Best Rifle Scope Under $1000 In 2023: Our Top Long Range & High Powered Hunting Scopes Reviewed

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If you're not ready to mortgage your house for a second time or trade-in your favorite child to land the most prestigious rifle scope in the world, then settle in this price range.

You will never go wrong or be unhappy with a scope you've thoroughly researched when you're spending up to 1000 bucks.

Here's what high-end looks like in the $500-$1000 price range.

QUICK ANSWER: 6 Best Long Range Rifle Scopes Under $1000 In 2023

1. Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16X44 - Best Overall
2. Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-10x56 - Best Lowlight
3. Maven CRS.2 4-16x44 - Best for Hunting
4. Vortex Optics Viper 4-16X50 HS Long Range - Best Under $600
5. ATN X-Sight 4K Pro 5-20X - Best for Night Hunting
6. Sig Sauer Sierra6 BDX 2-12x40 - Best Smart Rifle Scope

Best Hunting Rifle Scopes Less Than $1000

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS
	Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16X44	Magnification: 4-16X 44mm Reticle: ZBR-2 #92 Eye Relief: 3.5"	CHECK PRICE
	Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-10x56	Magnification: 2.5-10X 56mm Reticle: MOA Precision Hunter Eye Relief: 2.8-4”	CHECK PRICE
	Maven CRS.2 4-16x44	Magnification: 4-16X 44mm Reticle: CSHR SFP Eye Relief: 63 – 88mm	CHECK PRICE
	Vortex Optics Viper 4-16X50 HS Long Range	Magnification: 4-16X 50mm Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC Eye Relief: 4"	CHECK PRICE
	ATN X-Sight 4K Pro	Magnification: 5-20X Digital: Day/Night Scope Sensor Resolution: 3864x2218	CHECK PRICE
	Sig Sauer Sierra6	Magnification: 2-4x 40mm Reticle: BDX-R1 Digital Ballistic Eye Relief: 3.9-3.7”	CHECK PRICE

To cheap folks like me this price range may seem a little high to consider but in all reality, this is the price bracket for throwing in a few bells and whistles that will really get you excited.

And, perhaps surprising news to you, a lot of other hunters happily spend in this kind of money to get a quality, high-functioning, and good-lookin' scope.

Arguably, this is the price range where excellent scopes are born and you probably won't need to spend more than this, ever. If you're looking for specific features that can really up your hunting game and improve your marksmanship skills, then there's definitely a scope in this price category that can do it for you.

For long range hunters, faithful BDC users, and shooters looking for precise accuracy, this is the price range you want to budget for to get the best long range scopes.

We took into account quality glass, the availability of different types of reticles, and all the extra trappings - from parallax adjustments, reset zero features, to turret usability to get the top 5.

Top 6 Best Rifle Scopes Under $1000

1. Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16X44 - Best Overall

If you've been a  Zeiss fan for a long time but you've never been able to afford them, you'll be happy to know the Conquest V4 4-16x44 scope is under 1000 buckaroos.  It's not an inexpensive scope by any means, but it's certainly sporting a more realistic price tag than many of their $2000+ scopes.  Part of the slash in cost is the fact the Conquest V4 is made in Japan versus Germany.  Japan - great glass.  To be real, you don't care where it's made as long as it's a Zeiss.

Pros:

• Price
• SFP reticle
• MOA reticle
• 30 mm tube
• Ballistic Stop

Cons:

• No illuminated or FFP reticle option

The V4 rifle scope is suited for a variety of shooting applications.  Take your pick: predator, big game, varmint, safari, and small game hunting.  Target shooting, long-range hunting, and long-range shooting are well within your capabilities with the Zeiss rifle scope.

Whatever your choice of sport is, you'll have crystal-clear Zeiss image quality.  This scope isn't without Zeiss' T* six-layer lens coating tech.  The external lens has the long-renowned LotuTec coatings to keep sight picture and glass integrity intact.

This model has the ZBR-2 #92 reticle.  It's not illuminated, but it's in the second focal plane (SFP) that many hunters prefer.  You can only use it at max magnification at 16x, but it's easy to see in 2 MOA increments with 20 MOA left and right on the windage crosshair.

With a 30 mm tube, you have a robust and durable body with 80 MOA of elevation travel and 60 MOA in windage travel.  The elevation turret is exposed and the windage turret is capped.   The elevation turret also has a Ballistic Stop so you can positively return to your zero in a jiffy, in the dark, and even blind folded.

At some point, Zeiss might introduce an illuminated, FFP reticle or even a mil-based one in the future.  We'll just sit tight and see.  In the meantime, we want to play with the V4!

2. Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-10x56 – Best for Lowlight

The 2.5-10x configuration is a lot more versatile than most people would give it credit for. Trijicon recognizes this and offers the hunting Credo HX in a 2.5-10x56 configuration made for lowlight hunting whether you’re in the treestand, timber, or lowland.

Pros:

• 56mm aperture
• SFP illuminated reticle
• Power lever
• Exposed elevation
• 30mm tube

Cons:

• Not the best warranty

The 2.5-10x56 configuration is ideal for many types of hunting styles. You can’t overdo it in the timber with its low power, and you have max 10x for long-range opportunities. The Credo HX is well-suited to dangerous game hunting, rimfire small game hunting, and mid-range shooting with an AR-style rifle.

This Credo configuration is available with two glass-etched reticles in either green or red illumination. The one that stands out is the MOA Precision Hunter with center crosshair illumination out to 10 MOA. With 10 brightness settings, you can adjust it for daylight bright and lowlight conditions, and you can see the reticle even if the 68 hours from the CR2032 battery fails you.

Given its 56mm objective lens, it’s a natural in providing a bright, clear image during first and last legal light, but it also adds noticeable weight to the overall scope at 25.4 oz. Even so, you’re still gaining the wide FOV of 7.3-1.94-degrees with the lower magnification configuration.

The Credo HX comes with the option of adding customized turrets for your ballistics. The ¼ MOA elevation turret is exposed and has a Zero Stop, and the windage turret is low and capped. The onboard reticle should allow for decent holding over, but if you’re dialing in, you have 50 MOA of total travel.

As expected for a Trijicon optic, it’s durable, holds zero, it’s Alaska-to-Africa temperature tested, and backed by Trijicon’s limited lifetime warranty. The scope is covered over its lifetime to the original owner while the electronics are only warrantied for five years from the date of manufacture. But since it’s a Trijicon, “it’s built to work flawlessly no matter what.”

3. Maven CRS.2 4-16x44 – Best for Hunting

The CRS.2 is new and made for hunters. Maven’s hunting scope has a price point that’s more than reasonable, simple but effective features that hunters demand, and glass quality taken from the C-series. We tested the CRS.2 in the field and found it more than worthy of this line-up!

Pros:

• Price
• SFP reticle
• Lifetime warranty
• Compact/lightweight
• Made in Japan

Cons:

• No illumination

You can’t have every bell and whistle in a scope priced this low when it already offers solid, foundational features that can’t be found for this price point. Therefore, the CRS.2 does not have an illuminated reticle to help with seeing in lowlight conditions or on dark and shaded areas.

However, the wire reticle is in the second focal plane meaning it will always remain highly visible - as confirmed in my testing. The center crosshairs are thin while it becomes progressively thicker towards the posts. They also serve as holdover indicators for when you lase that long-distance trophy.

In minimalist hunter style, the ¼ MOA turrets are capped and low-profile. The CRS.2 offers 36 MOA in E/W travel. You may need a 20 MOA rail if you’re looking to maximize distance with the available 4-16x magnification, but for the hunt inside 600 yards (approx.), the CRS.2 gets it done.

In Maven style, the new hunting rifle scope is completely submersible and fogproof with a dry-nitrogen-purged tube. It’s temperature rated for -4-158-degrees F, and it has a side focus with a minimum range of 25 yards.

One of the things I liked best about it is that it’s extremely lightweight and compact at 11.6” in length and 16.93 oz in weight. With an unconditional lifetime warranty and low price point behind it, the CRS.2 is a welcome addition to the hunter’s market.

4. Vortex Optics Viper 4-16X50 HS Long Range - Best Under $600

The Vortex Optics Viper 4-16X50 HS Long Range will get you out to longer ranges later in the day. If you're looking to practice your long-range hunting skills, then this is the best rifle scope for you.

For around $600, you're getting Vortex's XD lens quality and XR fully multi-coated coatings. This model keeps the SFP reticle which comes in handy for making those long-distance shots when you need to see everything on your target.

Vortex is an exceptional brand and is synonymous with quality for a more affordable price. To find out what features you're getting away with by paying less than you should, our complete review has all the answers you're looking for.

5. ATN X-Sight 4K Pro 5-20X

How does any traditional rifle scope stand up next to a digital scope from ATN?  Apples and oranges.  The smart thing to do is not to throw them in the same basket and compare them side to side.  The X-Sight is a day/night digital rifle scope that's famously known in the night vision world.  Thinking about coming over to the dark side of hunting?  Looking to use it during daylight hours too?  Here's what you need to know.

Pros:

• Price
• Smart technology
• Digital features
• High magnification
• Day/night scope

Cons:

• Firmware issues

The price is competitive for a night vision digital rifle scope, but it's certainly in the upper class price range for traditional scopes.  The X-Sight is capable of so much because of it's digital features.  It has multiple built-in modes that includes a Ballistic calculator, Smart Range Finder, and E-barometer.  It's also Bluetooth and WiFi capable.  It records, streams, and plays video recordings that you can take while at the bench or out in the field.

A One Shot Zero feature allows you get on target with the second bullet.  Is it magic?  No, it digitally corrects your point of aim without having to dial for it.  Multiple reticles and color options are available.  Night vision mode allows you to see in the dark and an IR illuminator is included.

30 mm standard rings are also included in the buy and a ring with a Picatinny rail is thrown in.  A micro SD card can save all your recordings and data and is included in the purchase.  ATN practically gives you everything you could possibly need to get shooting the instant you get your scope.

However, with tons of digital features and electrical battery usage to rely on, there's bound to be failure at some point.   It seems firmware/software issues are common.  With a 2-year warranty, you'll want to hold onto your proof of purchase and any documents needed to take advantage of repairs or replacements.

If you're willing to see how digital technology can change your game, the X-Sight is one of the latest offerings to date.

6. Sig Sauer Sierra6 BDX 2-12x40 - Best Smart Rifle Scope

For the money, the Sig Sauer Sierra6 riflescope offers a lot of value for those on a budget. The BDX feature is what makes it a smart buy for a hunter or long-range shooter and is why it’s a scope worth considering against alternatives.

Pros:

• BDX feature
• Illumination
• Digital reticle
• Waterproof
• Feature-loaded

Cons:

• Price

Though the Sierra6 2-12x40 model is the lowest powered in the series, but it’s cheaper than its higher-powered alternatives. However, to really get the most out of the BDX scope, I highly recommend adding a BDX rangefinder to the mix. It’s with a BDX LRF that you’ll streamline the long-range process for updated ballistic solutions in real-time. Unfortunately, this will likely put you over the $1000 budget.

After having purchased the Sierra6 and KILO1600BDX rangefinder, it’s worth it to invest in the BDX system. Though they can be used independently, the KILO can range and provide ballistic data straight to the Sierra6 scope in an instant for up to 800 yards. The reticle updates with an illuminated aiming point or at least leads you to the right aiming point needed.

I found it to be an extremely easy process to sync the scope to the LRF and manually configure it for drop. If you’re doing the latter, there are eight predetermined ballistic groups, and you can input things like environmentals straight into the BDX app.

I thought at first that the finish wouldn’t hold up because of all the mounting I did during my hands-on testing. I was wrong because any scratches proved superficial. With a 30mm tube, I mounted it with both a cantilever mount and 30 mm rings to various rifles. All of which posed no issues, but iron sights might need to be removed on a muzzleloader. At the end of the day, I favored it on my 30-06.

The Sierra6 is waterproof and fogproof, so it will hold up in inclement weather. The illumination proved excellent for lowlight and dark conditions. Additional features like the MOTAC, LevelPlex, and KinETHIC just adds more value to the scope.

What to Look for in a Rifle Scope in this Price Range

Spending triple zero digit sums on a rifle scope demands the very best in quality. What you can expect here is very close to what you can expect out of a $2000 rifle scope, and we're definitely not kidding. Spending more than a grand often means there's just one feature that sets it apart from a $1000 scope. But, the high quality, fundamental features that justifies such a high price tag should be identical whether you're spending one or two thousand bucks. Here's what you demand when you've got a grand to drop on a very sweet optic.

• Quality glass: Includes premium glass elements Ex. ED, HD, etc.
• Quality glass coatings: Includes layered coatings, mirror and phase-correction coatings, and weather, scratch, and debris repellent coatings.
• Ballistic reticles: Premium usually means long range, and long range tends to include all those necessities like holdovers, wind compensation, and the like. Shop for the most practical and accurate reticles you can find.
• Eye relief 3"+: Without decent eye relief, your rifle scope is going to let you know what a real black eye is.
• Ballistic turrets: You never go without ballistic turrets if you're shooting out to extremely long distances.
• Parallax correction: Premium scopes can mean long range, and long range means you're going to need a parallax correction turret or objective. Don't skimp or you'll miss the bull's-eye.
• Quality warranties: Have the assurance that your premium rifle scope is fully covered for any unforeseen damage.

This is Where Excellent Scopes Are Born!

As we've mentioned previously, this is the budget range where excellent scopes are born. You're getting the very best pick of the litter if you have the luxury of spending this much money on one.

Very rarely do you need to spend more, so why should you? Get your ducks in a row and pop 'em off one at a time when you land a mouth-drooling, high quality rifle scope for less than 1000 bucks!

Further Reading

• 27 Tips to Help You Understand Rifle Scope Parallax Adjustments Today
• Atibal XP8 1-8x24 Riflescope Review (Second Focal Plane)
• ATN THOR LT 320 3-6X Thermal Rifle Scope Review
• ATN X-Sight 4K Buckhunter 5-20x Riflescope Review
• ATN X-Sight II 5-20X Night Vision Scope Review - HD Resolution (Day/Night Compatible)