Finding the best hunting scope under $700 can feel overwhelming with all the options out there. You want quality glass, repeatable tracking, real-world ruggedness, and the clarity to make those dawn and dusk shots—without breaking the bank. The $500–$700 range is the sweet spot where top-tier performance meets real value, giving you all the features you need for success in the field. Whether you hunt whitetails in the Midwest, elk out West, or hogs and coyotes after dark, this guide covers the top scopes under $700 for every style of hunting.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10×40 — Legendary glass and durability for all-around hunting.
- Best Long Range: Vortex Viper HS 4-16×44 — Top-tier glass and zoom for big country and open shots.
- Best for Low Light: Meopta Optika5 2-10×42 — European brightness at a value price.
- Best for AR-15 or Tactical: Primary Arms SLx 3-18×50 ACSS HUD DMR — Advanced reticle and huge zoom for predators or target shooting.
- Best Value: Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×50 — Big objective, crystal clarity, and waterproof for any hunt.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Scope Under $700 for Hunting
- Glass Quality: You’re in the range for truly bright, clear, edge-to-edge glass. Look for fully multi-coated lenses and brands with real field reputations.
- Magnification: 3-9x or 3.5-10x covers most hunting. 4-16x or 3-18x is great for Western, mountain, or open-country hunts. Don’t go higher unless you shoot long regularly.
- Objective Size: 40–50mm is ideal for light gathering and low light shooting—just don’t go so big it gets hard to mount.
- Reticle Type: Simple duplex, BDC, or hashmark reticles are best for most hunters. Illuminated reticles are a big plus for dawn, dusk, or night hunting.
- Weight: Under 18 oz is best for mountain or spot-and-stalk. Up to 25 oz is fine for stand, blind, or tactical/AR use.
- Turrets & Adjustments: Capped turrets are easier for most hunting; exposed turrets and zero stop are nice for dialing long shots.
- Warranty: Only trust waterproof, fogproof, shockproof scopes with a real no-fault warranty. Leupold, Vortex, Primary Arms, Meopta, and Bushnell Elite are all field-proven.
Detailed Product Reviews
Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10×40
Who It’s For: All-around hunters who want a forever-scope for deer, elk, or anything in between, with premium glass and lightweight handling.
- Key Benefits:
- 3.5-10x zoom—perfect for woods, fields, and open country
- Elite glass and Twilight Max HD Light Management for low light shots
- Duplex reticle—bold and simple for fast aiming
- Just 13.5 oz—great for mountain rifles or all-day carry
- Waterproof, fogproof, and backed by Leupold’s Gold Ring Lifetime Warranty
- Pros:
- Outstanding clarity and contrast at dawn/dusk
- Handles rough field use and heavy recoil
- Ultra-lightweight for its class
- Cons:
- No illuminated reticle
- More expensive than entry-level glass, but lasts for decades
Final Verdict: The top “do-it-all” scope under $700 for classic hunters who want real quality and reliability. See latest price
Vortex Viper HS 4-16×44
Who It’s For: Hunters and shooters needing more zoom for open country, target shooting, or precision on longer shots.
- Key Benefits:
- 4-16x zoom—perfect for Western hunting or big fields
- XR multi-coated glass—bright and sharp to the edges
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle—great for quick holdovers
- Side parallax and capped turrets
- VIP Lifetime Warranty from Vortex
- Pros:
- Super clear image, even at 16x
- Zero holds for magnums or hard-kicking rifles
- Field-proven for both hunting and long-range target work
- Cons:
- Heavier than compact scopes (20.4 oz)
- No illumination, but BDC reticle is bold and clear
Final Verdict: The best scope under $700 for hunters wanting premium zoom, field clarity, and long-range capability. See latest price
Meopta Optika5 2-10×42
Who It’s For: Hunters who want European-grade brightness and clarity for under $700—perfect for dawn, dusk, and bad weather.
- Key Benefits:
- 2-10x zoom—covers brush, woods, and out to 350 yards
- MeoBright multi-coating—98% light transmission
- Choose between classic duplex or illuminated 4C reticle
- Rock-solid waterproof, fogproof build
- Lifetime Meopta Warranty
- Pros:
- Insane low light performance at this price
- Wide field of view at low zoom
- Handles tough weather and rough field use
- Cons:
- Slightly heavier (16.9 oz) than entry-level scopes
- Not as common in U.S. shops, but readily available online
Final Verdict: The best low light scope under $700—built for the toughest, darkest hunts. See latest price
Primary Arms SLx 3-18×50 ACSS HUD DMR
Who It’s For: Tactical, predator, and AR hunters who want big zoom, advanced reticle features, and a rugged field optic under $700.
- Key Benefits:
- 3-18x zoom—crazy flexibility for varmints, predators, and target shooting
- ACSS HUD DMR reticle—wind, holdover, and range at a glance
- Illuminated reticle for low light or night use
- Side parallax and zero-reset turrets
- Lifetime Warranty and field-proven durability
- Pros:
- Unbeatable feature set for the price
- Works great on ARs and long-range bolt guns
- Illumination is perfect for night hunting
- Cons:
- Heavier than “classic” hunting scopes
- Reticle can be busy for traditionalists
Final Verdict: The most advanced scope under $700 for tactical, AR, and predator hunters needing flexible power and illumination. See latest price
Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×50
Who It’s For: Hunters wanting huge low-light performance, waterproof build, and top value for big-game or all-weather hunting.
- Key Benefits:
- 4-16x zoom—reach for any shot, plus huge field of view at low power
- Rainguard HD lens coating—shoot clear in rain, snow, or fog
- Big 50mm objective—amazing light at dawn/dusk
- Side parallax and capped turrets
- Bushnell Lifetime Ironclad Warranty
- Pros:
- Waterproof and weatherproof, even in the roughest conditions
- Bright, crisp image at any hour
- Good value and reputation among big game hunters
- Cons:
- Larger/heavier for some lightweight rifles
- No illumination, but glass is very bright
Final Verdict: The best waterproof and all-weather scope under $700 for serious big game or adverse conditions. See latest price
Comparison Table
| Scope | Magnification | Objective | Reticle | Illuminated | Weight | Best For | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10×40 | 3.5-10x | 40mm | Duplex | No | 13.5 oz | All-around | Leupold Gold Ring |
| Vortex Viper HS 4-16×44 | 4-16x | 44mm | Dead-Hold BDC | No | 20.4 oz | Long range | Vortex VIP |
| Meopta Optika5 2-10×42 | 2-10x | 42mm | Duplex/Illuminated | Optional | 16.9 oz | Low light | Meopta Lifetime |
| Primary Arms SLx 3-18×50 ACSS HUD | 3-18x | 50mm | ACSS HUD (Illum) | Yes | 25 oz | AR/tactical | PA Lifetime |
| Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×50 | 4-16x | 50mm | Multi-X | No | 21.5 oz | All-weather | Bushnell Ironclad |
How to Choose the Best Scope Under $700 for Hunting
- Decide your main game and range: 3-10x for deer and brush, 4-16x or 3-18x for elk, big fields, or long-range.
- Pick the reticle you can use fastest: Duplex for woods, BDC or hash for long shots, illuminated for night/dusk.
- Weigh your rifle and needs: Go light for hiking/stalking, bigger scopes for stand or AR use.
- Choose clarity and warranty: Good glass lasts decades—don’t chase “features” over real optical quality.
- Stick with field-proven brands: All listed brands are trusted by thousands of hunters for durability and warranty service.
FAQ
What’s the best magnification for hunting under $700?
3-9x or 3.5-10x is ideal for most hunters. If you hunt open country, go for 4-16x or 3-18x. Only go higher if you’re shooting past 400 yards regularly.
Is an illuminated reticle worth it?
For night, dawn, or dusk hunting, yes—it’s a big help. Otherwise, clear glass and a bold reticle are enough for most daylight hunts.
Can these scopes handle magnum recoil?
Absolutely—all models are built to handle magnums like .300 Win Mag, .338, or hard-kicking lever guns. Mount properly and check zero.
Are these scopes waterproof and fogproof?
Yes—each scope listed is fully sealed and nitrogen or argon purged for weather resistance in the worst conditions.
Will these work for AR-15 and bolt action rifles?
Definitely. All can mount to ARs or bolts with the right rings/mounts. Primary Arms SLx is especially great for ARs and tactical shooters.
Conclusion & Call to Action
In the $500–$700 range, you can buy a scope that truly does it all—top glass, proven reliability, and field performance you’ll trust for a lifetime. The Leupold VX-3HD is the classic for all-around hunters. Vortex Viper HS and Bushnell Elite 4500 bring long-range and big-objective options. Meopta Optika5 is the low light king, while Primary Arms SLx packs all the modern features for ARs or open country. Pick your winner, mount it up, and get ready for your best season yet!
Want advice for your rifle, caliber, or hunting style? Just ask—I’ll build your custom hunting scope guide for your next hunt!