The 10 Best Crossbow Scope Reviews

Are you into crossbow hunting or looking to get into the sport? Most likely, you have dug the internet for the best crossbow scope. Well, count yourself lucky as I have everything you need to know.

Crossbow hunting demands some sort of skill. And to achieve it, you need practice and the right equipment. A crossbow scope is among the equipment you do not want to skimp on. After all, it is the one piece of gear that separates a perfect, precise shot from a miss.

Whereas most crossbows come with factory-installed scopes, they are pretty much fair to mid-range quality. Well, that is not enough, particularly for a serious archer. What you need is a high-quality aftermarket crossbow scope. And to help you land yourself the best deal, I will round up the best crossbow scopes to consider.

10 Best Crossbow Scope

1. MA3TY 1.5-5×32 Crossbow Scope

Does the name MA3TY ring a bell? You will be forgiven if it does not. After all, it does not feature among the biggest brands in the crossbow industry. Interestingly, it offers high-quality, well-specced, and well-priced crossbow scope. And the best part, it gets super positive reviews.

MA3TY crossbow scope has an adjustable zoom and speed of 1.5-5X and 300-425 fps, respectively. Notably, it is ballistically calibrated to predict the flight path. Hence, it is easy to stay within the parameters.

Again, the ballistic reticle has Red/Green illumination. And with 93% light transmission, it gives maximum brightness and clarity for precise shots.

The multi-coated optical system is perhaps one of the biggest selling points of this scope. It accommodates a variety of crossbow bolts, velocities, and point weights. Also, it offers corresponding aiming points, out to 100 yards.

Well, the MA3TY crossbow scope offers much-needed durability. It has a lightweight yet durable aluminum chassis. Even more, it is impact-resistant to 1000G.

This crossbow scope promises remarkable performance in different environments. It is completely sealed and nitrogen-filled for fog-proof performance. Likewise, it is waterproof to 19.7 inches.

MA3TY crossbow scope has a 30mm monotube and measures 210mm long for better eye relief. I also commend it for including all mounting hardware. The 1-year warranty coverage is not the best in the crossbow industry. It is, however, pretty generous at this price point.

Verdict

It is good to see how new brands are gaining traction in the crossbow industry. And I must say, MA3TY did a wonderful job in this scope. It offers rugged durability, high-quality optics and allows you to stay within your parameters. Well, if you need a well-specced scope without the hefty price, look no further than MA3TY.

2. Excalibur 1964 Tact-Zone 2.5-6×32 Crossbow Scope

Excalibur Tact-Zone is a pretty compact and lightweight crossbow scope. Whereas it is small in size, it promises a bigger performance. It edges out most crossbow scopes on the market.

Any standard crossbow scope reticle performs well, at least for most of the day. But as the sun goes down, you will start having lighting issues. Well, the Excalibur Tact-Zone crossbow scope has you covered.

It has a super-clear illuminated reticle. As such, it offers much-needed flexibility for hunting at night. Should you not need it, you can switch off the illumination.

Excalibur Tact-Zone uses multi-coated lenses. It delivers sharp views and zooms your target up to 6x. Even more, the lenses are nitrogen-filled to perform in foggy weather conditions.

Notably, this crossbow scope offers 25 feet field of view at 2.5x base magnification. Well, that is large enough to shoot at moving targets.

The velocity adjustment is just as impressive. It can accommodate crossbow bolt speeds of 275-410 fps.

This crossbow scope is designed for rigorous hunting. It is shockproof, waterproof, and has a strong aluminum body.

Verdict

Excalibur Tact-Zone scores pretty well in all categories. It, however, excels most in the build quality. It uses the finest construction materials to guarantee years of performance. Also, if you want the best crossbow scope for night hunting, Tact-Zone has you covered.

3. UTG 4X32 1-Inch Crossbow Scope

Indeed, UTG has stepped up its game as far as crossbow scopes go. It dedicates itself to producing solid yet affordable optics. And of all the models I can think of, the UTG 4×32 crossbow scope tops the list.

Thanks to robust true strength platform construction, this scope won’t fall apart any time soon. Even more, it boasts a smart spherical structure for utmost accuracy and precision.

Well, the UTG scope doesn’t have variable magnification. The fixed magnification, however, makes the scope compact and straightforward.

The clarity is top-notch, even beyond 40 feet. Notably, this scope remains parallax-free up to 50 yards and can sight out to 100 yards. And with five horizontal lines, it makes range estimation a breeze.

For the record, this crossbow scope uses precision broadband lens coating. It provides not only a brighter image but also a generous field of view. And as far as speed goes, it accommodates 300 fps arrows.

Well, the UTG crossbow scope boasts an illuminated reticle. It is not the best in the business, no doubt. It is, however, glass-etched. So, it is still usable, even when the battery dies. Also, it allows you to choose between Red and Green brightness.

This crossbow scope is tough enough for harsh weather performance. It is rainproof and doesn’t fog up on those damp days. Also, it comes with durable, shockproof housing.

The detachable scope rings are a nice touch. They are of high quality and make mounting a breeze.

Verdict

The fixed magnification makes it somewhat less versatile. However, the UTG scope offers top-notch clarity, even when the battery dies. And with an illuminated reticle, this scope offers excellent value for money.

4. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7X32 Crossbow Scope

Vortex is one company that never ceases to impress. It makes high-quality optics for a variety of shooting situations. And if you enjoy hunting in low-light environments, Crossfire II is a superb choice.

Crossfire II boasts a purpose-built XBR-2 reticle. It offers a 40-yard zero and holdover points of 20-100 yards. Also, it has Red and Green illumination that comes in handy for low-light shooting.

This crossbow scope has both adjustable magnification (2-7x) and fps (275-450). Thus, it is compatible with a variety of bows and setups.

Proprietary coating dramatically increases light transmission. Also, this scope offers an ultra-forgiving eye box and eye relief. Hence, you can sight in much quicker without exhaustion.

The adjustable capped reset turret saves you time and energy. It is simple, straightforward, and locks on the position of the acquired target.

I want to commend Crossfire II for its durable construction. It comes in aircraft-grade aluminum for shockproof performance. Also, it is water and fog-proof to withstand hazardous weather conditions.

Crossfire II crossbow scope is pretty much a complete package. It includes all mounting hardware, flip caps, and a neoprene cover. Hence, it is ready to use out of the box.

Verdict

Vortex Crossfire II stands out for its high-quality optics. It offers more powerful magnification power and boasts one of the best-illuminated reticles. Well, if you want the best crossbow scope for low light, Crossfire II deserves your attention.

5. Barnett Multi-Ret 17060 4X32 Cross Scope

Barnett is no new name in the world of archery. It makes the best archery gear, including crossbow scopes. And should you have the Barnett full-sized crossbow, this cross scope is for you.

Well, this crossbow scope doesn’t offer variable magnification. But that doesn’t make it less capable. It has other cutting-edge features that are sure to impress.

Perhaps the most outstanding is the multi-reticle crosshair system. It has five built-in aiming points of 20-100 yards for rapid acquisition.

I pretty much love this thermal scope for the built quality. It is water-resistant as well as shockproof. Even more outstanding is that it has limited lifetime warranty coverage. Under good care, this scope will pretty much outlast you.

I want to commend this scope for the dovetail mounting rings. It is very secure, eliminating movement during recoil.

Verdict

Barnett Multi-Ret gives fantastic details, even at long range. And with a multi-reticle design, it makes shooting even easier. The scope, however, has faint fogging in cold temperatures. Hence, I recommend it for hunting in warm weather.

6. Hammers Compact 4X32 Multi-line Reticle Crossbow Scope

Hammers is renowned for its rock-bottom prices, both in rifle and crossbow scopes. The low prices, however, don’t mean low quality. Hammers compact scope, for instance, proves more than sufficient for crossbow hunting.

But just how powerful is the Hammers compact multi-reticle scope? Well, this crossbow scope is parallax-free up to 50 yards. And with 4x magnification, it is pretty much perfect for most crossbow hunting needs.

Again, this crossbow has an ample eye relief of 3.5 inches. So, it takes quite a while for fatigue to set in. Well, Hammers isn’t quite clear regarding the field of view. However, my estimate puts it at 45 feet at 100 yards, which is pretty generous.

Hammers compact scope offers decent light transmission. It has an illuminated multi-line reticle that boasts six built-in points in Red or Blue. Hence, you can take it on the hunt, both at dusk and in the early morning hours.

This crossbow scope is waterproof, fog-proof, and shock-resistant. So, it can handle all weather and hunting conditions.

It is a good thing that this scope comes with a set of weaver rings. It makes the mounting process quick and easy.

Verdict

Hammers compact scope offers decent enough value for the price. And under good care, it can last you through a full season. Though it does not have the bells and whistles of high-end scopes, it gets the job done.

7. TRUGLO Crossbow 4X32 Compact Scope

Crossbow scopes with camouflage are a favorite for stealth hunting. Well, TRUGLO scope is one model that deserves your utmost attention. It offers not only camouflage color and attractive design but also high-quality optics.

TRUGLO is one of the best scopes that deliver 4x magnification. It offers a pristine image of your target and a field of view of 100 yards. Well, that is pretty impressive.

At this price bracket, you can’t expect world-class quality. This scope, however, goes out of its way to provide a fully-coated lens. Hence, it has exceptional brightness, clarity, and contrast.

Again, it offers rugged durability. You get a one-piece aircraft-grade aluminum construction. Also, it is weatherproof and scratch-resistant. So durable is this scope that it has lifetime warranty coverage.

TRUGLO crossbow scope offers four inches of eye relief, which is great. It makes the scope very comfortable to use.

Verdict

TRUGLO compact scope offers a ton of eye relief, making it comfortable and easy to use. Also, I commend it for the rangefinder reticle, which appeals to all experience levels. For a crossbow with more kick, this scope will suffice.

8. TRUGLO 30mm Dual-Color Dot Sight

TRUGLO is popular for its affordable, entry-level red dot sights. I can’t think of a better deal than the TRUGLO traditional 30mm dot sight of all available options.

This scope is exceptionally durable. It is waterproof, fog-proof, and shock-resistant to 1000G. And with a lifetime warranty, you know you are getting a scope that is going to last.

TRUGLO dot sight offers high-quality optics. It has an illuminated dual-color reticle in Red and Green. And thanks to multi-coated lenses, this 5 MOA offers unlimited eye relief. Even more, it has an 11-position rheostat for adjustable brightness.

For a red dot sight, the TRUGLO dot sight doesn’t have magnification. Nor does it have ballistically calibrated reticles. Instead, it offers simplicity and is ready to point where your arrow will hit.

TRUGLO dot sight, unlike magnified optics, puts you on target faster. For that, it saves you time and energy.

Well, this red dot sight isn’t the best for long-range shots. But for shots up to 75 yards, it performs exceptionally well.

Also, I want to commend this red dot sight for its exceptional battery life. It can last six months straight, something you don’t always get in most scopes.

Verdict

TRUGLO dot sight is an excellent upgrade over iron sights. But unlike the 2.5 MOA version, it is not ideal for long-range shooting. It, however, has more brightness settings and exceptional battery life. It is ideal if you want a scope for casual use or range shooting.

9. NIKW9 Prostaff P3 Crossbow 3×32 BDC 60

Well, it does have a fixed 3x magnification power. But that doesn’t make this scope any less capable. NIKW9 ProStaff is quite phenomenal, particularly for long-range shots.

What I like most in this crossbow scope is the BDC Nikon reticle. It is more like the BDC reticle in traditional riflescopes. Well, it compensates for the pull of gravity, allowing you to hit shots farther away. You can take shots from 60 yards or more.

Prostaff P3 uses multi-coated lenses. It not only boosts light transmission but also keeps the lenses from causing damage over time.

The spring-loaded windage and elevation turrets are a nice touch. They allow easy hand-turned adjustments and also provide zero-reset functionality.

Again, this scope has an adjustable eyepiece. Hence, you can focus on the target with ease and speed. And with excellent eye relief, it makes your life easier.

This crossbow scope comes in aircraft-grade aluminum. It is pretty light yet tough enough to last for a long time.

Verdict

Prostaff P3 easily boasts one of the best reticles in the world of crossbow scopes. Also, it offers rugged durability, allowing it to withstand significant wear and tear. If you want the best crossbow scope for long-distance shooting, consider Prostaff P3.

10. TenPoint Pro View 2 HCA-097-II 3X Crossbow Scope

TenPoint Pro View is an outstanding scope with a well thought out design. And whereas it zooms to only 3x power, it accommodates a vast majority of weapons and users.

This scope has a pretty robust reticle with non-illuminated dots for easy visibility. You can, however, illuminate in Green or Red. Also, each color has five light intensities for easy customization.

Pro View 2 has crosshair markers from 20-50 yards. Even more, it is calibrated for bolts flying at 330 fps.

This scope uses fully multi-coated lenses for exceptional durability and light transmission. Also, it is a good thing that it comes with mounting rings. Hence, you can set it up right away without running into compatibility issues.

Verdict

Pro View 2 dedicates itself to providing utmost accuracy. The robust reticle is perhaps its most outstanding feature. It accommodates any lighting condition and has various ranging dots to enable you to land shots at moving targets.

Best Crossbow Scope: Complete Guide

Scope Magnification

A powerful magnification rewards you with a clearer image.

Crossbow scope magnification, however, comes in two types: fixed and variable magnification. Well, each has its weaknesses and strengths.

Fixed scopes do not have the option to zoom in or out. All settings are done for you, hence no need to make any adjustments. Fixed scopes are generally less expensive, sturdy, and offer a sharper and brighter view. However, they can be an inconvenience for short-range shots.

Variable scopes allow you to adjust your lens depending on your location, proximity, and target. It gives you more diversity, both for short-range and long-range shots. And for that, you have complete control. However, variable scopes are expensive and don’t have the clarity of fixed scopes.

Reticle

A vast majority of crossbow scopes come with a reticle. It maximizes the trajectory of the arrow for maximum accuracy. Also, the best types have aiming points, such as 20 yards, 30 yards, and so on.

There are two types of reticles: illuminated and non-illuminated reticles.

Illuminated reticles make it easy to see prey at night. But for a better experience, aim for one that allows you to control the contrast and brightness of the image. Illuminated reticles are excellent for hunting at dawn or dusk. They, however, tend to be heavier and more expensive.

Non-illuminated reticles, on the other hand, are an ideal choice for hunting only during the day.

Eye Relief

Eye relief is very crucial in every scope. Generally, it ranges from 3-5 inches. Well, longer eye relief is always comfortable. Even more, it keeps your eye safe from kickback.

Light Transmission

Of course, you want a crossbow scope with excellent light transmission. To achieve that, aim for a scope with larger objective lenses, at least 30mm. Also, consider a fully-coated interior. It limits the amount of stray light, hence maximizing clarity.

Durability

Crossbow scopes are not that cheap. So, ensure your investment is going to last. The best crossbow scope should be waterproof, fog-proof, and shock-resistant. It ensures maximum performance, even in inclement weather.

Budget

Well, there are decent crossbow scopes for hunters on a budget. But if you have the money, you can go for high-end scopes. So, it pretty much depends on how much you can afford. You can buy an expensive one or save up on a budget scope. Also, you can settle for mid-range scopes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: Can a riflescope double as a crossbow scope?

Answer: Absolutely. You can mount a riflescope on a crossbow. Most archers have been using riflescopes for years.

Question: How far can my crossbow shoot accurately?

Answer: Well, a crossbow can shoot well beyond 50 yards. However, it ceases to be effective at this range. For accurate shots, I will recommend a maximum range of about 40 yards.

Question: What magnification power do I need for targets that are 100 yards away?

Answer: Well, for close-range shooting, you can get away with 3x power scopes. However, for 100 yards or beyond, I will recommend 6x magnification power.

Question: How good are red dot scopes?

Answer: Well, red dots are best sighted in at 100 yards. Though it can be seen in more than 100 yards, the accuracy will depend entirely on the scope design and the target size. And being a non-magnifying scope, I will recommend it best for mid-range shooting.

Conclusion

In as much as crossbow hunting requires practice, it can all be in vain if you do not have the right scope. It is the one piece of equipment that lets you land perfect shots. Well, I have shed some light on the best crossbow scope for the money. Feel free to pick whichever is best for your needs and budget. And as a reminder, you are always welcome to commend.