6 Best Scopes for AR 10 in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Last Updated on Jan 03 2024

Our guess is that you probably got an AR 10 rifle, and you now can’t stop celebrating because the “hard part” is over. But hey! Not so fast. With the hundreds of options out there, finding the right scope for your rifle is not going to be an easy task.

Even with its unparalleled performance, you can’t just slap your rifle with any scope and expect the same results. You have to do tons of research to find out the best, depending on the purpose for which you want the scope.

Sounds scary, right? Don’t worry, that’s why we are here. In this article, we have done extensive reviews on your behalf. We have listed the top six AR 10 rifle scopes that will be worth the value of your money.

You might want to take a look!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 6 Best Scopes for AR 10 – Reviews 2024

1. Vortex Optics Diamondback Riflescopes – Best Overall

Do you want a scope that you can use to hunt that big game? Look no more! Vortex Optics has been specially designed for that purpose.

Right off the bat, this rifle scope comes with numerous magnification power options ranging between 1.75–5x. The diameter of its objective lenses stands at 32 mm.

To ensure that you get the best performance, the tube has been filled with argon to keep fog at bay and ensure that the lenses remain waterproof.

You also get to experience high-quality images thanks to the multiple coatings on the lenses. Whether you prefer dawn, dusk, or daytime hunting, vortex scopes have something to offer.

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2. CVLIFE 3-9×40 Optics R4 Reticle Crosshair Scope – Best Value

Our second pick goes to CVLIFE rifle scope. This is definitely the best scope for AR 10 for the money! For someone working on a budget, CVLIFE is your knight in shining armor.

Wondering why it did not make it to number one? That is because the reticles are not illuminated. On the plus side, however, this riflescope has a magnification scope ranging between 3–9x and an objective lens diameter of 40 mm. This is wide enough to allow a sufficient amount of light through the ocular lens.

The lenses are also multi-coated to improve the quality of the images that you see. Finally, durability is also ensured thanks to its scratch-resistant material.

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3. Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope – Premium Choice

Yet another high-end product on our list is this Leupold AR 10 scope. The performance is unmatched, meaning you have to fork out an equally huge amount of money to purchase it. This, to a large extent, is why we saved it for the third slot.

Diving into the features, Leupold features a magnification range varying between 3.5–10x. This makes it an excellent buy for long-range shooters, as success is guaranteed.

Just like the first two options, this scope is also fog-proof, dust-proof, and waterproof. Who wouldn’t want to get such a product?

This rifle scope will focus sharp and clear-cut images for night-hunting lovers even in those low light conditions.

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4. UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope

First things first—UTG compact scope comes with a lifetime warranty. That in itself is an indication that the scope is of high quality and durable, with the ability to stand the test of time.

UTG features even better magnification ranges, with the least being 3x and the highest being 12x. Whether you are looking for a target scope, tactical scope, or simply a hunting scope, this one will fit in all those descriptions

The tube is nitrogen purged to ensure that the lenses remain fog proof and waterproof. Also, on the plus side, you will be able to reset the turrets back to zero.

With this scope, you will also be able to adjust it to remove any parallax errors that might come about.

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5. Athlon Optics Argos BTR Illuminated Riflescope

For increased eye comfort, Athlon would be an excellent buy. First off, the reticle is illuminated. They also boast a multi-coated design which ensures that the lenses produce sharp images even in the dark. The lenses are therefore flexible and can be used at any time.

It is worth noting that you will be getting yourself a quality product that is capable of taking whatever you throw at it. This is because of the aircraft aluminum used in the construction of the tube.

With the side adjustment, you will be able to eliminate parallax errors and focus more sharply, reducing bullet wastage.

The product can withstand the harshest climatic conditions thanks to its waterproof nature and durable make.

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6. Pinty Rifle Rangefinder Scope

Last on our list is this Pinty rifle scope. That is not to say it is bad compared to the rest. In fact, we were impressed by some of its features. To start us off, Pinty has a pretty attractive magnification range. Unlike the rest, it can be adjusted between 4–12x. For both short-range and long-range shooters, this will be a good addition to your arsenal.

It boasts an objective diameter of 50 mm, allowing enough light through the ocular lens to improve your vision. The eye relief is also impressive.

The rifle scope is made from a strong aluminum material to ensure it serves the purpose. The tube is O-ring sealed and filled with nitrogen gas to prevent fog and water from accumulating.

On the downside though, it can’t be reset to zero.

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Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Scopes for AR 10

As we had alluded to before, having the best rifle without the proper rifle scope might not be advantageous. The fact is, someone who has a clear image of the target can still make a shot using whichever gun.

On the contrary, someone with a stellar rifle may not be in a position to make that shot, probably because he can’t figure out where the target is. To be safe, it is better to have both a high-end rifle and an equivalent rifle scope.

Maybe you’re not sold on one of our previously reviewed scopes and want to search the market yourself. But the question remains, how can you identify the best scope? What are some of the factors that you should be looking out for?

You will have to consider other vital aspects such as the magnification, the quality of glass used to make the lenses, the price, among other things. Go through this buyer’s guide to help narrow down your options.

 1. Purpose

The first thing you should consider is the reason why you are buying an AR 10 rifle scope. The commonly asked question will be, what is the best scope for AR 10? Looking at it from the functionality perspective, the answer won’t be so forthcoming.

While you might want a hunting scope, someone else might require a tactical scope, while another person will be looking for a target scope. Put simply, there is no one-size-fits-all type of solution. You have to know the purpose for which you intend to use the scope first and then go ahead to get one.

Why should it be the first step? This will prevent wastage and impulse buying by ensuring you get a scope with features that you actually need.

2. The Type of Scope

There are two main rifle scopes that you are likely to encounter during your search. On the one hand, we have the fixed rifle scopes. As you can infer from the name, these rifle scopes are static.

You cannot adjust the distance or magnification between you and your target unless you move the gun and your body position entirely. While these types of scopes might be somehow affordable, they might not be the ideal scopes for your shooting.

Take the case of someone who wants a scope to use during hunting, for instance. Most animals like turkeys are gifted with sharp hearing such that they can perceive the slightest noises. If you think of it, the rifle scope will be working to your disadvantage.

Unless you are operating with a tight budget or unless you just want a rifle scope to use for your training, you might want to consider the other types of rifle scopes that exist.

These are the variable scopes. These have features that are totally different from those of fixed scopes. You can comfortably adjust the magnification from wherever you are sitting or hiding using the adjustment ring on the scope.

Like you would expect, they are much more costly than fixed riflescopes. On the bright side, however, they are worth the price.

3. Eye Relief

As trivial as this might sound, the amount of eye relief a rifle scope has matters. Some come with a fixed sort of eye relief that you cannot adjust to suit your eye comfort. Assuming you use your rifle often, that will not be ideal.

Instead, you might want to find a scope that comes with an adjustable eye relief to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the 24 hours hunting expedition.

In any case, it will not be economical to buy a scope that you will end up not using as often as you intended.

4. The Magnification

The other important aspect worth considering is the magnification range of the scope you want to buy. To help you reach such a decision, you will have to consider the type of targets you will be shooting, the frequent location of your operation, and its purpose.

Do you want to hunt? Or are you looking forward to gun down a terrorist somewhere? If so, from what distance will you be shooting?

Generally, a scope with magnification ranging from 3x and 9x should be able to do the trick. Or if you are hunting down big game, which with magnification power varying from 4–12x should be okay. This is provided that you won’t be going beyond a shooting range of 300 yards.

If you are extra ambitious and intend to shoot at a long-range of, say, 1,000 yards, you will need to do better than that. It would help if you had an extra powerful magnification of, say, between 2x and 20x, which are not uncommon to find given the technological advancements.

Pro Tip: If you have the money and want to purchase something versatile and multi-functional, consider the extra powerful magnifications.

Going back to your area of operation, the type of terrain might affect the range of magnification to settle for. If you will be tracking down wild gobblers in dense bushes, small magnification might suit you.

But for someone trying to shoot a target in open terrain, the magnification has to be higher.

However, something to note about magnification is the fact that the field of view decreases as the magnification increases. This means that it might take you some time to locate your target. Even worse, it might become a nerve-wracking task if you are trying to locate a moving target, say in some thick bushes or elsewhere.

Additionally, higher magnification might result in heavy scopes, which can be a disadvantage, especially if you walk with your rifle the entire day. You, therefore, want to make a wise decision.

5. The Type of the Optics

If you want to benefit from clear-cut and sharp images, you must consider the type and quality of glass that has been used to make the lenses on your scope. For as long as quality optics are used for the scope, you will always get clear-cut images.

Generally, either of the two kinds of glasses will be used to design lenses. We have the ED glass (extra-low dispersion). This will be best for someone working around a budget as it is relatively affordable.

On the other hand, we have HD glass (high definition). This is the best quality that you can find. It is also the most expensive, so you should be ready to fork out a lot of money to secure one.

While still on this factor, you must consider the quality of the coatings that are used. The more multi-coated the scope lenses are, the better the images you will see. This is not to be overlooked.

6. The Cost

Like any other products, you are bound to meet those high-end AR 10 scopes that sell at a double price compared to others. What should you do then? It is always a rule of thumb that the quality of a product partly affects the price.

But you should think of working with a budget to make sure that you are not overspending.

Consider the features of each as against the other to see which one should be given priority. Go ahead and choose one that falls within your budget that you think has the best features and pay for it.

In most cases, even those affordable products will just suffice as effectively as the highly-priced ones. The difference, perhaps, lies in the brand name and not really in the product itself. Do not strain yourself!

7. Quality

Talking of the quality of the scope, this can be two-pronged. First, you want to consider the material used in the construction and see to it that it is a durable one. The scope should be able to withstand the harshest difficulties that you might put it through.

On the other hand, you also want to consider how effectively the scope can function. Put differently, is it able to work perfectly in low light conditions? This might be an essential feature, especially if you love hunting at dusk or dawn.

The more the amount of light the scope can pass through, the better the quality. Depending on the purpose of your scope, choose wisely.

8. Type of Reticle

There are various types of reticles, but none can be said to be better than the other. That entirely depends on the individual shooter. What is it you like? What type of reticle works better for you?

To ensure we are on the same page, the various types of reticles include bullet drop compensation (BDC), red dots, or mil dots. The list is not exhaustive. If you don’t know your preference yet, you should try out the various types before finally going for one.

Obviously, each of the types has its peculiar advantages and disadvantages.

9. Size of the Objective Lens

To understand why the objective lens’s size is important, you first have to understand what its function is. An objective lens allows light into the scope, thereby improving the focusing of the image.

It follows that the bigger the diameter of the objective lens, the more the light that will pass through. Likewise, the better the image you see.

If you want a scope that you will be using for hunting in the thick bushes and trees, you ought to go for a scope with a wider objective lens to increase your clarity. This might not be very necessary for a clear place. The lighting conditions will generally be better.

The same goes for those who prefer hunting at dawn or dusk. A bigger objective size will work. However, it should be noted that the size should not exceed 50 mm as that then tampers with the image.

Conclusion

According to our reviews, we have outlined some of the top and best-selling scopes for your AR 10 rifle. We have gone a step further to outline the key features to look out for. Up to this point, we hope that your mind is clear and you can settle for a scope with ease.

Vortex Optics Diamondback Riflescopes turns out to be the best pick from our reviews. Quickly, its lenses are multi-coated to ensure you get the best images. It is quality, waterproof, shock resistant, and fog-proof.

On the other hand, CVLIFE 3-9×40 Optics R4 Reticle Crosshair Scope turns out to be the best model for the money.

You should definitely grab yours today and have fun shooting. All the best!

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Featured Image Credit: Rifleman, Shutterstock