Best Long-Range Scopes of 2026: 8 FFP Picks, Ranked
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Long-range shooting is a math problem you solve with your turrets. Range the target, run the dope, dial the elevation, hold the wind, press. The scope has to track every one of those clicks the same way every time and give you enough travel to reach the distance you're after. Get that part right and a 600-yard steel plate or a far-off coyote stops being luck.
We compared first focal plane scopes in the 5-25x and 6-24x class from Arken Optics and EuroOptic, and ranked eight on elevation travel, turret design, glass, weight, owner ratings and price on September 28, 2026. This is a research guide built from maker specs, retailer listings and owner reviews, not a hands-on test.
The short answer
For most shooters getting serious about distance, the Arken EP-5 GENII 5-25x56 is the best value in long-range glass right now. Our picks:
- Best overall: Arken EP-5 GENII 5-25x56 FFP, $599.98. Check price at Arken →
- Best under $500: Vortex Venom 5-25x56 FFP, $499.00. Check price at EuroOptic →
- Best budget: Arken SH-4J GENII 6-24x50 FFP, $412.49. Check price at Arken →
- Best lightweight for hunting: Arken EPL-4 6-24x50, $412.49. Check price at Arken →
- Best premium: Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56, $1,899.99. Check price at EuroOptic →
Prices from Arken Optics and EuroOptic on September 28, 2026.
How we chose
Nobody at OSS America mounted these scopes for this guide, and we don't claim to have run tracking tests. We took every spec from the maker's own spec table where we could load it (Arken, Vortex, Athlon) and from EuroOptic's spec listings for the Leupold and Nightforce, pulled owner ratings where the maker shows them, and checked prices at the store we link the same day. We compared MIL/MRAD versions so the numbers line up. We ranked on elevation travel, turret and zero-stop design, glass, weight, owner ratings and price.
What matters in a long-range scope
- First focal plane (FFP). The reticle grows and shrinks with magnification, so your holdovers are correct at every power. Every scope in this guide is FFP.
- Elevation travel. This is how far up you can dial. In this guide it runs from 20 to 35 MIL. More travel means more distance before you run out of turret (a canted base helps too). Our chart shows what each MIL costs.
- MIL or MOA. Pick one system and match it to your reticle, rangefinder and ballistic app. MIL is common in precision rifle matches; MOA works fine if that's how you think.
- Turret per revolution. 10 to 12 MIL per turn means fewer rotations and less chance of getting lost; 8 MIL per turn means more turns to reach the same distance. A zero stop brings you back home after you've dialed.
- Parallax. Side-focus parallax that adjusts down to 10-20 yards lets you train with a rimfire; 45-50 yards is fine for centerfire-only use.
- Weight. From 25 oz to 41.2 oz in this guide. On a bench gun it doesn't matter; on a mountain rifle it matters a lot.
All eight at a glance
| # | Scope | Mag | Tube | Elevation | Per turn | Illum. | Weight | Price | Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arken EP-5 GENII 5-25x56 | 5-25x56 | 34mm | 28 MIL | 10 MIL | Yes | 41.2 oz | $599.98 | Arken Optics |
| #2 | Vortex Venom 5-25x56 | 5-25x56 | 34mm | 25 MIL | 10 MRAD | No | 35 oz | $499.00 | EuroOptic |
| #3 | Arken SH-4J GENII 6-24x50 | 6-24x50 | 34mm | 30 MIL | 8 MIL | Yes | 36 oz | $412.49 | Arken Optics |
| #4 | Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56 | 4.5-30x56 | 34mm | 32 MIL | – | Yes | 36.5 oz | $779.99 | EuroOptic |
| #5 | Arken EPL-4 6-24x50 | 6-24x50 | 30mm | 25 MIL | 8 MIL | Yes | 25 oz | $412.49 | Arken Optics |
| #6 | Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 | 5-25x50 | 30mm | 20 MIL | 10 MRAD | Yes | 31.2 oz | $999.00 | EuroOptic |
| #7 | Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 | 5-25x56 | 35mm | 35 MIL | 10.5 MIL | No | 30 oz | $1,899.99 | EuroOptic |
| #8 | Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56 F1 | 5-25x56 | 34mm | 35 MIL | 12 MIL | Yes | 38 oz | $3,300.00 | EuroOptic |
Prices from arkenopticsusa.com and eurooptic.com on September 28, 2026 (MIL/MRAD versions). Specs from Arken's spec tables, vortexoptics.com and EuroOptic's spec listings for Athlon, Leupold and Nightforce. All eight are first focal plane with 0.1 MIL clicks. A dash means the per-turn figure wasn't listed.
The 8 best long-range scopes, ranked
Arken EP-5 GENII 5-25x56 FFP
Best long-range scope overall
Arken Optics: $599.98 $799.98 · Per MIL of elevation: $21.43
The EP-5 GENII 5-25x56 is the scope we'd point most new long-range shooters to first, because it puts the features serious long-range shooters ask for into a $599.98 scope. It's first focal plane on a 34mm tube, with Japanese J-XED (extremely extra-low dispersion) glass, a red illuminated reticle, 0.1 MIL clicks, 10 MIL per turret revolution and Arken's Zero Stop for a positive return to zero after you've dialed.
Arken rates it at 28 MIL (100 MOA) of elevation and 12 MIL of windage, with parallax down to 20 yards, and it offers two reticles: VPR, a 12 MIL holdover grid for hunting and general long range, or TOR, a denser 16 MIL grid for PRS/NRL-style matches. Arken's own comparison says the GENII improves glass and eyebox over the first EP-5. The catch is mass: 41.2 oz and 15.6 inches, the heaviest scope in this guide. Arken listed it at $599.98 (regularly $799.98) on September 28, with the TOR reticle at $624.98, backed by a lifetime warranty and 30-day returns. For a deeper look, read our Arken EP5 review.
| Magnification | 5-25x56, first focal plane |
| Tube | 34mm |
| Elevation / windage | 28 MIL (100 MOA) / 12 MIL (48 MOA) |
| Per revolution | 10 MIL / 25 MOA |
| Parallax | 20 yd to infinity |
| Eye relief | 3.5 in |
| Weight / length | 41.2 oz / 15.6 in |
| Reticles | VPR (MIL or MOA), TOR (MIL); red illumination |
Pros
- + J-XED glass, FFP, illumination and zero stop for about $600
- + Two reticle choices, including a competition grid
- + 20-yard parallax works for rimfire training too
- + Lifetime warranty and 30-day returns at Arken
Cons
- − Heaviest scope here at 41.2 oz
- − 12 MIL windage is modest
- − No owner rating we could read on Arken's site
Vortex Venom 5-25x56 FFP (EBR-7C MRAD)
Best long-range scope under $500
EuroOptic: $499.00 $699.99 · Maker list: $699.99 · Per MIL of elevation: $19.96
If you'd rather have Vortex's name and warranty on the tube, the Venom 5-25x56 FFP is the value pick. EuroOptic had the MRAD version (EBR-7C reticle) for $499.00 on September 28, $200.99 under Vortex's $699.99 list. It has Vortex's XD optical system, a 34mm single-piece tube, an exposed elevation turret with 10 MRAD per turn and Vortex's RevStop Zero System, plus a throw lever in the box.
Vortex rates it at 25 MRAD of elevation, parallax from 15 yards, and 3.7 inches of eye relief, at 35.0 oz. Owners give it 4.9 out of 5 from 381 reviews on Vortex's site, the most-reviewed scope in this guide, and it carries the VIP unconditional lifetime warranty. The one missing feature: the reticle is not illuminated. The MOA version was out of stock at EuroOptic when we checked.
| Magnification | 5-25x56, first focal plane |
| Tube | 34mm |
| Elevation | 25 MRAD |
| Per revolution | 10 MRAD |
| Parallax | 15 yd to infinity |
| Eye relief | 3.7 in |
| Weight / length | 35.0 oz / 15.3 in |
| Reticle | EBR-7C (MRAD), not illuminated |
Pros
- + Under $500 at EuroOptic
- + 4.9/5 from 381 owners on vortexoptics.com
- + RevStop zero stop and a throw lever included
- + Vortex VIP lifetime warranty
Cons
- − No reticle illumination
- − 25 MRAD of elevation is less than the Arken SH-4J's 30
- − MOA version was out of stock at EuroOptic
Arken SH-4J GENII 6-24x50 FFP
Best budget long-range scope
Arken Optics: $412.49 $524.99 · Per MIL of elevation: $13.75
The SH-4J GENII 6-24x50 is the cheapest way into a real long-range setup here, and it has the lowest cost per MIL of elevation in our chart: $13.75. For $412.49 (regularly $524.99) you get a first focal plane reticle on a 34mm tube, Japanese ED glass, red illumination, Arken Zero Stop and 30 MIL (100 MOA) of elevation, more than the Venom, the Viper PST Gen II or the EP-5 GENII.
Turrets move 8 MIL per revolution, so long shots mean more turns than on a 10-MIL turret, and it weighs 36.0 oz at 13.9 inches. Reticles are VPR or VHR in MIL or MOA, all four at the same price and in stock at Arken on September 28.
| Magnification | 6-24x50, first focal plane |
| Tube | 34mm |
| Elevation / windage | 30 MIL (100 MOA) / 16 MIL (60 MOA) |
| Per revolution | 8 MIL / 20 MOA |
| Parallax | 20 yd to infinity |
| Eye relief | 3.5 in |
| Weight / length | 36.0 oz / 13.9 in |
| Reticles | VPR or VHR, MIL or MOA; red illumination |
Pros
- + Lowest price per MIL of elevation in our chart
- + 30 MIL of elevation for $412.49
- + ED glass, illumination and zero stop at this price
- + Shorter than the 5-25x56 scopes here
Cons
- − 8 MIL per turn means more turret rotations
- − 36 oz is not light for a 50mm scope
- − No owner rating we could read on Arken's site
Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56 FFP (APRS1 IR MIL)
Most magnification range for the money
EuroOptic: $779.99 $1,437.49 · Per MIL of elevation: $24.37
The Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56 is for shooters who want a big top end and a lot of travel. Its 4.5-30x range is the widest here, it offers 32 MIL of elevation and 32 MIL of windage per EuroOptic's spec listing, and it uses Athlon's UHD extra-low-dispersion glass with a glass-etched, illuminated APRS1 FFP MIL reticle and a locking windage turret.
It weighs 36.5 oz and measures 15.3 inches, with 3.9 inches of eye relief and side-focus parallax from 25 yards. On Athlon's site it shows 14 owner reviews, all five stars. EuroOptic had the black model for $779.99 on September 28, down from $1,437.49. The bronze version cost $999.99, and a newer Ares ETR GEN2 UHD line sells for more.
| Magnification | 4.5-30x56, first focal plane |
| Tube | 34mm |
| Elevation / windage | 32 MIL / 32 MIL (locking windage) |
| Parallax | 25 yd to infinity, side focus |
| Eye relief | 3.9 in |
| Weight / length | 36.5 oz / 15.3 in |
| Reticle | APRS1 FFP IR MIL, glass etched, illuminated |
Pros
- + Widest magnification range here (4.5-30x)
- + 32 MIL of elevation and windage
- + Etched glass reticle and locking windage
- + 14 reviews on athlonoptics.com, all five stars
Cons
- − Previous generation; the GEN2 UHD costs more
- − 36.5 oz
- − Small owner review count
Arken EPL-4 6-24x50 FFP
Best lightweight long-range hunting scope
Arken Optics: $412.49 $519.99 · Per MIL of elevation: $16.50
Carry a 41 oz scope up a mountain once and you'll understand the EPL-4 6-24x50. Arken built it around a 30mm tube to get the weight down to 25.0 oz, the lightest scope in this guide, while keeping first focal plane, Japanese ED glass, red illumination and Arken Zero Stop. It's 13.8 inches long.
The trade-off is travel: 25 MIL (86 MOA) of elevation and 17 MIL of windage, with 8 MIL per turn on elevation. That's still plenty for most hunting distances, and its parallax adjusts all the way down to 10 yards. Arken listed every reticle version at $412.49 (regularly $519.99) on September 28, the same price as the SH-4J.
| Magnification | 6-24x50, first focal plane |
| Tube | 30mm |
| Elevation / windage | 25 MIL (86 MOA) / 17 MIL (58 MOA) |
| Per revolution | 8 MIL / 20 MOA elevation; 6 MIL / 15 MOA windage |
| Parallax | 10 yd to infinity |
| Eye relief | 3.5 in |
| Weight / length | 25.0 oz / 13.8 in |
| Reticles | VPR or VHR, MIL or MOA; red illumination |
Pros
- + Lightest in the guide at 25.0 oz
- + FFP, ED glass, illumination and zero stop
- + 10-yard parallax
- + Same $412.49 price as the SH-4J
Cons
- − Less elevation than the SH-4J (25 vs 30 MIL)
- − 8 MIL per turn
- − No owner rating we could read on Arken's site
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 FFP (EBR-7C MRAD)
Best mid-price scope from a big-name brand
EuroOptic: $999.00 $1,499.99 · Maker list: $1,499.99 · Per MIL of elevation: $49.95
The Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 is Vortex's mid-priced precision scope, and owners rate it 4.9 out of 5 from 300 reviews on Vortex's site. It's first focal plane with Vortex's XD optical system, XR coatings, an illuminated EBR-7C MRAD reticle and the RZR Zero System, on a 30mm tube.
At 31.2 oz it's lighter than every 34mm scope here, but it also has the least elevation in this guide, 20 MRAD, and just 10 MRAD of windage. That's why it lands high on our price-per-MIL chart. Vortex lists it at $1,499.99; EuroOptic had the MRAD version for $999.00 on September 28. It's covered by the VIP lifetime warranty.
| Magnification | 5-25x50, first focal plane |
| Tube | 30mm |
| Elevation / windage | 20 MRAD / 10 MRAD |
| Per revolution | 10 MRAD |
| Parallax | 25 yd to infinity |
| Eye relief | 3.4 in |
| Weight / length | 31.2 oz / 15.8 in |
| Reticle | EBR-7C (MRAD), illuminated |
Pros
- + 4.9/5 from 300 owners on vortexoptics.com
- + Illuminated reticle and RZR zero stop
- + Lighter than the 34mm scopes here
- + Vortex VIP lifetime warranty
Cons
- − Least elevation in this guide (20 MRAD)
- − Only 10 MRAD of windage
- − Costs $500 more than the Venom at EuroOptic
Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 M5C3 FFP (PR2-MIL)
Best premium scope for mountain hunters
EuroOptic: $1,899.99 $2,199.99 · Per MIL of elevation: $54.29
The Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 does something the budget scopes here can't: 35 MIL of elevation at just 30 oz. EuroOptic's listing notes it was designed for hunters and shooters who want long-range performance without the weight, and describes Leupold's Professional-Grade Optical System and an exposed elevation turret with a ZeroLock dial to prevent accidental adjustments.
It uses a 35mm tube, turns 10.5 MIL per revolution, has 17 MIL of windage, and the parallax starts at 50 yards, which matters for rimfire or close-range training. This PR2-MIL version is not illuminated; the illuminated PR1-MIL model was $2,499.99 at EuroOptic. EuroOptic had this one for $1,899.99 on September 28, down from $2,199.99.
| Magnification | 5-25x56, first focal plane |
| Tube | 35mm |
| Elevation / windage | 35 MIL / 17 MIL |
| Per revolution | 10.5 MIL |
| Parallax | 50 yd to infinity |
| Eye relief | 3.6-3.8 in |
| Weight / length | 30 oz / 15.7 in |
| Reticle | PR2-MIL, not illuminated |
Pros
- + 35 MIL of elevation at only 30 oz
- + ZeroLock dial prevents accidental turret moves
- + Leupold's Professional-Grade optics
- + Tied for the most elevation in this guide
Cons
- − More than three times the price of the EP-5 GENII
- − 50-yard minimum parallax
- − Illumination costs $600 more
Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56 F1 (Mil-XT)
Best no-compromise long-range scope
EuroOptic: $3,300.00 · Per MIL of elevation: $94.29
Nightforce's ATACR 5-25x56 F1 is the most expensive scope in this guide. This version (C616) has the Mil-XT reticle, ZeroStop, Nightforce's DigIllum illumination and a power throw lever. Per EuroOptic's spec listing it offers 35 MRAD (120 MOA) of elevation, 24 MRAD of windage, 12 MIL per turret revolution, and weighs 38 oz on a 34mm tube.
The 12 MIL per turn means fewer rotations to reach long range than any other scope here, and 24 MRAD of windage is the most outside the Athlon. Parallax starts at 45 yards. EuroOptic listed it at $3,300.00 on September 28, in stock, with free 2-day shipping. It lands last on our price-per-MIL chart, so it only makes sense if you shoot enough for its build to matter to you.
| Magnification | 5-25x56, first focal plane (F1) |
| Tube | 34mm |
| Elevation / windage | 35 MRAD (120 MOA) / 24 MRAD (80 MOA) |
| Per revolution | 12 MIL |
| Parallax | 45 yd to infinity |
| Eye relief | 3.35-3.54 in |
| Weight / length | 38 oz / 15.37 in |
| Reticle | Mil-XT, DigIllum |
Pros
- + 12 MIL per turn, the most here
- + 35 MRAD elevation and 24 MRAD windage
- + ZeroStop, DigIllum and a power throw lever
- + Free 2-day shipping at EuroOptic
Cons
- − $3,300, with no discount at EuroOptic
- − Highest price per MIL in our chart
- − 38 oz
Which should you buy?
- First serious long-range scope, best all-around value: Arken EP-5 GENII 5-25x56.
- Want Vortex's warranty for under $500: Vortex Venom 5-25x56 FFP.
- Tightest budget, most elevation per dollar: Arken SH-4J GENII 6-24x50.
- You want 30x on top and lots of windage: Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56.
- Mountain rifle on a budget: Arken EPL-4 6-24x50.
- Proven mid-price Vortex with illumination: Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50.
- Mountain rifle, money no object: Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56.
- Top-tier precision rifle: Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56 F1.
Building out the whole rifle? See our 15 best rifle scopes for hunting glass, best precision rifles for something to mount it on, and best rangefinders for hunting to get the distance right. Curious about the store? Read Is EuroOptic legit?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best long-range scope in 2026?
For most shooters, the Arken EP-5 GENII 5-25x56 FFP: J-XED glass, 28 MIL of elevation, 10 MIL per turn, illumination and a zero stop for $599.98 at Arken Optics on September 28, 2026. If you want a bigger brand's warranty, the Vortex Venom 5-25x56 FFP was $499.00 at EuroOptic.
How much elevation travel do I need for 1,000 yards?
It depends on your cartridge, zero and base. Your ballistic app tells you the exact MILs to dial at your distances; compare that number with the scope's total elevation (20 to 35 MIL in this guide). A canted scope base shifts more of that travel to the useful side. If you're close to the limit, buy the scope with more travel.
Should I buy a first focal plane or second focal plane scope for long range?
First focal plane for dialing and holding at any magnification. With FFP, reticle holds stay correct from low to high power, which is why every scope in this guide is FFP. Second focal plane reticles are only accurate at one magnification.
MIL or MOA for long range?
Either works if the turrets and reticle match. MIL is common in precision rifle competition. Choose whichever system your rangefinder, app and shooting partners use, so everyone speaks the same numbers.
Is a 6-24x scope enough for long range?
Yes for most shooting. The Arken SH-4J GENII and EPL-4 top out at 24x, and you'll often shoot below maximum power anyway for a wider view and an easier time seeing mirage and trace. 25-30x helps on small targets and in good light.
Are Arken scopes any good?
Arken's EP-5 GENII, SH-4J GENII and EPL-4 offer first focal plane reticles, Japanese ED or XED glass, illumination and a zero stop at prices well below big-name scopes with similar specs, backed by a lifetime warranty and 30-day returns per Arken's site. We couldn't read Arken's on-site review scores, so we don't quote an owner rating. Our Arken EP5 review goes deeper.
The bottom line
Buy the Arken EP-5 GENII 5-25x56 if you want the most long-range scope for about $600. Choose the Vortex Venom 5-25x56 for Vortex's warranty under $500, the Arken SH-4J GENII if every dollar counts, and the Leupold Mark 5HD when weight matters as much as travel. Then spend the savings on ammo and practice, because that's what makes the hits.
Talk soon,
OSS AMERICA
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