Top 5 Reliable Rifle Scopes under $500

Finding a rifle scope under $500 can be a daunting task for serious shooters. Luckily, MidwayUSA has some of the best scopes at the best prices. Follow along to learn more about what to look for in your scope and our top 5 picks for best scope under $500.

Magnification

Magnification is one of the major decision-making factors for any scope. With today’s scope technology, brands like Sightmark are able to produce scopes with power 30x and up at affordable rates. This means that no matter the budget, you can shoot with the magnification you need.

Reticles

Numerous affordable scopes feature illuminated reticles and other advanced reticle options. Long-range shooters can rest assured that elevation and windage adjustments can be made. Scopes like the Athlon Optics Hera offer MOA and MIL reticle options that allow shooters to easily dial in their range of choice.

Durability

With today's technology, inexpensive scopes can offer the same magnification levels and reticle options that higher-end scopes do. One of the major factors to take into account is your scope’s durability. Having a scope that is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof offers many advantages. A shockproof scope will hold zero through intense recoil and any impacts your scope may take.

Warranty

Many of our scope brands offer great warranties, so you can purchase a scope with confidence. Brands like Burris and Vortex, and others have great warranties that allow you to get the most out of your scopes.

Vortex Optics Venom Rifle Scope

Take the first step into long-range shooting with an optic that helps you go the distance with a ton of shooter-friendly features. Featuring a 34mm tube for a massive amount of turret travel, the Venom also includes the RevStop Zero System for a fast, easy, reliable return to zero. The First Focal Plane EBR-7C reticle gives you accurate holds at any magnification, and an included throw lever allows for fast transitions between magnifications. It’s the quickest way to get your rifle out to 1,000 yards and beyond at a price that lets you go deep for less.

Features:

XD Optical System
Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
Waterproof, Fogproof, and Shockproof
Armortek
Nitrogen Gas Purged

What Customers Are Saying

Good deal for the price.

I would upgrade to this over the diamond back tactical scope because of the extra zoom and zero stop and a included throw lever to top it off. Clicks feel way better than the diamond back tactical to. The cross hairs are nice and the scope seems to track good and makes 500 plus yard shots easy:

- Nate, 7/6/2021

About Vortex Optics

Founded in 1986, Vortex is an American, family- and veteran-owned business headquartered near Barneveld Wisconsin. Vortex is a leading optics manufacturer offering cutting-edge rifle scopes, red dot sights, spotting scopes, binoculars, rangefinders, range-finding binoculars, crossbow scopes, scope bases and mounts, scope rings, and tripods. We carry all Vortex Optics models, including the Razor, Diamondback, Crossfire, Viper, Strike Eagle, and more. Vortex also offers an exciting line of Vortex jackets, coats, parkas, shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, vests, hats, rain gear, binocular cases, binocular harnesses, water bottles, and morale patches. Vortex Optics, including rifle scopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, and monoculars, are covered by the Vortex unlimited, fully transferable, unlimited lifetime VIP warranty.

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Hawke Sport Optics Vantage AO Rifle Scope

Simplicity is underrated. Sometimes, there isn't a need for bells and whistles. All that is needed is a solid product to do a job. Vantage scopes deliver performance beyond what is expected at this price point. With the design focus on functionality and performance in the field, the Vantage line represents tremendous value without cutting corners on the things that matter.

Vantage scopes feature a mono-tube chassis to provide stability and durability, to even magnum recoil. A mix of X-ACT ballistic and standard reticle options mean Vantage scopes are at home in almost any environment and with virtually any firearm.

Versatile, affordable, exceptional. Vantage from Hawke is redefining value in optics.

Features

Adjustable objective allows parallax free accuracy
Fully multi-coated lenses
Low-profile fingertip turrets
High torque zoom ring

What Customers Are Saying

Pretty Much a Sure Thing!!

Clarity on par with Leupold VX2 and Sightron S2 (not quite Big Sky level). Outstanding for the price!!! AO goes WAY past 15 yards, into unmarked zone that allows me to focus 15 feet across the room. Hawke X-ACT software, free from the Hawke website, allows you to calculate holdover for ANY zero, any mildot at any distance, with whatever cartridge you want. Effectively adds $200 in value for FREE. Built solidly, enough to handle springer airguns to 7mm Rem Mag in my own stable. These scopes are huge in Europe, basically unheard of here. You won't be disappointed.

- Larry aka GARLANDSEPT, 4/23/2016

About Hawke Sport Optics

From humble beginnings in its founder’s garage over 40 years ago, Hawke Sport Optics has become a world leader in sport optics. Today they are still a family run business in the United Kingdom with a presence in over 60 countries, expanding into the United States in 2007. From the rugged Sidewinder Rifle Scope to the high-performance of the Endurance Rifle Scope, Hawke Sport Optics offers a diverse selection of scopes for any platform including centerfire rifles, air rifles, rimfire rifles, crossbows, and shotguns. Combining cutting-edge technology and unparalleled craftsmanship, Hawke Optics has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional clarity and superior functionality. Once you’ve experienced Hawke, you’ll understand what they mean when they say Vision Accomplished.

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Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical Rifle Scope

Try not to spit out your coffee as you check the price of the Diamondback Tactical FFP after reading about its impressive performance and features. The first focal plane reticle, a feature ordinarily reserved for 4-figure-priced optics, allows shooters to use the information-packed EBR-2C reticles for ranging, holdovers or windage corrections on any magnification. Housed inside its durable, one-piece aluminum tube is a 4x optical system delivering excellent edge-to-edge clarity and sharp resolution. Exposed elevation and windage turrets are low profile enough to stay out of the way in packing situations, but offer the quickness, ease and precision of dialing accurate shots at distance. A side adjustable parallax gives shooters peace of mind by removing parallax error from the equation from 10 yards to infinity.

Features

Extra-low dispersion glass
Fully multi-coated lenses
Aircraft-grade aluminum, single-piece tube construction
First focal plane reticle
Exposed tactical turrets
Fast focus eyepiece
Fiber optic radius bar
Water, fog, and shock proof

What Customers Are Saying

Awesome Scope for the Price!!

I recently purchased a new Browning X-Bolt 6mm Creedmoor and was in the market for new scope to outfit it with. I wanted something with tactical turrets because I prefer to dial my yardage when possible. When I saw this new Diamondback Tactical model was available in 6-24x50 with FFP, I did not hesitate to order it. In my opinion, Vortex did a great job with this scope. For the price point, you get a lot of features that you don't even get with certain more expensive scopes (FFP, Sunshade, 24x Zoom, etc.). And the quality is what I would expect from Vortex. Magnification is clear throughout the zoom range and the turrets have positive clicks and didn't feel mushy to me. Not quite at the level of the Viper PST that I have on my Ruger Precision Rifle, but that's a whole other level of scope, and for my hunting rifle this scope fits the bill perfectly. I mounted it and after zeroing it in, I was consistent with sub-MOA groups. Vortex produces some great optics and their warranty is hard to beat as w...

- M. King, 8/20/2018

About Vortex Optics

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Leupold VX-Freedom CDS Rifle Scope

With the VX-Freedom you get best-in-class optics and unbeatable accuracy. It’s also everything you expect from a Leupold: designed, machined, and assembled in their Oregon factory, tested to the same ruggedness standards as their top-tier riflescopes, and guaranteed for a lifetime of performance.

Leupold CDS (Custom Dial System) models allow you to quickly dial your elevation to different sight-in ranges with a custom adjustment matched to your specific ballistics information. The CDS dials change out easily, allowing you flexibility with different loads, conditions and calibers. Every CDS dial features ¼-MOA click or 1 cm click (metric versions), finger adjustments and no adjustment covers to lose. The CDS System works by laser-inscribing your scope's elevation dial to match your load, velocity and conditions. Your scope will be in perfect synch with the way your rifle and load shoots, even for hand loads. Each CDS dial is unique, taking all practical ballistic and environmental factors into account. Detailed instructions are included with CDS Scopes on how to contact Leupold directly to get your customized CDS dial. The first CDS dial is free of charge, and others can be ordered.

Features

Advanced optical system
Ergonomic power selector
3:1 zoom ratio
Fast-focus locking eyepiece
Ultra-lightweight design
Scratch-resistant lenses
Standard finger click adjustments
Waterproof and fogproof
High-contrast adjustment markings

What Customers Are Saying

well thought out great scope

Leupold has hit it out of the park again. Great glass and the most functional reticle yet for an AR 15. Too bad Leupold has put out no info on the reticle. I called the factory and got the info. Its made for the improved combat zero. 50/200 . Just zero it at 50 yards and you are about 2 inches high at 100 and about zero'd at 200 yards. The hash marks on the reticle are for 300,350,400,450 and 500 yards. They neglect to explain this in the info on scope. The larger hash marks are for the 100 yard increments and the smaller ones are for the 50 yard in-between numbers. I just got done zeroing my scope and checking the numbers and they are very very close. Well done indeed. You can also use the turret to dial in the drop if you want. One of the other selling points is that this 1-4 weighs about 1/2 what a 1-6 or 1-8 does in the 30mm format. This is about all you will need out to 400 yards or so for hunting or 3 gun etc., all in a lightweight package

- David, 12/7/2018

About Leupold

Leupold was founded in 1907 by brothers-in-law and close friends Fred Leupold and Adam Volpel. Their company, Leupold Volpel & Co, made surveying equipment by hand. In 1942, Leupold adopted its current company name, Leupold & Stevens. Legend has it that while hunting one day in the 1940’s, Marcus Leupold missed a buck because his rifle scope fogged up. He swore he could make a better rifle scope, and that’s exactly what he did in 1947 with the Plainsman. Today, Leupold is an industry leader in the manufacturing of performance optics including hunting rifle scopes, target rifle scopes, tactical rifle scopes, pistol scopes, shotgun scopes, rimfire scopes, muzzleloading scopes, red dot sights, scope mounts, binoculars, range finders, spotting scopes and performance shooting glasses and sunglasses. So be bold. Be Tenacious. Be Relentless. Leupold performance optics are built by hard-working Americans who are committed to upholding Leupold’s legacy of quality craftsmanship.

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Athlon Optics Argos BTR Gen 2 Rifle Scope

For those of you that are just getting started in the PRS or are looking to start, take a close look at the Argos BTR GEN2 family of scopes. These scopes have features normally only found on high-end scopes. They have a 4x magnification making them versatile in multiple shooting disciplines. They also feature Precision True Zero Stop and Advanced Fully-Multi Coated Optics that delivers a crystal clear bright image in in low-light environments. The Argos BTR GEN2 also has our exclusive XPL coating that protects your lenses from dirt, grease, and harsh weather conditions. The aircraft grade aluminum tube will protect these world class optics no matter what punishment you throw at it.

Features

First Focal Plane
Illuminated Reticle
Etched Glass Reticle
Fully Multicoated
Precision Zero Stop System
6061 T6 Aluminum
Heat Treated One Piece Tube Construction
Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof
Argon Purged

What Customers Are Saying

Great scope for the money

I've been in the market for a 1-8 lpvo to throw on my M1A build. I stumbled across Athlon scopes and decided to check them out. I tossed it back and forth between a couple of other brands, but ultimately felt that Athlon produced the best optic for my needs and budget. Comparatively, the Argos 1-8x is one of the shortest, lightest scopes in its class under the $400 mark. Frankly it's hard to beat. Athlon happens to be based in my home state. So I wanted to keep the money local and support them. Any potential warranty issues should be dealt with fairly easily. I ordered the scope on Friday morning and I received it just before noon today, the 21st of June. Pretty impressive shipping considering many of the parts I've purchased from other distributors have taken weeks to arrive. I proceeded to mount the optic to evaluate the clarity and zoom function and get a feel for the illuminated reticle. The first thing I noticed glancing through the optic was the fairly clear glass. I won't sugar coat anything,...

- Tim the toolman, 6/21/2020 Shop Now