Source: tactical-life.com
Before we can begin looking at the best mil dot scopes, it is important to first understand what a mil is. A mil is an angle, a very small angle, used to measure a circle. As we all know, once a bullet leaves the barrel of your gun, it is pulled towards the ground by a force called gravity.
Mil-dot reticles look a lot like traditional dot reticles, but they have additional dots placed along the crosshairs that allow you to compensate for the falling of the bullet caused by gravity with a compelling amount of accuracy. What is even more impressive is the fact that these rifles are surprisingly easy to use with consistent precision to hit even some of the farthest targets with a great amount of accuracy.
Top 5 Best Mil Dot Scope Under $500 – Comparison Table
| Image | Description | Magnification | Objective | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Vortex Optics Viper 6.5-20x50 PA Second Focal Plane Riflescope ** Editor's Choice - Best Mil Dot Scope Under $500 ** | 6.5-20x | 50mm | 14.4 in | |
 | Bushnell Tactical 10X40 Rifle Scope, Mil-Dot Reticle ** Best Value Mil Dot Scope Under $500 ** | 10x | 40mm | 11.5 in | |
 | Primary Arms 4-14X Tactical Scope | 4-14x | 44mm | 12.9 in | |
 | Nikon PROSTAFF 5 Mildot Riflescope | 3.5-14x | 40mm | 15.8 in | |
 | Leupold 115390 Mark AR MOD 1 Riflescope with Mil Dot Reticle | 3-9x | 40mm | 14 in |
Top 5 Best Mil Dot Scope Under $500 – Reviews
#1 – Vortex Optics Viper 6.5-20×50 PA Mil Dot Reticle
** Editor’s Choice – Best Mil Dot Scope Under $500 **
Vortex Optics Viper 6.5-20×50 PA Mil Dot Reticle- 30mm Tube
Coming in at number 1 on our list we have the Vortex Optics Mil-Dot reticle, which is a fantastic product to home in your marksman skills and hit the shot every time! It comes in well below our budget, and it’s a solid sigh overall, perfect for both budding and experienced marksmen.
Features
- Utilizes a mil dot reticle to estimate range bullet holdover and windage
- 30mm one-piece tube construction is fully weatherproof and sealed with powerful O-rings and Argon gas
- One-piece design provides optimal alignment for greatest accuracy
- Smooth magnification adjustments under even the toughest conditions by utilizing a precision glide erector system
Review
The Vortex Optics Viper mil dot rifle scope is an incredibly good scope. Vortex Optics did a great job designing this rifle, and they even include an unconditional warranty in case you ever need it.
For anyone who likes to get great quality on a budget and can’t afford to get the latest and greatest rifle scopes at prices of $1000+, this rifle scope is well worth it ( Check current price ). Although these more expensive rifle scopes may have all the latest and greatest bells and whistles, this is a solid performing scope that has never missed a click.
Anyone shooting from ranges between 300 and 700 yards should never need more scope than this. You get plenty of value for your money with this product, and for the majority of users, it is all you will ever need.
Summary
The Vortex Optics Viper mil dot rifle scope deserves to be named the best mil dot scope under $500 because it offers above and beyond what we would expect from a 500 dollar rifle scope with features like a crystal clear image and superb accuracy from even the farthest ranges.
#2 – Bushnell Elite Tactical Mil-Dot SFP Reticle LRS Riflescope, 10x40mm
** Best Value Mil Dot Scope Under $500 **
Bushnell Elite Tactical Mil-Dot SFP Reticle LRS Riflescope, 10x40mm
The Bushnell Elite Tactical Mil-Dot SFP Reticle LRS Riflescope is an extremely powerful and versatile fixed power rifle scope. The fixed power is what makes this a solid scope by providing a consistent basis for estimating target range.
Features
- Powerful fixed-magnification rifle scope
- Scope features target turrets and mil dot reticle
- Tactical fixed magnification scope at 10x with a crystal clear 40mm objective lens
- Fully multi-coated lenses in combination with Ultra Wide Band Coating provide an image if optimal quality and clarity
- Weatherproofing technology including RainGuard HD for anti-fog keeping the lens clear in any weather conditions
- Rigid one-piece tube design purged with argon for durability and protected under a lifetime warranty
Review
The Bushnell Elite Tactical Mil-Dot SFP Reticle LRS Riflescope is a fixed power rifle scope at 10x magnification. While some may see fixed-power as a disadvantage, there are several reasons that we prefer using a fixed power rifle scope, especially with a mil dot reticle. As you likely know, mil dot reticles are used for estimating the range of your target.
Using a scope that is stuck at 10x magnification will provide you with a powerful and consistent base to make your estimations from leading to much greater consistency and faster shooting times.
Another greater advantage to fixed power rifle scopes is the added durability. A variable zoom scope has many more moving parts than a fixed-power scope, therefore, making them more likely to break.
The fixed magnification level is not the only feature that contributes to this scope’s durability. Weatherproof coatings and technology are used in addition to a one-piece tube construction to maintain a high level of rigidity, durability, and accuracy over even the longest duration of time. The 40mm objective lens is the perfect size to efficiently fit on any rifle scope while being easy to shoot with and absorb enough light for a bright and clear image.
Summary
The Bushnell Elite Tactical Mil-Dot SFP Reticle LRS Riflescope is well worth the cash. This is one of the better scopes we looked at, when it comes down to consistency, accuracy, and speed thanks to the fixed power magnification at 10x magnification as this allows for an easy, quick, and accurate target estimation from even the farthest of ranges.
#3 – Primary Arms 4-16X44 Illuminated Mil Dot Scope, Black
Primary Arms 4-14X Tactical Scope with Front Focal Plane PA4-14XFFP
The Primary Arms 4-16X44 Illuminated Mil Dot Scope is one of the best mil dot scopes under $500 thanks to its accurate illuminated reticle, high-end tactical turrets, and a great level of durability.
Features
- Accurate focus controls mounted on the side for ease of use
- 4x to 16x magnification
- 44mm objective lens
- Scope features an illuminated mill dot reticle perfect for low light scenarios
- Resettable ¼ MOA locking turrets
- One-piece water-resistant and weatherproof construction
- Nitrogen purged for increased durability and longevity
Review
There is a wide variety of mil dot reticle rifle scopes available. While this is not one of the greatest mil dot reticle scopes available, when you consider only the mil dot scopes in this price range, it very well may be the best mil dot scope under $500. When comparing this rifle scope to other 500 dollar scopes, it comes out on top every time due to its powerful, clear optics.
We love this rifle scope because the mil dot reticle is illuminated, and this illumination is easy to see, even during the day, providing you with the most accurate mil dot reticle experience possible.
Another feature well worth noting is the locking turrets. These are very audible and tactical turrets that easily lock into position. It is quite easy to tell that they are of higher quality than the turrets of other rifle scopes within the price range. With this cheap scope ( Check current price ), you get 80 MOA adjustments, which is amazing.
In addition to these great features, this scope also has some attributes that make it fairly durable. These include a weatherproof coating and a nitrogen purged one-piece aluminum construction to ensure a long-lived mil dot rifle scope. The weatherproof coatings protect the tube and lenses from fog, dirt, and moisture while the nitrogen purged one-piece construction maintains a tight seal and keeps all pieces of the rifle scope aligned properly.
Summary
The Primary Arms 4-16X44 Illuminated Mil Dot Scope is a powerful scope with plenty of features that outperform other scopes in the price range. Although this is a nice scope for the cost, it’s not the best one on the list, and if you are looking for incredible quality, you will have to spend closer to $500. Overall, this is a high-quality rifle scope that we have found to be a very powerful performer for the low price point.
#4 – Nikon PROSTAFF 5 Mildot Riflescope 3.5-14×40
Nikon PROSTAFF 5 Mildot Riflescope, Black, 3.5-14×40
The Nikon PROSTAFF 5 Mildot Riflescope offers plenty of great features that have declared it the best scope in its price range.
Features
- Utilizes a mil dot reticle with included aiming points for easy adjustments
- Easily make adjustments with spring-loaded instantly resetting turrets
- Fully multi-coated optics for maximum light transmission, clarity, and brightness
- Fast focusing eyepiece for faster reticle focusing than ever before
- 5x to 14x magnification for a large shooting range
Review
The Nikon PROSTAFF 5 Mildot Riflescope is a great budget scope that is extremely easy to zero thanks to its accurate adjustment tools. Additionally, this rifle scope seems to have a near flawless eye relief setup and a clear, bright picture from even the furthest distances on any power settings.
All the features included with this rifle scope make it exceedingly easy to zoom into a target with great speed. The mil dot reticle fits this scope perfectly, and we think it is the only great way to use a rifle scope due to its compelling accuracy.
Another impressive feature is the weight of the scope. This product is surprisingly light making it easier to use efficiently, and in combination with the 40mm, this scope is very comfortable to use. While the manufacturers don’t boast any fog-resistant technology, this rifle scope has never fogged up on us even after heavy usage.
When looking at higher-end scopes that are much more expensive compared to this one, you are not missing much. When choosing this scope over a more expensive one you are likely just sacrificing a small amount of clarity that you don’t need.
Summary
The Nikon PROSTAFF 5 Mildot Riflescope offers versatile features and great accuracy. Because this rifle scope has features like a variable zoom from 3.5x to 14x, it may lack the durability that a fixed power rifle scope can provide. Nonetheless, this is still one of our best scopes under $500.
#5 – Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 Riflescope with Mil Dot Reticle, 3-9×40-Millimeter, Matte Black
Leupold 115390 Mark AR MOD 1 Riflescope with Mil Dot Reticle, 3-9×40-Millimeter, Matte Black
The Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 Riflescope is our last best mil dot scope under $500 thanks to its durable design, precision features, and ease of use. Here, we will take a more in-depth look at its features.
Features
- Durable one-piece anodized aluminum construction for added durability
- Utilizes a mil dot reticle featuring vertical and horizontal scadia
- Multi-coated lenses to enhance the level of light that reaches your eye while removing any glare
- Argon weatherproofing for added durability
- one-piece 1-Inch diameter tube
- 3x to 9x magnification
Review
The Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 Riflescope offers some great features for the price ( Check current price ). The most notable of these includes a magnification range from 3x to 9x, multi-coated lenses, and a powerful mil dot reticle all of these in combination make this one of the best budget scopes available today.
The large magnification range on this scope from 3x to 9x magnification makes it a versatile scope perfect for shooting from any distance, and this is especially so when in combination with a mil dot reticle.
Another feature that contributes to this scope’s accuracy and shooting capability is the one-piece aluminum tube. This one-piece design enhances the accuracy of the scope by keeping everything properly aligned in the best position possible.
Another feature that provides an extra layer of durability is the argon purging that creates an airtight seal around the tube of the scope for complete weatherproofing.
One final feature that contributes to the overall durability is the lens coatings. These lens coatings not only make the scope a more durable product but also provides the user with a clearer and brighter image than before. This is done by adjusting the way the lens absorbs light to prevent reflections and create a precise image allowing for more accurate shots from further distances than before.
Summary
The Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 Riflescope is not only one of the best scopes around, but also one of the best mil dot rifle scopes of all time. The scope itself includes a surprisingly large amount of features to offer at a low price point, and we love the quality and durability.
The mil dot reticle is best paired with an accurate scope to ensure consistent shooting from varied ranges, and this rifle scope provides just that. Overall, the Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 Riflescope is a solid piece of equipment unmatched by competing rifle scopes.
