Best Long Range Scope Under 500 of 2022: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

You do not have to break your budget to get a decent rifle scope.

The best long-range scope under 500, for instance, is more than up for the job.

It can provide sufficient visibility and magnification, allowing you to see clearly and aim accurately over long distances.

Without a reliable scope, your rifle is not accurate whether using it at the shooting range or while hunting.

However, contrary to what many people think, you do not have to spend thousands of dollars to get one.

Best Long Range Scope Under 500: A Review

1. LEBO 3-9×40 Hunting Rifle Scope

If you are looking for high performance at a low price, look no further than the LEBO Rifle Scope.

This scope offers 3x to 9x magnification and a 40mm objective lens, which is what most hunters need.

It also offers an illuminated reticle and side parallax for easier aiming at different distances.

While these features are common in most scopes, they usually come at a higher price.

With the LEBO Rifle Scope, you can get the most out of your rifle without breaking the bank.

LEBO is a direct-to-consumer brand, which means that there are no middlemen in its supply chain.

It allows the company to offer its products with zero markups and at a lower price.

Review

The LEBO Rifle Scope for Hunting has key features that most hunters and recreational shooters are looking for, including: 

Optical Features

This rifle scope is designed with LEBO’s proprietary glass and coating technology.

As a result, its lens maximizes light transmission, enhances resolution, and improves color fidelity.

It offers brightness and edge-to-edge clarity that can rival other scopes that are several times more expensive.

In addition, all of the scope’s air-to-glass surfaces have multiple anti-reflective coatings.

The scope’s eyepiece has a wide field of view, which allows you to react quickly when focusing on moving targets.

It also features a long eye relief with a smooth-turning rubberized ring for crisp reticle focus.

You will hardly believe your eyes when you look through this scope, especially considering its low price.

Reticle Features

The reticle is crucial to a scope’s accuracy, and LEBO’s Rifle Scope for Hunting is designed with this in mind.

Its reticle is laser-etched in the glass with the TBD pattern and minute-of-angle tick marks on the elevation and windage turrets.

You typically see this type of reticle in high-end optics only.

It is virtually indestructible and does away with wire components, making it more reliable and accurate.

The second focal plane structure maintains the view in an ideal size, which is great for quick target acquisition no matter the magnification setting. 

It also makes holdover and wind drift correction at the highest magnification more accurate.

When the lighting conditions are low, the reticle’s multiple-intensity illumination provides precise aiming.

You really can’t ask for more in a rifle scope of this price.

Durable Construction

The LEBO Rifle Scope is built using a single tube, so you won’t have to worry about any weak spot in its construction.

Even better, it is made from T6061, a type of metal commonly used in the aerospace industry.

The material itself can stand up to much abuse, but it also maximizes alignment, improves accuracy, and optimizes visual performance.

The tube is filled and sealed with nitrogen, making it waterproof, fog proof, and even more durable and accurate. 

Lifetime Replacement Warranty

LEBO does product tests rigorously against extreme conditions, giving the company the confidence to stand behind its scopes.

If a product fails to perform as promised or incurs any non-cosmetic damage, LEBO will replace it, no questions asked.

A warranty can hardly be considered a product feature.

However, it bears mentioning if it offers a lifetime of protection.

Pros:

• Hard-to-match clarity
• Easy focus
• High accuracy
• Durability

Con:

• Eye relief not long enough for some rifles

2. Ade Advanced Optics 6-25×56 Long Range Rifle Scope

Ade Advanced Optics initially made private label products for major manufacturers and retailers in the firearms accessories industry.

They eventually sold affordable but good-quality products on their own and had since carved out a niche in the very competitive market. 

The Ade Advanced Optics Long Range Rifle Scope is on the budget end of the company’s wide range of rifle scopes.

Still, it has very clear optics and is easy to adjust, and is very durable.

Its 25x magnification is crisp and clear, making it an ideal accessory for long-range shooting.

It comes with the characteristics of a more expensive scope at a fraction of the price.

Review

There are many reasons to buy the Ade Advanced Optics Long Range Rifle Scope.

Here are some of them:

Durable Construction

Similar to the previous scope reviewed, this is built from a single piece of 6061 aircraft aluminum.

That means in addition to the material’s inherent toughness, there are no seams where small leaks can start forming.

It is perfect for rugged use, which is what happens while hunting.

However, despite its strength and durability, this scope is light and easy to mount.

It weighs 2.3 pounds and is 19.5 inches long with covers. The package also includes the lens shade.

Extended Range

The Ade Advanced Optics Long Range Rifle Scope offers 6x magnification at the lowest power, while 25x magnification at the highest.

If you love target shooting at the range. This scope will get the job done for you.

It can help maintain your accuracy at extended distances.

Even better, it provides a wide field of view when using the 6X magnification while still being able to zoom to 25X.

This feature is important since the slightest movements of your target will seem huge at magnification levels this high.

It is easy to lose track of your prey if you have a limited field of view.

With this variable scope on your rifle, you won’t miss any action, whether hunting or target shooting.

High Precision

This scope comes with an illuminated Mil-DotBar reticle that makes range estimation easier.

It lets you compensate for bullet drop and the wind with greater accuracy, even under low light conditions.

The scope can also be adjusted by up to 140 MOA, giving you total control and precision when sighting your target.

The scope can magnify images several times, which is good if you are dealing with long-distance targets.

It also means that the slightest disruptions can distort your view significantly.

The good thing is that this scope has O-ring seals that prevent fogging, whether from your breath or the surroundings.

It also uses synthetic grease and water-resistant sealants to keep the lens clear. 

Flexibility

The Ade Advanced Optics Long Range Rifle Scope has variable power.

It is excellent for high-pressure situations like hunting, where targets can change distances quickly.

With this scope, you won’t have to waste too much time switching between your binoculars and your rifle.

You won’t have to stop and replace your scope either as you chase your target.

Pros:

• Accurate Mil-DotBar reticle
• High level of magnification
• Better target view
• Fog resistance

Cons:

• Numerous adjustments
• A bit fuzzy beyond 300 yards

3. Sniper KT 12-60×60 SAL Long Range Rifle Scope

The Sniper brand rifle scope is made by a company called Texas Precision Optics Inc.

Aside from scopes, it also manufactures and imports mounting hardware, rail systems, binoculars, tac gear, and other tactical accessories.

The Sniper KT SAL Long Range Rifle Scope is its flagship product and one of its more expensive offerings.

You can use it to scan targets up to 2200 yards away and still get decent clarity.

Its illuminated reticle is glass-etched, which is what you expect from high-quality scopes.

Still, it is more affordable than name-brand products available in the market today.

Review

This scope slightly pushes the boundary of our “under 500” label, but it is worth every penny.

Here are some of its key features:

Magnifying Power

At a rating of up to 60x magnification, this scope packs the most power among the scopes we reviewed so far.

It also has the biggest objective lens at 60 millimeters.

With this scope, you can easily see your target at distances of over a thousand yards.

What is more, you can see the images clearly with its decent-sized lens.

There is no doubt that it can significantly improve your performance in the shooting range.

That said, with a weight of 2.5 pounds, this scope is a bit on the heavy side.

It is easy to lose track of distant objects with erratic movements of your rifle, so this can be a problem.

Make sure that you have a stable tripod when using the scope for long-range sighting.

Accurate Sighting

The Sniper KT Long Range Rifle Scope comes with a red and green illuminated reticle etched on glass.

This feature allows you to make highly accurate shots even under poor lighting conditions.

It means that you can still use your rifle in bad weather where there’s dim light.

The illuminated reticle also comes in very handy if you love hunting, especially for deer.

These animals are known to appear in the first hours of the morning or the last hours of the afternoon.

Protection From the Environment

When you are out hunting, you often get exposed to harsh weather conditions.

It can rain at any given time, or the area can simply be damp.

All these situations can cause your lens to fog up and mess with your vision.

This scope can stand up to the environment and prevent fogging.

The scope bodies are purged with nitrogen then sealed with water-resistant O-rings. Making the scope fog proof and waterproof.

This feature helps maintain the clarity of your target even if it is raining or the weather is humid.

Precision Control

When it comes to long-range shooting, it is important to have precise control over the sighting adjustment.

This is what you will get with the Sniper KT Long Range Rifle Scope.

It has an adjustment knob that offers ⅛ MOA clicks, allowing you to make minute changes as needed.

Pros:

• Illuminated reticle for accuracy
• Precise adjustments
• Fog proof
• Waterproof

Con:

• A bit heavy

4. WestHunter Optics HD 6-24X50 FFP Hunting Rifle Scope

Westhunter supplies rifle scopes and other hunting accessories to North and South America, Europe, and other parts of the globe.

West hunter has been operating for a decade. The company is known for high-quality, affordable products.

The Westhunter Optics HD Hunting Rifle Scope is one of its mid to high-tier offerings.

Where it lies in their product line’s price range depends on which package you choose.

You can get one with the basic accessories, the Dovetail shooting kit, or the Picatinny shooting kit.

In any case, you end up with an excellent rifle scope for a great price.

Review

Here are the most notable features of the Westhunter Optics HD Hunting Rifle Scope:

First Focal Plane

Today, most scopes have second focal plane reticles or SFP, so the reticle size does not change regardless of the magnification.

If you are not shooting targets at particularly long distances, this setup is great for you.

However, the Westhunter Optics HD Hunting Rifle Scope uses the first focal plane or FFP.

With the FFP, the reticle size changes depending on which magnification you use.

The crosshair on a target that is magnified 20 times is thicker than the image, magnified only five times.

This is generally a better setup when using the sight for range estimating.

Vision and Sighting

This scope has a long eye relief of 100 millimeters or 3.94 inches.

This scope uses high-quality glass, and the reticle is clearly etched.

The reticle is calibrated in MIL, and the points of aim for elevation, windage, and range are well-defined.

It has lockable turrets with 1/10 MIL adjustment clicks for precision adjustment.

You can quickly reset it to zero after sighting in.

It is also built with HD optics, making a wide field of view possible.

All these features give this scope unmatched clarity and sighting.

Fully Multicoated Glass

Some scopes are fully coated, while others are multicoated.

This scope features a fully multicoated glass, which means that all of its lenses are multicoated.

This feature allows it to transmit light at a very high rate.

It also reduces glare and eliminates fogging for clearer and brighter targets even at high magnification levels.

Durable Build

Similar to the other scopes discussed so far, this scope is made from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy.

This material is extremely durable, able to stand up to a severe beating and harsh weather conditions.

The scope tube is nitrogen-charged and sealed, making it shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.

What is more, it passes Westhunter’s strict quality tests with flying colors.

Pros:

• High value-to-cost ratio
• Excellent accuracy at high ranges
• Precise adjustment clicks on turret
• Wide field of view
• Superb construction

Con:

• Not suited for traditional shooters using SFP

5. Feyachi RFS-21 6-24x50mm AOEG Scope

Feyachi is a relative newcomer in the outdoor sports category.

Still, it is becoming one of the top suppliers of high-quality products all over the world.

The RFS-21 AOEG Scope is a mid-tier offering from its long line of very affordable rifle scopes and accessories. 

It comes with red and green illumination range-finding reticle for faster and more accurate target acquisition.

It also offers up to 24x magnification and 50-millimeter objective diameter. 

While these features are not industry-leading, they are hard to find in scopes within this price range.

Review

The Feyachi RFS-21 offers a lot of value for a scope that operates in the low-tier market.

Here are some of the key features that you can expect from it:

Multicoated Lens

This scope comes with a multicoated lens that offers crisp images and better visibility.

It also improves the scope’s refractive properties allowing it to transmit more light and reduce the glare.

Again, other scopes are fully multicoated and can perform better.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly scope that won’t put any strain on your wallet, though, this is your best option. 

Decent Magnification

With a rating of 6x to 24x magnification, this scope offers decent power.

It also has an objective diameter of 50 millimeters and an eye relief ranging from 75.94 to 81.53 millimeters.

When shooting targets at distances of 100 to 200 yards, this scope will get the job done for you.

Target Acquisition

You need to be able to lock on your target quickly, especially if you are hunting.

This scope’s range-finding reticle can help you do this.

It has five levels of illumination and comes with a front focus eyepiece adjustment.

Durable Construction

This scope is built from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, similar to its more expensive counterparts.

It is fully anodized in matte black, giving it a sleek appearance.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Great value for its price
• Surprisingly good build

Con:

• Specs are a bit low

What Is the Best Long Range Scope Under $500?

While all these scopes can offer great value for your money, one stands out as the best long-range scope under 500: the Westhunter Optics Hunting Rifle Scope.

This Scope offers decent magnification and objective diameter with unrivaled target clarity.

It uses FFP, which more and more shooters prefer these days.

This scope is packed full of other features. Which is very surprising for a scope in its price range.

If you want the most bang for your buck, this scope is your best option.