Top 5 Reliable Rifle Scopes under $500

Built from the ground up specifically to maximize the quick-handling performance of AR-platform rifles, Vortex’s new Spitfire AR 1X prism scope delivers incredible optical quality and ultra-fast functionality in a lightweight, streamlined package. The generous, parallax-free, sight picture and forgiving eyebox gets shooters on target effortlessly—even in high-stress scenarios.

Rear facing power and illumination intensity controls are easy to access, simple to operate, stay visually present from the shooting position and are protected from incidental contact. Ten intensity levels let you adjust to perfectly match ambient light conditions. Runs off a single, common, AAA battery. The DRT (Dual Ring Tactical) reticle is designed for rapid shooting at close distances. The dual ring design pulls the eye into instant alignment with the reticle center and target. Etched directly on the prism to assure consistent point-of-aim at all times with selectable red/green illumination of twelve intensity levels to match specific conditions.

An additional yardage-marked turret cap (ballistic-matched to the 5.56 cartridge) allows the shooter to swap out the factory-installed cap for rapid dialing of known-distance shots out to 700 yards. At 11.2 ounces, the lightweight Spitfire AR excels in close to medium range shooting applications where speed is of the essence, making it the ideal choice for AR shooters who needs to get on target fast.  Comes mounted at a lower 1/3 co-witness height of 40.4mm from optic center to base surface. Includes AAA Battery, flip-up lens caps, 556 BDC turret cap, 2mm hex wrench and 3mm hex wrench.

Features

• Ballistic Matched 556 BDC Turret Cap
• Fully Multi-Coated
• 12 Illumination Settings
• Compact and Lightweight Single Piece Chassis
• Nitrogen Purged with O-ring Seals delivers fogproof and waterproof performance
• Shockproof
• Hard Anodized Finish
• Operating Temperature of -22°F-122°F
• Red/Green Reticle
• Up to 3000 Hour Battery Life on a Single AAA Battery

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

The Primary Arms SLx Gen III is part of the SLx optics line. SLx optics built the reputation for innovation, reliability and value. All SLx optics undergo rigorous field-testing during development to best serve you in any environment. The Primary Arms 5X Compact Prism Scope Gen III with improved ACSS 5.56 reticle is the most powerful prism scope design. The 5X magnification and bright illuminated horseshoe and chevron reticle allow for surprisingly fast, both-eyes-open shooting at close range, while the ACSS reticle allows for consistent hits on targets out to an impressive 800 meters. The Gen III scope has been equipped with our next generation ruggedized mounts to provide flexible mounting options with incredible clamping power.

The heart of the tough Gen II 5X Prism Scope is the ACSS Aurora reticle. The feature-rich and intuitive reticle design is uncluttered, designed to communicate vital information in an efficient manner to not only increase first-hit probability but drastically reduce the time necessary to reach a firing solution to get that hit. From 300m and in, the illuminated chevron aiming point provides wicked-quick snap shooting capability and both-eyes open engagement, so you never lose peripheral vision. The outer tips of the chevron pull double duty as leads for targets moving 3.1 mph perpendicular to the shooter. For targets moving a bit faster, the two lead dots on either side of the chevron are leads for a target hustling along at 8.6 mph. Aurora even compensates for mounted targets up to 40mph!
For engagements 400m and out, the integrated bullet drop compensation and wind leads come into play. The tried and true ACSS auto-ranging system allows for near-instant range estimation, which enables rapid transition to the BDC system that offers holdovers in 50m increments out to an impressive 800 meters. The real world often involves wind, and ACSS Aurora provides full value 5 and 10mph wind holds. Is the wind a little stronger or softer, maybe coming at an angle? Use the holds as a reference point and adjust accordingly. For operators in the field, no other reticle provides the combined capabilities and intuitive use of the ACSS Aurora.
The SLx 5X Gen III has even greater strength and flexibility than ever before with our next generation ruggedized mounting system. Primary Arms upgraded everything about the mount from materials and finish to the design to create a mount that will not just clamp securely to your rail, but stand up the rigors of real-world use. Integrated recoil lugs help lock your mount in place against the heaviest recoil while large diameter crossbolts give you significantly improved clamping power and will hold up to significant torque. The included riser is the perfect height for AR-15s and AR-10s, but can be easily removed for carry handle or AK use as well.

Features:

• Ruggedized mount provides exceptional clamping power
• Includes AR-height riser
• ACSS Aurora reticle is MIL-based with ranging and hold overs to 800m
• Partially illuminated reticle is visible even in bright daylight with red or green illumination
• Battery Life at Median Setting: 3000 hrs
• Red or green illumination available on the same optic for greater flexibility
• Removable M1913 picatinny top rail for accessories or piggy-backed red dot sights
• Generous 7mm exit pupil allows for a bright and forgiving eye box
• 18.8ft field of view at 100 yards provides easier tracking of mobile targets
• 2.5" - 3.0" of eye relief
• 1/3 MOA turret clicks are tactile and audible for easy zeroing
• Tough prism scope is waterproof, fog resistant, and shockproof
• Durable hardcoat anodized black finish
• Compatible with standard carry handle mounts
• Protected by a lifetime warranty