Any successful western hunt begins with a quality riflescope. Elk are the most hunted big game species and every eastern and mid-west hunter dreams about taking one down. These species are extremely fast and always alert, and you will require a good-quality optic to have a rewarding hunting experience.
Western hunting also requires a lot of patience and dedication as well as cautiousness because most of these big game animals that we hunt are incredibly fierce. There is a wide variety of western hunting riflescopes available in the market today so no hunter is left behind.
However, with the multiple choices available, choosing what scope to buy or leave behind is one of the toughest decisions hunters make. To guide you in making the right selection, here is a review of the best western hunting scopes to choose from. Let’s take a look.
#1) CVLIFE 3-9×40 Optics R4 Scope
CVLIFE 3-9×40 Optic makes your western hunting experience fun and rewarding. Available in a compact and lightweight design, this optic is highly convenient when it comes to hunting. The versatile 3-9x magnification is ideal for both close and mid-range shooting while the precise windage and elevation adjustments enhance shooting accuracy.
Built on a tough 1” machined aluminum tube, this optic delivers reliable strength and durability second to none. It is completely sealed and nitrogen-filled to deliver reliable waterproof and fog-proof performance, so you can use it under any weather conditions. The fully multi-coated lenses provide brilliant images full of clarity and color contrast.
Moreover, the generous eye relief provides comfortable target views while keeping you safe from heavy recoil rifles. With all these impressive features, you rest assured that you are getting great value from this scope.
Key Features
- Decent eye relief.
- Completely waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.
- Fully multi-coated lens for brilliant light transmission.
- Lightweight, compact and convenient for hunting.
- Scratch-proof lens coating.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction.
- Precise elevation and windage adjustment turrets.
- Fast focus eyepiece.
- User-friendly 3-9x power ring.
- Great value for money
#2) Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 Black Matte Riflescope
Western hunting is made better using the Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 Black Matte Riflescope. Specially designed to meet the needs of every big game hunter, Nikon Prostaff will never let you down. It boasts a fully multi-coated optical system that delivers bright and clear images from dusk to dawn.
The coating also sheds off all dirt, oil, and fingerprints while makes sure that the lenses are scratch-proof. The generous eye relief keeps the shooter’s eye-safe from heavy recoil rifles and also provides comfortable views of the targets. Though lightweight, this riflescope is sturdy enough to withstand repetitive recoil and provide a lifetime of field use.
The quick focus eyepiece allows easy reticle focusing while the BDC unique see-through reticle offers incredible long-range shooting accuracy. For all-weather reliability, this optic is fully waterproof for protection when the scope accidentally falls in water and fog proof to ensure clear image views even with temperature changes.
Key Features
- Generous eye relief.
- Versatile 3-9x magnification.
- Large 40mm objective lens.
- Remarkable optical finesse.
- Fully waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
- Quick focus eyepiece.
- Sturdy and durable construction.
- Lightweight yet tough and recoil-proof.
- BDC reticle.
- Fully multi-coated optical system.
- Zero-reset turrets with spring-loaded adjustment knobs.
- Precise windage and elevation adjustment
#3) Vortex Optics Viper HS 2.5-10×44 SFP Riflescope
Big game hunting gets better with a powerful riflescope such as the Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10×44. Fully equipped with a variety of high-end features, this optic is available at a reasonable price for hunters on a budget. It features an advanced optical system that provides optical finesse second to none.
The XR multi-coated lenses deliver bright and clear image views regardless of the lighting conditions. Additionally, the ultra-hard, scratch-resistant Armortek coating protects the exterior lenses from dirt, oil, and scratches.
Made to provide a lifetime of field use, the Viper HS scope is built with tough and durable materials, and its argon-purged to provide reliable waterproof and fog-proof performance.
The whole unit also features a hard-anodized matte finish that enhances durability while also camouflaging the hunter’s position. With a 4x zoom, this scope is ideal for both close and medium-range shooting. Weighing just 1 pound, it makes the perfect scope for backpacking or travel.
Key Features
- Multi-purpose 4x zoom.
- Fully waterproof and fogproof.
- Outstanding image clarity and brightness.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- Durable, hard-anodized black matte finish.
- Capped reset turrets.
- Lightweight, compact and convenient for hunting.
- Sturdy and durable aluminum construction.
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle.
- Tough, scratch-resistant Armortek coating.
- 30mm main tube construction.
#4) Simmons 8-point 3-9x50mm Riflescope
If you in the market for a western hunting riflescope that’s easy on the wallet, Simmons 8-point 3-9x50mm Riflescope is your ideal scope. This riflescope comes with an array of high-quality features suitable for all avid hunters. For instance, its lenses are fully multicoated to deliver bright and crisp images with color fidelity from dusk to dawn.
The rifle scope also provides remarkable accuracy in a basic riflescope thanks to the 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustment turrets that are intuitive and easily adjusted.
The QTA eyepiece ensures effortless reticle focusing for quick target acquisition while the generous eye relief provides a comfortable target view and keeps your eyes safe from heavy recoil rifles.
Furthermore, this riflescope is fully waterproof and fogproof. This means that you go hunting with it no matter the weather conditions and expect reliable performance.
In addition to that, the versatile 3-9x magnification is ideal for shooting at varying distances and it has a large field of view for easy target identification. The whole unit weighs about 0.63 pounds, so it’s convenient for hunting and doesn’t add any unnecessary weight to your hunting rifle.
Key Features
- Waterproof and fogproof.
- Shockproof and recoil resistant.
- QTA eyepiece for easy reticle focusing.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- 1/4-MOA sure grip audible click windage and elevation adjustments.
- Multi-purpose 3-9x magnification, 50mm objective lens.
- Decent 3.75-inch eye relief.
- True Zero fingertip windage and elevation adjustment system.
- Versatile triplex reticle.
- Matte black finish.
- Lightweight and convenient for hunting.
- Wide field of view.
- Sturdy and durable construction to ensure a lifetime of field use.
#5) Vortex Optics Diamondback 1.75-5×32 SFP Riflescope
Hunting big games such as elk requires a good quality scope like the Diamondback 1.75-5×32 SFP Riflescope. The scope features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle, an important feature when it comes to hunting at varying distances where estimating hold-over is a concern.
Designed to maximize your shooting accuracy, this optic features a one-piece construction that is not only more precise but also more durable. It is crafted from durable and high-grade aluminum which ensures a lifetime of field use.
Additionally, a hard-anodized finish enhances the scope’s durability while helping camouflage the hunter’s position. The multi-purpose 1.75-5x magnification brings far-away targets to close, while the metal-on-metal precision turrets allow zero reset after sighting in. And that’s not all.
This scope also features a fast-focus eyepiece for easy reticle focusing and the lenses are fully multicoated to provide bright and clear target views from dusk to dawn. For all-weather reliability, the scope is fully waterproof and fogproof as well. It is also lightweight and very convenient for hunting.
Key Features
- Sturdy and durable aluminum construction.
- Generous eye relief.
- Lightweight and convenient for hunting.
- Hard anodized finish.
- Fast focus eyepiece.
- 1-inch main tube construction.
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- Precision glide erector system that ensures accurate tracking and repeatability.
- Metal on metal precision turrets.
- 100% waterproof and fogproof.
#6) Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope
With its VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm riflescope, Leupold has a big game scope known to work in almost any hunting environment. Featuring an extremely versatile magnification range, this optic is ideal for hunting at both close and long ranges. Made with aircraft-grade aluminum, this optic is punisher-tested to ensure a lifetime of field use even under the harshest recoil.
Additionally, it has a matte finish which reduces glare and helps camouflage the hunter’s position. The DiamondCoat lens coating delivers bright and clear images regardless of the lighting conditions and also offers the greatest level of abrasion resistance. Every hunter wants a weatherproof scope that’s all-weather reliable and this scope provides exactly that.
It is completely waterproof for protection when the scope accidentally falls in water and fogproof to ensure clear image views even with changes in temperature. It also features a Twilight Max Light Management system that delivers incredible low-light performance.
Key Features
- Completely waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.
- Tough, lightweight design.
- Superb optical finesse.
- Reliable low-light performance.
- Versatile 3-10x magnification.
- Scratch-proof lenses.
- Multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission.
- Aggressively knurled, ¼ MOA Finger clicks adjustments.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction.
- Superior quality and craftsmanship.
#7) Athlon Optics, Argos BTR, Riflescope
If you are venturing into western hunting for the first time, the Argos BTR scope from Athlon is the best scope to use. It has a versatile 4x magnification suitable for different shooting disciplines and fully multi-coated lenses that deliver optical brightness and clarity from dusk to dawn.
This optic also features a side parallax knob for parallax elimination and an illuminated reticle that provides better visibility when hunting at dawn or dusk. Built from aircraft-grade aluminum, this scope delivers reliable shockproof performance and a lifetime of field use.
For worry-free all-weather reliability, this Athlon scope is argon purged for total waterproof performance and nitrogen sealed to prevent moisture damage, fogging as well as clouding. Weighing just 0.45kgs, this optic is lightweight, portable and great for western hunting.
Key Features
- First focal plane reticle.
- Heat-treated one-piece tube construction.
- Completely waterproof and fogproof.
- Glass etched reticle.
- An illuminated reticle that provides better visibility during low light conditions.
- Fully multi-coated optical system.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction.
- Lightweight and convenient for hunting.
- Decent eye relief.
- XPL lens coating sheds off dirt, oil, and fingerprints.
#8) Vortex Optics Crossfire II SFP Riflescope
This is a classic go-to-hunting riflescope equipped with a variety of features that any big-game hunter will find useful. Built to withstand the harshest hunting environments, this single-tube riflescope is durably crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum which ensures a lifetime of field use.
The long eye relief provides a comfortable view of the targets and also boosts the shooter’s confidence by keeping their eyes safe from heavy recoil rifles. Moreover, this scope features anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses that provide outstanding optical brightness and clarity from dusk to dawn.
Besides, a fogproof and waterproof construction guarantees reliable performance under any weather condition. In addition to having precise windage and elevation adjustments, this optic has a fast-focus eyepiece for easy reticle focusing and it is also lightweight and very convenient for hunting.
Key Features
- Fast focus eyepiece.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- Versatile 2-7×32 magnification.
- Dead-hold BDC reticle.
- Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Improved, resettable MOA turrets.
- Completely waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.
- 1” piece tube for scope integrity and adjustment precision.
- Long eye relief and ultra-forgiving eye box.
#9) Hawke Vantage 3-9×50 AO Riflescope
If you are in the market for a cheap yet quality western hunting riflescope, go for the Hawke Vantage 3-9×50 AO Riflescope. With a versatile 3-9x zoom power, this optic is ideal for both short and mid-range shooting.
The enormous 50mm objective gathers adequate light into the scope, unleashing superb optical performance that will yield results. The excellent build quality yields superior strength and durability, for a lifetime of field use.
In addition to that, the Hawke Vantage scope features 11 layers of lens coating which delivers superior optical finesse from dusk to dawn. The adjustable objective allows for parallax elimination from 10 yards to infinity while the generous eye relief boosts your shooting confidence and offers protection from heavy recoil rifles. For all-weather reliability, this optic is fully waterproof and fogproof. It is also lightweight and great for hunting.
Key Features
- Highly accurate mil-dot reticle.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Remarkably affordable.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum 1” single-piece tube design.
- Extremely durable for a lifetime field use.
- 11 layer fully multi-coated lenses.
- Adjustable objective for parallax elimination.
- 1/4 MOA low profile no-snag fingertip turrets.
- Threaded objective for optional accessories.
- Long and consistent eye relief.
- Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.
#10) Bushnell 3-9×40 Riflescope
Bushnell is well known to manufacture good quality optics and the Bushnell 3-9×40 Riflescope is no exception. What makes this scope stand out among other similar scopes is a throw-down power change lever set at two different heights, which enables you to customize the scope according to the rifle you are mounting it on.
Apart from that, this scope features a side focus adjustable parallax that eliminates parallax from 10 yards to infinity. The lenses are fully multicoated to provide bright and clear target views from dusk to dawn while the versatile 3-9x magnification and the large 40mm objective are ideal for most mid-range hunters who hunt at varying ranges.
Furthermore, this optic feature exposed target turrets for easy and precise windage and elevation adjustment and a BDC reticle that ensures effortless hold overshooting at 600 yards.
Weighing just 19 oz, this riflescope is lightweight and quite convenient for western hunting. To ensure reliable performance in different weather conditions, this optic is fully waterproof and fogproof.
Key Features
- Generous eye relief.
- Versatile 3-9x magnification.
- Fast focus diopter for quick target acquisition.
- Side focus adjustable parallax.
- IPX 7Waterproof rating and fogproof.
- Throwdown PCR Lever.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- Tough aircraft-grade aluminum construction.
- Precise elevation and windage target turrets.
- Lightweight and very convenient for hunting.
See Also
- Best Vortex Scopes for Elk Hunting
- Best Scopes for Prairie Dog Hunting
- Best Mountain Hunting Scope
- Best Scopes for Coyote Hunting
- Best Riflescopes for Deer Hunting
- Best Riflescopes for Elk Hunting
Best Western Hunting Scopes Buying Guide & FAQs
Choosing the Best Western Hunting Scopes
Magnification
Big game hunting requires a riflescope with a versatile magnification that brings the target closer for quick and accurate shot placement. The magnification power of any scope also affects the distance you’ll be shooting at.
For close-range hunting and daylight shooting, a 3-9×40 scope is suited for close to the mid-range shooting of not more than 100-200 yards. On the other hand, a scope with 6-18x is powerful and suitable for long-range hunting without compromising on the clarity of the target image. To have a successful western hunting experience, make sure that the scope has a magnification of at least 9x.
One Piece Tube
How the scope is made is important for precision and durability. A scope with a one-piece tube design is going to be more precise and still offer greater durability. Such scopes are also tough and sturdy enough to withstand repetitive recoil from heavy recoil rifles.
Eye Relief
Eye relief refers to the distance between your eye and the scope’s objective lens. Western hunting means that the hunter will have to use a powerful caliber, one that produces heavy recoil.
This calls for a scope with a decent eye relief of at least 3.5”. Scopes with long eye relief allow the hunter to place an accurate shot at a distance that their eyes will stay safe even when using heavy recoil rifles.
Durability
Look for a sturdy and durable scope that will ensure many years of field use. The material used in the construction process directly affects how long the scope is going to last.
Scopes made of high-quality materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum are extremely durable and sturdy enough to withstand the harshest hunting environment. To ensure reliable performance in different environments, the scope should also be protected from environmental factors like water and extreme temperature changes
Glass and Lens
Take a closer look at the quality of glass, the size of the objective lens, and the lens coating as they affect the overall image brightness and clarity. Riflescopes with quality lens coating prevent light reflection and also enhance better light transmission which helps with image brightness and clarity.
Scopes with high-quality glass usually have amazing optical clarity for higher accuracy, but they tend to have a high price. The size of the objective lens also matters as it directly affects the amount of light transmitted.
If you prefer to hunt at dawn or dusk, you will need a scope with a big-sized objective lens to gather more light into the lens. Scopes with at least 40mm objective lens diameter will do.
Weight
Western hunting requires you to carry the rifle plus the scope from one point to the other in search of targets. This calls for a lightweight scope that makes hunting convenient by not adding unnecessary weight to the rifle.
Lightweight scopes are also easier to keep on target when firing offhand. While heavy scopes might be more durable with more in-built features, you will need to consider what is important to you as a hunter as well as what’s more convenient for you.
Read: Best Vortex Spotting Scopes
Best Western Hunting Scopes FAQs
Q: What is The Ideal Magnification for Western Hunting?
A: For close-range hunting and daylight shooting, a 3-9×40 scope is suited for close to the mid-range shooting of not more than 100-200 yards. On the other hand, a scope with 6-18x is powerful and suitable for long-range hunting.
Q: Which is The Best Reticle for Western Hunting?
A: Any hunter, not just western hunters are recommended to go with a plain reticle with minimal or no internal markings. The best reticle for long-range, big game hunting is the Duplex reticle. This reticle has heavy sidebars that usually taper to fine crosshairs in the center for accurate shot placement.
Q: Do I Need a Fixed or Variable Magnification Scope?
A: This depends on the type of prey you are hunting as well as the shooting range. However, go for a scope with variable magnification because western hunting involves shooting at carrying distances.
Read: Best Vortex Binoculars for Hunting
Conclusion
What makes a great western hunting riflescope is the right magnification power, construction quality as well as optical clarity of the lenses. All of the riflescopes listed above are quality products suitable for western hunting. Make a smart decision of investing in any of the scopes above and make your hunting experience better and more memorable.