We live in a world where rifle scopes are aplenty. You can’t turn over a rock without finding some new type of optic. With so many out there, how can you choose the best? Well, why don’t we look at what the elite warfighters around the world choose? That’s precisely what we’ve done. Here are the five best rifle scopes as chosen by America’s warfighters.
The Best Close Range Fighting Optic – Eotech EXPS3-2
When SOCOM went looking to replace their Eotech’s in 2018, they chose Eotechs! Specifically the EXPS3-2, aka the SU 231A. For close-range use, the Eotech holographic optics provide a dynamic and durable aiming solution for close-quarters combat. The EXPS3-2 provides a compact aiming option with a full-size window.
The EOTech EXPS3-2 provides users with a reticle system that’s dynamic out to 200 yards, and when paired with a magnifier, it goes beyond even that. The EXPS3-2 provides a 68 MOA reticle, and inside the circle are two 1 MOA dots. The middle dot allows the user to utilize a 50/22 yard zero, and the second dot provides a ballistic drop point out to 500 yards.
The big 68 MOA circle allows you to compensate for height over bore at to 7 yards for bad breath ranges. The EOTech EXPS3-2 is utilized by Marine Raiders, Navy SEALs, Green Berets, and beyond. It’s easily one of the best rifle scopes for close quarter’s use and perfect for your AR 15 Kits.
The Best Prism – Trijicon ACOG 4x32mm
The Marine Corps prides itself on being a Corps of riflemen, and as such, when they went shopping for an optic, they chose the Trijicon ACOG. This fixed four-power scope provides a compact rifle scope that allows easy engagement out to 500 yards on a point target. These optics proved so successful that an inquiry was launched due to the amount of headshots Marines were achieving in Fallujah.
The Trijicon ACOG utilizes a bullet drop compensating reticle that makes it superbly simple to drop rounds at various ranges and to compensate for ballistic drop on the fly. The sun powers the reticle via a radioactive isotope that absorbs solar power to illuminate the reticle. With the ACOG, the future is now.
This integral mount makes it easy to mount the optic to your carbine and to provide accurate fires at almost any range. It’s one of the toughest rifle scopes on the planet and allows shooters to stretch their legs while maintaining a compact package.
The Best Mini Red Dot – Trijicon RMR Type 2
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 provides shooters a superbly small aiming solution for a wide variety of weapon platforms. We are talking about rifle scopes today, but the Trijicon RMR Type 2 can be mounted to a rifle, a submachine gun, a handgun, and even a machine gun. SOCOM chose the Trijicon RMR to outfit handguns, rifles, and the Marine Corps uses it on machine guns.
It’s a rugged and dependable optic that can absorb abuse at a crazy high level. It’s a never-say-die kind of optic that comes in a wide variety of configurations. You can choose different reticle sizes, colors, shapes, and power sources. It’s a dependable optic that’s easily piggy-backed onto a magnified optic for a close-range aiming solution.
The Best LPVO – SIG TANGO6T
SIG’s optic line has exploded significantly. They make red dots, variable optics, thermals, and of course, low power variable optics. The LPVO concept has swept through the military and become the major go-to rifle for a wide variety of military forces. The US Army and SOCOM both chose the SIG TANGO6T.
The SIG TANGO6T provides users with a magnification range set between 1-6X, and that makes the optic extremely valuable and versatile. AT 1X, it’s essentially a red dot; at a higher power level, you can zoom in and take precision shots at close range or accurate long-range shots.
SIG made the optic last and provided a durable option for DMRs and everyday troops. The TANGO6T surprised most of us, but with adoption by two military forces, it can’t be underestimated to provide a level of versatility beyond most rifle scopes.
The Best Sniper Rifle Optic – Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm F1 MIL
When you say special operations capable scope, the Nightforce series is what you should be thinking of. I don’t think anyone has ever made better sniper rifle scopes. These extremely durable optics provide snipers superbly clear glass that defeats darkness and allows snipers to kill a bad guy a mile away.
SOCOM utilizes the Nightforce ATACR 5-25×56 F1 MIL to provide the world’s sharpest shots the clearest glass possible. Everything from the turrets to the glass is made to be unbeatable and second to none. A sniper is only as good as his optics, and when he’s got an ATACR, he is doing pretty damn good.
The Nightforce ATACR 5-25×56 is extremely durable with the ability to resist shock, water, dust, and general tomfoolery. Whenever something is made from glass and aluminum, you don’t expect much durability, but I’m convinced I could beat a man to death with an ATACR, and it would hold zero.
Get On Target
At this point, iron sights should be regulated to backups. An optic can do everything iron sights can do. They can also do it faster, more accurately, and extend your effective range. Give your rifle the best gift possible, and choose a high-quality optic. Any from the above list will kick all the ass.
