6 Best Elk Hunting Scopes of 2024

We abused our eyes so you don’t have to.

Below are the top 6 best elk hunting scopes that we’ve meticulously picked from multiple rounds of in-depth testing by our experts. They’re also arranged in specific categories so no matter the conditions you’re about to use it in, there is surely a right one for you.

Here are the best elk hunting scopes (Dec 2024 Update):

• Best Overall: CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope
• Best For Thicker Woods: Bushnell Red Dot Sight
• Best For Early Morning: Vortex Optics Crossfire II Focal Plane
• Best For Rainy Environments: Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective
• Best For Dark Environments: Athlon Optics Argos BTR, Riflescope
• Best For Harsh Use: Leupold VX-3i 3.5x10x40mm Riflescope

Best Overall: CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope

CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope

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To be honest, this hunting rifle scope comes as a surprise to a bunch of us because it performs as efficiently as any scope up to 10 times the price.

It easily holds a zero with decent amount of recoil, and 10 shots at 100 yards all in a 3.5” grouping.

When it comes to elk hunting scopes, parallax resolution at freezing the crosshair is also our biggest concern. And this model works great despite its inconvenient location. Magnification functions well and it’s easy to adjust. Same with the turrets function.

The elevation and windage turrets even have some adjustment and measurements with ease of use, which is a big bonus.

Although the vision is not crystal clear, it’s moderate to see each impact at the distance.

Best For Thicker Woods: Bushnell Red Dot Sight

Bushnell Red Dot Sight

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The Bushnell Red Dot Sight is a huge blind spot at 300 yards highlighting 11 brightness settings, making it the best choice for shorter range, like thick wooded areas.

It works well on muzzleloaders, rifles, shotguns, pistols, and most Picatinny rails.

The shockproof and waterproof construction with nitrogen purged fog-proof features makes this scope hold up well against extreme conditions. Even when immersed completely in water, its interior still stays dry.

What amazed us the most was even dropping it from 5’ high, the scope still shot with accuracy from 100 yards.

Best For Early Morning: Vortex Optics Crossfire II Focal Plane

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Focal Plane

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For the price, you can’t beat this Vortex Optics Crossfire II Focal Plane.

It highlights anti-reflective lenses with full multiple coatings to give you crisper, brighter images, especially in the late evening or early morning without glaring the scope up.

The capped reset turrets work great. You can make small adjustments without losing where your main baseline zero is at – something that the cheaper scopes hardly do. Another compliment for its MOA clicks. Each clip offers a positive clicky feel with no detection of mushiness.

We also love the fact that it is trim enough to not interfere too much with the ejection port.

Best For Rainy Environments: Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective

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What makes this rifle scope different from the previous Vortex version is it allows you to adjust your focus to correct parallax at various distances.

Another outstanding feature is its performance in the rain. Once the lenses get wet, while other scopes will have a tendency to be more difficult to see through, this isn’t the one.

We tested this function while hunting in the Pacific Northwest where it commonly starts raining when you are out hunting. The scope held up without fogging or any residue issues to make more accurate shots. A big bonus is that whenever we want to track the scope back to zero, it works perfectly.

Best For Dark Environments: Athlon Optics Argos BTR, Riflescope

Athlon Optics Argos BTR, Riflescope

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Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope is the one and sole unit in this list that can work efficiently in darkness. That’s a big thank you to the Advanced Fully-Multi Coated Optics that collects as much light from the target as possible to give you an ultra-bright picture with decent crispness and details.

This lens is protected by an exclusive XPL coating to keep away any outer impact, harsh weather conditions, grease, or dirt. Additionally, the argon purging makes it better in thermal stability and waterproofing.

We do appreciate the variety of first focal plane reticles along with Side Parallax Adjustment that gives you easy windage and elevation adjustments to any range right at your fingertips.

Best For Harsh Use: Leupold VX-3i 3.5x10x40mm Riflescope

Leupold VX-3i 3.5x10x40mm Riflescope

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Extreme weather conditions, bumps, drops, and rough abuse are no problem with this USA-made hunting scope.

It is made completely from 6061-T6 aircraft-quality aluminum that has been punisher tested to ensure a lifetime of shockproof, fog-proof, and waterproof performance under the harshest abuse. For souped-up abrasion resistance ability, the scope is added with DiamondCoat 2 - Ion-assist lens coating.

This add-on is also known for decent light transmission that combining with Twilight Max Light Management System, it delivers unbeatable edge-to-edge picture quality.

Besides, you’ve got 20 extra minutes of shooting light.

How To Choose The Best Elk Hunting Scopes?

Magnification

• This factor is purely subjective to one’s needs so it’s varied between hunters.
• We highly recommend testing out some different magnification levels at various distances to find out the most suitable if possible. But don’t worry if there is no hunting gear store in your neighborhood, 2-7 power range is a common choice.
• 3-9 is also fine but don’t go for a 4-16 power scope because it’s too powerful. Remember the potential danger big games present when they get wounded, even an elk. When choosing magnification of a hunting scope, make sure it has lower settings as well.
• The two power selections let you shot in close range more efficiently and precisely.
• If you want to scout and see targets at further ranges, the 7-9 power scope is perfect.

Lens Coating And Size

• Clarity and precision of image are two paramount factors in elk hunting scope. And what affects them the most is the lens.
• Poor-quality scopes utilized poor-quality lenses, which means it can create distortion to lower accuracy. Good lens coating helps to aid in light transmission while avoiding flare like a champ. Fully multi-coated optics deliver the highest performance but at the same time, it is the most expensive.
• Lens diameter takes a huge role on the light transmission through the image. It decides how bright and clear of the image, especially during dust and dawn.
• The larger the lens size, the brighter and clearer the image.
• But it also results in heavier scope.
• To get the best of both worlds, we highly recommend a 40mm to 42mm of lens diameter.

Which Brands Make The Best Elk Hunting Scopes?

Bushnell

• Founded in 1948, it’s no strange when Bushnell has now been the world’s leading firm in sporting optics and relating products. Their hunting scopes are known for quality with decent precision while the prices are considerably lower than other competitors.

CVLIFE

• Similar to Bushnell but quite younger, CVLIFE is specialized in optics products for hunting, outdoor activities, and sports. It is a reliable brand where you not only receive the highest quality products but also the best services.

Vortex Optics

• Another desirable brand is Vortex Optics, founded in 2004 by Daniel C. Hamilton in the USA. It is famous for a wide range of optics equipment and hunting scopes are one of them.

FAQs

Conclusion

We write these reviews because we’re elk hunters who want to put out honest, reliable advice on the gear we love the most – scope. Hopefully, you get the same value from this post as we got from using them: the boil-down on the best elk hunting scope for you. Thanks for reading!