It takes the best rifle scope to make your shooting experience worthwhile. Many different scopes are adapted to various uses, but you require a capable option to shoot a distance of 500 yards.
This article takes a look at the various alternatives available on the market and reviews the best alternatives. That can be used to aim at long-range targets.
Best Scope for Shooting 500 Yards-Top Picks
| Product | Image | How To Buy |
| Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm |  |
|
| Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 |  |
|
| Steiner Optics GS3 Game Sensing |  |
|
| Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-16x50mm AO |  |
|
| Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm |  |
|
| Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm |  |
|
|
Athlon Optics Talos 4-16×40 |
 |
The detailed reviews….
1. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX is one of the most user-friendly scopes on the market. It adds to this many adjustments to ensure that you get an accurate shot of your target, even at a range greater than 500 yards. One unique piece of adjustment is the custom dial zero-lock. This feature entails the elevation dial locking into place to prevent any accidental rotation to zero. It also matches the scope to the ballistics of your rifle.
This reduces the time it would take to make numerous adjustments, which characterize most scopes. In the instance, your scope develops a parallax error, an easy-to-reach side focus also lets you quickly adjust for parallax.
This scope uses one of the best quality glasses that is fully coated with a Guard-ion rain shedding. This combined with the 44mm objective lens opening, guarantees the user bright images, resulting in one of the best performances even under low light.
Pros
- A versatile 5:1 zoom ratio that gives 5x more magnification at high power than at low power
- It uses advanced internal gases and sealing material to make it waterproof and fogproof.
- Gives the shooter aiming points to compensate for wind and bullet drop
- Guard-Ion Rain-Shedding Optical Coating gives clear optics
- Great for hunting
- value pricing
Cons
- The side parallax adjustment needs some getting used to
2. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50
When it comes to stretching shots out to 500 yards and beyond, the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 stands out as one of the most trusted mid-tier precision scopes on the market. It is built for shooters who want reliable long-range performance without jumping into ultra-premium pricing.
With a versatile 5-25x magnification range, it gives you enough low-end field of view for target acquisition and enough top-end zoom to clearly identify and engage targets at distance. The 50mm objective lens delivers solid light transmission, and the glass quality is clean enough for consistent use in varying light conditions.
What makes this scope especially effective is its first focal plane reticle, which stays accurate at every magnification level, allowing precise holdovers and wind corrections at 500 yards. The exposed tactical turrets track well and provide confident, repeatable adjustments, which is critical when dialing elevation for longer shots. Build quality is rugged, and it holds zero reliably even under repeated use on hard-recoiling rifles. While it is not the lightest scope and can show slight mirage at maximum magnification in hot conditions, its overall performance is extremely dependable for its price class.
Pros
- Excellent 5-25x magnification range
- First focal plane reticle
- Reliable and repeatable turret tracking
- Strong build quality and durability
- Very good value
Cons
- Heavier than hunting-focused optics
- At 25x, mirage can affect clarity in hot conditions
3. Steiner Optics GS3 Game Sensing Hunting Riflescope
This Steiner Game Sensing scope employs a unique color adjustment transmission to amplify the contrast between a target and its surrounding. This combined with the sufficient 10 x magnification lets you make accurate shots at 500 yards even when you are not a pro. Additionally, the sight employs a simplified reticle that makes it simple to aim and cascading dots to account for the weather.
Durability is another quality that this rifle sight is recognized for. The tube has been constructed with solid aluminum, that’s fitted with effective seals at all the seams to make it waterproof, and resistant to humidity and fog. Another useful characteristic is the short mounting length of just 5.4 inches which makes this the ideal option for use on a muzzleloader or a mountain rifle.
Although this scope misses out on the parallax adjustment it’s a very dependable option, that you can rely on to shoot 500 yards.
Features
- Magnification: 2-10x
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Eye Relief: 3.5 to 4.3 in.
- Exit Pupil: 3.5-11 mm
- Objective lens diameter: 56mm
- Field of view: 7.5-36 ft at 100 yds
- Weighs 18 oz.
Pros
- A short mounting length of 5.4 inches
- It’s designed to be ergonomic with easy settings for repeatable accuracy.
- polished glass lens that is fully coated to give you unmatched clarity
- Features oversized knobs with positive feedback to help with the adjustments
4. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-16x50mm Adjustable Objective
The Vortex Crossfire II 4-16×50 AO is built for shooters who want maximum usability at a budget-friendly price while still reaching out to distances like 500 yards. It is one of the most popular entry-level long-range scopes because it balances magnification, durability, and practical features without pushing into expensive territory.
The 4-16x magnification range gives it a clear advantage over traditional hunting scopes, especially when engaging smaller targets at distance. At 16x, target detail is sufficient for 500-yard shooting, and the adjustable objective (AO) helps eliminate parallax error, improving precision when shooting from different positions. The 50mm objective lens also provides strong light gathering ability, which becomes important during dawn or dusk sessions.
In real use, the Crossfire II is designed more for function than refinement. The glass is decent and fully usable, but it does not match mid-tier optics in clarity or edge sharpness. However, what it lacks in premium optical performance, it makes up for in toughness and practicality. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is simple and effective for holdovers, especially for shooters who do not want to constantly adjust turrets in the field.
The scope is also known for its durability. It can handle recoil from common hunting calibers and maintains zero reliably when properly mounted. The turrets are not tactical-grade, but they are consistent enough for hunting and recreational long-range shooting.
Pros
- Good 4-16x magnification range for long shots
- Adjustable Objective reduces parallax error
- Durable and holds zero well
- Decent low-light performance with 50mm lens
- Affordable entry into 500-yard shooting
Cons
- Turrets are basic and not highly precise
- Heavier than similar hunting scopes
5. Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm Rifle Scope
The Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm is one of those scopes that quietly earns respect from shooters who actually spend time behind the trigger. It is not flashy or overloaded with tactical features, but it delivers exactly what matters for 500-yard shooting: clear glass, dependable tracking, and a practical reticle system that helps you make ethical hits without overcomplicating the process.
With its 4.5-14x magnification range, this scope sits in a very useful middle ground for hunters and long-range shooters. At lower power, it gives you a wide enough field of view for target acquisition, while the upper end is sufficient for identifying and engaging targets at 500 yards with confidence. The Ballistic Plex E1 reticle is especially useful in real-world conditions, offering built-in holdover marks that simplify elevation compensation without constant dialing. This makes it ideal for shooters who prefer a straightforward, field-ready system rather than a competition-style setup.
Optically, the scope performs above its price class. The image remains sharp through most of the magnification range, and low-light performance is strong enough for early morning or late evening shots. The 1-inch tube keeps it lightweight and easy to mount on a variety of rifles, although it does limit total adjustment range compared to larger tactical optics. The capped turrets are more hunting-oriented, meaning you are better off using the reticle for most corrections rather than frequent dialing.
Pros
- Clear, bright glass for its price range
- Effective Ballistic Plex E1 reticle with useful holdover marks
- Lightweight and easy to mount
- Good low-light performance
- Strong value for hunting and mid-range shooting
Cons
- Limited elevation adjustment compared to tactical scopes
- Capped turrets reduce quick dialing capability
- Not ideal for precision competition shooting
6. Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm Rifle scope
If you need an excellent value on a budget this is what you go for. This is a product of Vortex a brand renowned for manufacturing dependable optics. It carries that heritage and when you get a hold of it, it feels solid in every way.
The scope comes with a 10x maximum magnification which is the sweet spot for hunting targets at 500 yards. However, you have the choice to utilize it on closer targets because the magnification is adjustable.
It’s noteworthy that this scope uses a fully multicoated glass lens, and delivers a crisp image behind the crosshairs. The lens is then purged with argon and this makes it resistant to fogging as well as moisture during the wet season. Despite the affordable price, this rifle scope will undoubtedly perform as promised. It’s also important to recognize that this scope won’t perform as well as the pricier options.
Pros
- A rugged construction that’s resistant to impact and recoil
- Great lens quality
- budget-friendly price
- easy to install
- good performance in low light
Cons
- Some complaints of poor customer service
Buying a Scope to Shoot 500 Yards
You have to keep these characteristics in mind when shopping for a scope to shoot at a distance of 500 yards.
Image clarity
It won’t do you justice if you try to aim at a long-range target with a scope that doesn’t have the best image quality. The clarity of a scope helps the shooter identify the target he’s aiming at and also helps to place the shot in a perfect position on the target.
Image clarity depends on two things; one is the quality of the glass used on the lens, and the other is the number of coatings applied to the glass. Glass coating is applied to enhance light transmission. A glass without the coatings reflects light rather than allowing it to get in through the lens. This results in a dull image of the target, in addition, you aren’t able to make the correct readings on the reticle.
Adjustments
Long-range targets require the shooter to make more adjustments to get an accurate shot. This means that the best riflescope for 500 yards should have a wide range of adjustments to variables like windage and elevation. The scopes reviewed in this article give the user a wide range of adjustments, to make sure that they always get a precise shot.
A scope that is ideal for long-range targets should also be easy to sight in and adjust for parallax because you aren’t hitting your target if your scope isn’t properly sighted.
Magnification
What’s the ideal magnification for a target that’s 500 yards out? Well, it also depends on the skill of the shooter. But it’s certain that for a target at that distance, the magnification required will be higher than when the user is firing at a target at 150 yards.
If you aren’t a pro get a scope with a magnification of at least 10x, on the maximum side, assuming it has a variable magnification.
A scope with variable magnification is identified by two digits, such as 3-10x, and shows that the user can adjust the magnification per the target’s distance.
A scope with a higher than 10x magnification let’s say 25x might make the target at 500 yards appear close, but this isn’t always a good thing. One requires expert steadiness to secure a shot with this magnification because a slight movement, away from the target, is compounded by the massive magnification, and you end up missing the target by a mile.
Field of view
This is a useful characteristic if you need to hunt down moving targets, a field of view is the total area that you can view at one instance through the scope. And it’s measured in degrees or feet at 100/1000 yards. This won’t matter very much if your specialty is taking shots at stationary targets.
Eye relief
Defines the furthest distance you can place your eye from the scope and still get a clear image and complete view of the target. The further the scope allows the bigger the eye relief. Bigger eye relief gives a shooter the flexibility to aim while positioned differently. It is also a safety measure, especially with weapons of higher recoil, that tend to fly backward after every shot.
Long-range targets at 500 yards out typically use this kind of weapon, duh. A good rifle scope at 500 yards should ideally have an eye relief of about 4 inches.
Rifle Scopes-FAQs
What size objective lens do I need for my rifle scope?
A hunter looking to upgrade their rifle scope will eventually come across a measurement that indicates the diameter of the objective lens mostly in “mm.” The diameter has a significant impact on how much light enters the lens. More light means a brighter image, especially in low-light conditions.
On the other side, a large objective lens results in a huge, unwieldy rifle scope, that’s difficult to carry over long distances. So it’s up to you to choose what to compromise between being able to comfortably carry your rifle or getting bright images
What is the best Magnification for 500 Yards?
Some consider 500 yards medium range, while others consider it long-range, therefore, the size of ideal magnification depends on the preference of a shooter. With proper skills, a 3-9x rifle scope such as the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm would be enough.
An LPVO with a 1-10x magnification such as the SIG SAUER Tango-MSR FFP 1-10x26mm would also work perfectly with the added advantage that it’s versatile, adaptable to various shooting scenarios, and also provides fast target acquisition. A slightly greater magnification, such as 12x or 15x, is best for a non-expert shooter or if one requires seeing more details of the target.
CONCLUSION
After going through this in-depth review of the best rifle scope to shoot for 500 yards, you have certainly identified alternatives that you can get for your next purchase. if this isn’t the case, carefully examine the buying guide and go through the numerous other alternatives that we have not included in our review. We, however, greatly recommend the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm for its superior abilities.
Related