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- Alfred Mendoza
- June 1, 2023
Shooting 500 yards can be tricky because it sits in the middle – not too close, yet not too far. The question is, what features should you look for when buying the best scope for 500 yards? We do not want you confused because there are so many areas to consider.
To avoid choosing the wrong piece, our team gathered helpful information about each product we tested.
- Very clear and well made
- Accurate
- Very nice optic
- Capped turret adjusters
- Durable
- Has drop compensation marks
- Very clean glass
- Clear and bright
- Holds zero perfectly
- Glass is crystal clear
- Caps look modern
- Resetting zero is easy
- Tactile vertical and horizontal adjustment
- Great glass
- Excellent eye relief
Table of Contents
- 1 Top 10 Scopes For 500 Yards
- 1.1 1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18×44 AO SFP Riflescope
- 1.2 2. Burris Fullfield II Hunting Rifle Scope
- 1.3 3. Athlon Optics Neos 6-18x44
- 1.4 4. Monstrum Alpha Series FFP Rifle Scope with MOA Reticle
- 1.5 5. CenterPoint Optics Red/Green 4-16x40mm Illuminated
- 1.6 6. Bushnell 4.5-18x40mm AR Optics
- 1.7 7. Trijicon AccuPoint 4-16x50 Riflescope
- 1.8 8. Burris Fullfield E1 Hunting Rifle Scope
- 1.9 9. Primary Arms Classic Series 4-16x44mm SFP Riflescope
- 1.10 10. Nikon Black FX1000
- 2 Factors to Consider
- 3 Our Team's Selection Process
- 4 FAQs
- 5 What's Our Choice For The Best Scope For 500 Yards?
Top 10 Scopes For 500 Yards
1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18×44 AO SFP Riflescope
Why We Picked It:
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6 riflescope has fully multi-coated optics that produce the clearest images. It also has parallax adjustment, ensuring a clear focus. We are impressed with its ultra forgiving eye box, which greatly compliments the long eye relief.
We acquired the quickest target, similar to an expensive scope. The reset turrets are also very accessible, which you can adjust with your fingers easily. When it comes to its build, this riflescope is also very durable. It is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, which is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged at an affordable price.
Who Should Use It:
This rifle scope is best for hunters. This is also fit for newbie target shooters who want quality, affordable scopes.
Summary:
This scope has fast acquisition, which is best used for scoring competition targets or during hunting. This is also made from durable quality materials that can withstand recoil and other negative elements. Above all, this is a high-quality scope with an affordable price.
PROS
- Very clear and well made
- Accurate
- Very nice optic
- Capped turret adjusters
- Durable
CONS
- Somehow heavy
2. Burris Fullfield II Hunting Rifle Scope
Why We Picked It:
Long-range accuracy is almost assured on every hit with Burris Fullfield Hunting Riflescope. They use a Ballistic Plex reticle that features trajectory compensation which provides long-range precision. We also saw the high-definition images provided by the high-quality optical glass installed.
This 500 yards scope is also very durable, as it’s made of alloy steel. This scope also boasts an impressive magnification range. You can expect no distortion on the images, which will help greatly in improving accuracy.
Who Should Use It:
The accuracy of this riflescope is best for hunters as well as any remote shooting enthusiasts.
Summary:
This scope features trajectory compensation which makes all the difference when shooting long distances. It uses the Ballistic Plex reticle and high-quality optics with a high magnification level. You can be sure to see images clearly.
PROS
- Has drop compensation marks
- Very clean glass
- Clear and bright
- Holds zero perfectly
- Glass is crystal clear
CONS
- Quality control issue
- Quality control issue Low magnification limit
3. Athlon Optics Neos 6-18x44
Why We Picked It:
Athlon Optics created a 500-yard scope that is highly durable. It is made of an aircraft-grade aluminum tube with nitrogen purging, making the scope waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof. The dead hold BDC reticle provides maximum magnification range along with side focus parallax adjustment.
The glass-etched reticle is also tested to be resistant to recoil. That part is very important for the sake of the shooter and the scope as well. This scope is also well-designed, with pleasing aesthetics. The best part is that this is a very affordable scope which is good for varying ranges.
Who Should Use It:
This scope for 500 yards is best for hunters who want a durable and high-performing scope with maximum zoom and accuracy.
Summary:
Athlon Optics is a durable scope for 500 yards that is waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. You do not have to worry about accidental drops or changing weather. This is also good with recoil resistance because of the glass-etched reticle.
PROS
- Caps look modern
- Resetting zero is easy
- Tactile vertical and horizontal adjustment
- Great glass
- Excellent eye relief
CONS
- The knob feels cheap
- Glass is cloudy when magnified
4. Monstrum Alpha Series FFP Rifle Scope with MOA Reticle
Why We Picked It:
What we liked about this 500 yards long-range scope was the functionality. This is designed with a first focal plane reticle that allows you to read different ranges. The adjustable objective lenses also help make calculated estimate range with the target image.
Also, the focus on parallax adjustment is spot on. You can get good images even in low light conditions. Durability-wise, this is made of 6061-grade (1) aluminum with MIL-STD 8625 type III hard-anodized finish. The performance of Monstrum Alpha competes with expensive scopes but with a lower price tag.
Who Should Use It:
This is a good fit for hunters who like to stalk and go after moving targets. It can keep up and provide the needed accuracy with its range calculations.
Summary:
This FFP scope is best for 500-yards distance because of its adjustable lenses. The objective lens provides quality bright images even in low shooting light conditions. These are also sturdy scopes that are built with graded aluminum materials.
PROS
- Looks good
- Decent eye relief
- Easy to zero
- Durable
- Reliable windage and elevation adjustments
CONS
- Glass has poor quality
- Extra-long
5. CenterPoint Optics Red/Green 4-16x40mm Illuminated
Why We Picked It:
The CenterPoint Optics provides magnification ranges up to 16x, which is pretty good for 500 yards shooting. Low light conditions are not a problem with the illuminated reticle plus the fast-focus eyepiece.
Acquiring your target will not be a problem. If you are a seasoned shooter, you will hit moving targets with ease. This rifle scope also has easily-adjusted windage and elevation turrets. Therefore, you can easily calculate your compensation.
Who Should Use It:
We see hunters and competition shooters benefiting from this rifle scope. The magnification is stable, and that is important for long-distance shooting.
Summary:
CenterPoint Optics are affordable rifle scopes with excellent quality. It has a high magnification range. This is also good for a low-light setup since this is equipped with an illuminated reticle.
PROS
- Very clear glass
- Inexpensive scope
- Good magnification
- Good focus
- Dead-on accurate
CONS
- Very stiff windage adjustment
- Limited eye relief
6. Bushnell 4.5-18x40mm AR Optics
Why We Picked It:
What we liked about this rifle scope for 500 yards is its fully multi-coated optics. It has an anti-reflective coating that provides better transmission of light and reduces glare. Making quick and accurate adjustments are possible with their windage and elevation turrets. This uses a second focal plane reticle.
Another simple feature that is well-considered is the side focus parallax adjustment. This 500 yards scope is made of high-quality materials. This is waterproof and also shockproof. This is also something that you can use even with your most pricey firearm when it comes to appearance. It is slick, but it does not cost much.
Who Should Use It:
This is a good scope for those searching for high-quality images. You can use this for hunting or even regular practice shooting.
Summary:
Bushnell created a high-quality rifle scope that ensures crisp and clear images. It uses anti-reflective optics that give the best target images there are. This is also durable, made of high-quality aluminum. With this scope, you can easily compensate for the bullet drop since it has reliable elevation and windage turrets.
PROS
- The illumination feature is awesome
- Adjustments are positive
- Body is well-made
- Affordable
- Good audible and tactile clicks
CONS
- Limited eye relief
- The field of view is narrow
7. Trijicon AccuPoint 4-16x50 Riflescope
Why We Picked It:
Trijicon is one of the trusted brands by the military mainly because of durability and reliability. When it comes to illumination, the anti-reflective and multi-coated optics found in their rifle scope provides the clearest images when shooting.
Even in low-light conditions, your view of your target will still come out crisp and clear. The self-illuminating features made us appreciate this rifle scope because of the infused tritium that adjusts depending on its surroundings. This is also durable and long-lasting.
Who Should Use It:
This is the right scope for individuals joining competitive shooting or hunting who want to maintain accuracy regardless of lighting conditions.
Summary:
Trijicon is a reliable rifle scope brand that produces high-quality products. They produced this self-illuminating rifle scope that has anti-reflection features as well as multi-coated optics. Your vision with the target will be crystal clear with its quality optics.
PROS
- Self-illuminating
- Clear images
- Very generous eye relief
- Durable
- Great glass
CONS
- A bit heavy
- Somewhat pricey
8. Burris Fullfield E1 Hunting Rifle Scope
Why We Picked It:
Burris Fullfield E1 offers impressive clarity with a low-price tag. This is designed straightforward but with great quality features. Its reticle is one thing to commend. This second focal plane riflescope gives clarity to the target. The transmission of light is absolutely dependable.
At 500 yards, the low-dispersion glass and easy-to-adjust turret give the shooter added accuracy. We also like the fact that the power ring is very easy to use, even if you are using a gloved hand. It is also covered with their lifetime warranty.
Who Should Use It:
For those who hunt or do any type of long-range shooting, this riflescope is the perfect fit.
Summary:
This product is simple with no added frills. It has an easy-to-use power ring and a very reliable transmission of light. It is equipped with a fast-focus eyepiece that can help you with target acquisition.
PROS
- Easy to zero
- Easy to sight in
- No parallax
- Clear crosshairs
- Very affordable
CONS
- The magnification limit is low
- Quality control issue
9. Primary Arms Classic Series 4-16x44mm SFP Riflescope
Why We Picked It:
We really liked the Primary Arms rifle scope’s illuminated MIL-DOT reticle, which features 12 brightness levels. You can use this scope at 500 yards, no matter what time of the day, and continue to get a bright and clear image. The illuminated reticle is also equipped with a multi-coated lens that gives the maximum transmission of light with balanced contrast.
This 500 yards scope also has dependable windage and elevation turrets that are very easy to adjust. Holding zero and resetting is not a struggle for this piece. Durability-wise, this is shockproof and waterproof.
Who Should Use It:
This 500 yards scope is a great scope for hunting. This is also a good rifle scope for practice shooting and competition.
Summary:
This 500 yards scope from Primary arms has an illuminated reticle that gives superb lighting any time of the day. It also provides a better light transmission with balanced contrast. The fast-target acquisition is possible with this riflescope with its dependable and easy-to-adjust turrets.
PROS
- Turret clicks are positive
- Durable
- The scope is very clear
- Built tough
- Holds zero
CONS
- Limited Eye relief
- A bit heavy
10. Nikon Black FX1000
Why We Picked It:
Nikon Black FX1000 optics provides high-quality images, even with a distance of 500 yards. It has the black FX-Moa reticle that enhances the sight picture, plus it balances the transmission of light together with its contrast.
You can also make easy adjustments with the elevation and windage turrets since these are marked. Another feature that we appreciate is the adjustment with parallax, which is very important when shooting 500 yards or beyond. You can also rely on its generous eye relief.
Who Should Use It:
Shooters who engage in competitions will benefit from these scopes. It can also be the best scope for hunters and those doing practice shooting.
Summary:
Nikon Black is one of the best scopes in the market for 500-yards of distance. It has a dependable reticle with great light transmission. You can be sure to capture the best images on your scope. Apart from high-quality images, parallax adjustment is possible to avoid changing positions when trying to acquire targets.
PROS
- Very clear images
- Durable
- Good parallax adjustment
- Easy to mount
- Good quality lens
CONS
- Not for long-distance shooting
- Limited magnification
Factors to Consider
Lens Material
Choosing fully multi-coated lenses for your rifle scope is almost guaranteed to get the best performance on the field. Be sure to pick the lens that is scratch-resistant and anti-reflective to avoid obstruction of view. Also, take into consideration, recoil which may be damaging to the glass of your scope.
Lens Size & Coatings
Choosing to have fully multi-coated lenses will give you benefits and disadvantages at the same time. A bigger lens would mean clearer images, but it also translates to heavier scopes. High-quality scopes provide maximum light transmission regardless of light conditions because of the reliable objective lens used.
Elevation & Windage Adjustments
This is another factor to consider when looking for the best scopes for 500 yards. Find a rifle scope that you can adjust windage and elevation sufficiently. You should be able to adjust holdovers and wind impact at 500 yards to hit the target rather than miss the shot.
Optimal Light Transmission
The best rifle scopes have an illuminated reticle to get the best light transmission regardless of the time of the day or light condition. You will get the best and clearest images despite your lighting conditions. Self-illuminated reticles can be a good choice.
Magnification Range
Minimum Magnification
Your minimum magnification would depend on your target. Given that you have a target at 500 yards, you can choose a scope that has a minimum of 3x or 4x and make adjustments until the target is fully visible.
Maximum Magnification
Maximum magnification with the best rifle scope for 500 yards would be around 14x to 16x. If your target is small and still, then that magnification is enough to make an accurate shot. You have to make sure that the image is not distorted when fully magnified, though.
Also Read:
Turrets
Searching for a great long-range scope would depend on the turrets. Two of the imperative turrets are windage and elevation. Tactical turrets are set to zero on the target considering gravitational pull and distance to make a calculated guess for that bullet drop compensation. The elevation is adjusted going up or down while windage is either right or left.
Eye Relief
The eye relief should be enough for you to be safe in case the rifle flies back at you. At least give yourself a distance of four inches of eye relief. Enough for you at a safe length but enough to see a clearer view of what is ahead of you.
Strength & Durability
The materials used in creating these scopes determine whether this is a reliable scope or not. The best rifle scopes are sealed and nitrogen-purged at the very least.
It is also common to find scopes that are shockproof, fog-proof, and waterproof, so if you can find all these in one rifle scope, that would mean big savings for you.
Parallax Adjustment
Having parallax adjustment on your rifle scopes is important. This will allow you to make adjustments without changing your position at all. Some scopes do not have this option, especially if the distance is not that far.
Field of View
Your field of view or FOV is reliant on your scope’s magnification. The higher the magnification range, the lower your FOV. This will focus your rifle scope on your target as you increase or decrease your magnification.
This is not that important in short-distance shooting, but when in longer distances, you need to have this included on the priority features.
First Focal Plane or Second Focal Plane?
First focal plane reticles are more for beginners or those who shoot at varying distances. The reticle dots remain regardless of the magnification changes. Second focal plane reticles, on the other hand, increase the image of the target as you increase magnification. This requires more experience and understanding when it comes to calculation and adjustments.
Our Team's Selection Process
Overall Performance
Long-range shooting requires all of the necessary features to ensure the target is hit. We look at the quality of the objective lens if it can provide clear and crisp images.
We also consider adjustments and coverage, so that would mean substantial eye relief and spot-on magnification adjustments. We do not just look at certain features but the totality because each is related to the performance of the other.
Weapon Compatibility
All the impressive features will not matter if the riflescope is not compatible with the weapon and the mount. Some rifle scopes may have impressive features but lack in that area when it comes to compatibility. It ends up unsecured on the mount, which greatly affects accuracy.
We also look at the ease of mounting these scopes on the rifle, as some are very complex and require extra tools.
Product Quality
After the team verifies that all the functions are working up to their potential, we look at consistency. We always believe that the best rifle scope brand is consistent with its quality and feature. We also look at some legit customers’ reviews and feedback to compare notes.
FAQs
Yes, scopes for 500 yards are enough for long-distance target shooting because these are with a fast-focus eyepiece. This can help you acquire your target easily. It secures precision without compromising short-range accuracy. You may need scopes with high magnification.
What's Our Choice For The Best Scope For 500 Yards?
Our choice for the best scope for 500 yards is Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18×44 AO SFP Riflescope. We see this as a great scope because of its large objective lens that produces crisp and clear images regardless of lighting conditions. Magnification is also exceptional, with no distortion even when at maximum level.
The Vortex scope also gives the user access to the zoom setting very easily. That makes the shots accurate at all times. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6 is a great scope also because of its generous eye relief. With all these positive traits, it is also priced very low.
Our #1 Recommendation
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18×44 AO SFP Riflescope
- Very clear and well made
- Accurate
- Very nice optic
- Capped turret adjusters