Ever looked downrange at 500 yards and felt a little unsure if your scope could handle the distance? Hitting a target that far away takes more than just a steady hand. It demands the right tools, and your scope is the most important one. Choosing a scope for 500-yard shooting can feel overwhelming. You face a jungle of magnification numbers, reticle types, and price tags that can make your head spin. Many shooters waste money on scopes that can’t hold zero at that range or lack the clear glass needed for precise aiming.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what you need in a scope to confidently and accurately reach out to 500 yards. You will learn about essential features like turret tracking, eye relief, and the best magnification ranges for this specific distance. Stop guessing and start selecting with confidence. Read on to discover the best scope setups that will transform your long-range accuracy.
Top Scope To Shoot 500 Yards Recommendations
- Enhanced BDC Reticle for Precise Targeting: The CVLIFE 4x32 rifle scope features a specialized BDC reticle designed for quick and accurate aiming at distances of 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards. No need to adjust the elevation turret – just lock onto your target effortlessly
- Comfortable Long Eye Relief: With a generous 3.9 inches of eye relief, this scope ensures comfortable and extended shooting sessions. Equipped with high-definition optics and fully multi-coated lenses, it offers edge-to-edge clarity and improved low-light visibility for a crisp view
- Compact and Lightweight Design: Measuring only 7.5 inches in length and weighing just 10.8 ounces, this scope is remarkably portable while preserving the essential attributes needed for accurate and efficient targeting. Its 1/4 MOA elevation and windage turrets provide precise adjustments for medium to long-range targeting
- Rugged Shockproof and Waterproof Construction: Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, this 4x scope is both sturdy and lightweight, still holding zero after 500 rounds of .22lr through it. Equipped with an O-ring seal, fog resistance, and waterproof capabilities, it ensures long-lasting durability
- Easy to Install: This 4x32 compact scope comes with 20 mm picatinny rails included, offering a solid and stable mounting capability
Choosing Your Perfect Scope for 500-Yard Shooting
Shooting accurately at 500 yards requires a good rifle, steady hands, and, most importantly, a quality scope. A great scope helps you see your target clearly and make precise adjustments for long distances. This guide will help you pick the right tool for hitting those far-off targets.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a scope designed for 500-yard shooting, some features really matter.
- Magnification Range: You need enough zoom to see a small target clearly at 500 yards. Look for scopes offering at least 12x to 16x magnification on the high end. A good range might be 4-16x or 6-24x. More magnification helps you see wind drift better.
- Objective Lens Diameter: This is the size of the big lens at the front. Bigger lenses (like 50mm or 56mm) gather more light. More light means a brighter image, especially when you are shooting early in the morning or late in the evening.
- Turret Adjustments (Clicks): Turrets are the knobs you turn to adjust for wind and distance. For 500 yards, you need turrets that offer precise adjustments, often measured in 1/4 MOA (Minute of Angle) or 0.1 MRAD (Milliradian). You must be able to easily dial in your shots.
- Reticle Type: The reticle is the crosshair pattern inside the scope. For long-range shooting, a Mil-dot or BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticle is very useful. These patterns help you aim without constantly adjusting the turret.
Important Materials Matter
The quality of materials directly affects how long your scope lasts and how clear your view remains.
Good scopes use high-quality optical glass. This glass must be fully multi-coated (FMC). Coating reduces glare and increases light transmission, giving you a sharper picture. The main body, or tube, should be made from strong, aircraft-grade aluminum. This material keeps the scope light but tough enough to handle recoil and rough handling.
Furthermore, many quality scopes are nitrogen or argon purged. This process seals the scope internally. Because of this sealing, the inside lenses will not fog up when you move from a cold area to a warm one. Fogging ruins your shot.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one scope better than another for long-range work?
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Excellent Glass Clarity: Clear edges and true colors across the entire field of view are signs of premium glass. You should not see distortion, especially at high magnification.
- Precise Turret Tracking: When you dial the turret up ten clicks, the point of impact must move exactly the expected amount. Scopes that track perfectly offer reliable long-range shooting.
- Robust Construction: The scope needs to hold its zero (stay sighted in) even after being bumped around.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Poor Light Transmission: If the image looks dim, especially at dusk, the coatings or glass quality is likely low.
- “Mushy” Turrets: If the turrets feel loose or don’t click distinctly, you cannot trust your distance adjustments.
- Parallax Error: At 500 yards, if the scope has poor parallax adjustment (or none), your aim point can shift if your eye moves slightly off-center.
User Experience and Use Cases
A scope’s design greatly affects how easy it is to use when you need speed and precision.
For competition shooting or serious target practice at 500 yards, you want features that allow fast adjustments. Side focus for parallax correction is usually preferred over an objective bell focus because it is easier to reach while aiming. The scope must feel intuitive; you should not have to fight the controls.
For hunters who occasionally shoot longer distances, durability and a wide field of view at lower magnification (for close shots) are also important. However, for consistent 500-yard work, prioritize the clarity and precise adjustment mechanisms mentioned above.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Scopes for 500 Yards
Q: Do I need a first focal plane (FFP) or second focal plane (SFP) reticle?
A: For 500-yard shooting, FFP reticles are generally better. The reticle markings stay accurate across all magnification settings. SFP reticles only show correct measurements at one specific power setting.
Q: What is “eye relief,” and why does it matter?
A: Eye relief is the safe distance your eye must be from the eyepiece to see the full picture. For powerful rifles that kick hard, you need generous eye relief (usually 3.5 inches or more) so the scope does not hit you in the forehead.
Q: Is a 30mm tube better than a 1-inch tube for long range?
A: Yes, a 30mm tube is often preferred. The larger tube allows for more internal adjustment range, meaning you can dial up more elevation for extreme distances.
Q: How important is the scope’s field of view (FOV) at 500 yards?
A: At high magnification, the FOV will narrow significantly. While a wide FOV is nice for tracking moving targets up close, it is less critical than clarity and adjustment precision for static 500-yard targets.
Q: Should I buy a scope with illuminated reticles?
A: Illumination helps tremendously when shooting against dark backgrounds, like shadows or at dawn/dusk. It makes the reticle visible, which improves aiming speed.
Q: What magnification level is too much for 500 yards?
A: There is rarely “too much” magnification for seeing the target clearly at 500 yards, provided the scope’s glass quality is high enough to handle it without blurring the image.
Q: What is the minimum objective lens size I should consider?
A: For reliable performance in varied light conditions, try to stick to a minimum objective lens size of 40mm or 44mm for scopes intended for regular 500-yard use.
Q: How do I check if a scope is tracking correctly before buying?
A: You cannot perfectly check tracking in the store. You must rely on user reviews that specifically test turret tracking accuracy. Good brands stand behind their tracking.
Q: Does scope weight matter for 500-yard shooting?
A: Weight matters for portability, but a heavier scope often means more solid construction and better repeatability in adjustments. Find a balance that your rifle setup can handle.
Q: What budget range should I expect for a reliable 500-yard scope?
A: Reliable scopes with precise tracking and good glass for this distance usually start in the mid-to-high range, often $500 and up, depending on the brand and features.