6 Best Scout Rifle Scopes of 2021
The scout rifle is one of the most popular firearm types for everything from self-defense to hunting, and many shooters love it because it is not only highly versatile but also lightweight and easy to carry around.
But, as good as it might be, you still need to have the best scout rifle scope mounted on the gun to make it even more useful.
Scout rifle scopes were envisioned by Jeff Cooper, a gun expert back in the 1980s. They are typically lightweight, versatile and highly portable scopes that will feature a long eye relief, are low powered and designed to utilize a two eyes open shooting concept.
Given the daunting task of sifting through several descriptions to find a scout scope that suits you, here we try to make things quicker and easier with our review of top 10 scout rifle scopes and in-depth buying guide.
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6 Best Scout Rifle Scopes – Review
- 1. Burris 200261 – Best Overall
- 2. Leupold FX-II – Best Fixed Power Rifle Scope
- 3. Vortex Optics Crossfire II – Reliable All-Purpose Hunting Scout Rifle Scope
- 4. Bushnell Trophy 752736S – Wide Field of View Scout Rifle Scope
- 5. Aim Sports 2-7x42 – Best Budget Scout Rifle Scope
- 6. Burris 200269 – Compact and Lightweight
- How to Buy the Best Scout Rifle Scopes
- Conclusion
6 Best Scout Rifle Scopes – Review
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1. Burris 200261 (Best Overall) |
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2. Leupold FX-II (Best Fixed Power Scope) |
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3. Vortex Optics Crossfire II (Reliable Multipurpose Scope) |
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4. Bushnell Trophy 752736S (Wide Field of View) |
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5. Aim Sports 2-7x42 (Best Budget) |
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6. Burris 200269 (Compact & Lightweight) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Burris 200261 (Best Overall) |
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2. Leupold FX-II (Best Fixed Power Scope) |
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3. Vortex Optics Crossfire II (Reliable Multipurpose Scope) |
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4. Bushnell Trophy 752736S (Wide Field of View) |
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5. Aim Sports 2-7x42 (Best Budget) |
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6. Burris 200269 (Compact & Lightweight) |
1. Burris 200261 – Best Overall
Photo: Burris
- Eye Relief: 11-21 inches
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Field of View: 21 to 7 feet at 100 yards
- Length: 9.7 inches
The 11-21 inches of eye relief of the Burris 200261 is not only the longest on our list but also one of the best you can get on a scout scope anywhere.
This top-rated scout rifle scope is made with a Posi-lock that is spring-assisted to ensure you can firmly and securely lock the accuracy in place.
Adjustment is also made easy by the steel on steel system that is designed to be repeatable and with audible clicks. And it is nitrogen filled and purged to make it completely recoil, fog and waterproof.
With the multicoated lenses on this scope and their greater diameter, you can always be sure of getting a sight with incredibly clear images throughout the day.
Target acquisition is also made ultra-fast when using this scope, and this is also a generally well-built scope that is designed to be quick and easy to mount and sight in.
For its price, it would have been great if the scope was illuminated, but the absence of illumination should not be a deal breaker as it still works well and produces a great sight picture. Also, lens caps are easy to get and inexpensive and should hence also not be a deal breaker.
More Detailed : Burris 200261 Review
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2. Leupold FX-II – Best Fixed Power Rifle Scope
Photo: Leupold
- Eye Relief: 9.3 inches
- Magnification: 2.5x
- Field of View: 22 feet at 100 yards
- Length: 10.1 inches
Fixed power scopes like the Leupold FX-11 are perfect for shooters that are looking for something that will give them an easy time and consistency.
It is a 2.5x magnification scope that comes in a lightweight and minimalistic design to ensure that it does not add any significant mass to your scout rifle. And it features a rugged 1-inch main tube that is designed to accommodate more legacy rings.
This Leupold scout rifle scope uses some top quality glasses with DiamondBack 2 coating that enhances light transmission for bright and clear images.
Field adjustment of windage and elevation is also a more straightforward and quick process thanks to the 1/4-MOA click adjustment. And this is a complete fog and waterproof scope thanks to the nitrogen sealing process.
Fixed magnification may limit the versatility of this scope, but its advantages will outweigh the cons by far and hence you will not regret buying this scope. The price is also relatively higher when compared to others on our list but it is worth it.
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3. Vortex Optics Crossfire II – Reliable All-Purpose Hunting Scout Rifle Scope
Photo: Vortex
- Eye Relief: 9.45 inches
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Field of View: 18.3 to 5.2 feet at 100 yards
- Length: 10.5 inches
With the special V-plex reticle on the Crossfire II, it will be a perfect scope for use for a variety of hunting situations.
The scope features a wide 9.45-inch eye relief and a generous size eye box that will make it easy and quick to acquire the target. And there are also anti-reflective and fully-multicoated lenses for bright and clear images.
With the capped reset turrets that are finger adjustable, adjusting the windage and elevation is easy and you can also reset it to zero after sighting in.
The one-piece aircraft grade aluminum main tube is also made to be solid enough and highly durable, and it will also ensure a shockproof performance.
Reticle focusing is also quick and easy thanks to the fast focus eyepiece. and the scope is also nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed to make it fog and waterproof.
The performance seems to dip a little under low light conditions, but the scope should still be clear enough to take a good shot.
More Detailed : Vortex Optics Crossfire II Review
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4. Bushnell Trophy 752736S – Wide Field of View Scout Rifle Scope
Photo: Bushnell
- Eye Relief: 8 inches
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Field of View: 34 feet at 100 yards
- Length: 11.4 inches
The 34-feet field of view that you get on the Bushnell Trophy is the widest not only on our list but also among most other scout rifle scopes in its price range.
Besides the wider field of view, the scope also offers 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustment for quick and easy field adjustment.
Also, the lenses are fully multicoated to ensure that you get a bright and clear sight picture for more accurate shooting.
The shorter 1-inch main tube is also a great addition to the design as it will not only stay out of your way but is also made to be sturdy, rugged and highly durable.
You can also not overlook the benefit that comes with the fast focus eyepiece as it makes reticle focusing a breeze so that you never miss your target even when it is moving.
8 inches of eye relief is relatively small, and this is more so when compared to what others on our list have to offer, but it is still long enough for a majority of shooting conditions. A wider eyeopening would be better but what you get is still enough.
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5. Aim Sports 2-7x42 – Best Budget Scout Rifle Scope
Photo: Aim Sports
- Eye Relief: 8.5-10.5 inches
- Magnification: 2-7x
- Field of View: 7.4 feet at 100 yards
- Length: 11.25 inches
Buying a scout rifle scope does not have to be an expensive venture because a highly affordable model like this one by Aim Sports still works well and has a lot to offer.
Besides being the cheapest scope among out scout rifle scopes review, this is also a solid and well-built scope with a one-piece aircraft grade aluminum body and top quality multicoated optics that provide superior light transmission, high resolution and are also scratch-resistant.
The 8.5 to 10.5 eye relief is good enough for such a highly affordable scope, and it will ensure that shooters get fast target acquisition and safety from heavy recoil.
Aim Sports also makes this scope fog and shock resistant and is nitrogen charged to give it a weather seal. And when you buy it, you also get free ring mounts.
The 7.4-foot field of view a 100 yards is the smallest on our list but at that price range, it is probably as good as it can get, and so this is not a deal breaker.
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6. Burris 200269 – Compact and Lightweight
Photo: Burris
- Eye Relief: 8.5-14 inches
- Magnification: 2.75x
- Field of View: 15 feet at 100 yards
- Length: 9.2 inches
A lightweight and compact rifle scope like Burris 200269 tat only weighs 7 ounces is designed to ensure that you will not add any unnecessary weight to your scout rifle that might affect its balance.
Besides its convenient size, the rugged overall construction that features a solid one-piece main tube with a black matte finish for long service life.
Also, the scope uses some top-end and fully multicoated lenses that are made for maximum light transmission for bright and clear sight images.
The turrets are also easily adjustable, and they will provide some audible clicks to make adjustment more convenient. And Burris will back this scope with a lifetime warranty.
Some shooters might find the eyebox smaller, and this is more so when compared to what other models in the same price have to offer. However, the truth is that it is standard size and only requires some getting used to.
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How to Buy the Best Scout Rifle Scopes
However, shopping for the best scout rifle scope for the money does not have to be a complicated affair as you only need to keep the following things in mind.
1. Eye Relief
Because scout rifle scopes are meant to allow for shooting with both eyes open for situational awareness, they will typically have a longer eye relief than standard rifle scopes .
Also, the fact that these scopes are forward mounted and further away from the shooter means that long eye relief is even more vital for comfortable shooting.
Most scout rifle scopes will have an eye relief of at least 9 to 12 inches, and the longer it is the better the scope will be for most shooting needs. Hence, a model with 11 to 21-inch eye relief like the Burris 200261 will be fantastic.
2. Magnification
The original scout rifle scopes were low powered and with a fixed magnification, but modern versions are now high powered and with variable magnification settings.
And so as you choose your scope, you will need to understand the advantages of both fixed and variable scopes with respect to scout rifle scopes.
Scopes with a fixed magnification like Leupold FX-II are preferred mostly due to the fact that they give better shock resistance since they have fewer moving parts, but they limit the range of shots that a shooter can make.
With the high powered variable scopes, you get a more versatile tool that you can use for a variety of shots. However, these are more difficult to adjust when on the move and trying to line up for a shot and increasing the magnification causes a drop in the eye relief and field of view.
3. Lens
Lenses are the most important component of a rifle scope when it comes to the sight picture, and so you need to make sure that you get the best ones.
Like any other rifle scope , the ones meant for scout rifles will have both the ocular and objective lens, but the latter is what you will need to pay more attention two. And there are two vital things to watch out for which are the lens size and coating.
For the lens size, the larger the objective lens the better as it means that it will allow more light in so that you always get clear and bright enough images.
When it comes to the lens coating the main options are coated, fully coated, multicoated and fully multicoated. And unless you are on a very tight budget always go for fully multicoated as it ensures maximum light transmission.
Also, make sure that the lenses are designed to withstand the abuse that comes with the constant recoil when using a scout rifle and that the glass is chip and scratch-resistant.
4. Reticle
In the end, your choice of crosshairs or reticle will depend on your preferences as a shooter and what you intend to use your scout rifle for. And you will need to choose from the three main options which are mil-dot, duplex, and BDC (bullet drop compensator) reticles.
However, most scout rifle shooters will agree that a simple duplex reticle is often the best option for long eye relief.
Because these forward mounted scopes can be up to 14 inches away from the stock’s butt, your reticle needs to stand out and help you draw your sight naturally to where the crosshairs intersect. Duplex reticles with thicker hairs will do this better than most others even in low light conditions.
5. Weight
Just like with anything else that you mount on your scout gun, the weight of the scope is important, and this is more so given the forward mounting position of these scopes.
Weight will have an impact on the guns' balance and hence a shooter's ability to handle it comfortably. If the scope is too heavy, it will make lining up for a shot harder and awkward.
However, there is no right or wrong scope weight as it all depends on an individual shooter, and so you might need to experiment with different scope weights to determine which one gives your rifle the best balance.
That said, a good scout scope should be under 20 ounces to ensure it does not add too much load to your riffle.
6. Price
Your choice of rifle scope will ultimately come down to the price because you can only buy what you can afford. What this means is that you need to do enough research to find the best one within your budget.
There are many good under $100 scout rifle scope, but there are also some top-notch quality high valued models that will retail for hundreds of dollars.
Because not all cheap scout rifle scopes are a piece of junk, you need to come up with a reasonable budget and look for a scope that will meet your shooting requirements and needs within that budget.
Conclusion
It is amazing how installing a scout rifle scope can change your scout rifle. From faster and easier target acquisition to more accurate shooting and faster reloading, this scope is guaranteed to take your rifle a notch higher.
And now finding a good one is super easy as our review provide more than enough recommendations. From our review, the Burris 200261 is our best overall models thanks to a super long eye relief, multicoated lenses and superior build quality.
For the budget shoppers, the Aim Sports 2-7x42 is what we recommend because despite being affordable it still has a solid build and nice optics.