Best Long Range AR Scope.
- Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24×50 Riflescope
- Bushnell AR Optics 1-6x24mm Riflescope
- Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50mm Riflescope
- Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope
- Leapers UTG 3-12x44mm Compact Riflescope
- Burris Xtreme Tactical 5-25×50 mm Rifle Scope
- Primary Arms 6-30 x 56 mm Rifle Scope
If you like to stretch the limits of your AR, a powerful riflescope designed for extremely long shots will help you cover the distance boldly.
If you are looking to use your AR to shoot to the furthest distances, you will need to pair it with a high-quality scope that will enhance your shooting accuracy.
A quality AR scope will also help you reach distances you might have thought that they are impossible to reach. However, with the innumerable long-range scopes available on the market today, choosing the best AR scope can be a little overwhelming.
To help, we have a comprehensive product review of the best long-range AR scopes and a buying guide to help you choose the right one for your needs.
What to Look for in the Best Long Range AR Scope
Long-range hunting or shooting is no easy feat. A long-range riflescope is paramount for long-range shooting. Not every riflescope offers a practical solution for long-range shooting.
Here are the key aspects that will help you differentiate an excellent long-range scope from average scopes.
- Adequate Power-A long-range scope should have enough magnification to resolve target 1000 yards away with utmost clarity. The minimum power for such a distance is 10x and so the riflescope should have more magnification to cover the distance. A magnification throw lever is a crucial addition to a long-range scope as it will facilitate speedy magnification changes.
- Fluent Parallax Adjustment- In long-range shooting, parallax is inevitable. Unless you correct this optical illusion, your shots will be poor and, in some cases, miss shots. This makes parallax adjustment a must in a long-range AR scope. For seamless accessibility, choose a riflescope whose parallax adjustment is on the adjustment turret rather than on the objective bell.
- Reticles-the best long-range AR scopes have different reticles. Some have complex reticle designs that have additional aiming points. The latter is complicated to use and will only work with someone conversant with their functionality. As a minimum, ensure the graduation marks on the reticle correspond with the adjustments you make.
- Compatibility with Rifle-To unleash the full potential of your AR, the riflescope mounting must be rock solid. The mounting used should allow you to take advantage of the reticle’s full range of movement with the scope. Proper mounting gives you a vertical offset for better optical clarity. This makes the difference when taking long-range shots.
Best Long Range AR Scope – Our Top Picks
Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24×50 Riflescope
Execution of long-range shots requires a riflescope with rock-solid build quality and application-specific characteristics. The Strike Eagle 4-24×50 is designed with a long-range shooter making it one of the best long-range AR scopes. Speed and versatility best describe the Strike Eagle 4-24×50 SFP Riflescope from Vortex. With this scope mounted on your AR rifle, you will be able to increase your odds of shooting your targets accurately regardless of how far they will be. The scope features an adjustable 4x to 24x magnification that will help you engage targets from close range to long ranges. It provides clear views at every magnification setting and comes with a thread-in throw lever for easy magnification adjustment. It also boasts a side parallax knob for increasing your accuracy when shooting long range. Another feature that makes the scope stand out is the excellent optical clarity. It features fully multi-coated lenses which produce bright, crisp, and sharp as razor imaging from sunrise to sunset. Moreover, it features a 30mm tube that is built tough to stand heavy recoil and impact. It also delivers total waterproof and fog-proof performance for use in any environment. Features
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Bushnell AR Optics 1-6x24mm Riflescope
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Bushnell makes top-quality optics and the AR Optics 1-6x24mm Riflescope is no different. The scope provides excellent features suitable for long-range shooting with AR and it’s one of the best long-range scopes for target practice at 400 to 600 yards. It is also available at a highly competitive price point. Featuring an illuminated SFP reticle, the scope provides outstanding accuracy when hunting/shooting in low-light conditions. Moreover, it features several layers of anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces which provide excellent image brightness and clarity. Another noteworthy feature about the riflescope is that it’s built ready for rugged conditions. It’s made with top-tier aluminum which enhances its durability without being too heavy. The scope is also both waterproof and shockproof for all-weather performance and added durability. Features
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Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50mm Riflescope
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This is the best long range AR scope by Steiner. It is fully featured to make your long-range hunting/shooting expedition more worthwhile. It is highly versatile and provides stellar performance for both short and long-range applications. This riflescope will help you spot your targets with ease regardless of any environment. The 50mm objective lens provides a wide viewing angle that makes it easy for you to identify your targets. Pair it with high-quality glass optics and you are guaranteed exceptional optical clarity. In terms of construction, the scope has a 34mm tube crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. It is shockproof to stand rough handling and recoil resistant as well. Moreover, it is fully weatherproof for use in all weather conditions. Other notable features that the scope boasts are a low-profile turret system, constant and generous eye relief, resettable zero stop, and side parallax adjustment. Features
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Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope
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Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope will take you where other scopes can’t. This scope features a high 25x magnification ideal for ultralong-range shooting and a low 5x magnification for mid-range shots. Even at the highest magnification setting, it provides clear views for greater shooting accuracy. The scope provides unmatched optical performance in low-light settings. It is built around Leupold’s professional-grade optical system that enhances light transmission and provides the best glare reduction. The result is great performance even in the most challenging lighting environments. It also comes with a high-speed throw lever for smooth magnification adjustments. What awaits you when you buy the scope is a lifetime of field use. It is designed, machined, and assembled in the USA so you are assured of its quality. Besides, it is fully waterproof and fog proof for all-weather performance and shockproof for greater strength and durability. To top it all, the scope provides a long eye relief for comfortable glassing. Features
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Leapers UTG 3-12x44mm Compact Riflescope
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UTG 3-12x44mm Compact Riflescope has a versatile 3x to 12x magnification that gives you the flexibility to engage targets at both close and long ranges. It also comes with an adjustable objective for easy parallax removal when shooting long-range. The scope is built on a true strength platform. It has a 30mm tube that is built tough to handle anything you throw at it. It is sealed at both ends to prevent the entry of dirt and moisture and filled with dry nitrogen to prevent the internal buildup of fog. Even better it is shockproof and resistant to heavy recoil. For added convenience, this product comes with premium lockable and resettable turrets that provide accurate and consistent windage and elevation adjustments. It also comes with an EZ-TAP illumination enhancing technology that illuminates the reticle for greater accuracy when hunting/shooting in low-light settings. Above all the scope is light as a feather, easy to mount and detach, and simple to use. Features
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Burris Xtreme Tactical 5-25x50mm Riflescope
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If you take long-range shooting seriously, you should invest in a high-quality riflescope harboring application-specific features such as the Burris Xtreme Tactical 5-25x50mm Riflescope. This tactical riflescope provides excellent long-range precision that every tactical and competitive shooter requires. The scope comes with an illuminated FFP reticle which is ideal for long-range shooting even in low light settings. It provides excellent optical clarity at every magnification range and it is parallax free from 50 yards to infinity for greater accuracy at long distances. It also boasts excellent resolution optics and high-grade optical glass that provide clear and tack-sharp image views regardless of how far the target is. When it comes to construction, the scope has a 34m single-piece tube that is durable, shockproof, and resistant to heavy recoil. It is waterproof for use in wet weather conditions and nitrogen-filled to prevent internal lens fogging in rainy and cold conditions. The scope also brings to the table advanced windage and elevation adjustments. Features
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Primary Arms 6-30 x 56mm FFP Riflescope
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The Primary Arms 6-30 x 56mm FFP Riflescope is your ideal AR scope for extreme long-range shooting. It has a variable 6-30x magnification range for both mid and long-distance engagement at ranges above 600 yards. It is built with high-quality Japanese glass that delivers excellent image views and a 6061-aluminum body that enhances strength and rigidity. The scope features a wide 56mm objective lens which provides the much-needed wide field of view. It also comes with an advanced reticle FFP Athena BPR MIL reticle that provides outstandingly accurate ranging at extremely long distances. At the center of the aiming point is a chevron tip that provides an infinite point of aim without blocking the target. This reticle is also illuminated for precise shooting in low-light settings. Features
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Considerations when Choosing the Best Long Range AR Scope
Magnification
For long-range shooting, magnification is of paramount importance. Beyond 500 yards, you can see anything on your target. But with the right magnification, you will be able to identify the target clearly and increase your odds of shooting it accurately.
However, don’t overdo the magnification. A scope with a minimum of 4x and a maximum of 15x magnification will suffice. Anything more than 15x might be overkill.
Reticle
There are multiple reticle options available on the market today. The big and most common ones are Mil-dot MOA, BDC, and Duplex reticle. Your ideal reticle type will largely depend on your preference and shooting habits. However, a BDC reticle is the best for long-range shooting.
High-Quality Glass
The quality of glass and optics is a scope that can make or break your shooting expedition. For long-range shooting, you must have a clear view of the target to place an accurate shot.
To achieve this, the scope should be made with high-quality glass such as ED glass. It should also feature fully multi-coated which provides optimal light transmission.
Durability
Look for a scope that is well-made with high-quality materials. With a high-quality product, you are assured of its durability which translates to the best value for money. Also make sure that you get a scope that’s is fully waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof.
Eye Relief
Long and consistent eye relief is equally important. It will give you a comfortable glassing experience which aids in quick target acquisition. Moreover, a scope with long eye relief will keep your eyes protected from heavy recoiling calibers.
Objective Lens
With long-range shooting, the further you go, the more light your scope needs to collect to provide bright and clear sight pictures especially when you are shooting in poor light conditions. The bigger the objective lens, the more light the scope will collect.
Read: Best Leupold Spotting Scopes
What Makes a Great AR-15 Long Range Scope?
A great AR-15 long-range scope is made of several things. First, the scope features a high magnification power which brings distant targets closer. It comes with high-quality optics which provide excellent image clarity regardless of how far the target is.
A great AR-15 long-range scope also comes with a parallax adjustment that helps eliminate parallax for greater accuracy when engaging long-range targets.
What Magnification is Best for Long Range Shooting?
When shooting long-range targets, it’s best to have a scope with high magnification. It is also best to get a variable power scope. It will give you the flexibility to engage targets at different ranges. In most cases, a scope with 4x-12x magnification is ideal for long-range shooting. However, you can always go higher if you plan to shoot at extremely long distances.
First Focal Plane or Second Focal Plane
A first focal plane reticle changes in size as you change the magnification setting. On the other hand, a second focal plane reticle will not change its size as you change the magnification settings.
For long-range shooting, it’s best to get a scope with a first focal plane reticle as it maintains great accuracy at every magnification setting.
Illuminated or Non-illuminated Reticle?
Choosing between an illuminated or non-illuminated reticle will largely depend on your preference and shooting environment. If you plan to use the scope during the day, you can get one with a non-illuminated reticle.
But if you plan to shoot with the scope in low lighting conditions, make sure that it has an illuminated reticle. The illumination provides extra light for precise shooting in poor light settings.
Final Thoughts
We do hope that you have found this article enlightening. Before you settle on a specific scope, ensure that it meets your shooting style and needs. Knowing about your shooting style, shooting skills, and individual needs and preference should help you make the right buying decision.