Original Article: Best Deer Hunting Scope for Rifle – Top 5 of 2020
A deer hunting scope that can perform well is essential to a successful hunt and can make a considerable difference in your experience. There are many different products but how can you differentiate which one is best?
You must ask yourself questions about what you want in a scope. Durability, sighting, and mounting to name a few. A good deer hunting scope offers precision and performance but also, simplicity and ease of use. Considering things like warranty policies and reviews should be a crucial factor in your decision as well. Many scopes offer a variety of crosshairs such as the simple black crosshair that we all know and love and other styles that offer range indicators, wind specifics, and other useful tools such as lighting for a low light situation such as when shooting light breaks on an early morning.
There are many tried and true brands out there and there are some less expensive options available that we will discuss as well. A scope being fancy does not make it the best deer hunting scope but rather its application and what you need as a hunter.
Here we will discuss 5 great hunting scopes and what their pros and cons are so that you may more accurately understand what you need and are looking for.
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40 Riflescope
SaleThe VX-Freedom model from Leupold is a great scope if you are looking for durability. This scope is 100% waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. Its build is made from aircraft quality aluminum material making it a great product for those who are accidentally prone to be rough on their gear. The lenses are made of a durable, scratch-resistant material that has less abrasion memory. With a 3:1 zoom ratio it can be used in many different scenarios and applications. Leupold offers a great warranty for their products claiming that this product will last your lifetime. It sits at a generally high price; however, you must consider the warranty and the incredibly positive feedback on this scope.
FEATURES
- Durable aluminum build
- 100% water, fog, and shock-resistant
- Durable lenses
- 2 different crosshair variants
- Matte black fits well with most guns
- Easy mount
- Made in the USA
- Price is higher than competitor brands
- Easy mount brackets sold separately
Sniper MT4- 16X50 Hunting Rifle Scope
The Sniper MT4 offers great control over the scope in the field with minimal effort. The quick tactical adjustment feature allows for fast compensation for windage and elevation which can be handy in an environment that changes weather frequently or areas of topographical variation. This scope is sealed with an O-ring system that resists water penetration making it a good choice for high moisture environments. This scope comes standard with green and red illumination features for customizing your shooting preferences. Another feature that we really like about this scope is the sunshade and lens cover. Between the O-ring feature and the lens cover, this scope will stay dry easier than other brands. The price for this scope is mid-range compared to other brands making it thrifty and efficient at the same time.
FEATURES
- QTA feature for simple adjustments
- Red and green illumination
- Sunshade lens cover
- Nitrogen purged scope body
- Simplistic design
- Easy mounting
- Fast field adjustments
- O-ring is not 100% waterproof
- Only one reticule option
Feyachi Tactical 8-32X50 Hunting Rifle Scope
The Feyachi Tactical hunting rifle is an all in one bundle offering the gear you need for the field in one box. This scope comes standard with mounting hardware, sunshade, and rubber sunshades. Whenever you are hunting anything, stealth is the key factor in how you hunt so rubber options really make us happy from that standpoint. Rubber is also scratch-resistant and durable, so the sunshades in this bundle are a great feature. As with many other scopes of similar make, this scope offers a red and green illumination for simplistic sight even in a low light situation. This scope offers a great waterproof factor and can be used for long periods of time even in a high moisture environment. Another key factor is the price of this kit. When you consider what you get, it is a good deal. Not all the gear may perform the way you want it to however and this scope does not play well with third-party hardware.
FEATURES
- Red and green illumination
- Reticule offers ranged readings
- Plastic and rubber sunshades
- Reticule brightness adjusts
- Etched-glass reticule offers more accuracy
- 5 different brightness settings for reticule
- 1-inch main tube helps windage calibrations
- Scope may not work with third-party hardware
- Reviews indicate this scope does not stay calibrated long
Vortex Copperhead 4-12X44 Riflescope
The Vortex Copperhead model is a great mid-ranged rifle scope as far as cost is concerned. The scope itself is made from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum tube and because it is one piece, it will be more durable than other brands that offer multi-piece scopes. The O-ring design resists water from entering the scope as well as heavy humidity and moisture condensation. This scope is also simplistic and minimal in design which is great for storage and handling. The lenses themselves are multi-coated for maximum light retention allowing great clarity in a variety of environmental situations such as low-light and haze situations.
FEATURES
- One-piece design for durability
- O-ring design for superior elemental protection
- Dead-hold BDC
- Long eye relief
- O-ring weather resistance
- Deadbolt BDC is great for estimating hold-over
- Multi-coated lens for light absorption
- Reviewers indicate that sight is blurry at longer ranges
- No color illumination options
Simmons Whitetail Classic Rifle Scope
The Simmons Whitetail Classic is a great scope for simplicity and functionality. This scope is available in a wide array of models for different ranges of shooting making it a great choice for matching with whatever caliber you are shooting. Being waterproof and fog proof, this scope can be used in a variety of climates and conditions as well. This scope allows for field adjustments without tools which is great for on the run calibration and windage compensation. The price range for this scope is average for whichever size you need making it a cost-effective addition to your rifle. This scope also comes with rings for immediate mounting to your rifle out of the box.
FEATURES
- Rings included
- Fog and waterproof design
- 1-inch tube
- 1X standard bare magnification
- Slim profile for snag-free storage
- Field adjustment without need for tools
- Great eye relief
- Matte finish scratches easily
- Hair thin crosshairs make it hard to see
Things to consider before buying a deer hunting scope
There are many different varieties of scopes that are available, however, the right one for the job will be the one most applicable for what your preferences are.
Visibility
Eye strain is a thing to consider when using any scope and can determine the accuracy of your shot. We recommend looking for a scope that has a good crosshair that can be clearly seen as well.
Illumination
Deer and other game are most active at dawn and most hunters bag their quarry at the start of shooting light or the end of it. Illumination is a good way to go in the ways of visibility in this situation. When shooting with illumination it is helpful to use the color option that contradicts the color of your terrain in the background. Try to find one that has multiple color options if you can.
Durability
Durability is necessary for a scope and any hunter can tell you about the beating their gear takes in the field. Try to opt for the best elemental proofing you can get, especially in humid conditions. When loading and unloading your gun, your scope can snag and catch on things. If this is a problem, then you may want to get a scope with a low profile. The best deer hunting scope will be the one that best fits your style of hunting and the environment in which you hunt.
Warranty
The warranty should also be a factor. Do not buy a scope that you cannot get refunded or replaced if you can avoid it. Find the scope that lasts and performs, and you will enjoy great hunts with deadly accuracy.