The 5 Best 1000 Yard Scopes: Shooting Long Distances

Hitting a 1000-yard target is a goal that many shooters hold as an ultimate test of their skill and equipment. Doing so often marks the culmination of years of patience and practice. However, as much as hitting a far-off target is an attestation to a shooter’s skill it is nearly impossible without the right equipment. At the top of the list of necessary equipment is quality optics...the best 1000 yard scopes.

Even the best shooter with a top of the line rifle will find it hard to hit what they cannot see. Picking the right scope can be almost as hard as hitting that far off target. There are hundreds to choose from, all claiming to be the best scopes for 1000 yards and most shooters can't afford to learn via trial and error.

This is where we come in. Based on our research and experience we have developed this list of the best 1000 yard scopes for long range and a buyer’s guide to help you select your own scope for long distance.

This is an ideal 1000 yard scope for the bench shooter on a budget. However, due to its weight, it is not ideal or the best pick for hunting scenarios.

This Mueller 8-32x44 Target Scope offers everything the beginner long-range shooter is looking for. Each feature is designed to increase success and make long-distance shooting possible on a budget.

The micro-fine cross-hair with mil-dot reticle assists in range estimations and allows for quick adjustments for wind changes. Exposed target turrets and side parallax adjustments permit changes without tools. The 44 mm objective allows for windage and elevation changes of 40 inches at 100 yards.

With a magnification range of 8-32 power and a fast-focus eyepiece, shooters will have the versatility needed to tackle targets at varying distances. The total weight of just over 1.6 pounds may be too heavy for ease of movement but is perfect for absorbing recoil when shooting higher calibers.

Unlike most lower-priced long-range scopes Mueller can provide excellent, high-quality glass. The edge to edge clarity lessens distortion and surpasses anything in its class.

Nikon is a well-known name in the optics field, having produced some of the most reliable binoculars, spotting scopes, and recreational rifle scopes on the market. But can they produce a reliable, economical rifle scope that will allow you to consistently hit at 1000 yards?

If the Black FX1000 is any indication the answer is "yes".

Nikon is known for innovation and the Black FX1000 scope is no exception. It's one of the best scopes for 1000 yards. It includes a first focal plane reticle, allowing the crosshairs to change as the magnification is increased or decreased. This is a major advantage when precision shooting at 1000 yards and extended ranges. The first focal plane reticle is one the biggest benefits of this scope.

But Nikon did not stop there. The list of features and options are almost endless.

The 30mm main tube is constructed from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum. This reduces weight and increases durability. The glass is of superior quality and offers unexpected clarity, of course, this is something Nikon is known for. The entire package is sealed to protect from fogging and shock. In the unlikely event, anything does fail these scopes are backed by an unlimited lifetime warranty.

Adjustments include 4-16x or 6-24x magnification, a side-mounted parallax control, and multiple levels of illumination. All the knobs are large enough to allow easy operation even when wearing gloves, although having the illumination adjustment alongside the parallax control can cause some confusion on the range. The zero stop and return to zero function are especially nice when shooting multiple distances.

Additional options include either MOA or MIL adjustments, 4-16x or 6-24x magnification, and a non-illuminated model. All told there are a total of 12 different configurations available, although the 6-24x50mm illuminated with MIL measurements is the most popular.

There is no doubt that this rifle scope deserves a place on any list of best 1000 yard scopes and is well worth your consideration.

Leopold is another name that any shooter is going to be familiar with and it should come as no surprise they have been included on a list of best 1000 yard rifle scopes. They have a strong reputation that has been gained by providing consistent quality products.

The first thing you will notice about this scope is the size. With a 34mm main tube, this is one of the larger scopes in its class. Although this does add some weight and can make it difficult to mount on smaller tactical rifles, it does provide additional elevation adjustment needed for effective long-range shooting.

The single-piece construction makes this rifle scope very durable. The additional water, shock, and fog resistance mean this is the perfect choice for field use.

Once you have a chance to try out this scope you will realize it is as impressive inside as out. The high-quality glass provides excellent edge to edge clarity. The Guard-in coating provides protection when in the field and the HD Twilight MAX HD system increases brightness for added shooting time at dusk/dawn.

Unlike the Nikon Black fx1000 which features a first focal plane reticle, this scope has a second focal plane reticle, which may not be as desirable for shooting at 1000 yards. As for the eye relief it is 3.7 inches low, and 3.8 inches high.

The turret includes adjustments for elevation, windage, and a side focus parallax. All knobs are easy to use and accessible even when wearing gloves. The windage turret is capped and the elevation turret locks with a single button release. The fast focus eyepiece allows for quick target sighting and improves the scope’s suitability for field use.

All Leopold rifle scopes are American made and backed by both excellent customer service and best of all, a lifetime warranty.

Vortex Optics is one of the newer companies supplying rifle scopes, including those capable of assisting you in long-range shooting. Despite their young age, they have developed a loyal, and growing following. Not only do they provide some excellent products but back them with a solid warranty and accessible customer service.

The Viper HST scope series features a single piece 30mm aluminum tube. Each is argon purged and O-ring sealed to protect against water and fog. Overall this is a well-constructed design suitable for a variety of applications.

While the lens is not Nikon like quality, they are impressive for a rifle scope in this cost range. They provide a high level of clarity without distortion through the 20x range. For the 20x-24x range, some users have reported edge distortion, and a preference for a 56mm objective lens rather than the 50mm, but the main view is still very clear.

The lens is protected with 2 coatings- XR Coating to increase light gathering ability and Armortek for added protection. These features are a big plus and not only make the lens provide better low light operability but provide for a longer life as well.

Target style turrets include wind, elevation, side mount focus, and a CRS zero stop as well. Each is placed and sized to allow maximum accessibility and can be used while wearing gloves. A detectable click as you adjust allows changes to be made without necessarily looking at the turrets themselves.

The reticle is clean, bold, and without unnecessary clutter. You have the option of either MOA or MIL. Regardless of which you choose the reticle markings are matched to the turret adjustments.

Eye relief is measured as approximately 4” at 6x and 3” at 25x. Both eye relief options provide for ease of use and when combined with the fast-focus eyepiece, quick target acquisition.

If you are looking for a quality rifle scope for 1000 yards at a moderate price this one is worth checking out. It is versatile enough to long-range, even out to 1000 yards, as well as shorter distance shots when hunting.

If you are looking for a long-range hunting scope built like a sniper scope NightForce has the answer. The NXS is not only the pride of the NightForce family it is also one of the best long-range rifle scopes on the market.

Before going any further you must know that this scope is not cheap. However, you get what you pay for and you get a lot! This is the best scope for long range.

NightForce builds rifle scopes for professionals who depend on equipment that will not fail them. Snipers, military members, and law enforcement officers are their primary target audience, people who need the best scopes available. But they have become a favorite among hunters and recreational shooters as well.

Regardless of who is using the NXS, they benefit from the same rugged construction and a wide range of features.

One of the first features you will notice is the construction of the main body tube. The 30mm tube is constructed of 6061-T6 aluminum that is 2 or 3 times thicker than the average rifle scope. While it does not allow for single-piece construction it does provide a more durable scope. Normally, multiple-piece construction would be discouraging but NightForce has made it work well.

Next there are the turrets. Both the windage and elevation knobs are oversized, even larger than other tactical scopes. While this does aid in operation while wearing gloves this is not the main reason for the extra size. It is designed to provide easier, quicker changes.

The Hi-Speed turret system allows for twice the adjustment in a single turn. This means fewer clicks to make changes and a wider range of adjustments available. This is an excellent feature for long-range shooting and will greatly aid in achieving 1000 yard shots. Definitely something other manufacturers should consider adding to their rifle scopes.

Between the turret and the 30mm tube you can achieve more elevation or windage range than even many of the best 1000 yard scopes. The maximum elevation range is 100 MOA and the windage is 60 MOA.

Inside is just as impressive as outside. The 56mm objective lens allows for superior light gathering to enhance performance during low light situations. The reticle is available with a variety of designs including MOAR, MOAR-T, Velocity 1000, and both illuminated or non-illuminated.

Regardless of which reticle you select it will be glass-etched. No wires to shift, bend, or break. The associated glass is extremely high quality with an excellent edge to edge clarity even at higher power settings.

If you opt for illumination you will find the controls are surprisingly easy to use and hard to accidentally activate. The control is part of the side focus parallax turret. Simply pull out the turret to turn on and push it back in to turn off. The illumination is factory set to medium and most shooters will find this adequate. Unfortunately, should you need to adjust the brightness it is the least user-friendly aspect of the scope and requires removing the turret cap and battery, rotating the adjustment screw, and reassembling.

The entire outer surface is coated with a hard-anodized matte black finish. Not only does it provide an attractive, but tactical finish it is also very durable.

All in all, this is without a doubt one of the best 1000 yard scopes you can purchase. Whether you are looking for a sniping scope or long-distance scope the NXS will meet your needs and then some.

How to Choose the Best 1000 Yard Scope

Before you can shop for a rifle scope, or have any hope of selecting one that is good enough to hit a 1000 yard target, you need to understand what you are looking at.

What The Numbers Mean

The first step is understanding what the numbers on the scope mean.

When you look at a scope you will notice a series of numbers such as 9-16x32. This could also be expressed as 9-16x32mm. Regardless of how it is written the information conveyed is the same.

The first number indicates the magnification range. The example above indicated the rifle scope has a low magnification of 9 power and can be increased as high as 16 power. If there was only a single number, such as in 9x32, this would denote a rifle scope that was not adjustable and provided only magnification of 9 power.

The second number lists the size in millimeters of the objective lens. In the example above the lens would be 32mm. The larger the objective lens the more light the scope allows to enter the tube, providing a brighter image.

Magnification

There's no magic number when it comes to magnification. Rather, there is the perfect combination of what's needed and what you are comfortable with.

Some magnification is needed to see (and hit) targets that are 1000 yards, or, 10 football fields away. However, you may not need as much as you might think. Depending on which expert you ask the minimum is anywhere from 9x to 18x.

If you will be shooting at multiple ranges, especially in a hunting or tactical application, you will want a range of magnification. This will allow you to magnify the image enough to see it without losing the ability to see the surrounding area. Too high a magnification at close ranges can also lead to unnecessary distortion.

The truth is what you need will likely fall somewhere in between. Test a few and determine which feels best and is the most comfortable. Then select a model that is adjustable and includes powers both higher and lower than what you prefer.

Glass

The importance of high-quality glass can not be overstated. The difference between a $500 scope and a $2000 scope is usually the glass.

At higher magnification, any imperfections will be multiplied. But high-quality glass does more than let you see your target. At long distances, the better glass will help detect mirage or wind direction. This is critical to making left to right corrects as you shoot. 

Objective Lens and Main Tube Size

One of the first things you will notice about long-range scopes is their size. A scope's size is very important when it comes to hitting 1000 yard targets.

A larger objective lens provides two advantages. First, it gathers more light. Second, it provides a wider field of view. The latter may be more important in hunting or tactical situations, but even in a strict target scenario, additional light will benefit the shooter.

Larger main tubes will allow for additional elevation adjustments. Most standard scopes are 30mm. This is adequate for 1000 yards if using a flat shooting cartridge. However, other cartridges require more adjustment and a main tube of 34mm or more.

Reticle

There are many different options when it comes to the reticle. Which specific reticle design you select is more a matter of personal preference than one being better than the other.

Regardless of which reticle design you select two recommendations will make hitting long-range targets easier.

Adjustability

One of the biggest mistakes new shooters make is buying a scope with all the adjustments available, but none that are easily used in the field.

If you are bench shooting, taking one perfect shot at a time, complicated adjustments are not as big a drawback. You can spend all the time in the world between shots. However, this is not ideal in a hunting or tactical situation.

Most long-range shooters are going to want a more versatile setup, one that is good on the rest or in a fluid situation. This means dials that are easy to use, easy to read, and that can be handled when wearing gloves.

Durability

A long-range scope is an investment and it is important to select one that is designed to last. Look for features that not only make it more functional but protect it as well.

A single piece body construction is more durable and provides a better platform for the optics. Having a waterproof scope will not only prevent potential damage but also add to the scope's versatility.

One area of great debate is whether you should choose a gas-filled scope. These scopes have an inert gas, usually nitrogen or argon, in the sealed body. Although more expensive these scopes are designed to prevent fogging due to internal moisture build-up.

Conclusion

So which long-range rifle scope is best for you? That depends on what you want to do, how much you can afford to spend, and which features are a must and which you can do without.

What we can tell you is that any of the reviewed rifle scopes are among the best long-range scopes available. We can also tell you our pick for the best 1000 yard scope - the NightForce NXS 5.5-22x56mm.

All of the best 1000 yard scopes on this list are designed for long-distance shooting. Each is capable of shots at 1000 yards or more. Everyone one of them offers excellent features and many are designed for the rigors of the outdoors. But only one was specifically designed to do all that and more under the most extreme conditions - war and life or death situations.