Best Overall
Vortex Optics Strike Eagle Second Focal Plane Riflescope
One of Vortex’s best scopes.
- Value: 9/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Cost: 9/10
Best on a Budget
Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 1-8×24 Riflescope
Not your typical value optic.
- Value: 9/10
- Performance: 7.5/10
- Cost: 9/10
Best for 3-Gun
EOTech Vudu 1-8x24mm Precision Riflescope
You’ll never mount another scope on any of your rifles after this.
- Value: 8.5/10
- Performance: 9.5/10
- Cost: 8/10
What good is the internet if you can’t find the best 1-8x scope for your precision rifle, right?! We hear you! This is not your typical guns and shooting post, though, because we personally handpicked these reliable riflescopes for every type of shooter.
A Quick Comparison of the Best 1-8x Scopes
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Features to Consider
When buying shooting gear, we want every purchase to be worth it. Here’s how to choose the right scope.
Optics: Clarity and Uniformity
Images in low-quality scopes get blurry or distorted around the edges when at maximum magnification where a clear sight picture is critical. Stay away from those. You want your sight picture clear from the get go with excellent light transmission properties and minimal-to-no distortion at higher magnification.
Controls and Tracking
Audible and crisp controls are music to our ears as we can keep our eyes on the prize while doing adjustments. Consistent or repeatable controls and adjustments are also a major plus.
Material Quality and Weight
A durable scope can hold zero well, even after rounds of heavy recoil or after getting bumped around. However, more solid scopes are also heavier. So weigh (pun intended!) which feature you want to prioritize – transportability or durability.
Price
Let’s face it, a scope’s reliability and all the features we listed above come with a price. And we know it’s a bummer to spend quite a lot on one piece of shooting equipment. But just think of it as an investment that you’ll benefit from long-term. Believe us, it’ll be worth it.
You’ll probably keep your scope for decades, so when you consider the value in that sense, going for quality and performance is a much easier choice.
If you need to watch what you spend, we also have an affordable but reliable pick for you below.
6 Best 1-8x Scopes
Best Overall: Vortex Optics Strike Eagle Second Focal Plane Riflescope
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Vortex Strike Eagle SFP riflescope comes with an AR-BDC reticle that’s specifically tuned to match the ballistic performance of popular .223 / 5.56mm and .308 / 7.62mm loads.
This means you can achieve more efficient rapid shooting at distances from 20 to 600 yards. This illuminated reticle also provides holdover and ranging references from 0-600 yards and is great for low-light use.
We’ve had hands-on experience with this product line, and it’s a really good value.
Pros
- Capped turrets
- Affordable
- Illuminated BDC3 reticle
- Side illumination dial
Cons
- Eye box can be a bit unforgiving
- Glass clarity isn’t great at high magnification
What Customers Say
“I’m not an expert on optics. Much of what I know is based on product research and less on practical application. Nevertheless, based on my research and my experience with the scope so far, this is the best value available. You won’t find another scope of this quality, with these capabilities and features, from a manufacturer with a reputation like a Vortex anywhere close to this price range.”
Eric Stikes
“My range is only 500 TDs. Being a novice to bolt action rifles. This is bar none a great entry-level scope. Awesome glass and smooth adjustment. Definite buy. Locked in and adjusted hit 500 yds 8 inches round Ar500 plate all day long. You cannot beat the Vortex warranty. Lifetime. There is your cue to buy.”
Darren
Best on a Budget: Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 1-8×24 Riflescope
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Argos BTR is one of Athlon’s most cost-effective scopes. It comes with reliable locking turrets and uses the second focal plane, so it’s great for long-range shooting.
Argos guarantees quick target acquisition in all lighting conditions. It’s also zeroed easily and holds zero well. Plus it features a side parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity. It’s more than capable of performing at long distances like high-end scopes.
A few tradeoffs that you’d have to deal with are that there’s a slight image distortion at high magnification and it doesn’t have long eye relief.
Pros
- Compact
- Affordable
- Accurate windage and elevation adjustments
Cons
- Short eye relief
- Image distortion at high magnification
What Customers Say
Easy to install on an AR-15. Great optics with easy adjustments for sighting in target. Optical covers flip-up on both the front and back.
Derby
This optic is very clear. Even at maximum magnification. I am using this on a Ruger MPR 5.56 and I am very impressed with the accuracy of this optic and rifle combination. I was able to consistently ring a 8” steel plate at 200 yards and also a 12” steel plate at 300 yards today at the range.
A. Morgan
Best for 3-Guns: EOTech Vudu 1-8x24mm Precision Riflescope
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The EOTech Vudu sports an ultra-clear high-definition glass that guarantees detail optimization and features a reticle that compensates ballistic drop. Magnification adjustments are also made easier by its one-piece eyepiece with removable throw lever.
Pros
- Resistant to shock, water, and fog
- Anti-reflective lenses
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- Forgiving eyebox
Cons
- Expensive
- Made of average-quality material
What Customers Say
Have this mounted on an M1A. The glass on this unit is exceptional, and if you prefer minimalist reticles with basic holdovers, spring for this optic!
J
Works very well with excellent glass and a forgiving eyebox. Illuminated dot is crisp, clear and is day bright. 1x presents extremely well allowing fast target acquisition at close range. At 8x you get very good edge to edge clarity.
Dave
Best Premium Option: NightForce NX8 1-8×24 F1 Scope
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With the NightForce NX8 F1 scope, you won’t experience image blurriness or distortion when at the highest zoom setting, only bright and razor-sharp images. It features Nightforce’s proprietary MOAR F1 reticle. This extraordinary reticle features a floating center crosshair that’s two MOA wide and two MOA tall; so zeroing in the tiniest targets at extreme distances is a breeze.
Pros
- No blurriness at max power
- Lightweight
- Generous eye relief
- MOAR F1 reticle
Cons
- Expensive
What Customers Say
“This fits my FAL DMR and the optic is top-notch quality. It’s extremely high priced but I have no issues with it and it has an extremely hardcore zoom for a DMR, the downside to this optic is it’s heavy on an already heavy rifle.”
Michael Heathcock
Excellent glass. Great eye relief. Easy zeroing. Love the toggle for easy adjustment on magnification. This is my first NightForce, I will definitely be making these my go to optics.
Henry
Swarovski Z8i 1-8×24
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Swarovski Z8i features a highly luminous reticle that offers reliable brightness and clarity at first and last light where getting a clear and bright sight picture is critical. It also delivers unparalleled detail at high magnification and increased accuracy at longer distances.
Pros
- Accurate
- Wide field of view
- Smooth adjustments
Cons
- Very expensive
What Customers Say
Unbelievable… The clarity is hands down the best I’ve seen!!! It’s worth every penny! Definitely recommend!
Jessica Davis-Kropff
UTG Leapers Inc 1-8x28mm 30mm MRC Scope
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
UTG Leapers scope offers the cleanest and most responsive windage and elevation adjustments. It’s also constructed from recoil-resistant aluminum and its emerald-coated lenses offer excellent light transmission. Its intuitive BG4 etched reticle comes with rangefinder markings (out to 600 yards) and ballistic drop compensation.
Pros
- Affordable
- Long eye relief
- Shockproof, fog proof, and water-resistant
- Resettable target turrets
Cons
- Average illumination
- Heavy and bulky
What Customers Say
Fit and finish is very nice. The reticle is clean and fine. It’s rated for 5.56 but I love putting a product to the test. I put this on my .458 SOCOM. Once zeroed it held zero and I only had minimal loosening of only 2 screws. I shot a 1 1/8” group at 25 yards.
Chad
Looks and feels very sturdy and mounted in the Accu sync mount with no issues. Overall I am highly impressed with what this optic has to offer! I will update when I finish my rifle and get it to the range!
Anonymous
Conclusion
That’s it – the only list of scopes you’ll ever need for close to mid-range shooting applications! Have fun at the range!
