New Optics for 2017: Riflescopes

Sometimes 10 isn't enough. Here are the top 11 riflescopes for 2017.
New Optics for 2017: Riflescopes

On display at the 2017 SHOT Show were dozens and dozens of new shooting sports optics, as well as several dozen established optic lines that saw significant upgrades. The biggest push was for new riflescopes, especially tactical and long-range models. Various thermal, binoculars and night-vision units were on display, too. Shooting Sports Retailer was there to cover it all.

Remember when reading this story (and our riflescope and thermal and red dot posts) that the MSRP’s cited are only suggested and do not necessarily reflect real market conditions. Several of the pricier rifle scopes, for example, were already available “on the street” for hundreds of dollars less that MSRPs, even before the SHOT Show had ended! Here are the best binos we found.


Burris RT-6

RT-6 1x6 black-side viewAimed at the competitive shooting market, the new RT-6 from Burris is a 1-6x24mm riflescope designed for shooting speed, accuracy and easy handling. Shorter than most 1-4X scopes, the RT-6 will certainly appeal to 3-gun shooters. The 6X zoom with true 1X setting allows eyes open engagement at close range. The Ballistic AR reticle with trajectory compensation puts you on target out to 600 yards. The illuminated reticle has 11 levels of illumination. The nitrogen-filled 30mm tube is waterproof, shockproof and fogproof, with a matte finish and integrated throw lever. MSRP: 1x-6x24mm (base model), $230.79; 1x-6x-24mm Combo with FastFire 3, PEPR Mount, $373.66. www.burrisoptics.com

CenterPoint Optics Spectrum Series

LR412FFPS1CenterPoint Optics’ Spectrum series rifle scopes are the first focal plane scopes for budget-conscious hunters and shooters. The Spectrum series is available in 1-4x24mm, 3-9x40mm and 4-12x44mm models. Each scope has a full one-piece tube body and is built from aircraft-grade aluminum. The etched glass reticle is covered by two layers of glass for protection in the field. The anti-reflective coating on all lenses reduces glare and provides clear, edge-to-edge images. The scopes are covered by CenterPoint’s “Bullseye Guarantee,” which allows consumers to return the scope at any time, for any reason, no questions asked. MSRP: $199.00. www.crosman.com

From the April issue

From the April issue

Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR II-i

ET36215GI_3.5-21x50mm_Standard4[1]Designed for serious long-range and precision shooters, the new Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR II-i features Bushnell’s New G3 Illuminated Reticle, a locking windage turret, a fast-focusing eye piece and a 34mm tube — all of it in a compact package. The scope’s illumination control is integrated with the side parallax focus in one simple knob for easy adjustability. The ThrowHammer Lever makes magnification changes a snap with the flick of a finger. The elevation turret provides 10 mils of adjustment per revolution and is also equipped with the easy-to-set RevLimiter zero stop for a positive return to zero. It’s also available in a Horus H-59 reticle. MSRP: $1,932.00-$1,998.00. www.bushnell.com

Bushnell Elite Tactical SMRS

SMRS_ET1626_1-65x24mm_Standard3[1]The new Elite Tactical SMRS (Short Midrange Rifle Scope) was designed with input from 3-gun competitors and military and law enforcement experts to provide a compact scope that lines up fast, while still providing precise holdovers. The folding ThrowDown PCL (power-change lever) allows lightning-fast magnification changes. A mil-based illuminated BTR-2 reticle allows for precise holdovers, regardless of caliber. Secure, repeatable adjustments provided via the T-Lok locking target turrets. Built to handle extreme environments, the Elite Tactical SMRS will appeal to competition shooters, tactical shooters and likely some hunters, too. MSRP: $1,822.00. www.bushnell.com

EOTech Vudu Scope Line

MWO_3p5-18x_3QLFEOTech launched its Vudu line of rifle scopes at the 2016 SHOT Show, and for 2017 expanded the offerings by two more scopes:  the Vudu 3.5-18x50 Second Focal Plane scope and the Vudu 8-32x50SFP.

The Vudu 3.5-18x50 Second Focal Plane scope is designed for medium- and long-range
shooting and features EOTech’s XC High-Density glass — a rugged 34mm tube and easy-to-use tactical turrets. The riflescope also has a side-mounted parallax adjustment, illuminated reticle and removable throw lever for quick magnification adjustments. MSRP: $1,499.00.

The Vudu 8-32x50mmSFP is ideal for competitive and recreational long-range
shooting. It features a side-mounted parallax adjustment and competitive turrets with easy-to-read minute of angle adjustments. Turrets are calibrated in .125 MOA (1/8-inch per click) for extreme precision and accuracy. EOTech’s XC High-Density glass promises great detail even at extreme distances. MSRP: $1,699.00. www.eotech-inc.com

Leupold VX-3i Long-Range Precision

VX3i_LRP_4_5-14x50_FFPLeupold’s VX-3i LRP (Long-Range Precision) riflescope delivers high-end features in a competitively priced riflescope. Models are available in either front focal plane or rear focal plane, allowing a shooter to better match his scope to his shooting needs. Larger, tactile adjustment dials are easy to manipulate and feature a zero stop on the elevation. A capped windage adjustment comes with a thread protector. Reticles and adjustments are matched in either MOA/MOA or Mil/Mil depending on shooter preference. Versatile and lightweight, the VX-3i LRP will be at home on a PRS competition rifle or mounted on a back-country hunting rifle. Models available in 4.5-14x50mm, 6.5-20x50mm and 8.5-25x50mm. MSRP: $1,064.99-$1,249.99. www.leupold.com

Leupold Hi-Def VX-6HD

VX6HD_3-18x44_IR_CDS-ZL2The “HD” in the new Leupold VX-6HD stands for a high-definition optical system designed to sharpened clarity. It also features a Twilight MaxTM Light Management System for even greater low-light performance, giving hunters a visible advantage at dawn and dusk when the biggest game is moving. The new elevation and windage dials both lock in place so they cannot be inadvertently rotated to zero. All VX-6HD CDS-ZL2 riflescopes include one free Custom Ballistic Dial. To make scope mounting even easier, Leupold added an in-scope Electronic Reticle Level indicator for precise leveling and a throw lever for fast magnification changes, right or left handed. All VX-6HD scopes include illuminated reticles with a one-button intensity adjustment. MSRP: $1,624.99-$2,364.99. www.leupold.com

MeoTac 3-12x50 RD from Meopta

Meopta MeoTac 3-12x50Czech optics maker Meopta offers a new scope for AR-style rifles, the 34mm MeoTac 3-12x50 RD. This is an excellent choice for medium-range shooters, tactical and law enforcement, as well as hunters who prefer ARs.

The scope features MeoLux, Meopta’s most advanced lens coating. The solid 34mm aircraft-grade aluminum tube allows for expansive windage and elevation ranges of 55 MOA and 100 MOA, respectively, with click adjustments of 1⁄3 MOA. The illuminated Mil-Dot 3 RD reticle is located in the first focal plane. The side-focus parallax adjustment ranges from 27 yards to infinity.
The integrated illumination control is also located on the center side of the scope, making adjustment in the field quick and convenient. It is covered by Meopta’s North American lifetime transferable warranty. MSRP: $2,529.99. www.meopta.com

SIG Sauer TANGO6 with LevelPlex

TANGO6_5-30x56_LFSig Sauer’s TANGO6 riflescope is a digital, anti-cant system with cant indicators built into the scope’s reticle. LevelPlex allows the shooter, especially the long-range shooter, to remove unwanted cant from the system to +/- 0.5 of  accuracy. The T120 high-speed, low-profile turrets let a user quickly dial in their shooting solution. The TANGO6 features enhanced definition glass combined with high transmittance glass to create optical clarity in any light situation. For extended battery life, the scope automatically powers up when it senses motion and powers down when it does not. Available in 5-30x56mm, 4-24x50mm and 3-18x44mm. A 1-6x24mm non-LevelPlex model is also available. MSRP: $1,679.99-$3,119.99. www.sigoptics.com

Swarovski Z8i Scope

K15_Z8i_2,3-18x56P_Seite_6Swarovski’s latest is the new Z8i rifle scope, combining a large field of view with high level of detail and offering optimum detail recognition. Within the Z8i rifle scope Swarovski offers the first switchable reticle, the FLEXCHANGE 4A-IF. This enables the user to switch the illuminated ring around the illuminated center dot on and off with the press of a button. The FLEXCHANGE is offered in the Z8i 1-8x24 and the Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 P rifle scope. The Z8i boasts a light transmission level of 93 percent. That’s a higher light transmission than any other Swaro rifle scope. All this and housed in a slim, 30 mm (1.18 inches) main tube. It’s offered in offer four different models: Z8i 1-8x24, Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 P, Z8i 2-16x50 P and Z8i 2.3-18x56 P. MSRP: $2,419.00-$3,169.00. www.swarovskioptik.com

Trijicon 1-8x28 AccuPower LED

RS27-C-1900026_90Trijicon’s 1-8x 28mm AccuPower riflescope is built around the first focal plane reticle to enhance speed and accuracy. Trijicon uses multi-coated broadband anti-reflective glass for impressive clarity and detail.

An increased exit pupil delivers better light transmission through the 34mm tube, with a true one power setting and a full eight power. Knobs are locking and resettable without tools. It is available in either red or green illumination, with 11 power settings and runs on a single CR2032 lithium battery. The scope is offered in two new reticles — the Segmented Circle in either MIL or MOA. Compact enough for any AR, hunting rifle or carbine, the AccuPower LED is rugged and reliable. MSRP: $1,699.00. www.trijicon.com

Vortex Gen II Viper PST

vtx_rfl_pst-2_5-25x50_mrad_rVortex took its already-popular Viper PST series of rifle scopes and did a top-to-bottom upgrade on the line. Built on 30mm anodized aircraft-grade aluminum tubes, these scopes feature exposed laser-etched turrets to provide easily read elevation and windage adjustment graduations. The patented RZR Zero stop ensures accurate returns to sight in zero after dialing temporary elevation corrections. The illumination dial is cleanly integrated into the parallax/side focus adjustment knob. It features 10 intensity levels of illumination. First focal plane reticles are available in select models. In all, Vortex offers six models in these configurations: 5-25x50mm; 3-15x44mm; 2-10x32mm; and 1-6x24mm. MSRP: $999-$1,399. www.vortexoptics.com

Featured image: iStock



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