Best Scout Scopes – Top 8 Rated Scout Scope in 2023 Reviews

Scout rifles are rapidly gaining popularity as tactical/home weapons for self-defense, sport shooting and for hunting. As with every other rifle, it is possible to achieve improved long and medium-range accuracy by using a scope with your firearm. The best scout scopes are unique because they enable you to “fast fire.” Requiring less focusing, it takes you straight into the action.

The man behind the idea was a decorated US Marine who dedicated his life’s work to improving the general firearm experience.

In any case, there are many differences between the number of models currently on the market. In this best scout scopes review, we analyze only the best.

So, let’s check out their features and differences and decide which might be the best one for you…

Best Scout Scopes

Top 8 Best Scout Scopes For Your Budget in 2023 Reviews


1 Vortex Optics Crossfire II Scout Riflescope

The Crossfire II offers you nearly 10 inches of eye relief. Of course, that’s much more than an average shooter’s needs. And to complement the eye relief, the eyepiece supports fast focus. Able to magnify up to 7 x, you get a fast target acquisition of far off targets.

Superb clarity…

The lenses are fully multi-coated. This enables then to filter light properly to give you the best clarity at all zoom levels. And this unit is very rugged. It is able to resist shock from gun recoil. It is also impact resistant, so it holds up over time.

All-weather compatible, the Crossfire II vows to be a trusted companion come rain come shine.

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Scout Riflescope
Our rating:4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)


Pros

  • Decent eye relief.
  • Fast focus eyepiece.
  • Fully multi-coated lenses for best clarity.
  • Shock and impact resistant.
  • Suitable for use in all weather.

Cons

  • Get blurry at higher magnifications.

2 Leupold VX-R Riflescope

One of the many top features of this best scout scope is its adaptability for use in low light conditions. And the lenses and the reticle of the Leupold VX-R are designed so that they can still transmit light at twilight periods.

The results? You can spend more time on the field with this scope on your gun.

Auto-activation…

To save power, this scope will automatically shut down after five minutes of inactivity. However, as soon as it detects movement, it auto-activates. This ensures that you get an almost unlimited battery life using this scope.

And to make it adaptable to harsh field conditions, the Leupold team manufacture this product from a single block of aircraft-grade aluminum. They then nitrogen-filled it, and then it is sealed. This makes it shock and impact resistant. It also makes this scope fully waterproof and resistant to fogging.

Leupold VX-R Riflescope
Our rating:3.9 out of 5 stars (3.9 / 5)

Pros

  • Suitable for use in low light conditions.
  • Auto on and off features to prolong battery life.
  • Well adaptable to rugged field conditions.
  • Waterproof.
  • Resistant to fogging.

Cons

  • High-end product.
  • No protective lens covers are included.

3 Nikon Force XR Scout Scope

Not forgetting our brothers in arms who use pistols, here for you is a scout scope for your handguns. With the Nikon Force XR, you can be sure of product durability. It is tested and confirmed to be able to hold up under heavy recoil; therefore, it is sure not to disappoint.

Makes things easy…

To give you a decent upper hand, this scope can be zoomed up to 8 x. You do not need to worry much about making precise shots; the Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC) reticle makes things easy. You see clearly too, as the lenses feature the Ultra Clear Coat Optical System.

Also, with this top scope model, you get a long eye relief. And it’s resistant to fogging, as the scope doesn’t allow moisture build-up on its lenses. It is also fully waterproof so is great for use in rain or snowy conditions.

Nikon Force XR Scout Scope
Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros

  • Resistant to heavy recoil.
  • BDC reticle.
  • Super clear lenses.
  • Resistant to moisture build-up.
  • Can be used in rain or snow.

Cons

  • Only designed for handgun use.
  • The 3 inches eye relief at 6 – 8 x zoom is unusable given that they designed the scope for pistol shooters.

4 UTG Scout Scope

With its 9.5 inches to 11 inches eye relief, depending on magnification, the UTG Scout Scope is simply a top scope. This long eye relief enables you to get fast action and make the most out of your gun’s use.

To complement this feature, the UTG’s frame is elongated at the front. This eliminates glare and allows you to see clearly even in the scorching sun. For rainy weather, the frame is sealed to ensure compatibility.

36 color options…

Also, with this product, you get a reticle with 36 color options! This wide color range can be quickly shuffled to provide you a decent contrast for better aiming and precision shooting.

The full aluminum frame is able to withstand rugged use. It is also nitrogen filled to make your scope resistant to moisture build-up on its lenses.

UTG Scout Scope
Our rating:4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)


Pros

  • Decent and consistent eye relief.
  • The rugged frame can withstand heavy-duty shock and impact.
  • Sunshade feature to eliminate glare.
  • Wide reticle color range for easy contrast selection.
  • Waterproof and fog proof.

Cons

  • Quite heavy.
  • The turrets lose their setting after every one or two shots.

5 Bushnell Trophy Scout Rifle Scope

If the Bushnell brand is known for anything, it would be that they always keep to their promises – and their promise is to give you great scopes at great prices. The Bushnell Trophy count rifle scope is the result of this promise.

Rain guard HD technology…

The first thing you notice is its image clarity. At all of its 7 x magnification levels, this best scope is crystal clear. This is because the lenses are multi-coated for user satisfaction. And to ensure that that the clarity remains at all times, this scope features the rain guard HD technology. Therefore, even when used in heavy rain or snow, fogging or water will not affect the use of your scope.

You also get a fast-focus eyepiece for near-instant target acquisition. The eye relief is also great, and it is consistent at about 8 inches.

Bushnell Trophy Scout Rifle Scope
Our rating:4.2 out of 5 stars (4.2 / 5)


Pros

  • Inexpensive unit.
  • Superior optical clarity at all zoom levels.
  • Suitable for use in all weather conditions.
  • Fast focus eyepiece.
  • Decent and consistent eye relief.

Cons

  • No lens covers are included.

6 Leupold FX-II Scout Rifle Scope

The Leupold FX-II scout rifle scope provides you with a cool way to break free from the norm. While you can get this in the basic matte finish, there is also a silver finished variant that you might love to have. Not to worry, they both have the same features and next-gen qualities.

With the FX-II, you get fully nitrogen-filled frames. This prevents fogging and allows you to use your scope at all times. To keep the nitrogen in, of course, the scope is sealed. It is thus waterproof for use in rain and snow without fear of damage.

Great for low light conditions…

Weighing less than half a pound, this scope will cause you no discomfort. This lightweight nature does not make it less functional, though. This best scout scope is resistant to heavy recoil and is excellent for low light conditions.

Even better, its 9.3 inches of eye relief ensures that you should never get stressed with this scope on your gun.

Leupold FX-II Scout Rifle Scope
Our rating:4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)


Pros

  • Two color options.
  • Nitrogen filled to prevent fogging.
  • Fully waterproof.
  • Lightweight for user comfort.
  • Long eye relief.
  • Shock and impact resistant.

Cons

  • Fixed short-range (2.5 x) magnification.

7 Burris 200261 Scout Rifle Scope

The Burris 200261 scope features the ballistic plex reticle. And given that this scope zooms out up to 7 x, this Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle comes in quite handy.

In any case, if you would like to make turret adjustments, the click sound settings make it worthwhile. They connect to you and let you know that you are doing things right.

Ultra-fast target acquisition…

This best scout scope features the ultra-fast target acquisition technology. With this, you can aim at targets with both eyes open — a great idea when shooting at moving targets.

To make this product suitable for field use, it is manufactured with a single block of aircraft-grade aluminum. This makes it able to withstand heavy recoil and external impact. The turrets are also rugged and do not move out of place as they feature the Posi-lock technology.

Also fog proof and waterproof, this scout scope covers all of your user requirements. And for reference, the eye relief is between 11 and 21 inches. As mentioned, it does cover all of your user requirements.

Burris 200261 Scout Rifle Scope
Our rating:4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)


Pros

  • BDC reticle.
  • Fast focus eyepiece.
  • The rugged frame can withstand heavy recoil and impact.
  • Fog proof and waterproof.
  • Long eye relief.

Cons

  • Not suitable for use in low light conditions.

8 Nikon ProStaff Riflescope

The Nikon ProStaff is one of the clearest scopes on the market. While other scopes pan out at an average of 90 percent light transmission, this super scope achieves up to a massive 98 percent! This is a product of the special Nikon optical system coat that is incorporated into the ProStaff.

This makes it clear at all of its 7 x magnification levels. It also makes the scope suitable for use in low light conditions.

Focus on in…

You also get a fast-focus eyepiece with this unit. This enables you to make fast, precise target acquisitions. And this best scout scope is nitrogen-filled, so it is resistant to moisture build-up. It is also fully waterproof, so is usable in all weather conditions.

To make it an all-rounder, the ProStaff is manufactured with top-grade aluminum. This enables it to withstand heavy recoil to make it compatible with both scout guns, and a broad range of other firearms.

Nikon ProStaff Riflescope
Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • Superior optical clarity at all zoom levels.
  • Suitable for use during twilight hours.
  • Fast focus eyepiece.
  • Resistant to moisture build-up.
  • Fully waterproof.
  • Shock and impact resistant.

Cons

  • Short eye relief (3.8 inches) for scout rifles.

Best Scout Scopes Buying Guide

While these items are the best scout scopes on the market, there are a few variables that you need to look out for. Going through them will be able to pick out the best scope for your needs. So let’s get to it…

Variable Multiplicity versus Constant

The only significant contradiction in the choice of scout scopes is the relationship between scopes with variable and constant multiplicity.

Frankly, a scope with constant multiplicity is more durable and more reliable due to its simpler design. The hull is more durable than a variable multiplicity sight since it has fewer moving parts and therefore fewer elements that can be damaged by recoil.

Best Scout Scopes Buying Guide

In any case, while these fixed multiplicity sights also allow you to pick out targets faster, they are not dynamic.

With variable multiplicity, you can vary the use of your sight.

However, you should check out for a model that is manufactured with full shock and impact-resistant components. These scopes will serve you better.

Tube Diameter

Many shooters do not understand that scope tubes are usually not of the same diameter. A wider tube has three advantages.

First, since the luminous flux should not “bend” so much when passing through the tube, in theory, it makes you get less distortion along the edges and therefore a clearer picture. Secondly, wider inner lenses will allow more light to pass through unhindered, and the shooter will see a brighter picture.

And finally, a wider tube gives a larger margin of corrections for exceeding the trajectory for firing at long ranges.

If your budget allows, larger tubes are better, and it is worth it to get them.

Lens Size

Imagine a lens like a funnel to collect light; the larger it is, within reason, the better for long-range shooting. And this is especially useful in conditions of limited light – at night. Or in the shade under the dense canopy of the jungle.

In theory, if you would like to use your scope in low light conditions, then select a product that is clearly marked as twilight use compatible.

Adjustable Lenses

By adjustable lenses, we mean that they can be focused, which not only allows for a clearer view of the target but also reduces or completely eliminates parallax.

On some sights with adjustable focus, an adjustment ring is mounted on the lens. At the same time, on most scopes, the focus is controlled by a drum placed on the left side of the sight, on the opposite side of the drum side corrections.

Adjustable Lenses

We believe that the drum on the side of the sight is more convenient. This is because it is easier to reach it when lying in a sniper position in the prone position, but both types work satisfactorily.

The Ability to Determine Distance

To some extent, all sights that have a duplex aiming grid can be used to determine ranges. This is because they contain exact dividing widths and heights that imply a certain value at each distance, which you can then evaluate.

However, some sights are available with special distance measurement tools, such as the Mil-Dot reticle. While distance evaluation is not really the focus of scout rifles, you might want to check out for that. Thus, you will be able to vary your gun use and have more fun in the long run.

So What Are The Best Scout Scopes?

Scout firearms are next-gen weaponry. It is only normal to complement these guns with the most suitable scopes. These will enable you to make the best out of its use and make you a one bullet, one target shooter.

We hope our best scout scopes reviews have been of help. But we do encourage you to go through our buying guide before making your final pick. While the ultimate scope choice rests on you and your individual needs, we think that you should check out the…

Why this recommendation?

Well, first, this scout scope is very inexpensive. Yet, it offers you amazing features that are synonymous with high-end scopes. With it, you get a fast-focus eyepiece, superior optical clarity at all zoom levels and decent eye relief. It is also suitable for use in all weather conditions. Plus it is backed by a lifetime warranty.

A top-quality scope and the rightful winner of this review. Highly recommended.

5/5 - (80 votes)
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About Nick Oetken

Nick grew up in San Diego, California, but now lives in Arizona with his wife Julie and their five boys.

He served in the military for over 15 years. In the Navy for the first ten years, where he was Master at Arms during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He then moved to the Army, transferring to the Blue to Green program, where he became an MP for his final five years of service during Operation Iraq Freedom, where he received the Purple Heart.

He enjoys writing about all types of firearms and enjoys passing on his extensive knowledge to all readers of his articles. Nick is also a keen hunter and tries to get out into the field as often as he can.

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