Shooting and hitting targets at 1,000 yards is a milestone for most long-range shooters and something to be proud of.

Although it’s a challenge that has a lot to do with the shooter’s skill and judgment, having good enough tools (rifle and scope) is a must. Having better gear makes the process easier and repeatable.

The most important gear here is a “good enough” scope. While modern rifles and good ammo work fine, you need a scope that’s “good enough” to see extreme long-range targets and offers precise adjustments to hit them accurately.

But how do you choose the right 1000-yard scope? Don’t worry, I’ve done the research for you and created a list of the best 1000-yard scopes so that you can pick the one that best fits your needs.

Before we get into the list, let me explain how I picked the best 1000-yard scopes.

How I Chose the Best 1000 Yard Scope

As a long-range shooter, I know that the right scope can make or break your shot when aiming for targets at 1,000 yards. With over two decades of shooting experience, I’ve tested various scopes designed for long-range precision. This hands-on approach has provided me with valuable insights into the key features of an effective long-range scope.

Now, I know what works for one shooter might not be the best fit for someone else. That’s why I’ve teamed up with some of my friends who are experts in long-range shooting to get a broader perspective. Combining their know-how with my own experience, I’ve put together this list of the best scopes for 1000-yard shooting. Picking a scope for 1000-yard shooting is a personal decision, but I believe this list will guide you to the right one for you. Let’s jump right in and check it out!

Best 1000 Yard Scopes

1. Vortex Viper PST II 5-25×50		New Shooter Friendly Great Value The features you need, none of the fluff	Check Price
2. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56		Japanese glass Designed and assembled in the USA A reticle for everyone	Check Price
3. Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5x27x56		Industry-defining lifetime warranty Trusted by competitors and hunters alike	Check Price
4. Athlon Cronus BTR Gen 2 4.5x29x56		Best in class value/cost ratio Gen 2 update and upgrades made in 2020	Check Price
5. Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56		Championship-winning scope Wide adoption from military, police, and competitors Nearly unbreakable	Check Price
6. Kahles K525i 5-25×56		Innovative parallax adjustment Outstanding glass quality Wide range of reticles	Check Price
7. Zero Compromise 527 5-27×56		Ultra durable Near perfect glass Perfect reticles	Check Price

Best 1000 Yard Scope

1. Vortex Viper PST II 5-25×50
2. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56
3. Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5x27x56
4. Athlon Cronus BTR Gen 2 4.5x29x56
5. Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56
6. Kahles K525i 5-25×56
7. Zero Compromise 527 5-27×56

Scope Specifications

Below is a list of our Best 1000 yard scopes. Now, you can compare and line up the specs from each of the products and help you make the best decision possible.

Best 1000 Yard Scope Reviews

Now we’ve had an overview and looked at our list, let us take the time to individually review each item. In this section we’ll be revisiting our specs, speaking about the product, and looking at the pros and cons.

Best 1000-Yard Scope – Buyer’s Guide

All of these scopes will serve you very well for 1,000-yard shooting. All of them have enough elevation for any 1,000-yard cartridge, great durability, good reticles, and glass clear enough to let you see the target, your trace, and your misses if you have a keen eye.

Granted, you’ll get what you pay for. The further you want to shoot the more of a difference you’ll see in different price point optics. $3,000 and $300 in optics might look similar at 100 yards, but at 1,000 it is radically different.

While you can make hits at 1,000 yards with a $300 scope, I wouldn’t recommend it. I’ve tried to include a couple of budget-friendly options in this list so that even the cheapest among them will serve you well.

What Specs Matter Most

While almost all of these specs matter almost all of the time, for 1,000-yard shooting some of them stand out above the rest.

For this kind of truly long-range shooting, I would strongly recommend favoring glass quality above anything else. While features are fairly easy to include on scopes these days, glass quality comes harder and more expensive. 

Magnification Range: Any decent scope will include a few numbers in or after their name such as “3-12×44” or “5-25×56”. The first set of numbers before the X are the scope’s magnification range, so 3-12 times magnification and 5-25 times magnification in our two examples.

The number after the X is the objective lens, larger is better for that.

What magnification you need is a bit of a personal choice. However, if you’re shooting long range then I recommend getting almost as much as you can get. 20x would be my minimum for the max side of the range but 25x, 30x, or even 40x is nice to have.

Most people do most of their shooting between 9 and 15ish, but having more when you need it/want it is really nice to have.

FFP or SFP: First focal plane (FFP) or second focal plane (SFP) is critical, but I strongly recommend FFP.

FFP means your reticle will change size as you change the magnification. When zoomed out your reticle is smaller, when zoomed in the reticle is much larger. The main benefit of this is that the markings on your reticle will always be accurate — 1 MOA is always 1 MOA, and 1 mil is always 1 mil.

SFP is the opposite, the reticle stays the same size no matter what but the markings are only accurate at 1 magnification level (normally the max magnification). This means your reticle is always easy to see, but it is far less useful since the markings are normally inaccurate or you’re forced to use the max setting.

For hunting and single-set distance competition shooting, SFP works very well. But for all other things, you’ll likely want to stay with FFP.

To gain a clearer understanding, check out our article on FFP vs. SFP.

Weight: If you’re shooting 1,000+ yards, weight is likely not a huge worry for you. Most people don’t hike to their 1,000-yard shooting spots and more weight makes the rifle easier to shoot.

That said, if you do plan on hiking or walking a lot — maybe get something a little lighter.

Field of View: FoV is how much you can see side to side. While more is always nice, it’s not the end of the world. This is more or less dictated by the tube size of the optic and the lens used in it, so for most of these scopes, they are fairly close to each other in FoV.

For 1,000 yards I don’t really find FoV to be critical. If you need to see more because you’re missing badly, zoom out a bit.

Illumination: Just what you would expect, this answers the question “does the reticle light up?”. Illumination is nice to have but not a deal-breaker to me. That said, since long-range shooting often requires shooting in non-ideal conditions or shooting in shadow, I’d rather have illumination if I can.

Total Elevation Adjustment: This is critical normally, but even more so for long-range shots like 1,000 yards. 

First off, this number is kind of a lie. While scopes quote their “total” elevation adjustment, you only actually get to use about half of that. Since reticles are in the middle of the adjustment, you only have about half available to dial with.

120 MOA total becomes 60-ish MOA usable.

But it gets worse, generally speaking, the last 10% or so of the adjustment range can get iffy. Weird colors, bad light transmission, sometimes poor tracking, etc. Assume you have only 90% of the 50% that is truly good for adjustment.

120 MOA total becomes 60 MOA becomes 54 MOA.

So how much is enough? That depends on what you’re shooting. For 6.5 Creedmoor at 1,000 yards you need about 30 MOA. .308 Win at 1,000 yards you’ll need more like 37-40 MOA. .300 Win Mag needs around 30 MOA. .223 Rem is around 40 MOA.

If you’re shooting something else, check the ballistics of your round and look to see how much drop you should expect for 1,000 yards.

Assuming you need something around 30 MOA for your chosen cartridge, you’ll want at least 70 MOA total adjustment. As it so happens, all of the scopes on this list have at least 70 MOA and most of them have 120 MOA.

If you’re using a cartridge that needs more adjustment, you might want to look into scope bases or rings that are angled to give you some extra MOA. The most common is a 20 MOA base and as the name suggests gives you an extra 20 MOA adjustment.

By the way, if you’re not sure of the differences between MOA and MRAD, take a look at our articles on MOA and MRAD!

You Bought A Scope, Now What?

If you’re looking to shoot 1,000 yards this is likely old news to you, but just in case here is the breakdown.

After getting your new fancy scope you’ll want to mount it and zero it. Both are fairly easy and are core topics for you to learn. While you can pay a gunsmith to do it, the process is so easy and so useful that you really should do it yourself.

That said, for mounting a scope the process of choosing what is best for you and how to get it done should be an entire article on its own, so I’ll let a true expert give you the details. Take a look at our How To Mount A Scope: 7 Steps To Installing A Riflescope The Right Way!

Zeroing a scope is very easy, but it’s important to get it right. Doing it wrong will waste time, money, and a lot of ammo.

For a detailed breakdown of the whole process, take a look at these! How To Adjust A Rifle Scope and How To Sight In A Rifle Scope: Zeroing Made Easy!

Wrapping It All Up

With all this information, you should have a clear understanding of what a good scope looks like and the factors that matter most when making your choice. Hitting targets at 1,000 yards or more is a rite of passage for long-range shooters, and it never gets old. Good luck!

Best 1000 Yard Scope – FAQ

What should I look for in a 1000-yard scope?

When selecting a scope for 1000-yard shooting, prioritize features like magnification range (typically 5-25x or higher), quality glass for clarity at distance, a first focal plane reticle for accurate holdovers, and precise turret adjustments for elevation and windage. A zero-stop feature can also be beneficial for quick return to your zero after adjustments.

Is a first focal plane (FFP) reticle better for long-range shooting?

Yes, an FFP reticle maintains the same proportional size relative to your target at any magnification level, allowing for consistent holdovers and accurate range estimation across various distances. This is particularly useful when shooting at 1000 yards where precision is crucial.

What type of scope rings are best for mounting a 1000-yard scope?

When mounting a 1000-yard scope, look for high-quality, durable scope rings that can withstand the recoil of your rifle. Consider options like one-piece rings for maximum stability or medium to high rings to accommodate larger objective lenses. It’s crucial that the rings fit your scope’s tube diameter perfectly to maintain zero and enhance accuracy.

Should I use a spotting scope for target shooting at 1000 yards?

While a 1000-yard scope is designed for precision aiming, a spotting scope can be a valuable tool for target shooting. It allows you to view your target more clearly at long distances and helps in spotting hits or adjusting for wind and elevation without the need to constantly change your shooting position. Using both can significantly improve your overall shooting experience.

How much power should my scope have for effective target shooting at 1000 yards?

A: For target shooting at 1000 yards, a power scope with a magnification range of at least 10x to 25x is recommended. Higher magnification can help you see finer details on distant targets, but keep in mind that too much power can make it harder to acquire and track moving targets. Opt for a variable power scope that allows you to adjust magnification based on your shooting conditions.