The Top-Picked Muzzleloading Scopes 2023 – Which is for You?

Nowadays, many manufacturers provide these muzzleloader scopes in various options and full accessories. Thus, we can create our own shots which are crafted and optionally integrated by us.

Do you now that muzzleloader scopes are now equipped with advanced technology whose have calibration length accuracy up to 300 yards? This was considered as impossible thing before.

In order to increase the accuracy of muzzleloaders,we shall explore how to choose a good quality scope to equip with  in this article. But let’s get more information about the muzzleloader.

What is The Muzzleloader?

A muzzleloader is the firearm whose projectile is propelled from the muzzle of the gun by the charge of propelling. This charging method is divided into two categories which are cannons and small-caliber palm (or known as smoothbore).

Why Should We Use Muzzleloaders?

Since I began using muzzleloader, I have realized the fact that there are some more and more people uses this kind of gun. Followings are the reasons:

• Faster velocity and extreme accuracy than other hand loaded shots
• Less danger in crowded targets because of fast and easy manipulation

Let’s continue to follow....

What Factors Making Up A Good Muzzleloading Scope? (Buying Guide)

Magnification

With more advanced technology in the power loads and bullets, you should choose the muzzleloaders with magnification scope of from 200 to even 300 yards.

Besides, a fixed magnification scope is also better than the versatile ones thanks to its durability, especially when you use this scope with heavy loads.

Reticle

Traditional and heavy bullets may be tough for you to use. That’s why many manufacturers use special reticles designed to make convenience for your use with muzzleloaders.

Besides, you can calibrate BDC reticles to gain proper bullets and powder amounts to rectify, decrease or increase the range of your muzzleloader.

Lens Quality

The specifications of lens quality are also the factor which should be taken into consideration because it affects to the vision of our eyes when shootings. Layers of coatings with high quality help creates clear images.  

Besides, lenses which are made with functions of water, humidity and scratches resistance and increased light transmission are the required factor of a muzzleloading scope.

Eye Relief

This specification is specifically referred to the distance between the lens and the eyes which should ideally be four inches.

This technical feature should not be overlooked in consideration with the designed precision of the manufacturer.

Durability

The composition material can be considered as the top condition when you choose a muzzleloader. Thus, high-quality material shall last for a long time and keep stable operation when you start shooting without any fluctuations and compromission.

Weather Resistance

Due to unpredictable and hard weather condition, the muzzleloader should have the feature to protect against such conditions, for example, rain proof, fog proof and shock absorption.

Ease of Use and Policy of Warranty and Maintenance

Most of users prefer lightweight and easy handling features.   Besides, the scope with proper weight shall affect the overall function of the gun. Specifically, it shall help the scope to be mounted from the rear in order to keep the balance.

A heavy-duty scope shall me you feel difficult in manipulating the gun as well as keeping the gun balance and focusing to reach the target.

Besides, you should focus on the warranty policy offered by the manufacturers. Most of products shall be covered with all the defects occurring from the faults of manufacturers. Then, they will also support the users with genuine replacement and repairs.

My List of Top 5 Best Muzzleloader Scopes

#1. Nikon INLINE XR 3-9x40mm Muzzleloader Scope – Best for Lens Quality

This product is considered as the success of Nikon brand. All factors are integrated into one product: high quality, extreme accuracy, reasonable price. Especially, it’s especially suited for inline muzzleloaders.

When I use this scope, I was so impressed with its lens quality. With Ballistic Match Technology of Bikon, it provides us a clear view with exceptional thickness of 40mm.

Thanks to 5-inch eye relief function, this scope always comes with clear and sharp images that no rivals can get over. According to my experience, it shall be an excellent choice for you when you work with the target at far distance.

One more plus point is that you can believe in its sturdy design and super water-resistance capacity to use in every condition of weather.

Although it has many advantages as above, you should also consider its limited accessory replacement.

What we like

• Durable
• High quality and multi-coated lenses
• Unique and sturdy design

What we don’t like

• Limited accessory replacement

#2. Thompson Center Universal scope – Best for Medium-range Targets

This scope is equipped with Mount Kit (sort of) 3-9×40 Multi-X to allow the user can fix the vision and give the accurate shooting.  This set of Kit can be detachable.

Besides, thanks to 3-9x magnification and ¼ inch click rectification function, you can reach the target at medium range, or even at longer range. With fully coated lenses specially designed for waterproof and fogproof function, you are confidentially use it in any races of hunting.

Durability and reliable accuracy are the additional advantages of this scope. So, as the professional hunters, try it once and share your feelings with me.

What we like

• Super lightweight
• High quality
• Firm and unique design

What we don’t like

• Quite expensive

#3: Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn scope – Best for Short Range Targets

This scope is specially used for hunters who often work with short-range targets with extreme accuracy requirements. However, you can add some ranges when using this scope for your muzzleloader. With little collapse, you can use it it some further ranges in some case with stable accuracy.

Especially when you use this scope in photographing, it shall help you to produce excellent picture quality. And, you can get easily in drawing the center of each picture by the function of lining the sight.

Although it is equipped with 3’’ eye box, you can get difficult in eye relieving in some shooting circumstance or conditions. Thus, you should use it properly, your picture shall become excellent.

Because it is composed with high quality material, this scope is one of the most durable scope basing on the user’s reviews. Working with absolute accuracy at 100 to 150 yard target is the only limitation of this scope.

What we like

• Reasonable price
• Durable
• Super lightweight

What we don’t like

• Poor eyebox
• Not good magnification focus effects

#4. Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm – Best Choice for Lightweight Feature

With the weight of around 11 oz, this scope is one of the top-choice of lightest scopes in the market.

As a reputable brand in scopes fields, the Leupold is considered as the pioneer in integrating new waterproofing technology in its products. In addition, fogproof and scratch resistance feature is one more advantage of this product in together with VX-2 lens.

Thanks to 6061-T6 aircraft grade type of aluminum, it becomes the most durable scope that no rival can beat over. If you are considering to buy a lightweight and durable scope, this product is truly the ideal choice.

What we like

• Compact and super durable material
• Good fog proof and waterproof feature
• Lifetime warranty

What we don’t like

• No sunshade option
• Expensive price

#5. Vortex Optics Diamondback Scope – Best for Stable and Accurate Shooting

The final option in our list today is a product from Vortex. Thanks to high quality aluminium construction, this model is the excellent choice for those who like high resistance in extreme weather conditions.

It also comes with high grain powder rounds which are well-equipped the function of anodization and sealing.

When using this scope at the distance of around 150 yards, you shall attain high accuracy targets. Thanks to good light transmission for the coated lenses, any dark images at bad lighting conditions are no longer big problem.

Only one disadvantage of this scope is its heavy weight of over 14 oz.

What we like

• High quality construction
• Stable and accurate operation

What we don’t like

• No sunshade option
• Heavy weight

Your Pick is...

Deciding to buy the best muzzleloader scope is never the good piece of cake. Standing before millions of options, you should consider all factors as above with your budget. Then, try to think about my above 5 suggestions of muzzleloading scopes.

Among the above scopes, the Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm is my selection. Thanks to high durability and lightweight feature, I always feel confident to get fruits in hunting with this scope model. 

Hope that you shall have happy hunting when choosing this scope as the accompanying friend in all races! Enjoy and share!