Top 5 Reliable Rifle Scopes under $500

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

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

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

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
  
  

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