Best‌ ‌Scout‌ ‌Scopes:‌ ‌Reviews‌ ‌and‌ ‌Buying‌ ‌Guide‌ ‌

How good are you at handling a scout rifle? For some, handling a scout rifle is as easy as slicing through butter. For others, it can be as difficult as climbing a slippery mountain with a pack of wolves chasing after you.

However, it doesn’t matter which category you fall into. Whether you’re a scout rifle expert or an amateur, you need to back up your rifle with a quality scout scope for maximum performance.

Now, even though we’re egging you on to get the best scout scope for your rifle, we understand that it may be a tad difficult to make the right decision. Thus, in this article, we’d be reviewing the best scout rifle scopes to add to your collection. Let’s take a look at them.

When it comes to finding the best scout scope, we highly recommend the Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5. This scout scope is our top choice for a number of reasons. For starters, it comes with very generous eye relief. It also features a red dot sight that would definitely make your plinking experience more exciting.

The Best Scout Rifle Scopes Are:

ProductDetails
1. Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5

  • Manufacturer: Sig Sauer
  • Material: Plastic
  • Size: 1x20mm
  • Included components: red-dot-sights
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2. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32

  • Manufacturer: Vortex Optics
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Size: One size
  • Included components: riflescope, removable lens covers, lens cloth
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3. Aim Sports 2-7x32 Scout Scope

  • Manufacturer: AIM Sports
  • Size: 2-7x32mm
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4. UTG 2-7x44 30mm Long Eye Relief Scout Scope

  • Size: 2-7x44 30mm
  • Included components: A metal lithium battery
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5. Leupold Fx-II Scout 2.5x28mm Duplex

  • Manufacturer: Leupold
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Size: 2.5x28mm
  • Included components: Riflescope
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6. Leupold 119675 VX-R 1.5-5 x33mm Illuminated Scout Scope

  • Manufacturer: Leupold
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Size: 1.5-5 x33mm
  • Included components: Riflescope
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7. Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint 1-4x24 Dual-illuminated Riflescope

  • Manufacturer: United Sporting Company
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Size: 1-4x24mm
  • Included components: Scope, sticker, lens pen, lens caps, manual, warranty card
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8. Nikon P-tactical Superdot Black

  • Manufacturer: Nikon Sport Optics
  • Material: Virgin Wool
  • Included components: Red dot scope
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9. Bushnell Trophy Scout Rifle Scope with Multi-x Reticle

  • Manufacturer: Bushnell
  • Size: 2-7x36mm
  • Included components: Lens cover
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1. Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 — Our Top Choice

Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot Sight, Black

Now, you’re probably wondering why this scout scope is our top choice considering the fact that it is a really unconventional tool. We’d tell you why in a bit. If you have an unconventional rifle and you’re looking for a high-tech scope to back it up, this is your best bet.

The Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 is a great choice for users who want a top scope for plinking. If you have survival in mind,  you should probably try out other options. Now, to the real reason why this unconventional scout scope is our top pick:

It comes with ample eye relief, making it easy for you to find the target and aiming point. What’s more, it features a red dot sight that’d greatly enhance and improve your shooting fun.

What we especially love about the Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 is that it has a MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) that comes on immediately it senses motion. In the same vein, it also automatically shuts down immediately you’re done, preventing your battery life from depleting.

However, what we don’t like about this scout scope is that the red dot (which is the fun part, actually) may malfunction at times.

Specs

  • Manufacturer: Sig Sauer
  • Material: Plastic
  • Size: 1x20mm
  • Included components: red-dot-sights

Pros

  • Comes with motion-sensing technology that extends battery life
  • Comes with efficient anti-reflection lens coatings to reduce surface reflection

Cons

  • The red dot sight may malfunction at times.

Conclusion

The Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 may be an unconventional tool but is an exceptional choice especially if you love plinking. However, if you haven’t fallen in love with this scout scope just yet, we still have a variety of options for you to choose from.

Overall Rating – 4.7/5

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2. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 — Best Value

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32 Second Focal Plane, 1-inch Tube Riflescope - Dead-Hold BDC Reticle

Now, we know how frustrating it could be to spend loads of money on a scope that won’t give you your money’s worth. Well, this isn’t the case with the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32. If you’re familiar with the Vortex brand, you probably already know that this company does not slack when it comes to durability and ruggedness.

This scout scope is as durable as they come, thanks to its rugged build. The Vortex Optics Crossfire scout scope is crafted out of a single piece of anodized aluminum. Did we forget to mention that this exceptional scope is fog-proof, waterproof and shockproof? Our bad. Its housing is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, making it your perfect companion in tough terrains or survival situations.

What we love the most about the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 scout scope is that it offers a very bright and clear view of your target, thanks to its anti-reflective, multi-coated lenses. Thus, you can always sight your target even in low-light conditions.

On the downside, there have been user complaints about the objective lens not being adjustable.

Specs

  • Manufacturer: Vortex Optics
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Size: One size
  • Included components: riflescope, removable lens covers, lens cloth

Pros

  • Durable and rugged build
  • It is fog-proof, waterproof and shockproof
  • Has a fast-focus eyepiece
  • Very affordable. This scout scope costs under $200

Cons

  • The objective lens may not be adjustable

Conclusion

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 scout scope is a great choice, especially if you want to get the best value for your money. It is durable and comes with a generous eye relief of 9.45 inches. With this scout scope, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your hunting experience.

Overall Rating – 4.3/5

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3. Aim Sports 2-7×32 Scout Scope — Best Under 100

AIM SPORTS 2-7X42 30mm Scout Scope/Rangefinder

If you’re on a budget, then this amazing scout scope will help you get maximum performance while saving a huge chunk of money at the same time. This scout scope costs under $100 but gives more expensive brands a run for their money.

You know how they say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover? Well, you shouldn’t judge this scope by its price tag because it will surpass your expectations. This scout scope offers variable magnification which ranges from 2x-7x.

Our favorite feature of this scope is that it has a 44mm objective lens which provides enhanced light transmission, making it easy to shoot in low light. It also features a seamless reticule for long-distance precision shooting.

On the downside, users may observe “spots” when looking through the scope, even when it’s completely clean. This can be really distracting and may end up ruining your experience.

Specs

  • Manufacturer: AIM Sports
  • Size: 2-7x32mm

Pros

  • Very affordable.
  • Gives great value for your money
  • Great choice for long-distance precision shots.

Cons

  • The scope may develop spots over time.

Conclusion

The AIM Sports 2-7×32 Scout Scope is a great choice if you’re trying to stick to a low budget. However, we’re going to admit. It isn’t exactly the best out there. Over time, it may have glitches just like the “spots” we mentioned earlier.

If you’re looking for something more high-tech, we suggest you try out other alternatives. Remember: it’s going to cost you more money. On the other hand, if you’d really prefer a scout scope below $100, then this is your best option.

Overall Rating – 3.9/5

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4. UTG 2-7×44 30mm Long Eye Relief Scout Scope

UTG 2-7X44 11" - 9.5" Long Eye Relief 30mm Scout Rifle Scope Glass Reticle

Judging from the name of this scout scope, you can already tell it’s a prize when it comes to eye relief. The UTG 2-7×44 30mm long eye relief scout scope is a great tool if you’re looking for a scope with generous eye relief. It is best for hunters who want to shoot targets at a longer range.

This scout scope works on a simple lithium battery and offers high-grade, EZ-TAP illumination, helping it to accommodate all types of weather conditions. However, that’s not the best part yet.

What we love best about the UTG 2-7×44 30mm long eye relief scout scope is that it ensures that you get quick and perfect focus when hunting. It also has an impressive parallax adjustment system with adjustments from 10 yards and even up to infinity.

On the downside, this scout scope is a bit bulky. If you’re used to lightweight scopes, you’d probably find this one a little too heavy to handle.

Specs

  • Size: 2-7×44 30mm
  • Included components: A metal lithium battery

Pros

  • Provides generous eye relief
  • Comes with EZ-TAP illumination.

Cons

  • A bit on the heavy side

Conclusion

The UTG 2-7×44 30mm long eye relief scout scope is a great choice if eye relief is your priority. In addition to its simple design, this scout scope’s perk lies in the quick focus which it offers to users.

If you don’t mind its bulky build, you’d definitely enjoy using this scout rifle scope. You’d also be very pleased to know that this scope comes with an excellent 36-color mode that lets you use it in a variety of weather conditions.

Overall Rating – 3.4/5

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5. Leupold Fx-II Scout 2.5x28mm Duplex

Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5x28mm Fixed Power Riflescope

Whether you’re a pro or an amateur at hunting, it’d be pretty interesting to find out the ultimate secret to sighting targets. Well, today’s your lucky day. When it comes to hunting deer, many hunters swear by the Leupold Fx-II scout scope. This simple scope is excellent for hunting within the 200-yard mark.

There are so many things to love about this easy-to-use scout scope but we’d just stick to some of our favorite features. The Leupold Fx-II scout scope comes with ¼-MOA field-click adjustability that’d help you deal with the wind out there. Thanks to its nitrogen fill process, this scope is weatherproof, making it easy for you to handle just about anything Mother Nature throws at you.

What we don’t like about this scope is that it has no adjustable diopter correction. Thus, if your vision isn’t so great, you’d need to wear your glasses when using the Leupold Fx-II scout scope.

Specs

  • Manufacturer: Leupold
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Size: 2.5x28mm
  • Included components: Riflescope

Pros

  • It is lightweight and easy to use
  • It is weatherproof and durable
  • Great for hunting deer

Cons

  • It has no adjustable diopter correction.

 Conclusion

The Leupold Fx-II 2.5x28mm scout scope is an excellent accessory for hunting deer, regardless of your level of expertise. This scope is lightweight, easy-to-use and of course, weatherproof.

For such an excellent scope, you’d expect its price to be set at an expensive rate, right? Wrong. The Leupold Fx-II scout 2.5x28mm scout scope is really affordable and doesn’t drain your pocket or bank account. Little wonder a lot of hunters seem to love this scope.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

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6. Leupold 119675 VX-R 1.5-5 x33mm Illuminated Scout Scope

Leupold VX-R 1.5-5x33mm Riflescope, FireDot Duplex Reticle, Black

At this point, you should probably already know that the Leupold brand doesn’t slack when it comes to manufacturing superb scopes and optics for sportsmen. This brand is popular for reeling out quality optics and the Leupold VX-R Illuminated scout scope is no exception. This scout scope is a perfect blend of eye relief and magnification.

We have to admit, Leupold really outdid themselves with this one. This scout scope does not just offer ample eye relief; it combines this feature with magnification and of course, their superb fire dot reticule.

The red dot sight allows for easy spotting and acquisition of targets. Here’s how it works. The extremely bright red dot draws your attention to the center of the target, making target acquisition fast and seamless.

Thanks to the high-grade materials used in manufacturing it, this scout scope is fully fog proof, shockproof and of course, waterproof. Thus, you can already tell that this rugged scope was built to survive the harshest terrains and conditions.

Crafted from aircraft quality aluminum, this scout scope is not to be undermined or trifled with.

Specs

  • Manufacturer: Leupold
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Size: 1.5-5 x33mm
  • Included components: Riflescope

Pros

  • It comes with a fire dot reticule for easy target acquisition
  • Rugged and durable build
  • Ample eye relief

Cons

  • In some cases, multiple red dots appear instead of a single red dot.

Conclusion

The Leupold VX-R scout scope is an exceptional accessory for every hunter who wants to improve his/her target acquisition skills. With red dot sight, generous eye relief, magnification, and excellent optics, this scope packs a lot of lovable features. When you combine these features with its rugged design, it becomes obvious that this scope is no ordinary scope.

Overall Rating – 4.1/5

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7. Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint 1-4×24 Dual-illuminated Riflescope

Trijicon MRO-C-2200003 1x25mm Miniature Rifle Optic (MRO) Riflescope with 2.0 MOA Adjustable Red Dot Reticle (Without Mount)

What’s the best scope for big game hunts or for shooting at shorter distances? We’d answer that for you. If you’re looking for a high-end scope that’s ideal for big game hunts, the Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint riflescope is just what you need. This lightweight and highly efficient scope comes with fiber optics that allows for automatic light adjustment.

This superb scope also has a Manual Brightness Adjustment Override which lets you adjust the light output of the fiber optics according to your needs and preferences. But that’s not all. Thanks to its easy focus eyepiece, you can make accurate shots in quick succession when using this scope.

What we love about this efficient scope is that it features a multi-layer coated lens which allows for excellent light transmission with no distortion at all. Thus, you can enjoy a thrilling hunting experience without having to deal with distortions from the lens.

Did we forget to mention that this scope operates entirely without batteries? With the Trijicon TR24 Accupoint riflescope, you never have to worry about your equipment dying or failing you in the middle of critical situations.

Specs

  • Manufacturer: United Sporting Company
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Size: 1-4x24mm
  • Included components: Scope, sticker, lens pen, lens caps, manual, warranty card

Pros

  • It features a multi-layer coated lens for superior light transmission
  • Operates without batteries, eliminating the possibility of dead batteries
  • Features an easy focus eyepiece

Cons

  • It’s a bit on the heavy side

Conclusion

The Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint riflescope is one of the best scout rifle scopes out there. It lets you make, rapid accurate shots and can be operated without batteries. It also comes with a rugged build that can withstand harsh terrains. We should warn you though. You may find this scope a little heavy.

Overall Rating – 4.7/5

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8. Nikon P-tactical Superdot Black

Nikon P-Tactical Superdot Black

If you prioritize image clarity as we do, then you’d definitely love this scout scope. The Nikon P-tactical Superdot Black scout scope isn’t exactly your conventional idea of a scope. However, its unconventionality does not limit its ability.

This seemingly strange scope is a perfect choice for people who need swift point-and-shoot action. But that’s not all there is to the Nikon P-tactical Superdot scope.

It offers up to ten illumination brightness levels. When you power up this scope the next time, it retains the previous setting, saving you the trouble of resetting it each time you power up.

The P-tactical’s durability is also pretty impressive. The core components of this scope are firmly integrated within a waterproof, shockproof, high-quality aluminum housing thereby reducing the likelihood of internal damage.

Specs

  • Manufacturer: Nikon Sport Optics
  • Material: Virgin Wool
  • Included components: Red dot scope

Pros

Cons

  • It may be difficult to mount

Conclusion

The Nikon P-tactical Superdot Black scout scope is an unconventional yet exceptional scope. If you value image clarity and illumination, then you’d definitely love this scout scope.

Overall Rating – 4.0/5

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9. Bushnell Trophy Scout Rifle Scope with Multi-x Reticle

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope with 3.3-Inch Eye Relief, 3-9X 40mm

For any expert or amateur in the optics community, Bushnell is a household name. This brand has earned a reputation for producing superb scopes and as such, we’re eager to introduce this one to you. The Bushnell Trophy scout rifle scope is a really excellent scope that lives up to the Bushnell reputation.

It offers a jaw-dropping blend of impressive light transmission, edge-to-edge image clarity and of course, budget-friendliness. This scope comes with a fast-focus eyepiece and a really impressive eye relief of 7.9 inches.

What really fascinates us about this product is the manufacturers’ confidence in it. Bushnell is so confident in their Trophy Scout Rifle Scope that they backed it up with a No Questions Asked Lifetime Warranty. Talk about Bushnell putting their money where their mouth is!

Specs

  • Manufacturer: Bushnell
  • Size: 2-7x36mm
  • Included components: Lens cover

Pros

  • It is waterproof, shockproof and fog proof
  • Really lightweight
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Eye relief may be less than what is advertised

Conclusion

The Bushnell Trophy scout rifle scope is a perfect choice for people who want a rugged, clear scope that’s also affordable. We’re pretty sure you’d love this scope but if you don’t, it has a lifetime warranty accompanying it.

Overall Rating – 3.5/5

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Buying Guide

Thought we were done? Not yet! Before making a decision, we’d like you to know a little more about scout scopes, their origin and what to look out for when buying a scout rifle scope.

We’d start off by telling you a little story about the origin of scout scopes. Scout scopes were actually created for scout rifles and we’d let you know why in a bit.

What Is a Scout Rifle?

Many years ago (and we mean many, many, many years ago), a man named Col. Jeff Cooper came up with the scout rifle. You see, when it comes to using a gun for survival or hunting purposes, you need one that can effectively tackle all challenges associated with survival or hunting.

Thus, Jeff Cooper came up with the scout rifle, a gun that can do just this. Basically, a scout rifle is a rifle designed for fast target shooting and portability. This kind of rifle is essentially an all-rounder in areas such as target shooting, combat, and survival.

Why Do You Need A Scope For A Scout Rifle?

Believe it or not, scout rifles are very much improved when used with a scope. Every scout rifle needs a lightweight, low-power scope with just the right amount of eye relief.

Even though we’ve already outlined the best scout rifle scopes above, we’d like to finish our job here by telling you what to look out for in a scout scope.

Factors To Look Out For In A Scout Scope

Ready to make a decision? Here are a few factors to consider and compare just before you buy that scout scope

Weight/Balance

Before buying a scout rifle scope, it is highly advisable to consider its weight and balance. You definitely don’t want your scope overwhelming your rifle.

Scout rifles are typically carried about for a long period of time and as such, the lighter your scope and rifle are, the better for you. You also want a balanced scope. No one wants an unbalanced scope that would cause the rifle to keep turning or digging into the user’s sides.

Durability

If you’re getting a scout rifle, you’re obviously not going to use it at a tea party. Scout rifles are usually used in really harsh terrains and conditions. As such, you definitely want a scope that can match your rifle’s durability and of course, survive in the toughest conditions.

Eye Relief

Aha! The clincher. Basically, eye relief is the distance between your eyes and the ocular lens of your scout scope (or any type of scope, for that matter).

Scopes that come with very short eye relief may be a tad uncomfortable to use, especially if you have eye problems. As such, we advise that you pick out a scope that has just the right amount of eye relief.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right scout rifle scope may be a tough call to make, considering the fact that there are tons of brands and models out there.

We won’t mention names but there are so many models out there that you’re bound to stumble upon an unconventional one (Ahem! Nikon P-tactical!). However, your decision should be based on your needs, budget and the key factors to look out for in a scout scope.

Fortunately, we’ve made your decision easier by listing some of the best scout rifle scopes in the market. Just in case you’ve forgotten, we’d do a little recap of our favorite: The Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 — top choice and number one in every shooter’s scope wish list.

However, our favorite doesn’t have to be your favorite too. If you don’t like this scope, we also outlined a few others for you to choose from.

 

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