If you are searching for the best mid range hunting scope for your rifle, you are in the right place. In this review, we have compiled a list of the best options available in the market today. In addition, we will share some of the things you need to consider when buying the best scope for the money.
Riflescopes are a complicated topic. Modern optics come in every size, shape, and function imaginable. The good news is there is a highly specialized riflescope out there that is perfect for your weapon and shooting application.
However, you will have to wade through thousands of models to find the right scope for your rifle. If you do a quick search, you will find there are many reviews to help you find the best riflescope. This review is different because we have hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge to help you navigate the minefield.
We will share a bunch of information, but by the end of this article, you will know what type of optic you need.
Best Mid Range Hunting Scope
The best mid-range hunting scope is packed with many features to take your shooting game to the next level. The options shared in this guide are made from high-quality materials to ensure it lasts for strength and rigidity.
Let us look at the top-recommended scopes.
1Hawke Vantage IR 3-9x40mm Rimfire
Hawke is not a well-known name here in the States, but rimfire competitors across the world have been using the company’s scopes to punch 10 rings and take podium finishes for years.
Their Vantage line of illuminated rimfire scopes can be had with a variety of bullet-drop compensating reticles for .17 HMR, .22 LR, subsonic .22 LR, and .22 WMR rounds.
The etched-glass reticle features red and green illumination with five easy-to-adjusted brightness levels to match ambient lighting conditions.
Fingertip-adjustable windage and elevation turrets make for fast sighting-in.
Features
- It features a satin black finish
- It features a lightweight design
- It has a 1/4-MOA click value
- It is 12.4 inches long
2
Tract 22 Fire 4-12x40mm
If you are looking for a mid-range scope to hone your precision skills, the Tract 22 Fire 4-12x40mm is a solid choice for you. Most enthusiasts recommend it because it is affordable but comes with competitive rifles and glass that cost thousands less than their centerfire counterparts.
The Tract 22 Fire 4-12x40mm is an excellent choice for a competition, hunting, or plinking. This rimfire model does not have the same super-high-end Schott glass as their long-range centerfire scopes. However, it comes with other high-end features that have made their way over.
The 1-inch tube is completely waterproof and fog-proof. It is O-ring sealed and purged with argon, which is more resistant to temperature changes than the nitrogen traditionally used.
Multiple layers of anti-reflective compounds are applied to every air-to-glass surface for bright, clear images, even in low light.
The windage and elevation adjustments are precise, and the spring-loaded turrets let you reset your zero quickly. All of this is backed by the company’s lifetime warranty at a friendly price.
Features
- It features a satin black finish
- It weighs 15.6 ounces
- It has 1/4-MOA at 50 yards click value
- It is 12.1 inches long
Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm
The Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm is a compact scope that is packed with many features to help you hit targets at varying distances. It comes with a classic 3-9x deer-scope configuration with cutting-edge design and manufacturing.
For the price, this scope’s optical clarity, light transmission, and ergonomics are second to none. Burris’s Forever Warranty protects you against damage inflicted by wayward horses and the elements.
It is worth mentioning that the turret adjustments are steel on steel. There are no plastic parts to cave under extreme use.
We recommend this scope because it is waterproof and nitrogen purged against internal fogging.
Features
- It comes in a matte black or nickel finish
- It weighs 13 ounces
- It is 12.2 inches long
- It has a 1/4-MOA click value
4
Redfield Revolution 4-12x40mm
The Redfield Revolution 4-12x40mm is made of quality materials for strength and rigidity. This ensures that it lasts for a long time.
Most enthusiasts recommend this scope because of the multi-layer vapor-deposited coatings. This ensures that the lenses transmit plenty of light to provide clear images that are color accurate.
This scope features a magnification range of 4-12x. This scope is low enough on the bottom end for quick shots up close and powerful enough zoomed in for work at extended ranges.
In addition, the holdover points in the reticle add long-range precision.
We recommend this scope because it is waterproof, fog-proof, and shock-resistant. It is also covered by Redfield’s full lifetime warranty.
Features
- It has a magnification range of 4-12x
- It features a sturdy construction
- It features a matte black finish
- It weighs 13.1 ounces
Bushnell Engage 3-9x40mm Illuminated
If you are in the market for an illuminated reticle, the Bushnell Engage 3-9x40mm is an excellent scope for your rifle. It is affordable, but it is packed with many quality features to take your shooting game to the next level.
The unique feature of this scope is the Multi-X reticle. It helps shooters get on target quickly in nearly any lighting conditions.
It features a glowing dot with six brightness settings centered in the middle of the crosshair. The optics is fully multicoated to provide excellent light transmission for solid low-light performance.
Other outstanding features include a fast-focus eyepiece, an integrated throw lever on the magnification selector, and Bushnell’s excellent EXO barrier on external lens surfaces to repel water, oil, fog, dust, and debris.
Features
- It features a 3-9x magnification
- It features a multi-X reticle
- It features a fast-focus eyepiece
- It has a satin black finish
6
Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm
The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm is one of the most popular and best budget hunting scopes available today. It is packed with many features to provide value for the money you spend.
This scope was created to replace Leupold VX-1 and VX-2 scopes. The good news is that it features the same glass as the VX-2 and is generally designed to be an upgraded version of that affordable classic.
Most enthusiasts use this scope for hunting deer and other medium-sized game. Decades of American engineering and manufacturing perfection make for a clear, bright, distortion-free riflescope that you will hand down to your grandkids.
This scope is available in several reticles, ranging from standard duplex to the uber-useful Wind-Plex. In addition, the finger-adjustable, tactile turrets make for easy, precise sight-in and field adjustments.
It is worth mentioning that you can order a CDS dial matched to your ballistics. This scope is nitrogen purged against fogging, aggressively waterproofed, and very good at shrugging off the shock.
Features
- It features a weatherproof construction
- The lenses are coated to increase light transmission
- They are affordable
- It comes in a matte black, gloss, or silver finish
7
Vortex Crossfire II 4-16x50mm AO BDC
The Vortex Crossfire II 4-16x50mm AO BDC is another excellent mid-range hunting scope. Most avid hunters recommend this scope because it comes with a lifetime warranty. This ensures that the scope is fixed or replaced when damaged
This scope is affordable but does not compromise on performance. The scope features resettable MOA turrets compatible with custom Kenton Industries turret dials. It also offers parallax adjustment.
This scope is built in a one-piece, anodized aircraft-grade aluminum tube. The lenses are also multi-coated to provide clear images that are color accurate.
This scope also features a waterproof, shock resistant, and fog proof construction.
Features
- It comes with a lifetime warranty
- It has a matte black finish
- It is nitrogen purged to prevent fogging
- It offers parallax adjustment
8
Riton X1 Conquer 6-24x50mm
The Riton X1 Conquer 6-24x50mm is a newcomer to the optics world, but it has been well received. It has many features to ensure that you do not miss any shot.
This scope offers plenty of magnification for hunters out West that may need to air it out a bit on antelope or mule deer or pop a coyote at varying distances.
If you are looking to zero at long ranges will appreciate the approximately 67 MOA of internal elevation adjustment. The 1-inch tube houses high-density glass that delivers plenty of light and is nitrogen purged to be waterproof and fog-proof.
The push/pull locking turrets with windage and elevation reference marks are a nice touch for long-range work.
Features
- It has a high magnification for medium to long-range shots
- It has a satin black finish
- It has a 1/4-MOA click value
- It is 14 inches long
Factors to Consider When Shopping for the Best Mid Range Hunting Scope
There are several great, affordable scopes on the market. Trying to choose one can be overwhelming, especially if you are a beginner. Here are a few key things to look at before you invest in any scope.
- Objective Lens
The diameter of the objective lens determines how much light a riflescope lets in. For scopes used in low-light conditions, which is all hunting models, bigger is better.
As the size of the lens increases, the distance that it must be mounted above the barrel increases as well. It becomes difficult to achieve proper eye alignment if the scope gets too high, and accuracy can suffer.
Scopes with very large objective lenses also tend to be heavy, bulky, and expensive. For hunting, 50mm is about as big as you will ever need to go.
If you are looking for a general-purpose big-game model, 42mm or 40mm is probably a better choice.
- Glass
The lenses are the most important parts of a riflescope. Therefore, make sure you choose the best glass you can afford.
Extra-low dispersion, commonly referred to as ED, glass is the best you can get. ED glass minimizes chromatic aberration to provide true-to-life colors and sharp images.
Some lenses are called high definition, or HD, but this does not refer to the type of glass but rather an indication of the image quality rendered.
The coatings applied to the lenses also affect image quality by improving light transmission and adding scratch resistance. Simply put, the more coatings, the better.
We recommend buying a scope in which all exterior lenses are covered in multiple coatings.
- Magnification
It is important to buy a scope that offers ample magnification. For most big-game hunters, taking deer-sized animals out to 200 or 300 yards, the traditional 3X-9X or 4X-12X is plenty.
Open-country hunters and those targeting smaller quarry such as predators and varmints can benefit from greater magnification.
Advances in scope design have given us even greater zoom ranges, and now you can buy a scope that goes from 2 power up to 20. These are expensive, so expect to pay a premium for them.
- Gas Filling
Filling a scope with an anhydrous gas displaces water vapor, which prevents it from fogging up. Nitrogen is typically used for this, but a growing number of manufacturers are turning to argon.
Argon has a larger molecule than nitrogen, making it less likely to effuse through a membrane or a seal. Argon is also more resistant to temperature changes than nitrogen.
That said, no matter what your scope is filled with, the exterior will fog if you move between environments with a big temperature gradient.
- Main-Tube Diameter
A while back, virtually every hunting scope had a 1-inch main tube, but as shooters continue to push the distance envelope, scopes with 30mm or even 34mm main tubes are becoming more common.
A larger-diameter tube gives the reticle more room to move, which increases the range of adjustment. Bigger tubes are also sturdier and let a bit more light through.
On the negative side, they (and the rings used to mount them) tend to be heavier and costlier, so consider this when shopping. For typical hunting scenarios, a 1-inch tube is more than adequate.
Conclusion
A rifle and scope combination is only as effective as the person pulling the trigger. Practice is the best way to improve your accuracy, no matter which optic you choose to mount on your rifle. Make sure you spend some time sending lead downrange. It is the best way to improve your shooting skills.
Although the world of riflescopes may seem confusing at first, things should start to focus on a little information. Knowledge is power.
We hope this article has helped empower you to find the best riflescope for your shooting needs.