When it comes to hunting/shooting with a muzzleloader, having a good optic can make a big difference, in this review we look at the best scope for Muzzleloader recommendations.
Getting a Muzzleloader scope will help you see targets clearly at longer ranges, boost your shooting confidence, and increase your odds of placing the shot accurately. Whether you are a seasoned hunter, a beginner, or someone in between, a scope is a valuable tool to have.
Muzzleloaders have been in use for quite a long time and today, there are so many scopes you can pair them with. However, with the market flooded with scopes to choose from, picking the best model can be a daunting and time-consuming task.
But we are here to help. In our post today, we will show you the best qualities of a muzzleloader scope and even share some of the best models that make a handy companion with this popular firearm.
Do Muzzleloaders Need a Special Scope?
Muzzleloaders are basically firearms loaded through the muzzle, unlike normal rifles which are loaded through a magazine or chamber. These firearms have special scopes but can also use traditional scopes.
Muzzleloader special scopes have a strong build and longer eye relief to handle the recoil generated by muzzleloader scopes. Additionally, these scopes have special reticles for rangefinding and holdover at longer distances.
Which Vortex Scope for a Muzzleloader?
Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope and the Vortex Viper HS Riflescope are the best Vortex scopes for muzzleloaders, these scopes feature a durable, shockproof build and long eye relief to handle the impact and recoil of a muzzleloader firearm. They also feature V-plex and Dead-Hold BDC reticles for hunting/shooting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern.
The Viper Hs Riflescope comes in different configurations ( 6-24x50mm, 4-16x50mm, 4-16x44mm & 2.5-10x44mm)
What Makes a Great Scope for Muzzleloader?
Every muzzleloader user out there should have a reliable scope. No matter the activity you use your muzzleloader for, it is a good thing to have a quality scope. But you are probably wondering what attributes make a scope great for muzzleloaders.
To start with, a great muzzleloader scope should deliver bright, color-accurate, and vivid images of the targets in spite of the lighting or weather condition. It should also be simple to operate and have a lightweight design for easy carrying from one place to the other.
Secondly, a great muzzleloader scope must have solid construction. This will guarantee long-term durability. Moreover, the scope should be built to operate under fog, rain, and a wide range of temperatures.
Last but not least, the scope should offer an ample amount of eye relief. Unlike the traditional rifle, the muzzleloader generates high recoil. A long eye relief will protect your eye from getting hit by the recoiling scope when you take the shot.
Best Scopes for Muzzleloader
1) Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope
The 2-7×32 Crossfire II riflescope is arguably the best muzzleloader scope you will find on the market today, it’s not only shockproof but also features a long eye relief of 3.8 – 4.4 inches.
It is designed to provide sharp and quick responses both at the hunting field or shooting range. It harbors a variety of shooter-friendly and quality features that makes it an excellent addition to this popular firearm.
This 1-inch tube riflescope comes with long eye relief as well as an ultra-forgiving eye box. With the two features, you are guaranteed comfortable shooting and rapid target acquisition.
Moreover, the long eye relief keeps your eye protected from the high recoil the muzzleloader generates. It also features a fast-focus eyepiece that aids in quick and easy reticle focusing, and finger-adjustable turrets that have MOA clicks.
The scope is built well to offer rugged reliability. It has a mono-piece tube made from aircraft-quality aluminum. It also has capped turrets for added protection from bumps and accidental dialing.
Further, the scope is O-ring sealed and certified to be 100% waterproof, and purged with nitrogen to prevent the lenses from fogging up internally.
This Crossfire II rifle scope also features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle, a lightweight design that enhances portability, and fully multi-coated optics that offer bright, clear, and color-accurate views no matter the lighting and weather condition.
Specifications
- Length: 12 in
- Weight: 15 oz
- Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC/V-Plex/V-Brite
- Material: Aircraft Grade Aluminum
- Eye Relief: 3.8 – 4.4 in
- Exit Pupil: 4.4 – 13.3 mm
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
Features
- Capped and resettable MOA turrets
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Single-piece tube
- Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Aircraft-quality aluminum housing
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Long eye relief
- Offers great value for money
- Lightweight body
- Solid construction
- Bright, clear-sight pictures
Cons
- None
2) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope is one riflescope you don’t want to ignore when shopping for the best scope for muzzleloader. It has nearly everything you need to make your next shooting or hunting expedition a success.
This rifle scope brings to the table excellent eye relief to help you shoot with confidence. In low magnification settings, it has an eye relief of 4.17” and 3.66” in the highest magnification setting.
Furthermore, it boasts a Twilight Max Light Management System which delivers excellent image brightness and clarity, even in low light and harsh weather conditions.
Another impressive feature of the scope is that it is built like a tank. It is solidly designed to survive harsh impacts and punisher tested to be recoil-proof and shock resistant.
The body is built using aircraft-quality aluminum. a premium-grade material that optimizes the scope’s strength and ruggedness, while remaining lightweight.
Furthermore, the scope is built to perform well under the harshest weather conditions. It is 100% waterproof, fog proof, and dustproof. It also features scratch-resistant lenses that add durability while providing additional protection from dirt and dust.
Specifications
- Length: 12.39 in
- Weight: 12.2 oz
- Reticle: Duplex /Hunt-Plex / Rimfire MOA/UltimateSlam/Tri-MOA
- Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
- Eye Relief: 3.7 – 4.2 in
- Exit Pupil: 4.7 mm
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
Pros
- 1/4 MOA finger click windage and elevation adjustment
- Ultra-versatile 3:1 zoom ratio
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Scratch resistant lenses
- 1-inch main tube
- Twilight Max Light Management System
- American Quality
- Easy to use
- Excellent image brightness and quality
- Long eye relief
- Tactile capped turrets
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not illuminated
3) Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope
If you are in the market for a low-light muzzleloader scope, this is it. It features a large 40mm objective lens that offers optimal low light performance, and Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses that offer outstanding image clarity and brightness, under any light settings.
This riflescope is built and ready for rugged outdoor handling. It is crafted using high-quality materials that are tested extensively to provide long-lasting durability. Better yet, it has a waterproof and fog-proof construction for use under any weather.
With a 3-9x magnification range, this riflescope is ideal for short and medium-range applications. It offers bright images of the target at every magnification and a wide viewing angle that aids in quick target scanning.
It also brings to the table a fast-focus eyepiece that helps in quick reticle adjustments and resettable turrets that are capped to prevent accidental dialing as you carry the scope around in the field.
Specifications
- Length: 16 in
- Weight: 19 oz
- Reticle: Multi-X
- Material: Aircraft-grade Aluminum
- Eye Relief: 6 in
- Exit Pupil: 5.6 – 16 mm
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
Pros
- Second focal plane Multi-X reticle
- 3-9x magnification range
- 100% waterproof and fog proof
- Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Resettable windage and elevation adjustments
- Perfect for hunting
- Remarkably affordable
- Works well with a wide range of firearms
- HD optical clarity
Cons
- No night vision
4) Burris Scope Fullfield 3-9×40 E1 Ballistic Plex Muzzleloader
This Fullfield 3-9×40 E1 Ballistic Plex Muzzleloader suits you if you are looking for the best scope for muzzleloader for the money. It is built with a wide range of quality features to help you achieve the most out of your firearm.
This scope is built to provide unparalleled durability. It has robust housing that is sturdy enough to withstand anything you subject it to. It also has exceptionally efficient optics that deliver high-quality image views even in critically poor lighting environments.
With a weight of about 13oz, this scope is light, easy to carry around, and easy to use. It also has a Ballistic Plex second focal plane reticle that stays visible at every zoom range and a 40mm objective lens which optimizes light transmission for superb low-light performance.
Above all, it has a matte finish that camouflages your shooting position by reducing glare under direct sunlight.
Specifications
- Length: 14.85 in
- Weight: 13 oz
- Reticle: Ballistic Plex
- Material: Aircraft-grade Aluminum
- Eye Relief: 3.1 – 3.4 in
- Exit Pupil: 5 – 13 mm
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
Pros
- 3-9x magnification range
- 1-inch tube diameter
- Second focal plane Ballistic Plex reticle
- Matte finish
- 40mm objective lens
- Lightweight construction
- Clear optics
- Double internal spring-tension system
- High-quality image views at every magnification
- Best value for money
- Backed by Burris forever warranty
Cons
- No reticle illumination
- Lacks parallax adjustment
5) Sig Sauer Sierra3BDX 2.5-8x32mm Rifle Scope
The Sierra3BDX 2.5-8x32mm Rifle Scope is a premium-quality rifle scope whose versatility is one of a kind. It is compact in size that optimizes packability and portability and has a lightweight design that makes it ideal for mounting onto rifles, muzzleloaders, shotguns as well as crossbows.
Whether you use your muzzleloader for hunting or shooting, this scope gives you the ultimate sighting solution.
It has an LED reticle illumination for precision aiming in dismal environments and a high-end optical coating that delivers HD optical clarity regardless of the lighting situation.
Construction-wise, this rifle scope has a 30mm tube made using high-grade materials for long-term durability. It also boasts a fog proof and IPX6 water-resistant rating for use under different weather conditions, and shockproof construction for added durability.
Other impressive features included are an adjustable parallax and a powder-coated exterior to prevent oxidation.
Specifications
- Length: 14.85 in
- Weight: 19.4 oz
- Material: Aircraft-grade Aluminum
- Eye Relief: 4. 41″-3. 46″
- Exit Pupil: 8. 8-4mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
Pros
- LED reticle illumination
- 30mm main tube
- IPX6 water resistant, fog proof and shockproof
- Adjustable parallax
- Powder coated exterior
- Variable 2.5-8x magnification
- Compatible with a wide range of firearms
- HD optical clarity
- Compact and lightweight
- Illuminated reticle with 10 different brightness settings
Cons
- None
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Criteria for Choosing the Best Scope for Muzzleloader
When purchasing the best scope for a muzzleloader, here are a few important features you should always put into consideration.
Optical Power
The first thing you should check is the optical power of the scope. You can either choose a variable or fixed power scope, depending on your needs and individual preference.
Given that the effectiveness of modern muzzleloaders is about 300 yards, the ideal magnification power is one that lets you cover such a range easily and effectively. Typically, a variable power scope with up to 9x magnification will suffice.
Objective Lens Size
The size of the lens in any scope matters a lot. Generally, the larger the aperture the better. You will be able to see your targets in great brightness and clarity no matter the lighting or weather conditions.
Reticle
The clarity and type of the reticle a scope has is an important factor to consider when shooting on hunting. With a clear reticle, it will be easier for you to take a shot even in the most difficult situations. Today, scopes are available in different reticle designs where you can choose the most ideal type depending on your skills and preference. A tip is to choose a model that comes with a reticle that is not just clear, but also easy to use.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is another important factor you should put into consideration. Muzzleloaders are known to generate high recoil which can cause injury to your eye when you fire it. For the scope to not hit your eye when shooting, it should offer plenty of eye relief. The best scope for a muzzleloader should have at least 4 inches of eye relief.
Cost
Lastly, you should consider the cost of the scope. Whether you are buying your first muzzleloader scope, or you are looking for a modern model to upgrade your old, worn-out unit, you must pick one that suits your budget. Luckily, muzzleloader scopes come in varying costs, so it is easier for you to select something that is within the budget you have set.
What is the Effective Range of Muzzleloaders?
The effective range of most muzzleloaders is around 150-200 yards, but some high-performance muzzleloaders can get to 300 yards or more. A muzzleloader’s effective range is determined by the type of gun, ammunition, and the shooter’s shooting abilities and skill. Muzzleloader hunting is done at short to medium range, long range won’t be effective.
FAQs
What type of reticle is best for a muzzleloader scope?
A duplex or crosshair reticle works great because it’s perfect for precision aiming and hunting. One with holder over points will work great for longer targets.
What is the best magnification for a muzzleloader scope?
A 3-9x or 4-12x magnification is the best for a muzzleloader scope, works great for short to medium and also long-range shots.
What is the best eye relief for a muzzleloader scope?
At least 3 inches for comfortable shootings since muzzleloader firearms have a lot of recoils.
Can you put a red dot on a muzzleloader?
Yes, you can. If what you are after is improved sight pictures and quick target acquisition, you can put a red dot on your muzzleloader instead of a scope. But it should be sturdy enough to handle the high recoil a muzzleloader generates.
Types of Muzzleloaders
- Flintlock muzzleloader -uses a flintlock ignition system to fire the weapon.
- Caplock-uses a percussion cap ignition system to fire the weapon.
- Inline muzzleloader – uses an ignition system where the percussion cap or primer is directly placed behind the projectile,
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have found this article to be insightful and helpful. As you have seen, there are numerous muzzleloader scopes out there. The best scope for your muzzleloader will largely depend on your preference and the shooting activity you intend to engage yourself in.
Identify the important features you need in a riflescope, then look for a scope that is built with everything you require to push your muzzleloader to its full potential.