It makes little sense to invest a bunch of money in a rifle capable of punching minute-of-angle groups and then equip it with substandard glass that inhibits that capability. And that’s why the familiar adage “buy the best optics you can afford” holds a lot of credence — and is relevant on both sides of the retail fence. Buyers benefit by topping their favorite rifles with quality optics (the best they can afford) that make it the best it can be, while hunting retailers improve their bottom line by cross-selling those optics to their rifle-buying patrons.
Only when a rifle’s optics are of optimum quality and the hunter’s trigger squeeze is true will it be possible to wring every bit of accuracy from a tack-driving hunting rifle, but there are several factors to consider when purchasing a new scope: the type of firearm, the game pursued and the type of terrain in which the hunting will occur, for starters. When hunting Big Sky country, for example, it’s important to employ a riflescope with the power and clarity to reach out to the neighboring ZIP code and guide your bullet to the promised land. Hunters in brushy, cluttered environs, on the other hand, might benefit more from low-power, quick-handling optics.
But it often comes back to affordable quality. And, of course, this means different things to different folks. Patrons of your store, or those who visit your website, should carefully consider those optics characteristics and qualities that make sense for the type of rifle they own and the type of hunting they do before laying down their hard-earn Benjamins, and as an informed retailer, you can help in that decision-making process. So be sure to have all your bases covered by stocking a wide array of riflescopes in an even wider range of price points to ensure every patron exits with the proper optics to fill their needs — and within their budget. Here are a dozen top-shelf options you might send them home with.
Black Diamond Optics
The UL-12T Riflescope from Black Diamond Optics ($349) features an ultralight one-piece design made from aircraft-quality aluminum — its rugged construction providing years of dependability under magnum recoil. The scope’s high-definition glass with fully multicoated lenses, 4-12 power magnification, 40mm objective lens and 100% waterproofing assure clarity and reliability in any hunting conditions. Exposed locking turrets allow easily accessed elevation adjustment, allowing for precision shots at greater distances. The UL-12T has a 1-inch tube diameter, is 12.875 inches long and weighs 15 ounces. It has 3.3 inches of eye relief, is dust proof, shockproof and fog proof and has a matte black anodized finish.
EOTech Vudu X Series 1-6x24mm SFP
The Vudu X Series 1-6x24mm Second Focal Plane Riflescope ($799) from EOTech features aircraft-grade aluminum construction, a daylight bright illuminated reticle and precision turrets that provide deadly accuracy. The magnification power ring includes easy-to-see laser engraved numbering and a removable throw lever for quick transitions through the magnification range. Capped turrets provide a clean look while protecting them from inadvertent adjustments. The Vudu X Series 1-6x24mm riflescope features a 30mm tube, 24mm objective lens, has an overall length of 10.3 inches and weighs 17.8 ounces. Clear, crisp glass and generous eye relief makes this a go-to optic for close- to medium-range hunting.
GPO USA Centuri
The Centuri Riflescope from GPO USA is available in six models ($539-$639), including two super-compact options (3-12x44i SC and 4-16x44i SC) and four traditional-size models (4-16x44i, 2.5-15x44i, 2.5-15x50i and 3-18x44i). They feature a 30mm tube, GPObright high transmission lens coating technology, iControl auto-off illuminated reticles and DoubleHD objective lens technology. The Super Compact models were designed for shooters seeking a low-profile optic with higher magnification. Full-size models cater to American hunters seeking exceptional quality optics at a reasonable price, and feature a ballistic MOA reticle with an illuminated micro-dot in the second focal plane. Select models are equipped with zero-stop locking exposed .25-MOA ballistic turrets. Blank turrets are available for custom engraving as needed. www.gpo-usa.com
Hawke Frontier 30 FFP 4-20x50mm
The Frontier 30 First Focal Plane (FFP) 4-20x50mm Riflescope ($1,199) features Hawke Optics’ most advanced H7 optics with a high zoom ratio and supreme clarity and light transmission. Designed for hunters and target shooters, it has a 30mm monotube chassis and is equipped with a multi-LED High Intensity illuminated glass reticle, exposed Zero Lock ‘N’ Stop turret, 21 layer fully multicoated lens and fast-focus eye bell with lock ring. The Frontier 30 has 4 inches of eye relief and is nitrogen purged, shockproof, waterproof and fog proof. It is all-caliber rated and comes with professional metal flip-up covers, removable throw lever and 4-inch sunshade. www.hawkeoptics.com
Leapers Integrix ix6 4.5-27x56mm FFP
The culmination of integrated and intelligent optical design and manufacturing, the Leapers Integrix ix6 4.5-27x56mm FFP Riflescope ($2,499.97) is the result of expert development and evaluation and countless hours of testing. German and Japanese glass lenses used exclusively in every Integrix optic are individually centration tested, multicoated for glare, reflection and scratch resistance, and upon assembly are inspected for concentricity as a whole. Integrix riflescopes feature optimized image quality with over 92% light transmission, edge-to-edge sharpness, minute distortion and high-contrast resolution. They are equipped with left-side parallax control, red and green reticle illumination with light brightness settings, intuitive lockable and zero resettable windage and elevation turrets and much more.
Legacy Sports Nikko Stirling 4-16x44mm Diamond FFP
The compact Nikko Stirling 4-16x44mm Diamond FFP riflescope from Legacy Sports ($379) features first focal plane optics, which means the image and reticle increase in the same proportion, allowing for shot corrections at any magnification with its corresponding 1/10-mil click value. The Diamond’s rugged 30mm main body tube delivers the maximum range of adjustment, clarity and brightness for uncompromised performance and excellent field of view, even in low light. It features a glass-etched, illuminated skeleton HMD reticle and microlux ETE Gen. III glass coatings. It comes with a lifetime warranty and is waterproof, shockproof and nitrogen filled. www.legacysports.com
Leica Sport Optics Amplus 6
Leica Sport Optics is pleased to announce the release of its latest reticle for the Amplus 6 line of riflescopes, the L-4w (MOA), which is available at retailers now for all scopes in the family including the 3-18x44i, 2.5-15x50i and 2.5-15x56i models ($1,599-$1,699). The L-4w is designed for the discerning hunter or marksman, providing a crystal-clear edge-to-edge uncluttered sight picture with wind holds in MOA. This allows shooters to confidently dial for elevation and hold for the wind speed needed at any given moment. A rugged design makes the Leica Amplus 6 ideal for uncompromising use in any terrain — even in the most adverse weather conditions. The high-quality feel of its functional elements ensures secure and flexible handling. www.leica-camera.com
Leupold Mark 4HD 4.5-18x52mm FFP
The Mark 4HD 4.5-18x52mm FFP Riflescope from Leupold ($1,599.99) features a 4:1 zoom ratio to give hunters accurate and reliable close-quarter to long-range shooting capabilities. This first focal plane (FFL) riflescope is equipped with a 34mm main tube with mil or MOA reticle adjustments. Illuminated push-button operated reticle options are also available with Leupold’s Motion Sensor technology (MST), which will put the illumination to sleep after five minutes of inactivity, reactivating it as soon as the scope moves. The push-button ZeroLock dial system eliminates accidental dial movement and allows a rapid return to zero. Select models feature a similar ZeroLock windage turret. New with the Mark 4HD is the PR3-mil reticle, which provides a clutter-free image for fast, precision aiming. www.leupold.com
Schmidt & Bender Meta 3-18x42mm
The 3-18x42mm Meta Riflescope (Starting at $3,330) is the newest development in hunting optics from Schmidt & Bender. This compact, powerful and versatile optic combines all the relevant features that make it a true all-rounder. Its slim and short aircraft grade aluminum 30mm tube saves weight and yet is rugged for combining it with night-vision devices. The scope’s optical design combines superb image quality with a great field of view along with extremely high light transmission. A newly designed BDC II-B (bullet drop compensation) feature is equipped with a sophisticated elevation turret that can be calibrated to the ballistics of a specific rifle/load. The 3-18x42mm Meta is made by hunters for hunters who seek an advanced riflescope for their hunting applications. www.schmidtundbender.com
Sightmark Presidio 3-18x50mm MR2
Designed for hunters and mid- to long-range shooters, the Presidio 3-18x50mm MR2 Riflescope features multicoated glass for a crisp field of view and a fine-etched, red-illuminated, first-focal-plane reticle with mil-dash subtensions. It is also equipped with knurled pop-up locking turrets with .1-mil per click adjustments, adjustable parallax and diopter, and a robust, durable, single-piece 30mm aircraft-grade aluminum tube finished in matte-black anodizing. For reliability in gritty environments, the Presidio MR2 is IP67-rated waterproof, dustproof and shockproof, with a recoil rating up to .338-caliber and includes a Sightmark’s lifetime warranty. It comes with flip-up lens caps, throw lever and CR2032 battery. MSRP: $399.97. www.sightmark.com
Vortex Razor HD LHTTM 4.5-22x50mm FFP
The Razor HD LHTTM 4.5-22x50mm FFP Riflescope from Vortex ($1,999.99) answers every demand of the long-range hunter, and it does it all with an optic that’s still among the lightest in its class. Vortex took its top-tier Razor HD LHTTM scope and built its big brother, keeping the incredibly light and tough form factor while adding first focal plane functionality and a higher magnification range. It is equipped with the company’s XLR-2 reticle system, which is intuitive and easy to use. There’s even push-button illumination to keep your point of aim clear in low light. The Razor is equipped with a locking elevation turret and RevStop Zero System for a reliable return to zero after dialing. www.vortexoptics.com
Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50mm
Offering a maximum magnification of 24X, the Conquest V4 6-24x50mm ($1,349.99-$1,399.99) is Zeiss’ most powerful option in the Conquest V4 riflescope family. With side parallax compensation, external elevation turret with Ballistic Stop, MOA-based smart reticles and available illumination, this riflescope is popular for longer-range hunting and precision shooting — boasting a whopping 80 MOA of elevation travel. The External Locking Windage Turret option is an excellent choice for the long-range hunting and shooting enthusiast. The Conquest V4 is available with five MOA-based, illuminated, second focal plane, smart reticle options. For those who prefer the time-tested duplex-style reticle, this model is also now available with the #60 reticle with an illuminated center red dot. www.zeiss.com
