Best Rifle Scope Under $500: 10 scopes tested head-to-head

Published on September 25, 2021
Duration: 14:51

This review tests 10 rifle scopes under $500, focusing on waterproof, drop, and tracking tests. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical is crowned the all-around winner for its consistent performance and optical quality. The Burris Fullfield E1 excels as a lightweight hunting option, while the Arken SH4 Gen2 is recommended for competition despite its weight and a minor waterproofing issue.

Quick Summary

The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x44 is the best all-around rifle scope under $500, praised for consistent performance, a better eye box, and superior optical quality. For lightweight hunting, the Burris Fullfield E1 excels, while the Arken SH4 Gen2 is recommended for competition despite its weight.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Testing Methodology
  2. 00:46Waterproof Testing Results
  3. 02:24Scopes Eliminated & Why
  4. 04:18Tracking & Drop Test Performance
  5. 07:45Best Lightweight Hunting Scope
  6. 09:13Best Competition Scope
  7. 10:46All-Around Winner Selection

Frequently Asked Questions

Which rifle scope under $500 is the best all-around choice?

The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x44 is declared the overall winner for its consistent performance, better eye box, and superior optical quality compared to other finalists in the head-to-head test.

What are the best budget hunting rifle scopes?

For lightweight hunting, the Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42 is the top recommendation due to its low price, light weight, and inclusion of a parallax adjustment. The Leupold VX Freedom is a runner-up.

Which scope won the competition category under $500?

The Arken SH4 Gen2 4-16x50 is named the best competition/target scope. Despite a waterproofing issue, its turrets and features mimic higher-priced optics, though it's very heavy.

What common issues were found in rifle scopes under $500?

Issues included poor glass quality ('PVC pipe' view, haze), picky eye boxes at high magnification, lack of parallax adjustment, and subpar reticle or turret feel. One scope also failed waterproof testing.

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