Best New Rifle Scopes of 2026: LPVOs, Hunting & Long Range
Looking for the new rifle scopes 2026? Here is every one we track with price, specs links and release date. American shooters have more choice than ever, and 2026 proves it. We track 11 rifle scopes from 8 brands, from the day they were announced to the day they actually ship. 11 are shipping now.
Every product below links to its source and shows its current status and manufacturer MSRP. Status checks are dated on each product page, so you know how fresh the info is before you head to the counter.
ACOG Compact 1.5x16S / 2x20 (new RTR options)
V3 Riflescope Line
Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP
Thrive 1-10x24 SFP LPVO
AMG 1-10x24 FFP
Credo HX (2.5-10x56 / 2.5-15x42 / 2.5-15x56 / 4-16x50)
Vantage HD 34 FFP
Veracity (2026 redesign)
Vudu 4-12x36 FFP
NX6 Riflescope Family
Razor HD Gen III 4-24x44 FFP
The 2026 rifle scope landscape
2026 was a big year for magnified glass. Vortex launched the made-in-USA AMG 1-10x24 LPVO and refreshed the Strike Eagle 1-10x24 in first focal plane. Nightforce's NX6 family now runs from 1-6x to 6-36x. Hunters got Trijicon's Credo HX, a redesigned Burris Veracity and Zeiss's new V3 line, while EOTECH shrank a 4-12x FFP scope to 7.1 inches and Trijicon gave its ACOG Compact a new RTR reticle. Below are our picks by job, with each maker's own specs and price.
Picks by use case
These picks are based on maker specs, price and verified status, not torture testing.
Best premium LPVO: Vortex AMG 1-10x24 FFP
Vortex's made-in-USA 1-10x24 first focal plane LPVO on a 34mm tube, with dual-zero toolless turrets and an integrated 120-degree throw lever, at $3,999 MSRP. It's for the shooter who wants the best 1-10x Vortex makes.
Best value LPVO: Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP or ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24
The new Strike Eagle is a first focal plane 1-10x24 on a 30mm tube with an illuminated EBR-8 BDC reticle that has motion activation. Vortex lists 3.7 in of eye relief and 21.6 oz, at $999.99. The ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24 is second focal plane, 17.8 oz and IPX7 rated, at a $449 maker MSRP. ZeroTech's own store had it at $299 on October 17, 2026.
Best fixed-power carbine optic: Trijicon ACOG Compact with RTR
The ACOG Compact now comes with a Rapid Target Reticle (RTR) in .223 or 9mm PCC calibrations, with a 3.25 MOA dot that's bigger than the old 2.0 MOA, in red or green. It's battery-free (fiber optic and tritium) and 7.2 oz with mount in 1.5x16S form. Trijicon lists $1,425 (1.5x16S) and $1,502 (2x20).
Best compact magnified scope for SBRs: EOTECH Vudu 4-12x36 FFP
Just 7.1 inches long and 16.9 oz, with 0.1 MRAD capped turrets and an integrated base that takes most aftermarket mini-ACOG mounts, per EOTECH. It's $1,219 for the scope alone, or $1,589 with an EFLX and ring mount package.
Best hunting scope family: Nightforce NX6
Six models from 1-6x24 to 6-36x56, with FieldSet turrets, 30mm tubes up to the 4-24x and 34mm on the 5-30 and 6-36. Nightforce lists MSRPs from $1,500 (1-6x SFP) to $2,200 (6-36x56).
Best for the deer woods: Trijicon Credo HX or Burris Veracity
The Credo HX comes in 2.5-10x56, 2.5-15x42, 2.5-15x56 and 4-16x50, second focal plane on a 30mm tube, with red or green illumination, at $1,408-$1,799. The redesigned Burris Veracity is 5x zoom with ED glass and a two-turn exposed elevation turret with zero stop, in 2.5-12x42, 3-15x44 and 5-25x50, at $1,019-$1,559.
Best budget hunting scope: Zeiss V3 or Hawke Vantage HD 34 FFP
Zeiss's V3 line is six 3x-zoom models on 1-inch or 30mm tubes, 12.6-18.7 oz, at $299.99-$949.99. Hawke's Vantage HD 34 FFP puts a first focal plane, illuminated Mil or MOA reticle and a zero-stop elevation turret on a 34mm tube from about $699.
Best long-range precision scope: Vortex Razor HD Gen III 4-24x44 FFP
A 34mm first focal plane 4-24x44 with the EBR-7D reticle in MOA or MRAD, 12.5 in long and 32.3 oz, at $4,199.99. Vortex also lists 1-10x24 ($3,999.99) and 6-36x56 ($4,799.99) versions in the line.
Rifle scope terms that matter
First vs second focal plane. In a first focal plane (FFP) scope, the reticle grows and shrinks with magnification, so holdovers and mil or MOA marks are correct at any power. In a second focal plane (SFP) scope the reticle stays the same size, which keeps it bold at low power, but holdovers are only true at one magnification. The AMG, Strike Eagle, Vudu, Hawke Vantage HD and Razor are FFP; the Credo HX and Thrive are SFP.
Tube size. A 34mm tube allows more internal adjustment than a 30mm or 1-inch tube, which matters for long range. It also needs matching rings.
Zero stop and turrets. A zero-stop turret like the Veracity's or Hawke's returns you to your zero without counting clicks. Capped turrets are better for a hunting rifle you set and forget.
LPVO vs fixed power. A 1-10x LPVO is close to a red dot at 1x and a real magnified scope at 10x, but it's heavier. A fixed-power ACOG is lighter, tougher and battery-free, at the cost of flexibility.
Buying tips
Match the scope to the rifle and the distance you actually shoot. Budget for a quality mount, and use rings or a cantilever mount rated for your recoil. Check eye relief if you shoot a hard-kicking rifle. Pick MRAD or MOA to match your spotter or your ballistic app, and stay consistent.
What to watch next
As of October 17, 2026, every scope in this guide shows Shipping in our database. SHOT Show 2027 in January is when most makers announce next year's glass, and we'll add each new scope with the maker's specs and price as it's announced.
Release dates and shipping status
Here is where every one of the 11 new rifle scopes stands as of our latest checks. Shipping now (11): Trijicon ACOG Compact 1.5x16S / 2x20 (new RTR options) ($1,425–$1,502), Zeiss V3 Riflescope Line ($299.99), Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP ($999.99), ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24 SFP LPVO ($449), Vortex Optics AMG 1-10x24 FFP ($3,999), Trijicon Credo HX (2.5-10x56 / 2.5-15x42 / 2.5-15x56 / 4-16x50) ($1,408), Hawke Vantage HD 34 FFP ($699), Burris Veracity (2026 redesign) ($1,019), EOTech Vudu 4-12x36 FFP ($1,219), Nightforce NX6 Riflescope Family, Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen III 4-24x44 FFP ($4,199.99). The most recent announcement in this group is the Trijicon ACOG Compact 1.5x16S / 2x20 (new RTR options) ($1,425–$1,502), announced Sep 3, 2026. Each product page shows the exact date we last checked and the source behind its status, so you can judge freshness before you shop.
How we chose
Every product here comes from our release database, which tracks new products from announcement to shipping. To make the list, a product had to be announced for 2026 (or in late 2025 for 2026 availability) and have a cited maker or trade-press source. We grouped products by job using maker specs, then weighed MSRP and verified shipping status. If two did the same job, we favored the one you can buy today.
We haven't range-tested these products. Picks are editorial judgments based on published data. Prices are maker MSRPs, and status comes from our latest dated check on each product page. Read how we track releases and our editorial standards.
New Rifle Scopes 2026 at a glance: status, price and specs
Key specs as published by each maker (from our product detail data). A dash means the maker hasn't published that spec or we haven't recorded it yet.
| Product | MSRP | Status | Tube | Weight | Eye relief | Focal plane |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trijicon ACOG Compact 1.5x16S / 2x20 (new RTR options) | $1,425–$1,502 | Shipping | — | — | 2.4 in (1.5x16S), 2.1 in (2x20) | — |
| Zeiss V3 Riflescope Line | $299.99 | Shipping | 1 in or 30mm | 12.6-18.7 oz | — | — |
| Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP | $999.99 | Shipping | 30mm | 21.6 oz | 3.7 in | FFP |
| ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24 SFP LPVO | $449 | Shipping | 30 mm, 6061-T6 | 17.8 oz | 3.62-3.94 in | SFP |
| Vortex Optics AMG 1-10x24 FFP | $3,999 | Shipping | 34mm | — | — | First |
| Trijicon Credo HX (2.5-10x56 / 2.5-15x42 / 2.5-15x56 / 4-16x50) | $1,408 | Shipping | 30mm | 4.69 lb shipping weight (2.5-15x56 listing) | — | Second |
| Hawke Vantage HD 34 FFP | $699 | Shipping | 34mm | 1.0 lb (listing) | 4 in | First |
| Burris Veracity (2026 redesign) | $1,019 | Shipping | — | — | — | — |
| EOTech Vudu 4-12x36 FFP | $1,219 | Shipping | — | 16.9 oz (479 g) | 2.5-3.1 in (65-80 mm) at 4x | First |
| Nightforce NX6 Riflescope Family | Not yet announced | Shipping | 30 mm (1-6 to 4-24), 34 mm (5-30 and 6-36) | 18.9-19.1 oz (1-6), 23.0-23.1 oz (2-12), 26.7-27.1 oz (3-18), 27.3 oz (4-24), 30.9 oz (5-30 F1), 31.4-31.6 oz (6-36) | 4.0 in (1-6), 3.5 in (others) | — |
| Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen III 4-24x44 FFP | $4,199.99 | Shipping | 34 mm | 32.3 oz | 3.3 in | first |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best new LPVO of 2026?
- Among those we track, the Vortex AMG 1-10x24 FFP ($3,999, made in USA) is the premium pick, and the new Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP ($999.99) and ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24 SFP ($449 MSRP) are the value picks.
- What new rifle scopes came out in 2026?
- New 2026 rifle scopes we track include the Vortex AMG 1-10x24 and Strike Eagle 1-10x24, Nightforce NX6 family, Trijicon Credo HX, Burris Veracity redesign, Zeiss V3 line, Hawke Vantage HD 34 FFP, EOTECH Vudu 4-12x36 FFP, ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24 and the Trijicon ACOG Compact with the new RTR reticle.
- Is first focal plane better than second focal plane?
- Neither is better for every job. FFP keeps holdovers true at every magnification, which suits long range and LPVOs used at mid power. SFP keeps the reticle bold at low power, which many hunters prefer.
- What is the smallest new magnified scope for an AR in 2026?
- The EOTECH Vudu 4-12x36 FFP, at 7.1 inches and 16.9 oz per EOTECH, with an integrated base that fits most aftermarket mini-ACOG mounts.
- How much does the Nightforce NX6 cost?
- Nightforce lists MSRPs from $1,500 for the 1-6x24 SFP to $2,200 for the 6-36x56.
- How many rifle scopes released in 2026 does GunReleases track?
- We currently track 11 rifle scopes from 8 brands: Burris, EOTech, Hawke, Nightforce, Trijicon, Vortex Optics, Zeiss, ZeroTech.
- Which new rifle scopes are shipping now?
- Trijicon ACOG Compact 1.5x16S / 2x20 (new RTR options), Zeiss V3 Riflescope Line, Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP, ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24 SFP LPVO, Vortex Optics AMG 1-10x24 FFP, Trijicon Credo HX (2.5-10x56 / 2.5-15x42 / 2.5-15x56 / 4-16x50), Hawke Vantage HD 34 FFP, Burris Veracity (2026 redesign), EOTech Vudu 4-12x36 FFP, Nightforce NX6 Riflescope Family, Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen III 4-24x44 FFP Status is based on our last dated check on each product page.
- What is the lowest MSRP among new rifle scopes?
- Zeiss V3 Riflescope Line at $299.99 MSRP. The highest listed is Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen III 4-24x44 FFP at $4,199.99. Street prices are often lower.
- What do Announced, Listed and Shipping mean?
- Announced means the maker has published it. Listed, no stock means a maker or retailer has a product page but no inventory. Shipping means units are confirmed available to buy.
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