In recent years, crossbow hunting has gradually become a popular activity. A high-quality crossbow and excellent shooting skills aren’t the only things required to reach your full potential and help you succeed as a shooter. You should also make sure to use the best possible scope for your crossbow.
Crossbow packages often consist of built-in scopes, however, these often lack quality. For a greater hunting experience, it is better to have a separate scope.
This little piece of equipment can either help or hinder your efforts. So, you need to be careful when choosing the best quality crossbow scope.
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To provide a suitable scope, we have listed what we believe to be the best crossbow scopes on the market. A purchasing guide and FAQ segment is also included to help your purchase.
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Best Crossbow Scope Reviews
After careful research, we’ve come up with a list of the 5 best crossbow scopes. Hope this helps.
1. UTG Pro 4×32– Best Overall Crossbow Scope
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The UTG pro scope weighs approximately 12 ounces and is about 8 inches long. This size makes this scope easy to use anywhere.
It is simple and compact, and the sharpness and accuracy in this scope are excellent. The 4x zoom is suitable for crossbows, while the 32mm objective lens produces bright and clear field of view.
This crossbow scope is perfect for anyone looking for a compact scope at an affordable price.
Pros
- Lightweight
- 3.8-inch lens relief
- Red-dot scope
Cons
- Difficult to tighten the rings
- Five lines cross the diameter of the eyepiece
2. MA3TY Crossbow Scope – The Runner Up
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MAT3TY scope provides accurate shots on the target quickly and easily. It has a clear, bright wide-angle image, and has an eye relief bell design for comfort and ease of use.
It is loaded with a lot of stunning features such as a unique ballistic reticle, a dual-tone lighting feature, and is parallax-free. This scope allows you to maintain an advantage in low lighting and provides consistent performance. The adjustable reticle comes in red and green, perfect for use in every lighting condition.
The lens quality is also incredible. It has a fully multilayered coating that permits light transmission of approximately 93% and offers great brightness and clarity, ensuring you can aim precisely anytime. Also, the built-in main tube is made from high-quality aluminum to provide superior strength.
Pros
- Dual-tone reticle
- Waterproof and scratch-resistant
- 1.5 to 5 magnification
- Parallax-free
Cons
- Hard to adjust the FPS
- Blurry glass except in the center
3. CVLIFE 3-9×40 Optics – Best Budget Crossbow Scope
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When buying the best quality crossbow scope, price can be a concern, but, CVLIFE Optics has most things a high-end, expensive scope has at a surprisingly affordable price.
It comes with all the latest specifications and precise shooting technology. With a 3-9×40 power scope, you can focus on every little detail over long distances. This scope is ideal for a wide variety of unique environments and helps ensures accurate aim.
The multi-coated lens offers an excellent 95% light transmittance delivering over 300% of the visual spectrum. This feature makes it suitable to be used during the day even if there is rain or fog, always delivering an accurate picture.
Overall quality is good with sharp images, powerful focus, and optimal brightness adjustment.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Water, shock, and fog-resistant
- Stylish and lightweight
Cons
- Comes without illumination
- Less durable
4. TRUGLO 4×32 Compact Scope
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The Truglo Scope is very well built for its price. The scope has a fixed low power magnification of 4x32mm which is suitable for standard crossbow ranges.
It is composed of high-quality aluminum that’s quite durable. It also comes with a ring and a 4-inch eye relief. This makes it easier to mount the scope to the crossbow. There is a lot of potential for adjustment in this scope, so you can tailor it according to your preference.
This scope also carries an excellent reticle. It’s a range identifying reticle and scaled to a typical FPS reading for the majority of crossbow bolts. The reticle thus makes up for the distance as well as bolt drop. It even features a fully layered lens for a bright and clear view.
One drawback is that it is not an illuminated scope, thus, it is not suitable for low-light shooting.
Pros
- Great field of view
- 4-inch eye relief
- Ideal for 100 yards
Cons
- Comes without illumination
- Rings do not fit every mount
4. Hawke Sports IR Crossbow Scope
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The Hawke IR Scope provides impressive results and incredible performance. It incorporates excellent quality and is extremely lightweight (368g).
With 11 layers of coated optics, you can experience the highest possible brightness and clarity even in the worst of conditions. Also, the 1-inch monotube body is extremely sturdy. This design is ideal for managing heavy recoil.
The scope has a solid matte finish and is also equipped with a nitrogen purge and anti-fog features.
The reticle is etched into the glass. The reticle does not change even if the lens is misplaced due to fall damage. It also has red and green light illumination for excellent low light performance.
Shooters and hunters will definitely be happy with the performance they get from this scope.
Pros
- Water-resistant and fog proof
- Lightweight and durable
- Incredible optics quality
Cons
- Small objective lens
- Poor field of view
Best Crossbow Scope Buying Guide
Since there are many types of crossbow scopes available in the market, determining the one that meets your requirements can be tricky. If you are not sure which scope to use, it is essential to consider the main factors that go into a suitable scope. The following areas will be valuable in narrowing down your options and to make an informed buying decision.
Size and Weight
One important thing to consider before getting a scope is its size and weight. Crossbow scopes come in different sizes. Your best bet is to find a small, lightweight product that you can easily carry around with your other equipment. A scope that weighs less than a pound can help the bow maintain its balance. Heavy scopes make it difficult not only to hold the bow but also to aim and shoot accurately.
You also need to pay attention to the size of the objective lens. Larger objective lenses usually provide sharper and clearer images. It provides better results, especially in poor lighting conditions. The disadvantage, however, is that it can interfere with the bolt placement.
A small objective lens, on the other hand, delivers a darker image. The best scopes usually have a 32mm objective. If you want to hunt in the dark, go for a scope with a bigger objective lens.
Magnification and Optics
Even the best and most expensive scopes will not help if its lens cannot produce clear, bright images. With higher magnification, you can zoom in more. The lens aperture is also important because it helps to determine the amount of light that enters the eyes through the scope. Therefore, it is better to use a wider lens.
With a fully layered lens, the scope has enough lighting to allow you to see the target clearly despite distance. Also, see that the scope is filled with nitrogen to prevent blurring of the lens from fog or morning dews. If you can’t use your scope whenever you need it, then it is completely useless. So, take a few more minutes to make sure the scope has anit-damp and as anti-fog features.
Most scopes have reticles which makes it easy to shoot more accurately. Field of view also needs to be considered if you don’t want to overlook potential targets. Wider lenses improve the field of view but keep in mind the weight of the scope.
Durability and User-friendliness
Most scopes are designed for easy setup, but this is something that still needs to be considered. Everyone prefers a scope that they can easily calibrate in order to focus on the target. Scopes that enable you to adjust altitude and wind speed without any tools are more favored than other models. These scopes generally consist of a small dial for easy adjustment. As you turn the dial, you hear a ‘click’ that’s designed to keep track of your adjustments.
You need a scope that’s accurate and simple to use, but you also need a long-lasting scope. Crossbow scopes can take a lot of damage in the field, so you need to make sure they are sturdy. The retention ring must be tightly fixed and withstand everyday harm. The casing must prevent the scope from accidentally falling and knocking over other equipment. For more security and durability, some scopes come with a sturdy storage bag that’s also convenient for travel.
Crossbow Scope FAQs
People generally ask several questions, as it requires a lot of thought to purchase a crossbow scope. Let’s look at the three most common questions regarding crossbow scopes.
How to Sight in a Crossbow Scope
It will take some time to sight perfectly in a crossbow scope but all you need is practice. Follow these steps to ensure proper sight:
- First, make sure everything is set up properly.
- Establish a stable platform suitable for shooting. We recommend that you install it exactly 20 yards from your target.
- Keep your eyes out of the scope to prevent recoil accidents. Establish a good distance between the scope and the eyes to get a clear image.
- Align the reticle properly with the correct wind direction and altitude.
- Set the MOA (angle minutes) that is calculated specifically for long-distance use.
- After all the setup, the last thing is to practice by shooting!
How to Adjust a Crossbow Scope?
Every scope is different, so, you need to check your target first and then adjust it according to the instructions of the scope. Some features offer more light to enter the lens for low lighting conditions, while others provide a range identifying feature to help determine the approximate range of the target. In general, whether the scope is adjusted accordingly or placed in a better position depends on personal preference
How Does a Crossbow Scope Work?
To know how crossbow scopes work, you first need to know the different types of scopes available:
Magnified scope
This scope enhances the target image. It doesn’t improve the aim, but helps in identifying the target by zooming in.
Ballistic calibrated scope
Comes with a reticle design that indicates the arrow’s flight path. A red pin shows the target at every distance.
Red dot scope
The red dot scope is simpler than the other types. There are no enlarged or calibrated reticles. Instead, the red dot indicates where the arrow hits.
Every scope has different features and specifications. To better understand how the scope works, you need to follow the user manual. But all scopes more or less operate by going through the same process. First, the scope needs to be properly mounted. Tighten all the screws on the base and ring. Then adjust the eye focus ring on the back of the eyepiece until the crosshair is sharp and in focus. Next, adjust the variable power ring at the posted speed for the crossbow. Replace the cover of the steering turret and fire.
Find the Best Crossbow Scope That’s Right for You
At the end of the day, an impressive crossbow scope enhances the effectiveness of your weapon and guarantees the success on your next target practice or hunt. All scopes reviewed above have been selected very carefully and thoroughly studied.
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