If you’re looking for a good tactical that can accurately shoot to a 1000 yards or maybe further – you’ve certainly come to the right place!
Long range scopes such as 1000 yards scopes have a number of real advantages over mid range scopes. This is particularly the case when it comes to obtaining the best possible accuracy, for example when accounting for any wind and elevation adjustments. What you will find though is that such features come at price, and you may find yourself having to pay considerably more.
And when you know you’re going to be spending a lot of your hard earned cash on a scope, you want it to be exactly the right one for your needs & requirements. And scopes can come in a wide variety of magnification powers and specifications, with their own specially designed reticles and adjustment turrets.
But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed – first we’ll show you our favorite scopes on the market today, each with a thorough review. Then we’ll go a step further and provide you with an in depth buying guide. This guide will go through everything you need to know to choose the best 1000 yards sniper scope, walking you through the most important features to look out for in a long range scope.
In a hurry? This is our Winner!
Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II
- Extra-low Dispersion Glass
- Highly Functional, Intuitive, and Detailed Hold Points
- 10 Intensity Levels With Off Positions
Quick Navigation
Top 1000 Yard Rifle Scopes in 2022
| Image | Product | Technical Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Top Pick
|
Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 Second Focal Plane Riflescope |
|
Check Price On Amazon |
 |
NightForce NXS 5.5-22x56mm Scope |
|
Check Price On Amazon |
 |
Burris Optics XTR II Rifle Scope – 5-25x50mm Riflescope |
|
Check Price On Amazon |
 |
Nikon black FX 1000 6-24X50 M Illuminated Reticle FX-MOA |
|
Check Price On Amazon |
 |
Millett 6-25 X 56 LRS-1 Illuminated Side Focus Tactical Riflescope |
|
Check Price On Amazon |
Our Favorite 1000 Yard Rifle Scope Reviews
1. Our Top Pick: Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
Top of our list comes this absolute beauty of a scope from Vortex. It’s jam packed with useful tactical features and is exceptionally precise and accurate
What makes it so great?
Vortex are really bang on trend here with the scope’s first focal plane reticle, which is so popular at the moment. A first focal plane reticle shrinks as you zoom in, prepping you well for that precise shot. The reticle also grows larger as you zoom out.
One thing we really love about it is the laser etched turrets that mark out windage, elevation compensation and parallax removal. The RZR zero stop is a really neat feature too, you can hold zero with no problems whatsoever. And you can easily keep track of your current turret position with the fibre optic rotation indicator.
The reticle is really user friendly, with a number of different hold positions for precise shooting, and all the while remaining clutter free. There are 10 different intensity levels available, along with off positions in between.
With regards to the optics, we can assure you there’s no compromise when it comes to image quality. You get extremely high resolution and vivid color quality, all thanks to the exceptionally low dispersion of the glass.
Conclusion
OK, so it does come with a hefty price tag, however you will not find a better scope on the market today that’s this good. The additional features really are worth the money – fantastic reticle with it’s laser etched turrets, instant zero stop and incomparable picture quality.
2. Burris Optics XTR II Rifle Scope – 5-25x50mm Riflescope – Tactical Shooting, Long Distance Shooting
This long range precision shooting scope from Burris is a sniper’s dream, and is well suited not just for tactical shooting but also competitive shooting too, with it’s huge 58 m objective lens, 25x zoom AND a wide field of view.
What makes this scope one to remember?
The combination of a huge objective lens of 58mm coupled with a huge magnification power of up to 25x, hands down makes it one of the best scopes for 1000 currently around on the market.
Again we’ve got a first focal plane reticle, which is exactly what you want for long distance shooting. It means that the reticle size is always proportional to the power setting selected. We like that you can change the reticle too, you can have the Mil-Dot reticle in both MIL and MOA, or you can have the SCR (Special Competition Reticle).
It has a whopping 11 different settings altogether, such as providing illumination for night vision, or there’s a low light and a dylight setting for example, and a few battery saver settings to boot.
Now all long range scopes will feature high magnification, but what this scope can do at the lower end of the spectrum is just great – the 5 times zoom allows for a super wide field of view at closer quarters, and when you turn it up high you get amazing target acquisition. The parallax adjustment starts at 50 yards and doesn’t stop.
The windage and elevation systems are speedy and they’re easy to operate, with 1/4 MOA click value per adjustment. We love that the adjustments are in sync with adjustments in the reticle, but what really blew our socks off was the instant zero reset click system – it lets you revert quickly back to the original yardage setting without having to count clicks.
The high grade multi coated lenses are just great. In addition to reducing glare, they also enhance the visibility, brightness and clarity of the picture, making your target acquisition a breeze.
Conclusion
We absolutely love how versatile this scope’s zoom selector is, and of course it’s super crisp images it achieves from its large objective and multi coated lens. But what really stands it apart is the different reticle options. This is definitely one of the top 1000 yard scopes out on the market at the moment.
3. Nikon Black FX1000
Nikon are known for their optical equipment and you won’t be surprised to find a list of top scopes mentioning them. And this Nikon Black FX1000 is the epitome of what Nikon stands for. This Nikon scope is not going to be knocked of it’s rightful spot on our list.
What makes this scope so great?
This FX-MOA reticle was especially created to bring Nikon’s classic optical prowess to the first focal plane. And it’s built not just to optimize the sight picture, but also to provide all those super handy measurements you need for holdover, ranging and windage corrections.
There are 10 different intensity settings altogether which you can select with the illumination controls in the side. This includes an automatic shut down when not being used, in order to save battery.
The stand out feature of this scope is hands down it’s high speed turrets. The windage and elevation turrets go up at 1,4 MOA per click up to a maximum internal adjustment of 60 MOA. We also love the immediate zero stop, allowing you to return to zero right there and then. And the side mounted parallax adjuster is really effective too.
The O-ring seal lenses prevent moisture from rain and fog entering the optics. And it’s got nitrogen housing to provide real protection from thermal shock. Made with such good materials, it really is designed for durability, and will last you a good few years.
Conclusion
Nikon have really earned their reputation as great brands for optics with this model. It may not have as many fancy features as the other 2 scopes we’ve shown you so far, but this scope is absolutely flawless – definitely a great 1000 yard scope.
4. Nightforce Optics 5.5-22×56 NXS Riflescope
This advanced field tactical scope from Nightforce is a right powerhouse! Nightforce have made this their flagship product, and in our view they were right to do so. It sets the standard for 1000 yard rifle scopes. Not only is it popular with civilians, but immensely popular with law enforcement too.
What makes this scope such a powerhouse?
Just look at the specs on this scope – magnification power ranging from 5.5x all the way up to 22x, coupled with a huge 56mm objective lens. This scope will let you see well beyond 1000 yards, and can in fact let you reach distances up to a staggering 2000 yards!
The extremely wide magnification factor of this scope allows high precision accuracy at the most extended ranges, and is still really effective for close range shots too.
There’s a huge maximum internal adjustment, coming in at 100 MOA, and when you couple that with adjustment increments of 0.25 MOA, you can be assured that no target is too far. It’s also got that zero stop reset function that we love, so you’ll have no problem at all accounting for any bullet drop corrections. The parallax adjustment range is fantastic, stretching from 50 yards to infinity.
At its lowest magnification, the field of view is a massive 17.5 feet. And at its maximum zoom, the field of view is still very very accommodating, coming in at 4.7 feet. Your prey need never escape your crosshairs.
The ease of focus throughout the zoom range is phenomenal, and you get High Definition picture quality right throughout the entire zoom range. And the high contrast ensures you’ll get sight of your target however well hidden it tries to be.
It’s built like a powerhouse too, with it’s T6 aircraft grade aluminum it can take any amount of battering, it’s so sturdy and rugged.
We like that there’s a choice of different reticles available, like the MilDot and the MilR etcetera, each with their own set of hash marks. We especially like the MOAR reticle, which really transforms the playing field of long range shooting.
Conclusion
This riflescope was developed for the military, and as such is one of the most advanced sniper scopes of its time and remains so to this day. Whether you’re hunting for sport or competitive shooting, this scope has got your back and then some.
5. Millett 6-25 X 56 LRS-1 Illuminated Side Focus Tactical Riflescope
Ok, so technically this scope is last on our list, but we can assure you it holds its own and lives up to the ones we’ve shown so far. This scope from Millet offers huge magnification powers, going up to a whopping 25x and an equally colossal 56mm objective lens. All that and it has a stunning matt finish.
Why should you give this scope some serious thought?
One thing we love about this scope is it’s awesome reticle. It sports a Mil-DotBAr reticle which gives it a huge advantage over more traditional Mil-Dot reticle counterparts. The trajectories calculated by this reticle feature thin lines with dots at the end, which provides perfect clarity and accuracy. And then the range finding and holdover corrections become a walk in the park.
Even better than that though is the gigantic 140 MOA of maximum internal adjustment. No matter how far away your game is or windy it gets, the positive 0.25 MOA clicks over the entire change mean you’ll get that prey in your crosshairs and range correction is a breeze.
And Millet has achieved all this without having to compromise on image quality. Thanks to the fully multi coated lenses which allow fantastic light transmission, you get real brightness and contrast.
With its aluminum frame it’s super durable and you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged if it was dropped once or twice.
In fact the only drawback we can see is the eye relief being a tad small at just 3 inches.
Conclusion
This is easily the most accurate long range scope around in this price range, it’s a fantastic piece of kit and a good investment to boot.
How to Choose a 1,000 Yard Rifle Scope
As promised, let’s walk you through the various factors to consider when choosing your long range scope.
Magnification
One of the first things you need to think about is the scope’s magnification power.
If you want to put as much distance as possible between yourself and your prey, perhaps because you’re hunting big game, then we would strongly recommend that you get a scope with a magnification of at least 18x, or preferably more.
Having such a powerful magnification means that you can stay way back, completely out of your prey’s sight, so you can be assured that they won’t come charging at you for any reason.
However, such powerful magnification can come at somewhat of a compromise. This is because, the higher the magnification on your scope, the more restricted your field of view is.
Whilst this may not be a big problem when your target is stationary, as soon as it starts to move, it will be more tough to line up the crosshairs where you want them. And if you’re after a fast moving target, then the restricted field of view is more problematic still.
Objective Lens
The objective lens is the one nearest your prey and furthest from you. The larger that this lens is, the more light comes through. And the more light that comes through, the better the image you get. The image will be more crisp, clear and bright.
However bigger isn’t necessarily always better. Having a large objective lens on your scope makes it that bit more heavier. And this in turn can limit your mobility and restrict your ability to get into position quickly when needed.
Multicoated, anti-reflective lens
For that all important picture quality however, a good size lens by itself is not enough. You need to get optimum light transmission through the scope and a large objective lens needs to also be both Multicoated, and anti-reflective.
This will ensure that you get excellent light transmission and in turn get high contrast images. This is particularly valuable if you have to make out your prey’s shape in a dense and grassy environment.
Precise Adjustment Turrets
When you’re shooting from a long distance, such as with a 1000 yard scope, you’ll face a significant amount of bullet drop, and in order to make up for it, you will need precise adjustment turrets.
At the very minimum, we reckon you’ll need a range of 40 MOA adjustment with individual gradations in between of at least 1/4 MOA. The precision and accuracy of the scope is determined by the range of the adjustment and how fine the graduations are.
Another handy feature is the option to easily reset the turrets to zero, and the option to lock any adjustments in place.
The Reticle
The reticle is the pattern you see through the scope to allow you to line up your target. It may well be that this is the feature that will help you make up your mind on which scope to go for. Which type of reticle you like comes down mainly to individual taste, however there are a few essential matters to attend to.
We would recommend that you go for an uncluttered crosshair which gives you a completely unobstructed view of your prey. Ideally it will also have multiple aiming points to account for bullet drop over your various different ranges.
Some reticles feature bullet trajectory calculating technology, which is great because it means you don’t have to rely on any guesswork.
Another option to consider is an illuminated reticle, which can be very beneficial in low light, but can be distracting when not essential.
Durability
You want your scope to have a good quality durable build, and a cheaper scope simply won’t cut it. You should get a scope made out of aircraft grade aluminum alloy or something equally as strong. Anodized exteriors is also another thing to look out for. And look out for shock resistance too. Scopes like this can take a drop or a beating and still work just fine.
You also need the scope to hold up against whatever weather conditions you may face. A good way to solve this is with lenses that are nitrogen or argon purged. This will ensure that the whole thing is waterproof, fog proof and dustproof.
Final Words
We always recommend doing your homework when making a big purchase, and we’re confident that after reading this post, you feel well equipped to make a great purchasing decision.
The 5 long range scopes we reviewed for you earlier are prominent bestsellers in the industry, miles ahead of the competition. Any one of these would be a good choice.
Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II
- Extra-low Dispersion Glass
- Highly Functional, Intuitive, and Detailed Hold Points
- 10 Intensity Levels With Off Positions
