Looking for the best mountain hunting scope? Look no further. In today’s post, we look into the best scopes for hunting in the mountains. Sit back and be enlightened.
When hunting in the mountains, having the right gear makes all the difference. A riflescope is an integral piece of equipment of mountain hunting gear. Since mountain hunting involves hiking to the desired location and carrying the game shot when returning, the gear should be light to prevent carrying unnecessary weight on a strenuous adventure.
The best mountain hunting scope should therefore be compact and lightweight. In today’s post, we will highlight some of the best mountain hunting scopes to include in your backcountry hunting mission. Before that let’s look at the attributes that make a great mountain hunting scope.
What Makes a Great Mountain Hunting Scope?
Since mountain hunting takes place during the daytime, the right riflescope for the work should have a decent objective lens of diameter 40-50mm. This offers the best compromise in terms of light gathering ability, sufficient field of view at higher magnification, and weight.
Another important component of a mountain hunting scope is adequate magnification. When hunting in the mountains, the distance to the target can be substantial and this calls for high magnification power to acquire the target from such distance.
A riflescope with at least 10x is perfect for mountain hunting. Besides, an adjustable parallax is paramount when shooting at higher magnification powers as it helps remove the guesswork for precise shooting.
5 Best Mountain Hunting Scopes
Mountain hunting is much more enjoyable when you have confidence that the scope you are using is reliable and will help you bring down the prey after sighting in. There are numerous scopes that can get the job done.
However, selecting the best mountain hunting scope from the wide spectrum out there is a tricky affair. To help you land a great mountain hunting scope, we have done the homework and come up with the following riflescopes. Let’s take a tour!
1) Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Side Focus Riflescope
This is a true gem for backcountry hunters. As the best mounting hunting scope, this Leupold riflescope will help you take the mountain hunting challenge with the utmost confidence.
The riflescope has a magnification of 3-15x which helps you handle every situation reliably. Whether it’s close quarters, mid-range shooting to long-range game shooting, VX-5HD versatility will dominate in all of the above.
The other attribute that makes Leupold VX-5HD the best mountain hunting scope is unrivaled glass clarity. The scope boasts of unmatched light transmission that delivers crisp images even when the ambient lighting conditions are not perfect.
The premium glass used on the lenses further helps deliver sharp views. The lenses integrate the legendary Twilight Max HD light management system that reduces glare while optimizing light transmission.
The relentless performance of this riflescope is supported by the duplex reticle. This reticle has a matte finish and fits mountain hunting needs. To keep your brow safe, the riflescope has a decent eye relief of 3.7 inches at the lowest magnification and 3.82 inches at the highest power.
Another incredible feature of this scope is the rugged construction that helps enhance durability. Temperatures in the mountain can cause internal fogging and impede your view.
The internals of this scope is waterproof and fogproof to keep moisture out and offer crystal-clear views regardless of the surrounding temperatures. The robust construction also makes the scope shockproof.
Key Features
- Lightweight and compact
- Unrivaled performance in low-lighting conditions
- The 3-15x magnification range is ideal for several shooting situations
- Waterproof, shockproof and fogproof
- Punisher tested to withstand impact from accidental falls
- Made in the USA
2) Vortex Optics Razor HD LHT 3-15×42 SFP Riflescope
An ultra-weight design makes these riflescopes top contenders for the best mountain hunting scope. Razor HD LHT 3-15×42 riflescopes are designed with mountain hunters’ needs in mind.
From the construction facets to the internal components, these scopes will help you take the next mountain hunting challenge with confidence. These riflescopes are optically superior to deliver reliable performance in all environments.
The optical features of these riflescopes are impressive. The lenses incorporate HD lens elements to enhance light penetration through the scope’s tube resulting in crisp images in all lighting conditions.
Further, the lenses are optically indexed to maintain image sharpness and clarity. The lenses are also fully multi-coated with an anti-reflective coating to optimal light transmission.
Incredible optical features aside, the construction of these scopes makes them stand out among other mountain hunting riflescopes. The scope is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum making it light yet rigid. The optics are built on a single-piece 1-inch diameter tube that is optimized to shine in several shooting applications.
The tube is purged with argon to keep out moisture that would cause internal fogging. Rugged construction makes the scope shockproof and O-ring seals confer waterproof properties for reliable performance in several environments. To protect the exterior surface of the lenses, these scopes are fitted with armor Tek coating that protects against dirt, oil and scratches.
Key Features
- High-color fidelity glass to deliver HD images
- Anti-reflective coatings to maximize light transmission edge-to-edge
- A rugged construction of aircraft-grade aluminum
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Low-glare matte surface to help camouflage the shooter’s location
- A precision-glide erector system facilitates smooth magnification ranges
- Large diameter turrets for elevation and windage adjustments
3) Swarovski Z5 3.5-18×44 Ballistic Turret Plex Reticle Riflescope
This rifle scope is packed with impressive features that will make your hunting 10-fold easier. It combines superior optics and solid construction to create a dependable hunting companion.
As the best mountain hunting scope, the riflescope is exceptionally accurate and is reliable for handling different shooting disciplines. For clearer images and to maintain color fidelity, this riflescope uses high-quality glass.
The glass incorporates the unique Swarovision technology that is known for delivering sharper images in all lighting conditions. In addition to the high-fidelity glass, the scope has two reticle options. The basic plex reticle is ideal for traditional shooters and the 4W reticle.
Another feature that augments Swarovski as the best mountain hunting scope is the rugged construction. The riflescope is resilient courtesy of the waterproof construction.
The 1-inch tube offers a perfect blend of easy adjustments and weight. It has a slim design that is easy to mount. The turrets have distinctive adjustable clicks that facilitate accurate changes and therefore enhance the accuracy, especially when hitting targets from several yards out.
Lastly, the versatility of this riflescope makes it arguably the best mountain hunting scope. The variable power allows you to shoot targets from varying ranges. The large turrets help in parallax adjustments to remove any guesswork making the scope super handy in the field. Stretch your limits when hunting in the mountains with this incredible riflescope.
Key Features
- Lightweight and compact
- Power 5x zoom
- A wide, ribbed magnification power ring for accurate power changes
- Greater overview courtesy of the large field of view
- Robust construction to enhance the lifespan
- Lateral parallax turret allows effortless parallax correction
- Long eye relief of 3.74 inches
- Reliable performance in different weather conditions
4) Leupold VX-3i 3.5x10x40mm Rifle Scope
Backed by the legendary Leupold performance and dependability, the VX-3i riflescope features best-in-class optics that blend perfectly with the needs of mountain hunters.
As the best mountain hunting scope, the scope delivers optimal clarity and image sharpness than any other scope in its class. The scope boasts of outstanding low-light performance and so shines in the mountains when ambient light is a concern. Its tough and lightweight design makes the scope a true mountain hunting scope.
What do mountain hunters want most in a riflescope? Dependable and reliable performance. The VX-3i is built with a range of impressive facets to deliver this and more. The wide magnification range helps hunters deal with different shooting situations confidently.
Besides, the elite optical system facilitates maximum light penetration according to the shooter’s bright images at any time of the day. The resolution and clarity of this riflescope is commendable making it perfect for dusk and dawn hunting.
The lenses are covered in hardened surface coating for protection against elements that may obstruct clear viewing. The scope is purged and sealed to prevent internal fogging to guarantee dependable performance when the temperature changes while in the field. The scope is also shockproof to ensure many years of reliability and solid performance.
Key Features
- Shockproof, waterproof and fogproof
- Twilight Max Lens system for optimal light transmission
- Hardened scratch-resistant lens covering
- Lockable fast-focus eyepiece
5) Zeiss Carl Optical Conquest HD5 Rifle Scope
The Zeiss HD5 riflescope is a great companion in the hunting community. Designed with the modern hunter’s needs, this riflescope features a compact and lightweight design that resonates well with mountain hunters.
The Conquest has a superior optical system that doesn’t shy off when it comes to light transmission. Hunters benefit from vivid images at any time of the day. The color fidelity and the resolution will help you conquer the mountains.
The versatility cements Conquest HD 5 testament as the best mountain hunting scope. Whether it is close encounters or mid-range shooting, the scope is very capable of delivering accurate shots.
When it comes to construction, the riflescope is crafted with the highest quality materials. The superior construction helps enhance the durability and supports the outstanding performance of the scope.
Key Features
- High resolution and color fidelity for better sighting of targets
- Constructed with high-quality materials
- Precision mechanics with ¼ MOA adjustments
- Compact and lightweight
- Variable power for handling several hunting situations
- Made in Germany
See Also
- Best Hunting Rifle Scopes
- Riflescopes for Deer Hunting
- Best Western Hunting Scopes
- Thermal Scopes for Hog Hunting
- Best Reflex Sights for Hunting
- Best Compact Binoculars for Hunting
Criteria for Choosing the Best Mountain Hunting Scope
Plane of the Reticle
In riflescopes, the reticle is either on the first plane or the second plane. While the choice is more a personal choice as none outshines the other. FFP rifle scopes are great for mountain hunting.
One of the reasons FFP scopes make the best mountain hunting scopes is the ability to take distant shots speedily. FFP scopes also have precise holds across all magnification powers irrespective of the distance.
Weight
This is an important consideration because you will be hiking in the mountains for days. A great scope for mountain hunting is one that doesn’t add unnecessary weight to your gear.
Bulky riflescopes are also not the best when it comes to shooting. The extra weight affects the balance of your rifle and may cause inaccuracy when shooting at the target. Look for scopes with relatively low pounds and superior optics.
Magnification
Scopes either have fixed and variable powers. Most riflescopes for mountain hunting have variable power. Variable power scopes have the advantage of being all-purpose optics due to their wide-range power options. The best mountain hunting scope should have a power of 2.5-10x. With this range, you can comfortably shoot prey at 50 yards to 300 yards.
Objective Lens
The diameter of the lenses impacts the amount of light transmitted through the scope’s tube. A larger diameter transmits more light to the shooter’s eye and vice versa.
Although scopes with larger objective lenses are suitable for hunting as they transmit more light and have a large field of view, it is not the case for mountain hunting as they are bulky and adds unnecessary weight to the hunting gear.
The best compromise is 40mm in diameter. This allows sufficient light transmission to capture crisp images and is not heavy.
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What Should I Look for in a Hunting Scope?
There are several considerations to keep in mind when scouting for a hunting scope. First up, is the magnification. The choice of magnification will depend on what you will be hunting and how far you will be shooting from.
Stalking a small game up to 100 yards out needs a lower power of 1-4x. Hunting in forests and mountains (closed landscapes) needs magnification of 5-8x. If you go beyond 200 yards in the field get a power of 9-12x. Opt for variable power as the versatility gives you the leeway to shoot in different environments.
A good hunting scope should have a moderately large objective lens. This gives the best compromise when it comes to light transmission and weight. Hunting scopes should have fully-multicoated lenses to enhance light transmission resulting in bright and clearer images.
Lastly, a hunting scope should be fitted with knobs for windage and elevation adjustments. The best scope for your hunting rifle should have reliable turrets that make audible clicks when making adjustments. A parallax correction function is also vital in a hunting scope.
Read: Best Spotting Scopes for Backcountry Hunting
Conclusion
A single mountain hunt can be the highlight of your year and it is therefore imperative to arm yourself with the right piece of equipment before embarking on a mountain hunting expedition. The above riflescopes are perfect for shooting at Dall’s sheep or mountain goat and will make your mountain hunting a memorable experience.
Remember physical endurance is paramount for mountain hunting and preparing beforehand is recommended to make one fitter for the hiking during mountain hunting season.
We hope our reviews and insights were helpful and you are better prepared for the upcoming mountain hunting season. Which best mountain hunting scope will you bag for the hunting season?