Best Muzzleloader Scopes For Hunters in 2022

A muzzleloader is one of the firearms that shoot from the muzzle of the gun. This one is distinct and different from the other modern weapons that are available right now.

Muzzleloaders are considered to be primitive weapons. It is one of the old traditional firearms being used still.

When you come to think of it, primitive weapons work great when they are alone. As much as it is great on their own, they need a touch of modernized equipment in order to adapt to the utilization of modern hunters.

Equipping the best muzzleloader scopes will bring the weapon to a level that it has not reached before.

Let’s get started…

If you’re in a hurry, here are the Best Muzzleloader Scopes for a quick comparison.

Best Scopes for Muzzleloader [Comparison Chart]

Name	Optic	Reticle
Vortex Diamondback	1.75-5×32	Dead-Hold BDC	Check Price
Vortex Crossfire	2-7×32	Dead-Hold BDC	Check Price
Burris 200261	2-7×32	Ballistic Plex	Check Price
Primary Arms	1-6×24	ACSS 5.56/5.45/.308	Check Price
Simmons 8-Point	3-9×50	Truplex	Check Price
Bushnell Banner	3-9×40	Circle-X Duplex	Check Price
Konus 7249	1.5-5×32	AimPro	Check Price
Leupold VX-1	3-9×40	FireDot Ballistic	Check Price
Nikon Prostaff	3-9×40	BDC 300	Check Price
Nikon Buckmasters	3-9×40	BDC	Check Price

10 Best Scopes for Muzzleloader in 2022 – Reviewed

1. Vortex Optics Diamondback Riflescope

Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescope is a budget-friendly scope that has taken its place in the industry of shooting. This scope is considered to be one of the best scopes that can be partnered with muzzleloaders.

If you are one of those who want to enjoy a lot of great features for the right amount of price, you should check this scope. It is the most affordable scope under $500 available for muzzleloaders.

Vortex is one of the world’s most famous brands when it comes to producing great scopes. This scope lives up to the impression that the brand of Vortex is made for hunters and other people who use shooting guns and weapons.

Dead-hold Type BDC Reticle: This feature is what makes this scope a perfect equipment for muzzleloaders when doing outdoor activities such as hunting and other activities such as shooting. This feature works well both in short ranges and long ranges. This feature comes in handy when approximating hold-over becomes one of the concerns.

Completely Multi-coated Lenses: This feature will allow you to see clear and bright images even when shooting from dawn until dusk. This scope is very versatile by having lenses that can function well too during low-light situations.

Fast Focus Eyepiece: This feature adds up to the convenience that you will experience when using this scope. The fast-focus eyepiece will be the feature that is responsible for quick and easy reticle focusing on the scope.

2. Vortex Optics Crossfire II SFP Riflescope

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane Riflescope is another scope from the same brand as the previous one that is also considered one of the best scopes that are compatible with muzzleloaders. This one is a little more budget-friendly when compared to the previous one.

However, the quality they have speaks up for both of them, since they are from the same brand. Also, the brand that manufactures these scopes offers one of the best customer services in the industry. Should you have any problems with your scope, they will surely fix it with top-notch quality.

Long Eye Relief: This scope will give you 9 inches of eye relief, which means that you and your eyes can be safe from the recoil of your muzzleloader. With that being considered, you will be able to place your head at a distance that will be comfortable for you.

Dead-hold BDC Reticle: When estimating hold-over becomes one of the concerns, that is when this feature comes in handy. This feature is one of the things that make this scope an expedient equipment for muzzleloaders. This feature also makes this scope suitable whether you are shooting with short and long ranges.

Fully Multi-coated Lenses: Together with this scope’s anti-reflective glasses, this feature is what causes this scope to produce bright and clear images of the field where you are doing your hunting or shooting activities. Even when the condition becomes low in light, you surely will not experience some problems with that.

3. Burris 200261 Ballistic Plex Riflescope

Burris 200261 Ballistic Plex is one of the best muzzleloader scope models these days. This certain scope model starts to take its place in the industry’s best rifle scopes for muzzleloaders.

With this scope’s price, you will not need to doubt and even regret buying this because of all of its great features. This scope is designed to be compatible with muzzleloaders while being strong and efficient.

Long Eye Relief: With this feature, you can easily spot your targets comfortably when shooting and hunting. It has a very generous eye relief that extends for up to 11 inches. With this feature, you can shoot comfortably while ensuring your head is in a safe position.

Magnification Range for Short Range Shooting: This scope has a magnification that ranges from the setting of 2X to 7X. This range is just the right and perfect range for shooting short-range targets perfectly. You surely would have your short-range games covered with this feature.

Fog-proof, Waterproof, and Shock-proof Properties: Despite being amazing enough with all its features mentioned previously, this scope is also both durable and reliable at the same time. It has some properties, designs, and built that make it durable and also reliable.

Multi-coated Lenses: This scope is also one of the best scopes when it comes to transmitting light for you to see clear and bright images of the field where you are hunting or conducting your shooting activities. As much as possible, this scope’s lenses transmit the maximum available light.

4. Primary Arms SLX SFP Rifle Scope

Primary Arms SLX SFP Rifle Scope Gen III is an affordable scope that you can get for your muzzleloader. It has very high-quality optics. In fact, scopes from the same brand were rated and given a Silver-tier grade by an association called the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).

That just shows that this specific scope model is built with the quality too. It offers 12 different brightness settings that you can choose from. In addition, it is also waterproof and fog-proof.

Another good thing about this scope is that it has a lifetime warranty that you can enjoy using once you find defects on your scope. The brand will fix it for you, and if needed, they will replace it with a new one without additional cost.

High Technology Design: We all know that the muzzleloader is a primitive weapon. Sometimes, even though it may seem unusual, you can pair it with a high-technology scope that will surely improve its performance and enhance its great qualities.

Incredible Optics: This scope is designed to have multi-coated lenses and fine quality glasses in order to provide you the best quality images with brightness and clarity for you to perform better than you have ever done before. In addition, it offers a magnification of 1X to 6X, truly a magnification range that will suit your short and medium-range hunting needs.

Aluminum Body with Matte Black Anodized Finish: This scope is made durable by the aluminum that is used to construct it. Together with its matte black anodized finish, not only does it show strength, but it also manifests integrity and reliability when it comes to the word of riflescopes. In addition, it is completely sealed, which makes it resistant to tough elements.

5. Simmons 8-Point Rifle Scope

Simmons 8-Point Rifle Scope is another scope that is packed with quality and features that won’t surely make you doubt about getting it. If you want to shoot accurately and precisely for a long while making some adjustments that are on-the-fly, then this is the one that you should consider getting or buying.

Professionals say that this is truly a great scope that has been paired with muzzleloaders nowadays. With its convenience, you surely would trust this scope to be your lifetime equipment when using your muzzleloader.

Shock-proof, Recoil-proof, and Waterproof Properties: This scope is designed to be very durable. With the word durable, we mean that it can withstand or endure almost anything that you throw at it. It can be used during harsh and tough weather conditions without worrying that it might be broken or something. Also, it has the capability of withstanding a long period of rugged use.

Affordable Price for a Very High Quality: This muzzleloader scope is one of the proofs that you will be able to enjoy having scopes under $100. Not just that, you will still be able to have features that high-end scopes have. With just a very low amount that you are going to spend, you will experience the same shooting features that high-end scopes offer.

6. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Circle-X Reticle Riflescope

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Circle-X Reticle Riflescope is one of the best optics that you will see in the markets when you look for the best scopes for muzzleloaders with the best hunting optics. Also, this certain scope model has proven that it is truly comfortable when paired with muzzleloaders.

You will notice that the way this scope was constructed is one of the most top-notch you will ever see in the world. If you truly want a scope that will stay with you for a very long period of time, even for a lifetime, then you must consider getting this one.

Multi-coated Lenses: With this scope’s feature of having multi-coated lenses, it can be used during the daytime and be assured that it will deliver the best images. Also, it can still be used during nighttime, and you can expect it to work just as well when it is properly used.

Waterproof, Shock-proof, and Fog-proof Properties: This scope is constructed to be waterproof, shock-proof, and fog-proof. With that construction, this scope is made reliable, and it is considered durable too, because of these things. With this feature, you could never go wrong when you choose this scope.

Affordable Price for a Very High Quality: This scope is considered as one of the most affordable scopes you will ever find in the markets. But despite being low cost, you cannot deny that its quality can compete with the high-end ones. You surely would realize that its features are worth far more than the cost it offers in the markets.

7. Konus 7249 Shotgun Black Powder Riflescope

Konus 7249 Shotgun Riflescope is one of the most underrated shotgun scopes that there is in the world right now. Probably, you still have not heard of the brand Konus until now. To give you a little background, this brand is an Italian Company that has been manufacturing scopes for decades and is also proven to provide the best scopes.

This company has been one of the largest companies that manufacture hunting optics in the continent of Europe. This specific scope model lives up to the company’s reputation by being one of the most compatible scopes for your muzzleloaders.

Magnification Range: This scope is specifically designed to be of great help when doing short-range shootings. It just offers a short range of magnification. To be exact with that, it just offers 1X to 5X magnification. To be fair, you do not always have to shoot with long ranges of distances. There will be times when you will have targets that are placed at a close distance, and that is when this scope is best.

Duplex Reticle: This type of reticle is what you need when you want to do quick and easy shots at your targets. With this feature, you can have the luxury of enjoying that experience without having to exert much effort than you have before.

8. Leupold VX-1 Compact Riflescope

Leupold VX-1 Compact Waterproof Fog Proof Riflescope is one of the pack leaders in the world of shooting with riflescopes. This scope is one of the models that you will find listed on top of the many lists of best scopes for muzzleloaders too.

Leupold is known to produce amazing quality products that focus on all details in order to manufacture high-quality scopes. The matte black exterior of this scope makes it look like a very cool scope. Check this cool scope out if you are interested in buying it.

Waterproof and Fog-proof Properties: This scope is designed to be both durable and reliable. The properties that make it waterproof and fog-proof, it is truly proven that it performs excellently while enduring a long period of rugged use and even during unexpected weather conditions such as heavy rainfall. One of the reasons behind these properties is the nitrogen sealing process that this scope had undergone when it was manufacturing.

Multi-coated Four Lens: This feature adds up to this scope’s greatness. It provides images that are of extreme clarity from an edge to another edge of the visual field. It also provides outstanding contrast and bright views or images even when there is alarmingly low light in the field. You would not worry when the sun begins to set because you can still rely on this scope at nighttime.

9. Nikon Prostaff P3 Muzzleloader Riflescope

Nikon Prostaff P3 Muzzleloader Riflescope is also one of the greatest scopes ever designed for muzzleloaders. You can clearly see from its name that it is designed for muzzleloaders. This certain model has become one of the industry’s standards because of its very high quality.

The brand of Nikon never fails to manufacture the best optics over the course of years. They continuously improve their designs and their features, that is why this certain model is in top-notch quality when compared to the usual muzzleloader scopes out there.

Fully Multi-coated Optical System: With the fully multi-coated optical system of this certain scope model, you would be able to enjoy the use of this scope even when the condition becomes very low in light. This feature will make sure that there will be a maximum light transmission for you to be able to see bright and clear images of the surroundings.

Consistent Eye Relief and Quick Focus Eyepiece: This certain scope model will not cause you any pain with your eyes since it has a consistent eye relief that will surely make you feel comfortable when you are using this scope. The quick focus eyepiece will also not cause any pain since it will help you spot your targets as quickly as you can think of.

10. Nikon Buckmasters II Riflescope

Nikon Buckmasters II Riflescope is another scope that comes from the brand of Nikon. This certain scope model is offered for a more budget-friendly approach. If you do not want to spend much, then you should consider this since you would never notice the difference in their qualities.

For 99 percent of hunters, the difference in the qualities from the first scope that was mentioned above is very little. So, you might as well go with the one with the lower price, especially when you do not mind the unnoticeable difference anyway.

Fully Multi-coated Lenses: This scope is best known for providing extremely bright views and images to the users when in the field. The views and images are very clear due to having the feature of fully multi-coated lenses. With this feature, you surely would not encounter problems when you are shooting during low-light conditions such as nighttime and cloudy days.

Magnification Range: This scope offers a considerable range of magnification for all purposes of shooting. If you look at it specifically, it will give you a magnification that can be adjusted from 3X to 9X, which is perfect for both short-range and medium-range activities.

Waterproof, Fog-proof, and Shock-proof Properties: This scope has proven its place in the best scopes among all the choices in the markets. With all its features that are mentioned before, this scope is made reliable and durable even when used during the harshest and toughest conditions.

Things You Should Consider Before Buying Best Muzzleloader Scopes

But before discussing the scopes that will surely be of extreme help for your muzzleloader, there are some things that you should know first. When deciding to buy scopes, you should consider some essential factors that are needed to have the best scope for your muzzleloader. Here are some of them:

Magnification

The magnification that you are going to choose for your scope will depend on how short or long the range of your shooting activities is. It is hard to be accurate and precise without the proper magnification range, so it is important to get the one that is suitable for your needs when hunting or shooting.

Eye Relief

Muzzleloaders, sometimes, may have considerable recoil. That is why it is important that you get a scope with large or long eye relief for your eyes and head to be safe when shooting your targets. Also, longer or larger eye reliefs tend to give more convenience to users.

Moreover, it does not require the perfect position to shoot accurately and precisely. Although eye relief may vary depending on your comfortability, some hunters are more confident when having shorter or smaller eye reliefs.

Some of them tend to have affected views when using a scope with longer or larger eye reliefs. So, consider the eye relief based on your comfort.

Reticle Pattern

The type of reticle also is an important factor that you should consider when you want to be more precise and accurate. There are times that the reticle of riflescopes is different than the reticles of muzzleloader scopes, so you have to be aware of that.

But there are times that riflescopes can also be used as scopes for muzzleloaders, it was proven by some of the scopes here on the list that we will show you below.

Adjustments

The last thing you would want to happen is to be distracted by your scope’s adjustment settings. Especially when you are in the field, that is the last thing you should consider because you have to focus on shooting and targeting.

With that said, look for a scope that would never stress you out by having complicated adjustments. As much as possible, look for a scope that is simple in design but high in quality, so that you would not have any problems when making quick adjustments while being in the field.

Durability

Obviously, one of the most important things to consider is the built and the construction of your scope. Surely, you would want a scope that will last long even when used ruggedly and under different harsh and tough conditions.

Be sure to look for a scope that will be tough on the exterior and interior by being reliable with the built it has. In that way, you could never go wrong when shooting.

So, now that you are well aware of all the things you need to know, it is time for you to meet the best scopes for muzzleloader.

All of these scopes have proven their spot on this list, so you need not have any doubt because even professionals recommend using these scopes. So, without further ado, here are the best scopes that you will find in the markets.

Importance of Muzzleloader Scope

As mentioned in the first parts of this article, muzzleloaders are just a little bit primitive, or in other words, used in the old times when compared to the rifles and firearms that people use nowadays.

While muzzleloaders can still compete with modern firearms and rifles, it is still important that your muzzleloader gets the support it needs by having not only a usual and normal scope, but by being equipped with the best scope.

Having a great firearm is enough, as you know, but you still need to equip it with great scope to make precise and accurate shots. That is why it is imperative for the muzzleloaders to be equipped with a good accessory or a scope that will surely compliment them in the best way.

Bottomline

Muzzleloaders are a primitive weapon that most hunters know. With its popularity comes the companies that manufacture a lot of scopes that are claiming to be of extreme help for the muzzleloaders.

With everything that has been offered in the markets, you surely do not want to confuse yourself. Be sure to be wise in choosing the best scope for your muzzleloader.

It is a great weapon that deserves a high-quality scope too. We hope that this article has somehow helped you to decide the scope that you will consider and buy for your need.

One last reminder is that you do not have to spend much when you do not want to. With the technology and the advancing inventions nowadays, you can enjoy having high-quality scopes that are offered for a very low price.

You can still be assured that these scopes are of high quality and performance. So, do not deprive yourself of having the experience of using the best scopes when you can afford them without spending much. Just be sure to consider the above-mentioned scopes for you to be guided.

10 Best Scopes for Muzzleloader in 2023 – Updated Picks & Guide