Best Scope for 200 Yards: Riflescope Buying Guide

Spoiler alert: The Vortex Optics’ 4-12x44mm 200-yard scope is the best scope right now. 

Not only is its minimalistic appearance appealing, but it’s also packed with superior features.

Whether you’re a novice, a pro, or just a casual reader, you’re free to skim through my guide and find the best scope for 200 yards for you!

Best Value

Bushnell Banner & Dusk & Dawn 4-12×40 Riflescope

• Magnification: 4-12x
• Diameter: 40mm
• Length: 16.4 in

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Best Overall

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12×44 BDC Riflescope

• Magnification: 4-12x
• Diameter: 44mm
• Length: 13.1 in

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Budget Pick

Simmons .22 MAG 3-9×32 Riflescope

• Magnification: 3-9x
• Diameter: 32mm
• Length: 12 in

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8 Best Rifle Scopes for 200 Yards

1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12×44 BDC Riflescope

BEST OVERALL

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For starters, the 4x-12x magnification and 44mm objective lens allow me to shoot at my desired 200 yards with enough image clarity and light.

With a minimum magnification power of 4x, this scope is capable of giving you a 24.7′ field of view. On the highest magnification power, it gives you 8.4‘.

I noticed it was kind of narrow for target shooting at 200 yards, so I recommend using lower levels with a FOV value like this.

Another great thing about this Vortex scope is that it offers you an option to choose from three reticle types:

• Dead-Hold BDC reticle
• V-Plex reticle
• V-Brite Illuminated reticle

Now, let’s see how each reticle improves your hunting game:

• BDC reticle is preferred by PROS because it helps them effectively correct the positioning of their crosshair, with windage and holdover problems in mind.
• V-Plex reticle, on the other hand, is very easy to use when shooting at short distances. Hunters mostly use it, but it’s versatile enough for different situations.
• V-Brite Illuminated reticle helps you shoot your target in low-light conditions, thanks to the illuminating center dot of the crosshair.

All these reticles are on SFP.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12×44 BDC Riflescope also has 3.9″ of eye relief. It’s long enough NOT to get hurt by your rifle’s recoil.

Since this is a modern riflescope, it’s equipped with a fast-focus eyepiece, saving me a lot of time in adjusting my focus and reticle.

This scope has resettable capped MOA turrets, with solid 4 MOA clicks needed to get 1″. The turrets are also finger-adjustable.

Here are my other FAVORITE things about this optic:

• With a tube size of 1 inch made from aircraft-grade aluminum, this scope becomes durable and shockproof.
• It’s also nitrogen-purged and its optics are O-ring sealed, providing you a waterproof and fog-proof experience.
• It may not have an adjustable parallax turret, but it’s fixed at 100 yards. You’re free to hunt at that distance WITHOUT WORRYING about inaccurate aiming.

This scope also has fully multi-coated lenses, which allowed me to see my targets even in low-light conditions or at the highest magnification.

With this, you won’t feel like there’s less light transmission at all.

Finally, its dimensions are 13.1″ in length and 17.2 oz. in weight, which is just enough for me.

Is Vortex Riflescope Right for You?

If you’re looking for a long-lasting, high-quality hunting scope, then I’d say this is definitely the best rifle scope for you.

2. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 4-12×40 Riflescope

BEST VALUE

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Similar to the Vortex Crossfire II, I got a good amount of light and magnification with the Bushnell Banner Dusk and Dawn.

With a magnification of 4x-12x and a 40mm objective lens, this scope is perfect for 200 yards!

This scope uses a Multi-X reticle, which is very similar to a Duplex; the only difference is that the Multi-X has thinner posts/beams.

Since I use Duplex reticles more often, I was glad that it didn’t take me long to get used to the Multi-X one.

And just like the other scopes, its reticle is also located on SFP.

Sadly though, despite its good magnification range and FOV, the Bushnell rifle scope only has 3.3″ of eye relief.

However, I think it compensates for it with its fast-focus eyepiece.

Its resettable capped turrets are also MOA-based and finger-adjustable. 1 MOA click gives you 1/4″ as well.

One thing I love about this rifle scope is it features an adjustable objective for parallax. 

It’s great for 10 yards up to infinity! Finally, no more floating reticles.

Designed with a fully multi-coated optical system, you won’t have to worry about having thick optics because it’s anti-reflective. 

You can use this scope ANY TIME OF THE DAY!

Its tube also has a 1″ diameter, and it’s argon-purged, so it’s fog-resistant. Optics are O-ring sealed, too, so it can’t be bothered by water.

All these put together, how can it not be the Best Value?!

Is the Bushnell Riflescope Right for You?

I think it’s pretty awesome for its value!

It doesn’t cost diamonds and still provides more than what you need for shooting at 200 yards. It’s even good enough for first-time users.

This particular rifle scope is specifically made for rimfire shooting, so if you’re into that, look no further!

3. Simmons .22 MAG 3-9×32 Riflescope

BEST BUDGET PICK

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Simmons gives you a 3-9x magnification range and a 32mm objective lens, which is still solid for 200 yards despite having fewer optics than other scopes.

Plus, it has a 33” field of view on the lowest range and 11” on the highest. It’s pretty great when it comes to shooting at 200 yards.

The FOV is large enough that I can see more of the view and more targets besides my current.

This riflescope is also equipped with a Truplex reticle, which is basically a Duplex again. Simmons just named it differently. 

I’ve found that it’s the EASIEST one to use because it works with ANY caliber. Once again, the reticle is on SFP.

This scope also has an average eye relief of 3.75″ and is equipped with a fast-focus eyepiece, which I’m happy with!

Simmons’ riflescope has finger-adjustable capped turrets. 

It has SureGrip rubber on the surface, which allows you to adjust turrets EASILY under heavy weather.

Want something sweeter for your next hunt?

• An adjustable parallax from 50 yards to infinity.
• Its optics are fully multi-coated, making it resistant to scratches and reflection.
• Its tube is 1″ and nitrogen-filled, meaning it’s fog-proof.
• Its lens is O-ring sealed, so it keeps the water out. It’s also coated with HydroShield for protection against weather conditions.
• This scope feels small and light – with only 10 oz. weight and 12″ length, you’ll be able to bring this scope anywhere WITHOUT hassle.

Is Simmons Riflescope Right for You?

Among all scopes, this is the best scope for people who are just starting out. I recommend this if you want an affordable but fine-quality scope.

Ideal for rimfire shooting, this will help you deliver exceptional performance.

4. Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope

BEST EYE RELIEF

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This scope has magnification power ranging from 3.5x to 10x and a 40mm objective lens; smaller magnification but still works for me!

In its lowest magnification setting, you’ll get a 29.8′ field of view; in the highest setting, you’ll get an 11′. 

This is WIDE enough to see the whole environment even if you’re 200 yards away.

Unlike Vortex, this scope only offers 1 reticle option, which is a Duplex reticle – great to use for shooting fast-moving targets. I definitely recommend it for a hunter!

Its reticle is also on SFP.

Among all scopes, this scope is the champion in terms of eye relief, which comes at 4.4 inches at its lowest power.

That much eye relief for such a short distance is quite unheard of since most scopes with eye relief above 4” are usually for long-range shooting!

All of its MOA-based turrets are also finger-adjustable. The adjustment value per MOA click is 1/4 as well.

In addition to that, the Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope is also parallax-free at 150 yards.

Its lenses are covered with Diamondcoat 2, providing sufficient light transmission for your scope!

I must thank Leupold for providing me with the Twilight Max Light Management System. Even the faintest shooting environments looked well-lit!

Its 1-inch tube is also made from aircraft-grade aluminum, so you can expect it to take beatings like a pro!

When I heard it was waterproof AND fog-proof, I decided to test it out for myself in the rain and during foggy mornings.

True enough, the scope worked just fine as if I just got it! It also has the capability to work in temperatures between 40ºF to 160ºF!

Last but not least, the cherry on top is the lightweight and portability.

Is Leupold Riflescope Right for You?

Leupold VX-3i is a black matte riflescope with a design that I think will appeal to minimalist enthusiasts.

Being known for having the best eye reliefs, Leupold VX 3i is great for those who want a sense of security in their eyes when they’re under recoil.

Unfortunately, there’s a big snag I haven’t mentioned yet: This 200-yard scope has been discontinued.

But for the purposes of checking its more detailed information as well as its reviews, you can still check it out on Amazon.

Though you can still check out other VX-3i scopes too. They’re still available.

5. UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope

BEST FOV

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UTG’s variable scope has a magnification range of 3-12x. It also has an objective lens diameter of 30mm. I have to admit, this is a little overkill for a rifle scope you’ll only be using at 200 yards.

Imagine this: a broad field of view with 34′ on 3x power and 8.5′ on 12x power. It’s the BEST among all scopes in terms of FOV. With this, your scoping ability at 200 yards will be unmatched.

It also uses a MIL-Dot reticle which is often compared to a BDC reticle. That’s because they’re both used to compensate for gravity’s effect on bullets since they have measurement patterns along their axes.

NOTE: I don’t recommend this scope for beginners since it requires calculations to be able to drop your bullet exactly where you want.

This reticle is capable of changing colors in 36 different styles. You can switch colors with just one click!

Just a little bit of practice at a shooting range is all you need. After that, you’re good to go.

Thanks to its unique multi-emerald coating, this scope provides the best light transmission possible.

Also, as you can guess, this scope is also placed on SFP. Now comes its unique downside.

Regarding eye relief, this UTG scope only offers 3.3″. You have to be close enough to the ocular lens to get a full image.

Its target-type turrets are also zero-locking and resetting, with 1/4″ MOA per click on windage and elevation.

Luckily, the UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope has a parallax adjustment turret up to 10 yards and infinity. UTG has a specific name for this turret: the Side Wheel Adjustable Turret (SWAT).

Its 30mm tube is also nitrogen-filled, giving you a shock, water, and fog-proof experience.

Given its large and thick lenses, I found it fairly heavy, especially with a dimension of 10.39″ in length and 22.7 oz. in weight.

Is UTG Riflescope Right for You?

The UTG is a compact scope with 10.39 x 1.57 x 2.09″ dimensions.

For those looking for a wide FOV, look no further because this UTG compact scope provides what you’re looking for!

It’s versatile – I’d strongly recommend it for 200 yards and beyond target shooting.

6. Athlon Optics Neos 4-12×40 Riflescope

BEST IN RECOIL RESISTANCE

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With a 4-12x magnification range, you’ll be able to see well enough to spot your target easily, especially when you’re shooting at a fairly short range. Its objective lens size is also 40mm.

It has a 27.25′ field of view at the lowest magnification and 8.9′ at the highest. I’d say that’s fairly standard for 200 yards.

As long as you can see your target and background well, you’re set.

Now, with this hunting scope, you have 3 reticle options (Center X, BDC 500 IR, and 22 Rimfire):

• Center X reticle lets you aim at your target fast without getting your reticle shifted to other directions.
• BDC 500 IR provides you with an illuminating center crosshair to see your target clearly, even in low-light conditions.
• And 22 Rimfire is most suited for rimfire shooting to easily calculate how much you need to adjust turrets to compensate for bullet drop.

All these are located on SFP too.

I was a little disappointed in this scope’s eye relief. It’s very short, at only 3″.

Windage and elevation are capped and finger-adjustable. 4 MOA clicks are also needed to get 1″.

It has an adjustable parallax turret at the side. It’s capable of giving you focus from 10 yards to infinity.

Despite what I said about its eye relief, its fully multi-coated optical system provides effective light transmission. I was able to see my target clearly, even during early morning hunting situations.

The tube has a size of 1″, and it’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum material. It’s nitrogen-purged, and its lens is O-ring sealed, so it’s resistant to water and fog.

And, being able to withstand 1000G recoil 1000 times, this optic gives you ultimate recoil resistance. This is one of the most stable scopes I’ve tried that can perform well under heavy recoil.

Is Athlon Optics Riflescope Right for You?

This scope is ideal for game hunting, but it can be used for other sports types as well. If you’re active in 200 yards-shooting games, this one’s for you.

7. Pinty 3-9×32 Riflescope

BEST IN LOW LIGHT

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This scope has a 3-9x magnification and a 32 mm objective lens. This isn’t as wide as other scopes I’ve tried, but it should do fine at 200 yards. I recommend using this at short range.

With this, you get a 27′ field of view at the lowest magnification and 10′ at the highest magnification. You’ll still be able to check the scene extensively with this average value.

I will say that Pinto is more than just the features. For starters:

• Its main body, which is the scope itself, is equipped with a rangefinder reticle that’s placed on SFP. This allows you to roughly estimate the distance between you and your target. Its reticle has 2 colors: green and red. You can switch them anytime.
• Has a reflex sight that offers unlimited eye relief, so even if you’re far from its lens, you can still see the full image. It has a red/green center dot in the center.
• Has a green laser sight attached to the left side of the scope. This provides a visual reference point, so you’ll know if you’re aiming at your target in the right place (reaches a distance of up to 300 meters).
• Furthermore, low-light conditions aren’t a problem. At. All. You can adjust the brightness up to 5 levels so that if you’re in a dark place, your aim will still be visible.

However, the 3.4″ eye relief is quite short. You’ll be fine as long as you’re careful.

It has fully multi-coated lenses, too, and they’re O-ring sealed, so they’re waterproof. It’s also nitrogen-filled to ensure you’ll still have a clear view, even when shooting under misty weather.

I wasn’t able to weigh my unit, but it felt fairly heavy when I was using it.

Is Pinty Riflescope Right for You?

Pinty’s sturdy scope is great for those who need a scope suited better at night or just in dark places in general. You’ll be able to fully utilize its features when using it in the dark.

8. Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm BDC Riflescope

BEST IN LONG-RANGE SHOOTING

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The Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Riflescope has a WIDE magnification – with 4-14x power, great for long-range shooting!

You’ll be able to scope out even beyond 200 yards. This Primary Arms tactical range-estimating scope has a fairly wide range, even when compared to other scopes I’ve tried.

Its field of view is up to 27.2′ in the lowest range and 7.85′ in the highest range.

This long-range scope also features an ACSS HUD DMR reticle that works for .308 Winchester and .223 Remington loads. This reticle is actually a BDC reticle type.

It helps you estimate what kind of adjustments you need to make to zero your target.

And among all of the rifle scopes I’ve covered here, the Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP scope is the ONLY ONE that’s FFP.

The eye relief is fairly short at only 3.22″. However, it has a fast-focus eyepiece.

Its tactical-style turret is zero-reset and is measured in MIL. The click value is 0.1. This is also different among other scopes because the rest use MOA.

I understand that this can be a bit confusing for beginners, but if you’re more comfortable using the metric system, then you’ll be fine.

Now, here comes the finale:

• This Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP scope has an adjustable parallax turret on the left side, meaning that whenever you’re experiencing a reticle issue, you can adjust it anytime.
• It’s shock, water, and fog-resistant.
• Made of high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum, so it’s guaranteed to last long in your hands.

Is Primary Arms Riflescope Right for You?

The Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP scope is one of the best rifle scopes for 200 yards because of its long-range shooting capabilities.

I just need to tell you about the price tag since it might turn you off.

Looking for the Best Scope for 200 Yards?

The specifications of riflescopes can be quite technical, so after reading my list, I’ll cover some crucial rifle scopes basics first.

Objective Lens

A riflescope typically has two lenses:

• The ocular lens is the lens closest to your eye – it’s where you peek.
• The objective lens is the bigger lens you’ll see on the opposite side of the ocular lens.

The objective lens is bigger because it’s the one responsible for transmitting light back to the ocular lens.

Meanwhile, an ocular lens is smaller to help you focus on the light that’s being received from the opposite side.

The larger the objective lens, the more light transmission you’ll get, and better image quality, allowing you to see a brighter image.

That’ll help when you’re in low-light conditions!

Magnification Scope

Magnification makes your target appears CLOSER than its actual distance. When you look through your scope, everything is zoomed in.

There are different magnification levels on a scope; it can be 3-9x, 4-12x, or anything.

For this example, I’ll go with a 3-9x scope.

This means that at 200 yards, it’s capable of magnifying images between 3 to 9 times and anywhere in between.

If you set your magnification at 3x, the target that you see will appear 3 times closer. The same goes for any magnification level you set it at.

This type of scope is called variable scope because you can set it at any magnification level.

Take note:

• A higher magnification level allows you to see your target in more detail, but the scopes will be ineffective in low-light conditions.
• Higher magnification levels are equipped with more optics. Thicker optics are more likely to reflect light back rather than receive it.

If you’re looking for scopes with loooong-range capabilities, you can check out my Buying Guide on 1000-Yard Riflescopes for some options.

Reticle

Visual markers you see when you look through scopes. It helps you aim at your target precisely.

Focal Plane

Your scopes can either have a First Focal Plane or Second Focal Plane Reticle.

• First Focal Plane – Your reticle will appear to have changed as you adjust magnification levels.
• Second Focal Plane – Your reticle will always appear the same regardless of your magnification level.

Parallax Error

In my experience, parallax error happens when you keep fiddling around with your magnification scope.

As you move your eye around, the scope’s aim will seem to have moved too in relation to your eye. It will seem like the scope’s aim is floating around.

Turrets

There are 3 types:

• Windage: Adjusts your reticle horizontally.
• Elevation: Adjusts your reticle vertically.
• Parallax: Fixes the parallax error (some rifle scopes features adjustable objective lens for parallax)

These benefit bullet drop compensation (BDC) scopes the most because their reticles have patterns that indicate bullet drop precision over specific shooting distances.

Minute of Angle/Milliradians

MOA/MIL are scope angular measurements that shooters use to measure their accuracy when firing a weapon.

Eyepiece

The eyepiece is what houses the ocular lens.

Fast-focus is an eyepiece type that allows you to easily adjust the diopter settings on scopes to make your reticle sharp.

Eye Relief

This is the distance between the ocular lens and your eye from which you’ll be able to see the full image from the scope.

For this one, the longer, the better. I recommend getting a scope with longer eye relief to avoid a nasty scope bite!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Best Magnification for 200 Yards?

I would recommend a magnification of 3-9x or 4-12x as these are not too large that your field of view decreases nor too small that you can barely see your target.

These ranges should provide you with enough zooming for you to and a shot at a close range of 200 yards.

It depends on what you, the shooter, need for your given situation.

What is the Best Reticle for Shooting at 200 Yards?

If you’re just shooting casually, a simple Duplex reticle should be enough, which is what I mostly use.

However, if you’re trying to improve your skills and accuracy, you can use a Mil-Dot or BDC for super-precise shots.

Just like magnification, your reticle of choice depends on what you need.

What is the Best Objective Lens Size for Shooting at 200 Yards?

40mm – 50mm should allow enough light to pass through for a 200-yard session.

Most of the scopes I’ve used at 200 yards use this objective lens diameter. They let in just the right amount of light in, even in low-light situations.

My Top Picks

Now for my top scopes for 200 yards shooting:

Best Overall: Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12×44 Rifle Scope

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12×44 Rifle Scope is an excellent rifle scope for 200 yards. I’m not just talking about its features, but about their customers’ trust as well.

Nothing is more reassuring than seeing how customers react to a certain product.

And while it may have a downside, I don’t think it’ll hinder your accuracy or shooting experience too much. Every product has disadvantages. It just depends on how you use it.

Unless the manufacturer’s the real failure here…

All in all, the features and reviews are superb. I’d buy Vortex Optics Crossfire II in an instant if I were you. It’s no doubt the best scope for 200 yards here.

Best Value: Bushnell Banner & Dusk & Dawn 4-12×40 Riflescope

You might disagree with me and say there are far better scopes for 200 yards than what the Bushnell Banner & Dusk & Dawn 4-12×40 Riflescope offers.

But as great as those other scopes for 200 yards look, what caught my eye was the Multi-X reticle. Sure, its eye-relief is pretty short.

However, the Bushnell Banner scope is the perfect choice for a hunter looking to hunt BIG GAME while still expecting clear, crisp, and bright images on their target.

Now, mind you: this is one of the few scopes that allow you to solve your floating reticle & parallax error problem relatively easier than most out there.

That means even beginners will find this scope handy!

Best Budget Pick: Simmons 3-9x32mm Rifle Scope

It’s hard to say no to the best rifle scope at 200 yards for a crazy affordable price!

Not that I’m prioritizing cost over quality, but imagine, for less than $50, you get to have almost EVERYTHING with the Simmons 3-9x32mm Rifle Scope.

Now, despite the decent features of this scope and solid shooting distance, you also can’t expect this scope to be as durable as the others.

Nevertheless, it’s still pretty amazing that they managed to offer so many amazing features at an approachable price point.

For beginner shooters, you may want to start with this budget option because you’ll get A LOT for less than $50. I’m telling you, it’s worth it!

FINAL TIP: If you’re on a BUDGET, you could also take a look at my Buying Guide on Scopes under $500 for some top-value picks.