6 Best Rifle Scopes Under $100 [Affordable Yet Great]

When reviewing hunting rifle scopes in the $100 price range or less, change significantly in terms of what the buyer is getting for his or her money. Plastic lens systems creep into the picture as does pot metal parts. Some scopes in this price range even use plastic main tubes.

My point here is simply this: Be sure of what you're buying in a low priced super budget scope. As I have already stated, you often get exactly what you pay for when it comes to purchasing cheap rifle scopes.

BUT In the following review, I will select some of the best rifle scopes that retain some level of workable lifelines for use in the field or target range.

1. UTG BugBuster Scope

The UTG 3-9X32 1" BugBuster Scope carries a warning in its advertising: "Warning beware of counterfeit scopes shipped directly from China.” This little scope is followed and used among shooters that are looking for a low priced glass sight for informal shooting events.

This scope features a 1-inch tube with a lens coating system that produces maximum light transmission at all times.

The turrets on this scope also retain a zero lockable and reset system that makes use of ¼ MOA per click elevation or windage calibrations. The system follows the big guys at least in terms of feature offerings on a bargain-priced optical system.

The scope makes use of a ranging MOA reticle (subtension) and has an adjustable objective that focuses from three yards to infinity. Turret adjustments for elevation are an open style for fast changes to increased zero or subtension holdover. Parallax control is on the forward bell housing and marked for range.

The scope includes its own set of weaver style mounts that will fit a weaver designed rail or other rails of the same style. This is a nice feature because the buyer need not run around town trying to fit bases and rings to the product. Believe me, I know, because I have been in that situation far too many times myself.

The scope has a red/green dual illumination system for versatile applications. The glass retains a large field of view. The eye relief recoil is ample. However, neither field of view or eye relief is stated in inches. MOA dots number nine in each direction giving ample windage and elevation allowances for this scope.

The scope comes with a pair of eyeshades, flip lens caps, and detachable rings. The tube is sealed to be fog proof, waterproof, and shockproof. Considering all elements, this little scope offers quite a number of features not found on many budget class optical systems. This scope is an interesting glass sight, to say the least.

2. Bushnell Banner Dusk to Dawn 

I can tell a story about Bushnell that dates back almost 50 years. I have had several of these scopes in use today that were bought, mounted, and left alone for quite some time.

Only old gun writers have this knowledge. Within the past several weeks, while helping some old stump jumpers in Wisconsin re-zero their deer rifles which carried very old and still working Bushnell Banner scopes, did I realize just what a tough little glass sight these systems were once--and still are today.

In terms of recoil, two of my three scopes are mounted on test 870 Wingmaster shotguns that have been shooting for many years. This means recoil--and lots of it! Mounted on both rifled and smooth-bore barrels, these scopes have been to hell and back in terms of abuse in the ballistics testing area of my work.

At times hundreds of rounds of both heavy waterfowl, turkey, and deer loads have been sent down the bore. The energy of the recoil passed across the mounts and main tubes of these scopes and never phased them one bit. The end result is that they just keep ticking much like the Energizer Bunny.

The price of each scope back then was about $35, and as such, the scopes are still a total bargain in a get it done working-level budget deer rifle glass sight.

Specifications regarding the Banner series are as follows:

Using 3X9 magnification this is a low light scope with a 40 mm objective lens. Large and light gathering are great words to describe this scope. The Multi-X reticle is easy to acquire in terms of the aiming point on game or targets. The turrets retain ¼ MOA graduations for windage and elevation.

This scope is built on a one-piece design, is gas-filled and is both fog proof and waterproof. The eyepiece system on the Banner provides a fast focus with the ring toward the rear end of the tube. This scope is a multi-purpose sight system and can be used on both rifles and shotguns. Also, let's not leave out the muzzleloader as well.

The mounting length is 5.8 inches with a total length of 12 inches. The scope's weight is 13 ounces.

Be advised that the Banner series of scopes are flexible in terms of configurations. If you don't like one model, by all means, check out another one at the same time.

3. Bushnell TRS-25

The Bushnell TRS-25 proves that getting into a red mil-dot sighting system does not have to be high priced. I ran systems for years on 22 rimfires, crossbows, and shotguns that were all under $50. Enter the Bushnell TRS-25 Hirise 1X25 mm with riser block mount. This scope has a matte black finish.

The sight reduces battery loss by turning off when left unattended. The sight regulates brightness according to natural light produced from any external source. When the protective power hood is attached, the sight automatically powers down to save your battery.

4. Nikon Buckmasters II 3X9X40mm

Here is a quality scope that will run a few dollars more than the previous scopes, but retains the BDC reticle so well accepted by hunters. Its construction mimics a “big rifle” scope in my opinion.

Nikon makes use of their “Spot On” ballistics match technology. These improvements work well on this scope just like they do on the higher-end products. "Spot On" allows the shooter to dope in exact reference points for the ammunition to make long distance first-round hits.

Nikon uses the BDC reticle that makes use of a series of horizontal rings that are open to the inside allowing the target to be placed within the ring at various ranges. This system is so good that I took the very scope, attached it to the Remington Super 50 Cal muzzleloader and drilled 400-yard targets with consistency.

All lens surfaces on this scope are multicoated to provide a bright, sharp image on the glass surface. This pulls light and gives a clear target image.

Add the lifetime warranty provided by Nikon and you have a field scope for general purpose or big game applications that will return many years of service to the hunter/shooter.

Looking for more details about Nikon buckmaster II and its alternatives as it is discontinued now, then must check out our detailed Nikon buckmaster II review along with alternatives

5. Ade Advanced Optics RD30009 Red Dot Sight

The final sight in my selection of budget sights for rifles is a small HUD display type sight that only makes use of the basic red dot. This sight is designed in the USA and has been upgraded since its introduction in 2014.

The final sight in my selection of budget sights for rifles is a small HUD display type sight that only makes use of the basic red dot. This sight is designed in the USA and has been upgraded since its introduction in 2014.

The ground and polished lens system in this sight eliminates parallax and returns a clear, sharp sighting surface. This unit comes with an installed Weaver-style mount for fast application to any rail style receiver mount.

Want to know about Best AR-15 Scopes Under $100? Check out our guide here.

Being fully windage and elevation adjustable, the sight features an unlimited eye relief, 5 MOA, and 5 illumination settings. It is powered by a CR2032 battery.

This sight can be mounted as a secondary sight over a scope or as a separate unit. It is small and would work on handguns. For a quick sight in low light, this will fill the bill just fine.

6. CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope

Buying rifle scopes doesn’t always have to be expensive, and brands like CVLIFE make that possible. The red and green illuminated scope, priced under $50, is one of the best options to consider.

Measuring 8.5"L x 3"W x 3"H, this scope's highlight is its integrated bright green laser, which contributes to improved precision and visibility. So, if you want to aim at close range, especially for fast-moving targets, this does the job quite well.

Even in low-light conditions, the bright green light shines through. The scope covers a range of 300 yards, which is impressive for the price you pay. The reticles support both red and green illumination, and they have five brightness settings.

The scope also features an upgraded, high-quality, multi-coated lens with advanced glass and coating. Furthermore, with 2.5 to 10x magnification, the optics genuinely define the meaning of high-definition images without compromise.

Lastly, this rifle scope comes with all the basic necessities, including a lens cover, batteries, wrenches, cleaning tools, and a user manual.

When I started to reference material that was dealing with very low priced budget optical systems, I did not have much hope for success. I was wrong in that assumption because there are indeed systems that can get the job done at some very affordable prices. Be sure to check all the sources for the latest prices.

Do not assume that any of these scopes and red dot systems are advanced enough for professional use, military application, or police service. They are to be sure not that at all.

What we have are sights that a local backwoods deer hunter can bring home the meat with, a Sunday afternoon paper target shooter can use to pound some holes in his favorite 22 rimfire with, or a rancher can use to dust off a nasty barn rat that is getting into the corn pile.

While I have indeed tested and owned scopes that ran upward of $2000, I also have shot many budget systems that have carried their open weight as well. Modern technology has indeed advanced manufacturing to a point that even budget gear will return good performance and last the shooter a long time.

Related Guides:

• Best Rifle Scopes Under $300