7 Best Rifle Scopes Long Range Shooting of 2026 For Repeatable Hits

1

SHOTAC Rifle Scope 6-24X52, 34mm Tube, High Resolution for Long

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• ARS Mark

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  10.0
• Brand
  SHOTAC

Key specs3

Focal Plane Configuration

First focal plane (FFP)

Parallax Adjustment Range

33 yards to infinity

Recoil Rating

Rated to withstand 1000G shock loads and compatible with heavy calibers up to .338 Lapua and .50 BMG.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• First focal plane reticle keeps mil-dot holdover spacing consistent throughout the 6-24x magnification range
• Large 34mm monotube provides structural strength and is shock-rated to 1000G for heavy calibers like .338 and .50
• Side parallax dial focuses from 33 yards to infinity to reduce optical error at varying target distances
• Reticle features 11 red brightness settings to maintain crosshair contrast across lighting shifts

Cons

• Substantial 2.7-pound weight and 18-inch length add considerable bulk to a rifle platform
• Requires 34mm mounting rings which are less common than standard 1-inch or 30mm mounts

2

Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 Rifle Scope, V-Brite Reticle , black

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  9.4
• Brand
  Vortex

Key specs2

Warranty Coverage

Unlimited unconditional lifetime VIP warranty

Reticle System

V-Brite illuminated center dot (SFP)

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Ultra-forgiving eye box and generous eye relief allow rapid target acquisition behind the rifle
• Battery-powered V-Brite reticle illuminates the center dot for clear aiming against cluttered backgrounds
• Single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube is nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed for fogproof protection
• Backed by an unlimited, unconditional lifetime VIP warranty that transfers between owners

Cons

• Maximum 9x magnification and 40mm objective limit target resolution and detail at extended long ranges
• Lacks side parallax adjustment or an adjustable objective, leaving focus fixed at distance

3

SHOTAC Rifle Scope 10-40X56, 34mm Tube, High Resolution for Long

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  9.2
• Brand
  SHOTAC

Key specs2

Parallax Adjustment Range

10 yards to infinity

Magnification Range

10x to 40x variable zoom

Pros & cons43

Pros

• High 10-40x zoom range paired with a 56mm objective lens resolves small targets at extended yardages
• Side focus adjusts down to 10 yards, eliminating parallax from close practice distances out to infinity
• Rugged 34mm monotube housing holds an IPX7 waterproof rating and 1000G shock resistance
• Eleven red reticle brightness levels allow easy crosshair contrast adjustment in changing light

Cons

• High minimum 10x magnification narrows the field of view for quick target tracking at closer distances
• Long 18-inch body and 34mm tube mandate extra-high mounting ring clearance and add front weight
• Manufacturer listing does not specify focal plane placement, which buyers should verify before relying on holdovers

4

Crimson Trace Brushline Pro 3-9x40mm Riflescope with SFP, BDC Pro

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  9.0
• Brand
  Crimson Trace

Key specs2

Turret Calibration

Features 1/4 MOA click values with spring-loaded capped turrets that reset to zero without tools.

Included Accessories

• CT Custom BDC Pro reticle
• Spring-loaded capped zero-reset turrets
• Bikini-style scope caps
• Microfiber lens cloth

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Lightweight 15-ounce anodized aluminum build minimizes overall rifle carry weight
• Spring-loaded zero-reset capped turrets allow quick finger adjustments without specialized tools
• Second focal plane CT Custom BDC Pro reticle provides built-in bullet drop reference points
• Supplied with protective scope caps and a dedicated lens cleaning cloth

Cons

• Standard 1-inch tube offers less internal elevation travel than wider 30mm or 34mm main tubes
• Modest 3-9x zoom range is built primarily for hunting distances rather than dedicated long-range shooting

5

Monstrum G3 3-18x50 First Focal Plane FFP Rifle Scope with

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  8.8
• Brand
  Monstrum

Key specs2

Focal Plane Configuration

First focal plane (FFP)

Supplied Hardware

• High profile Picatinny rings
• Detachable sunshade
• Spring-loaded flip-up lens covers

Pros & cons42

Pros

• First focal plane MOA reticle keeps holdover and windage subtensions accurate across all zoom levels
• Side parallax adjustment dial sharpens target focus and eliminates reticle shift at varying distances
• Dial-controlled reticle illumination offers multiple brightness intensities for low-light shooting
• Ships with high-profile Picatinny scope rings, a sunshade, and flip-up lens covers included

Cons

• High-profile rings included in the box may sit too high for traditional low-comb rifle stocks
• Flat Dark Earth finish limits visual matching on standard black rifle builds

6

DISCOVERYOPT ED-ELR GEN2 5-40X56SFIR FFP Rifle Scope FFP 0.1 MRAD

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  8.2
• Brand
  DISCOVERYOPT

Key specs3

Elevation Travel

25 MRAD maximum internal travel

Optical Glass

Japanese ED glass with over 90% light transmission delivers clean target resolution in poor lighting.

Zero Stop System

A mechanical zero stop enables rapid, repeatable return to your base elevation setting after dialing long-range shots.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Massive 35mm main tube provides up to 25 MRAD of internal elevation adjustment for extreme long range
• Japanese ED glass achieves over 90 percent light transmission for sharp optical clarity
• Integrated Zero Stop system allows an immediate, repeatable mechanical return to your zero setting
• First focal plane Christmas Tree reticle offers detailed 0.1 MRAD holdover and wind correction marks

Cons

• Heavy 2.77-pound weight adds noticeable mass to precision rifle setups
• Oversized 35mm main tube diameter requires specific, less common 35mm mounting rings

7

SHOTAC Rifle Scope 8.5-25X50, High Resolution for Long Range Shooting

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  -
• Brand
  SHOTAC

Key specs2

Turret Calibration

Provides 1/8 MOA click increments with locking turret dials and zero-reset capability.

Tube Construction

30mm nitrogen-purged monotube

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Fine 1/8 MOA turret clicks allow precise elevation and windage adjustments for target shooting
• Locking turrets feature a reliable zero-reset mechanism to prevent accidental dial movements
• Standard 30mm monotube offers 1000G shock resistance against heavy centerfire recoil
• Side focus dial corrects parallax and sharpens images across changing engagement distances

Cons

• Fine 1/8 MOA adjustments require numerous rotations when dialing elevation across broad yardages
• Manufacturer listing leaves reticle focal plane placement unstated, requiring buyer confirmation

Last update on 2026-09-24 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Do I need a first focal plane or second focal plane reticle for long-range shooting?

First focal plane reticles are typically preferred for long-range shooting because the reticle scale expands and contracts proportionally as you zoom. On optics such as the Monstrum G3 3-18x50, the first focal plane reticle maintains accurate ranging information and holdovers at every magnification level out to 1,000 yards and beyond. In contrast, a second focal plane optic, like the Crimson Trace Brushline Pro 3-9x40 with its CT Custom BDC Pro reticle, maintains a constant physical reticle size, meaning its subtension hashmarks are calibrated only for a specific magnification point. Choosing an optic designed for accurate holdovers keeps bullet drop and windage marks dependable without forcing you to shoot strictly at maximum magnification.

How does maintube diameter affect elevation travel and mounting rings?

Larger maintube diameters provide greater internal space for the erector assembly, which allows the broader elevation travel needed to adjust for distant bullet drop. Standard hunting setups often feature a 1-inch tube, whereas long-range designs step up to 34mm housings, found on the SHOTAC 6-24x52 and 10-40x56, or robust 35mm maintubes like the DISCOVERYOPT ED-ELR GEN2 5-40x56. These wider bodies require matching 34mm or 35mm mounting rings rather than traditional 1-inch hardware. Selecting the right ring height and diameter is also essential for proper barrel clearance, especially when pairing heavy-tube scopes with large 50mm, 52mm, or 56mm objective lenses.

Why is a dedicated parallax adjustment necessary at extended distances?

Dedicated parallax adjustment is required on high-magnification scopes to eliminate reticle drift and align the target plane precisely with your crosshairs. The Monstrum G3 3-18x50 features an integrated parallax adjustment control, allowing you to fine-tune optical focus and prevent targeting shifts when your eye position moves behind the ocular lens. Standard hunting scopes, like the Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 with its fast focus eyepiece, rely on fixed factory parallax settings that cannot compensate for the severe optical displacement seen at longer ranges. Using an adjustable parallax dial removes sight-picture blur and prevents unforced aiming errors on distant targets.

Will these long-range scopes withstand heavy centerfire recoil?

Heavy centerfire rifles require shockproof optics rated to preserve internal zero against repeated recoil impulses. The SHOTAC 6-24x52 and 8.5-25x50 are built with IPX7 waterproof aluminum housings rated shockproof against calibers including .223, .308, .338, 30-06, .45, and .50. Similarly, the DISCOVERYOPT ED-ELR GEN2 5-40x56 uses a solid 2.76875-pound chassis backed by a lifetime warranty to handle extreme firing force. Always verify the manufacturer specifications for rated calibers before mounting, ensuring the internal erector springs and glass assemblies can sustain your specific cartridge without shifting impact points.

What glass features prevent image blur at maximum magnification?

Japanese ED-grade optical glass and specialized anti-reflective lens coatings prevent the edge distortion and darkening common at high zoom levels. The DISCOVERYOPT ED-ELR GEN2 5-40x56 incorporates Japanese ED-grade glass paired with lenses providing over 90% light transmission, retaining target clarity in low light even when dialed to 40x power. The SHOTAC 8.5-25x50 uses fully multicoated scratch-resistant lenses to maintain high resolution out to 3,000 meters. These specialized coatings optimize contrast across the entire visual field, keeping distant targets sharp instead of washing out at high magnification.

How do zero stop turrets and click values help maintain repeatable adjustments?

Mechanical zero stops and consistent click values ensure you can dial elevation for long distances and return to your primary zero without counting backward or losing your place. The DISCOVERYOPT ED-ELR GEN2 5-40x56 provides a dedicated zero stop with 0.1 MRAD click adjustments, physically halting the turret dial at your baseline zero after making elevation corrections. In MOA configurations, scopes like the Crimson Trace Brushline Pro 3-9x40 feature 1/4-inch click values and quick spring-loaded zero-reset capped turrets. These physical stops and precise increments prevent dial confusion when working across multi-revolution adjustments.