Of course, “long-range” is a subjective term, but for the purposes of this discussion, we will call it anything beyond 800 yards. Whether you are shooting those distances competitively, to harvest game, or just for fun, knowing the range of your shot is a critical component of executing it.

The best laser rangefinders for long range shooting are the Maven RF.1, the Sig Sauer KILO5K, and the Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W. Each of these provides quick, reliable, and accurate distances, even beyond 1500 yards in various light conditions. They also provide angle-compensated measurements. 

However, they come at a considerable price compared to a typical golf or hunting rangefinder.

A quality rangefinder is an integral part of successful long-range shooting and the right one will become one of your most important tools. However, one that does not work correctly could totally prevent you from hitting your mark at long distances.

This article aims to help you know what to look for in a monocular rangefinder for long-range shooting. Based on our own hands-on experience and research, we’ll recommend the best rangefinders for long-range shooting that can help you advance your long-range shooting capabilities.

[This article was fully revised in May, 2022 by Chase Fly. The original article was authored by Travis Pike in 2018.]

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DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on a link we may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Best Rangefinders for Long Range Shooting in 2022: Outdoor Empire Reviews

These are our top recommendations for long-distance rangefinders in 2022:

1. Best for the Money: Maven RF.1
2. Upgrade Pick: Sig Sauer KILO5K
3. Also Great: Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W
4. Budget Pick: Bushnell Prime 1800
5. Best of the Rest: Vortex Razor HD 4000

Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:

	Best for the Money	Upgrade Pick	Also Great	Budget Pick	Best of the Rest
Product	Maven RF.1	Sig Sauer KILO5K	Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W	Bushnell Prime 1800	Vortex Razor HD 4000
Outdoor Empire Score	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.2	4.2
Max Range to Trees	3000 yds	2500 yds	2400 yds	1000 yds	2500 yds
Magnification	7x	7x	7x	6x	7x
Objective Lens Diameter	25mm	25mm	27mm	24mm	25mm
Weight	10 oz	7.5 oz	7.9 oz	6 oz	9.9 oz
Warranty	Unconditional Lifetime	Unlimited on optics, 5 years on electronics	2 years	5 years	Unconditional Lifetime
Benefits	- Intuitive and easy to use - Premium optics and laser - IP67 rugged	- Packed with high-tech features - Compact and ergonomic	- Excellent glass - Fast and accurate - Built-in ballistics functions	- Cool display that changes from red to black - Features on par with more expensive units	- Proven brand, product, and warranty - Ergonomic and rugged - Reliable
Drawbacks	- No advanced ballistics calculations	- Lacks tripod mount	- Weak sauce warranty	- Limited range and accuracy - Optics just ok	- Slow to acquire a distance - No ballistics functionality
Cost	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

1. Best Long Range Rangefinder for the Money

• Outdoor Empire Score: 4.7
• MSRP: $450.00
• Bottom line: Premium glass, laser sensor, and warranty at a mid-range price

Maven RF.1

$450.00

View at Maven View on Amazon

Though not an optics giant, Maven is an up-and-coming premium optics manufacturer that is run like a small direct-to-consumer business. 

We’ve been using the Maven RF.1 for a while now, and not just in testing. We’ve taken it to the gun range as well as out scouting and hunting for wild Idaho mountain turkeys. 

What We Like

The RF.1 has a commercial-grade laser sensor on board from a company out of Colorado called Laser Technology, Inc. This company primarily makes rangefinders for the professional measurement, land surveying, and law enforcement industries where long-range and accuracy are essential.

Though the distance rating to trees on the RF.1 is 3000 yds, we were able to range non-reflective hillsides at over 3200 yds. The tripod mount helps a lot for long-range. For closer objects, it gives readings fast and the accuracy checks out.

We also love the crisp, clear image you see through the high-quality glass, even in low light or shaded areas. With bonus features like a diopter focus wheel and adjustable eye relief cup, the optics quality is better than most rangefinders.

This is the easiest rangefinder to use among any we looked at. Besides a menu and a fire button like everyone else, it also has a menu dial and a simple switch to change your target priority. This intuitive setup means less clicking and waiting to adjust settings. We found this super handy, especially being able to just turn the dial to adjust brightness or flip the switch to go between Forest (last) and Field mode on-the-fly.

Lastly, Maven’s unlimited lifetime warranty cannot be beaten. Outside of theft or loss, they will fix or replace your RF.1 no matter what.

Recommended: Detailed Maven RF.1 Rangefinder Hands-on Review

What We Don’t Like

Unlike most other brands, you can’t touch and feel a Maven in the store before you buy it. But they will send one to you to actually try out before you commit to purchasing.

The RF.1 is also one of the bulkiest rangefinders in its class. But the upside here is that it’s super rugged, even IP67 rated which none of the others can claim.

Finally, this unit doesn’t have any fancy ballistics features. It does give you either Line of Sight (with an angle of elevation) or angle-compensated measurements, but no in-display holdover and windage, or app connectivity.

By our assessment, this rangefinder offers the best bang for your buck. The price, though not cheap, is the same as what you’d pay for lesser products elsewhere.

2. Upgrade Pick

Sig Sauer KILO5

$675.00

View at Optics Planet View on Amazon

• Outdoor Empire Score: 4.7
• MSRP: $718.99
• Bottom line: Packed full of tech for long-range precision rifle shooting

Compare prices at: Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, EuroOptic, Optics Planet

The Sig Sauer KILO5K is packed with features that can only be fully appreciated by those who geek out on long-range shooting. Those features come at a higher price tag, but Sig is ahead of the game on this front.

What We Like

Besides the super fast and reliable laser Sig puts in there, the KILO5K also has environmental sensors for air pressure and temperature. This comes into play when you connect the rangefinder via Bluetooth to Sig’s ballistics app where it can give you more precise calculations on how to aim. Not only will it compensate for elevation change, but also for weather.

It also uses Bluetooth to connect to the Basemap hunting app on your smartphone so you can record remote markers and navigate to those waypoints. We use Basemap and see how this could be a valuable tool for scouting. 

Precision rifle enthusiasts will also appreciate the more sophisticated reticle options and the support for Sig’s BDX (Ballistics Data Exchange) system. This allows you to use their app to set up the rangefinder to output calculations for specific guns and loads.

The KILO5K has great ergonomics and feels good in the hand.

What We Don’t Like

Though they advertise a max range of 5000 yards, the reported max to trees is 2500 yards, which is less than what we experienced with the Maven RF.1. It also lacks a threaded tripod mount, so keeping it stable enough to successfully measure those super long distances is going to be a challenge with the KILO5K.

The warranty is ok with five years of coverage, but that’s not as good as Maven or Vortex.

This is an excellent monocular rangefinder for long-range shooters who appreciate the bells and whistles. 

3. Also Great

Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W

$499.99

View at Sportsman's Guide View on Amazon

• Outdoor Empire Score: 4.7
• MSRP: $599.99
• Bottom line: Best from Leupold, fast and accurate

Compare prices at: Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Optics Planet, EuroOptic, Sportsman’s Guide

It’s hard to go wrong with a Leupold rangefinder. They are loved by the people and with good reason because they’re fast, accurate, and reliable.

What We Like

The Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W has a compact form factor that is comfortable in the hand. We really like the rubber armor and extra ruggedness compared to other models.

Of all the rangefinders we evaluated, the RX-2800 has the largest objective lens (27mm) and the best clarity.

Leupold’s True Ballistic Range and Wind (TBR/W) features also make this a great companion to a long-range shooter. While it does not connect to an external app or allow custom settings, it has a pre-configured library of 25 load groups that closely match most mainstream calibers. The level fire aim adjustments are directly displayed in the display and are relatively easy to interpret.

What We Don’t Like

The only thing there really is not to like about the RX-2800 is Leupold’s weak sauce warranty. A meager two-year limited warranty on electro-optics leaves one questioning whether they stand by their product and is enough to break a tie between this and something like the Maven RF.1 or the Vortex Razor HD 4000.

Overall, the Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W is an excellent monocular rangefinder for long-range shooters. Even with a shorter max range to reflective targets, our experience suggests Leupold specs in that regard hold up better than most. After all, this one has a max range to trees of 2400 yds, only 100 yds shy of the Sig KILO5K.

4. Budget Pick

Bushnell Prime 1800

$249.99

View on Amazon View at Sportsman's Warehouse

08/15/2023 10:40 am GMT

• Outdoor Empire Score: 4.2
• MSRP: $249.99
• Bottom line: Good glass and functionality at a low price

Compare prices at: Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s

With the Prime 1800 Bushnell managed to introduce a couple of interesting new features despite maintaining a relatively low price point.

What We Like

While the optical quality, effective range, and most other aspects of this unit are just decent, the display is really cool. Most of the best rangefinders for long-range shooters have red OLED displays that are great in low light, whereas lower-tier rangefinders have classic black LCD displays that are fine during the day, but terrible in low light.

Unlike its little brothers the 1300 and 1700, the Bushnell Prime 1800 has the new ACTIVSYNC display that automatically changes from black in bright conditions to red in low light. It’s a unique feature, especially at this price point.

We also like that it has a tripod mount, angle compensation, different rifle, and bow modes, as well as two different target priority modes, which puts it on a similar playing field as more expensive units.

What We Don’t Like

The Prime 1800 has had some reported reliability and quality issues based on user reviews. Bushnell claims a lifetime “ironclad” warranty, but the fine print says that only means 5 years for electro-optics. We also find that this unit is not quite as reliable at achieving its max advertised range, which puts it on the low end of distance capabilities for long-range shooting.

But still, at less than $250, the Bushnell Prime 1800 can do a lot of the things pricier units do for a long-range shooter, which makes it our budget pick.

5. Best of the Rest

Vortex Razor HD 4000

$498.98

View at Sportsman's Warehouse View on Amazon

• Outdoor Empire Score: 4.2
• MSRP: $729.99
• Bottom line: Proven and trusted by users

Compare prices at: Optics Planet, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Sportsman’s Guide

Vortex was perhaps the first optics company to offer an unlimited lifetime warranty, and the fact that they honor that for optics with electronics inside is icing on the cake. The Vortex Razor HD 4000 is a popular rangefinder among long-range shooters, and it’s a safe bet.

What We Like

The ergonomics, buttons on top, belt clip, and ruggedness of the Razor HD 4000 are all things we love about it. We also really like its ELR mode (extra long-range).

Overall it’s a reliable unit with a great reputation and guarantee.

What We Don’t Like

This unit has been available for a while now, and while it is still a great option, the alternatives have surpassed it in terms of technology and features.

Of the units we evaluated, the Vortex Razor HD 4000 was one of the slowest to acquire a distance. And the effective range is less consistent and generally shorter than the top three in our list.

It lacks any special ballistics functionality besides angle compensation, so long-range shooters will either need to do the math on their own or use an app.

However, despite having a higher MSRP, you can usually find it at retailers for a lot less, so it’s still a great buy.

Worthy Alternatives

While the following long-range rangefinders didn’t make our top pick list, they are certainly worthy of mention. Based on our research and having handled tried some of them in the store, we felt these fit the category and could serve a long-range shooter well.

Why You Should Trust Us

Chase Fly used to work professionally in the mapping, land surveying, and professional measurement industry. Whether it was helping DOT guys measure stockpile volumes or electric company crews measure spans of powerlines, Chase trained a lot of people on how to use laser rangefinders in real-world applications.

Suffice it to say, he knows quite a bit about the technology and is pretty picky when it comes to rangefinder performance. His background enabled us to filter out a lot of the low-lying contenders during our research phase and to later evaluate and select the top performing devices for our list of best rangefinders for long-range shooting.

In preparation for this review, we researched dozens of rangefinders, then parsed out the ones that would qualify for long-range distance measuring (over 1500 yards). We evaluated and scored the 12 units listed above, and we tried many of them either in the store or in the field. We also interviewed experts at the optics counters of both Sportsman’s Warehouse and Cabela’s. From this, we learned from their personal experience and preferences, got an idea of customer feedback, listened to their recommendations, and gathered golden nuggets of insight.

Important Choosing Factors and Analysis

We based our recommendations above based on a combination of specifications, hands-on experience, and a score we gave to each rangefinder we evaluated. The Outdoor Empire score, compared against the product’s price point and alternatives, is how we ranked the products as we did.

The main decision-making factors that we used to score each product were: optics quality, display, form factor, durability, features, and value. We calculated a composite score out of five points for every rangefinder we reviewed. 

Distance Considerations 

Long-range is a term that’s different for everyone. It is relative to what the person is trying to do. For example:

• long-range hunting for medium animals starts at 300 yards
• long-range for 50 BMG competition shooters is more than a mile

Without a solid foundation as a shooter, it doesn’t matter that your 338 Lapua can reach 1000 yards if you can’t hit the target. So 1000 yards and beyond is almost universally accepted as long-range distance for shooters.

So when choosing a long-range rangefinder, you have to make sure it can reach out to at least 1000 yards with an accurate reading. If it can go a bit beyond 1000 yards, that’s even better.

The price difference between a 1000-yard rangefinder and a 1500 to 1600-yard rangefinder isn’t typically substantial. Being able to reach beyond a thousand yards accurately could be invaluable once you master that 1000-yard space.

We only considered rangefinders for this review that have a specified max range of at least 1500 yards. Though there are many excellent options that are not rated for that, given the advancements in technology over the past few years, this seemed to be a sensible cutoff for 2022 and beyond.

Of all the rangefinders we tested, the Sig KILO5K has the longest specified range at 5000 yards, but the Maven RF.1 performs just as well in the real world. The Maven’s specs for soft targets and trees are slightly better than the Sig, but they both seem to hit semi-reflective hillsides at over 3000 yards without too much issue.

The Leupold RX-2800’s specs are not as sexy, but they appear to be the most realistic of all of them. Meanwhile, the Vortex Razor HD 4000 struggles the most to stretch its legs.

All of our top five picks will reliably range over 1000 yards in nearly any condition, and even well beyond that. They’ll all be more than adequate for long-range shooting.

Accuracy

The further you attempt to target at a distance, the greater accuracy you need.

A small inaccuracy at 100 yards isn’t a big deal at all. You can still hit your target. However, a slight inaccuracy at 1000 yards may result in a complete miss.

This means you should purchase a high-quality laser rangefinder from a reputable brand. It’s critical you search for unbiased reviews to give you a solid understanding of just how accurate it is.

You also want to make sure it’s easy to use, and you understand how to get an accurate reading from it.

Most rangefinders have slight variances between their accuracy ratings so it is not guaranteed to be spot on. They typically have a small inaccuracy, usually less than half a yard of variance.

Of our top picks, the Maven RF.1 touts the best accuracy and our experience confirms the specs, at least for close range. The Bushnell reportedly gets one-yard accuracy at any distance, but some user reviews suggest otherwise. See the table below for the manufacturer specified accuracies.

Optics Quality

Optics quality can be subjective. There are lots of factors involved like objective lens size, glass quality, clarity, coatings, color, and above all, light transmission. 

Every manufacturer has its own methods, often proprietary, of enhancing optical quality. Most reputable brands like Leupold, Vortex, Maven, and Leica have very good glass in their rangefinders that cost over $300.

In our analysis, we not only looked at the specs of the optics but scored them based on our own assessment of how well you can see through them, especially in low light.

Our high scorers for optical quality were the Leupold RX-2800, the Sig KILO5K, the Maven RF.1, the Leica Rangemaster 3500.COM, and the Vortex Razor HD 4000. Meanwhile, the low scorers were the Cabela’s Intensity 1600 and the ATN Laser Ballistics 1500.

Magnification

Magnification is a fine balance to walk with long-range rangefinders. If you can’t get a solid picture of your target, how exactly are you going to range it?

You need enough power to see it well so you can utilize the rangefinder accurately. At the same time, too much magnification makes it insanely difficult to find and stay on target. It doesn’t only magnify your target, but also magnifies every breath, shiver and shake you make.

If you ever tried to use a spotting scope without a tripod (see how to choose a tripod), you know what I mean. Too much magnification is a bad thing. It also means the system is bigger and requires a larger objective lens.

In our experience and in keeping with the 1000-yard range theme, 7x is the sweet spot for long-range rangefinders. You can still hone in on close-range targets as well as those farther out. It’s also a good balance that keeps the device small and lightweight. 6x is a bit tight and something like 10x is not only rare to find in a rangefinder, but it is only useful for long-range while being difficult to use close up.

Half of the units we evaluated had 7x magnification, which is very common for this class of rangefinder, while the other half had 6x. Of the top 5, only our budget pick, the Bushnell Prime 1800, had 6x. Other hunting rangefinders we tested with 5x magnification were sufficient for hunting but too little for routing long-range use.

Display

A long-range rangefinder display should be:

• easy to read in low light,
• easy to interpret,
• and easy to navigate through the settings menu.

Bonus points may be awarded for special long-range shooting features like ballistics readouts or reticles. However, too much of that in the little real estate available in a rangefinder’s display can be a detriment to its utility.

All of our top picks faired very well here with our favorite displays being the Maven RF.1, the Leica, and the new display on the Bushnell Prime 1800 that turns from black to red according to the light conditions.

Old school black LCD displays are difficult, if not impossible, to see in low light and are usually only found on cheaper units these days. The Bushnell Prime 1700, Sig KILO1600, and ATN units had black displays. The rest of the units had red LED displays.

Form Factor

Size and weight are major considerations depending on what you are planning to do with the rangefinder.

• If you are a simple bench rest competition shooter, size and weight don’t necessarily matter. You won’t be lugging that bad boy around much.
• For a hunter or tactical user like a sniper, size and weight is a much bigger issue.

A sniper needs a compact but powerful rangefinder that can easily be packed away when on a mission. They also need to maintain a low profile as much as possible. In a hide, they don’t want a large machine to wave around. Slim, lightweight, and compact is a big deal for the gear that these guys use.

The most compact units we looked at included the Leupolds and the Vortex Ranger 1800 with the Sigs and the Leica coming in moderately slim. The Maven RF.1 and Vortex Razor HD 4000 were probably the heaviest (approx. 10 oz) and bulkiest compared to the rest. The Cabela’s and ATN are also rather bulky, though a bit lighter since they are made of cheaper materials. They all fit in the hand nicely.

Durability

Long-range rangefinders are made from various materials, some fragile and some rugged. Think about it. They have electronics, magnified glass lenses, and laser emitters. None of these are known for their durability. So the housing needs to be tough around those fragile materials.

The overall body strength of the device should also be durable. On top of this, you want it to be sealed against moisture and debris. You don’t need to dive at the bottom of the ocean with a rangefinder but you want it to resist some morning dew at least.

You have to remember, it’s a lot like binoculars and rifle scopes due to the use of optics. So you also want it to be fog proof and preferably nitrogen or argon purged.

Of the units we tested, the Maven RF.1 is the only one built to IP67 standards, meaning it can withstand multiple drops onto a hard surface from 1m above the ground and can be submerged 1m underwater for up to 30 minutes and still function.

Most of the rangefinders we tested were advertised to be at least water-resistant, if not waterproof, and had coated lenses to resist moisture buildup in the fog or rain. But few addressed shock. 

The toughest housings were made of stronger polymer materials with a magnesium or aluminum chassis like the Maven, Leupolds, and Sig Sauers on our list. But the Cabela’s, ATN, and Bushnell units were more plasticy and felt less rugged.

Features

The right long-range laser rangefinder will not only tell you the distance to the target, but it will give you level fire range (a.k.a. true ballistic range) by doing a calculation that takes into account any elevation change between you and the target. Some call it angle compensation. All the rangefinders we considered for this list did this.

Fancy Ballistics Calculations

Leupold has its TBR/W (True Ballistics Range and Wind) feature set which not only figures in angle compensation but also adjustments for specific loads and cartridges. You can then have the rangefinder display the distance to aim for along with the holdover in inches, milliradians, or MOA. So you have everything you need to dial in the turrets on your scope for an accurate shot.

For more details on how the Leupold TBR/W features work, check out our review on the Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W.

The Sig Sauer rangefinders we looked at support Sig’s BDX (Ballistics Data Exchange) functions including Bluetooth connectivity with a smartphone and the Sig app, or even compatible BDX rifle scopes. Beware that they do limit the effective range of the BDX features in the software of these devices, which is why the KILO1600BDX is only useful out to 800 yards with BDX.

Similarly, Leica’s Rangemaster 3500.COM connects to a smart device, even an Apple Watch, to give you those calculations.

Once you go through the motions, these features are not too difficult to figure out and understand. But they do all have their limitations and won’t work for every gun, cartridge, load, environment, and shooter.

Frankly, if you already use a ballistics app or are an avid shooter that can (or likes to) do these calculations yourself, these features are not a must-have. Solid core functionality, like what you find in the Maven and Vortex rangefinders, is sufficient for most.

Tripod Mount

One simple, mechanical feature that is extremely useful to long-range shooters is tripod mounting capabilities. This gives you the option to mount the rangefinder on a tripod for steady distance ranging. 

Even on our favorite units that range well beyond 1500 yards, it is often difficult to hold them steady enough to get a return on a distant hillside, let alone a small target. A tripod mount can resolve that problem.

Of the units we tested, the following have a standard ¼” x 20 female threaded tripod mount, while the rest have nothing of the sort:

• Maven RF.1
• Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W
• Vortex Ranger 1800
• Bushnell Prime 1800
• Vortex Razor HD 4000

Value

The most valuable long-range rangefinder is not necessarily the most nor the least expensive. It’s the one that gives you the greatest cost-benefit, or essentially the most features, quality, and functionality for the lowest price compared to similarly priced products.

This is where the Maven RF.1 stands out the most, in our opinion. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s less expensive than the others with similar functionality and quality. We also think the Leupolds and the Sig Sauers offer great value, with the Vortexes coming up behind them.

The Bushnells offer decent value given their price, but the Cabela’s and ATN are about as good as you might expect for the cheaper price point. They don’t particularly stand out in any way.

The Leica offers the least amount of value. Not because it’s a bad machine, in fact, it’s one of the best. But it is so dadgum expensive that it’s hard to justify paying that much when others on this list do just as much or more for way less money.

Warranty

A good warranty is a must-have on a rangefinder designed for long-range. It ensures that if you have an issue with the product, you aren’t out your initial investment. No questions asked lifetime warranties are great, but only Maven and Vortex offer it for rangefinders.

Likely, a good warranty covers and guarantees the electronics and quality for at least five years. This applies to Bushnell and Sig Sauer.

Leupold offers some of our favorite long-range rangefinders, but unfortunately, they have the weakest limited warranty of all at only two years.

Recommendation

Rangefinders fail for a variety of reasons, all of which tend to be amplified the farther away you are. Some rangefinders are simply not designed to be used at a long distance.

When it comes to long-range shooting, even though there are rangefinders for less than $100, it’s worth spending at least a few hundred bucks to get a mid-grade or premium long-range rangefinder. Save up a little longer if you have to so you can get a good one that may even last a lifetime.

The Maven RF.1 is a great option that we recommend to any serious long-range shooter. It’s fast, easy to use, and super durable.

If you like all the bells and whistles, get the Sig KILO5K.

If you want a multi-purpose (hunting and shooting), semi-long range performer that won’t break the bank, the Leupold RX-1600i TBR/W would be our pick out of all of these. 

But if you are really only going to use a rangefinder for hunting, you probably don’t need to spend quite as much for extended max range and fancy features. In that case, learn more about rangefinders, how they work, and what products we recommend for other use cases in our comprehensive hunting rangefinder buying guide.

Related:

Rangefinder Reflective Vs Non-Reflective Target Range Explained!

The post 5 Best Rangefinders for Long Range Shooters in 2022 (In-Depth Reviews) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Today, air rifles are high-powered precision tools that can be used for hunting or target shooting with extreme accuracy.

You can still buy a Red Ryder for about twenty-five dollars, but you could also pay approaching a thousand bucks for a gun that falls in the airgun category.

When you start talking about spending several hundred dollars or more on an air rifle, clearly you need to be making a careful selection:

The right air rifle will be:

• Accurate, durable, plus pleasant and affordable to shoot.
• A quality air rifle is something that people of all ages can enjoy shooting, whether it is for fun, competitively or for hunting purposes.

Picking the wrong air rifle can lead you down a number of unfortunate paths:

• Some are less accurate than others, which is a bummer of a discovery after you have already thrown down the money to buy it.
• Others have quality issues or require more maintenance. Whether you have to spend more money on repairs, maintenance or circling back and purchasing a different model to replace it, picking the wrong gun can be costly.

Using this guide should help you find a quality product that will provide you a great shooting experience.

This article includes:

• reviews of some of the top pellet guns on the market.
• advice on all the features & specifications you need to pay attention to when choosing your gun
• overview of the most popular air rifle brands

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13 Best Pellet Guns of 2021: Outdoor Empire Reviews

These are our top recommendations for air rifles in 2021:

1. Best .22 caliber: Get the RWS Model 34
2. Best hunting: Get Benjamin Trail NP XL Magnum .22
3. Best PCP: Get the Benjamin Bulldog Bullpup
4. Best for the money: GAMO Big Cat 1250 .177
5. Best high-power: Get the Seneca Dragon Claw
6. Best big-bore: Get the Umarex Hammer
7. Quietest airgun: Benjamin Rogue SBD
8. Best .177 caliber: Get the Air Arms TX200
9. Best break barrel: Get the Beeman R7
10. Best CO2 powered: Get the Crosman DPMS SBR
11. Best shotgun: Get the Seneca Wing Shot MK2
12. #1 Pick From 2019 SHOT show: Get the TC 35 and 45 Big Bore PCP Rifles
13. #2 Pick From 2019 SHOT show: Get the Benjamin Fortitude

*Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:

Category	Best .22 caliber	Best Hunting	Best PCP	Best For The Money	Best Break Barrel
	RWS Model 34	Benjamin Trail NP XL Magnum	Benjamin Bulldog Bullpup	GAMO Big Cat 1250	Beeman R7
Caliber	.22	0.22	.357	.177	.177
Velocity	800 FPS	1100 FPS	800 FPS	1250 FPS	700 FPS
Action	Break barrel	Break barrel	Sidelever	Break barrel	Break barrel
Powerplant	Spring piston	Gas piston	Precharged pneumatic	Spring piston	Spring piston
Weight	7.5 lbs	9.7 lbs	7.7 lbs	6.1 lbs	6.1 lbs
Length	45 in	48.25 in	36 in	43.4 in	37 in
Cost	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

1. Best .22 Caliber Airgun: RWS Model 34

The RWS Model 34 is very popular and one of the most accurate air rifles on the market. It’s proven to be extremely reliable and accurate. At its price point, it is indeed the best .22 out there. Several airguns come close but their cost is almost double of the RWS.

It fires a .22 caliber projectile at eight hundred feet per second. That’s screaming for such a basic airgun. It has a break barrel action that makes it a good small game rifle. It can easily harvest squirrels, rabbits, or other pests.

The RWS Model 34 comes with a fine wooden stock. This gives it a classic look. It’s a throwback to the classic rifles. There is also an RWS 34P that utilizes a polymer stock if that’s what you prefer.

Outstanding Features

The Model 34 features a real rubber butt pad that is ventilated for comfort. It has an auto safety and a well-made two-stage trigger. The trigger is adjustable for user’s choice; it is 3.3 pounds, feels extremely crisp, and very predictable.

It also comes with an amazing set of iron sights. It is equipped with a set of fiber optic Tru Glo sights that are bright enough to be used in low light conditions.

The RWS lacks a few frills here and there. But as a basic air rifle, it is well-made and quite affordable.

Continue to the full RWS Model 34 review.

Specs

Caliber: .22
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 800 FPS
Action: Break barrel
Powerplant: Spring piston[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price on Pyramyd Air!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anrdoezrs.net%2Flinks%2F100321065%2Ftype%2Fdlg%2Fsid%2Fbest-air-gun-reviews%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.pyramydair.com%2Fs%2Fm%2FDiana_RWS_34_Breakbarrel_Rifle_T06_Trigger%2F402%3Futm_source%3Dcommission_junction%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate_program%26utm_campaign%3Dwww.pyramydair.com%26utm_term%3Dalphalogic%26cjevent%3Dd504440c6f0a11eb803b01440a1c0e10||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Airgun Depot!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26merchant_id%3D97338a88-d4bb-4c59-a4b9-32eba2511bd2%26website_id%3Dc3571a18-8c5f-4fa4-bbfc-646887262f95%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.airgundepot.com%252Frws-34-with-scope-pellet-rifle.html%26ctc%3Dairgunguide||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Compare prices at: Amazon

2. Best Airgun for Hunting: Benjamin Trail NP XL Magnum .22

The Benjamin Trail NP XL is one powerful air rifle.

When it comes to airgun hunting, the bigger you go the better. Why? You have to kill an animal and do it humanely. Humane hunting requires the user to make an accurate shot with a powerful weapon. The Benjamin Trail does just that.

It fires a .22 caliber pellet at over a thousand feet per second. It is a gas piston gun that uses nitrogen over a spring.

The stock is made of legitimate hardwood and you have a straight pistol grip with a thumbhole stock for comfort. The stock is ambidextrous so left-handed people are covered.

Outstanding Features

It features an extremely quiet shot profile. It’s cut about 70% from spring shot air rifles. This reduced noise is important for hunting because it is less likely to scare the game. You may miss and be required to take a second shot. The last thing you want is your small game to sprint away.

The Benjamin Trail also reduces the stress put on a system by a spring. Thus, the recoil is reduced significantly. While recoil on an airgun is very little in general, every little bit helps with flinching. Even minimal recoil can cause people to develop a flinch.

You will also wear a scope out less. The Benjamin Trail comes complete with a 3 to 9 power optic and scope mounts.

Specs

Caliber: .22
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 1100 FPS
Action: Break barrel
Powerplant: Gas piston
Others: Optic and rings included

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Compare prices at: Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Amazon

3. Best PCP Airgun: Benjamin Bulldog Bullpup

The Benjamin Bulldog Bullpup is one of the unique and efficient PCP air rifles in the world. The first thing you might notice is its odd layout. It follows a design known as bullpup.

A bullpup design is where the trigger and pistol grip are placed in front of the action and chamber. The result is a rifle that is superbly short but maintains a full-length barrel.

The Benjamin is 30% shorter than other air rifles that feature a 28-inch barrel. The overall goal means the airgun is more maneuverable in and out of vehicles, on four wheelers and UTVs.

Outstanding Features

The Benjamin Bulldog Bullpup is a big bore air rifle designed to hunt the big and bad out there. Most airguns are used to hunt small game, but this is designed to hunt medium game. Instead of rabbits, you are capable of killing hogs, coyotes, and all types of varmints.

The Bulldog fires a .357 caliber projectile and has varying FPS rating, depending on the weight of the ammunition used. A heavy .147 grain projectile can reach 800 feet per second.

As a precharged pneumatic airgun, it uses a reserve air tank to propel the projectile. This tank guarantees 800 FPS performance for 10 shots. After that, the shots begin to slow down. You also have a quick disconnect to refill it quickly. The Bulldog can use both nitrogen and compressed air.

Specs

Caliber: .357
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 800 FPS
Action: Sidelever
Powerplant: Precharged pneumatic

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Pyramyd Air!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anrdoezrs.net%2Flinks%2F100321065%2Ftype%2Fdlg%2Fsid%2Fbest-air-gun-reviews%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.pyramydair.com%2Fs%2Fm%2FBenjamin_Bulldog_357_Bullpup_Shrouded%2F3592%3Futm_source%3Dcommission_junction%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate_program%26utm_campaign%3Dwww.pyramydair.com%26utm_term%3Dalphalogic%26cjevent%3D225e15326f0a11eb80be01140a1c0e0c||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Airgun Depot!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26merchant_id%3D97338a88-d4bb-4c59-a4b9-32eba2511bd2%26website_id%3Dc3571a18-8c5f-4fa4-bbfc-646887262f95%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.airgundepot.com%252Fbenjamin-bulldog-357.html%26ctc%3Dairgunguide||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Compare prices at: Sportsman’s Guide, Amazon

4. Best Airgun for the Money: GAMO Big Cat 1250 .177

The Gamo Big Cat is a budget air rifle that is surprisingly powerful and well-made. It fires a .177 projectile at a rip roaring 1250 feet per second. This makes it fast and powerful enough to take small game like rabbits and squirrels.

The Big Cat can be used in a variety of roles, and it excels for target shooting and spinning plates on top of hunting and pest disposal.

Gamo also makes nice airguns that are backed by good warranties and impressive customer service.

Outstanding Features

The rifle is somewhat plain and very simple, so it’s capable of fitting a budget but you still get some excellent features.

For example, there are ambidextrous controls that make the weapon friendly for left and right handers. It also has a shock wave absorber to reduce recoil and scope stress.

Speaking of scopes, the Big Cat comes with a fixed four power scope and mounts.

So out of the box, you are ready to rock and roll. There is a raised cheek weld on the Monte Carlo stock to make using a scope easier. The cocking effort is only 30 pounds so it’s far from significant, and easy for almost any user.

The Gamo Big Cat is an impressive rifle, especially if you consider its affordable price.

Continue to the full Gamo Big Cat 1250 review.

Specs

Caliber: .177
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 1250 FPS
Action: Break barrel
Powerplant: Spring piston
Others: Adjustable trigger, scope and mounts included[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Airgun Depot!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Del%26merchant_id%3D97338a88-d4bb-4c59-a4b9-32eba2511bd2%26website_id%3Dc3571a18-8c5f-4fa4-bbfc-646887262f95%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.airgundepot.com%252Fgamo-big-cat-1250-air-rifle.html%26ctc%3Dbest-airsoft||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Walmart!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fgoto.walmart.com%2Fc%2F2666693%2F565706%2F9383%3FsubId1%3Dbest-airsoft-rifle%26veh%3Daff%26sourceid%3Dimp_000011112222333344%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.walmart.com%252Fip%252FGamo-Big-Cat-1250-177-VFLC4X32WR-Platinum-Combo%252F30155972||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

5. Most Powerful Air Rifle: Seneca Dragon Claw

There comes a time in the airgun world where you want to pull a Tim Allen and just want more power. The Seneca Dragon Claw is for those situations. The Dragon Claw is a 50 caliber airgun that utilizes a pre-charged pneumatic design. This beast of an airgun fires a 50 caliber pellet up to 679 feet per second. It hits with 230 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.

This is the airgun you need if you want to hunt medium game, up to small hogs like javelinas. You can get rid of pests like coyotes, foxes, and possums equally efficiently.

Outstanding Features

The gun is equipped with dual tanks to give 500cc air capacity without a massive tank hanging around. The dual chambers are under the barrel and balances the gun out nicely. The gun has adjustable sights and a dovetail rail for mounting optics. Finally, it comes equipped with fine wooden stock and fore end.

Specs

Caliber: .50
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 679 FPS
Action: Bolt-action
Powerplant: Precharged pneumatic
Others: Adjustable sight and dovetail rail for optics

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6. Best Big Bore Air Rifle: Umarex Hammer

The Umarex Hammer has the aptest name for an airgun I’ve ever heard. The Umarex Hammer is a 50 caliber airgun that looks like it stepped out of an action movie.

The Hammer is a PCP gun that uses a 4,500 psi cylinder. It delivers a constant 3,000 psi of pressure behind each shot for devastating power and consistent accuracy.

The airgun uses a bullpup platform to keep the size down to a manageable level. The gun is a relatively short 43 inches, which for a 50 caliber is about as good as it gets. The gun weighs a stout 8.5 pounds and comes ready for a scope.

Outstanding Features

The Hammer comes outfitted with an AR Magpul grip that’s exceptionally comfortable and ergonomic, but it can also be switched out with any other AR grip out there. The gun can send a 250-grain slug screaming at 850 feet per second, and lighter slugs can reach 1,000 FPS. This is no toy and should be treated with as much respect as a real firearm.

Specs

Caliber: .50
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 850-1000 FPS
Action: Bolt-action
Powerplant: Precharged pneumatic

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Pyramid Air!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anrdoezrs.net%2Flinks%2F100321065%2Ftype%2Fdlg%2Fsid%2Fbest-air-gun-reviews%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.pyramydair.com%2Fs%2Fm%2FUmarex_Hammer_50_PCP_Air_Rifle%2F4336%3Futm_source%3Dcommission_junction%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate_program%26utm_campaign%3Dwww.pyramydair.com%26utm_term%3Dalphalogic%26cjevent%3D49829cf86f0a11eb83a8012f0a1c0e12||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Airgun Depot!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26merchant_id%3D97338a88-d4bb-4c59-a4b9-32eba2511bd2%26website_id%3Dc3571a18-8c5f-4fa4-bbfc-646887262f95%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.airgundepot.com%252Fumarex-hammer-air-rifle-50-cal.html%26ctc%3Dairgunguide||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Compare prices at: Sportsman’s Guide, Amazon

7. Quietest Air Rifle: Crosman Benjamin Rogue SBD

The Benjamin Rogue SBD is an improvement on the original Benjamin Rogue SBD. The SBD standing for silencing barrel device. This greatly reduces the noise heard from the airgun firing and makes is 3x quieter than other break barrels. This is a .177 caliber design that throws a pellet at 1,400 feet per second.

This is a quiet killer perfect for taking small game and dispatching pests with ease. The Rogue SBD is a brutal little rifle that makes short, and quiet work of small game. It’s a fast shooting, hard hitting little rifle that’s priced to move.

Outstanding features

The Silencing barrel device is the biggest feature worth mentioning. It’s slightly odd looking, but functions well, and doesn’t block the adjustable sights. Let’s not forget about the adjustable two-stage trigger that breaks very cleanly. The Nitro Piston 2 also offers smoother and smoother shooting gun.

Specs

Caliber: .177
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 1400 FPS
Action: Break barrel
Powerplant: Gas piston
Others: Silencing barrel, Nitro Piston 2 powerplant

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8. Best .177 Airgun: Air Arms TX200 Hunter Carbine

Refined, elegant, and accurate is a great way to describe the Air Arms TX200 Hunter Carbine. This compact and lightweight .177 rifle that is designed for target shooting and for all around excellent accuracy. The TX200 sends a pellet downrange at roughly 930 feet per second. This is an underlever style gun that does require 34 pounds of cocking effort.

The Air Arms TX200 Hunter carbine is also a decent choice for small game, nothing bigger than a rabbit. It’s decently lightweight, and short overall for easy handling. The beautiful wood stock gives it that classic hunting look.

Outstanding Features

The standout feature is definitely the two-stage adjustable trigger. This excellent trigger is paired with a barrel from Lothar Walther for precision accuracy. The stock features an extended and comfortable comb for a solid cheek rest. Everything about this gun focuses on accuracy and precision.

Specs

Caliber: .177
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 930 FPS
Action: Underlever
Powerplant: Spring piston[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Pyramid Air!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anrdoezrs.net%2Flinks%2F100321065%2Ftype%2Fdlg%2Fsid%2Fbest-air-gun-reviews%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.pyramydair.com%2Fs%2Fm%2FAir_Arms_TX200_HC_Hunter_Carbine%2F175%3Futm_source%3Dcommission_junction%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate_program%26utm_campaign%3Dwww.pyramydair.com%26utm_term%3Dalphalogic%26cjevent%3D6341e0106f0a11eb825c01380a1c0e0e||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Airgun Depot!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26merchant_id%3D97338a88-d4bb-4c59-a4b9-32eba2511bd2%26website_id%3Dc3571a18-8c5f-4fa4-bbfc-646887262f95%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.airgundepot.com%252Fair-arms-tx200-hunter-carbine-walnut-rh.html%26ctc%3Dairgunguide||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

9. Best Break Barrel Airgun: Beeman R7

The Beeman R7 is a small, compact and very lightweight break barrel pellet gun. However, it’s still not a slouch in the power and accuracy department. It fires a .177 pellet right around 700 feet per second.

It is based off the popular R1. The goal was to create a lighter, shorter, and easier to shoot weapon for smaller shooters. To complement this, the double jointed cocking lever reduces the effort needed to cock the weapon. It’s close to 50% easier to cock than the R1.

The break barrel design uses a spring piston to propel the .177 caliber projectile quite accurately. This is an excellent plinker and target shooter. It is also a perfect training airgun.

Outstanding Features

One of the real joys of the weapon lies in the trigger. It is a two stage trigger that uses the Rekord trigger. You get an excellent and crisp break that is easy to predict. The trigger is adjustable for the most discerning shooters, which breaks at 1.25 lbs.

The Beeman’s reduced effort cocking device makes it unique and an overall excellent break barrel design. The fact that it is 5 inches shorter and 2.5 pounds lighter than the Beeman R1 makes it the clear winner.

The Beeman R7 is an excellent air rifle but excels as a break barrel plinker. You also get a set of scope mounts for your optic needs.

Specs

Caliber: .177
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 700 FPS
Action: Break barrel
Powerplant: Spring piston
Others: Adjustable trigger

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10. Best CO2 Air Rifle: Crosman DPMS SBR

Want to have a little fun? Then the DPMS SBR is for you. This AR 15 style airgun runs off your standard 12-gram CO2 cartridges. Everything about this gun is modern and sleek. It’s also both fully automatic and semi-auto. A full auto airgun is an absolute blast, and the DPMS SBR makes it fun and affordable.

The gun is easy to use and fun for both adults and kids. It uses cheap BBs and the CO2 cartridges are also quite affordable. It’s designed to give you a fun, and even educational experience.

Outstanding Features

First and foremost this gun is so modern. It comes with flip up sights, as well as an adjustable 6 position buttstock. There is even a quad rail forearm for mounting additional accessories. The gun comes with an angled foregrip and has realistic weight and function. The DPMS SBR is even compatible with AR pistol grips.

Specs

Caliber: .177
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 430 FPS
Action: Semiautomatic/Full-auto
Powerplant: CO2
Others: Angled foregrip, flip up sights, adjustable buttstock.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Pyramid Air!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anrdoezrs.net%2Flinks%2F100321065%2Ftype%2Fdlg%2Fsid%2Fbest-air-gun-reviews%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.pyramydair.com%2Fs%2Fm%2FCrosman_DPMS_SBR_Full_Auto_BB_Air_Rifle%2F4571%3Futm_source%3Dcommission_junction%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate_program%26utm_campaign%3Dwww.pyramydair.com%26utm_term%3Dalphalogic%26cjevent%3D8208673d6f0a11eb83a8012f0a1c0e12||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Airgun Depot!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26merchant_id%3D97338a88-d4bb-4c59-a4b9-32eba2511bd2%26website_id%3Dc3571a18-8c5f-4fa4-bbfc-646887262f95%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.airgundepot.com%252Fcrosman-dpms-sbr-air-rifle.html%26ctc%3Dairgunguide||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Compare prices at: Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon

11. Best Air Shotgun: Seneca Wing Shot MK2

Air shotguns are a growing category of airgun for sportsmen. The Seneca Wing Shot MK2 is an airgun shotgun that doubles as a 50 caliber air rifle. The air shotgun uses Air Venturi Shotshells holding either #6 or #8 shot. The effective range is limited to 30 yards, but it is a shotgun and not a rifle.

With a quick removal of the choke you can then easily fire 5 caliber pellets at 760 feet per second. You can hunt both small pigs, and small birds with the Seneca Wing Shot MK2. The only downside is the sights are a simple bead and not rifle sights. You’ll have to get a little practice in with a bead sight.

Outstanding Features

The vent rib makes tracking moving, and flying targets easily and is a nice touch. The Gun handles like a standard over/under shotgun so it’s very fast to point and swing. The gun is well designed as a shotgun, and perfect for the new airgun shotgunner.

Specs

Caliber: .50
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 1130 FPS
Action: Bolt-action
Powerplant: Pre-charged pneumatic
Others: Angled foregrip, flip up sights, adjustable buttstock.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Pyramid Air!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anrdoezrs.net%2Flinks%2F100321065%2Ftype%2Fdlg%2Fsid%2Fbest-air-gun-reviews%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.pyramydair.com%2Fs%2Fm%2FSeneca_Wing_Shot_Shotgun%2F3777%3Futm_source%3Dcommission_junction%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate_program%26utm_campaign%3Dwww.pyramydair.com%26utm_term%3Dalphalogic%26cjevent%3D91a188a16f0a11eb8259013b0a1c0e11||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Airgun Depot!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26merchant_id%3D97338a88-d4bb-4c59-a4b9-32eba2511bd2%26website_id%3Dc3571a18-8c5f-4fa4-bbfc-646887262f95%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.airgundepot.com%252Fair-venturi-wing-shot-ii.html%26ctc%3Dairgunguide||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Compare prices at: Amazon, Sportsman’s Guide

Top New Airguns From 2019 SHOT Show

12. The TC 35 and 45 Big Bore PCP Rifles

The TC 35 and 45 Big Bore PCPs are technically two rifles. One is in 357 and one in 45. However, the only real difference is their caliber. In fact, they operate, function, and handle identically.

The TC Series by Gamo is designed for serious hunters, and the rifle looks like an actual steel big bore weapon. With a lethal range of 100 yards, these rifles are incredibly powerful and hard-hitting.

The TC 45 can throw a 138-grain pellet at 900 feet per second! It can use ammunition as heavy as 350 grains for hard-hitting close range power. The TC 35 can throw a 357 projectile at 850 feet per second. These are deadly little guns!

Not to mention, they are modular and easy to use with optics. The tanks double as stock and utilize a modern design incorporated into the system. They are PCP powered air guns and are lethal for 5 to 15 shots. Be warned: tweaking the settings may lower this count.

Outstanding Features

These extremely modern air guns are excellent hunters. Weighing in at around 5 pounds, they are as lightweight as all the best hunting rifles. They are perfect for long range carry and very quick to shoulder and swing. Not to mention these 2 guns are very slim in design.

Both the TC 35 and TC 45 come outfitted with silencers, new scope rails, and an AR 15 grip. The triggers are an adjustable 2-stage design. Both let you tune the trigger for your own needs and wants.

Specs

Caliber: 357 or 45
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 357 – 850 FPS / 45 – 900 FPS
Action: PCP Powerplant Air Tank

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13. Benjamin Fortitude

Sometimes simple is better, and the Benjamin Fortitude is a simple design. It’s intuitive, easy to use, and best of all it’s affordable! The Benjamin Fortitude is a PCP-powered air gun that sports all the features shooters love about these guns. These come in either 117 or 22 caliber pellet rifles. The 117 have a 950-feet-per-second, and the 22 have a 800 FPS speed rating.

The gun is a bolt action, single shot design with a well made, highly reliable 10-round rotary magazine. The Fortitude weighs only 5.3 pounds and is an all-weather type of design. This Benjamin is an excellent little hunter for small game. It’s quite potent inside a hundred yards!

The PCP design makes the action quick to use, and intuitive in design. Not to mention it comes with everything necessary to get going and hit the range. This includes an 11mm dovetail mount and sling swivels. Even better, the Fortitude has Benjamin’s famed reliability, accuracy, and design.

Outstanding Features

The first thing that stands out is the use of a light and crisp single stage trigger. The design facilitates a constant pull, which makes it easy and accurate. Overall, the bolt action is very simple and provides a very easy to use rifle.

The rifle is optics ready and the 11mm Dovetail mount is easy to use. It matches the majority of popular rifle scopes on the market today. The rotary magazine is simple but very robust and reliable. Not to mention the Fortitude itself is very quiet and very lightweight. This a great little hunting rifle for small game and we think it’s a blast to shoot.

Specs

Caliber: 117 or 23
Ammo Type: Pellet
Velocity: 117 – 950 FPS / 22 – 800 FPS
Action: PCP Powerplant Air Tank

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Pyramyd Air!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anrdoezrs.net%2Flinks%2F100321065%2Ftype%2Fdlg%2Fsid%2Fbest-air-gun-reviews%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.pyramydair.com%2Fs%2Fm%2FBenjamin_Fortitude_Gen_2_PCP_Air_Rifle_Regulated%2F4569||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Check price at Airgun Depot!” color=”warning” size=”sm” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Del%26merchant_id%3D97338a88-d4bb-4c59-a4b9-32eba2511bd2%26website_id%3Dc3571a18-8c5f-4fa4-bbfc-646887262f95%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.airgundepot.com%252Fbenjamin-fortitude-air-rifle.html||target:%20_blank|rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Compare prices at: Sportsman’s Guide, Amazon

Understand These Important Factors 

Powerplant

So what kind of air rifle do you want? There are different kinds of air rifles out there and they are further categorized based on their powerplants. Each offers different advantages, cost, and of course disadvantages.

Spring Piston

Spring piston airguns are the most common form of high-powered, non-toy grade guns.

As you can imagine, a spring is involved in the gun’s operation. This type uses a really strong spring and air piston to propel a pellet or BB. The user has to manually retract the spring through some form of leverage.

Spring powered guns are typically the most accurate and most affordable choice. The technology is incredibly simple and reliable. Spring guns aren’t limited to budget models but are limited in caliber. When it comes to hunting, they are limited to small game.

CO2

This type of air rifles uses CO2 cartridges. These small cartridges are 12 grams of compressed air in a metal container. They are affordable and easy to find. CO2 guns come in both rifles and handgun configurations. All semi-automatic airguns use CO2 for power source.

There is no pumping required. However, they suffer from inconsistency given the fact that the CO2 can decrease in pressure due to outside temperatures. This can cause velocity and accuracy issues. These guns are definitely suited for plinking and recreational shooting.

Pneumatic (Pump)

Pneumatic air rifles use compressed air to propel the round from the rifle.

Single-stroke

These airguns require the user to consistently pump the rifle in every shot. These are great target guns because they are consistent in every shot. This also makes it difficult to hunt with due to the noise, movement and time required to fill the reservoir.

Multi-pump

This became a favorite because of its convenience. Its air reservoir uses a built-in air pump. If you need to fill it with compressed air, you just have to put some effort on the pump handle multiple times.

Precharged Pneumatic

Precharged pneumatic, also known as PCP.

Similar to a pneumatic airgun, you still use a controlled dose of air. The reservoir on these systems is precharged by an air compressor, hand pump, or scuba tank. Once charged, it is ready to go from ten shots to a few dozen depending on caliber.

They can be extremely powerful. They can fire large rounds of ammunition capable of killing medium game. The main downside is their high price, and need for an expensive air filling system.

Power Categories

Power categories are commonly based on the speed that a gun can move at a projectile and the muzzle energy. This is often measured in feet per second (FPS). The power rating of the air rifle dictates exactly what it is capable of doing.

When buying an air rifle for say hunting, you may have a different need than buying one to train target practice with.

Light

Light powered air rifles typically in the 600 to 700 FPS rating and deliver a muzzle energy around ten-foot pounds total.

• Often lighter and smaller
• Designed to minimize recoil and noise
• Better suited for target shooting than hunting
• Great for piercing paper and recreational shooting

Medium

Medium or standard power air rifles are the category that most airguns fall under. Your basic spring powered air rifle is most likely a medium. Mediums range from 700 to 850 FPS, although some consider 900 medium.

• Its minimal recoil and noise make it pleasant to shoot over and over while plinking.
• Fast enough to deal with small game like rabbits, squirrels, and small varmints.
• Most versatile of air rifles

High

High-powered, or magnum powered air rifles are anything above 900 FPS. These are often the most expensive rifles, and encompass PCP airguns.

• You can hunt animals ranging from squirrels to hogs and coyotes with the proper magnum powered airgun.
• Usually not the ideal weapon for plinking and casual target shooting because of ammunition cost.
• They range greatly in size and caliber.
• Most common hunting option

Caliber

Airguns have a wider variety of calibers than people actually realize. The caliber you choose commonly dictates what is done with it.

Small Game and Target Rounds

• .177 – The standard in international shooting competitions.
• .22  – Most commonly used for hunting.
• .20 – Used in multi-pump pneumatic air rifles.
• .25 – A good choice for hunting and pest control, especially for bigger animals like raccoons and possums.

Large Game Rounds

The following calibers are better used for hunting medium and large game. They are used in almost exclusively PCP airguns. These rounds are also quite expensive.

• .357
• .45
• .50
• .58

Trigger

Considerations regarding trigger commonly revolve around adjustment or replacement. If you do not like the stock trigger, can you do something about it?

Some triggers come from the factory ready for adjustment and customization. The aftermarket has created a series of replacement triggers like the GRT 3 by Charlie Datuna. This is a serious consideration for someone who wants maximum accuracy out of their air rifle.

Mechanism

Break Barrel

Break barrel air rifles utilize a downward hinging barrel to cock the spring. Once the barrel is opened, you also load a pellet directly into the barrel. These are the lightest airguns and often the simplest. Simple often leads to a more reliable weapon.

They are also simpler to take apart and upgrade. Constantly opening the barrel can cause accuracy issues with a scope, which is a downside. However, with iron sights, the aim will stay true.

Underlever

Underlever guns place the lever directly under the barrel.

The user grabs the lever and pulls rearward. This cocks the spring and opens the breech for loading. There is no torque when firing the weapon because the lever is placed below the barrel. These are an ambidextrous design that is easy to use.

Sidelever

The lever on this gun is mounted on the side of the air rifle. The user simply grips the levers and pulls it to the side and rearward. This cocks the piston and allows the user to load the weapon.

Sidelevers are tougher and are less sensitive to rough handling. The problem is that they aren’t ambidextrous so it can be challenging for left-handers.

Semi-Auto

Semi-auto air rifles require zero manual cocking after the first round. It feeds from a magazine and fires one round per pull of the trigger. These guns come in either CO2 or PCP mechanism.

Know What You Want and Need

BB or Pellet?

Do you want to go pellet or BB? BB guns are more affordable and more common. The ammunition can be bought by the hundreds. This is a big consideration, are you looking for a semi-auto CO2 powered recreational shooter? Then BBs maybe for you.

Air rifle pellets are bigger and cost more but there is a reason for it. They deliver more power and are more accurate because they engage rifling. They are also more capable for more tasks. Pellets are the chosen projectile for small game hunting, competition, and longer range shooting.

Scopes and Scope Mounts

Before we dive into scopes and scope mounts, we need to address if you even want a scope. If you do not want one, then your option for airguns opens a bit.

If you want an airgun scope, you need to pay attention to the gun’s ability to accept one. Some cannot accept mounts, some accept limited mounts, and some can accept almost anything.

Scope

If you want a scope, you need to realize that you can’t toss any old scope on a rifle. A standard firearm scope can easily break on a spring powered airgun. That sounds odd, but it is true.

An air rifle recoils in a unique way, much different from a regular firearm. Spring piston rifles produce a reverse recoil. This means your scope needs to be rated for airguns. If it is not, it won’t last long.

Scope Mount

When it comes to mounting airgun scope, you need to (of course) make sure it can be mounted on your gun. After that, you need to understand that optics come in different sizes.

The tube millimeter measurement will ensure you get a scope mount that fits. Tubes come in different sizes, so checking the measurements on your scope and scope mount is the only way to shop.

Sights

If you don’t want a scope, you also have to check a few rifles off the list. Some rifles these days do not have iron sights and are made exclusively for scopes.

Iron sights are much better for short range shooting. It also cuts the price of a scope out of the equation. But what kind of iron sights do you want?

If you have a spring piston break barrel, I’d suggest sights located on the barrel. Other than that, the choice comes down to your needs.

For example if you want to maximize accuracy, peep or aperture sights are the way to go. If you want to shoot in low conditions, like hunters often do, you may want fiber optic easy to see sights. Consider your goals when you consider your sights.

What Is Your Goal?

Your goal is the most important consideration. What are you planning to do with your air rifle? Hunters have different needs than that of 10-meter competition shooters. Different needs require different airguns at different costs.

Hunters need something chambered in pellets, and the pellet needs to reach at least 700 feet per second. A competition shooter doesn’t need that much speed for a 10-meter shot and values accuracy over power instead.

A recreational shooter most likely just wants to have fun and plink at targets. Semi-auto designs are a popular option for recreational shooters.

Once you identify the role that you want for your airgun to play, then you can start isolating brands, operation types, and caliber.

Ups & Downs of Leading Airgun Brands

Gamo

Gamo is the big boss when it comes to air rifles. They share the spotlight with only one other company, Crosman. Gamo produces a very wide variety of airguns which includes rifles, handguns, and even submachine guns.

Their product lines are varied especially when it comes to price. A base level Gamo air rifle roughly costs $100 to $600. They range from small plinking rifles to serious hunting rifles.

They produce airguns in PCP, spring, and nitro piston models. Their pistol line is almost all CO2 powered models.

Notable Features

• They manufacture very light rifles which is an impressive quality when you consider the fact that they use hardwood in a lot of their builds.
• They make one of the more affordable spring piston pistols.

Downsides

The few problems that Gamo has usually revolve around their cheaper rifles.

• They tend to have excessive recoil which can wear and tear a scope or make the mounts slide back and forth.
• Many Gamo rifles do not have iron sights so a scope is required.
• Their premium line limits itself to rifles designed for only hunting small game.
• Their pistols are mostly replicas of real firearms and are only useful for plinking.
• The triggers are often heavy and gritty.

Crosman

Crosman is the other big name in air rifles. They reached this popularity by providing a wide array of airguns. It is an excellent company to start with, and also an ideal starting point for youth shooters.

The Crosman Pumpmaster is probably what most pellet gun shooters start with. Crosman airguns have a firm hold in that beginner market.

They produce M16 and AK clones that can be either semi-auto CO2 powered or nitro piston single shots. Crosman makes a series of impressive pistols, specifically their Field Target Pistol.

Notable Features

• You can find a Crosman at any big box store that sells airguns and anywhere on the internet.
• Their rifles can be priced for as low as $35 and start working their way up from there.
• They have high-end rifles designed for 3 position air rifle contests hosted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program.

Downsides

• A lot of their guns are not that durable. They are not designed for long years of use.
• Unless you are buying a top dollar Crosman, the airgun you are getting is likely not going to last much after heavy use.

Daisy

Dandy Daisy BB guns are by far the most popular and most common on the market. Their BB guns range from lever guns to pump actions, semi-automatic pistols, and competition pellet guns. The classic Daisy Lever action is a mainstay in the airgun world.

Their competition guns are reportedly very well-made and accurate. This includes a unique take on a BB gun. They designed a competition BB gun, the Avanti Champion, which is known as the most accurate BB gun in the world.

Notable Features

• Their airguns are very small and light.
• Affordable and a blast to shoot.
• It’s an excellent way to teach the youth about airguns, accuracy and safe handling.
• Certainly one of the best brands for youth shooters to begin with.

Downsides

• Most airguns are made for kids and are too small for most adult shooters.
• Quite loud for BB guns.
• Cocking mechanisms can be too difficult for children.
• Outside the Daisy competition models, you’ll run into problems with consistent accuracy.
• The use of plastic degrades overall durability.

Benjamin

Benjamin airguns are some of the best on the market. They make unique designs and often experiment with a variety of styles. Their airguns start at over a hundred dollars go into over the thousand dollar range.

They also produce rifles for hunting small game, target shooting competition, and recreational shooting. If you want to go big in terms of power and FPS, then Benjamin has you covered.

Their Bulldog Bullpup is capable of firing a .357 projectile at over 800 feet per second. These guns can be used for hunting medium game and can easily take out hogs and coyotes.

Notable Features

• Their air rifles are known to be of high quality and are powerful.
• Designs vary and are almost entirely modern.
• Customer support is reliable.

Downside

• Benjamin trigger tends to be serviceable but are not the best. When you consider the price you pay, you expect a better trigger.
• The only other issue is its weight. These are beefy airguns and the shorter, lighter models like the Bulldog weighs 7 pounds without a scope.

I do like Benjamin air rifles but for polymer frames and stocks, I’d expect some weight savings.

Airgun, Air Fun!

Airguns are an interesting hobby. Every time you think you’ve seen it all, makers come forward and deliver something new. It is a market and hobby that is constantly changing. However, the core concepts typically stay the same.

A general understanding of how airguns work and that they come in different types are the most important considerations. Some shooters also check on airsoft guns, so knowing the differences between airsoft vs airgun is going to help narrow your choices too.,

Having an idea of the various recreational gun types and how they differ from each other can also be beneficial in deciding what is the perfect fit based on your purpose. Once you grasp that, shopping for one is much easier.

And don’t forget to check out the airgun hunting laws by state.

Check out our full guide on getting started with hunting and shooting. 

Other resources worth checking:

Airgun Nation

USA Shooting – They train and promote the shooting sport.

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The post 13 Best Air Rifles Reviewed & Revealed (Hands-on Pellet Gun Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Since you already have an idea where you intend to use them, it’s time to at least have a basic understanding of the binoculars’ specs and features before finally buying one.

[toc]

The 14 Best Binoculars In 2021: Outdoor Empire Reviews

These are our top recommendations for binoculars of 2021:

1. Best general use: Get the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD M Series (read 840+ Amazon reviews)
2. Best for the money: Get the Nikon Monarch 5
3. Best budget: Get the Bushnell Powerview
4. Best overall: Get the Vortex Razor HD
5. Best for hunting: Get the Vortex Viper
6. Best for birding: Get the Zeiss Victory SF
7. Best compact: Get the Leica Ultravid
8. Best tactical: Get the Steiner T1042r
9. Best 10 x 42: Get the Bushnell Trophy Bone Collector
10. Best 10 x 50: Get the Nikon Prostaff 5

*Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:

	Best General Use	Best For The Money	Best Budget
Product	Bushnell Legend Ultra HD M Series	Nikon Monarch 5	Bushnell PowerView
Magnification	10x	8x	10x
Objective Lens Diameter	42 mm	42 mm	50 mm
Exit Pupil	4.2 mm	5.25 mm	5.0 mm
Eye Relief	22 mm	19.5 mm	10 mm
Close Focus	8 ft	7.8 ft	20 ft
FOV	340 ft @ 1000 yards	330 ft @ 1000 yards	341 ft @ 1000 yards
Size	-	5.7 x 5.1 in	2.68 x 6.61 x 6.61 in
Weight	26.5 oz	20.8 oz	25 oz
Cost	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

1. Best General Use Binoculars

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD M Series

$219.99

View on Amazon

08/16/2023 06:41 am GMT

The Bushnell Legend Ultra HD M Series Binoculars are easily the most versatile set of optics out there! The design is simple but rugged, making them perfect for a wide variety of tasks. Not to mention they fall under Bushnell’s no questions asked lifetime warranty promise! This ensures your binos will be fixed regardless of what happens.

Overview

Besides the awesome warranty, you get an awesome set of binoculars. These 10×42 optics are very powerful and very capable. In fact, 10x is perfect for most tasks that binoculars are routinely used for. From hunting to watching sports, 10x magnification will get the job done in most cases!

What You Get

The Ultra HD M Series lives up to the Bushnell name with its ED prime glass and ultra-wideband coatings. These two features ensure the user is delivered a crystal clear picture.

On top of that, they sport the RainGuard HD coating. This is a water repellant coating, meaning any drops of water won’t disrupt your sight picture! As a result, they are excellent for use in almost any kind of weather or on a boat!

The 42mm objective lens is big enough to provide a clear and wide field of view, but small enough to remain lightweight and easy to carry. The Ultra HD M Series Binoculars by Bushnell are great for just about any job you put them to.

2. Best Binoculars For The Money

Nikon Monarch 5

$346.95

View on Amazon

08/16/2023 06:46 am GMT

Looking for a set of high-quality binoculars in your price range means that you have to give up a few features. If you shop smart, you can certainly find a quality set that fits your budget.

The Nikon Monarch 5 in 8x42mm is an excellent overall set of eyes.

You have to give up some of the nicer features associated with high-end binocs though, including metal eyecups and a locking diopter. You can also expect some chromatic aberration.

Overview

With all the bad things out of the way, the Nikon Monarch shines at its price point.

It has an exit pupil that makes it ideal to use all throughout the day. The dielectric prism coating certainly aids in low light conditions. The close focus distance is a hair under 8 feet which is pretty close and is perfect for birding.

The Monarch 5 is also surprisingly lightweight at only 20.8 ounces. The FOV is only 330 feet at 1,000 yards. The 19.5mm eye relief is long enough for use with glasses and comfortable for extended viewing.

The box surprisingly comes with a lot of extras. You get a carrying case, a carry strap, and rubber eyepiece covers. They also offer a great warranty – Nikon’s No-Fault Policy.

3. Best Budget Binoculars #1

Bushnell PowerView

$68.52

View on Amazon View at Optics Planet

08/16/2023 06:46 am GMT

Bushnell has long been a big player in the binocular world.

Though they aren’t as premium as many other brands, you can always trust Bushnell to provide a good quality optic at a reasonable price.

If you’re hunting on a budget, then the Bushnell PowerView gets you a good view without eating into your wallet!

Overview

The Bushnell Powerview is a 10x50mm Porro prism binocular.

That Porro prism is how Bushnell gets you such a good set of lenses without raising the price too much. Porro lenses work well but are cheaper to manufacture and are bulkier than more modern lenses.

So, you save money at the expense of size and weight.

What You Get

The PowerView is a good hunting binocular because it has strong magnification (without being too strong), a wide field of view, and a quick-focus lever for rapidly focusing on a deer.

The visual quality is great for the price. BK-7 prisms and multi-coated lenses allow lots of light and color to reach your eyes, especially with the 50mm objective lenses.

The housing is rugged rubber in Realtree AP camo, which helps keep your binoculars safe if you knock them around.

The canvas carrying case isn’t that great, but it does help keep the cost down.

And Bushnell guarantees their binoculars with an “Ironclad” lifetime warranty!

4. Best Budget Binoculars #2

Nikon Aculon 10-22x50

$176.95

View on Amazon View at Optics Planet

08/15/2023 08:07 am GMT

If you need to step it up in power but want to stay in that sub $200-dollar price range, then a Nikon Aculon is worth considering. The Aculon line is very large and encompasses a wide variety of binoculars. The model we chose to review today is the 10-22×50. It offers anywhere between a moderate and high level of magnification.

Overview

The 10-22 power means the optic has 12 different zoom settings you can cycle through until you find the right one for your observation range. This makes it easy to see things both near and far with great detail and in vivid color.

The Aculon features an easy to reach fingertip zoom control knob for quick and easy adjustment in the field. Additionally, these binoculars are large and textured enough to use with gloves, and wet or cold hands.

What You Get

The 10-22×50 binoculars sport multi-coated glass lenses with a 50mm objective lens for a wide and bright field of view. These Aculons also feature a durable rubber armor to protect them in short drops and rough environments.

All Aculons are backed by Nikon’s outstanding warranty! This warranty is a no-fault repair and replacement policy that ensures you get your binos back in working order if they ever have an issue.

5. Best Overall Binoculars #1

Vortex Razor HD

$992.00

View on Amazon View at Optics Planet

08/16/2023 06:53 am GMT

When you need the best, you have a few options. One of those options is the Vortex Razor. The Razor is Vortex’s high-end line that pulls all the punches when it comes to quality and price!

The whole series features hand-selected prisms for the utmost in picture quality. In addition, the optics are made of a premium high-density glass that results in HD quality views. These two factors produce vivid colors and allow the living world to be seen as it is.

Overview

The Razor HD Series is available in a variety of fixed power magnifications ranging from 8×42 up to 12×50. The price difference between magnification levels is negligible and I’d probably go with the highest for increased versatility. Don’t worry. When it comes to premium grade optics, the higher magnification levels rarely compromise picture quality.

What You Get

The Razor HD binoculars will provide you with a brilliant sight picture. They also function wonderfully in low lighting! These optics pick up and transfer every sliver of light possible. Adjustable eyecups allow you to use the binos with or without glasses. You can also adjust the focus for differences between your eyes.

Razors are armor coated and made to last in every environment. They are rugged, dependable, and backed by Vortex’s outstanding warranty.

6. Best Overall Binoculars #2

Nikon Laserforce

$1,196.95

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08/16/2023 07:08 am GMT

Versatility is a force that brings greatness forward, and the Nikon Laserforce range finding binoculars are certainly versatile! They pack a fixed 10x magnification rating with a 42mm objective lens. We know this is average, but before we talk versatility we must talk about the simpler aspects. Why? They are just as important.

Overview

The glass is an extra-low dispersion glass. This means it is crystal clear and free from nearly all defects. The lenses are coated multiple times for increased protection and a brighter sight picture. Even the surface of the roof prism unit is covered with a mirror coating to brighten and clarify images! From edge to edge, the sight picture is perfectly clear.

What You Get

The sight picture is extremely clear and consistent. While that’s great, what makes the optics versatile is the built-in rangefinder. This rangefinder works out to 1900 yards on reflective targets and provides +/- 1-yard accuracy. Now you can safely shoot a variety of different animals out to 1,100 yards.

Furthermore, the Laserforce binoculars are nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed. They sport a long battery life and are built perfectly for field conditions. They’ll take a beating and keep coming back for more! These Nikons are everything you need in a set of rangefinder binoculars.

7. Best Binoculars For Hunting

Vortex Viper Binoculars

$499.00

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08/16/2023 08:55 am GMT

Hunting is a rough sport that takes a toll on the gear used by the hunter.

Hunters are also exposed to different weather conditions which range from the snows of Minnesota to the swamps of Florida.

These environments are not known for being kind to weakness. So when choosing a set of binocs for hunting, the goal is to choose a reliable, well-built pair designed for the great outdoors.

Overview

The lenses are coated with ArmorTek for abrasion and scratch resistance. The external is rubberized and protected from short falls and drops. The eyecups are metal reinforced, and the entire set is water and fogproof.

At the same time, you are still getting HD quality lenses and the Vortex VIP Warranty.

What You Get

Vortex makes a variety of optics and purposely builds them for hunters and outdoorsmen.

Their optics is always perfect for the active hunter who wants to mix quality and strength. The Vortex Viper series are certainly one of the better options for hunters.

You get a bright picture, so you aren’t losing any image quality for the strength of the binoculars. The picture is stunning. It allows you to discern between different colors, moving and still objects easily. It is also easy to use during low light situations.

They are robust enough to resist whatever the world can toss at it.

6 Best Binoculars For Hunting Deer, Elk & Other Game

8. Best Binoculars For Birding

Zeiss Victory SF

$2,999.99

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08/16/2023 08:55 am GMT

Birding presents an exciting challenge for optics. Birds greatly range in size and temperament. Some are quite easy to spot, others like to hide, or are always zipping from tree to tree.

The fact that some birds are identical, you need a fine pair of optics to see the difference.

For that, a premium is in demand and the Zeiss Victory SF model certainly flies high. With this kind of performance, expect that they are quite expensive.

Overview

The Zeiss Victory models feature a fixed power magnification at 8 or 10 power with a 42mm objective lens. There are a couple of models under this line, but the SF model is by far the one recommended for birding.

The SF gives the user a full field of view of 120 meters at 1000 meters. This is a large FOV that is also bright and clear from side to side. There is zero distortion along the edges of the lenses.

What You Get

They are not cheap, and the picture is utterly brilliant.

The Zeiss Victory SF gives a 95% percent light transmission, which produces a brighter than average picture during low light situations so birding is easy all throughout the day. You get a 4.2mm exit pupil which is generous and interacts with the eye well regardless of the time of day.

The weight is shifted to the eyepieces, and this lends itself well to balancing when viewing for an extended period.

9. Best Compact Binoculars

Leica Ultravid

$759.95

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08/16/2023 08:59 am GMT

Compact binoculars can be extremely tricky. It is easy to find one that can be described as disposable. Use them a few times, they break and then you toss them.

Finding a reliable set can be a challenge.

However, the Leica Ultravid compact binoculars walk a fine line between weight, size, and quality. Like all compact field glasses, there are a few compromises that must be made.

Overview

Their small size gives you an 8 power scope and a 20mm objective lens. The small objective lens leaves you with a 2.5mm exit pupil, so low light use is difficult. It also features a nice long eye relief that makes it easy for someone wearing glasses to use the binocs.

The Ultravid has a locking diopter adjust, which is an excellent feature on compact binoculars. Since you can just pocket them and walk away, it is perfect for birders and nature lovers who are on the go.

What You Get

The Leica Ultravid will never keep up with bigger, more powerful sets.

What you get is something that you can wear around your neck all day without pain. They fit easily into a cargo pants or jacket pocket, and they perform.

It gives a nice, sharp image during the right time of day. They work great during the brighter parts of the day and are perfect for watching sports or for maritime use.

Related: Best Compact Binoculars Reviewed

10. Best Tactical Binoculars

Steiner T1042r

$537.99

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08/16/2023 09:14 am GMT

Police and military have their demands for binoculars. Like hunters, it has to be a tough and reliable set.

They need to be strong enough to take the beating; and sealed to rust, dirt, and debris.

Binoculars are commonly used to make range estimations or to correct fires, so a reticle inside it can be handy. Steiner T1042r is built for tactical applications.

Overview

The fast close focus helps the optic focus easily in a timely manner.

They feature an internal milliradian ranging reticle that allows the operator to do different tasks. You can easily estimate range using known factors and the milliradian ranging scale. This takes some training but is accurate and easy to do.

A soldier or Marine can also adjust fire from the things like artillery and machine guns. The binoculars are built with an armored coating to protect them when dropped and tossed.

You get a very clear picture. The roof prism design makes it lighter, more compact, and streamlined. The high definition optics produce a nice and bright picture, which is invaluable when trying to spot camouflage targets at a distance.

11. Best 10 x 42

Bushnell Trophy Bone Collector

$109.99

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08/16/2023 09:20 am GMT

The Bushnell Trophy Bone Collector is a mouthful, but it’s also a rock-solid line of binoculars and rifle scopes. Today we are focusing on the binocular portion. These Bushnells are some of the best 10×42 binos out there, especially when you consider cost.

The Trophy Bone Collectors feature a 330-foot field of view at 1,000 yards with a close focus of 10 feet. They are perfect for a wide variety of tasks and have a solid 15.2mm eye relief. We recommend them for hunting, sporting events, and simply observing nature.

12. Best 10 x 50

Nikon Prostaff 5

$206.95

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08/16/2023 09:21 am GMT

The Prostaff series has a lot of different generations out there, and each new generation is a massive improvement on the previous one. The Nikon Prostaff 5 is a 10×50 set of binoculars with some serious class.

The rugged all black construction disguises a remarkable set of binoculars by giving them a subtle appearance. In addition to beauty, they present crystal clear images out to an impressive range. Nikon continues to innovate and impress, and the ProStaff 5 binoculars are proof.  

13. Top New Binocular from 2019

Bushnell Forge 10x42

$479.99

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08/16/2023 09:21 am GMT

Classic binoculars can be pretty great, but technology marches ever forward and some amazing binoculars came out in 2019.

Bushnell’s Forge line was first shown at SHOT Show 2019 and quickly earned a reputation as a high-quality and high-performance hunting binocular.

Overview

The Bushnell Forge binocular is designed to be as tough and as clear as possible.

It’s an IPX-7 rated binocular that won’t care about how wet it gets. Nor does the Forge care much about dirt and mud, thanks to Bushnell’s new EXO barrier coating.

This is a special coating molecularly bonded to the lenses that repels all sorts of contaminants, from water to oil to dirt. It’s also resistant to scratches.

What You Get

The Bushnell Forge 8×42 has 10x magnification, which is good for most hunting scenarios. 8x and 15x are also available if you want less magnification to save on weight or more magnification at the expense of weight and a narrower field of view.

The armored body comes in a “terrain” color, which isn’t full camo but does blend in with dirt and fall foliage.

The prism glass is BAK-4, the lens glass is Bushnell’s ED Prime glass, and those lenses have the PC-3 Phase coating. All in all, you get excellent color accuracy and light transmission with the rugged Bushnell Forge.

14. Top New Binocular from 2019 #2

Steiner Predator AF 8x30

$277.19

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08/16/2023 09:24 am GMT

Steiner also unveiled some new binoculars at SHOT Show 2019. The Steiner Predator AF is the most technologically advanced binocular from 2019.

It’s not as powerful as some other hunting binoculars, and it doesn’t have the best field of view, but its special features may win you over.

Overview

The Steiner Predator AF is a Porro prism binocular with a wide bridge, so it takes up more space but fits well in your hand.

The “AF” in “Steiner Predator AF” stands for “auto focus.” First, you adjust the eyepiece for clarity. After that, you don’t have to adjust anything, whether you’re focusing on a tree 20 yards away or a coyote 200 yards away.

That, plus Steiner’s advanced Color Adjusted Transmission makes it easy to spot brown animals hiding in shady brown grass.

Combine the two features and you get a pair of binoculars you can use to quickly spot animals wherever they’re hiding!

What You Get

When you buy the Steiner Predator AF, you get a tough binocular with a ruggedized Makrolon body that’s waterproof and fogproof.

It’s a bit bulky compared to other binoculars, but the Predator AF doesn’t weigh as much as you’d expect from the size.

The package includes a carrying case, objective lens covers, a rain guard, and a neck strap. Oh, and the package also contains some of the most advanced hunting binoculars currently on the market!

How to Choose Binoculars?

FOV

Field of view or FOV is the measurement taken at a thousand yards of the area that you can see through the magnified lenses. As magnification increases, the FOV typically decreases. With variable binoculars, you’ll have different fields of view.

FOV is an important consideration if you are scanning for moving objects.

If you are tracking a deer or watching birds, it is a bigger concern than someone watching a football game. A wider FOV makes it easier to track an animal with minimal movement. The less you move, the less likely you are to disturb it.

Magnification

A binocular’s magnification is either fixed or zoomed.

It affects almost every aspect of your binoculars. The higher the magnification is, the bigger the optics has to be; the heavier they are, the more they cost, and the more challenging it is to make a clear and bright picture.

High magnification is recommended when trying to observe smaller objects at longer distances. Moderate magnification is suited for most people’s needs, 8 to 10 power is typically what the average user needs.

As you go higher, you’ll begin to notice that it is harder to use the binoculars without support. At a certain point, it’s better to consider a spotting scope and tripod over a pair of binoculars.

Related: The Best Magnification for Binoculars (Hunting & Birding)

Prism Configuration

You have two different kinds of prism configurations:

1. Porro prism is the older style and is named after its inventor. Binoculars using this are the more affordable and simpler option. They also have the effect of creating a large set of binoculars.

2. Roof prism binoculars are sleeker, smaller, and more modern. The internal design is compacted to save size and weight, while still producing the same quality of the picture. They are also more costly.

Picture difference isn’t affected by prism design. This is more of a size issue.

Glass Type

Outside of the prism configuration, prism materials also cause some differences. The two major prism materials are BAK-4 and BK-7. These all affect the clarity of the binoculars and the ability to see finer details and colors.

BAK-4 is by far the clearest and if you value picture over price go with the BAK-4. BK-7 make for a more affordable set of binocs, with an average picture.

Exit Pupil

Exit pupil is the size of the beam of light that hits the eyes through the lenses of an optic which is measured in millimeters. Eye pupil size and exit pupil size work hand in hand when it comes to picture brightness and clarity.

Eye pupil diameter changes throughout the day. It becomes bigger as the light dims and shrinks when it becomes brighter. The clearest and brightest picture is achieved when the eye pupil and exit pupil sizes match as closely as possible.

Do the Math

To find the exit pupil of your binoculars, simply take the objective lens diameter and divide it by the magnification.

So if you have a set of binocs with a fixed 8 power magnification and a 40mm objective lens, you have a constant 5mm exit pupil. If you plan to use your binoculars mostly in low light conditions, you’ll want a large objective lens to maximize exit pupil size.

Eye Relief

Eye relief is the distance (measured in millimeters) from the lenses of the binoculars to the eyes of the user.

It is merely the optimal range. It can vary slightly per user, but you have the perfect eye relief when you have a full picture without any black around the view.

Some binoculars have adjustable eyecups that allow the user to adjust the eye relief for individual preference. This is important for those who wear glasses because they need a longer eye relief.

Other binoculars offer dioptric adjustments that allow the user to finely focus it to their eye discrepancies. Some of these dioptric adjustments are also locking, meaning they will not slide, slip or change when jumbled, stored, or moved

Durability

Hunting and tactical binoculars need to be more durable than birding or sports watching binoculars. At the very least, your field glasses should be both water and fogproof. From there you can move up to features like being shockproof and the like.

Other Considerations

Heavy-duty

The external durability of the binoculars is an important consideration for people who are looking to rough up their optics.

Hunters, tactical users, explorers, wildfire firefighters among others need binoculars that can resist the damage and abuse tossed at it — which includes internal durability like being waterproof and fogproof.

However, these users may also want external rubberized or hard plastic armor; and for their binoculars be submersible, meaning they can be tossed in water and still work.

Purpose

How you plan to use your binoculars is also essential. I’ve mentioned here and there how different factors apply to various purposes.

Hunters and birders need a nice and wide field of view. Birders typically do not need rugged and armored binoculars for bird watching. Hunters and tactical users, on the other hand, need tough and rugged ones.

You need to take an objective look at how you want to use your binoculars to decide what features you need. Here are a few quick examples.

Birders

• Wide FOV
• Extreme clarity
• Easy focus
• Light weight

Hunters

• Wide FOV
• Internal and external durability
• Light to moderate weight
• Clarity

Tactical

• Internal and external durability
• Reticle for measurements
• Compact and light design
• Clarity

Size and Weight

The bigger the binoculars, the more of a pain in the neck they are. I mean that quite literally. Hanging heavy optics from your neck can be painful, especially when moving.

Heavier binoculars are harder and uncomfortable to use for extended periods. They also tend to have either a higher level of magnification or is more reinforced for durability.

Lighter and compact binoculars are easier to carry and use for extended periods, they are usually for general purpose. Purpose-built binoculars are for more specific applications like maritime and long distance observation. Larger sets are more suited for still use like hunting.

Close Focus Capability

Close focus capability is not an important consideration for everyone. Since the primary purpose of binoculars is to look at objects from afar, many people do not consider it.

The close focus of binoculars is crucial when you are looking at smaller things at close to moderate distances.

The biggest group of optics enthusiasts that need to pay attention to close focus are birders. Small, darting birds are easily observed when your optic has a close focus of fewer than 10 feet or so. It makes it possible to see the fine details of a bird, like the wings, beaks, etc.

Digiscoping

Digiscoping with binoculars is not impossible and is becoming more common.

Unlike spotting scopes, people aren’t using expensive DSLR cameras. Instead, they are combining their smartphones with their binoculars and a specialized adapter. You need to make sure that your binoculars have an adapter that fits your smartphone if you plan on doing this.

Cost

Cost is the most subjective of all these considerations. Binoculars, like most optics, are a get what you pay for scenario. The sharpest picture and the highest level of durability are going to cost you.

Regardless of how much you spend, the wise way to protect your investment is to look into the company’s warranty.

Leading Binocular Brands

Nikon

Nikon is well known in the optics world. They dabble in a bit of everything — from cameras to rifle scopes, they have you covered.

While it’s great to have a big brand with a good reputation, Nikon suffers from what all big brands do — lack of specialization. Because they produce so much, they rarely take the time to innovate and create something new.

Instead, they stick to what works. This isn’t always a bad thing though. If it works, it works right?

They produce a very wide range of serviceable binoculars that function well. Their lines are varied and compromise everything from compact (basically disposable) binoculars, to those made to present a stable picture on a rocking ship.

What you tend to notice is a large weight increase in higher end optics and a stronger built binocular.

Below those high-end optics, you average out in weight well. Here you begin to run into problems that are more pet peeves than anything. Things like sloppy focus that can be produced when wearing gloves.

Conclusion

Nikon binoculars in general work pretty well. They present an average picture and sell for a decent price. As a middle of the road to lower end, they are a good choice.

They also include a good variety of accessories with every set of binoculars — carrying cases, straps, etc. Plus their warranty is nice and forgiving.

Bushnell

Bushnell comes close to Nikon when it comes to size and scope of their company. The difference is that Bushnell is solely focused on the sporting optics world and doesn’t branch off into cameras or anything else.

Their optics are in the middle price range with deviations into the higher and lower ends as well.

On the bottom end of the spectrum, you may not get an entirely clear picture all the time, but the binoculars are often well made and quite affordable. This makes them an excellent budget option for hunters.

The focus on strength and durability makes it possible for the user to abuse their binocs to high heaven. They are shock, water, and fogproof. The Raindguard HD technology that they include on most binoculars is amazing and works efficiently.

They have a broad selection. They have optics for hunting, sightseeing, tactical operations, and just about everything in between. They also produce a full line of accessories for their binoculars such as a tripod adapter, a tripod, and a harness.

Conclusion

The biggest downside is that Bushnell optics never shine optically in their mid and lower priced models. They perform adequately, but you’re never wowed or really impressed.

The only other issue is weight; they tend to be heavy. This is certainly tied to the fact that they are well constructed.

Bushnell’s tactical line definitely deserves a look for the soldier on a budget.

Vortex

Vortex is an optics company that seems to care about their product and their customers. Their warranty is one of the best in the business and quality isn’t too far behind.

Vortex impressively produces light weight binoculars that are rugged and tough at the same time. Their binoculars probably offer the best protection and weight ratio out there. This is due to the magnesium chassis that cuts weight and improves strength.

They also manufacture the lineup of binoculars with an option in every price range. The Viper series and the Kaibab are certainly the best in the Vortex line. Their dependability is top notch, and they are made to take the beating and keep on kicking.

Vortex targets its optics at tactical and hunting applications, so they are water and fogproof. It is coated with rubber armor and ArmorTek lens coating. They also create impressive optical capabilities, their mid to higher priced models being the most impressive.

You get a nice, clear, and bright picture especially in the models with wider objective lenses like the Viper 10×50.

Conclusion

Some downsides include the fact that the Vortex optics are relatively expensive. Other companies offer optics with similar features for a lower price if you are willing to shop around.

Overall Vortex optics are well made, excellent outdoors optics that are rugged, and crystal clear.

Swarovski

If you are a picky person, someone who is discerning to the maximum when it comes to a clear picture, then Swarovski is for you. They keep their binocular lines limited, but they focus on the utmost quality possible for a set of binoculars.

What does that mean? Well, you get an incredibly clear picture. It’s like going from 320 to 4k overnight. They use some of the best glass in the industry and combines it with the use of field flattener lenses.

Field flattener lenses offer an excellent peripheral vision possible in a set of binoculars, making everything in the lens crystal clear.

The insides are great, but so is the outside. The binoculars produced by Swarovski are durable. They are waterproof to the point of being submersible up to 13 feet. They can operate on extreme spectrums of temperature.

The small details are also impressive — the focusing knob, the eyecups, and the ergonomic grips.

Conclusion

So what is the catch to great binoculars? Well first and foremost is the price. Swarovski optics are quite expensive. These can indeed be described as heirloom binoculars, and they are capable of being passed down to the next generation.

Swarovski binoculars are also on the heavier side as compared to others. The weight difference isn’t significant but should be noted. Also, the field of view provided is just average, for high-end optics a bit more is expected.

Leupold

Leupold, a lot could be said, and a lot has been said. Leupold has been producing optics longer than I’ve been alive and have had a great reputation since the beginning.

Their worldwide police and military contracts are a testament to their quality. They do an excellent job of constantly innovating and presenting newer and better optics. Their binocular lines include designs that are both considered classic and innovative.

Leupold binoculars are well made from the external armor, a rugged internal design, and are waterproof. They are all fully multi-coated, and provide a bright and clear picture. They use a BAK-4 prism and a very smooth focusing device.

What is truly impressive is the fact that Leupold provides these elements in all of their lines, even their lower priced optics. They offer both Porro and roof prism designs, and feature binoculars that are tripod ready.

Conclusion

Leupold just offers a ton in their binocular lines, all appropriately priced. If there is a complaint, it is the fact that some of their optics can range over into the heavier side of the aisle.

Other than that, their line of binoculars is tough enough to last through lots of abuse and it provides a crystal clear picture. Add in the fact that they extend this quality to their cheaper models and have a line of accessories ready to go, and you get a winning combination.

Final Thoughts

Binoculars can be a handy piece of gear to have. They are often more convenient than spotting scopes for intermediate spotting and for watching.

Regardless of your hobby, if you are dedicated to seeing a clear and consistent picture without having to setup a tripod and use a spotting scope, binoculars are the way to go. They are more portable and a lot cheaper than a spotting scope.

It’s certainly one of the worthy investments you can make in pursuing outdoor hobbies.

The post 14 Best Binoculars Reviewed & Tested (Hands-on Buying Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

We’ll cover some of the best bipods on the market below, and will also explain some of the crucial decisions you’ll need to make when picking one out.  

DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on a link we may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

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The 8 Top Bipods: Outdoor Empire Reviews

Of the eight bipods we review in this article, these are our top recommendations for bipods:

1. Best for the money: UTG Hi Pro Shooters Bipod
2. AR-15 bipod: UTG Recon Flex Keymod Bipod
3. Best for long range shooting: Accu-Shot BT46-LW17 PSR Atlas Bipod
4. Best for hunting: Harris Engineering S-LM Hinged Bipod

Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:

Product	UTG Hi Pro Shooters	CVLife Tactical Rifle	UTG Recon Flex Keymod	Harris S-BRM	Accu-Shot BT46-LW17 PSR	BT10 V8 Atlas	Harris Engineering S-LM Hinged Bipod	Do-All Outdoors Dead on Bipod Shooting Stick
Height	8.7 - 10.6 in	9 - 13 in	5.7 - 8 in	6 - 9 in	5 - 9 in	4.75 - 9 in	9 - 13 in	22 - 62 in
Weight	11.1 oz	under 0.78 lbs	10.8 oz	13 oz	11.42 oz	11 oz	14 oz	1.5 lbs
Material	Metal	Aluminum	Aircraft Grade Aluminum Construction	Aluminum	6061 T6 Aluminum	T6061 Aluminum	Aluminum Alloy with some Steel Parts	Aluminum
Independent Adjustment	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Mounting Option	- Picatinny rail - Sling swivel	Picatinny rail	Direct Keymod attachment	Sling swivel stud	Picatinny rail	Picatinny rail	Sling Swivel Mount	V rest
Cost	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Best Bipods for the Money  

No matter what type of shooting accessory you are seeking, you’ll want to get one that provides great value. Both of the following bipods are high-quality units, without the high-end price tag.  

1. UTG Hi Pro Shooters Bipod

UTG Hi Pro Shooters Bipod

$34.97

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08/15/2023 09:59 am GMT

UTG has started to step up their game when it comes to producing quality, but affordable accessories for firearms.

The Hi Pro Shooter’s Bipod is quite light and offers a unique option for leg height. It can extend from 8.7 inches to 10.6 inches.  

You don’t have a lot of variance between height options, but you do have a very light bipod that’s a good choice for both hunting and bench rest shooting.  

It comes with attachments for both picatinny rails and sling swivel studs. It’s easy to attach this bipod to just about any weapon. The Hi Pro also pans about twenty degrees total.

It doesn’t cant, but at this price range, it’s impressive that it pans.  

The legs fold for easy carry and are locked into place with a posi lock. The bipod legs are independently adjustable and fitted with rubberized feet for a sure grip.  

• Height – 8.7 to 10.6 Inches 
• Mounting Option – Picatinny Rails / Sling Swivels  
• Independent Adjustment? – Yes  

2. CVLife Tactical Rifle Bipod

CVLife Tactical Rifle Bipod

$19.99

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08/15/2023 09:54 am GMT

If you are rocking and rolling with a modern sporting rifle like the AR-15 or AR 10 and are looking for a bipod on a budget the CVLife Tactical Rifle bipod is one solid choice.

It is designed to be fitted with a picatinny rail system and gives you 9 to 13 inches of height.  

The legs are independently adjustable and have five different positions for height. To adjust the bipod, you simply push a button and pull the legs downwards.  

The CVLife Tactical rifle bipod features a unique swivel head. It allows you 360 degrees of panning capability. It allows the rifle to scan left to right as far as necessary.

This gives you an amazing ability to track moving targets or to comfortably surveil an entire landscape. The CVLife bipod is made entirely of anodized aluminum and is available at a great price.  

• Height – 9 to 13 Inches 
• Mounting Option – Picatinny Rail  
• Independent Adjustment? – Yes 

Best AR-15 bipods 

Sometimes, only the best will do. If you are looking for the best available bipod for your AR-15, the two models below are sure to fit the bill.  

3. UTG Recon Flex Keymod Bipod

UTG Recon Flex Keymod Bipod

$36.02

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08/15/2023 10:36 am GMT

This is a fascinating bipod and I’m impressed UTG came up with the design. The modern AR-15 handguard is changing. Modularity and low weight are becoming key.

Modular handguards feature slots that allow the user to mount a rail only where they need it, or to directly mount accessories to a rail. The Recon Flex bipod attaches directly to the handguard via keymod attachments.  

This makes it one of the lightest bipods on the market because it lacks a centerpiece. It still provides up to 8 inches in height, with a minimum height of 5.7 inches. The legs can be independently adjusted, and each leg has 5 different positions.  

By being attached directly to the rail system you reduce weight and lower the weapon’s profile while maintaining stability and accuracy.

The Recon Flex bipods is a modern option for a modern rifle. It folds up nice and compact, and only requires 5 keymod slots per leg.  

• Height – 5.7 to 8 Inches 
• Mounting Option – Direct Keymod attachment 
• Independent Adjustment? – Yes 

4. Harris S-BRM Bipod

Harris S-BRM Bipod

$119.95

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08/15/2023 10:15 am GMT

Compare prices at: Sportsman’s Warehouse, Brownells, Primary Arms

The Harris Engineering bipod doesn’t seem like it’s made for the AR-15, but you’d be dead wrong. It does attach to a sling swivel, so an adapter is needed for mounting to a rail system.

It’s the military’s choice of a bipod and has found its way on accurized M16s known as Mk 12s. It’s performed in two wars near flawlessly on the military’s version of the AR-15.  

It’s a tough and dependable bipod that’s proven and reliable.

The legs extend 6 to 9 inches and can be extended independently. They are notched in 1-inch increments and it’s easy to extend the legs. They remain functional even when caked with mud and dust.  

Harris bipods are incredibly lightweight and are spring loaded for easy and stable folding. They aren’t the cheapest, but they are some of the most proven bipods on the planet.  

• Height – 6 to 9 Inches 
• Mounting Option – Sling Swivel Stud  
• Independent Adjustment? – Yes  

Best Bipods for Long Range Shooting  

Long-range shooting all but requires a good bipod. We’ll examine the characteristics and features of two of the best models below.  

5. Accu-Shot BT46-LW17 PSR Atlas Bipod

Accu-Shot BT46-LW17 PSR Atlas Bipod

$313.00

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08/15/2023 10:30 am GMT

Compare prices at: Sportsman’s Warehouse

The Accu-Shot BT46-LW17 PSR Atlas Bipod is highly rated by its users. It is made of Mil-Spec Type III hard-coat anodized aluminum.

All stainless-steel components have also been heat treated for durability. The swivel feature allows the user to achieve some movement in their rifle or scan the landscape without having to readjust the legs.

This bipod is perfect for long-range shooting because of its sturdiness and adjustability. The Accu-Shot Atlas Bipod can be mounted directly to any 1913 style Picatinny rail with the included ADM-170-S adaptor.

Pros:

• Made of high-quality aluminum
• Swivel feature allows for movement
• Can be mounted to 1913 style Picatinny rail
• Five locking positions

Cons:

• Expensive
• Users who purchased outside of Atlas site complain of forged products

The Accu-Shot BT46-LW17 PSR Atlas Bipod is a well-made product that impresses its users time and time again. This bipod is the perfect lifelong accessory to anyone wishing to increase the accuracy and consistency of their long-range shooting.

6. BT10 V8 Atlas Bipod

BT10 V8 Atlas Bipod

$218.99

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08/15/2023 11:08 am GMT

Compare prices at: Sportsman’s Warehouse

B&T makes some of the most revolutionary bipods on the market. The BT10 model is designed for long-range precision. It allows the shooter to get nice and low. The lower you get, the more stable the position is likely to be.  

The Accu-Shot Atlas Bipod BT10 offers an impressive range of extension. It goes from 4.75 inches the 9 inches. 4.75 inches puts you quite close to the ground, and at 9 inches you’re capable of getting over most ground cover.  

Atlas bipods are renowned for their stability and robust nature. They are quite strong and can support an impressive array of weapons.

The Atlas bipod features 15 degrees of both cant and pan which gives shooters the ability to dial in the weapon and compensate for both drop and wind.  

The legs can be positioned 45 degrees rearward, 90 degrees downward, and 45 degrees forward. This allows you to work any ground you come across. If price isn’t an issue the Atlas Bipod BT10 is an excellent model for long range shooting.  

• Height – 4.75 to 9 Inches 
• Mounting Option – Picatinny Rail  
• Independent Adjustment? – Yes 

Best Bipods For Hunting

7. Harris Engineering S-LM Hinged Bipod

Harris Engineering S-LM Hinged Bipod

$115.15

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08/15/2023 11:16 am GMT

If you are looking for a dependable hunting bipod, the Harris Engineering S-LM is a quality investment.

This bipod eliminates tension or looseness with its hinged base and buff springs. The Harris bipod is perfect for hunting because it can easily level on uneven ground.

There are seven available height adjustments to choose from, ranging from 9 to 13 inches. The bipod also swivels and has legs that eject by spring action.

Pros:

• Hinged base and buff springs
• Easily levels on uneven ground
• Seven height adjustments from 9 to 13 inches
• Swivels and pivots
• Smooth operation

Cons:

• Needs and adaptor to mount on a Picatinny rail
• Would benefit from a bipod lock because of the hinged base design
• Users who purchased off the Harris site warn of counterfeit products

The Harris Engineering S-LM Hinged Base 9-13 Inch Bipod is an ideal bipod for hunters who want to improve their accuracy in the field while keeping their weapon out of the dirt, mud, or grass.

8. Do-All Outdoors Dead on Bipod Shooting Stick 

Do-All Outdoors Dead on Bipod Shooting Stick

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When it comes to hunting you can’t always pick and choose where you get to set up your position. The Do-All Outdoors Bipod shooting stick allows shooters to assume a seat or kneeling position while stabilizing their weapon.

This design lets you set up anywhere at any time. The stick itself isn’t attached to your rifle but acts as a rest for your rifle.  

This bipod shooting stick extends from 22 to 62 inches, and the bipod itself can be adjusted with a single hand. The bipod shooting stick is sturdy and made from aluminum so it’s lightweight and durable.  

At the very top your gun V can actually swivel so you can track game without having to readjust. It’s also an affordable and adjustable option.

Shooting sticks aren’t traditional bipods, but they do offer shooters an alternative option that’s handy as hell.  

• Height – 22 – 62 Inches 
• Mounting Option – V Rest 
• Independent Adjustment? – No  

The Significance of the Right Bipod

Stability builds confidence when you are behind a rifle. If the sights aren’t moving and you can see the target you can be pretty confident that you’ll hit what you’re aiming at. Stability is the key to successful shooting.

The goal of a bipod is to provide you with that confidence building stability you need to take those difficult shots.  

Putting yourself behind a bipod that shakes, rattles and rolls is a great way to waste your time and your ammunition. That’s what happens when you start with a crappy bipod.

It’s easy to avoid a crappy bipod. What’s harder is avoiding the wrong bipod. A bad bipod can be avoided through internet reviews, or by buying one of the above-suggested bipods.  

Again, the problem comes with choosing the wrong bipod for the wrong platform, or the not understanding the features enough to understand what you are getting.  

• • • A heavy and tall bipod on a lightweight, quick shooting rifle is one example of a potentially good bipod on the wrong platform.
    • A short bipod on a rifle with a long magazine is another example of a potentially good bipod on the wrong platform.  

Check the video to know the advantages and some disadvantages of bipods.

Important Choosing Factors 

When you start trying to narrow down your selections and make your choice, you’ll need to consider a few important criteria. We’ll discuss some of the most important factors that should play a role in your decision-making process below.  

Materials Used 

Bipods come primarily made from aluminum, but some are built from polymer materials. Personally, I’m never going to use a bipod made from anything other than aircraft grade aluminum.

Of course, polymer materials can be present, but the legs and main body need to be made from aluminum if you are tossing this on a firearm.  

Concessions can be made for airguns, but for rifles, I’d never trust a bipod with polymer legs for serious shooting.  

Bipods not only have to support the weight of the rifle, but they have to deal with the recoil as well. How long with polymer last against a 30-06 rifle? I’d prefer an aluminum bipod that I can trust, and that I don’t have to treat with kid gloves.  

This is going to affect the overall price of my bipod, but I think paying a little extra is worth it. Polymer bipods are not something I’d trust for long-term use.  

With aluminum bipods, you want a corrosion resistant finish, the most common being anodized aluminum. There is also parkerized and cerakoted options.

UTG even does a rubberized armor over their aluminum bipods that functions reportedly very well.  

Weight Factor 

As someone who prefers aluminum I have to accept my bipod is going to be slightly heavier than polymer models. Balancing weight with quality can often be tricky.

While most of us want to go lightweight with our guns and gear, we need to place a higher focus on balance than on pure weight.  

What I mean is if the rifle itself is already a gun designed to be fired from a bipod then you should go with a heavier, more robust bipod.

Guns in calibers like 338 Lapua Magnum, 416 Barrett, and of course 50 BMG are designed to be fired from a resting position. 

Offhand shots with these rifles are uncommon, so a lightweight bipod isn’t necessarily needed. You want a stronger and therefore heavier bipod due to the rifle’s increased weight and recoil.  

A lighter rifle like a Remington 700 in 308 or an AR-15 needs a lighter bipod to make unsupported shots easy. A heavier bipod on one of these rifles will throw the balance off when being used in an unsupported position.

The weight will pull the barrel down and put more stress on the shooter.  

When contemplating weight versus robustness look at the rifle the bipod is being attached to first.  

Attachment Device  

How exactly can you attach the bipod to the gun? This will largely depend on your gun.

1. Some are going to be outfitted with picatinny rails, and a wide variety of bipods strap onto pic rails without issue. Other, more traditional rifles, don’t often have picatinny rails so you’ll rely on the sling swivel to attach a bipod. 

Is one better than the other? Picatinny rails models tend to be quicker and easier to attach, but both are quite stable.  

Now if you find a bipod that only accepts the attachment system you don’t have, and you want that bipod, you do have options.

2. Adapters exist to add a sling swivel to a picatinny rail and a picatinny rail to a sling swivel. Don’t be afraid to choose one or the other.  

3. There are also shooting stick style bipods that bear mentioning. These long and tall bipods do not attach to the rifle but are equipped with a rest to set the rifle into.

These are a good choice for shooters who want to shoot in the seated position, but also want to keep their rifles light and handy for offhand shots.  

4. Alternatively, there is a fourth means to attach a bipod that I can’t recommend. It attaches the bipod directly to the barrel.

Sure, it’s universal, but it’s not very stable. It also puts pressure on the barrel and will likely cause shots to ‘walk’ as the barrel heats up. These bipods are junk, and I recommend you stay away from them.  

Independent Adjusting Legs  

The ability to adjust the legs independently of each other is a serious consideration if you are shooting across the unstable ground.

You may not have that perfectly flat piece of earth to take your shot, and independent adjusting legs allow you to compensate for that. This is a must-have for tactical shooters and hunters. It’s not a big deal for bench-rest shooters though.  

With independently adjustable legs you can use almost any piece of ground to stabilize your weapon and can set up virtually anywhere. Independent adjustable legs do add some cost and complication to your bipod, but it’s worth it as far as I’m concerned.  

These legs do require time to adjust correctly, and standard bipods are a bit quicker to get in action when the ground is right.  

Panning and Cant  

Panning

Panning is the ability for the bipod to swivel left and right. This is often measured in degrees. This is a must-have if you are shooting at moving targets or tracking animals.

The ability to pan allows you to make those micro corrections without having to move the entire rifle and bipod.  

Cant

Cant is the rifle’s ability to move up and down on the bipod.

Canting gives you the ability to make those same micro corrections as panning. This allows you to pick and choose your shot on a target. It’s especially handy if you need to compensate for extreme distances and bullet drop.  

Not all bipods are equipped with this feature. Like most features, it will add cost to the design, as well as make it a bit more complicated.

The ability to pan and cant is often found on tactical bipods, especially those that are on the higher end of the market.  

Height and Leg Length 

When it comes to choosing a bipod, you’ll often see a variety of sizes of legs. These are measured in inches and should be a major consideration for any shooter. The lower you can be the better but being lower isn’t always possible.  

Shooters using modern sporting rifles with standard cap 30 round magazines are going to need to be higher than shooters with bolt action rifles.

The long magazine creates the need for a higher bipod, so the magazine isn’t resting on the ground and so the shooter can reload the rifle.  

Tactical shooters stuck wearing body armor should also be concerned about bipod height. Body armor pushes you off the ground and to shoot comfortably, you’ll need a taller bipod.

Hunters and outdoor shooters who shoot in the snow may also want or need a taller bipod to compensate for the snow while shooting.  

The same could be said for those shooting over grassy areas. You need to stay above the grass so that a taller bipod may be needed.

Tactical shooters aren’t just restricted to the ground and may wind up in odd positions and situations that require a little more length on their end and versatility should be a serious consideration.  

Bipods come in the following heights. Exceptions exist, but these are the most general heights, including adjustable bipods.  

• • • 6 to 9 inches – These bipods are best suited for shooting on a solid bench over the ground. At its maximum height, it is a decent choice for ground shooting.  

• • • 9 to 13 inches – This height is a good choice for regular shooters who aren’t wearing armor, and want to shoot off the ground. 9 to 13 inches provides enough clearance for most AR magazines and also allows shooters to remain comfortable when shooting for the ground at any height.  

• • • 13 to 24 inches – When it comes to shooting with body armor, and an AR this is likely the best choice. It’s also an excellent choice for hunting over deep snow and high grass. 13 to 24 inches also allows tactical shooters to shoot in odd positions.  

• • • 14 – 30 inches – These massive bipods allow shooters to shoot in the sitting or kneeling position. This may be a must-have in hilly or mountainous environments where traditional prone positions are impossible. These bipods allow you to assume the sitting or kneeling position and take stable shots over long distances with ease.  

Check the video for more tips on the bipod height and length that is best for certain situations.

Multi-Use Bipods 

There are some bipods that are built into forward grips. These are designed for tactical rifles and act as improvised bipods in some situations. These bipods are superbly lightweight and are quite small.

Multi-use bipods are handy but do not provide the most stable platform. These bipods won’t have adjustable height, independent legs, or the ability to pan or cant.  

They don’t sound great but can be quite handy for rifles built for speed. They allow you to stabilize short range shots, and are perfect for shooters who find themselves on the move more than they do in the prone.

They also tend to be pretty affordable and perfect for close quarters carbines occasionally called into more precise roles.  

Leading Bipod Brands  

As with any other hunting product, you’ll notice that some brands have tendencies that remain constant across entire product categories. Some of the most notable bipod manufacturers and brands are detailed below.  

Accu Shot Atlas Bipods 

B&T’s Accu Shots Atlas bipods introduced some of the most revolutionary bipods ever seen. They were one of the first companies to introduce panning, canting, and multiple positioning legs on a lightweight bipod platform.

The legs can lock at a 45 degree rearward or forward to adjust to any terrain possible.  

In a very short period, their bipods became the favorite of professional shooters in the competition circuit, the military, and with hunters worldwide. The Accu Shot series are professional grade bipods that are priced accordingly.  

Accu Shot Atlas bipods cover every classification of a rifle. They make bipods capable of handling 50 BMG rifles with ease as well as bipods perfectly suited for lightweight AR style rifles. They are durable and reliable, on top of being stable and easy to use.  

Stability is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a bipod. Atlas bipods can’t be pigeonholed to one particular task, but they do make exceptional long-range precision shooting bipods.

The PSR series, in particular, are best suited for long-range tactical shooting and are a favorite of both police and military snipers. Atlas bipods are not for the plinker or recreational shooter, they are for the hardcore shooter.  

Harris  

Harris bipods and I go back a long time. We served in Afghanistan together, and they never failed to deliver in combat. Harris bipods as a company make just about everything you can imagine for bipods.

This includes bipods of course, as well as multiple heads for their modular models, and a wide variety of mounts.  

Harris bipods also produce mounting systems for:

• • • keymod rails
    • M-Lok rails
    • shotguns
    • picatinny rails
    • sling swivels

Their mounts are nice, but their bipods are the star of the show. They are well built, rugged, and dependable for the tactical shooter.  

Harris makes a bipod for just about any firearm, which includes rifles like the M14, the Remington 700, and AR-15.

Harris produces bipods at a variety of different heights, with each being adjustable and easy to manipulate with one hand. Their bipods have taken the tactical market by storm due to their widespread adoption by the United States Marine Corps.  

Harris bipods are all priced exceptionally well when you consider their quality. They are often available for less than a hundred dollars, making them one of the most affordable premium options for tactical shooters.  

GG&G  

If you want or need a heavy duty, professional grade bipod then GG&G should be your go-to company. They produce some of the best bipods out there for big bore rifles like the:

• • • 50 BMG
    • 416 Barrett
    • 408 Cheytac  

These massive bipods are robust enough to make a California legislator squirm in his chair. They provide a durable and stable platform for big bore rifles that suck up the recoil of these guns without a second thought.  

GG&G isn’t a one trick pony. They produce nine different bipods with models designed for bolt action hunting rifles, modern sporting rails, and even modern modular rail attachments.

GG&G produces mounts for both M-Lok and Keymod rail systems that allow you to bypass the rail system and mount directly to the handguard.   

GG&G’s bipods are used around the world with elite shooters in competitive shooting and tactical shooting. It’s not unusual to see GG&G bipods at competitions like the King of Two Miles.

Their bipods are used and endorsed by firearms training schools like Thunder Ranch and Gunsite. GG&G bipods are made for the most demanding long range, big bore shooters on the firing line.  

Staying Stable  

Shooting with a bipod for the first time can be a love it or hate experience.

There is rarely any middle ground, and those love or hate experiences are often based on what bipod is being used.

If you follow our guide above, you’ll find the right bipod for the right gun and the right situation. Stay stable, and shoot straight.

The post 8 Best Rifle Bipods Reviewed & Revealed (Hands-on Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Unlike the usual telescopes and binoculars, it has added optics to give you a sharper focus and wider view.

So how do you choose the spotter scope that suits your activity? This article will help you by:

• reviewing the best spotting scopes for different activites
• giving a overview of important spotting scope specifications and features you should be aware of
• listing the best spotting scope brands on the market today

[toc]

The 10 Top Spotting Scopes of 2021: Outdoor Empire Reviews

These are our top recommendations for spotting scopes of 2021:

1. Best for the money #1: Bushnell Trophy XLT
2. Best for the money #2: Barska Gladiator
3. Best budget #1: Barska Benchmark
4. Best budget #2: Barska Colorado
5. Best for hunting #1: Vortex Viper
6. Best for hunting #2: Vortex Diamondback
7. Best for target shooting: Burris Signature HD
8. Best for birding: Zeiss Victory Harpia
9. Best under 500: Bushnell Legend
10. Best compact: Barska Benchmark 8-24×58

*Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:

Category	Best for hunting	Best for the money	Best budget
Product	Vortex Diamondback	Barska Gladiator	Barska Colorado
Magnification	20-60x	20-60x	20-60x
Objective Lens Diameter	60 mm	90 mm	60 mm
Close Focus	20 ft	32.8 ft	26 ft
Exit Pupil	3-1 mm	5.1 mm @ 20x 1.7 mm @ 60x	3-1 mm
Eye Relief	14-17 mm	21.6 mm @ 20x 18.7 mm @ 60x	14.5-11.2 mm
Weight	33.8 oz	48 oz	30 oz
Length	14 in	16.7 in	13.5 in
Cost	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

1. Best Spotting Scope for the Money: Bushnell Trophy XLT

If your goal is to combine cost-effectiveness and gear functionality, then the Bushnell Trophy XLT is what you’re looking for.

Pros

• You get a variable magnification of 20 to 60 power with a 65mm objective lens. This gives you a wide range of magnification and a decent field of view.
• The picture you get is clear and very bright.
• Seeing large objects at extended ranges is easy.
• Built to be tough and rugged which makes it a good choice for birding or hunting.
• The glass is fully multi-coated and it gives solid clarity.

Cons

It is not going to give you the performance that you may need to spot holes in a target at 500 yards. For nature observation, scouting areas, and range performance of up to 200 yards, this bad boy works.

Conclusion

It is water and shockproof, plus you get a complete kit, which is a significant advantage for those who want to save money without compromising effectiveness. The kit includes a tripod, a hard side carrying case, and a soft case.

Out of the box, it is ready to go and nothing else is needed.

Read the full Bushnell Trophy XLT review…

2. Best Spotting Scope for the Money #2

Barska Gladiator

$229.89

Pros:

• Water and fog proof with solid seals
• Armored for protection against short drops and bumps
• Massive lens gives an excellent exit pupil

Cons:

• Very large and heavy

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08/16/2023 06:00 am GMT

If you call your optic the Gladiator, you’d better make it tough! In general, scopes are somewhat fragile. Anytime you add glass to a device used outdoors you, can bet you’re going to get a somewhat weak item.

Not so with the Barska Gladiator. Instead, it is a rough and ready optic! This spotting scope is o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged. These features work to resist fogging, clouding, and moisture damage while you are out in the field.

This scope is coated with a rubberized shock-absorbing armor that gives it a very grippy outside and a tough inside. The Gladiator even comes with a sturdy, multi-adjustable tripod that has a quick release platform. The optics are fully multi-coated and the 100mm objective lens is massive. The combination of these two features results in a clear and bright sight picture.

Let’s not forget that the magnification level is 20-60x! That’s very high level and at this price almost unheard of. Unfortunately, the spotting scope is on the heavy side. Fortunately, it comes with a convenient carrying case to help ease the load. For extreme performance in extreme environments, look no further than the Barska Gladiator.

3. Best Budget Spotting Scope

Barska Benchmark

$169.99

Pros:

• Has a magnification of 25 up to 125x and an 88mm objective lens. Everything about this optic is big.
• Take note that it is a straight lens optic and is armored, shock and waterproof.
• The lens focusing system is very intuitive and easy to manipulate.

Cons:

• The massive 125 power magnification range causes a slight distortion when dialed in to the maximum
• Using this for finding small holes on a target out to a few hundred yards isn’t going to be easy without a special target.

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08/16/2023 06:04 am GMT

If budget is the main issue in finding a spotting scope, you need to compromise on a lot of features and just focus on your overall need.

A budget scope is never a Jack of all trades. Typically they are capable of doing only one or two things well and being subpar with other tasks. That’s just the honest truth of the matter.

The Barska Benchmark is a compromise. The good news is, it provides you a massive amount of magnification and a large objective lens.

Conclusion

The Barska Benchmark is perfect for observing nature, scouting the land, and even hunting. For long range target shooting, it lacks the clarity necessary to see hits on targets.

You are setting yourself up with a solid spotting scope that delivers a wide field of view and puts you face to face with nature.

4. Best Budget Spotting Scope #2 

Barska Colorado

$79.99

Pros:

• High level of variable magnification
• Solid objective lens
• Quick access focus is a nice touch
• Built rugged and for the outdoors
• Very affordable and packed full of features

Cons:

• Somewhat large and bulky

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08/16/2023 06:10 am GMT

Barska is a leading name in the budget market. They produce affordable and high-quality optics that often function well beyond their price range. Introducing the Colorado. The Colorado is a rugged spotting scope designed for a wide variety of tasks. It excels in nature watching, hunting, and even digiscoping.

The Barska Colorado features a 60mm objective lens so it is not the most compact of optics. However, it has a variable magnification of 20 to 60 power. Not to mention the incredibly quick access focus. This allows you to stay on the picture with clarity while cycling through the magnifications.

The Colorado is fully waterproof, a feature you rarely see on optics in this price range. It’s certainly a welcome feature, especially for those that don’t mind the rain. The optic is built for the outdoors and does wear a rubber armoring for external protection. It’s also nitrogen purged for fog proof performance.

The Colorado spotting scope features a straight lens, and many find this comfortable for viewing items on the same plane. It even comes with a tripod. Again, this is impressive for an optic at the Colorado’s price range! The scope is large, but it only weighs 2.8 pounds. This makes it easy to carry on long adventures through the brush.

5. Best Spotting Scope For Hunting

Vortex Viper

$699.00

Pros:

• Smaller and lighter than other Vortex models. It fits in a pack so it’s easier to haul through the wilderness.
• It is their mid-tier optic and delivers extremely clear and consistent picture. You can count the antlers on a deer at extended ranges with ease during the day.
• Picatinny rail built on the system which allows the user to mount an accessory if needed.
• You can choose between an angled view lens and a straight lens. Angled gives the user a comfortable and suitable method of scanning in different sitting positions.
• I prefer a straight eyepiece that allows a hunter to track an animal easier and is trouble-free to use from a tree stand.

Cons:

• The biggest downside is its heaviness. Depending on where you hunt you may want to keep weight as low as possible.

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08/16/2023 06:10 am GMT

As a hunter, you have special considerations for all your gear. It needs to be rugged, capable and prepared to explore the great outdoors. The Vortex Viper is certainly well built for the hunter. It comes in a wide variety of magnification ranges.

For hunters, I’d suggest the 15 to 45 power model.

Conclusion

The Vortex Viper is a well-made optic that can take the rough nature of hunting with ease. It is element-proof, shockproof, and can resist water and fog. Nature doesn’t have anything on the Vortex Viper.

Included is a carrying case that is custom fitted to the spotting scope as well as an eyepiece cap and lens cover.

Read the full Vortex Viper review…

6. Best Spotting Scope for Hunting #2

Vortex Diamondback

$274.33

Pros:

• XR fully multi-coated lenses for a brilliantly clear picture
• Lightweight package
• 20-60x magnification rating
• Waterproof
• Shockproof
• Argon purged

Cons:

• Expensive

View on Amazon

08/16/2023 06:10 am GMT

Hunting can be a rough sport, and some environments are rougher than others. With that in mind, we chose an optic we think would be good in any hunting environment. Overall, the Vortex Optics Diamondback performed best in the harshest and most demanding environments.

The Diamondback is a no-nonsense spotting scope that comes in a wide variety of configurations. My personal choice would be the 20-60×60 model. This offers you substantial magnification as well as a lighter package.

When hunting in harsh environments, you want to trim weight where you can. The Diamondback sports XR fully multi-coated lenses that produce a picture to die for. This coating along with the high-quality glass gives you a lifelike picture no matter what’s in front of you!

Most animals have a somewhat natural camouflage. For example, a brown deer in the fall looks a lot like the brown leaves around him when the light is low. With the clear picture the Diamondback provides, you’ll be able to see the difference between a deer and a leaf in an instant!

This Vortex spotting scope is made from quality materials with quality manufacturing. It will shrug off water and resist shock. It can take a serious beating and come out unscathed. It’s the optic you need no matter what conditions your hunt throws at you.

7. Best Spotting Scope for Target Shooting

Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope 20-60x85mm

$1,479.00

Pros:

• Clear, accurate images
• Wide magnification range
• Water and internal fogging resistance
• Compatiblity with other Burris accessories, like the Fastfire Red-Dot Sight
• Dual-speed focuser

Cons:

• Expensive
• Must be adjusted for comfort based on position (sitting, standing, lying down, etc.)

View on Amazon View at Optics Planet

08/16/2023 06:15 am GMT

The Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope is a beautifully crafted scope for target shooting. Its apochromatic lens system and index-matched broadband lens coatings work together to give the user bright and clear high-contrast images.

The images produced have extremely accurate color and minimal distortion across the entire field of view. The range of magnification is perfect for medium to long distances, and the field of view is wide enough for focusing on both large and small objects.

The tube is argon filled and O-ring sealed, providing resistance to water and fogging while in the field.

Users describe the Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope as “head and shoulders above their competition.” Compared to other scopes in this price range, the Burris is the highest quality. This scope is the perfect fit for anyone needing to clearly locate a target.

8. Best Bird Spotting Scope

Zeiss Victory Harpia

$4,199.99

Pros:

• Three-stage wide-angle zoom
• Rapid and automatic switching between coarse and fine focus
• Water and fog resistance
• Clear, consistent images

Cons:

• Vario eyepiece not included
• Expensive
• Large to carry around
• Does not attach to a camera

View on Amazon View at Optics Planet

08/16/2023 06:22 am GMT

The Zeiss Victory Harpia Spotting Scope provides beautiful and clear images, no matter the strength of magnification. The optical system on this scope is new and one of a kind because of its three-stage wide-angle zoom, which provides a constant field of view.

This scope also has a combination of up to 70x magnification with 95-millimeter objective lenses, allowing the user to hone in on the smallest of details. Zeiss DualSpeed focus gives you exact, quick focusing at all times.

The Zeiss Victory Harpia Spotting Scope is nitrogen-filled for resistance against water and fog, and can attach to a tripod for stationary use.

This listing is for the main body of the scope without the Vario eyepiece, which is required for proper use.

Although expensive, users stress that the Zeiss Victory Harpia Spotting Scope is an investment they treasure. This scope allows for crystal-clear bird viewing from a multitude of distances. It is the perfect purchase for the avid bird watcher looking for a lifelong accessory.

9. Best Spotting Scope Under 500: Bushnell Legend

Coming in at right under 500 bucks is the Bushnell Legend. This is truly a masterpiece of an optic. From the sleek external appearance to the internal beauty, the spotting scope provides. You could say it’s downright Legendary!

This is a straight optic, but an angled version exists. However, the straight version is our personal preference. The Bushnell Legend offers a wide variety of features you’d normally find in more expensive optics. Let’s start on the outside and work our way in.

Pros

• 20 to 60x magnification with a very clear picture.
• Rainguard lenses – great for all weather use
• Bak-4 prism and multi-coated lenses for a bright and vivid picture
• Tough and reliable

Cons

• Users may experience mirages on bright days

The Legend is outfitted with a strong polymer housing and reinforced in its most vital zones. You’ll see the reinforcement around the lenses and the adjustment knobs. These areas are also textured for an easy grip. The Legend has a solid throw lever that’s easy to manipulate and utilize. Not to mention the optic’s focus ring is strong and durable!

The Bushnell Legend packs a 20-60-power level with a 60mm objective lens. That kind of magnification makes this optic an absolute powerhouse! Additionally, it comes fully equipped with multi-coated optics and Bushnell’s Rainguard lenses.

This spotting scope uses a premium quality BAK-4 prism. When you combine that with the coated lenses you get a clear picture. The Bushnell Legend is also water and shockproof, so you don’t have to worry about hurting your investment.

10. Best Compact Spotting Scope

Barska Benchmark 8-24x58

Pros:

• Very light and easy to carry
• Built to last
• A very wide field of view for tracking moving targets

Cons:

• The smaller level of magnification may be a turn-off

View on Amazon

Bigger is not always better. Sometimes you need smaller and lighter. If that’s your case, the Barska Benchmark is for you. It’s bigger and more potent than a monocular, yet smaller than most spotting scopes.

In fact, the Barska Benchmark 8-24×58 is a stout little guy. The objective lens makes it look stubby and a little fat for its size. However, at 58mm, you aren’t giving up much on the light-absorbing front. Besides, the Benchmark rocks fully coated lenses for a clear and bright picture.

The 8 to 48-power magnification is a little lower than most, but it’s still considerable in terms of power. Even at the lowest magnification setting, the field of view is an impressive 225 feet at 1,000 feet. The low 8-power magnification and wide 58mm objective lens give you a wide field of view. It’s perfect for tracking moving subjects.

The Barska weighs only 1.54 pounds so it’s easy to carry through the field. This little optic comes complete with a tripod and carrying case that all packs together rather nicely. The Benchmark is priced respectably and is perfect for those days where ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain!

Take A Closer Look

When choosing a spotting scope for whatever reason, you need to examine both the internal and external parts of the optic. Have a firm understanding of how it works, including the meaning of different terms and features that go with it.

These features also have an effect on cost, clarity, and of course weight.

Eyepiece

Angled vs Straight

The angle of your eyepiece isn’t that important and is mainly a personal preference. A straight eyepiece is often better for the prone position and hunters in general. You can scan easily and track a target more naturally with it, and it’s easier to scan areas below you.

You can also mount a spotting scope to a truck or car mount and use it with ease if it’s a straight spotting scope.

Angled scopes offer a major role when it comes to digiscoping. Attaching a camera to a straight lens can be difficult and often throw the entire balance off on a tripod. It is more comfortable for extended viewing and makes birding a lot simpler especially if the birds are up in the sky.

Taller people usually prefer angled scopes for shooting for comfort reasons. Angled scopes are better for looking up and straight spotting scopes for looking down. Both look at ground level perfectly fine.

Internals

The eyepiece on any spotting scope is a critical consideration that a buyer should look into. Your eyepiece is going to determine your:

• eye relief
• magnification level
• digiscoping ability
• the way you view the world through the scope

Variable VS Fixed

The majority of eyepieces are variable. Meaning the magnification can change with the spin of a dial.

A fixed eyepiece has a system that operates on one magnification setting. A variable is more versatile, but a fixed is often simpler, more durable, and cheaper.

Wide Angle

Some eyepieces are designed to give a wide angle view, and others are designed for a traditional round view. Wide angle is more comfortable for extended viewing and allows the user to capture their environment with equal magnification.

Eyepieces also offer different lengths of eye relief. Folks with glasses are better suited with a long eye relief eyepiece.

Interchangeable

Some spotting scopes come with interchangeable eyepieces as well. This allows you to change the:

• eye relief
• interior angle
• different degrees

Most models designed for waterproofing do not have interchangeable eyepieces since they expose the internals of the system.

Objective Lens Size

The larger the objective lens is, the greater detail you can see and the exit pupil is higher as well. This applies to an optic with high magnification ratings. The higher magnification, the larger objective lens is needed to make a clear picture.

Size is important, but lens quality is more essential. A quality lens go further than a large one any day, consider looking for ratings like:

• HD glass
• ED glass
• APO glass

A large objective lens made of quality glass is the route to take for higher magnifications. This is critical for shooters who are attempting to find small holes in big targets.

Objective lens size is measured in millimeters and often come after the magnification when describing the spotting scope. For example, 25-60x80mm says that the optic is a variable optic with an 80mm objective lens.

Correlation

Objective lens, magnification, and exit pupil are all linked together.

Exit pupil is the size of the light beam exiting the lens. The perfect size will match the size of the user’s eye pupil. The closer the exit pupil is to the eye pupil size, the better the scope works for the user.

Exit pupil is found by dividing the objective lens size by its magnification. As the magnification increases, the exit pupil will shrink. The clearest picture will have the exit pupil matching your eye’s pupil size.

Eye pupils change size depending on the amount of ambient light.

• In normal and bright conditions the human eye pupil is 2 to 3mm.
• In low light conditions, your pupil is roughly 7mm.

So an exit pupil closer to 7mm means the spotting scope works better in low light.

Field of View

Field of view, or FOV, is the amount of an area you can see at a particular magnification. It is measured typically at a thousand yards. As magnification increases or range decreases, the field of view shrinks.

The field of view for a spotting scope is mainly tied to the eyepiece. Some are designed to focus more on the center of the optic and others are focused on capturing a wide angle view. Those with long eye relief have a shorter field of view.

Other Important Factors to Consider

Once you grasp the important considerations, you also need to understand the outward effects that a spotting scope may have.

These external features are crucial when you are attempting to pair a spotting optic with a particular method of use. Meaning, birders have different needs than hunters.

These requirements change between users and are more subjective.

BaK5 or BK-7 Prism

When searching for spotting scopes, you may run across a prism type, and the most common are the BaK5 prism or a BK-7 prism.

The lens corrects your image. Without it, the image would be upside down.

The BaK5 prism is the superior choice and provides a clearer picture, but also increases the cost of the optic. However, the clarity difference may not be noticed by owners using their scopes at 100 yards and less.

Close Focus

Close focus is the distance that the optic is capable of focusing at close range. On average, a spotting scope can focus as close as 20 feet. Anything closer than 20 feet is blurred and unfocused.

Some specialized spotting scopes are designed to focus closer distances, and this may be a requirement for you to consider.

You might also want to check this article on how far you can expect to see with your spotting scope.

Focusing Type

Spotting scopes have three different types of focus adjustment devices, and each offers its advantages.

Helical

A helical focus is the most common, and it involves a collar around the scope. This collar is rotated in different directions to change the optic’s focus. It is quite easy and intuitive since it allows the user to change focus quickly and decisively.

This makes moving targets easy to focus on — perfect for birders and hunters.

Knob

Knob focus involves a turret that is rotated in different directions to change focus. It is more precise than the helical, but also slower. It is the preferred focus for taking photographs and observing stationary targets.

Rack and Pinion

Lastly, there are rack and pinion designs. These are the most common scopes designed to look at the stars. They are fast and smooth, easy to operate and precise. However, they tend to be weak and open failure points when used outdoors.

How Rugged?

If you are planning to use your spotting optic for rough outdoor activities, a more robust design is ideal. Activities like hunting expose the scope to a rugged environment, whereas birding or nature observation is less stressful on the unit.

A rugged unit may use a rubber armor coating or thicker and strong aluminum design. This adds weight to the system but protects the fragile internal of a spotting scope. Rugged scopes are most likely waterproof.

A standard or nonrugged unit is lighter and usually more affordable as well.

Tripod

A tripod is essential to use a spotting scope effectively. If you are on a budget, it is suggested to get a scope that comes with a tripod since not all of the brands or models has one initially. You may also need to replace the tripod to fit your ideal use of the scope.

Some tripods allow the user to stand to use the scope. Others are designed to work from the prone of bench rest sitting position. Before you purchase a tripod, determine the position that the spotting scope is in. It’s important to choose the right size of the tripod, or you may find using the scope very uncomfortable.

Also, a cheap tripod and a heavy spotting scope can create shifting and be shaking which can be frustrating. If you invest in a quality scope do yourself a favor and invest in a quality tripod.

LeAding Spotting Scope Brands

Swarovski

Swarovski manufactures excellent optics, and the company prides themselves on producing high-quality spotting scopes. These scopes are often modular and provide the user with different options for scoping nature out.

Their ATX / STX spotting scopes can be swapped between an angled and straight lens at home. They also provide first rate support for digiscoping and make a variety of mounts to allow you to turn it into a camera lens.

Swarovski optics is genuinely well made, and some models provide fields of view of over a hundred feet wide. Their lenses and glass are some of the best in the world and give the user a very clear picture, even in the early morning and early evening.

Pros

If you are planning to use a spotting scope in low light conditions, this is the perfect model. They call this SwaroVision technology which provides the maximum color fidelity and clarity on the current market.

Their units are light as well, which makes them ideal for extended hikes.

Cons

The biggest downside is its price. You are getting the highest quality out there, but you’re also paying a hefty price for it. Another is the short eye relief associated with Swarovski optics doesn’t leave you much room to play around with. This can create uncomfortable positions if your tripod or base isn’t just high enough.

Vortex

Vortex is an American company that has been producing optics for quite some time. The name Vortex is new due to a rebranding of the enterprise. However, their quality hasn’t dipped in the slightest.

The spotting scopes they produce come in three distinct tiers. The Diamondback, the Viper, and the Razor. Each one of these optics comes at a different price level and offers different features and levels of quality.

At their base level, each Vortex optic is well made and protected. They are designed for heavy outdoor use and are sealed against water, dust, and debris. As a hunter, I’d pack a Vortex spotting scope. They are fully multi-coated to provide better light transmission andto protect the lens from minor abrasions.

Picture Quality

As you’d imagine, picture quality changes among models.

• The Razor HD provides a stunning picture that’s bright, clear and consistent at any range.
• The other two lower tiered models tend to become a bit blurry at higher magnifications, to the point that you can’t determine what you’re looking at.

Weight

A common theme among all three models is weight. Vortex’s spotting scopes are heavier than most. This is due to the heavy duty construction and being built for the great outdoors.

Their optics comes with carrying cases, but the Diamondback’s case leaves something to be desired and needs an upgrade in my opinion.

Leupold

Leupold as a scope company is a legend among riflemen looking for a high-quality rifle scope. Their spotting scope line isn’t new but certainly doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Their line is split into three different categories and two different tiers.

The GR and Kenai are their premium spotting scopes, and their base model is the SX-1. Leupold offers a lot of different optics, magnifications, and overall sizes in these categories as well. Their extensive selection allows you to choose one that is tailored to your style of spotting.

Pros

They offer a clean and consistent picture at maximum magnification with their spotting scopes. Rarely does anything appear blurry or dim.

Spotting deer-sized objects out to a six or seven hundred yards is easy with most of the Kenai and GR models. The SX-1 falls a little behind here. You can see the object, but not clearly.

However, at its price, the SX-1 delivers a pretty clear picture and is consistent with other spotting scopes in its price range.

The Kenai is probably the best spotting scope for hunting in their line, and the GR is certainly better for the range. The SX-1 falls in between the two and can be purposed for a variety of tasks.

Cons

The downside to Leupold optics comes from their included tripod.

It’s usable, but it’s not excellent by any means. The tripod included in the kit doesn’t mesh with the high quality of the optics. It’s a little flimsy, and scuffs and scratches easily. The tilt bracket also feels all over the place when adjusting the scope.

Leupold also has a very close eye relief, which can be a minor inconvenience.

Nikon

Nikon is the Walmart of optics companies. They produce and sell everything optic related, from camera lenses to spotting scopes.

Their spotting scopes are divided into vastly different lines, and they offer scopes for roughly $350 all the way up to $6,000. In between, you have a little of everything. Nikon spotting scopes are a get what you pay for the deal.

Pros

The cheaper Pro Staff models will get the job done and will allow you to see easily out to around 500 yards decently.

What you’ll notice on some of the lower priced models is the disruptions around the periphery of the view field. This lowers your effective field of view.

However, what is in the center is often crystal clear. As you work your way into the more expensive models, this disappears and you’re left with a clear picture consistently.

Among all Nikon scopes, the image stays clear in the center of the scope, regardless of the magnification. They also tend to be clear of chromatic aberration, at least in the center of the scope.

Most models allow you to change the eyepiece quickly and come with excellent tripods.

Cons

• They are all almost smooth and textureless which make handling them a challenge when wearing tactical gloves or with wet or cold hands.
• They are not protected from impact. I’d be afraid of breaking one of these when hiking long distances.

Getting Spotted

Spotting scopes are some of the most misunderstood optics, and navigating the different options, features, and of course, brands can be confusing. Hopefully our guide can answer most of your questions.

They aren’t as complicated as they seem. It’s as simple as understanding a few specific terms and identifying your unique needs for a spotting scope. From there explore your options, try out a few, and make an informed decision.

The post 10 Best Spotting Scopes Reviewed: Definitive Guide appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

The 8 Best BB Guns of 2021: Outdoor Empire Reviews

1. Best Pistol #1: Umarex Glock
2. Best Pistol #2: Umarex Beretta
3. Best Rifle #1: HK MP5 PDW BB Gun
4. Best Rifle #2: Crosman M4 Pneumatic Pump
5. Best for Kids: Daisy Pump BB Gun
6. Best Fully Automatic: Crosman DPMS SBR
7. Best Lever-Action: Daisy Red Ryder
8. Most Powerful: Crosman Legacy 1000

Category	Best pistol	Best rifle	Best for kids
Product	Umarex Glock	Crosman M4 Pneumatic Pump	Daisy Pump
Max Velocity	365 FPS	625 FPS	350 FPS
Shot Capacity	18	18	50
Action	Semiautomatic	Bolt-action	Bolt-action
Powerplant	CO2	Multi-pump pneumatic	Multi-pump pneumatic
Weight	1.6 lbs	3.75 lbs	3.1 lbs
Cost	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

1. Best BB Pistol #1: Umarex Glock

Glock took forever to license a clone of their famed Glock 17, but we can finally say that one exists.

The Umarex clones are always top notch and realistic. This Glock 17 Gen 3 clone holds 18 rounds in the magazine, has a blowback action, and is semi-automatic. This gun mimics the Glock 17’s controls and styling to a T, down to the markings on the grip, rail, and safety trigger.

This gun has a metal slide and polymer frame and uses a single 12-gram CO₂ cartridge. The gun will fit in any Glock holster and allows for quick and easy training. Umarex has done an excellent job of making a safe and effective training pistol for Glocks with quality and reliability that’s hard to beat.

Features and Specs

• 18-round, drop-free magazine
• Semi-automatic, CO₂-powered action
• Only licensed Glock BB gun

Pros

• Extremely well made
• A perfect replica of the Glock 17 Gen 3
• Fits in Glock holsters

Cons

• Cannot swap the sights

This is an excellent gun if you want a training tool that replicates your Glock. You can shoot it in the backyard and practice drawing and firing safely without heading to the gun range. This is also just a fun gun to practice with.

View at Bass Pro Shops

2. Best BB Pistol #2: Umarex Beretta

Umarex has licensed the Beretta M92A1 design and has done an amazing job at producing convincing replica.

The Beretta series served our country for nearly 30 years and continues to be a popular choice. The Umarex Beretta comes with all the features of the standard Beretta M92A1, including the rail system and hammer. The clone gun features a drop-free, 19-round magazine and is powered by 12-gram CO₂ cartridges.

What’s neat is the gun has a semi-auto mode, and with the flip of a switch, it goes to a full-auto mode. This full-auto mode makes it quick and easy to dump a mag and put a smile on your face. The Umarex Beretta is an awesome replica and is nice and heavy due to its full metal construction.

Features and Specs

• Fires ammo at a velocity of 310 feet per second
• Weighs 2.4 pounds
• Holds 19 rounds in the magazine

Pros

• Full auto is a literal blast
• Full-metal design
• Can fire in single- or double-action modes

Cons

• Sights are fixed

The Beretta M92A1 by Umarex is an awesome clone and an excellent training weapon. The M92A1 is perfect for recreational shooting and training, but it’s designed to replicate an actual handgun and should therefore be used only by adults or under adult supervision.

View at Airgun Depot

View at Pyramyd Air

3. Best BB Rifle #1: HK MP5 PDW BB Gun

The MP5 Submachine gun is likely the most popular machine gun ever created. It’s a classic that is now being built as a semi-auto BB gun for all your shooting needs. This fun gun is CO₂ powered and utilizes a 40-round magazine. It uses any kind of standard BB and spews them at a rate that’s hard to beat.

It’s an absolute blast, and with the proper catch, you can just recycle the BBs and shoot them again. This gun is made under license by Umarex and is the only licensed MP5 BB gun.

The MP5 uses 12-gram CO₂ cartridges that insert into the back of the gun, behind the stock. The stock can also be folded, and the included forward grip makes it easy to control. A 12-gram CO₂ will fire almost 100 rounds in full-auto. I challenge you to find a BB gun that’s more fun to shoot than this. The MP5 is as awesome as they come.

Features and Specs

• Comes with two 40-round mags
• Powered by 12-gram CO₂ cartridges
• Features a robust folding stock and foregrip

Pros

• Insanely fun and reliable
• Looks and feels similar to the real thing
• Easy to use and perfect for all ages

Cons

• You have to press the mag release to easily insert the mag, an odd design choice

The Umarex MP5 BB Gun is for anyone looking for a semi-auto rifle that’s a ton of fun to shoot. It’s light and very handy, and the semi-auto action is a real blast. The sights are nice, and the gun is even compatible with a claw mount from real MP5s if you want to mount an optic.

The MP5 is a legendary SMG, and a BB gun model is an awesome way to have fun.

View at Airgun Depot

View at Sportsman’s Guide

4. Best BB Rifle #2: Crosman M4 Pneumatic Pump

The Crosman M4 Pneumatic Pump is a single-shot repeater that can shoot both BBs and pellets. As a BB gun, it can hold up to 350 rounds in its reservoir, enough for a whole day of shooting. The gun is dressed up like an M4 rifle that includes an adjustable stock, adjustable iron sights, sling loops, and a scope rail on the top.

The M4 pneumatic air gun is capable of slinging BBs at an impressive 625 feet per second. It’s rough and tough design looks great while still being ergonomic and practical. The pump is built into the forearm and is basically invisible when closed.

Features and Specs

• 350-shot BB reservoir and 5-Shot Pellet Clip
• 625-foot range per BB
• Supports mounts for lights, lasers, and optics

Pros

• Shoots both BBs and pellets
• Excellent iron sights
• Adjustable stock fits a variety of shooters

Cons

• Sights require a tool for adjustment

This is an excellent BB gun for new shooters learning how to safely handle a BB gun. The single-shot component makes shooters take their time and learn basic accuracy. The adjustable stock also helps fit the gun to most shooters, all in an overall lightweight package.

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View at Pyramyd Air

5. Best BB Gun for Kids: Daisy Pump BB Gun

BB guns are an excellent tool to teach the basics of marksmanship and safe weapons handling to kids.

The Daisy Pump BB Gun is hard to beat in this area. It’s a single shot gun with excellent sights (both a peep sight and an open rear sight), which means it will stress accuracy, and the BBs only move at 350 feet per second, which reduces the likelihood of a ricochet.

The Daisy Pump BB gun has a 50-shot capacity, but it, of course, must be pumped before each shot. It comes with a cross-bolt trigger block safety that works very well when the gun is not being fired. It’s easy to pump, and most kids will be ringing bullseyes before they know it.

Features and Specs

• Single-shot repeating design
• 50-round capacity
• Shots fire at 350 feet per second

Pros

• Fully adjustable iron sights
• Rear wood stock and pump
• Very accurate

Cons

• Heavy for a BB gun

The Daisy Pump Action BB Gun is an excellent tool for new shooters. It allows them to learn the skills necessary to use a rifle properly. It’s a reliable and accurate BB gun that will make backyard shenanigans great again.

View on Amazon

View at Airgun Depot

View at Sportsman’s Guide

6. Best Fully Automatic BB Gun: Crosman DPMS SBR

The AR-15 series of rifles is the most popular in the United States, so it makes sense that we’d see some BB gun models of the famed AR. The DPMS SBR is one such model. SBR stands for short-barreled rifle, but that’s not a worry when it comes to BB guns.

The DPMS SBR BB gun sports both full- and semi-auto configurations and comes modded out like any other modern tactical rifle. This in includes a railed handguard, a six-position stock, an angled foregrip, and flip-up iron sights.

The DPMS SBR by Crosman comes with a 25-round magazine and is powered by a 12-gram CO₂ cartridge, but the rifles look and handle like a real AR. The design makes it intuitive and easy to handle—perfect for all types of shooters. Flipping the switch to full-auto makes it an incredibly fun gun.

Features and Specs

• 25-round magazines
• CO₂ powered blowback action
• Comes with sights and angled foregrip

Pros

• Full-auto is a ton of fun
• Adjustable stock makes it a great gun for smaller shooters
• Looks and handles almost like a real AR

Cons

• Only comes with one magazine

The DPMS SBR is a great gun for someone just looking to have fun. If you want to dump tons of rounds in full-auto, this is the gun to use. It’s easy to control and handle, fits most shooters, and is quite light. The DPMS SBR is a rock-solid rifle, and the tactical look will surely draw in fans.

View at Airgun Depot

View at Pyramyd Air

View at Sportsman’s Guide

7. Best Lever-Action BB Gun: Daisy Red Ryder

The Daisy Red Ryder is the classic American BB gun. For most shooters, this is the gun that started it all, and the Red Ryder remains the best lever-action BB gun on the market. The Red Ryder BB gun works like an old cowboy rifle, with a working lever that puts a round in the chamber and sucks air in all at the same time.

The Red Ryder is a smooth-shooting and accurate little gun, with a fixed front and adjustable rear sight.

The Daisy Red Ryder is a very fun gun and provides that Old West feel with its wooden stock and forearm. The gun is also mostly made of metal and is rock-solid reliable. The gun can fire at 350 feet per second and has a massive 650-round BB reservoir. The Red Ryder allows anyone to get in some hardcore target practice and get their cowboy fix.

Features and Specs

• Features a cross-bolt push button safety
• Adjustable rear sight
• 350 FPS shots

Pros

• Very well made and durable
• Affordable
• Very easy to shoot

Cons

• Short length of pull

The Daisy Red Ryder is great for any new shooter, any kid who wants a BB gun, or anyone trying to recapture their time as a kid. It’s reliable and easy to shoot, but if you are a big guy like me, keep in mind that it’s small and light and made with kids in mind. The Daisy BB gun is an American Classic with a long history to boot.

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View at Cabela’s

8. Most Powerful BB Gun: Crosman Legacy 1000

Crosman is a big company that produces a wide variety of ultra-modern CO₂ powered air guns  as well as lower key traditional air guns. The Crosman Legacy 1000 harnesses the older design of the traditional air gun, but it’s popular and especially powerful.

It’s a variable air pump gun, meaning you can pump the gun multiple times to take in more air and be more powerful. It has the ability to fire both BBs and pellets and can launch a BB up to 800 feet per second.

The Crosman Legacy 1000 comes with a handy set of iron sights, but Crosman also includes a 4x fixed power scope. The gun is a bit heavy but is made for bigger shooters. It has a 17-round internal BB magazine and a cross-bolt safety. The Crosman Legacy 1000 comes with synthetic furniture and is available in a multitude of colors.

Features and Specs

• Variable pump air gun
• Steel BB velocity of 800 FPS
• Shoots BBs or pellets

Pros

• Comes with iron sights and an optic
• 17-round capacity is nice
• Easy and quick to pump

Cons

• Heavy at over 4 pounds

This is best for the more serious, more grown-up shooter. The included scope makes it easy to hit targets and knock over cans, a nice complement to its power. The included iron sights are always there for an extra challenge as well. This gun is also versatile with its ability to feed both pellets and BBs.

View on Amazon

View at Airgun Depot

What is a BB Gun?

A BB gun is most often a smoothbore air rifle that shoots perfectly round balls known as BBs. It’s pronounced “bee-bee gun,” and they are an American tradition. BB guns are simple and designed for recreational purposes (and sometimes for training purposes as well).

BB guns differ from pellet guns and airsoft guns significantly. Pellet guns are rifled and fire a somewhat conical projectile. They are typically more powerful than BB guns and can even be used for hunting. Some pellet guns get up to 35 in caliber, while BB guns always fire .177-sized BBs.

Airsoft guns typically shoot 6 mm plastic pellets and are safe to shoot at another person. Airsoft is a game based around shooting another person, and these guns are intended for that.

BB guns are not intended for shooting anything besides targets. They are not powerful enough to hunt with, but they are too damaging for shooting at another person.

BB guns are perfect as target guns and are remarkably affordable to shoot. The copper or steel pellets costs barely anything, and even CO₂ pellets for semi-auto guns are incredibly cheap.

Some BB guns are designed to be training guns and mimic actual handguns. They make practicing draws, trigger control, and proper gun safety possible without a real firearm.

How to Choose Your BB Gun

Single-Shot, Semi-Auto, or Full-Auto?

Single-shot BB guns are typically the cheapest and most common. A single-shot design may incorporate a reservoir for extra rounds to be held, but it still only shoots a single shot. Between each shot, the shooter has to make a manual action to load the next round.

A semi-auto gun is a repeater that self-loads the next round. This means it fires one round per pull of the trigger. This design is quite common and very popular. These guns are quite fun and do allow you to shoot quite quickly.

Full-auto BB guns allow you to fire multiple rounds per pull of the trigger. The gun will fire as long as you pull the trigger and as long as you have ammunition. They spew BBs at a rapid rate and aren’t particularly useful, but these guns are just fun—tons of fun.

CO₂-Powered, Lever-Action, or Pump-Action?

BB guns are powered by air. How they get that air is where things different. CO₂-powered guns doesn’t use air per se, but they use compressed CO₂ to project a BB down a barrel. CO₂ guns are most commonly semi-auto or full-auto, and they utilize small 12-gram CO₂ cartridges that plug into the gun.

These do require extra money due to the design of the cartridge.

Lever-action guns like the old school Red Rider utilize a pump activated by a lever. When cocked, the lever draws in air and loads the next round. The lever must be activated for every shot.

Pump guns feature an air pump often built in the front end. The shooter loads a round into the chamber and then pumps the gun to gather air to propel the round. The act of pumping the gun can be done once or over and over with some guns to gather more power behind the round.

What is Your Intended Purpose?

BB guns are typically made for shooters to have expensive fun at home, without the need for a literal gun range. Compared to other options, they are remarkably affordable to buy and supply. Since their first role is to just shoot and have fun, I prefer semi-autos and full-autos for fun times, but any BB gun can be fun.

When it comes to teaching shooters basic safety and handling skills, a good single-shot with iron sights is an excellent starting point. Single-shots will make beginners take their time, and that’s all that’s needed to help reinforce the basics of marksmanship and gun safety.

For more serious training purposes, you may need something more alike to your actual gun. This is very easy to do when it comes to handguns. There are lots of pistol BB guns designed to be direct replicas of most guns on the market.

What’s Your budget?

The final question is, what is your budget? A basic single-shot BB gun can be found for as little as 25 bucks, and as you get into more modern designs with CO₂-powered semi- or full-auto designs, we see prices rise.

When it comes to semi- and full-auto guns, you want to purchase a quality model from a dependable company. Cheaper models will not last long. If you want a higher end single-shot, you can certainly find them. They are often dual-use guns that fire both pellets and BBs, which is a nice combination

BB Gunned

BB guns are a ton of fun, especially to start a new shooter or train with an EDC wannabe. Easy to use at an at-home range, BB guns one of the cheapest ways to get into shooting. Check one out, and let us know what you think.

The post 8 Best BB Guns Reviewed (Kid-Friendly, Most Powerful) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

As the cold sets in you can’t wait to get back, grab a cup of coffee and start the crock pot full of rabbit stew. You move slowly, and you move carefully.

Your breath turns to steam it so cold, but it’s worth it. You know it when you see that little rabbit bouncing at the edge of a field.  

He’s in range, your airgun is ready, and so are you. You settle slowly into a sitting position, align your sights, and carefully squeeze the trigger.

The slight pop goes off, the gun’s little recoil distorts your vision and you see the rabbit run…

• What went wrong?
• Did you miss?
• Was the gun too weak to take the rabbit?  

Maybe it’s because you chose the wrong pellet pistol. Not just for hunting, but in general. Choosing the wrong pistol is going to lead down the wrong path.

You won’t ever be satisfied with an air pistol that doesn’t have what you need it to. It’s critical to not only purchase a quality airgun but an airgun aimed at your goals. There is no one air pistol that will do it all.  

Purchasing a substandard, underperforming air pistol is quite frustrating. If you want to avoid that feeling you need to keep reading.

We want to help you choose not only the highest quality air pistol but the best choice for the role at hand.  

 [toc]

The 6 Best Pellet Pistols of 2021: Outdoor Empire Reviews

These are our top recommendations for air pistols in 2021:

1. Best .22 PCP: Benjamin Marauder
2. Best CO2: Get the Gamo P-25
3. Best for self defense: Tippmann TiPX Mag Fed Paintball Pistol 
4. Best for the money: Crosman 2240
5. Next best for the money: American Classic Pistol
6. Best affordable: Umarex XBG

Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:

Product	Benjamin Marauder	Gamo P-25	Tippmann TiPX	Crosman 2240	Umarex XBG
Action	Bolt Action	Semi-Automatic	Semi-Automatic	Bolt Action	Semi-Automatic
Powerplant	PCP	CO2	CO2	CO2	CO2
Velocity	700 FPS	450 FPS	8 BPS	460 FPS	410 FPS
Caliber	.22	.177"	.68	.22"	.177
Capacity	1	16 rounds	7 balls	1	19
Weight	2.70 lbs	1.5 lbs	1.11 lbs	1.81 lbs	0.7 lbs
Cost	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

1. Best .22 PCP Pistol: Benjamin Marauder Woods Walker

When it comes to quality and durability it’s hard to beat the Benjamin Marauder. The Woods Walker is one of the most powerful air pistols chambered in the .22-caliber pellet.  

It’s designed to be both a hunting and a marksman’s tool. This PCP airgun throws .22-caliber pellets at a blistering 700 feet per second.

This PCP airgun allows the user to pre-charge the system to maximize power and FPS per shot. It also remains consistent shot after shot. 

The Marauder includes a built-in pressure gauge to observe just how powered up this airgun is. The Marauder is equipped with a two-stage match trigger that gives the user a consistent and smooth trigger pull.

The two-stage shot allows you to stage the trigger, and hold it right before it breaks. The Marauder is equipped with a noise dampening shroud that allows you to shoot quietly.  

Finally, the Marauder is a modular platform. You can equip a variety of upgrades including optics. You can also easily add a shoulder stock to the Marauder to aid in stabilizing the design.  

• Action – Single Shot Bolt action 
• Feet Per Second – 700  
• Caliber – .22 
• Capacity – 1 

2. Best CO2 Pistol

Gamo P-25

$80.32

View on Amazon View at Pyramyd Air

08/15/2023 05:10 am GMT

CO2 airguns are where things interesting if you are looking for a training or just general fun airgun a semi-automatic CO2 powered airgun is arguably the best option.  

There are tons and tons of high-quality CO2 semi-automatic airguns, but one that really stands out to me is the Gamo P25. The Gamo P-25 is a simple, affordable, but dynamic airgun. It’s a pellet gun that fires .177 rounds from a magazine.  

What really sets this CO2 airgun apart is its blowback design. A blowback design allows the slide to reciprocate as the airgun is fired.

While many airguns have a reciprocating-blowback design, very few do it at the Gamo P25’s price range. The P-25 is under a hundred bucks, and it is reliable as hell.

The Gamo P-25 features a metal slide and polymer frame, which makes it feel very realistic.  

The Gamo P-25 operates off a common 12-gram co2 cartridge and even comes with two magazines. It is a very interesting, and affordable design if you’re looking for a high-quality co2 powered airgun.  

• • Action – Semi automatic C02 powered 
  • Feet Per Second – 450 
  • Caliber – .177″  
  • Capacity – 16 rounds 

3. Best Air Pistol for Self Defense

Tippmann TiPX Mag Fed Paintball Pistol

$249.95

Pros:

• The CO2 canister remains sealed until you pull the trigger
• Fires less-than-lethal pepper or rubber balls
• Magazine fed
• Semi-automatic action

Cons:

• Maximum of 14 shots with a new CO2 canister at maximum velocity

View on Amazon

08/15/2023 05:15 am GMT

Air pistols do not produce the amount of energy necessary for self-defense projectiles. A particularly powerful air pistol might hit a dozen joules of energy. Weak 9-millimeter loads still hit almost 500 joules.

That’s not to say there’s no way an air pistol can be used for self-defense, though. Certain air pistols fire .68-caliber pepper balls, which are basically paintballs filled with pepper spray.

The Tippman TiPX is the best paintball pistol for this purpose.

It’s a magazine-fed air pistol that uses a 12-gram CO2 canister under the barrel to fire up to 25 pepper balls up to 150 feet.

However, you’ll want to adjust the speed to maximum to ensure the pepper balls break on the target, in which case you’ll still get 14 shots. Each magazine can hold seven pepper balls, and the air pistol comes with two magazines.

The CO2 canister isn’t pierced until you pull the trigger, so you can keep the TiPX loaded for extended periods of time without worry.

If you don’t like the idea of using pepper balls, then reusable, less-than-lethal rubber balls are available as well.

Pros

• The CO2 canister remains sealed until you pull the trigger
• Fires less-than-lethal pepper or rubber balls
• Magazine fed
• Semi-automatic action

Cons

• Maximum of 14 shots with a new CO2 canister at maximum velocity

The Tippman TiPX is a reliable air pistol that can carry a variety of less-than-lethal self-defense ammo without being a lethal firearm.

4. Best Air Pistol for the Money

Crosman 2240

$65.42

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08/15/2023 05:23 am GMT

If you are looking for a few quality choices for a good price I have two great little Crosman airguns.

I’d usually choose a single product for this category, but these two are close enough in price and function I couldn’t decide so you get both today.  

The first is the Crosman 2240 Bolt action handgun. The Crosman 2240 is a CO2 powered bolt action air pistol that’s designed for both accurate shooting and hunting. The 2240 fires a .22-caliber projectile at 460 feet per second.

This makes it a perfect choice for taking squirrel and even some rabbit at the right range.  

The 2240 is powered by a twelve-gram co2 cartridge and maximizes air pressure by utilizing a bolt action design.

It is also quite customizable and you can add a variety of different attachments. This includes suppressors, air rifle scopes, different sights, and more. Crossman provides an exceptional number of optional accessories.  

That’s not to say the design is flawed. For the price, it’s outstanding. It’s accurate, powerful, and equipped with a very high end set of iron sights that are easily adjustable.

The 2240 by Crosman is a good choice for the beginner and expert air gunner.  

• Action – Single Shot Bolt Action CO2 
• Feet Per Second – 460  
• Caliber – .22″
• Capacity – 1 

5. Next Best Air Pistol for the Money

American Classic Pistol

$59.99

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08/15/2023 05:29 am GMT

The Crosman’s 2240s brother, the American Classic is another great choice for all levels. Instead of being powered by a co2, it’s powered by a manual hand pump.  

The American Classic is a little better suited for hunting. It’s a .177 caliber pellet gun that can throw a projectile at a rapid 600 feet per second. This makes it ideal for small gun and pest hunting.

Although the .177 caliber means that it is only appropriate for very small game, such as rats.  

The American Classic as a pump gun makes it a better suited for those on a tight budget. You don’t have to buy 12-gram co2s. Just toss airgun pellets in it, pump it up and go.

It also features a robust set of iron sights that are easily adjustable and makes it a nice and precise choice for target shooting.  

• Action – Single shot pump action  
• Feet Per Second – 600 
• Caliber – .177″
• Capacity – 1 

You’d be well served by both the 2240 and American Classic; at their price, they are hard to beat.  

6. Best Affordable Air Pistol

Umarex XBG

$29.99

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08/15/2023 05:36 am GMT

If you are looking to save a little money, then I suggest going with the Umarex XBG. The XBG is a small CO2 powered semi-automatic pistol made by a very reputable airgun company.

This little gun replicates your modern compact pistols down to the 19-round capacity and integrated Picatinny rail.  

Saving money doesn’t just meaning saving money on the gun, but its ammo and power source too. This double action gun utilizes 12-gram CO2s and gets over a hundred shots per cartridge.

On top of that, it utilizes plastic BBs which are quite cheap and widely available.  

The Umarex XBG isn’t fancy, and that’s not a bad thing. It is durable, easy to shoot, and an excellent little gun to have some fun with. The modern and sleek design sports a realistic and comfortable grip, and a solid set of iron sights.

The pistol is great for kids, new shooters, and general plinking.  

• Action – Semi automatic CO2  
• Feet Per Second – 410  
• Caliber – .177 
• Capacity – 19 

View at Bass Pro Shops

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Important Choosing Factors

Use Case

The most important factor to consider when buying an air pistol is what exactly is it being used for.

It’s a very simple concept, but an important one to understand. If you have Concept A and buy a gun designed for Concept B you are going to have a bad time. Air pistols can be used for a wide variety of tasks, including: 

1. Hunting 

Hunting with an airgun requires a very specific type of airgun.

Air pistols for hunting animals like:

• squirrel and rabbit should be chambered in either .22 or .25 caliber
• .177 can be used to kill rats, small snakes, and other small pests

With too weak of a gun you’ll merely injure the animal. The weapon needs to be capable of taking an animal humanely, and it’s important these guns are accurate and equipped with solid sights.

It is also important to ensure airgun hunting is legal in your area.

2. Target Practice 

When it comes to target practice you can ease your selection process. With target practice, you can go with pretty much any air gun pistol you want. Plinking isn’t a crazy important task.

You simply want a reliable gun that’s fun and easy to shoot.  

3. Self Defense

Air pistols designed for self-defense should actually be capable of shutting an attacker down. You’ll likely want an air pistol capable of firing chemical irritant. This is the category users should be most cognizant of.

You need an extremely reliable, and capable weapon for self-defense. Your life is literally on the line.  

Self defense training

Many people use an air gun to simulate defensive firearms training when they can’t make it to a gun range. For self-defense training, you need a weapon close to your own in function.

You likely want semi-auto action, and an affordable source of ammo and CO2 since you will be shooting a lot.  

Air Pistol Action 

Action selection will be pretty critical to what your firearm is aimed at. The action of an airgun pistol can be broken down into:

• semi-automatic
• bolt action
• single shot
• revolving cylinder

The most powerful pellet pistols will traditionally be single shot or bolt action models. These actions allow for a greater seal that generates more air power.

Some high-end self-defense air pistols will utilize CO2, but will be relatively limited in shots fired.  

Air pistols designed for general target practice and self-defense training will often be semi-automatic or feature a revolving cylinder. These guns fire a single shot per trigger pull.

This replicates the action of actual handguns and gives you an action closer to your actual firearm. It also makes target practice a bit faster and bit more fun.  

Velocity  

Velocity is going to be a major consideration for hunting and self-defense pistols. Without proper velocity, you won’t have enough penetration to quickly and humanely taking game.

When it comes to self-defense you want the round to cause serious pain or disperse chemical irritants. Velocity for hunting with a 22 caliber projectile should be around the 450 feet per second range.  

When it comes to self-defense velocity will depend on the round itself. Rubber rounds should be hitting are around 300 feet per second in general.

It’s best to consult the ammunition manufacturer for a certain rounds effective velocity.  

Caliber Selection 

Calibers for airguns are varied but typically fall under 1 of 3 rounds with a 4th bearing mention. The most common calibers are:

• BB
• .17
• .22

The 4th is uncommon but shows up time to time, and it’s the .25 caliber.  

For general plinking and target practice, BBs are perfect. They are quite cheap and can be reused if collected in a trap. They are a bit too weak to hunt but perfect for plinking and self-defense training.

.177 is the smallest pellet gun caliber, and can be used for very small pest removal, but is ultimately better suited for target practice and self-defense shooting as well.  

Both .22 and 25 are serious calibers designed for hunting game under 6 pounds. It’s great for squirrels, pests, and even small rabbits if you know how to shoot.

However, the .22-caliber variety is much more common, and the pellets are much cheaper overall. 

Self-defense rounds tend to vary by gun. Most use a proprietary ammo designed for that particular air gun. The ammo itself is often hard rubber or some form of chemical irritant.  

Power Source 

Airgun pistols are traditionally powered by one of three sources. With the name air in the title, it isn’t hard to imagine by what.  

CO2 Cartridge

A wide variety of airguns will be charged via a CO2 cartridge. These guns take less effort to use, and the CO2 cartridges are common and affordable.

They allow an airgun to function as a semi-automatic, and make follow up shots faster. Even single shot powered CO2 guns are much faster to reload and fire than the alternatives.  

Break Barrel

One highly common means of operation for air guns pistol on the cheaper end are break action models. When the action is ‘broke’ open the pump sucks in a considerable amount of air and powers the gun.

These guns are traditionally low in velocity and are only single shot air guns. They are great for target practice and not much else.  

PCP

The third and final means of air powered air guns in PCP, or pre-charged pneumatics. These guns utilize a built-in pump to fill the gun’s tank.

This allows you to fill the tank and fire at a substantially higher FPS per shot than a break action. These are excellent hunting options and are often more affordable than CO2 powered hunting guns.  

Aired Up  

Airgun pistols are excellent little tools for a very wide variety of tasks. They can fill roles no other tool can, especially when it comes to building an at home shooting range.

Airgun pistols allow you to hunt, plink, train, and even potentially save your life. The key is knowing what does what and choosing accordingly.  

The Best Air Rifles of 2021: The Definitive Guide (In-Depth Reviews)

The post 6 Best Air Pistols Reviewed & Revealed (Hands-on Pellet Pistol Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

They are also used by police to blind an attacker without permanent damage and make an arrest safely. There are two common weapons that cause the aforementioned pain, blindness, and respiratory issues: pepper spray and tear gas.

• Pepper spray is a generic name for a weapon that utilizes oleoresin capsicum (OC), a chemical derived from cayenne peppers. “Pepper spray” is also a term used (incorrectly) for different types of pepper-based chemical weapons, including pepper gel and pepper foam weapons. We’ll cover all three a little later.

• The second weapon is tear gas. Tear gas, also known as CS gas, is a man-made combination of chemical irritants. CS is not naturally a gas and must be heated to become one. CS gas is also occasionally mixed with pepper spray, but that is the extent to which a civilian can purchase CS.

Tear gas is an area weapon that is difficult to use on a self-defense basis. Usually deployed from grenade-style devices, it’s primarily designed for crowd control during riots.

CS gas grenades can be extremely dangerous, and if activated in a room or building, they can cause permanent damage to that room. A CS gas grenade must be used in a safe location by a trained operator. Used correctly, it can be debilitating.

Because CS gas grenades are area weapons, they can be easier to escape from, and distance and well as the wind can determine their effectiveness.

Spray vs. Foam vs. Gel

Pepper-based weapons may go under the generic name pepper spray, but they are varied. The combination of tear gas and pepper spray can be used is any of these systems, but different combinations leads to different uses and different pros and cons.

Standard Pepper Spray

The most popular OC-based weapon is pepper spray. This was the original chemical irritant weapon invented by Mace. Pepper spray is small amount of OC mixed with a large amount of liquid, usually water.

Pepper spray remains popular for its cost, small size, and proven design. Pepper spray is the easiest OC weapon to use effectively with little training.

A pepper spray stream can have an effective stream of up to 20 feet with a large container. Most concealed-carry designs give around 10 feet of effective range. Most pepper sprays have a cone-shaped impact point. This allows for total coverage of the face very quickly and efficiently.

Pros

• Can be extremely small
• Cone-shaped spray makes hitting your target easy
• Most affordable option
• Proven and effective
• Has the largest number of options
• Offers the greatest number of bursts per ounce

Cons

• Can contaminate the environment
• OC weapon most affected by the blowback

Related: How To Use Pepper Spray On Animals To Fend Off Attacks

Pepper Gel

Pepper Gel also uses OC, like pepper spray, but instead of being mixed in water, the OC is mixed in a gel. This gel form gives it more weight, which allows for the longest effective range. Pepper gel can hit bad guys out to 25 feet.

Pepper gel also tends to stick to an enemy, making it difficult to see through or remove. This also means it causes more pain. The heavier weight o the gel, however, means you have fewer shots per ounce than pepper spray.

Pepper gel is popular for home defense due to its long range. It often comes in containers much larger than traditional pepper spray.

Pepper gel is better suited for indoor use because there is less blowback overall and less chance of contaminating furniture, floors, and walls. If there is contamination, cleanup is much easier than with pepper spray.

Pros

• Long range
• Sticks to an attacker
• Less chance of blowback
• Less chance of contamination

Cons

• More expensive than spray
• Fewer bursts per ounce
• Requires greater accuracy to be effective

Pepper Foam

Pepper Foam and pepper gel are very similar. The idea is the same: create a thicker substance that clings to an attacker. Foam is the easiest to clean of all these chemical-based weapons. Pepper foam has no blowback, and contamination is rare and easily dealt with.

Foam spreads into a cone-like shape and allows you to easily coat an opponent with very little difficulty. When the bad guy tries to rub the foam out of his eyes, he’s simply going to rub it in more and more.

Pepper foam is denser than spray, and this results in fewer blasts per ounce than pepper spray. Foam can be stored in smaller containers, but the overall range is only about 10 feet. It’s a combination of some of the features of both gel and spray.

Pros

• Clings to an attacker
• Very easy to clean up
• Less contamination
• Nearly impossible to remove from an attacker’s face
• Small, easily concealable containers
• Foam spreads when fired

Cons

• More expensive
• Fewer bursts per ounce

Combining Pepper Spray and Tear Gas

CS gas grenades and other CS weapons like foggers are not available to the general public, but pepper spray mixed with tear gas is a popular blend first pioneered by Mace. This combination gives a bigger bite than common pepper spray. It tends to cause severe skin irritation and long-lasting eye pain.

The blend of tear gas and pepper spray is a favorite of police forces due to its effectiveness. More companies have begun mixing tear gas and pepper spray to create a more effective blend.

The downside of this mix is the more severe blowback can have on the user. If sprayed into the wind, for example, the airborne spray can blow back onto the user and subject him or her to its effects.

Blowback is always an issue with pepper spray, but anytime pepper spray is made more potent, you can expect a more potent blowback.

Choosing Your Weapon

My personal choice for daily carry would likely be a small container of pepper spray. I can get a very small model of pepper spray that will allow me to conceal it easily. I would also prefer to keep pepper foam on me if I was going to be indoors for the majority of the day.

For a home defense situation, pepper gel would be the better choice for long-range, hard-hitting indoor performance.

All three pepper-based weapons have proven to be effective, and you’ll need to weigh your needs as well as your environment when choosing the right spray, gel, or foam for you.

Now that you have a better idea what type of protection you are looking for you can continue to our buyer guides:

Bear bear sprays

The post Pepper Spray Vs Gel Vs Foam Vs Tear Gas – Full Comparison! appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Scope mounts, or rings, are everywhere—some made with precision manufacturing in the US or Europe, others are barely held together Chinesium. Today we are talking scope mounts, from the types to height and quality we want to leave you covered for your next precision rifle build.

Types of Scope Mounts

There are two types of scope mounts for long range precision shooting. Admittedly there are other “mounts” that are designed for red dots to adapt them to Picatinny rails, and QD scope mounts intended for red dot tubes.

We aren’t talking about those today. We are talking about traditional scope mounts designed for long-range shooting with variable scopes. Those two types are single (or one-piece) scope mounts and scope ring (or two-piece) mounts.

Both are valid and very easy to use, and neither is better than the other. They simply have two distinct roles and offer shooters different options. Weighing your options is always important, and you’ll need a firm examination of your weapon system before choosing one or the other.

Hopefully, we can guide you on what works best for you, but ultimately it’s a decision you’ll have to make yourself.

Single-piece Scope Mount

A single-piece scope mount is two scope rings mounted to a single base. One-piece scope mounts are incredibly rigid and durable. One-piece mounts are perfect for high recoiling systems. Long-range rounds are typically very powerful rounds and are capable of some brutal recoil.

They are typically used on modern semi-automatics for a few different reasons. These mounts can push your scope forward, allowing the bell of the scope to sit above certain handguards. These mounts allow proper clearance for a long-range scope.

One-piece mounts ensure the two scope rings are always positioned perfectly in line with each other and set the proper distance away. One-piece mounts are a little heftier than two rings, but the increased strength may be a good mitigating factor.

One-piece mounts aren’t the best choice for bolt action guns, however, which are the most accurate and precise rifles out there. The issue here is that a single piece scope mount has to go above the action of the rifle.

This lowers clearance and makes it harder to load bolt actions, as well as unload and clear potential malfunctions. This is certainly something to consider when purchasing mounts.

Two-piece Rings

Two-piece rings are durable and much lighter than a one-piece mount. They are quite handy when it comes to bolt action rifles. Two-piece scope rings require proper alignment, which isn’t hard, just required. Two-piece rings can easily stay on an optic and be moved around from gun to gun with ease if you choose to do that.

Two-piece rings are light and handy, and best of all very affordable. A high-quality set of rings costs a lot less than an equally high-quality scope mount.

You have to aim to buy the right rings or mount for your particular set-up, and the first step is determining whether you need the old school two-piece scope rings or a single-piece scope mount.

Height

Scope rings and mounts come in different sizes: generally low, medium, high, and extra high. The height of your scope rings should be as low as possible. The lower it is, the easier it is to sight in. It will also allow you to make more adjustments, and it’ll create a more comfortable cheek weld.

So why wouldn’t everyone in the world use low mounts?

Well, the height of your scope will be determined by the size of your scope. Specifically the size of your scope objective lens.

Long-range scopes with large 56mm objective lenses are going to require a high or extra high rings. A 24 mm objective lens can be mounted nice and low.

If possible, check with your scope manufacturer and find out what ring height they say you need and go from there.

If not, there are calculators and charts online that will help you determine the right height rings. Unfortunately, the industry hasn’t standardized ring heights, so one company’s low maybe taller than another company’s low.

These calculators will tell you how much clearance you need, and you can simply look at the specs of the rings to determine if it’s enough.

Don’t forget to include the measurement of your objective lens cover if you are using one, as it will add a few MMS to your measurement. Just a little pro tip from someone who’s messed himself up once or twice.

Quality

The quality of your scope rings or single-piece mount cannot be overstated. For some reason, people will spend a grand on a rifle, 500 bucks on an optic, and then use 15 dollar rings. You want rings that are durable and strong and preferably made from a known manufacturer.

Vortex, Leupold, Warne, and many other companies produce scope rings at various budgets, but they are generally strong and perfect when appropriately applied.

A cheaper Leupold or Vortex set of rings wouldn’t go on a long-range build in 338 Lapua, but on a 22 LR rifle, they are perfect. You have to understand that different qualities and lines of rifle scope mounts are designed for different purposes. Choose one built for your specific purpose and be willing to spend the money.

Shots Fired

Scope rings or single-piece mounts are the glue that holds the gun together. A rifle can shoot true, and a scope can be precise, but without the firm hand of scope rings, these pieces of kit are useless. Quality scope rings or mounts are a big deal when it comes to placing precise rounds on a target.

A fraction of inch of give or wobble could be several inches once the bullet gets down range. Always take into account your scope rings and never underestimate their importance.

The post How to Choose A Scope Mount? (Scope Rings Vs 1-Piece Mount) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

These are called turrets, and they are by far the most important controls on your rifle scope.

Turrets allow you to zero your rifle scope, and they come in a wide variety of different configurations. You’ll find turrets on every rifle scope out there, from tiny red dots to massive long-distance rifle scopes.

What do turrets do exactly? What kind of turrets are out there? All good questions that I hope to answer today.

What Turrets Do?

The primary use of turrets is to zero your rifle scope. Zeroing is the process of adjusting your scope’s reticle until it aligns with where your rounds hit the target. If you are hitting low, you will adjust the scope to move the reticle higher.

Turrets allow you to make the adjustments necessary to get your rifle on target with extreme prejudice.

Turrets are positioned on the top and the sides of the optic:

Top turret

The top turret adjusts elevation. Elevation is the vertical plane of you rifle reticle. The reticle is moved up or down while zeroing. As bullets drop, you can also make adjustments in the field for a particular range to allow for bullet drop to take effect.

You can even zero your gun at multiple ranges and record the ‘dope’ necessary to make shots at different ranges. With the right turrets, you can make field adjustments to deal with bullet drop.

Side turret

The side turret is called the windage turret, and it affects the horizontal plane of your rifle scope. Adjustments are made to move the reticle to the right or the left.

Windage adjustments can be made in the field to deal with the wind, of course. You can never predict the weather, so when you hit the range you have to dial in the scope to deal with whatever windage conditions you have to deal with.

Parallax adjustment turret

A third turret you may see is parallax adjustment. Parallax is a finicky beast, but parallax adjustment can be quite handy when it comes to scope versatility. Parallax is what happens when the reticle is offset from the actual target.

Parallax is an optical illusion, and you can tell if you have parallax by moving your head and gazing slightly—if the reticle moves, your parallax is off.

A parallax adjustment turret allows you to adjust and correct this at the right ranges. Parallax adjustment is critical when it comes to precision shooting, and some optics will enable you to adjust for parallax from 10 yards to infinity.

Turret Types/Terminology

Exposed/Target Turrets

Exposed turrets have no cover or cap to protect them. 

These turrets are slow to make rapid adjustments but they are capable of being extremely precise if you need to hit a small target that’s far away.

These turrets are designed to make very fine adjustments, down to fractions of an inch.

They are often fingertip adjustable, although some may feature an Allen head style lock to keep the turrets from inadvertently moving. Exposed turrets are common in tactical and competition grade scopes.

Capped Turrets

Capped turrets can be tool-based or fingertip adjustable turrets. They are simply capped turrets that remain protected by a metal cap. Adjustments can’t be made while the turrets are capped, which prevents them from moving inadvertently.

Ballistic Turrets

Ballistic turrets are designed to allow shooters to save multiple zeroes essentially. These turrets have 100-yard increments that will enable you to adjust for different ranges instantly. Ballistic turrets are expensive but incredibly useful for rapid adjustments and for placing accurate shots at different ranges on the fly.

However, they are only instrumental with a laser range finder, or when shooting a known distance.

Fingertip Adjustable

Fingertip adjustable turrets are designed to make adjustments easy. You can make changes on the fly and compensate for distance and windage with ease. Fingertip turrets make tactile and audible clicks as you make the adjustments. These turrets can be bumped and moved if not equipped with a locking system.

Tool Adjustable

Tool-adjustable turrets require some small tool, be it a piece of brass, a coin, or screwdriver to move the turrets. This keeps the turrets from ever inadvertently being pushed or bumped, and it often lowers the price of an optic due to the simplicity of these turrets.

MIL VS MOA

MIL and MOA are both measurements used when it comes to adjusting scopes and using your turrets. MOA is the most common means to make adjustments to rifle scopes. MOA adjustments change with distance.

1 MOA is 1 inch at 100 yards, which makes changes a lot easier to make when zeroing and sighting in a scope.  One inch at 200 yards is .5 of an MOA. This is often considered a weakness when it comes to MOA.

MIL measurements are done in fractions of an actual MIL. A MIL at 100 yards is roughly 3.6 inches at 100 yards. MILs are measured in .10ths. The good thing about MILs is that a MIL is a MIL regardless of the range. It never changes.

MILs are often used for precision shooting, especially in the tactical realm. Military forces in particular use MILs for a variety of different weapon systems, like mortars and machine guns, so it makes sense to use MILs in that context. MILs can also be used to measure targets and then ultimately compensate for distance.

MILs rule the tactical world for good reason—once you are used to their adjustments, they are quicker, more precise, and ultimately the tactical choice.

MOA, on the other hand, is more common and very simple to use overall. They are user-friendly and more accessible for new shooters. You’ll find more MOA scopes out there, and they can still be an excellent place to start with precision shooting. Also, most red dot and short-range scopes will come in MOA over MIL.

Turrets and More

The key to understanding your optic is understanding your turrets. Turrets are the key to getting your scope to work, and to work well. Identifying your needs will help you identify the turrets you need, and ultimately the optic you need.

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