Best Scope Manufacturers
A Comprehensive Guide
Scope manufacturer is a company producing firearms or firearm accessories, parts or components, and optical sights for rifles. Scope manufacturers are predominantly active in the military and civilian sports markets. Some scope manufacturers manufacture scopes with no magnification for hunters’ use of telescopic sights for paintball guns. These scopes may include sighting components such as a crosshair.
Table of Contents
The roots of the best scope manufacturers go far back to the 18th century with the development of microscopes and telescopes. With time, they developed these optical systems into optics for firearms sights. Even though no single inventor invented a firearm scope in its current form as they are known today. However, it was not until the late 19th century when weapon optics were available to the general public.
From that point on, scopes became widely appreciated and used by targets through different magnification for shooters and hunters. Scope manufacturers have also been involved in developing telescopic sights for aircraft, and they developed these sights even earlier than shooting scopes. The makers of the most acclaimed and best-selling scopes globally are a force to be reckoned with. Here is a list and biography of the top 30 scope manufacturers. Read to learn more.
Vortex Optics
Vortex Optics specializes in manufacturing high-end rifle scopes. The company was founded in 1986 by the Hamilton family that wanted to use their knowledge to create a better product for the tactical marksman. Vortex is based in Barneveld, Wisconsin, where the company itself is still a family-owned business.
The company’s first products were Vortex Viper riflescopes. They are still considered the flagship product of the Vortex line because of their robust design, ruggedness, and field-proven durability in harsh environments. This strong reputation for engineering quality scope systems translated well into the hunting industry, opening the market to a broader audience.
Nikon
Nikon is a well-reputed company that deals with optics. They make cameras and binoculars, as well as gun scopes, among various other products. Gun owners use their scopes for hunting, target shooting, and law enforcement. The majority of their products are expensive, with the average cost being around $1,000 for a rifle scope. Nippon Kogaku (Japan Optical) was established in 1917 and is now known as Nikon Corporation.
It was founded by Koyata Iwasaki Co. Ltd. (The Institute of Japan Optics), incorporated in Tokyo with a registered capital of 30000 Yen. The company’s first product to be made available on the market after its establishment was an optical lens named Nikkor for a 35mm camera made by Shimadzu. Soon after being released for sale, Nikkor became famous as a high-quality lens among professional photographers throughout the country.
Bushnell
Bushnell is an American manufacturer of sports optics and binoculars. It was founded in 1948 by David P. Bushnell in Chicago, Illinois as a distributor of imported Japanese binoculars. The company soon began manufacturing its line of products; the first to go into production was binoculars with Porro prisms and BAK-4 roof prisms and fixed 10×50 binoculars designed for military use, which were used during Vietnam War.
The company produced one of the first sports binoculars in the US market in 1979, the Accessory Binocular, a compact fixed power 10×30. This model was so successful that Bushnell founded its own marketing company, Bushnell Outdoor Products, in 1983. The two companies were merged under the name Bushnell Corporation and relocated to Middleton, Wisconsin. Bushnell soon began manufacturing other products such as spotting scopes, rangefinders, monoculars and rifle scopes under the Bushnell banner. Now Bushnell is the best-selling binocular brand in the US.
Trijicon
The company was established in 1981 and has been manufacturing aiming devices and related products since then. In 1991, they released their first rifle-mounted optics called the ACOG. Now they have expanded to make shotgun scopes and handgun sights that mount on top of Picatinny rails. They also made a sighting system with an integrated laser range finder for military applications known as DRSSTC (Digital Range Selective System Technology Center). ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight), a fixed power magnification aimed primarily at military and law enforcement. The ACOG was designed to improve iron sights using an illuminated reticle combined with bullet drop compensation out to 800 meters.
Monstrum Tactical
Monstrum Tactical is a small and lean manufacturer of weapon optics. All products are 100% made in the USA at a 30,000 sq/ft facility in California. While most Monstrum scope models are primarily designed for military applications, many models are also suitable for law enforcement agencies and hunting and recreational shooting applications. The Monstrum tactical model range has been refined over several years to match modern riflescope design with precision machined parts. At the same time, it incorporated the rugged durability needed by most military users and maintaining affordability so that everyone can benefit from these state-of-the-art optics systems.
ATN
ATN is a company that operates in the defense and military field, with its products being used in both domestic and international armed forces. ATN has been involved in the R&D of new technologies for many years; it has developed numerous patented products such as night vision goggles, thermal imagers, laser range finders and more. It also provides services ranging from installation to maintenance of any equipment or system that military units possess to improve their performance on the battlefield.
ATN was founded in 1995 by a group of young engineers with their main office located in South San Francisco, CA. From the very beginning, ATN started developing electronics and night vision systems which began with manufacturing optics lenses for thermal imaging scopes/monoculars as it had done before during Israels’ military service. In 1999 ATN began producing electronic components used for night vision devices that they produced elsewhere in Israel. With time more components were being assembled at the company’s HQ allowing it to grow significantly and scale up production capacity.
Sightmark
Sightmark is an American manufacturer of optical products, including riflescopes, laser rangefinders and holographic weapon sights. Sightmark provides these instruments to law enforcement agencies, hunters, competitive shooters as well as the military. Sightmark provides shooting accessories for hunters and competitive shooters. The company’s products are used by various governmental agencies worldwide, including NASA, the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, just to name a few. Sightmark also has been an official supplier for several rifle associations such as CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program), Olympic Arms, NRA (National Rifle Association) and 3-Gun Match Series since 2007.
Galco Gunleather
Burris Optics is highly recognized for its signature Infinity line heading head to head with other major name player companies like Leupold and Nikon. With various award-winning models now available within the scope market (i.e., Fullfield II 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope), Burris continuously pushes forward on innovation throughout all lines while adhering to strict quality measures such as water resistance and durability testing. Burris Optics is a company that specializes in rifle scopes, binoculars, infrared illuminators and other long-range shooting equipment. Don Burris founded it in 1975. Today the company operates a state-of-the-art production facility located in Greeley, Colorado.
Leupold
Leupold, Inc. is a manufacturer of riflescopes, binoculars, rangefinders and spotting scopes. It was founded in 1907 by brothers Alfred V. Leupold and Adam Volpel in Beaverton, Oregon, as a family business. The two brothers later moved the operation to Beaverton, where the headquarters remain today. Leupold products are distributed through hunting retail outlets like Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops or are sold directly from the company’s website.
Leupold has long been acknowledged for its bright optical designs, which enhance light-gathering power while minimizing flaws related to distortion and aberrations that may be introduced by excessive magnification. The company’s products also tout their waterproof and fog-proof features and other advanced technologies like DiamondCoat 2, a glass application that significantly diminishes the glare produced by the reflection of light off of a lens’s surface.
AT3 Tactical
AT3 Tactical is an American firearm manufacturer based in Minnesota. It was established by Alex Snodgrass (CEO and owner), located in Riverview, FL. The company specializes in making rifles and gun sights that can achieve high levels of accuracy for competitive shooting purposes. And their RAW upper receiver line and a complete line of AR-15 lower ranging from 80% to 100% completed lower receivers ready to accept any mil-spec upper receiver assembly or parts kit. AT3 Tactical strives to provide the correct equipment for all competitive shooters, whether you are new or have experience. Their gun sights are specifically built to be used competitively in shooting competitions and ranges that require scopes with high accuracy levels.
Barska
Barska is a top manufacturer of military-grade and premium quality rifle scopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, night vision optics and accessories for hunting, tactical, and home security uses. The company manufactures high-power weapons sights designed to be used by the armed forces of central world governments and civilian hunters, sportsmen, and gun enthusiasts. Barska scopes are well known for high quality.
Its products and affordable prices; its riflescope line has a wide range of reticles like MIL-dot, BDC, Varmint Hunter’s Reticle (VHR). Ballistic Sniper Reticle (BSR) and ZACT-7 custom ballistic cam system. Its rifle scopes are manufactured at the company’s headquarters in Pamona, California. Besides US domestic sales Barska also exports advanced optics to Europe, Canada and South America and offers after-sales service through authorized agents worldwide.
CVLife
CVLIFE is one of those rifle scope manufacturers that are popular among hunters. They are based in China but have already established their name across the globe because of their excellent performance and high-quality optics. Besides, CVLIFE is a company that has the latest technology and is well-known for its high-quality rifle scopes. They produce a wide range of Bipods, scopes and boresight in all price ranges and every shooter. Every product made by the company is thoroughly tested, and The company aims at making affordable, high-quality rifle scopes for long-range hunting.
BSA Optics
Headquartered in Rogers, AR, BSA Optics Co., Ltd is a manufacturer of optical lenses and equipment for the military industry globally. Since its inception in 1996, BSA has focused primarily on developing leading-edge products in the areas of near-sighted and thermal optical imaging technologies. The company also develops new production techniques for anti-reflective coatings applied to optical lenses manufactured worldwide by third-party manufacturers. A vertically integrated manufacturer with over 30 years of experience in the field of optics manufacturing and inspection, BSA offers more than 80 different kinds of lens models for various applications, in addition to a full line of lenses for use in military-based aerial reconnaissance cameras.
Simmons Optics
Simmons Optics is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of riflescopes, night vision and thermal imaging equipment. The company is divided into three operating segments: Riflescopes, Thermal Imaging Solutions and Night Vision Solutions. Among Simmons Optics’ product offerings are optic-enhanced riflescopes that provide shooters with advanced light-gathering capabilities, an integral reticle illumination system and a wide selection of magnification levels from 1x to 4.5x for all types of AR platforms. These products are readily adaptable for traditional bolt action hunting rifles and the newest semi-auto tactical models.
Athlon Optics
Athlon Optics is an American company that develops, manufactures and markets high-end tactical riflescopes for law enforcement, military and hunting applications. They include models with bright, multi-coated lenses and turrets that allow precise adjustment of elevation and windage. Other products are competition scopes used by competitive shooters to improve their performance on the range.
The main categories of products are Patrol Rifle Optics (PRR) – a family of scopes designed to fit AR-style weapons; they include models with illuminated reticles in red or green to help target acquisition in low light conditions. The company also offers a Super Sniper line – a family of riflescopes designed for long-range shooting; they feature transparent and open sight pictures in low light conditions, illuminated reticles with different colors.
Primary Arms
Primary Arms offers some outstanding value for the money in all of its products. Their scopes are known for quality optics at a price point that is considerably lower than most competitors. They don’t compromise and offer top-tier quality in every product they produce, given the strict standards they have set for themselves. Primary Arms was started in 2007 by Marshall Lerner, a US Army veteran with over 15 years of experience in the optics industry. The company is located near Fort Bragg, North Carolina and makes all its stuff here in the USA. Primary arms sell mainly to civilians with or without a military background, but they also sell a considerable amount to police officers and military personnel. They have been endorsed by organizations like the American Rifleman, Guns & Ammo, and Soldier Systems Daily.
Sig Sauer
Sig Sauer is a company that was founded in New Hampshire in 1985 when it started making high-end handguns. The company then expanded into rifles and moved its headquarters to Exeter, NH. From then on, Sig Sauer only produced firearms and their accessories. After being bought by L&O Holding Company in 2007, the company expanded its operations to outfit military, law enforcement, defense, and civilian shooters with high-quality products and services. Sig Sauer optics products include scopes, rifle sights, red dot sights and combos, iron sights, binoculars and range-finders. Sig Sauer optics are built with a rugged, durable, and reliable design, so many military branches trust their product. The company produces optics for hunting, tactical use and other purposes.
Pinty Scopes
Pinty is a manufacturer of custom optics for small arms weapons used by the military and law enforcement agencies worldwideRiflescopeslight-gathering and- especially riflescope’s holographic weapon sights. They are based in Lake Forest, California. Pinty devices produce optical equipment mainly for professional use and sell consumer products (holographic and red dot sights). They produce high-quality optical devices at low cost without compromising durability or reliability. They manufacture and design optics for the AR-15 platform, AK series of rifles and the Mosin Nagant, and other weapons. They also produce optics for several dozen optical mounts with rotating and tilting designs that vary from Picatinny rails to Weaver rails.
Leapers Under the Gun (UTG)
UTG is a U.S.-based company and manufactures rifle scopes, red dot sights, hunting equipment and accessories for airsoft guns etc. They are currently a giant airsoft gun and accessories dealer online, the world’s largest flexible rifle adaptor manufacturer and a leading manufacturer of holographic weapon sights, digital cameras, night vision binoculars and telescopes. The business philosophy that Leapers have taken on is to sell high-quality items at affordable prices to protect the consumer from pirated or knock-off products and also to ensure that there will always be a demand for their products.
Nightforce Optics
Nightforce Optics was founded in 1992 by shooters for shooters. Their goal was to provide the best optics available on the market. They are still striving to achieve this today with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located just outside their headquarters in Orofino, Idaho. The goal of Nightforce is to deliver the highest quality optics in all conditions by combining the best materials with precise manufacturing techniques, constant testing and rigorous quality control. They have achieved this at a reasonable cost due to their dedication to building every product at their factory. They keep costs down by producing most products using machines instead of humans.
Gosky
Gosky is a reputable European brand with years of experience in the optical industry. They focus on developing and manufacturing high-quality scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes used by professional hunters and snipers. Gosky extended product lines include rifle scope, red dot scope, laser sight, and flashlight Gosky export their products to more than 50 countries and regions. All Gosky products are designed and manufactured with the strictest quality standards that guarantee each scope is durable, precise, convenient and meet professional hunting & shooting requirements. They use only virgin aviation aluminum alloy for all scopes’ chassis to ensure no color difference between aluminum or black ones. Also, you can have a firm hold on your rifle when you put it on your premium gunstock.
Feyachi
Feyachi is a company whose products are varied but are primarily gun scopes for guns, rifles and pistols. With a variety of styles, lens types and other features included in their line of gun scopes, Feyachi offers items to suit most consumer needs. They focus on producing quality items at affordable prices in conjunction with them focusing on customer satisfaction allows Feyachi to appeal to consumers in several markets.
With the addition of other products like gun cases and cleaning kits, Feyachi makes it easy for buyers to get quality items that will last them for several years into the future. The company has been operating since 2007 and has made a name for itself when it comes to consumer satisfaction by offering exceptional products at reasonable prices. The company sometimes releases limited edition products to take advantage of special deals or time savings; however, these are only available during the designated period they are offered.
Truglo
TRUGLO is a leading manufacturer of high-quality illuminated firearm sights, delivering innovative products that aid in shooting accuracy. They offer high-visibility fiber-optic rifle scopes that naturally align with eye focus. Breakthrough red dot optics provide rapid target acquisition; lead generation units designed to help sight-challenged hunters harvest more games with greater accuracy. TRUGLO is committed to providing their customers innovative products which enhance their ability to hunt and shoot. TRUGLO was founded in 1993 by hunter Paul LaRocco as a family business based on the principle of innovation, quality and dedication. He began production in his garage, first building gun sights for archery equipment and later focusing on the expanding firearms industry. TRUGLO Incorporated is located in Richardson, Texas.
Zeiss
Zeiss is a German company that was founded in 1846 by optician and lens grinder Carl Zeiss, initially dealing with microscopes and telescopes, then later on binoculars and other optical instruments. Their most popular products include binoculars, rifle scopes, rangefinders, microscopes, eyeglasses, medical equipment and other optical devices. Zeiss has produced many quality riflescopes, such as their Classic line introduced in 2009 and features a rubber armor coating with a blacked-out finish on exterior lenses and optics that withstand harsh environments. They are one of the first companies to invent rifle scopes, and today they still produce quality products that are sold all over the world for any type of hunting or shooting sport.
OHHUNT
OHHUNT is a third-generation family business founded in 2013 that aims to provide affordable optical products with high quality. They are developing a wide range of products and serving customers all over the world.OhHunt has been awarded numerous times for the company’s achievements in terms of product design and quality. They have three major series of products: rifle scopes, tactical scopes and binoculars. Ohhunt rifle scopes provide the best performance while still operating on a standard household power supply. Â With their large field of view, quick target acquisition and crystal clear optics, they will help you improve your accuracy over any distance.
Hawke
Hawke is an American company that produces mid-range spotting scopes and riflescopes. They are known for their return to the basics of making a great product to help people shoot better. It is evident by their no-nonsense approach to optics, with scopes designed around things like weight, quality and ease of use. They strive to create products with an extensive range of optical features while maintaining affordability. Hawke was born from a long lineage of hunters. They were taught how to handle themselves in any situation, which has inspired them to make excellent hunting equipment such as binoculars and rifle scopes for all hunters alike. Although Hawke did not produce bifocals until 2010, it was still able to produce some excellent products still used by hunters, some of which have even won awards.
NcStar
NcSTAR is a company that specializes in the development of tactical equipment and accessories—serving customers in law enforcement, military, outdoors, optics and gun hobby. When you have NcSTAR scopes on your riflescope, it will be more accurate because they are designed to withstand the most challenging conditions without fail or defect. In addition, NcSTAR scopes can last longer than other brands of rifle scopes.
You will not have to spend too much money on replacing your scope because you cannot rely on it as a reliable means for shooting. There is also no need to worry about the fogging of your NcSTAR scope because they are waterproof and fog proof so that you will be assured that through rain or harsh climate conditions, your scope will still work well and stay in good condition. With its nitrogen purged construction, this feature makes NcSTAR products lightweight without compromising their durability and accuracy.
Steiner
Steiner manufactures various performance optics for sport shooting, including riflescopes, red dot sights and reflex sight. Steiner optics give the user a competitive advantage by providing unequaled technical performance and optical quality for any application, from tactical to hunting and sport shooting. Steiner scopes throughare manufactured to the highest standards of optical precision and ruggedness, and they are used by the worlds leading professional hunters, snipers, law enforcement agencies and militaries. Steiner has successfully entered new markets by adding more scopes, including binoculars and night vision products. Today Steiner is an innovative leader in both riflescope design, including red dot sights and night vision devices serving customers worldwide.
Crosman
Crosman Corporation is the largest manufacturer of CO2-powered airguns and rifle scopes in North America. Its line includes more than 200 different models of airguns and scopes available in over 90 countries worldwide. Crosman has a large team of designers devoted to manufacturing quality, innovative and affordable airguns and archery products designed for hunting, recreational target shooting or pest control. Their scopes range from the ACCULADER or VORTEX crosshairs to the widely popular 4-16x 40mm AO scopes, and their quality is recognized throughout the industry. They are also known in the industry for high-end riflescope models such as their advanced tactical riflescopes because of their unique features.
MidTen Tactics
One of the most successful and popular scope manufacturers, MidTen, is located in the USA, California. MidTen started to produce scopes only five years ago, but they are prevalent due to quality, functionality, and friendly price tags. Midten scopes are built with CNC machines using solid aluminum alloy bodies that feature a matte black or polished grey finish. They have zero-reset turrets and a reticle focus. The MidTen Tactical was founded in 2015. The first key innovation brought to the table was a simple, rugged mount for the Aimpoint Micro series optics. This scope mount has become very popular with hunters and concealed carry shooters who want high-quality optics on their firearms without adding bulk or weight. The mount is also popular with law enforcement officers who need to optimize the space on their handguns and rifles.
FAQs
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
If you need something with a wide field of view, then vortex might be your best option because they give more viewing area at 100 yards than any other brand out there. On the other hand, Leupold has very accurate adjustments that make it easier to hit targets further away with higher accuracy.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Zeiss offers superior optics and more features for the price of the two brands. They also offer a lifetime warranty covering any issue with their product, even if caused by improper use or abuse.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The first brand is Leupold. The company’s motto is “We Make Optics For Those Who Love Nature. Their products stand up against rigorous tests to ensure that their customers get only the highest quality equipment possible at all times.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Vortex offers high-quality optics at a reasonable price point, while Nikon has been known for decades as “the standard” for precision lenses. Nikon also offers more versatility in their scopes than Vortex through different magnification and reticle options.
Conclusion
To find the best scope for your needs, consider what you will be using it for and how often. This way, when you are out in the field or shooting range selecting a new rifle scope to purchase, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you. The scope market is constantly changing and evolving. New scopes are being released every year, and companies are working hard to stay competitive. This list will change over time as new manufacturers come onto the scene, so be sure to check back in from time to time for an update.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.
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