The best long range rifle scopes in 2026
Our verdict for 2026: the Vortex OPMOD Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP ($279.70) is the best value long range rifle scope: true FFP with tracking that passes box drills at a price nothing else matches. The Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 FFP ($648.99) is the best overall: an illuminated reticle, a 34mm tube with 110 MOA of travel and a zero stop, the complete package under $700.
Between them, the two picks carry over 340 verified owner reviews on OpticsPlanet. Prices verified July 2, 2026; confirm the current price on the retailer page.
Long range is the discipline where scope marketing meets physics: the reticle must measure true, the turrets must track exactly what they claim, and the glass must stay honest at working magnification. Both picks below clear that bar, at two very different prices.
How these picks were made: a research-based roundup comparing published specifications, warranty terms, verified owner reviews and pricing across reputable retailers. Scores are our editorial opinion, not a hands-on test of every model, and owner ratings are shown attributed to their source. Confirm current price on the retailer page. See how we evaluate.
Quick comparison
| Category | Pick | Spec | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best value for long range | Vortex OPMOD Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP | 6-24x50 FFP | $279.70 | Check price |
| Best long range scope overall | Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 FFP | 5-25x56 FFP | $648.99 | Check price |
Best value for long range: Vortex OPMOD Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP
First focal plane · 6-24x50 · 30mm tube · EBR-2C MOA reticle
$279.70 $649.99 Save 57%
🏆 Named Best Optic Under £1,000 at the Great British Shooting Awards (source: Gun Trade News)
This is the cheapest scope we know of that does real long-range work without a real long-range asterisk. It is a true first focal plane optic, so the EBR-2C Christmas-tree reticle measures correctly at every magnification, and the part budget scopes usually fake is the part this one gets right: tracking. Testers pass box drills with it, turret clicks are crisp and audible, and owners report ringing steel to 1,000 yards. The 10-yard side parallax is a bonus that makes it a superb precision-rimfire (NRL22) trainer too. At 24.6 oz it is the lightest in its class, and the unconditional Vortex VIP warranty removes the remaining risk. For a first dialing scope, the value curve peaks here.
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
- Lightest in its class at 24.6 oz
- Unconditional, transferable Vortex VIP warranty (covers accidental damage, no receipt)
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 on a budget, precision rimfire (NRL22), and learning to dial. Step up to the Strike Eagle when you want illumination, a zero stop and more elevation travel.
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 lifetime, transferable |
“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
Best long range scope overall: Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 FFP
First focal plane · 5-25x56 · 34mm tube · illuminated EBR-7C reticle (MOA at this price; MRAD version $799)
$648.99 $1,149.99 Save 44%
This is the complete long-range package under $700, with the spec sheet of the $1,200-plus tier: a 34mm tube with 110 MOA of elevation, an illuminated glass-etched FFP Christmas-tree reticle, a toolless RevStop zero stop, and side parallax down to 15 yards. What matters most at distance is what it does best: independent tall-target tests measure tracking deviation around 1 percent, and owners report dialing repeatable hits from 500 out to 1,760 yards. It ships complete with throw lever, sunshade and zero-stop ring, the Strike Eagle line is a fixture in under-$1,000 long-range roundups (Outdoor Life among them), and the unconditional Vortex VIP lifetime warranty backs all of it.
Pros
- Tracks like scopes twice its price: about 1 percent deviation in independent tall-target tests, with owners dialing verified hits to 1,000+ yards
- 34mm tube with 110 MOA (31 MRAD) of elevation travel: real dialing headroom for true long range
- Illuminated, glass-etched FFP EBR-7C reticle keeps holdovers accurate at every magnification (11 brightness settings)
- Side parallax focuses down to 15 yards, a rarity that makes it a genuine rimfire-trainer and NRL22 crossover
- Complete out of the box: throw lever, sunshade, RevStop zero ring, lens covers and turret tool included, plus the unconditional Vortex VIP lifetime warranty
Cons
- Heavy at 30.4 oz bare (over 2 lb mounted with 34mm rings): the wrong scope for a mountain or carry rifle
- Glass is excellent from 5x to about 15x, but color fringing and edge softening appear past 20x, and the eye box tightens noticeably at 25x
- Turret clicks are on the soft, muted side compared to crisper rivals, even though the actual tracking stays accurate
- Installing the RevStop zero ring cuts usable elevation from 31 to about 18 MRAD, so extreme-long-range shooters past 1,200 yards may run without it
Best for: entry-to-mid-level PRS shooters, ringing steel from 300 to 1,000+ yards with a 6.5 Creedmoor or .308, and rimfire trainer builds thanks to the 15-yard parallax. Skip it for backcountry hunting rifles, or if you want flawless glass at full magnification, where the premium tiers pull away.
Key specifications
| Magnification | 5-25x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 56 mm |
| Reticle | EBR-7C (MOA or MRAD), glass-etched, illuminated (11 settings) |
| Focal plane | First focal plane (FFP) |
| Tube diameter | 34 mm |
| Field of view | 24 - 5.2 ft at 100 yds |
| Eye relief | 3.7 in |
| Adjustment click | 1/4 MOA (0.1 MRAD version $799) |
| Elevation/windage travel | 110 / 78 MOA |
| Parallax | 15 yds to infinity (side focus) |
| Weight | 30.4 oz |
| Length | 14.6 in |
| In the box | Throw lever, sunshade, RevStop zero ring, lens covers, turret tool, CR2032 |
| Sealing | Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof (ArmorTek coating) |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP unlimited lifetime, transferable |
“This optic is well built, priced decently, and offers features you find on more pricey scopes in its class. For a new long-range shooter or a more budget-friendly, but higher-end option this is a good buy.”
The Marksman, verified owner (MI) via OpticsPlanet, after a year on a .300 Win Mag
What makes a scope long-range capable
Four things separate a real long-range optic from a high-magnification hunting scope:
- Tracking you can trust. When you dial 6.5 MOA, the bullet must move exactly 6.5 MOA, shot after shot. This is the spec budget scopes most often fail, and the reason both picks here were chosen: verified tracking, not just magnification.
- A first focal plane reticle. FFP keeps holdover and wind marks true at every magnification. If you are new to the distinction, read FFP vs SFP.
- Elevation travel and a zero stop. Distance costs elevation: a 34mm tube with 110 MOA (Strike Eagle) out-dials a 30mm tube with less travel, and a zero stop brings you home after big dials. The Diamondback Tactical gives up both to hit its price, which is its honest trade-off.
- Usable glass at working power. Most dialing happens at 12-18x. Both picks are sharp there; both soften near maximum power, which we flag in the cons rather than hide.
Deciding between exactly these two? We compare them head-to-head in Diamondback Tactical vs Strike Eagle. Dialing is a skill of its own: see how to adjust a rifle scope and MOA vs MRAD.
FAQ
What magnification do I need for 1,000 yards?
The 5-25x and 6-24x classes are the long-range standard, and both of our picks sit in it. In practice most shooters dial and spot impacts between 12x and 18x, where mirage and hand tremor are manageable, so honest glass in the middle of the range matters more than the number printed at the top. Both picks here are optically at their best in exactly that working band.
Do I need a first focal plane (FFP) scope for long range?
For serious long-range work, yes. In an FFP scope the reticle scales with magnification, so holdover and wind marks read true at any zoom, which is essential when you hold or dial at varied power. Both of our picks, the Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 and Strike Eagle 5-25x56, are FFP. A second focal plane scope only reads true at one magnification, which is workable but slower and error-prone at distance.
How much do I need to spend on a long range scope?
A genuinely capable entry point is about $280: the Vortex OPMOD Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP tracks reliably, which is the one thing a long-range scope cannot fake. Around $650, the Strike Eagle 5-25x56 adds an illuminated reticle, a 34mm tube with 110 MOA of travel, a zero stop and a complete accessory kit. Beyond that you are paying mostly for premium glass at maximum magnification.
Should I choose MOA or MRAD for long range?
Either system works at any distance; what matters is consistency between your reticle, your turrets and whoever you shoot with. MOA is more common among US hunters and our picks here are the MOA versions; MRAD dominates in PRS squads (the Strike Eagle also comes in an MRAD version at $799). Pick the system your range partners use and learn it well. Full explainer: MOA vs MRAD.
More picks: best rifle scopes overall · best budget rifle scope · best rifle scope under $500.