Best Riflescopes to Outfit Rifles in 2020

Whether hunting long-range American game, close-quarters dangerous game across the world or plinking critters from the backwoods, there’s a new riflescope for every type of hunting and budget.

Check out these six optics from proven names in the glass business, running the gamut from basic entry-level to Bluetooth-matched rangefinder pairing.

Leupold VX-3i CDS-ZL

American-made Leupold’s VX-3i line of riflescopes has proved itself in hunting terrain for a while now, with a wide variety of power options and configurations in both FFP and SFP. Our favorite for 2020 is the new Leupold VX-3i CDS-ZL which adds a ZeroLock dial, thus the ZL designation. It uses the proven CDS elevation turret.

Leupold’s Custom Dial System, which is a custom engraved elevation dial tailored by Leupold to the shooter’s exact rifle load, allows hunters to quickly dial yardages. The ZeroLock feature, or return to zero, is a low-profile, single-revolution, CDS-ready dial that allows rapid return to zero after adjusting the turret.

Four models of the new VX-3i CDS-ZL scope are set for release for the 2020 hunting seasons, two with a 30mm tube and side focus with the others using a standard 1-inch main tube and no side focus. Magnification ranges from 3.5-10x to 4.5x14x and two reticle options—the Duplex and Wind Plex.

MSRP on the VX-3i CDS-ZL starts at $649.99.

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Meopta Optika6 DIcrotech

The same technology used in the US Army’s TOW Missile Launcher now comes to your hunting rifle scope reticle. Meopta’s Dichroic reticle is battery-free, yet automatically adapts to changing light conditions for optimal view of crosshairs. The scope comes with a reticle that seemingly changes color from red to green depending on the target and backdrop, always enhancing the shooter’s view of the point of aim on the game. Even more interesting, the reticles are transparent and do not block views of the target like standard black lines.

Even if the color-shifting, battery-less reticles are not of interest, Meopta also offers a number of more standard reticles, including .223 and 6.5 specific reticles, as well as true illuminated versions. The Optika6 uses side focus parallax adjustment for a clear view from 10 yards to infinity, zero stop elevation turret, and an extended power ring throw lever.

The company currently offers 10 different Optika6 iterations, with both FFP and SFP from 1-6×24 to 5-30×56. Real-world prices on the Optika6 line starts at $499.

Bushnell Prime Multi-Turret

Bushnell is proof that a company can offer both top-end, higher dollar optics, like the Nitro and Forge, while also producing capable, affordable and lower-featured hunting scopes. The Prime line is one such example and none is more interesting than the Prime Multi-Turret 3-12×40 riflescope.

As the name suggests, the optic ships with seven BDC turrets — one a generic MOA turret that can be used on any gun and the others specific to .17 HMR, .22 LR, 250- and 300-grain two-pellet muzzleloader/ 20-gauge shotgun; 250- and 300-grain three-pellet muzzleloader/12-gauge shotgun, 350-grain three pellet muzzleloader and .450 Bushmaster. Optics are fully multicoated, and the Prime also carries the IPX7 waterproof rating.

At the time of publication, the Prime Multi-Turret was listed at $199, making a most reasonable entry point for a dedicated hunting riflescope backed by Bushnell’s full lifetime Ironclad Warranty.

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Trijicon Credo HX

The company known for high-end tactical optics like the ACOG just made 2020 the year of the Trijicon hunter. Not only did Trijicon debuts its most affordable line of hunting riflescopes with the Huron family of more basic riflescopes, but the one that most piques our interest is the Credo HX.

Like the tactically built Credo, the HX version is available with either 30mm or 34mm main tubes. The Credo HX tailors the LED lighted reticles for rapid hunting target acquisition at the prime game-movement hours of dawn and dusk. Illuminated reticles allow for both eyes to remain open while shooting — a feature the company stresses is important to quickly engage targets. LED brightness settings allow for an “off” between each.

Models are available in both FFP and SFP, each with low-profile, no-snag controls, including an abbreviated power ring throw lever. The Credo HX is launching with seven magnification models, from 1-4×24 to 4-16×50, with multiple options for each, including reticle and red/green color choices.

MSRP on the Credo HX line starts at $999.00.

EOTech Vudu

Few brand names elicit an operator-type response like EOTech, known for its holographic line of electro-optics; but the introduction of the EOTech Vudu riflescope line several years ago took precision shooting to longer ranges.

New introductions in both Vudu scope options, like the 1-6×24 and 2.5-10×44 Precision riflescopes, work equally well for hunting applications as they do for CQB or competition shooting. Whether hunting varmints or dangerous game, the lower-powered, 30mm tube, illuminated reticle options excel. Longer-range hunters will appreciate features like the larger tube, side parallax adjustment, zero stop turret, and XC High-Density glass.

MSRP on the Vudu riflescopes begins at $1,399.

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Burris Fullfield IV

In production for over 50 years, Burris’ Fullfield line of riflescopes has catered to hunters who desire performance in the field for an affordable price. The company now adds five Fullfield IV models, each with an improved 4x optical system, multi-coated lenses, nitrogen-filled tubes, low light performance and eight reticle selections including illuminated options.

There are both 1-inch and 30mm tube options backed with the Burris Forever Warranty. Power options range from 2.5-10×42 through 6-24×50.

MSRP on the new Fullfield IV scopes starts at $203, with real-world prices significantly lower.

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Sig Sauer Sierra3 BDX

Sig Sauer further expands its line of hunting optics with the Sierra BDX3 series of smart scopes. BDX represents the company’s Ballistic Data Xchange system that pairs riflescopes with rangefinder via Bluetooth. The system uses shooter-input ballistics and environmental conditions to illuminate the exact holdover dot.

The scopes feature SpectraCoat lenses, KinETHIC kinetic energy transfer indicator, LevelPlex digital anti-cant, and the noteworthy onboard Applied Ballistics Ultralite calculator. Ballistic drop information is sent via Bluetooth directly to the BDXR1 reticle when paired with the company’s KILO rangefinder. Hunters can download Sig’s free BDX app to configure ballistic profiles for specific caliber and load.

The new Sierra BDX3 can be had in numerous power configurations and purchased either as the bare scope or better yet, as a combination set with the matched rangefinder.

Scopes start at $519.99 with combo kits starting at $649.99.

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