 Yard Scopes?

Real needs and budget should be major considerations when looking at the best 1000 yard scopes for your use.

At the lowest end of the cost scale and a long-range scope suitable for complete novices: We would recommend the…

For those with no budget restrictions whatsoever: It has to be the superb…

However, for flexible use in different long-range disciplines, we have to go for…

This optic offers a quality build, ease of features such as zeroing and excellent accuracy. It is a long-range scope perfectly suitable for beginners, as well as those more experienced shooters. And, it comes with an unconditional lifetime warranty.