Scopes & Optics – American Gear Guide (2024)

Scopes & Optics – American Gear Guide (1)

By Matt Mullins – updated April 6, 2021

These excellent brands still proudly make hunting scopes in the USA. This American made directory includes brands like the legendary manufacturer Leupold which my grandparents, parents, and myself have mounted on our rifles. The following brands have been arranged in an unbiased alphabetical order and include reliable retailers where you can find them.

American Made Hunting Scopes & Optics

Scopes & Optics – American Gear Guide (2)

Eotech

Eotech is best known for their rugged holographic red dot sights which are in use by US special forces. However, they also produce high quality illuminated reticle rifle scopes that excel for low light hunting and aging eyes. For closer range hunting, Eotech’s red dot sights are popularly used on brush guns and crossbows. Where to find them:

More Info/Pricing at Brownells.com

More Info/Pricing at SportsmansGuide.com

Scopes & Optics – American Gear Guide (3)

Leupold

Leupold has been in the optics business since 1907. Their scopes have long been a favorite of American hunters including myself. I’ve looked through many scopes by many brands including top performers like Zeiss and Swarovski; I find that Leupold competes with any scope in any price range and tends to be more durable and lighter weight. The VX-3 line and above is where the wow factor begins to come into play. However the budget VX Freedom line also looks clearer to me than similarly priced glass like the Vortex Diamondback or Nikon Prostaff series.

As far as military credentials, Leupold scopes have been in use by elite US military snipers for decades. Where to find them:

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

More Info/Pricing at Brownells.com

More Info/Pricing at SportsmansGuide.com

Scopes & Optics – American Gear Guide (4)

Nightforce

Their top of the line BEAST and ATACR scopes are made in the USA with Japaneses lens glass (like the majority of USA built scopes). Most other Nightforce scopes are primarily made in Japan but assembled, tested, and packaged in the USA. Nightforce has a great reputation for building premium long range rifle scopes. Where to find them:

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

More Info/Pricing at Brownells.com

Scopes & Optics – American Gear Guide (5)

Redfield

Redfield is now a budget brand of Leupold, thus Redfield scopes are made in the same American factories as Leupold scopes. I would rate them as comparable to Leupold’s VX Freedom line, which means they are excellent affordable scopes that will reliably bring down game for any competent hunter. I wonder if they are being discontinued, since I’m no longer finding them at most retailers except on Amazon. Where to find them:

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

Scopes & Optics – American Gear Guide (6)

Trijicon

Most famous for their ACOG scopes and RMR Type 2 red dot sights used by the US Military, Trijicon has a solid history of producing reliable battle proven optics in the USA. Trijicon also makes my favorite tritium night sights. Most Trijicon products are fully made in the USA, but their Accupoint and Accupower rifle-scopes are assembled in the USA with some Japanese and Czech Republic components. Where to find them:

More Info/Pricing at Amazon

More Info/Pricing at Brownells.com

More Info/Pricing at SportsmansGuide.com

Scopes & Optics – American Gear Guide (7)

US Optics

The US Optics Foundation line of premium scopes complies with the Buy American Act, which means it has 51% or more of the parts and labor sourced in the USA. However, their TS line is built overseas. Where to find them:

More Info/Pricing at Brownells.com

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FAQs

Scopes & Optics – American Gear Guide? ›

Holographic optics are very durable and can withstand a beating. It is the optic of choice for soldiers from the Navy SEALS, the Green Berets, and the Marine Raiders. They can be mounted on small arms with a Weaver rail or a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail for more precise aiming.

What scope do Navy Seals use? ›

Holographic optics are very durable and can withstand a beating. It is the optic of choice for soldiers from the Navy SEALS, the Green Berets, and the Marine Raiders. They can be mounted on small arms with a Weaver rail or a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail for more precise aiming.

What brand of optics does US military use? ›

Aimpoint red dot sights are trusted by hunters, sport shooters, military, and law enforcement officers around the world. Over 2 million sights have been supplied to the United States military since 1997.

Are US optics made in China? ›

Where are U.S. Optics scopes made? All U.S. Optics scopes are designed, engineered, and developed by our talented engineers located in Connelly Springs, North Carolina. Our Foundation Series line of optics are domestically manufactured and assembled in North Carolina.

What are the 3 numbers on scopes for? ›

Scope magnification indicates how many times the view through a scope has been increased and is displayed as a number followed by an "x". A 3x magnification example would mean that the view through the scope is three times that of the actual object or target.

What scope do U.S. Marine snipers use? ›

Marine Snipers have used variations of the M40 for more than 50 years and by selecting the Mk13 and Nightforce day scope, this allows the Marines to truly capitalize on the necessities for longer engagement distance such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

What scope do Marine scout snipers use? ›

Scout Sniper Day Scope (SSDS)—Schmidt and Bender PM II 3–12×50. Each M40 is built from a Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle, and is modified by USMC armorers at Marine Corps Base Quantico, using components from a number of suppliers.

What optics do Army Rangers use? ›

The M150 is an Advanced Combat Optical Gun sight (ACOG) designed for the US military's M4 and M16 weapon system. It incorporates dual illumination technology using a combination of fiber optics and self- luminous tritium. This allows the aiming point to always be illuminated without the use of batteries.

Does the U.S. Military use vortex scopes? ›

Vortex® is honored to deliver the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Fire Control (NGSW-FC) to the US Army. This 1-8x30 optic is built around our revolutionary Active Reticle® technology and is based on many years of research and development.

Does the U.S. Military use ATN scopes? ›

In fact, the popular and versatile ATN PVS- 14 monocular is the standard-issue U.S. military night-vision optic, and it's used by special ops throughout the world. As a premier choice for military and law enforcement alike, the PVS-14 doesn't skimp on quality, design or function.

Is Vortex made in USA? ›

Vortex Optics is an American manufacturer of special optical equipments for hunting, wildlife watching, outdoor recreation, shooting sports and law enforcement and military. Vortex products include binoculars, spotting scopes, riflescopes, reflex sights, holographic sights and other accessories.

Are Leupold scopes made in China? ›

Leupold riflescopes are all designed, machined, and assembled in our Beaverton Oregon manufacturing facility. We do not have any other riflescope manufacturing facilities or offices anywhere in the world.

What country makes the best rifle scopes? ›

Japan is highly regarded as an outstanding manufacturer of glass and scopes. There are more or less only 3 good OEMs in Japan that make rifle scopes. Between the three of them, they produce probably over 95% of Japanese rifle scopes on the US market. However, some manufacturers only buy their glass from Japan.

How far can you shoot with a 3-9x40 scope? ›

Long-range shooting.

You can shoot out to 1,000 yards just fine with a 3-9x40 if it has good turrets and decent optical quality, so it's tough to pick just one perfect magnification range for long-range shooting because everyone will have their own preferences.

Is a 40mm or 50mm scope better? ›

Factors to consider are the type of hunt and the environment you will be taking on. But while making your decision, always test between both types of scopes and check for its quality first and foremost; sometimes, a high quality 40mm riflescope wins out over a mid tier 50mm riflescope and saves you an extra buck.

Which scope is better 3-9x40 or 4x32? ›

The 4×32 scope is a great choice for long-range shooting and precision shooting. The 3-9×40 is a good choice for general shooting and hunting. This will be more than enough magnification for most shots at medium to long-range; however, it will lack the precision of the 4x scope when compared to other scopes.

What are snipers called in the Marines? ›

Marine Scout Snipers are trained at one of the four school house locations. The term "Scout Sniper" is only used officially by the Marine Corps, but it does not imply a differing mission from the U.S. Army Sniper.

What rank are marine snipers? ›

Ordinarily, to become a Marine sniper you must reach at least the rank of Lance Corporal (E-3), and be no higher than the rank of Sergeant (E-5).

How much money do marine snipers make? ›

Us Marine Sniper Salary
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$71,500$34
75th Percentile$62,500$30
Average$51,804$25
25th Percentile$40,000$19
May 10, 2023

Is the USMC getting rid of snipers? ›

The Marine Corps is scrapping its scout sniper program and will soon house its snipers under reconnaissance, rather than infantry, battalions.

What rifle did Chris Kyle use in Iraq? ›

Perhaps the most basic weapon Kyle carried was the MK12 Special Purpose Rifle. Essentially it is the same rifle as the standard U.S. military M16, except it has an 18-inch barrel instead of the standard 20 inches. The MK12 fires the same 5.56mm round, also known as the .

What is the most common marine sniper rifle? ›

Marine scout snipers have done most of their shooting on variants of the M40 for the last 56 years. Among many of those who have wielded it in combat, the beloved bolt-action rifle is considered effective to the point of being irreplaceable.

What rifle do Green Berets use? ›

MK 13 CQBR - 5.56 x 45mm carbine.

What is replacing the ACOG? ›

The NGSW-FC will replace the close combat optic, rifle combat optic and machine gun optic. But neither the optic nor the weapon will be “pure fleeted” anytime soon, meaning all soldiers and Marines will get it.

What optics does Delta Force use? ›

The first is the Eotech XPS 3-0 red dot sight, with or without the G30 magnifier. The other common sight is the Vortex Optics Razor II E 1-6x scope.

Does the U.S. Military use Leupold scopes? ›

Leupold proudly provides its optics to the United States military, law enforcement, and government agencies across the country, and to the armed forces of many of our nation's closest allies. Waterproof, fogproof, and guaranteed to perform for life, the Mark 5HD is backed by the company's legendary Lifetime Guarantee.

What scopes do the Russian military use? ›

Russian combat red dot scope NPZ PK-1 ( 1P63 Obzor ). PK-1 is Designed for aimed shooting in daylight, dusk conditions and at night against illuminated weapons targets. The scope provides aimed shooting at a range of a direct shot at visible stationary and moving targets.

What optics does the current Russian military use? ›

1P78 is a telescopic sight developed by and in use with the Russian Armed Forces, intended as a replacement for the older PSO-1 and 1P29 scopes currently being used by the Russian military. The optic is intended to become the standard issue sight for the infantry riflemen in the Russian military.

Are ATN scopes made in China? ›

Thankfully, you've found ATN Corp. Our thermal scopes and other monocular products are made right here in America, and we have a commitment to quality that's been recognized with numerous awards.

Are Nightforce scopes made in America? ›

Nightforce Optics, Inc. is an American manufacturer of high-end telescopic sights, spotting scopes and mounting accessories, based in Lavonia, Georgia with factory headquarters in Orofino, Idaho.

What Leupold scope does army use? ›

Scope Model - Mark 4 LR/T 10x40mm and Mark 4 LR/T 10x40mm M3- Built on a Remington 700 action and chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, this was the principle sniper weapon of the US Army.

Is Burris made in USA? ›

Made in the U.S.A

Designed, Machined, and Assembled in Greeley, Colorado. Burris has been making scopes in Greeley for over 50 years!

Which is better Leupold or Vortex? ›

Leupold may have a slight advantage with the quality of their scopes' build, while Vortex has the price advantage. Both brands have excellent reputations, even with Vortex's relative lack of experience. Ultimately, if you're in the market for a scope, your choice will probably come down to personal preference.

Are some vortex scopes made in China? ›

Made in China, But the Good Made in China

Like the Philippines, Japanese engineers and optics experts supervise and staff the Vortex scopes production facilities in China to verify adherence to Vortex's high standards. The bulk of Vortex's rifle scopes production occurs in China.

Where are Sig Sauer scopes made at? ›

Built to perform in the toughest hunting conditions, WHISKEY3 and WHISKEY5 line of high-power riflescope optics bring the hardest of targets into sharp focus. The choice of the U.S. Army and Special Operations, TANGO6 riflescopes are assembled in the U.S.A. for precision tactical applications.

Are all Trijicon scopes made in USA? ›

The vast majority of Trijicon products, including ACOG®, VCOG®, RMR®, RMR®cc SRO®, MRO®, Iron Sights, MGRS®,Thermal Optics and Mounts are designed, engineered, machined, and assembled at our facilities in Wixom, Michigan or Auburn, California, and are therefore 100% Made in the USA.

Where is Zeiss scopes made? ›

Wetzlar, Germany (Previously Hensoldt AG)

The factory in Wetzlar is home to the production of Zeiss sports optics products, including riflescopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes.

What is the most powerful rifle scope in the world? ›

The most powerful zoom riflescope series in the world, the March-X Series, has a 10x magnification ratio zoom range capable of focusing from 10 yards to infinity. With the capability to set any position as the zero point in elevation, the shooter will never lose the starting calibration.

What is the oldest rifle scopes? ›

The first documented telescopic rifle sight was invented between 1835 and 1840. In a book titled The Improved American Rifle, written in 1844, British-American civil engineer John R. Chapman documented the first telescopic sights made by gunsmith Morgan James of Utica, New York.

What scopes were used in Vietnam? ›

Recommended. The initial scopes on these rifles were the M81/82. Both scopes were the 2.5X Lyman Alaskan scope with a sunshade and differed only in reticle design. The M81 had a fine crosshair and the M82 had a post-type reticle.

What magnification do I need for 300 yards? ›

The answer is really simple: a 3-9X riflescope provides an additional level of magnification for every 100 feet, all the way out to 300 yards (900 feet). For many years, 300 yards was about the limit of what most big-game hunters considered to be an ethical shooting distance.

What is the most common rifle scope size? ›

The most common objective lens size for hunting rifle scopes is about 40mm wide. Some hunters prefer the wider field of view of 50mm objective lenses. They also transmit more light during early morning and late evening, possibly giving a hunter a few extra seconds to make a shot.

What magnification scope do military snipers use? ›

Military snipers most commonly use a 5-25x scope, meaning it can zoom from 5x more than the naked eye, to 25x. Police officer “snipers” or designated marksmen usually use lower power scopes such as a 4-16x or even an LVPO like a 1-10x as they rarely shoot past 100 yards in real situations.

What power scope do most snipers use? ›

Most are taken under 70 yards so a scope with 4 to 6 power is more suitable but one with less power in an urban environment is appropriate. The most effective German snipers used 4x scopes in WWII where few had 6x scopes, yet they were taking shots over 600 meters.

What size tube is best for rifle scope? ›

A 1''(25.4mm) scope tube is enough if shooters are not shooting at long distances; for long-range shooting, either 30mm or 34mm scope tube is good. If shooters want a nice scope with great precision and accuracy, then go for scopes with larger main tube size like 34mm ones.

Do professionals use 50mm lens? ›

The 50mm lens is many beginner photographers' first prime lens when upgrading from the kit version, but it's also popular with seasoned professionals.

Should I get a 3x9 or 4x12 scope? ›

A: 4x12 is more powerful than 3x9. Remember, scopes are not accurate, guns and humans are. IF the objective is to get the target larger than 4x12 is the choice.

What makes expensive scopes better? ›

In most cases, a pricier scope is going to have more robust construction and more rigid internals than a scope at a lower cost. Great optical resolution and clear lenses don't mean a thing if the scope won't hold its zero or adjust reliably.

What is the best scope magnification for deer hunting? ›

The 3-9x40 has long been considered the best scope magnification for deer hunting. Its low power magnification (at 3x) provides a wide field of view (FOV), especially important for the hardwoods during the rut when deer are constantly moving.

Do Navy SEALs use EOTech or Aimpoint? ›

Many of the military's special forces— including Navy SEALs— use both EOTech and Aimpoint optics. Based on research, they use preferred models such as the Aimpoint Comp M2/M4s and EOTech's 553 Holographic Sight. They also use other companies like Trijicon as well.

Do SEALs use ACOG? ›

The ACOG is 100-percent U.S. made and is waterproof to two atmospheres. Navy SEALs actually dive with this scope.

What scope does swat use? ›

Product Information. The Barsak® SWAT-AR Rifle Scope is designed specifically for tactical AR rifles. The rifle scope uses a glass-etched mil-dot reticle that illuminates from black to red and green so you can line up your target.

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