Best budget rifle scope 2026: three picks under $300
Our verdict: the best budget rifle scope for most shooters is the Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (around $130), under $150 and the cheapest of our three picks. For a hunting rifle it beats the Diamondback Tactical on three counts you can check: it costs well under half as much, it weighs 15 oz against 24.6 oz, and its large low-power eye box is the more forgiving (the Diamondback's is tight at maximum magnification); both carry the Vortex VIP warranty. Take the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP (around $290) instead if you want to dial for long range or shoot precision rimfire: it is first focal plane, and its side parallax focuses down to 10 yards, where the Crossfire II is fixed at 100. The Bushnell R3 3-9x40 (around $200) suits a hunter who holds over: its DOA Quick Ballistic reticle has drop points to 600 yards, Bushnell rates it IPX7 and gives it 65 MOA of travel, but no owner has reviewed it on the retailer.
The Crossfire II and the Diamondback Tactical are also picks in our best rifle scopes guide; where the R3 sits in Bushnell's range is in Bushnell scopes decoded. Prices verified October 14, 2026; confirm the current price and availability on the retailer page.
How we chose: a research-based guide built from retailer specifications, expert reviews and owner feedback. We have not bench-tested these units ourselves; scores and verdicts are our editorial opinion. See how we evaluate.
The three picks compared
| Pick | Magnification | Focal plane | Reticle | Parallax | Eye relief | Turrets | Weight | Owner rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 | 3-9x40 | Second (SFP) | V-Plex or Dead-Hold BDC, non-illuminated | Fixed at 100 yds | 3.8 in (Vortex; the retailer lists 3.8 - 4.4 in) | 1/4 MOA, capped | 15 oz | 4.7/5 from 234 reviews on OpticsPlanet | around $130 |
| Vortex OPMOD Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP | 6-24x50 | First (FFP) | EBR-2C MOA, non-illuminated | Side focus, 10 yds to infinity | 3.9 in | 1/4 MOA, exposed, no zero stop | 24.6 oz | 4.8/5 from 257 reviews on OpticsPlanet | around $290 |
| Bushnell R3 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope, Second Focal Plane | 3-9x40 | Second (SFP) | DOA Quick Ballistic | No adjustment; set distance not published | 3.7 in | 0.25 MOA, capped | 14.6 oz | No owner reviews on the retailer: this listing has never been rated | around $200 |
Specs are for the model on each card: the Crossfire II in its V-Plex version (the Dead-Hold BDC sits on the same listing), the Diamondback Tactical in its OPMOD edition and the R3 in its DOA Quick Ballistic version (three other reticles share its listing). The retailer lists the R3 with no parallax adjustment, but neither it nor Bushnell publishes the distance it is set at. The two Vortex scopes carry the Vortex VIP lifetime warranty. Prices verified October 14, 2026; check price and availability on OpticsPlanet.
Best overall budget: Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40
Second focal plane · 3-9x40 · 1-inch tube · Dead-Hold BDC or V-Plex reticle
around $130exact price on OpticsPlanet
The Crossfire II is the budget pick for most shooters because it does the core job of a hunting scope for the least money on this page. You get a 3-9x40 with forgiving 3.8 inch eye relief (Vortex's figure), a single-piece aluminum tube that owners run on .308 and .30-06 without losing zero, and the unlimited, unconditional Vortex VIP warranty. It weighs 15 oz, against 24.6 oz on the Diamondback Tactical. Its limits are budget-tier and worth knowing before you buy: the edges soften toward 9x, the capped turrets are made to set and forget, parallax is fixed at 100 yards, and there is no illumination. For a first scope or daylight hunting inside about 300 yards, that is the right trade.
Pros
- Bright, clear glass from 3x to about 6x that punches well above its price (owners rank it near scopes costing far more)
- Forgiving 3.8 in eye relief (Vortex's figure) and a large low-power eye box for fast, comfortable target acquisition
- Single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube holds zero under heavy recoil; nitrogen-purged, waterproof and fogproof
- Unlimited, unconditional Vortex VIP lifetime warranty (covers accidental damage, whoever was at fault)
- Light and simple to run, with a fast-focus eyepiece and capped set-and-forget turrets
Cons
- Glass softens at the edges toward maximum 9x, with some color fringing in high-contrast light (typical budget-glass limits)
- Fixed 100-yard parallax: fine for centerfire hunting, but not ideal for precision rimfire at 25 to 50 yards
- Capped, soft-clicking turrets are made to set and forget, not to dial in the field; the SFP holdovers only track true at 9x
- Non-illuminated, and the 1-inch tube with 60 MOA of travel limits serious long-range dialing
Best for: a first scope, general hunting and brush or lever guns inside about 300 yards on a tight budget. Take the Diamondback Tactical instead if you want to dial for distance or shoot precision rimfire up close.
Key specifications
| Magnification | 3-9x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 40 mm |
| Reticle | Dead-Hold BDC or V-Plex (non-illuminated) |
| Focal plane | Second focal plane (SFP) |
| Tube diameter | 1 in |
| Field of view | 34.1 - 12.6 ft at 100 yds |
| Eye relief | 3.8 in (Vortex; the retailer lists 3.8 - 4.4 in) |
| Adjustment click | 1/4 MOA (capped, resettable) |
| Parallax | Fixed at 100 yds |
| Elevation/windage travel | 60 MOA |
| Weight | 15 oz |
| Sealing | Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP: unlimited, unconditional, lifetime |
“Great scope, regardless of the price, but very good value. Clarity and eye relief are fantastic.”
jpfadden, verified owner (NH) via OpticsPlanet
Best budget long range: Vortex OPMOD Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP
First focal plane · 6-24x50 · 30mm tube · EBR-2C MOA reticle
around $290exact price on OpticsPlanet
🏆 Named Best Optic Under £1,000 at the Great British Shooting Awards (source: Gun Trade News)
If you want to dial for distance on a budget, this is the pick. It is a true first focal plane 6-24x50, so the EBR-2C MOA reticle measures correctly at every magnification, and its side parallax focuses from 10 yards to infinity, which makes it a precision-rimfire trainer as well as a centerfire scope. Testers pass box drills with it. The costs are real: more than twice the price of the Crossfire II, no zero stop, no illumination, glass that softens toward 24x, and 24.6 oz on the rifle. The price shown is the OPMOD edition, a retailer-exclusive version of the scope.
Pros
- Reliable tracking and return-to-zero, with crisp, audible turret clicks (no budget-scope mushiness)
- FFP EBR-2C reticle stays accurate at any zoom, with a fine Christmas-tree grid for wind and elevation holds
- Rare 10-yard side parallax: a real edge for precision rimfire (NRL22) and close-to-far practice
- Unlimited, unconditional lifetime Vortex VIP warranty (covers accidental damage, whoever was at fault)
Cons
- No zero stop, so when you dial past one full turn you must track your turret revolutions carefully
- No illuminated reticle: the fine FFP crosshair can wash out in low light or dark timber
- Glass is excellent to about 18x but softens toward 24x (edge blur, slight color fringing), so treat it as a 6-18x scope
- Tight eye box at maximum magnification demands a consistent cheek weld
Best for: entry-level long range and PRS practice, precision rimfire (NRL22), and benchrest or varmint shooting on a budget. Stay with the Crossfire II if you hunt inside about 300 yards and never dial.
Key specifications
| Magnification | 6-24x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 50 mm |
| Reticle | EBR-2C MOA |
| Focal plane | First focal plane (FFP) |
| Tube diameter | 30 mm |
| Field of view | 18 - 4.5 ft at 100 yds |
| Eye relief | 3.9 in |
| Adjustment click | 1/4 MOA |
| Parallax | 10 yds to infinity |
| Weight | 24.6 oz |
| Sealing | Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP: unlimited, unconditional, lifetime |
| Finish carded | Gray (DBK-10028-OP-GRY) |
“You can’t go wrong with Vortex glass for the price. They are clear and crisp, much better than other brands in the same price point.”
B.P, verified owner (KS) via OpticsPlanet
Bullet-drop reticle hunter: Bushnell R3 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope, Second Focal Plane
3-9x · 40mm · 1 in tube · SFP · DOA Quick Ballistic reticle · capped turrets · 1/4 MOA · 65 MOA travel · IPX7 · EXO Barrier · 14.6 oz
around $200exact price on OpticsPlanet
The R3 is Bushnell's entry-level 3-9x40 and the pick here for a hunter who zeroes at 100 yards and holds over rather than dials. Its DOA Quick Ballistic reticle carries drop points Bushnell calibrates out to 600 yards and 5 mph wind holds to 500, but as a second focal plane reticle those holds are only true at 9x. Bushnell rates it IPX7 and puts its EXO Barrier coating on the exterior lenses, and it gives 65 MOA of elevation and windage travel against 60 MOA on the Crossfire II. At 14.6 oz it is a little lighter than the Crossfire II at 15 oz. Two things argue against it: it costs roughly 1.6 times as much as the Crossfire II, and the retailer listing has no owner reviews at all, so there is no field record behind it. Bushnell's own page also calls the optics fully multi-coated while its spec table says multi-coated.
Pros
- EXO Barrier bonded exterior lens coating repels water, oil and dust, and Bushnell puts it on this scope at the very bottom of the range
- IPX7 rated by Bushnell, which is submersion rather than splash resistance
- Light at 14.6 oz, so it will not turn a slim mountain rifle top-heavy
- 65 MOA of elevation and 65 MOA of windage, which is generous for a one-inch tube (Bushnell's own figure)
- The DOA Quick Ballistic reticle carries drop points to 600 yards and 5 mph wind holds to 500, and Bushnell offers four reticle options on this same body including a rimfire drop-zone version
Cons
- Bushnell's prose calls the optics "fully multi-coated" while Bushnell's own spec table on the same page lists "Multi-Coated". Those are different specifications, and the cheaper of the two readings is the one in the table
- The reticle holds are only true at 9x, so widening the field in timber quietly invalidates every drop point until you zoom back in
- Neither Bushnell nor the retailer lists the distance its parallax is set at, or any side focus, so there is no published figure to check against close rimfire work inside 50 yards
- Capped turrets and 15 MOA per rotation mean this is a set-and-hold scope, not one you dial for distance
- Not one owner has reviewed this listing on the retailer, so there is no field record to test any of this against
- The retailer's price sits well above Bushnell's own price for the same MPN, which is unusual, so check Bushnell's own price before you buy
Best for: the whitetail or big-game hunter who zeroes at 100 yards, holds over with the reticle and wants IPX7 sealing on a light scope. Take the Crossfire II instead if you would rather pay less and have an owner record behind your scope; neither scope is built for dialing in the field.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Bushnell |
|---|---|
| Magnification and objective | 3-9x40mm |
| Tube diameter | 1 in |
| Focal plane | Second |
| Reticle (carded model) | DOA Quick Ballistic; also offered as DOA QB Ext Eye Relief, DZ22BDC and Multi-X |
| Lens coating | Bushnell spec table: Multi-Coated. Bushnell prose: fully multi-coated |
| Protective coating | EXO Barrier (Bushnell) |
| Field of view | 37.5 ft at 3x, 13 ft at 9x, per 100 yds (Bushnell) |
| Eye relief | 3.7 in |
| Elevation / windage adjustment | 65 MOA / 65 MOA (Bushnell) |
| Click value | 0.25 MOA, 15 MOA per turret rotation (Bushnell) |
| Turrets | Capped, elevation and windage |
| Sealing | IPX7 (Bushnell) |
| Weight | 14.6 oz |
| Parallax | No parallax adjustment (retailer spec table; not listed on Bushnell's product page) |
| MPN carded | R3-3940S11 (one of four reticle variants of the same scope, all new, no demo units) |
How to choose your budget scope
- General hunting, first scope, tight budget: Crossfire II 3-9x40. The classic do-everything setup for under $150.
- Long range, target work or precision rimfire: Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP, for first focal plane holds and side parallax down to 10 yards.
- Holdover hunting with a ballistic reticle: Bushnell R3 3-9x40, for its DOA Quick Ballistic drop points, IPX7 rating and 65 MOA of travel; the retailer listing has no owner reviews yet, and Bushnell’s own page and spec table disagree on its lens coating (details).
- Replacing a discontinued Bushnell? Banner, Trophy, AR Optics and Engage have all been retired and replaced by the R-Series, and the entry-level R3 3-9x40 is our third pick above. Which model replaced which, and where Bushnell’s own pages disagree with their own spec tables, is in Bushnell scopes decoded.
FAQ
What is the best budget rifle scope in 2026?
For most shooters it is the Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40, which sells for under $150: it delivers bright daylight glass, forgiving eye relief, proven zero retention and the unconditional Vortex VIP warranty, and rates 4.7/5 across 234 reviews on OpticsPlanet. If you want budget long-range or precision-rimfire capability instead, the Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP, under $300, is the better buy.
How much should I spend on a rifle scope?
A reliable hunting scope starts under $150, and that is genuinely enough for daylight shooting inside 300 yards, which is where the Crossfire II sits. For first-focal-plane precision and dialing to 1,000 yards you need a budget of under $300, which is where the Diamondback Tactical sits. Spending more mainly buys better low-light glass, lighter weight and features like a zero stop, not basic reliability.
Is a cheap rifle scope good enough for deer hunting?
Yes, within normal ranges. The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40, under $150, holds zero under .308 and .30-06 recoil and gives bright, usable images at typical deer distances, which is why it is a regular on under-$200 roundups. Its honest limits are edge softness toward 9x and no illumination, so dedicated low-light timber hunters may want to spend more for better low-light glass.
Budget or premium: where is the real difference?
Not in whether the scope works, but in glass coatings, weight and where it is made. A sub-$150 Crossfire II holds zero under recoil; spending more mainly buys better low-light glass, lighter weight and features like a zero stop.
See the full field in best rifle scopes 2026, or learn FFP vs SFP and how to sight in a rifle scope.