Three gun matches are gaining more and more popularity, and for good reason: they’re a lot of fun, and it’s exciting to compete with different handguns, shotguns, and rifles. A common question is, ”what 3 gun scope should I use?” There are a lot of options to choose from, especially since each type of gun has different requirements.
We’ve compiled a list of the best 3 gun scopes we could find. Later, we’ll announce what we think is the best 3 gun scope. Since a 3 gun match usually requires a different type of scope for each gun, it’s hard to pinpoint a single best 3 gun optic, so always consider what your needs will be when picking a scope for your firearm.
Burris Fastfire III |
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$208 Shop NowClick to read my review | |
Vortex Optics SPARC 2 |
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$129 Shop NowClick to read my review | |
Bushnell AR Drop Zone |
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$165 Shop NowClick to read my review | |
Trijicon Sealed Reflex Sight |
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$495 Shop NowClick to read my review | |
Hammers Muzzle Loader Scope |
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$122 Shop NowClick to read my review |
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Things To Consider When Buying A 3 Gun Scope
When it comes to selecting the best 3 gun scope, it is important to know the factors to consider when purchasing a scope so that will you know exactly what you want in scope in terms of features, materials, performance and etc.
Magnification
To improve aiming, get a scope that allows you to shoot with both eyes open to help you find targets faster. So, if you’re shooting targets of varying sizes, distances, and locations. It’s best to get a scope with variable power and at least 1x magnification.
Scope Reticle
Another factor to consider when purchasing a 3 gun scope is the reticle. It should be versatile enough to draw your eye to the center for close-range shooting while also having multiple aiming points for long-range targets so that you can hit your target accurately.
Eye Relief
When selecting a riflescope, it is important to consider eye relief because it increases the user’s safety, especially when you are using lightweight rifles. It will also protect your eyes from heavy recoil. The greater the eye relief, the better.
Durability
When it comes to 3 gun competitions, there is a lot of running and moving around. As a result, your scope should be able to withstand any adverse conditions. It should be waterproof and fog-proof to maintain its good performance.
Now that we’ve seen the factors to consider when choosing and purchasing a 3 gun scope, let’s move on to our top picks.
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Best 3 Gun Scopes
Burris Fastfire III
Materials – The Burris Fastfire III is an all-black 3 gun optic that is just over 7 inches long and is incredibly lightweight. It has a 3 MOA dot reticle and three levels of brightness, as well as an automatic brightness setting. The Burris Fastfire III has windage and elevation adjustments that can be used without requiring any tools, and the battery compartment is also accessible from the top of the sight. This 3 gun scope can be used for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. It comes with a Picatinny rail mount, but its versatility allows it to mount on other bases. The Burris Fastfire III also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Performance – First of all, we love that the Burris Fastfire III is truly a 3 gun scope that can be used on all three types of guns. The compact size and lightweight make it easy to transfer and won’t interfere with precision shooting. We did note that there needed to be quite a bit of adjustment with the brightness levels for the red dot to come into focus, but, that aside, the Burris Fastfire III got the job done.
What we say – The Burris Fastfire III is a great standard 3 gun scope that can be used with a variety of guns and mounts. We love that this optic doesn’t require any tooling for adjustments, so adjusting the scope to each type of firearm can be fairly painless. For about $210, the Burris Fastfire III is one of the best 3 gun optics on the market.
- Low cost
- Lightweight and compact
- Adjustments donât require tools
- Red dot sight can get a little blurry
- Brightness levels need frequent adjustments
Vortex Optics SPARC 2
Materials – The Vortex Optics SPARC 2 is one of the more high-tech 3 gun rifle scopes that comes in all black. It has multiple anti-reflective coatings on all exterior glass for optimal light transmission. The bright red dot display is highly visible during daylight, and the battery life lasts up to 5000 hours at minimum brightness levels (300 hours at maximum). There are O-ring seals to make the Vortex Optics SPARC 2 completely waterproof and fog proof. This SPARC 2 can fit nearly any firearm, but it works best as a 3 gun rifle scope, specifically AR 15s. It does not come with any mounts, but it fits most standard Weaver and Picatinny bases.
Performance – The Vortex Optics SPARC 2 is like the big brother of the Burris Fastfire. While on paper, it delivers the same features, it is far superior in technology and ability. We were very impressed by the long battery life. Although the red dot sight is very bright and visible, the dot appears to be more of an asterisk or star shape. We also noticed that a cheaper price means some cheaper materials. The body of the Vortex Optics SPARC 2 is sound and durable, but adjust knobs seem to come loose.
What we say – Despite any complaints, we think the Vortex Optics SPARC 2 is one of the best 3 gun rifles scopes on the market and possibly the best 3 gun scope altogether. Vortex is a very reliable brand, and it was even listed by Shooting Illustrated as possibly the best 3 gun scope 2015. Its compact size and versatility make this a great optic to acquire, and a $187 price tag doesn’t make us feel like we’re making a risky investment.
- Low cost
- Long battery life
- Water/fog proof
- Fits almost any firearm
- Red dot is bright but not clear
- Small pieces are cheaper than the body
Bushnell AR Drop Zone
Materials – The Bushnell AR Drop Zone is made of black aluminum alloy with an anodized finish. The optics are multi-coated for prime light transmission, and it’s designed to work best in close quarters or mid-range combat, due to its 4x power magnification. The Bushnell AR Drop Zone is also designed to work around the .223/5.56 round. It has a bullet drop compensator for popular bullet weights as well as target turrets for making precise adjustments before shooting. This 3 gun optic is a little longer and heavier than most, coming in at 9.5 inches long and just over 1 pound in weight.
Performance – The Bushnell AR Drop Zone 3 gun optics are best to use with AR 15 rifles. This is a very durable 3 gun scope that is very precise and accurate. However, the weight can really become an issue, especially if you’re not used to that much additional weight on top of your rifle. Long-range shooting is pretty much out of the question for this scope, but it performs admirably in short and mid-range obstacles.
What we say – If you intend to do some long-range shooting, move on to the next scope. The Bushnell AR Drop Zone is great for shorter ranges, and once we got around the weight, we really enjoyed how precise the adjustments are and how perfectly designed it is for popular rifle calibers. While it’s not one of the best versatile 3 gun scopes, it can definitely be a top pick for a shooter who knows they’ll utilize this scope for its design and intent. The Bushnell AR Drop Zone sells for about $133 online.
- Low cost
- Perfect for AR 15
- Bullet drop compensator
- Bigger and heavier than other scopes
- Limited use
- No long-range shooting
Trijicon Sealed Reflex Sight
Materials – The Trijicon Sealed Reflex Sight is a much smaller, non-tubular 3 gun optic with a 28mm aperture for a large field of view. There is a 1.75 MOA dot for precise targeting, and it comes with 10 brightness levels. The Trijicon Sealed Reflex Sight is powered by both a AA battery and an innovative solar cell, so battery replacement is easy and cheap. The sight takes up minimal rail space and is incredibly durable.
Performance – When we say durable, we mean durable. Trijicon makes very strong products, and this SRS is no exception. The small size is also a plus here, as it requires fewer adjustments than a singular tube scope would. The small MOA dot is great for long-distance accuracy, and this 3 gun scope has the most brightness levels of all the other scopes reviewed on this list. The only flaw is there is a noticeable glare from the electronics within the sight. It seems the glare will sometimes go away, but this is a common complaint.
What we say – Although we still consider the Trijicon Sealed Reflex Sight one of the best 3 gun scopes, we are a little on the fence, due to the complaints about glares. Otherwise, everything is a ”thumbs up” from us. A solar panel and AA battery combo isn’t very common, but we really appreciate how easy and cheap it is to replace battery life. The smaller, the better, so the Trijicon Sealed Reflex Sight is great for anyone who seems to find a lot of inconvenience with tube 3 gun scopes. The only other thing is that this scope isn’t cheap. It goes for just under $950, so you should be well-versed in 3 gun scopes and have a strong familiarity with Trijicon products. If you trust the brand, and you want to go beyond a standard 3 gun optic, then the Trijicon Sealed Reflex Sight is definitely an investment you should consider.
- 1.75 MOA dot
- 10 brightness levels
- Solar and AA battery power combo
- 28mm aperture
- Very high cost
- Possible glare from internal components
Hammers Muzzle Loader Scope
Materials – The Hammers Muzzle Loader Scope is a well-made optic with excellent quality and features. Its body is made of a smooth matte black finish and has a large external windage and elevation screw that is easy and quick to adjust and can be reset to 0 after adjustments. It’s very easy to use because of its lightweight design, and you won’t notice its weight because it’s only 12.6oz. This scope has multi-coated optics that will provide you with a clear and sharp image.
Performance – This scope offers quick targeting in low light conditions as well as fine line circles and reticles for pinpoint accuracy. Another advantage of this scope in terms of performance is that it provides plenty of eye relief. So you can avoid straining your eyes and easily focus on your target when using it. This scope is ideal for precision shooting and is also suitable for rifles with heavy recoil.
What we say – The Hammers Muzzle Loader Scope is another great budget-friendly scope that only costs are a little more than the other 3-Gun scope available in the market today. It costs slightly less than $130 online, making it both affordable and feature-rich. If you enjoy slug hunting or game shooting on a budget, this scope is a real performer.
- Internally reinforced to deal with shocks
- Extended eye relief
- Lightweight and easy setup
- Affordable
- A bit bulky
Our Favorite 3 Gun Scope
Our decision was unanimous: we voted the Vortex Optics SPARC 2 as the best 3 gun scope on our list. It’s in the perfect price range, and there’s a great balance between materials and performance. Although we had the minor complaint of some adjustment knobs feeling a little cheap, the allover durability of this scope is fantastic, and it’s both waterproof and fog proof, which none of the other scopes seemed to boast. The battery life of the Vortex Optics SPARC 2 is astounding because it can last up to 5000 hours, and a high brightness level really isn’t necessary. The price allows for shelling out for the proper mounts and any additional adjustments you may need to make. We could easily suggest that the Vortex Optics SPARC 2 is the best 3 gun scope.