Best Muzzleloading Scope – 2022 Reviews

When you’re hunting, you only get one shot to catch your game. If you miss your chance or your aim is off, you can kiss your kill goodbye. That’s why it’s in your best interest as a hunter to do everything you can to be as accurate as possible when hunting during muzzleloader season, including using a muzzleloader scope.

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  • Best overall
  • Clarity and brightness enhanced by Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses
  • Low light rifle scope with 3 to 9x magnification
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  • Best value for the money
  • Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses, excellent for hunting in low light
  • Dry-nitrogen filled, simple and sturdy design
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  • Best Leupold muzzleloader scope
  • Scratch-resistant 40 mm objective lens
  • Features Twilight Light Management System
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  • Best Konus muzzleloader scopes
  • Explicitly designed for muzzleloaders with clear and bright multi-coated optics
  • Unbreakable engraved glass ballistic reticle
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  • Color Adjusted Transmission (CAT) amplifies contrast to better spot game in dark backgrounds
  • Durable shock-resistant, fog proof, and waterproof design
  • Ultimate hunting scope technology with 5x Zoom Range
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How Does a Muzzleloading Scope Work?

Unlike other rifle scopes, muzzleloading scopes offer more eye relief, which is the distance between the tip of your eye and the lens of your scope. So long as you mount your scope with accurate eye relief, your field of view should be clear and bright.

Accurate eye relief is essential when hunting because the more you have to adjust your scope to see, the more likely you are to make noise and scare off your prey. Also, the last thing you want on a long day of hunting is a mounted scope you have to get so close to that you risk getting smacked in the face from your rifle’s recoil.

What Is a Muzzleloading Scope, and What Is It Used For?

A muzzleloading scope increases the accuracy of your rifle’s range. It’s sturdy and can withstand various types of inclement weather and outdoor wear and tear. Muzzleloading scopes are also designed to allow more light in than the average rifle scope.

This means that muzzleloading scopes give you a boost when you need it, specifically when you’re hunting in low light at dawn or dusk, and it’s harder to see the game while they are most active.

Muzzleloading scopes are more durable than most other rifle scopes and are specially made to withstand bumps and harsh recoil that usually call for adjustments. With a muzzleloading scope, you can spend more time focusing on your prey than worrying about adjusting your scope.

What to Look For when Buying a Muzzleloading Scope

There are several factors that are important to consider when looking for a muzzleloading scope. Some of these aspects include things like durability, magnification, and simplicity.

Durability

A muzzleloading scope should be shockproof and sturdy enough to withstand hard recoils from guns of varying calibers. It should also be waterproof and fog proof and able to withstand weathering from the outdoor elements. The most durable muzzleloading scopes are ones that have single-piece construction, are filled with nitrogen, and have etched glass reticles.

Magnification

Muzzleloading scopes with lower magnification levels are most effective. The highest magnification you’d want in a muzzleloading scope is 12x. Both fixed and variable magnification scopes are excellent; it just depends on what feels better to you personally.

Simplicity

Muzzleloading scopes should be simple yet effective. They are designed to be sturdy, with clear glass and a simple reticle. The last thing you should have to worry about on a hunting trip is learning how to adjust a bunch of extra features.

Review of the Best Muzzleloading Scopes

There are so many options available when it comes to finding the perfect muzzleloading scope to fit all your needs. That is why we narrowed it down to the top five best options for you! Keep reading to find out more about five of the best muzzleloading scopes out there.

Top Pick

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope

Bushnell Banner 3-9x50mm Riflescope, Dusk & Dawn Hunting Riflescope with Multi-X Reticle

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This best muzzleloading scope comes in at our number one spot thanks to its fantastic construction and ease of use, not to mention its state-of-the-art magnification.

What Recent Buyers Report

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope is considered the Top Pick because buyers get the best bang for their buck (literally). You can make elevation and wind adjustments with audible clicks, and it zeros with minor adjustments, all for a fair price.

Why It Stands Out to Us

Some scopes are of incredible quality but cost rather steeply. This scope is moderately priced and operates just as well, if not better than other pricier scopes. It gives good clarity with a broader field of view than most, and the Dawn & Dusk Brightness multi-coated lenses keep center crosshairs clear. 

This scope zeros nearly perfectly and is excellent for hunting in low light. This scope also holds up through hundreds of rounds while holding zero. Overall, this scope is the most durable and able to be used on guns of various different calibers.

Bottom Line

This scope is like a one-size-fits-all for guns. It’s a second-level scope with first-level performance and lets in a lot of light, especially at dawn and dusk. It gives you a clear image, at half the cost of other competing scopes.

Best Budget Option

Bushnell Banner 3-9×40 Riflescope Matte Multi-X 613948 Rifle Scope

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For those looking to try a muzzleloading scope but who don’t have the means to invest in a more expensive one yet, this budget option will help you figure out if a muzzleloading scope is right for you.

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers report that this scope gives exceptional optics and zeros effortlessly. It works really well, especially for being moderately priced. If you are a hunter, this Bushnell Banner 3-9×40 Matte Multi-X Rifle Scope is also a great scope for your Savage 220. It’s powerful, and the focus feature makes it perfect for hunting. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

This scope is easy to adjust and costs a fraction of the cost of other scopes of the same quality. It holds a zero, even after several rounds. It’s sturdy, without being flashy. Click adjustments are accurate to measurement, and the clarity is even better than more expensive scopes. 

This scope is also terrific for low light visibility. This scope is durable and has considerable quality control. This scope is even brighter than a lot of older and newer scopes. Most importantly, it’s powerful and offers optical accuracy at a price that’s easy on the pocket.

Bottom Line

This scope lets hunters make one-shot kills like a piece of cake. It’s easy to use, and the power adjustment is smooth and consistent. The best thing about this scope, though? It’s a bargain for the value. It’s well-equipped for such an affordable price. 

Best Leupold Muzzleloader Scope

Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 1in Riflescopes

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For those who are fans of Leupold products, this is the best Leupold muzzleloader scope you’ll be able to find.

What Recent Buyers Report

This scope holds zero well, even after some bumps and recoil from large caliber guns. It has a lifetime warranty and an on-point eye relief. It’s lightweight and works wonder in low light situations, with an easy to operate zoom selector. This scope switches easily between short and long-range shots. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

This scope incorporates crystal clear glass and a Custom Dial System (CDS) option. The zoom feature is stiff in the right way, and the sight doesn’t move away too easily from bumps. This scope also has decent turrets and a nice reticule that can be easily centered with your eye. 

It has the best clear and accurate optics and is outstanding for both accuracy and distance. It’s durable, dependable, and made with quality materials that are superb for all outdoor sports. Overall, this scope offers a high-quality scope for an affordable price.

Bottom Line

This Leupold Riflescope offers clear focus and accurate eye relief. It’s well built, durable, easy to adjust, and works very well in low light. The controls are top-notch, and the glass is clear. The bottom line is, this scope is reasonably priced for its dependable quality.

Best Konus Muzzleloader Scope

Konus Pro 3-10x44mm 275 Muzzleloading Riflescope

 

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For those who are fans of Konus products, this is Konus’ best muzzleloading scope that you can get your hands on.

What Recent Buyers Report

Buyers report the clarity and brightness of this scope can’t be beaten. The illuminated reticle is adjustable, and the scope is easy to set up. This scope also performs well in all types of weather. Overall, this scope is worth the price, and it’s still a better quality scope than other more expensive scopes. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Konus Pro 3- 10x44mm 275 was specifically designed to be significant for muzzleloaders. The lateral hash marks easily combat strong crosswinds and offer the precise aim of moving targets. This scope features a heavy caliber recoil proof reticle, and the exclusive ballistic reticle of this scope also provides you with exact reference lines and aiming points for up to 275 yards. 

This scope is also ideal for shooting in low light situations and at dark targets as it features an objective lens with a red and blue dual illuminated center.

Bottom Line

This scope was literally made for muzzleloaders. The illuminated red and blue center makes it easy to shoot targets, especially in low light. This scope is bright and accurate, and easy to mount. Overall, this scope is well worth the price.

Steiner GS3 2-10x 42mm Riflescope

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Though this scope doesn’t technically have a category, it’s still a worthy contender when it comes to choosing the best muzzleloading scope.

What Recent Buyers Report

Comparable to a Leica or Swarovski scope, but at half the cost. This scope is on the bigger side, but that contributes to its function. The glass is clear with light transmission across the entire magnification range. This scope is perfect for hunting as it has a wide field of view and generous eye relief. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

The zoom and eye focuses are stiff to rotate, in a good way. This scope is easy to use, and the glass is crystal clear. It’s very sturdy and is built like a tank but still balances well enough to not be noticed. The range of adjustment and generous eye relief makes this scope suitable for hunting. 

Not to mention, the Color Adjusted Transmission (CAT) allows hunters to better see a game against dark, shadowed backgrounds by amplifying the contrast in colors. This rugged scope is also made out of solid aluminum stock, so there are no seams or welds.

Bottom Line

Overall, this scope is worth the price. It’s built solidly and operates under any weather condition. With a 5x Zoom Range and its Color Adjusted Transmission, this scope is exactly what you need when hunting.

What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a Muzzleloading Scope?

There are a few things to keep in mind when buying a muzzleloading scope, like mounting, its advantages, and ultimately what works best for you.

Mounting

Most muzzleloading scopes are easy to mount to any caliber gun, although it will depend on the type of muzzleloading scope you get. That’s why it’s critical to consider what kind of muzzleloading scope is best for you before you buy!

Advantages

Adding a muzzleloading scope to your life is not strictly necessary, but it certainly makes your hunting experience better. It gives you better sight both earlier and later in the day, so you can hunt more than those who don’t have a muzzleloading scope. 

What Works Best For You

There are so many exceptional options of muzzleloading scopes to pick from. Ultimately, the only difference is what works best for you. If you want a certain size, certain features, or even if you want it made out of plastic over metal, the best muzzleloading scope is the one that is the best for you.

Conclusion

Overall, the best muzzleloading scope is the one that best fits your needs. Some people prefer a heavier built scope; others prefer certain magnification levels. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is most important to you when looking for your muzzleloading scope.

People Also Ask

Sometimes people have other important questions about muzzleloaders that are not specific to their design. Here are some frequently asked questions about muzzleloader scopes.

Is there a difference between a rifle scope and a muzzleloader scope?

A muzzleloader has more recoil than a rifle. Therefore, a muzzleloader scope has a bigger eye relief than a rifle scope. This way, you can hold your head back farther from the scope and be less likely to get hit from the recoil.

Should I clean my muzzleloader after every shot?

The answer to this question depends on what kind of shooting you are doing. If you are just shooting for fun, then no. However, if you’re aiming for accuracy, like when you are sighting your gun, then yes.

Joseph Fox

Joseph Fox

Joseph Fox writes on a variety of topics ranging from reloading ammunition to gun cleaning. He has been featured on various publications like thetruthaboutguns, Sofrep & many more. Joseph is also the founder of Gunloading, where he reviews different types of reloading & firearm products available on the market.