Ever wonder what it takes to consistently hit targets at 400 yards? That distance sits in a sweet spot for many shooters—too far for casual plinking, but close enough for real-world application. Choosing the right optic for this range is more challenging than you might think. You need magnification that brings the target close, but also enough clarity to see subtle details, all while battling glare and maintaining a solid build quality.
Many shooters waste money on scopes that look good on paper but fail in the field when shooting at 400 yards. They might lack the necessary eye relief or have reticles that wash out in bright sunlight. Finding that perfect balance of power, glass quality, and ruggedness can feel like a guessing game, often leading to frustration downrange.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the essential features you must look for in a scope designed for 400-yard accuracy. You will learn exactly what magnification range works best, how to understand turret precision, and what glass quality truly matters for clear shots at this distance.
Prepare to stop guessing and start selecting with confidence. Let’s dive into the specifics and find the ideal optic that will help you master your 400-yard shots.
Top Scope For 400 Yards Recommendations
- Specification: 3-9x40
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective Diameter: 1.57
- Exit pupil: 0.2
- Length: 12.20
- Magnification: 6-24x
- Objective Diameter: 50mm
- Field Of View: 28 ft @ 100 yards
- Click Value: 1/8 inch @ 100 yards
- Illuminated Type of the rifle scope: Red and Green
- Superior Multi-Coated lenses for reduction of glare and reflection, while maximizing light transmission for ultimate image brightness and clarity from edge to edge.
- Red, Green and Blue illuminated color Mil-Dot reticle, along with auto off to save battery life.
- QTA (Quick Adjustment) turrets with precise 1/4 MOA click value for wind and elevation adjustment.
- Constructed with single piece of premium Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy with 1 inch tube diameter body.
- Nitrogen filled scope body, completely sealed with o-ring, making scope shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.
- Adjustable Illuminated Setting: Green and red illuminations, 5-level brightness available, allow the hunter to use normally in any light conditions.
- Clearer View: Magnification: 3X to 9X. Objective lens: 40mm. Field of view: 13.41-40.38ft @ 100 yards. Equipped with the multi-layer coated lens, the 3-9x40 scope has 95% light transmittance, clearer than the single-coated lens.
- Accurate & Rapid Aiming: Capped reset turrets are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in. Windage & elevation click value: 1/4 MOA 1/4" @ 100yards, eye relief：2.95"-3.94".
- Convenient & Sturdy: The CVLIFE 3-9x40 rifle scope is made from high-strength aluminum alloy. Completely sealed and nitrogen-filled makes it fog and rainproof, working great in all weather conditions. The ocular is built with a dioptric adjustment lens that can provide nearsighted and farsighted users with a clear viewfinder image without the use of eyeglasses.
- Easy to Install: There are two 20mm mounts with the scope.
- Advanced Night Vision Technology: The night vision scope delivers ultra-crisp imaging with a 850nm IR Illuminator and a 1920x1080 CMOS sensor, Detects objects up to 400 yards at night. this scope allows you to see in complete darkness, enabling you to spot and track game or threats with ease and confidence.
- Record Video & Take Photos in HD 1080P: Preserve your hunting experiences and observations with the built-in 1080P HD video recording feature. Capture stunning videos and photos of your outdoor adventures and wildlife encounters, allowing you to relive and share your memories. A 32GB Card included.
- Magnification: This night vision monocular camera features 4x optical zoom & 4x digital zoom, built-in 1.2-inch circular full viewing angle screen, ensuring fine-detail imaging even when observing distant subjects. Screen with adjustable crosshairs, the night vision riflescope zoom in/out with the crosshair at the center, never miss your target.
- Day and Night Viewing Modes: Viewing with black-and-white night vision mode and a vibrant daytime color mode. The scope seamlessly transitions between these modes, offering sharp, full-color clarity for daytime and optimized night vision.
- Longer Range Viewing: Observing range up to 400 yards in complete darkness and 1100 yards in daytime. The night vision device is a stand alone scope optical system, you don't need to connect it to another scope. It's picture is a full circle, it's not some tiny screen, equipped with a high-definition circular full-screen display. Images are smoother and contain more detail.
- Adjustable 2-7 times magnification, for targeting out to 400 yards and beyond
- Adjustable reticle illumination with 5 brightness levels in both red and green, allowing for better reticle visibility in low light environments
- An adjustable objective lens or AO - that allows for sharper focus of the target image, elimination of parallax, and range estimation
- A range finder reticle with markings that allows you to estimate range or compensate for bullet drop
- Aircraft grade 6061 aluminum scope body with a sealed, nitrogen-charged tube for resistance to water and fog
- 3-9x40 Configuration: This hunting rifle scope offers a 3-9x magnification range and a 40mm objective lens to gather plenty of light for a bright, clear image, even in low-light conditions like dawn or dusk.
- Illuminated Reticle: The etched-glass illuminated reticle offers the simplicity of our Multi-X design, now enhanced with a bright center dot for fast targeting. Choose from 6 brightness settings with quick-access off positions between each level—perfect for any lighting condition.
- RainGuard HD Coating: This rifle scope features Bushnell's exclusive RainGuard HD lens coating to ensure your view stays sharp and clear—even in rain, snow, or humidity. No more fogged lenses or missed shots due to the weather.
- Aluminum Tube: Legend riflescopes are made of a one-piece aircraft grade alluminum tube, offering durability and a lightweight design. They are made to withstand rugged field use season after season.
- Waterproof & Fogproof: This Bushnell rifle scope is IPX7 waterproof and nitrogen-purged to prevent internal fogging. Whether you're in the deer stand or stalking through wet brush, this rifle scope is built to perform.
- BEST PERFORMANCE - The Buckmasters Rifle Scopes were inspired by Jackie Bushman to bring the performance of SIG SAUER Electro-Optics to a value that is within reach for every hunter; This scope for rifles available with various magnification options to bring freedom of choice
- BUCKMASTERS BDC RETICLE - This rifle scope comes equipped with a unique Buckmasters Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) reticle, complete with holdover dots that extend up to a distance of 500 yards; Avid hunters know the upgraded game hunting comes with upgraded equipment
- GREAT CONSTRUCTION -The Buckmasters hunting rifle scope has extra durable construction with a single-piece, 1-inch main tube; For those who appreciate the convenience, it also features an integrated thread in the throw lever which allows for quick magnification changes
- WEATHER RESISTANT - Dependable waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof performance and high-performance optical system with low dispersion glass of the Buckmasters scope makes your hunting season non-stop whatever weather is on the way; See the target with a reliable magnification of 3-9X40mm
- SIG SAUER - In our world-class facilities, we build the toughest, most precise rifles, pistols, optics, suppressors, ammunition, airguns, holsters, and various accessories, while offering the finest guns training - all as a fully integrated system
Choosing Your Perfect Scope for 400 Yards: A Buyer’s Guide
Hitting targets accurately at 400 yards requires the right tools. A good rifle scope makes a huge difference. This guide helps you pick the best one for your needs. We focus on what matters most when shooting at this distance.
Key Features to Look For
Several features truly matter when you aim for 400 yards. Don’t overlook these important parts of the scope.
Magnification Power
For 400 yards, you need enough zoom. Look for a scope with variable magnification, often written as something like 3-15x or 4-16x. The higher number lets you see the target clearly at that distance. A minimum of 12x magnification is usually helpful.
Objective Lens Diameter
This is the front glass of the scope. A larger diameter lets in more light. This means a brighter picture, especially in low light. Scopes with a 40mm or 50mm objective lens are great choices for 400-yard shooting.
Reticle Type and Holdovers
The reticle is the crosshair pattern inside the scope. For 400 yards, a simple crosshair might not be enough. You need a BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticle or a Mil-dot/MOA reticle. These help you aim higher to account for bullet drop as it travels 400 yards.
Turret Adjustments
Turrets are the knobs on top and side of the scope. They adjust your aim up/down and left/right. Look for scopes with “tactical” or “exposed” turrets. These let you make quick, precise adjustments without taking the caps off. Clicks should feel crisp and reliable.
Important Materials and Construction
The quality of the materials affects how long your scope lasts and how clear the view is.
- Lens Glass: High-quality, fully multi-coated (FMC) glass is essential. Coatings reduce glare and improve light transmission. Better light transmission equals a clearer image.
- Tube Material: Most good scopes use aircraft-grade aluminum. This material is strong but light. The tube diameter is usually 1 inch or 30mm. 30mm tubes often allow for more internal adjustment range.
- Waterproofing and Fog Proofing: Good scopes are sealed with O-rings and filled with nitrogen or argon gas. This stops moisture and fog from getting inside when temperatures change.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one scope better than another? It often comes down to the details.
Quality Boosters:
- Eye Relief: This is the distance your eye needs to be from the eyepiece to see the full picture. Good eye relief (around 3.5 inches or more) prevents “scope bite” when shooting powerful rifles.
- Parallax Adjustment: This feature corrects for aiming errors caused by looking slightly off-center. A side focus or adjustable objective is very important for clear shots at 400 yards.
Quality Reducers:
- Soft Clicks: If the turret clicks feel mushy or inconsistent, your adjustments won’t be accurate. This lowers the scope’s quality significantly.
- Poor Edge-to-Edge Clarity: If the image is sharp in the center but blurry near the edges, it makes target identification harder at longer ranges.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the scope influences your choice.
Hunting: If you hunt deer or varmints at 400 yards, you need a scope that handles quick movement and varying light conditions well. Durability is key here.
Target Shooting/Competition: For pure accuracy, you might prioritize very fine reticle subtensions (like Mil-dot) and excellent turret tracking. You need to dial your adjustments precisely, so turret feel is paramount.
Mounting: Remember that a great scope needs a strong mount. Poor mounting will ruin even the best optics. Ensure your rings match your scope tube size (1 inch or 30mm).
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About 400-Yard Scopes
Q: Do I need a 30mm tube or a 1-inch tube for 400 yards?
A: A 30mm tube is generally preferred. It allows for greater internal adjustment range, which helps you zero the scope precisely for longer distances like 400 yards.
Q: What is ‘eye relief’ and why does it matter for 400 yards?
A: Eye relief is the safe distance between your eye and the scope’s eyepiece. It matters because rifles used at 400 yards often have heavy recoil. Good eye relief prevents the scope from hitting your brow.
Q: Is magnification over 16x necessary for 400 yards?
A: It is not strictly necessary, but it helps. Higher magnification lets you see the target and confirm your hits better. Magnification between 12x and 18x is usually the sweet spot.
Q: What does ‘FMC’ mean on a scope?
A: FMC stands for Fully Multi-Coated. This means the lens manufacturer applied many layers of anti-reflective coating to every glass surface. This improves light transmission and picture brightness.
Q: Should I buy a scope with a First Focal Plane (FFP) or Second Focal Plane (SFP)?
A: For 400 yards, FFP is often better. In FFP, the reticle size stays accurate across all magnification levels, making holdovers reliable at any zoom setting.
Q: How much should I expect to spend on a decent 400-yard scope?
A: You can find very capable scopes starting around $300-$400. However, for guaranteed reliability and excellent clarity at 400 yards, expect to spend $500 or more.
Q: What is parallax adjustment for?
A: Parallax adjustment removes the apparent shift between the reticle and the target when your eye moves slightly off-center. It ensures accuracy when shooting long range.
Q: What is the main benefit of a BDC reticle?
A: A BDC reticle has hash marks below the center dot. Each mark represents a specific bullet drop at a known distance (like 300, 400, or 500 yards). This lets you aim quickly without dialing turrets.
Q: Does scope weight matter for a 400-yard setup?
A: Yes, weight matters, especially if you carry the rifle long distances. Heavier scopes often have more robust internal mechanisms, but very heavy scopes can affect rifle balance.
Q: Can I use a scope designed for 100 yards for 400 yards?
A: You can try, but it will be difficult. Scopes designed only for 100 yards usually lack the necessary magnification range and sufficient turret travel or reticle markings to accurately compensate for 400-yard bullet drop.