3 Best Cheap Rifle Scopes (Under $100) [2021 Update]
Last updated: 6/7/21
Reading time: 5 minutes
Okay, so you want to take your rifle game up a notch.
Well, then you need to have some good gear, right? Especially if you’re talking about something that comes down to high accuracy like a rifle scope.
Now, prices of rifle scopes can vary depending on the magnifying power, make, and brand. But if you want a budget scope, a budget of $100 is more than enough.
So if you want great telescopic accuracy without breaking the bank, this list of the best cheap rifle scopes is just the thing for you:
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Rifle Scope Combo 4-12x50EG Dual Illuminated with Laser Sight 4 Holographic Reticle Red/Green Dot... | 23 Reviews | CHECK PRICE | |
| 2 |
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UTG 3-9X32 1" BugBuster Scope, AO, RGB Mil-dot, QD Rings , Black | 6,324 Reviews | $132.49 | CHECK PRICE |
| 3 |
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Tasco Target/Varmit 6-24x42mmx 40mm | 444 Reviews | CHECK PRICE |
3 Best Cheap Rifle Scopes – 2024
1. XOPin AR15 Tactical Rifle Scope Combo C4-16x50EG
This scope comes with a high-grade fully coated optical lens. The scope is filled with dry nitrogen, so it’s waterproof, fog proof and shock proof as well.
It offers magnification power from 4 to 12. This is usually enough for leisure hunting.
The scope fits well on AR14 rifles. It’s designed to fit with 22mm Picatinny rail mounts. The scope itself is red and and a Multi-X reticle with five levels.
It gives a field of view between 10 and 27 inches. You can generally get a big view between 200 and 1,000 yards with the widest magnification power. We got a really good view at 75 yards.
The rifle scope is really well built. It reminded us of a high-end, military-grade UTG.
Interestingly, the holographic sight could be mounted on either on top of the rifle or the scope separately. Everything works well. It comes with four reticles.
The reticle is rather weak when illuminated, such as by bright sunlight. But it has black crosshairs so color is unnecessary for viewing.
You will need an Allen wrench to make any adjustments to the elevation and windage.
+Pros:
- Well built and very compatible
- Magnification power up to 12
- Big field of view
- Multiple reticles
- Waterproof
- Shock proof
- Fog proof
-Cons:
- Reticle is weak under bright sunlight
2. UTG 3-9X32 1′ BugBuster Scope
This is definitely one of the best rifle scopes under $100 money can buy. It’s from a trusted brand and is really well built, as expected.
The scope is remarkably durable too. The tube is nitrogen filled and sealed, so it’s shock, water, and fog proof completely.
The tube has Emerald coating maximizing light transmission.
The turrets are lockable and resettable. It also comes with a really rare feature called Adjustable Objective from 3 yards to infinity, which optimizes aiming.
The scope has dual red and green illumination to adjust based on natural light. It has a two inch sunshade and a lens cap that can flip open. Rings are detachable.
We enjoyed a solid range of 5.56 for up to 600 yards on a sunny day.
The scope mounted well on a .22 LR rifle and a .22 caliber air rifle. The air rifle was spring powered, and this scope could withstand the recoil easily.
The optics were clear and we really liked the clarity this provided. Magnification settings are very user-friendly too.
However, the scope provides only limited eye relief. The scope is very compact, so it can be uncomfortable to use sometimes.
+Pros:
- Well built and durable
- High levels of clarity
- Can withstand air rifle recoil
- Good range
- Double illumination
-Cons:
- Limited eye relief
3. Tasco Target/Varmint 6-24x42mm Rifle Scope
This is a Chinese-built product, but we were impressed by the quality.
It’s not top of the line, but for the value offered, this is definitely one of the best cheap rifle scopes ever.
It’s built beautifully with a slender design. It’s mostly suited for .22 calibers.
The rifle scope has magnification from 6 to 24, one of the highest we’ve seen so far for a budget price.
The optics are multicoated and rendered superbly clear optics. The clarity provided by the optics can be compared to higher prices rifle scopes.
It comes with 1/4 MOA windage and elevation to improve accuracy. The construction is rugged and durable.
The scope has a Mil-Dot reticle that measures at 19.6 inches. It’s really great for hunting sneaky and fast targets like coyotes.
This scope is really great for beating the wind too. We got good zooming power up to 1,000 yards with no issue. Overall, the scope was decently reliable.
Adjustments are easy to play with. However, we did have some trouble with the turret adjustments. The scope we got had the left and right side adjustments backwards.
+Pros:
- Optical clarity is really excellent
- Durable build
- Up to 24 magnification power
-Cons:
- Turret adjustments are backwards
Tips for Buying a Cheap Rifle Scope
Now, if all this info felt a bit disarming (see what we did there), here are some vital points to bear in mind when shopping for the best rifle scopes under $100:
Keep in mind that the optical power provided depends on the type of weapon you use and the purpose.
If you are a bench rest shooter, for 1,000 yards a scope with 4x magnification would be woefully insufficient.
Likewise, deer hunters in forests would be at a disadvantage with a 32x rifle scope. So decide which power you want before purchasing.
Mind the size of the scope as well. Some may be compact, or larger than usual to fit into a standard 22 caliber rifle.
Do check the eye relief provided. Without proper eye relief, you won’t be able to get a clear picture of the target.
Make sure you have the right mounting system before you buy the scope.
Parallax adjustment is advantageous only if you plan on long range precision shooting.
If the target is 25m or closer, parallax is kind of essential. But it’s not necessary for everything, such as deer hunting.
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