Searching for the very best rifle scope for long-range precision capturing? We’ve achieved the analysis, so that you don’t must! By surveying the highest 200 ranked shooters within the Precision Rifle Sequence (PRS), we uncovered the gear that high rivals belief to hit their mark. This information reveals the preferred rifle scopes, manufacturers, and options that outline excellence in precision capturing.
Whether or not you’re an skilled competitor or simply starting your precision rifle journey, understanding what the professionals use can assist you make knowledgeable choices about your setup. Some common truths emerged from our survey: practically all of the shooters use first focal airplane (FFP) scopes, prioritize distinctive return-to-zero reliability, and virtually universally use scopes which are based mostly in mrad/mils. Moreover, 83% of those rivals depend on magnification settings between 14x and 20x for many levels, so that you’ll see that almost all of those scopes have greater magnification ranges.
However discovering the very best rifle scope isn’t simply concerning the fundamentals—it’s about staying forward of the competitors. This yr, we’ve seen shifts in scope model rankings, rising tendencies in reticle design, and new favorites taking middle stage. Which model climbed to the highest, and why are some professionals transferring away from conventional hold-over grids?
Whether or not you’re a seasoned shooter or simply exploring your choices, this text will enable you to select the very best rifle scope in your wants. Discover the info and insights that can take your long-range capturing to the subsequent degree.
Greatest Rifle Scope
Let’s dive into the info! Listed here are the rifle scope manufacturers that the professionals within the PRS are working:
You’ll be able to see that Zero Compromise Optics (ZCO) grew to become the preferred rifle scope among the many professionals this yr. There have been a couple of shifts so as of what rifle scopes had been hottest among the many high 200 since final yr. Here’s a have a look at the % change year-over-year amongst these high rivals:
ZCO scopes picked up 6% extra shooters amongst this group to land at 20% total. That was sufficient to edge out Leupold from the highest spot that it held final yr. Leupold represented 19% of the professionals this yr, in comparison with 22% final yr.
Tangent Theta scopes went from 2nd to third hottest however had been as soon as once more simply 2% behind Leupold. Nightforce had an analogous exhibiting year-over-year with a good 13%. Kahales picked up a couple of proportion factors to land at 11% as we speak, and Vortex dropped from 14% to 10% amongst this group of professionals.
After these, the numbers drop off fairly considerably, however there are a couple of fascinating shifts among the many remainder of the record. Apex Optics grew from 1% to 4% year-over-year, which represents a major acquire. Lastly, US Optics dropped from 3% to only 1% this yr.
Now, let’s dive deeper into every of the highest manufacturers and have a look at what particular fashions and reticles these shooters had been utilizing:
Zero Compromise Optic (ZCO) Scopes: 20% of Professionals
20% of the highest 200 ranked shooters within the PRS mentioned they had been working a Zero Compromise scope after I surveyed them on the finish of the 2024 PRS Season. That included 3 of the shooters who completed the 2024 PRS Season within the high 10 within the Open Division, which was as many as some other model among the many high 10. Additionally they had a complete of 12 among the many high 50 rivals, which suggests they had been well-represented at each degree.
ZCO began in 2018, so they’re one of many newer manufacturers on this record – however they’ve clearly already established a fame as a top-tier optic amongst these severe rivals. The corporate is led by a bunch of veterans within the optics and mechanics business in the USA and Austria. ZCO is a specialty scope firm that’s 100% centered on making riflescopes – not binoculars, rangefinders, recognizing scopes, or different optics. They didn’t begin by making looking scopes – however went straight to premium, rugged, tactical rifle scopes like those being utilized by these shooters. ZCO says, “Our purpose is to not simply construct riflescopes. We attempt to construct the very best riflescopes on the planet!”
Zero Compromise Optics has launched a couple of totally different fashions of scopes, and here’s a breakdown of what these professionals are working:
76% of these working a Zero Compromise mentioned they ran a ZCO 5-27×56 scope (ZC527), however all 3 of the blokes utilizing a ZCO scope within the high 10 had been working the ZCO 8-40×56 scope (ZC840).
The ZCO 5-27×56 scope was launched in 2019, whereas the ZCO 8-40×56 scope was launched in 2022. In order that probably is taking part in into what mannequin these guys are working. In the event that they’d each been obtainable because the starting, we would see the ZCO 8-40×56 being extra prevalent amongst this group.
The road worth on the ZCO 5-27×56 is $4,075, and the ZCO 8-40×56 is $4,250. So, if somebody already owned the 5-27, they won’t run out to purchase the 8-40 proper when it got here out.
Here’s a breakdown of the ZCO reticles that these professionals are working:
You’ll be able to see a number of the names within the reticle graph above have an X on the finish, and a few don’t. For instance, there’s an MPCT1 and an MPCT1X. I reached out to Jeff Huber at Zero Compromise Optics, and right here is his rationalization:
“Initially, the reticles had been M1, M2, and M3. These reticles had a heavy bar coming down from 12:00, which might generally block the open space within the higher half of the sector of view. Additionally they had intersecting traces at each entire mil mark. When it got here to the 1X, 2X, and 3X, we eradicated the heavy bar at 12:00, and each entire mil mark now has a floating dot like the middle of the reticle as a substitute of intersecting traces. The X-series reticles changed all the older M1, M2, and M3 reticles.” – Jeff Huber, ZCO
So, the variations with and with out the X on the finish are extraordinarily comparable, with the X variations being those which are at the moment provided with some minor enhancements. So I believed it’d be extra useful to mix these so we may get a clearer view of what designs had been the preferred amongst this group:
You’ll be able to see the MPCT1X and MPCT2X appear to be the preferred. There are 5 shooters within the high 50 utilizing every of these. Nonetheless, it’s fascinating to see that each one 3 of the highest 10 shooters selected to run the MPCT1X reticle.
The MCPT1X that the highest 10 shooters most well-liked is a extra open-concept reticle design that doesn’t have a hold-over tree, whereas the opposite 2 reticle selections have a hold-over tree.
Do You Want A Reticle With A Christmas Tree Maintain-Over Grid?
Earlier than we go any additional, let me share some perception on the subject of how they guys take into consideration reticles. A few of them use a reticle that may be very open and solely has marks on the vertical and horizontal axes, and others use what many seek advice from as a “Christmas Tree” reticle as a result of it appears to be like like a Christmas tree below the middle crosshair.
You’ll be able to see that hold-over reticles present reference factors that permit the shooter to extra simply maintain for elevation AND windage. Over 50% of those long-range shooters dial for elevation and maintain for wind, however a few of these competitions have levels the place the time constraints are so tight on a stage that you just’d run out of time in the event you tried to dial your elevation adjustment on each goal. So, it may possibly generally be advantageous to have reference factors for holding each elevation and wind.
I interviewed two PRS Champion shooters about 18 months in the past, and neither of them used a scope with a hold-over reticle. So I requested them each, “Do you not discover that you just want hold-overs in your reticle at rifle matches?” Here’s what they mentioned:
Austin Orgain, 2-time PRS Champion + AG Cup Champion: “I’ve been working the JTAC reticle for about 2 years, and thus far, I’ve all the time been capable of finding a method to run any stage with out a downside in any respect. Generally, it will get a little bit superior, however thus far, I’ve all the time discovered a method to run a stage with out having to carry off into area (watch video instance). There actually aren’t a variety of hold-over levels at matches, and more often than not, you’re not even that removed from the middle of the reticle. So we don’t actually discover that we’d like hold-overs, and never having these hold-over marks actually opens up the reticle rather a lot and makes it simpler to see hint and spot issues via that reticle.”
Austin Buschman, PRS Champion + 2-time IPRF World Champion: “I’ve been utilizing a scope with out Christmas Tree reticle for the previous 3 years, and I haven’t had a single stage in that point the place I wanted it. There was all the time a way round it. I do personal the identical scope with a Christmas tree reticle, however I simply discovered myself by no means utilizing the tree. So why have it there?” I requested if he thought the hold-over reticles may make it more durable to identify impacts, however Buschman wasn’t certain if that a part of the reticle was ever in the best way, though it’s actually laborious to say. He didn’t assume it’d ever obscure your view sufficient that you just wouldn’t see one thing. He merely prefers the reticle to be extra open.
In distinction, Ben Gossett received the 2024 PRS Season utilizing the Gen 3 XR reticle that DOES have a Christmas tree with hold-overs. There are clearly nice shooters utilizing each choices, so it largely comes down to private preferences.
Leupold Scopes: 19% of Professionals
19% of the highest 200 ranked shooters within the PRS had been working a Leupold scope. There was 1 shooter within the high 10 working a Leupold and a complete of 14 within the high 50. That does make the Leupold the preferred scope amongst these within the high 50. So, loads of guys on the high belief their Leupold scope.
Let’s have a look at what fashions these shooters mentioned they’re utilizing:
67% opted for the Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56, together with 5 of 6 who had been within the high 25. 31% had been working the Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35×56.
One major motive the Mark 5HD line of scopes has grow to be so widespread is the worth they provide. The road worth is round $2,199 (in Jan 2025), which is actually half the value of a number of the different scopes on this record. Many of the widespread scopes have a road worth of $3,500 or extra. The Leupold Mark 5HD scope clearly has all the “will need to have” options and is at a worth level that makes it a substantial worth.
Now let’s have a look at the reticles these guys working Leupold scopes selected:
Wow! 97% of those guys are working the PR2-MIL reticle. I’d say the Leupold PR2 reticle design is what attracts a variety of shooters to this scope, together with the worth worth level.
One considerably distinctive side of Leupold’s PR2-MIL reticle is the hash marks are in 0.25 mil increments. Most different mil reticles are both in 0.2 or 0.5 mil increments. I’ve heard a few the highest 25 shooters remark that they didn’t assume they’d just like the 0.25 mil increments on this reticle till they tried it. However after utilizing it in a couple of matches, they now want it. They are saying this PR2-MIL reticle appears to make it quicker to amass the right maintain with 0.25 mil increments, and so they can nonetheless maintain with the precision that’s mandatory for all these competitions.
“We designed the PR2 reticles to excel in competitors. We labored with Morgun King, Jon Pynch, Nick Gadarzi, and different high rivals from across the nation to verify it’s precisely what they wanted. The top result’s a reticle answer that’s going to cut back your muddle, simplify your capturing course of, and truthfully enhance your long-range efficiency with ease.” – John Snodgrass, Leupold Tactical Product Line Supervisor
Nick Gadarzi completed ranked twelfth total within the 2024 PRS Open Division, and here’s what he has to say about utilizing Leupold’s PR2-MIL reticle in competitors:
“The distinctive split-line design within the PR2-MIL reticle supplies an enormous benefit once you’re making an attempt to hit small targets at prolonged ranges. It’s open, easy, and quick–and if you wish to compete with the very best, it’s the reticle you want.” – Nick Gadarzi, twelfth General in 2024 PRS Open Division
Tangent Theta Scopes: 17% of Professionals
17% of the professionals had been utilizing a Tangent Theta rifle scope on their precision rifle. That included 3 within the high 10, which was as many as some other model. There have been a complete of 8 within the high 50, so it was well-represented at each degree.
“I’ve been working a Tangent Theta scope since 2019. My first time making an attempt one out was the primary match of 2019, and I’ll always remember it. We had been 6-7 levels in, and I shot a stage that was in a rock quarry. I cleaned the stage and didn’t assume a lot of it. Justin Watts shot that very same stage a couple of shooters later and bought a 5 on it and requested, ‘Dude, how did you clear that stage?!’ I mentioned, ‘I don’t know, I simply shot the stage.’ Justin mentioned, ‘I couldn’t see the targets. I used to be simply in search of the place I believed the T-post ended and was aiming there. Let me see your gun.’ He grabbed my rifle and appeared via it after which appeared again to me and mentioned, ‘Oh, that’s why you cleaned that stage!’ Justin instantly purchased a Tangent Theta scope after that match, and I’ve caught with it ever since. The glass and the options on the factor are simply completely superior.” – Clay Blackketter, 2019 PRS Champion
Many individuals say the Tangent Theta scope has the very best glass readability within the business. That could be a scorching matter with a lot of debate, however I don’t assume anybody would declare that it not less than wasn’t among the many scopes with the very best glass. There’s a lot to love concerning the Tangent Theta scope.
72% had been working the Tangent Theta Skilled Marksman 5-25x56mm scope, together with 2 of the three within the high 10. The 5-25×56 mannequin was launched in 2016, however the 7-35×56 scopes with the JTAC reticle didn’t get to the primary supplier till Feb 2024. In order that probably performed into the recognition right here, not less than in some methods.
Whereas the Tangent Theta scopes could symbolize the very best glass on this record, additionally they symbolize the costliest scopes on this record. The road worth on the Tangent Theta TT525P 5-25x56mm begins at $5,219 (as of Jan 2024), and the Tangent Theta TT735P 7-35x56mm begins at $5,790.
The JTAC and Gen 3 XR reticles had been the preferred reticle choices among the many professionals, with a lot of good shooters utilizing every of these. The JTAC reticle is a extra open design, and the Gen 3 XR reticle has a Christmas tree for hold-overs.
The JTAC reticle was designed by veteran professional shooters and optimized for PRS competitions. JTAC is an abbreviation for the primary preliminary of 4 PRS shooters: JTAC = Justin, Tate, Austin, and Clay. They’re every very achieved shooters, and if anybody is aware of what it takes to win a nationwide championship, it needs to be these guys! They collectively symbolize the PRS Champions from 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Nightforce Scopes: 13% of Professionals
13% of those top-tier shooters mentioned they run Nightforce scopes. That additionally included 3 within the high 10, tying it with Zero Compromise and Tangent Theta for the preferred among the many high 10. There have been a complete of seven within the high 50 working a Nightforce.
Nightforce is the one model that has been within the high 5 among the many professional shooters within the PRS for the final 10 years. Nightforce first launched the ATACR line of scopes in 2013, and a superb variety of PRS shooters have been working them ever since.
Whereas there’s all the time debate on what model of scope has the very best decision, distinction, and optical efficiency – many shooters imagine Nightforce scopes are essentially the most sturdy scopes available on the market. Nightforce claims that their scope tubes are 2 to three occasions as thick as different riflescopes (learn extra)!
Let’s have a look at what mannequin these shooters want:
The Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56 F1 scope is by far the fan favourite amongst severe PRS rivals. The entire guys within the high 50 who had been utilizing a Nightforce scope had been working the NF ATACR 7-35×56. The ATACR 5-25×56 F1 has been a favourite previously (and remains to be very succesful), however the 7-35 has been the dominant alternative because it was launched in 2016.
The road worth of the Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56 F1 begins at $3,600, and the ATACR 5-25×56 F1 begins at $3,100.
Listed here are what Nightforce reticles these guys mentioned they run:
Shooters appeared to be cut up between working the Nightforce Mil-XT reticle and the Nightforce MIL-C reticle. 60% ran the Mil-XT, however there was additionally 1 extra within the high 10 working the Mil-C than the Mil-XT.
The Mil-XT reticle has a Christmas tree for holding each elevation and windage, and the Mil-C is a extra conventional mil-based reticle that may be very open. Each are nice choices for long-range precision capturing.
Kahles Scopes: 11% of Professionals
11% of those high 200 professional shooters selected to run a Kahles scope. There weren’t any within the high 10 working Kahles, however there have been 5 within the high 50 – so clearly, it’s nonetheless a really succesful rifle scope.
Final yr, 93% of the Kahles shooters had been working the Kahles K525i 5-25×56 scope, however with the discharge of the brand new DLR line of scopes, there was an unlimited shift. The Kahles DLR line of scopes is purpose-built for fast-paced matches and options an prolonged discipline of view, easy-to-read clicks, an extra-long throw lever, and a parallax spinner.
This yr, 65% of the professionals are utilizing the Kahles K525i DLR 5-25×56, however there have been additionally 15% working the Kahles K328i DLR 3.5-28×50 and 15% working the older Kahles K525i 5-25×56 scope.
Kahles plans to launch the model new Kahles K540i DLR 5-40×56 scope in February 2025, and I’d anticipate that magnification vary and mannequin to be highly regarded amongst precision rifle rivals. That could be a large 8x zoom ratio, protecting from 5x to 40x magnification! Kahles is advertising that the K540i has a 40% wider discipline of view in comparison with the K525i! Discovering targets at comparatively excessive magnification is among the expertise of professional shooters within the PRS, so if the sector of view actually is noticeably bigger, as they declare, we would see extra shooters transferring over to Kahles.
The road worth on the Kahles K525i DLR 5-25×56 begins at $3,400, and the brand new Kahles K540i DLR 5-40×56 is priced at $4,600. Ouch! $1,200 extra for the 5-40×56 is a little bit stunning – however the 40% wider discipline of view probably provides a variety of complexity/value to the optical system. That might put the Kahles 5-40×56 because the second costliest on this record, simply between Tangent Theta and Zero Compromise Optics. It will likely be fascinating to maintain a watch out for that new scope at matches because the season progresses.
Listed here are the reticles this group of elite marksmen selected of their Kahles rifle scopes:
The Kahles SKMR4 reticle was by far the preferred reticle amongst these shooters. The SKMR 4 reticle changed the SKMR 3, and it solely has a couple of minor modifications. Listed here are the total particulars of the Kahles SKMR 4 reticle, together with all of the variations between it and the SKMR 3 reticle.
Vortex Scopes: 10% of Professionals
Coming in sixth place is Vortex scopes, with 10% of the professionals working them in rifle matches. That didn’t embody any within the high 10, however there have been 4 within the high 50 rocking Vortex scopes.
Nearly all the shooters working a Vortex scope had been utilizing the Vortex 6-36×56 Razor HD Gen III, which was launched in 2022. The Vortex 4.5-27×56 Razor HD Gen II was a staple within the PRS again in 2017 (view the info), and is a legandary scope – however doesn’t appear to be as compelling when in comparison with extra fashionable designs.
The Vortex 6-36×56 Razor HD Gen III has a road worth of $3,000.
Most shooters want the Vortex EBR-7D reticle, together with all 4 of the blokes utilizing a Vortex scope within the high 50. The EBR-7D options 0.2 mil holds and a Christmas tree for fast hold-overs.
All Different Scopes: 12% of Professionals
The 6 manufacturers of scopes itemized above represented 88% of the highest 200 ranked shooters within the PRS, however the remaining 12% had been unfold over 7 different manufacturers.
Listed here are the main points of these different manufacturers, together with what particular scope fashions and reticles the rivals had been utilizing:
Apex Optics: 4% of professionals. There have been 7 complete shooters utilizing Apex scopes, and a couple of of these positioned within the high 100, however none had been within the high 50. All of them had been utilizing the Apex 4-32×56 Rival FFP ($2,100) with the CLR reticle.
Bushnell Scopes: 1% of professionals. There have been 2 shooters utilizing Bushnell scopes (each putting between 100 and 200 within the open division), and each had been utilizing the Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-36×56 ($1,750 road). 1 was utilizing the G4P reticle, and the opposite was utilizing the EQL reticle.
Schmidt & Bender Scopes: 1% of professionals. There have been 2 shooters utilizing a Schmidt and Bender scope. One was within the high 100, however none had been within the high 50. They had been each utilizing the Schmidt & Bender PM II 5-25×56 ($2,800 road) with H2CMR reticle.
Burris Scopes: 1% of professionals. There was just one shooter utilizing a Burris scope, and so they had been utilizing the Burris Xtreme Tactical XTR Professional 5.5-30×56 ($1,500 road) with SCR 2 MIL reticle.
March Scopes: 1% of professionals. There was just one shooter utilizing a March scope, and so they had been utilizing the March FX Tactical 5-42×56 G2 ($3,121 road) with FML-TR1 reticle.
Maven Scopes: 1% of professionals. There was just one shooter utilizing a Maven scope, and so they had been utilizing the Maven 5-30×56 RS.4 FFP ($1,800) with CFR-MIL reticle.
US Optics Scopes: 1% of professionals. There was just one shooter utilizing a US Optics scope, and so they had been utilizing the US Optics FDN 25x 5-25×52 ($2,800 road) with the JVCR reticle.
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