Adding an optic to your firearm can be an expensive addition and is an extremely important component. And when it comes to muzzleloaders, there are certain things you should be looking for when matching a scope to your prized gun.
Eye relief should be at least 3-inches (76-millimeters) due to the heavy recoil experienced. You should also always try and find the clearest glass possible as this will make aiming easier and more accurate.
After examining a wide range of products, I’ve decided on the best muzzleloader scopes currently on the market.
So, let’s go through them and find the perfect scope for you, starting with the…
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Top 5 Best Muzzleloader Scope In 2023 Reviews
1 Burris Fullfield E1 – Best Affordable Muzzleloader Scope
If you would like to hunt in all types of terrain with a solid, reliable, and affordable scope, the Burris Fullfield E1 is a great option. Filled with features that you wouldn’t expect at this price, you’ll surely be impressed with what’s on offer.
With an eye relief of between 3.1 and 3.4-inches (79 and 86-millimeters), it can handle the recoil of a muzzleloader. You can also enjoy a variable zoom of between 3x and 9x magnification power bringing targets closer.
Easy to zoom…
Adjusting the magnification power is made simple with an easy-to-grip power ring that has some well-designed knurling. You can even quickly make adjustments while wearing gloves, and the eyepiece does not rotate with the lens staying put.
Keeping with this simple and effective design, the turrets are capped to prevent any unwanted and unintended movement. Once removed, the turrets provide tactile and audible adjustments at a precise 0.25 MOA per click.
That’s dead on…
Burris has included the Ballistics Plex E1 reticle on the Fullfield, featuring cascading windage and elevation dots. This will improve your accuracy on shots up to about 500-yards (457-meters) which is well matched to muzzleloader capabilities.
The other great advantage with the Fullfield E1 is the application of Burris’ Hi-Lume lens multi-coating. With most scopes offering some type of lens coating now, this is by far one of the most effective at increasing light and decreasing glare available.
Pros
- Simple to operate zoom ring that doesn’t rotate the lens.
- Turrets are precise, tactile, and audible.
- Burris Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses.
Cons
- Eye relief is only just acceptable at base magnification.
- Not made in the USA.
2 Vortex Viper – Most Versatile Muzzleloader Scope
Aim efficiently and effectively between close to long-range with the one scope in a durable package. Vortex Optics products are of amazingly high quality for their relatively low cost, with glass quality comparable to scopes costing twice as much.
The Vortex Viper has a variable zoom range of between 2x and 10x magnification power in a lightweight and compact design. It measures 12.75-inches (324-millimeters) in length and weighs in at 26.3-ounces (746-grams).
Built tough…
For shockproof construction necessary for muzzleloaders, the scope body uses high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum. O-ring seals are used for waterproof performance, while nitrogen purging also makes it fog-proof for use in all types of environments.
Eye relief is rated at 3.2-inches (81-millimeters) for comfortable aiming giving a clear view through the impressive lenses. Images are bright, detailed, and colorful thanks to XD (Extra Low-Dispersion) glass complete with XR multi-coating.
What a hit…
Both an MOA and Mil-Rad reticle are available, depending on your preferred measurement. No matter which choice you make, you’ll benefit from glass etching and red LED illumination, making the most of the accurate EBR-4 reticle design.
Ensuring that every shot is a hit, the Viper includes tactical-style turrets that are clearly marked for making fine adjustments. They also offer the Vortex RZR Zero Stop feature for quick and easy dialing while in the field.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight scope with great zoom range.
- Tough design that can withstand the elements.
- Choice of glass etched illuminated reticles.
Cons
- 3.2-inch eye relief is acceptable but could do with more.
- The FFP reticle is busy at minimum magnification.
3 NightForce NX8 – Best Premium Muzzleloader Scope
When it comes to scopes with almost indestructible construction, premium lens quality, and absolute precision, it must be a NightForce. And once you have experienced one of these products, everything else will seem inferior.
The NX8 offers a vast zoom range of between 4x and an incredible 32x magnification power for ultra-long-range capabilities. This will allow you to see the smallest targets in amazing detail, even at the longest distances, with this masterpiece of engineering.
First focal plane reticle…
There’s a choice of four reticles, with each offering Digillum illumination and glass etching on the first focal plane. This means that the reticle dynamically grows larger as the magnification level is increased throughout the zoom range.
Unlike many other FFP scopes, the NightForce NX8 offers detail and precision even at minimum magnification. This is largely thanks to optical indexing, which is a technique of hand matching and aligning the premium lenses.
Amazing levels of precision…
For absolute accuracy, turret adjustments are made by highly precise 0.25 MOA or 0.1 MRAD, depending on your reticle choice. Ensuring that you’re always dialed in and can quickly return to your zero shooters can also take advantage of the ZeroStop feature.
All of these components are protected by a layer of 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum used for the 30mm single-piece tube construction. It is up to two or three times thicker than most other scopes shielding the precision optics within.
(4.8 / 5)Pros
- Absolute durability and precision in every area of construction.
- Choice of four glass-etched illuminated FFP reticles.
- Accurate and precise turret adjustments.
Cons
- Not the most affordable option.
- Parallax adjustment combined with illumination dial.
4 Burris Eliminator III – Best Tactical Muzzleloader Scope
If you’re after one of the most advanced tactical hunting scopes on the market, look no further than the Burris Eliminator III. Able to perform complex ballistics calculations in almost an instant, you’ll almost feel like you’re cheating.
The Eliminator III provides a variable zoom range of between 4x and 16x magnification power through a large 50mm objective lens. Accurately target between mid to long-range with the help of a laser rangefinder and durable construction.
Hunting made simple…
Using the latest in technology couldn’t be made easier or faster with this amazing scope from Burris. Simply place the crosshair on the target and press the button on either side of the objective bell.
Before you know it, the target range and an illuminated dot will appear, indicating the aiming point. This is even specific to the ammunition being used, with data available for over 1,500 specific loads in the cartridge list.
Superior durability…
Despite containing all of this amazing technology, the Burris Eliminator offers superior durability. Quad-seal gas rings are used along with nitrogen purging for waterproof and fog-proof performance in almost any environment.
A double-spring tension assembly will ensure that your zero is maintained even under heavy recoil as you experience from a muzzleloader. You can also ensure you’re precisely zeroed in with 0.125 MOA per click turret adjustments.
Pros
- One of the most advanced tactical scopes on the market.
- Fast and simple operation with effective results.
- Durable shockproof construction.
Cons
- Advanced technology isn’t very cheap.
- Beginners won’t learn basic ballistics.
5 Vortex Crossfire II – Best Budget Muzzleloader Scope
Many shooters have a tight budget and can only dream about some of the more premium products I’ve been lucky to review. Thankfully, Vortex Optics specializes in providing scopes that don’t sacrifice quality or performance at affordable prices.
The Crossfire II is a great option for mounting on top of your muzzleloader, being durable and offering great quality glass for the price. Its variable zoom range provides magnification between 3x and 9x, which is perfect for hunting.
Rapid target acquisition…
A generous eye relief of 3.8-inches (96-millimeters) is well suited to a muzzleloader’s recoil for comfortable aiming. And the bullet drop compensation MOA reticle can be used for accurate holdovers and rapid target acquisition.
Even at this price point, shooters can still take advantage of low-profile finger-adjustable turrets. There’s also a zero stop feature which is superb when you want to dial in for that longer-range game during your hunting adventures.
Making things clear…
A theme is starting to form here, with the lenses offering superb clarity at this price point along with a sharp, crisp reticle. With the large 50mm objective lens, the light transmission keeps images bright and vivid too.
At 12.8-inches (325-millimeters) in length and weighing 18.4-ounces (522-grams), the Crossfire II can still be considered compact and lightweight. The single-piece tube diameter of 1-inch does limit mounting options slightly, though.
Pros
- Highly affordable muzzleloader scope.
- Generous eye relief of 3.8-inches.
- Zero stop feature included.
Cons
- Image quality is reduced as magnification increases.
- Limited mounting options with a 1-inch tube.
Best Muzzleloader Scope Buying Guide
Now that I’ve shown you my top picks for a muzzleloader scope, you’re probably starting to think about which one is right for you. While every one of these products has something great to offer, they have some different selling points too.
To ensure that you make the most informed decision possible, I’ve included this helpful buying guide. By focusing on some of the key differences, you’ll be able to choose your new scope with confidence.
Keeping Things Plane
When shooting, a first focal plane reticle progressively increases in size as you increase the magnification power. Therefore, due to the limited range of a muzzleloader, this can be highly beneficial for maintaining accuracy over distance.
The NightForce NX8 offers one of the most reliable and accurate scopes on the market with a glass-etched illuminated FFP reticle. If you would prefer something a little more affordable, the Vortex Viper also offers a choice of FFP reticles.
The Power of Technology
You probably know how difficult it can be to make ballistics calculations while hunting; however, the power of technology can help. This will allow you to load up your ammunition profile to the scope and perform all the calculations with the push of a button.
The Burris Eliminator III combines traditional rifle scope performance with the latest in technology. Make accurate data calculations such as range, wind, and elevation in the blink of an eye for unrivaled levels of accuracy.
If you’re still not sure about which of these fantastic products are best suited to your needs, then check out the next section. I will reveal my decision for the best muzzleloader riflescope and why, but before that, are you…
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So, What is The Best Muzzleloader Scope?
After considering everything that’s on offer from each of these products, I’ve made my decision. It wasn’t easy, as every scope has its own qualities that make them a great match for a muzzleloader.
However, I believe the best scope for a muzzleloader is the…
Due to the inconsistent accuracy that is a characteristic of muzzleloaders, this scope highly increases your chance of success. Why not add old-school engineering with the latest in technology to ensure you have a giant smile on your face?
Happy and safe shooting.
