Looking for the best scope for 500 yards? Look no further. This is your ultimate guide to the best scopes for 500 yards suitable for both hunting and shooting.
Shooting targets or hunting game at 500 yards is no easy feat and your success will largely depend on your shooting skills, the firearm you are using, and the quality of optic that you have. Whether you are a hunter or a competitive shooter, a scope is an important item to have if you want to acquire targets accurately at such a range.
Given the wide selection of almost similar scopes available on the market today, finding a quality 500-yard scope can be hard and taxing. In this post, we are going to take you through some of the best scopes for 500 yards to help you choose right. These scopes are very flexible, powerful enough to reach the 500-yard mark, and suitable for hunting and tactical shooting. With that in mind, let’s get started.
Best Scopes for 500 Yards
1) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18×44 AO SFP Riflescope Dead-Hold BDC MOA
The Crossfire II 6-18×44 is one of the best scopes for 500 yards. It is a top-tier rifle scope that delivers excellent performance at an affordable price. It features a variable 6-18x magnification which gives you the flexibility you need to shoot at varying ranges and an adjustable objective that eliminates parallax so you can shoot accurately at long ranges.
Featuring fully multi-coated lenses, this riflescope provides bright and clear views in any light condition. The fast focus eyepiece aids in quick reticle focusing, while the long eye relief boast your shooting confidence and keeps your eye protected from heavy caliber rifles. Better yet, the scope has capped reset turrets that are finger adjustable and simple to reset to zero after sighting in.
This riflescope is built tough to give you many years of field use. It has a single piece tube that’s crafted from aircraft grade aluminum for the ultimate strength, durability and shockproof performance. More importantly, it’s O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged so you can use it in any weather condition.
Features
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Durable and shockproof construction
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Long eye relief
- Finger adjustable capped reset turrets
- Variable 6-18x magnification
- Adjustable objective
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Lifetime warranty
2) Primary Arms Classic Series 4-16x44mm SFP Rifle Scope
If you are looking for the best 500 yards scope for the money, look no further than the Primary Arms Classic Series 4-16x44mm rifle scope. This scope gives you a high 16x magnification power which is enough for hitting a target that’s 500 yards away. It also features an illuminated reticle with 12 brightness settings for accurate shooting in low light conditions.
The scope is sturdily built to handle anything you throw at it. It’s fully shockproof and impact resistant to stand up to the unforgiving outdoor conditions and 100% waterproof and fog proof for all-weather reliability. The lenses are fully multi-coated to provide the much-needed light transmission for bright and crisp clear views. Besides that, this rifle scope brings to the table locking, zero resettable turrets that have tactile and audible 0.25 MOA click adjustments for easy windage and elevation adjustment.
Overall, it’s a valuable scope that offers great performance at a reasonably low price point.
Features
- Variable and versatile 4-16x magnification
- Tactile and audible 0.25 MOA click adjustments
- Solid construction
- Fully shockproof, waterproof and fog proof
- Illuminated reticle with 12 brightness settings
- Second focal plane Mil-dot reticle
- Locking, zero resettable turrets
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Fairly light and portable
3) Athlon Optics Neos 6-18×44 Second Focal Plane Riflescope
The Athlon Optics Neos 6-18×44 is another good quality scope for the budget buyers. It is designed to provide excellent optical clarity when hunting without making a hole in your savings. It makes a great scope for beginners looking to start their journey in long-range hunting or tactical shooting.
This riflescope offers unbeatable durability. It has a heat treated one-piece main tube which makes it very rugged and sturdy. It’s fully sealed at both ends to keep moisture, dirt and small particles out so the lenses stay clear as crystal all through. Moreover, it is 100% fog proof to withstand rapid changes in temperatures and poor weather conditions as well.
Thanks to the fully multi-coated lenses, you get optimum brightness and true color representation in any lighting condition. The aircraft-quality aluminum construction enhances durability while keeping weight at a minimum. This way, you’ll have an easy time carrying around in the field. To top it all, the scope has a glass-etched SFP reticle which offers greater durability and higher recoil resistance.
Features
- 80 MOA total elevation adjustment
- Side focus parallax adjustment form 10 yards to infinity
- Matte finish
- Capped turrets
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Glass-etched reticle
- Heat-treated one-piece tube
- Aircraft grade aluminum construction
- Lightweight construction
4) Burris Fullfield II Hunting Scope
The Burris Fullfield II Hunting Scope offers excellent performance, accuracy and great reliability in any environment. It boasts numerous high-end features that you need to make your next hunting/tactical shooting trip a success. It’s simple to use and perfect for all users regardless of their shooting skills or expertise.
It features a high-performance optical glass which delivers the much-needed image clarity and contrast when shooting long-range. The multi-coated, glare-free lenses facilitate excellent light transmission so you can hunt in any lighting conditions. Besides, the variable 4.5-14x magnification is plenty for target that’s 500 yards away, while the adjustable objective eliminates parallax for accurate long-range shooting.
The Fullfield II is toughly made so you can get many years from it. It boasts a hard-wearing solid 1-piece outer tube that stands up to shock, vibrations and heavy recoil. It is also ring-sealed and nitrogen purged for reliable waterproof and fog proof performance.
Weighing just 510.29 grams, this is one of the lightest scopes on this list. This ultra-light design makes it a favorite among most hunters who walk for miles in search of game. More importantly, it features knurled metal magnification knobs for simple grip and a lifetime of use.
Features
- Ballistic plex reticle
- Matte black finish
- Knurled metal knobs
- Waterproof and fog resistant
- Durable and shockproof construction
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Adjustable parallax from 50 yards to infinity
- Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses
- Durable 1-inch main tube
- Lifetime warranty
5) Nikon Black FX1000
The Nikon Black FX1000 is renowned for its excellent optical performance. This scope offers high-definition image views at up to 500 yards and above. It perfects the sight picture by providing excellent light transmission even in low light situations. The 50mm objective lens provides a wide field of view which is important for smooth target identification.
Thanks to the variable zoom range, this scope is ideal for both mid and long-range shooting. You can use the 6x for the mid-range targets, then increase the magnification up to 24x for long-distance target. With the quick focus eyepiece you are guaranteed of rapid reticle focusing which is important for fast and simple target acquisition. Moreover, the scope features a side parallax knob which lets you make any adjustment without altering your shooting position and a constant, generous eye relief which protects your eye from high recoil rifles.
In terms of durability, the scope is built to last a lifetime. It has a 30mm main tube which is durably made to shrug off heavy recoil and stand up to harsh impacts. It’s also waterproof, fog proof and shockproof for total reliability in any weather condition.
Features
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Durable and shockproof construction
- Generous and consistent eye relief
- High and versatile 6-24x magnification
- 30mm main tube
- Fully waterproof and fog proof
- High speed turrets
- Glass-etched reticle
- Return to zero stop
6) Vortex Optics Strike Eagle Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
Next on our list is the Strike Eagle riflescope from Vortex. In every application, this riflescope offers excellent accuracy and a rock-solid reliability. It has a variable 4-24x magnification suitable for a wide range of both short and long-range shooting. It’s simple to use and it delivers great performance beyond what you would expect at this price point.
With the 50mm objective lens, the scope collects optimum light needed for engaging targets in low light situations. The 11 reticle brightness settings come in handy when shooting in low light conditions, while the glass-etched SFP reticle gives you detailed hold points while staying clear and visible for optimal viewing.
All Vortex riflescopes are fully waterproof and fog proof, and the Strike Eagle is no exception. It’s O-ring sealed to prevent entry of dirt and moisture, and nitrogen purged to prevent internal fogging. More importantly, it’s built from high-strength aluminum which provides unbeatable durability and excellent shockproof performance.
Features
- Versatile 6x zoom range
- Recoil proof and impact resistant
- Side parallax knob
- 11 illumination settings
- Waterproof and fog resistant
- Lifetime warranty
- Zero resets for windage and elevation adjustment
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Glass-etched SFP reticle
7) Nikon Prostaff 7 3-12×42 BDC Riflescope
The Prostaff 7 3-12×42 is one of the best scopes for 500 yards for use in low-light situations. It boasts top-tier glass and excellent light gathering ability which ensures that you hunt successfully from dawn to dusk. It also features fully multi-coated lenses which provide bright and high-definition images regardless of the light condition.
Thanks to the fast focus eyepiece, bringing the reticle into focus for quick and accurate target acquisition is a breeze. The positive click reticle adjustments keep you zeroed in faster and help maintain the zero even after repeated recoil or under rugged conditions. The 3-12x magnification makes this scope suitable for engaging targets at any range. You can use the 3x to engage close-range targets, then ramp up to 12x for a long-range shooting.
For added convenience, the scope has a lightweight design which makes it easy to carry in the field. Better yet, it has a generous eye relief which keeps your eyes safe from heavy-recoiling cartridges and helps prevent eye fatigue during extended glassing sessions. Above all, Prostaff 7 riflescope is fully waterproof, fog proof and shockproof so you are guaranteed that it will get the job done regardless of the weather condition.
Features
- Spring -loaded instant zero-reset turrets
- Generous eye relief
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Completely waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- 30mm tube diameter
- BDC reticle
- 4x zoom range
- 42 mm objective lens
See Also
How to Choose the Best Scopes for 500 Yards
Magnification
Magnification is very important when it comes to choosing the best scope for 500 yards. A scope with the right magnification will help you acquire the targets accurately regardless of how far they are. If you’ll be shooting smaller targets at fairly long distances, you’ll need a scope with a high magnification power. Any model with at least 12x will be sufficient.
When choosing your scope, it’s important that you also consider the fact that you are not going to be shooting at 500 yards all the time. So, make sure that you get a model with a wider and variable magnification range so you can adjust the power to suit the situation at hand.
Reticle
The best scopes for 500 yards must have a reticle that’s stays visible all though so it will be easy to aim and fits into the shooting activity you’ll be engaging yourself in. If the reticle is clear and easy to read, it will increase your chances of hitting the target accurately. Majority of scopes for 500 yards have BDC reticle which comes in handy in situations where estimating the holdover is a concern.
Strength and Durability
When shooting at 500 yards, high chances are that you are using a larger cartridges such as .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor. In such a case, you’ll want a scope that’s toughly built to handle the heavy recoil and still maintain zero. Look for a scope that offers a sturdy construction as well as a solid warranty. Also make sure that the scope is fully waterproof, fog proof and shockproof.
Image Quality
Image quality can either make or break a scope. If you want to make the most out of your hunting or tactical shooting trip, make sure that the has high-quality glass and fully multi-coated lenses. Such a scope will provide excellent light transmission for bright and crisp images. Also make sure that the lenses are scratch-resistant and dirt proof so you’ll get clear views all the time.
Ease of Use
A scope that’s simple to use is the joy of every hunter/tactical shooter. This is particularly the case for beginners. A scope with easily adjustable windage and elevation turrets will make your shooting expedition more enjoyable. Besides, a user-friendly scope will let you make quick and precise adjustments while still on the move. Scopes with illuminated reticles also help you track your targets smoothly even in low light conditions.
Parallax Adjustment
Parallax adjustment is very important when shooting targets that are as far as 500 yards away. So, make sure that the scope you choose to buy has a parallax adjustment function. Most scopes for 500 yards have side parallax adjustment which helps you make rapid adjustments without changing your shooting position.
FAQs about Best Scope for 500 Yards
- What magnification power do I need for 500 yards?
To have an accurate shot placement at 500 yards, having the right magnification is very important. Typically, the ideal minimum magnification is 5x and you can go as high as 18x or more. Make sure that you get a scope with variable magnification as it will help you focus on targets at different ranges.
- What makes a great scope for 500 yards?
A great scope for 500 yards is one that’s able to meet your needs depending on the activity you are using it for. A great scope should have clear optics, right magnification and fully multi-coated lenses. If you intend to mount it on heavy recoil rifles, look for a model that’s sturdily built to withstand heavy recoil and still hold zero in rugged conditions.
Conclusion
While finding the best scope for 500 yards can be a daunting task, knowing what you want in a scope will help make your selection process less daunting. We hope that this guide has helped you know some of best scopes for shooting targets that are as far as 500 yards. All the scopes listed above provide the much-needed accuracy and optical performance needed for long-range shooting. We are confident that they will turn your next hunting/tactical shooting expedition into a success.