The 3-18x power scope offers a sweet spot magnification that may be best used for both short and long-range targets. This versatility has made them so popular among many types of shooters that the task now shifts to selecting the best model that will provide reliability, clarity, and accuracy.
This article discusses the many models that will provide a shooter with precisely that, as well as the rifle scopes that offer the best value for a budget shooter.
Best 3-18x Power Scope
| Product | Image |
| Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm |  |
| TRYBE Optics 3-18x50mm |  |
| Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50mm |  |
| Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm |  |
| EOTech Vudu 3.5-18x50mm |  |
| Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44mm |  |
1. Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm Riflescopes
As you are aware, the Vortex brand consistently produces rifle scopes that provide excellent performance while adhering to the highest standards of durability and clarity.
The strike Eagle 3-18x is great in many things one of them being that it gives a shooter unparalleled speed in target acquisition, especially for close-range targets. Additionally, it’s built to withstand the highest level of harshness, and recoil meaning that it can be used on weapons with a heavy caliber.
The scope comes with a reticle designed for precision giving the shooter a variety of information for the best specifications to give a precise aim. Such information includes calibration for windage correction, holdover, and moving target leads. Moreover, the glass enhances its usability by enhancing visibility even under low light.
Features
- Magnification 3-18x
- Objective Lens Diameter 44 mm
- Exposed Elevation Capped Windage
- Adjustment Graduation 1/4 MOA
- Travel Per Rotation 25 MOA
- Field of View 39.3′ – 6.7′
- Eye Relief 3.8″
Pros
- Extra-low dispersion (XD) glass increases resolution and color fidelity
- Glass-etched reticle for optimum durability and reliability.
- Lifetime warranty
- Fast Focus Eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing
- Build durable with characteristics like waterproof, fogproof, and ability to withstand heavy recoil
2. TRYBE Optics 3-18x50mm HIPO Rifle Scope
This is the best option out there for a shooter who’s looking for a budget-friendly option that will guarantee value for their money. This 3-18 rifle scope is very efficient by including only the functional features that will guarantee accuracy as well as durability.
The scope features a first focal plane reticle which is great for establishing the actual target point because of its graduated scale tendencies. Additionally, the scope comes with a sensitive and accurate turret to provide instant adjustments wherever needed.
The scope also has one of the best quality glasses for its price. The quality is further enhanced by a wide 50mm opening which allows an optimum amount of light to give a bright image even under low lighting conditions. All these features at a sub-$300 price make this one of the most valuable options if you are looking for performance on a budget.
Features
- 50 mm Objective Lens Diameter
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Field of View 5.3 – 32.4 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.5 – 3.9 in
- Weight: 24.7 oz.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- fast focus (FF) eyepiece to achieve an ultra-crisp reticle image
- Highly sensitive and accurate windage and elevation turrets
- provides superb contrast and excellent color saturation
Cons
- First Focal plane is not preferred by all shooters
3. Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX 6HD is one of the top 18x power scopes. It stands out for its practicality and is also known for producing high-quality images in low-light conditions. It includes an ambidextrous throw lever that accommodates the shooter’s handedness and allows for easy adjustments for accuracy when hitting a target.
Other features include a side parallax adjustment, a zero lock windage adjustment, an illuminated reticle, and an easy elevation adjustment. Furthermore, the scope is durable due to its waterproof, fogproof, and impact-resistant design, and it will perform well in any environment in which it is used.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- Tube Diameter: 30 mm
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Field of View, 38 – 6.4 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 7 – 3.8 in
- 1/4 MOA Adjustment Click Value
- Weight: 20.4 oz
Pros
- A versatile 6:1 zoom ratio gives you 6 times more magnification at high power than at low power
- Comes with an illuminated reticle
- High-quality lens guarantees accuracy at all magnifications
- Automatically activates and deactivates the illuminated reticles to extend the battery life
- Robust and can withstand difficult environments
4. Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm Scope
Vortex is well-known for producing high-quality lenses such as the one utilized in this rifle scope. The scope’s quality and precision are further boosted by an illuminated glass-etched reticle that also ensures longevity. Furthermore, the scope features a first focal plane reticle, which is favored by many shooters who engage distant targets.
The scope comes with great features like a fast-focus eyepiece, a fully multicoated lens for crisp images, a maximized zero adjustment, and a smooth parallax adjustment.
Ruggedness is visible in its construction, which uses a single piece of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum which makes it rigid, with the capacity to withstand impact, waterproof and fog-resistant design further adds to its robustness
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil: 78 – 16.67 mm
- Field of View, 6.25 – 37.8 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 7 in
- Weight: 46.5 oz
Pros
- Index-matched lenses correct color across the entire visual spectrum
- Heat-treated, hardened steel gives it superior durability
- The glass optimizes image sharpness
- The reticle can be easily used for ranging, holdover, and windage corrections
- Has a generous eye relief
Cons
- May be bulky for some shooters
5. EOTech Vudu 3.5-18x50mm Precision Rifle Scope
This rifle scope isn’t as popular as some other brands but once you get your hands on it you’ll agree that it’s a gem. It uses a first focal plane reticle and a multi-coated lens, to present some of the cleanest images with edge to edge clarity which makes it simple to aim at distant targets.
The glass lens is of high density contributing to its longevity, with accuracy enhanced courtesy of a turret that gives precise adjustment and an illuminated reticle is visible even under low light
Another of its great characteristics is that it’s extremely durable and will withstand substantial impact and recoil. Moreover, it’s waterproof and fogproof which allows it to be used under any weather.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 3.5 – 18 x
- First focal plane
- Exit Pupil: 8 – 11.2 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 7 – 29.5 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 86 – 100 mm
- 25 MOA Adjustment Range
Pros
- Anti-Reflective Optical Coating great for low light
- Over-sized and precision-machined turrets makes adjustments easy
- Illuminated reticle
- Provides efficient light transmission and unmatched edge-to-edge clarity.
- looks great
Cons
- May be pricey for some buyers
6. Trijicon Tenmile TM1844 3-18x44mm Rifle Scope
The Tenmile 3-18x has been constructed with flexibility in mind. The scope allows a shooter to dial in long-distance targets with ease courtesy of an easy-to-turn capped turret with zero stop to prevent any accidental adjustment.
In addition, the turret which can be customized to suit individual shooting requirements, has been designed with an increased adjuster range for more versatile adjustments.
The scope is fitted with a very detailed reticle with adjustable brightness which enhances its visibility even under ominous weather. The glass on the other hand gives a clear image with edge-to-edge clarity, despite a slightly smaller objective lens measuring 44mm, also contributing to its manageable weight.
For a consistent shooter, this is just another of the great options available for purchase. it stands out for its versatility, being compact and robust. It is worth noting that each scope has been drop-tested to verify that it can withstand the knocks that may occur during use.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 18 x
- First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Exit Pupil 0.45 – 0.09 in
- Field of View 35.3 – 5.9 ft at 100 yds
- Field of View, 6.73 – 1.12 degrees
- Eye Relief: 3.4 – 3.9 in
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.1 Mil Rad
- Weight: 24.4 oz
Pros
- One of the most adaptable rifle scopes on the list
- Has a repositionable adjustment lever to accommodate handedness
- Rugged to withstand extremely harsh conditions
- Manageable weight for most shooters
- One of the best qualities
- Illuminated reticle with adjustable LED brightness
Factors to Consider Buying a 3-18x power Rifle Scope
Optical Quality
Look for scopes with high-quality glass characterizing features that contribute to superior light transmission, image clarity, and great color fidelity. A bright lens will allow the scope to be usable even under low light conditions
Reticle Options
Different shooting scenarios may require different types of reticles. Choose a scope that offers a reticle that suits your shooting style and preferences. Popular reticle options include MOA, Mil-Dot, and BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator).
Turret capability
Windage and elevation adjustment turrets should be easy to use and offer precise and repeatable adjustments. An ideal rifle scope should include a turret with tactile and audible clicks, that’s sensitive for accurate and quick adjustments in the field.
Parallax Adjustment
Parallax adjustment feature allows you to eliminate parallax error, this is particularly important if you are mostly getting a rifle scope to use for long-range or medium targets
Durability
Great rifle scopes that are built to withstand harsh conditions and recoil. Look for scopes with rugged construction, shockproof design, and waterproof capabilities.
Shooting needs
Find a scope that meets your shooting requirements because this will guarantee that you get the most out of your investment and have fun while using it.
Focal plane
There is the first focal plane (FFP) and the second focal plane (SFP). The FFP has a reticle that adjusts with magnification. While the SFP The size of the reticle remains constant at all magnifications.
The capabilities of a scope is unaffected by its focal plane. However, FFP scopes are ideal for long-range targets since accuracy remains constant at all levels of magnification. Conversely, SFP scopes are slightly less expensive than FFP scopes.
How to Properly Set Up and Calibrate a 3-18x Power Scope
Once you’ve selected and acquired your 3-18 Power Scope, it’s essential to properly set it up and calibrate it for optimal performance. The step-by-step guide to calibration includes:
- Mount the Scope using high-quality mounts to securely attach the scope to your rifle. Ensure that the scope is aligned with the bore of the rifle to avoid parallax error.
- Use a bubble level or a scope leveling tool to ensure that the scope is level both horizontally and vertically. This step is crucial for accurate adjustments and shot placement.
- Boresight the scope to help align the scope’s reticle with the rifle’s bore. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to boresight your scope, or seek professional assistance if you’re uncertain
- Take your rifle to the range and zero your scope at your desired distance. Follow proper zeroing procedures, adjusting windage and elevation as needed to achieve accurate shot placement.
- Once zeroed, test your scope at different distances and shooting positions to ensure consistent and accurate performance. Make any necessary adjustments to fine-tune your scope for your specific shooting needs.
Regularly clean and maintain your 3-18 Power Scope to ensure its longevity and optimal performance. make sure to follow the best cleaning and maintenance procedure
Conclusion
This article will definitely give you the best options of rifle scopes with a 3-18x power. The rifle scopes we have reviewed are available at different prices which makes it much easier to find the best option at different budgets. What remains is now for you as the shooter to make sure you properly calibrate and use the rifle scope with your gun for the best results.
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