Back when I was a young shooter out stalking dinosaurs for food, we all started out on iron sights. We then graduated up to a scope if and when we could afford it. Nowadays, however, absolutely everybody seems to be perching something sparkly or electronic atop their favorite smoke poles. The inimitable engine that is capitalism strives to keep that market nicely stoked. With the flower of modern engineering prowess driving the train, here is an overview of the latest and greatest, the best riflescopes from the most recent SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

Best Riflescopes 2025 SHOT Show

Primary Arms SLx 1-10×28 Rifle Scope

The Primary Arms SLx 1-10×28 rifle scope is a Low-Power Variable Optic that offers better performance and more features than more traditional LPVO units. The SLx brings a full 10X magnification combined with the Primary Arms Second Focal Plane Nova reticle along with red dot illumination. It features a 3.2 to 3.5-inch eye relief so you can position the scope on your rifle to best suit your anatomy and personality. 

The SLx weighs 19.1 ounces and is 10.5 inches long. It comes covered by the Primary Arms Lifetime Warranty. The red dot illumination draws power from a standard CR2032 3-volt lithium battery available most anyplace. Whether the target is out a ways or across the room, the SLx offers superb clarity, magnification, and situational awareness for a wide variety of applications. The MSRP is $449.99.

Winchester Optics Supreme 1-4x24mm Rifle Scope

The Supreme 1-4x24mm Rifle Scope from Winchester Optics comes optimized to complement the modern sporting rifle. Featuring an easily-adjustable magnification from 1X to 4X, this optic handles everything from close quarters engagements out to several hundred meters. WINcoat multicoated lenses reduce glare and transmit accurate color while remaining scratch-resistant. 

This 1-4X rifle scope features a Second Focal Plane reticle. That means that the reticle remains the same size throughout the magnification range. SFP reticles facilitate precise shot placement at any reasonable range. Beryllium bronze springs and a tough A6063-T6 aluminum chassis ensure long service life under rugged conditions. The scoperating goes up to 800 G’s-worth of recoil. It also comes nitrogen-filled and sealed against environmental contaminants. The Supreme 1-4x24mm Rifle Scope will set you back a very reasonable $264.99.

Winchester Optics 6-18x50mm Rifle Scope

Whether the mission is punching tiny clusters of holes or bagging that elusive trophy elk, the Winchester Optics 6-18x50mm rifle scope delivers reliable long-range performance at a reasonable price. WINcoat multicoating transmits the maximum amount of light into your eye, offering excellent early/late low-illumination performance along with superb color translation. The Second Focal Plane design ensures that the reticle remains consistent and predictable throughout the magnification range.

Zero reset turrets let you adjust rapidly back to zero using either a screwdriver or a coin, and the scope includes a battery-powered illuminated reticle. The optic is 13.8 inches long and weighs 23 ounces. At $344.99, this Winchester offering represents a lot of sight for the money.

EOTech Vudu 3-9×32 Riflescope

Historically speaking, a 3-9X variable power optic was as long as your foot and nearly as bulky. Most all of us used such scopes to exercise our bolt-action target rifles or bag that first whitetail. The size and bulk of these scopes seemed foundational. And then EOTech came out with the Vudu 3-9×32 Riflescope.

The Vudu 3-9×32 Riflescope from EOTech is radically, unnaturally, lyrically short. Constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum with the sort of high-density, low-dispersion glass you’d expect from EOTech, the Vudu 3-9×32 Riflescope is only 6.8 inches long. Despite the abbreviated chassis, the Vudu still offers true 3-9X magnification, an illuminated reticle, and a 38-foot field of view on 3X at 100 yards. The Vudu 3-9×32 Riflescope offers everything you might find in a bulky full-sized scope at literally half the size. 

EOTech made the gunsight used to kill Osama bin Laden. That’s pretty high praise in the gun world. Everything about the Vudu 3-9×32 Riflescope is done as well as mankind can do it. You can even mount up an external red dot at either the top or 45-degree position for truly intimate encounters. At $1,059, the Vudu 3-9×32 Riflescope is hardly cheap, but greatness seldom is.

Trijicon REAP-IR 60mm Thermal Riflescope

I included this rig in the roundup just because a guy likes to dream. Trijicon is arguably the world leader in tactical glass. I don’t say this lightly, but their ACOG revolutionized tactical shooting around the world. If you have REALLY deep pockets, the REAP-IR 60mm Thermal Riflescope is the top of the heap in thermal gunsights.

In years past, thermal targeting systems rode in the noses of helicopter gunships and cost more than my neighborhood. Nowadays, that same technology will fit on the top of your favorite black rifle. The Trijicon REAP-IR 60mm Thermal Riflescope features 3-24X magnification and a state-of-the-art 12-micron thermal image sensor that lets you pick out warm targets with crystalline clarity even in hard dark. The sight offers onboard digital recording, and literally all the bells and whistles. It is also, refreshingly, made in the USA. If your email address ends in “.GOV” and Uncle Sam has loaned you his credit card, the Trijicon REAP-IR 60mm Thermal Riflescope can be yours for only $9,784.

Trijicon Huron 1-6×24 Riflescope

The Trijicon Huron 1-6×24 Riflescope is a Second Focal Plane (SFP) optic that takes the simply breathtaking body of institutional knowledge Trijicon has amassed producing tactical gunsights and packs all of that into a compact optical sight optimized for hunting applications. The Huron 1-6×24 Riflescope is built around a 30mm tube and incorporates BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) hunter holds.

The ruggedized design holds up to hard use in the field, and the Huron incorporates that legendary Trijicon edge-to-edge clarity. The extra-wide field of view lets you scan quickly and effectively, even in low light. Naturally, all the controls are intuitive and user-friendly. The Huron 1-6×24 Riflescope is designed from the ground up to be used on whitetail deer at close to moderate ranges. The MSRP is $735.

Trijicon Ascent 4-16×50 Riflescope

Also new for 2025, is the Trijicon Ascent 4-16×50 Riflescope. This SFP optic offers full 16X magnification for precise long distance engagements. As it is a Trijicon product, it also incorporates all of the top-end particulars we have come to expect from this storied company.

The Ascent 4-16×50 Riflescope includes BDC target holds and is built upon a 30mm chassis. Toolless windage and elevation adjustors are user-friendly and easily managed from the bench. An extra-wide field of view guarantees maximum situational awareness. Fully multi-coated, broadband, anti-reflective glass provides superlative light transmission and true detail and color along with zero distortion. The MSRP is $985.

Kahles K540i DLR

The K540i DLR from Kahles offers a radically fresh optical design that provides a 40% wider field of view over more traditional legacy scopes. DLR stands for Dynamic Long Range. 8X zoom and an “Easy Read” elevation turret emphasize speed for use in dynamic competition and hunting applications. The maximum 40X magnification will bring in distant details even for really ambitious engagements. 

Windage adjustments are available either left or right, and the parallax adjustment is integrated into the elevation turret. With fully 100 clicks per rotation, the K540i DLR offers repeatable accuracy and clearly-defined adjustments. Extra-large turret symbology is easy to read, and the First Focal Plane reticle is artificially illuminated. A 36mm tube offers outstanding light transfer as well. This is an exceptional scope, and the $4,599 MSRP reflects that.

Leupold VX-6HD Gen 2

Leupold is a foundational name in American optics. The new VX-6HD Gen 2 builds on their legacy of quality and innovation. The VX-6HD Gen 2 is a hunting scope optimized for hard use in rugged terrain. Featuring superb low-light performance and weather resistance, the VX-6HD Gen 2 offers every possible advantage in the field. 

There’s an integrated throw lever for fast magnification adjustments along with a 6:1 zoom ratio. The illuminated reticle features MST (Motion Sensor Technology) that activates the LED automatically when the scope is moved. An electronic reticle level guarantees proper orientation for those truly precise long-range shots. A SpeedSet CDS-SZL2 elevation dial makes holdovers both meticulous and quick. Naturally, the chassis is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. In addition, Leupold optics are made in Beaverton, Oregon, by Americans. The MSRP for the 3-18×50 is $2,199.99.

Swarovski Z5 3.5-18×44 P BT

Swarovski has been making world-class optics in Austria since 1895. Their Z5 3.5-18×44 P BT is designed to offer class-defining performance at an extremely light weight. Lateral parallel correction ensures a clear, faultless image at any range, while the simple adjustment turrets lend themselves to quick and easy use in the field on the fly.

There are two different reticle options, and the instrument is ruggedized against environmental insults. The Z5 3.5-18×44 P BT is rated waterproof down to 13 feet. Its temperature range spans from -4 to 131 deg F. MSRP for this family of optics starts at $1,449.

Burris Veracity PH 3-15×44

This thing is legit cool. The Burris Veracity PH 3-15×44 takes precision shooting to the very next level. Historically speaking, riflescopes have simply been a way to magnify the image of a target that was rigidly aligned with the bore of a weapon. Through a fair amount of fieldcraft, the optic could then be adjusted to ensure that the bullet falls at the right spot at the correct distance. The Burris Veracity PH 3-15×44 takes that timeless chore into the Information Age.

For starters, the Veracity PH 3-15×44 incorporates a built-in electronic Heads-Up Display (HUD) that allows the shooter to keep track of critical adjustments inside the scope itself. Simply range the target, match the HUD distance, and let the scope guarantee a precise aiming solution. Ballistics data is drawn from the BurrisConnect App via Bluetooth on your smartphone. 

In addition to all of this high-speed tech, the Veracity PH 3-15×44 features groundbreaking PEK technology. This clickless digital elevation turret offers a truly infinite adjustment range. When integrated into the HUD, the PEK means that you never have to break concentration on the target. The Veracity also functions just fine as a conventional riflescope should the batteries die in the field. Despite all of that radical technology, at $1,440 the MSRP is still cheaper than many optics without the cool-guy stuff.

Malcolm Long Rifle Telescope Gen II 

Now this was neat. The first optically-sighted precision rifles were built in the late 1700’s. While the SHOT show was awash to its gunwales in high-tech tactical glass, Hi-Lux also offered this spanking replica of a classic scope. The Malcolm Long Rifle Telescope Gen II is the perfect addition to your favorite vintage precision rifle.

Sliding Dovetail Mounts adapt to various rifle hosts. The Malcolm 6x Long Rifle Telescope (Gen II) features parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity and a 6x magnification eyepiece. A 5” extended sunshade cuts down glare, looks vintage awesome, and matches the Malcolm 6x Gen 2 long scope to a 30” barrel when measured from the breech. 3”, 7” and 9” sunshades are sold separately. MSRP is $779.

Vortex Viper HD 5-25×50

Vortex is a respected name in optical gunsights. Their new Viper HD 5-25×50 embodies all of the quality and features we have come to expect from this premium scope manufacturer. The Viper HD is primarily a hunting tool. Whether it’s predators or big game, no matter the place or the weather, there’s a Vortex optic for every hunting application. 

The Vortex Viper HD is exceptionally rugged and offers the option of custom turrets. Like all Vortex optics, the Viper HD delivers class-leading image clarity, resolution, and sharpness. The Viper HD also excels in the low light realm when game animals are most active. MSRP for the 5-25×50 model is $1,299.99.

ZEISS Conquest V4 3-12×44

The Conquest V4 family of riflescopes is built around a 30mm main tube with a 4X zoom ratio. Each of the five models in the lineup offers 90% to-the-eye light transmission, .25 MOA click values, capped and externally locking windage turrets, and a Second Focal Plane reticle. ZEISS Conquest V4 models include the ZEISS Limited Lifetime Transferable Warranty. The ZEISS Conquest V4 3-12×44 is typical of the genre. 

The 3-12×44 model is a traditional hunting scope that is both lightweight and compact. The Conquest V4 is a fine fit for any traditional hunting rifle platform. This optic is shock tested up to 1,500 G’s and has an operating temperature range from -13 to 122 deg F. The newest version includes external elevation turrets and a ballistic stop. MSRP is $849.99.

Hawke Optics Vantage IR 1-4×20 Turkey Dot Riflescope 

The Hawke Optics Vantage IR 1-4×20 Turkey Dot Riflescope is optimized for use on shotguns in the pursuit of wild turkey, Mother Nature’s perfect food. The aiming point is specifically crafted to bag these elusive birds. A 2-MOA illuminated center dot aiming point is surrounded by an illuminated horseshoe that measures 10″ at 25 yards at 4X magnification. The reticle also includes floating posts at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock to aid in rapid target acquisition. The optic has 4 inches of eye relief, capped low-profile 1/2 MOA turrets, and a precision glass-etched reticle with multi-stage illumination in both red and green.

Everything about the Vantage IR 1-4×20 Turkey Dot Riflescope is designed to put meat on the table. The small footprint isn’t unduly bulky, and the wide field of view offers excellent situational awareness. The scope is adjustable from 1X for reflex shooting up through 4X if the birds are skittish. This deep into the Information Age, mounting such a piece of glass on your favorite scattergun isn’t a chore. The MSRP is $239.

Nightforce ATACR 1-8x24mm F1 

The Nightforce ATACR 1-8x24mm F1 is a low-power variable optic designed specifically to complement a modern defensive rifle. When set on 1X with the illumination activated, the ATACR 1-8x24mm F1 runs like a red dot. Crank it up to 8X and you can reach out to distant targets with ease. The intelligent reticle makes holdovers and distance shooting easy and intuitive.

The FC-DMx intelligent reticle offers shooters precise holds at distance along with the simple red dot solution for close targets. Low-profile capped turrets, compact size, and an uncluttered profile make this the perfect optic for competition as well as duty use. Top quality ain’t cheap. The ATACR 1-8x24mm F1 comes in at a cool $2,800.

Riton 5 Primal 3-18×50 Crossover Scope 

The Riton 5 Primal 3-18×50 Crossover Scope is the optical solution optimized for the American hunter. Offering exceptional ballistic versatility, the 5 Primal 3-18×50 Crossover Scope thrives at 1,000 yards off of the bench as well as deep in the boonies chasing whitetail. This mission-driven hunting optic is built around an oversized 34mm tube for maximum light transmission.

The .1 mil capped turrets combine with the Riton Long-Range Hunter (LRH) First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle to ensure precision. A Christmas-tree style reticle set-up lets you make distance adjustments on the fly. The MSRP is $999.

Steiner ePredator 8 Riflescope 

The ePredator 8 Riflescope from Steiner infuses the baseline attributes of a traditional riflescope with some serious Information Age tech. This state-of-the-art 8X optic integrates a built-in ballistics calculator and Heads-Up Display (HUD) into the sight itself. The ePredator automatically accounts for inclination and air pressure to help neutralize the little things that can foment big problems with practical long-range accuracy.

The Intelligent Hunting Solution (IHS) interfaces with the Steiner Connect app as well as Steiner ePredator LRF 10×42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars. This synergistic combination projects real-time range and ballistics data directly into the riflescope HUD. Dial the turret setting to the displayed range, align the reticle, and squeeze the trigger. Precision shooting will never be the same again.

The ePredator 8 is built around a 34 mm tube for maximum light transmission and remains fully operational as a conventional riflescope in the absence of battery power. The expansive tech is designed to be intuitive and easy to use so you can stay in your scope rather than outside fiddling with stuff. The MSRP is $3,295.99.

Leica Fortis Glossy 

Nowadays our guns and gear are more than just tools to secure one’s person or put game on the table. This deep into the Information Age, our weapons are also fashion statements. That basic truism drives us to take Krylon to our favorite AR and opt for FDE combat handguns rather than the basic black. Now Leica has taken their respected quality optics and packed them into a chassis that is quite simply gorgeous.

The Leica Fortis Glossy starts with top-end glass and class-leading engineering. Leica has been around since 1869. They know how to make optics. Leica offers three different models in this line–1-6x24i, 1.8-12x42i and 2-12x50i. All of them are built around 30mm tubes. Modern stuff like automatic illumination with auto-on/off technology ensures Information Age performance. However, that’s just the starting point.

Once these scopes are assembled, Leica’s artisans invest 1.5 hours apiece in polishing the chassis into a piece of gleaming mechanical art. The end result is the perfect addition to your favorite truly high-end hunting arm. This is serious ballistic eye candy. The MSRP ranges from $2,550 to $3,050 depending upon particulars.

Sightmark Presidio 1-6X

The Sightmark Presidio 1-6X is a cost-conscious LVPO that runs like a monkey after M&M’s. Sightmark has built its well-earned reputation upon excellent quality, affordable pricing, and an enviable lifetime warranty. The Presidio 1-6X LPVO embodies all of that and more.

The Presidio features a CR1 Second Focal Plane reticle in a 30mm tube. The red illuminated reticle is plenty bright and has an off position interspersed between each power setting. There is an integrated throw lever for rapid magnification adjustments as well as capped turrets with .5 MOA adjustments. The Presidio can be had with either a quick detach or fixed mount. This well-executed optic offers everything you need without the fluff you don’t all in a rugged package at a reasonable price. The MSRP is $299.