The Top Optics Choices of Elite Precision Rifle Shooters
As a seasoned expert in the world of long-range shooting, I’ve had the privilege of surveying the top-ranked competitors in the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and National Rifle League (NRL) to learn what optics they rely on for their most demanding matches. These élite marksmen represent the crème de la crème of precision rifle shooters, and their gear choices are a testament to the performance capabilities required to excel at the highest levels of the sport.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll dive deep into the specific scope models, reticle designs, and key features that have earned the trust and preference of these world-class competitors. Whether you’re a seasoned long-range enthusiast or newer to the game, this insider’s look at “What The Pros Use” will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision on your own competition-ready optics setup.
The Most Popular Scope Brands Among Top Shooters
On the chart above, the various colors represent where a shooter landed in terms of rank. For example, black indicates shooters who finished in the top 10 in the PRS, the darkest blue is people who finished 11-25 in the PRS, and the lighter the blue, the further out they finished in overall standings. The green colors represents the top shooters in the NRL, where the darkest green is the top 10, medium green is 11-25, and light green are the shooters who’s season rank landed from 26th to 50th. The chart legend itemizes the league and ranks each color represents, but basically the darker the color, the higher up the shooters placed.
When it comes to the most popular scope brands among this elite group of competitors, the landscape has seen some dramatic shifts over the past five years. Leupold has surged in popularity, now representing 22% of the top shooters’ choices – more than any other brand. This is a significant jump from just 1% of the pros using Leupold optics the last time I surveyed this community.
Tangent Theta scopes have also seen a meteoric rise, now accounting for 20% of the top-ranked shooters’ setups – up from only 4% just a few years ago. Vortex remains a stalwart in this arena, holding steady at 18% of the pro’s preferences, while Nightforce has maintained its leading position at 27% despite increased competition.
Kahles, Schmidt & Bender, Bushnell, and a few other notable brands round out the remainder of the field, each representing smaller but still significant slices of this elite community’s optics choices.
Leupold’s Meteoric Rise to the Top
Leupold’s surge in popularity is undoubtedly one of the most significant shifts I’ve observed in this space. Their Mark 5HD scope, released in 2021, has quickly become the most widely adopted optic among the top 200 precision rifle shooters I surveyed.
Morgun King, who placed 3rd overall in the 2023 PRS Open Division, shared his firsthand experience with the Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56:
“My rifle and my scope have been through a lot over the past two years. They’ve rattled around in trucks going down dirt roads, they’ve gotten tossed around by baggage handlers, they’ve been out in the elements, and they’ve been slammed into rocks and barricades in competition. In that time my Mark 5HD has always held zero, always responded when I’ve dialed it up, and always delivered the crisp, clear image I need to compete. I can’t think of a better testament to the clarity, reliability, and ruggedness of that scope than its continued performance after what I put it through match after match, year after year.”
The Leupold Mark 5HD: A Highly Capable Scope at a Great Value
When examining the specific Leupold models these top shooters are using, the data reveals a clear preference. 79% are running the Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56, while 21% have opted for the larger 7-35×56 variant.
Interestingly, all of the shooters who finished in the top 50 chose the 5-25×56 model, suggesting that the higher magnification range of the 7-35x may be more suited for niche applications outside the typical PRS/NRL competitive format.
One major factor driving the widespread adoption of the Leupold Mark 5HD is the exceptional value it offers. With a street price around $2,200 (as of June 2024), it costs roughly half of some other premium optics in this class. Yet, it still delivers all the “must-have” features precision shooters demand, making it a highly compelling option.
The Preferred Leupold Reticle Among the Pros
When it comes to reticle choice, an overwhelming 95% of the top shooters running Leupold optics have selected the company’s PR2-MIL reticle. This preference is quite striking, as most other scope brands see a more even distribution across several reticle options among their users.
The unique aspect of the PR2-MIL reticle is its 0.25 mil hash mark increments, as opposed to the more common 0.2 or 0.5 mil spacing found in many competing designs. This finer scale has proven advantageous for the precision demands of PRS and NRL competitions.
As Nick Gadarzi, who finished 10th overall in the 2023 PRS Open Division, explains:
“The unique split-line design in the PR2-MIL reticle provides a huge advantage when you’re trying to hit small targets at extended ranges. It’s open, simple, and fast–and if you want to compete with the best, it’s the reticle you need.”
The Rise of Tangent Theta Scopes
Another significant trend I’ve observed is the growing popularity of Tangent Theta optics, which now account for 20% of the top shooters’ setups – up from just 4% a few years ago. This surge in adoption is a testament to the exceptional performance and features these scopes offer.
Clay Blackketter, the 2019 PRS Season Champion, shared a compelling story about his first experience with a Tangent Theta scope that solidified his loyalty to the brand:
“I’ll never forget it. We were 6-7 stages in, and I shot a stage that was in a rock quarry. I cleaned the stage and didn’t think much of it. Justin Watts shot that same stage a few shooters later and got a 5 on it and asked, ‘Dude, how did you clean that stage?!’ I said, ‘I don’t know, I just shot the stage.’ Justin said, ‘I couldn’t see the targets. I was just looking for where I thought the T-post ended and was aiming there. Let me see your gun.’ He grabbed my rifle and looked through it and then looked back to me and said, ‘Oh, that’s why you cleaned that stage!’ Justin immediately bought a Tangent Theta scope after that match, and I’ve stuck with it ever since. The glass and the features on the thing are just absolutely awesome.”
The Tangent Theta 5-25×56: The Glass of Choice for Top Competitors
100% of the Tangent Theta-equipped shooters I surveyed were running the company’s 5-25×56 model. Tangent Theta has since introduced a 7-35×56 scope, but the availability of those newer models was limited during the timeframe covered by my research.
2-time PRS Champion Austin Orgain provided further insight into why the Tangent Theta scope has become a favorite among the top echelon of precision rifle competitors:
“There are multiple things I like about the Tangent Theta scope, like how the turrets feel. But, I do think the optical clarity of the Tangent gives me a competitive advantage. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be running it! I get the chance to look through a lot of different scopes, and I don’t think there is anything out there that comes close to the glass of the Tangent Theta scopes.”
The Tangent Theta scopes, while offering exceptional performance, also represent the most expensive optics in this survey, with the 5-25×56 model starting around $4,500 and the 7-35×56 variant priced at approximately $5,700.
Tangent Theta’s Reticle Choices
When it comes to reticle selection among Tangent Theta users, the data shows a more diverse landscape. 49% of these shooters opted for the JTAC reticle, while 46% chose the Gen 3 XR design. A few outliers selected the Horus H59 and Gen 2 XR reticles as well.
Interestingly, 3 of the top 10 finishers in the PRS chose the JTAC reticle, and 1 top 25 shooter ran the Gen 3 XR. The JTAC reticle, an abbreviation for the first initials of 4 prominent PRS competitors (Justin, Tate, Austin, and Clay), was designed in collaboration with veteran shooters and optimized for the demands of PRS-style events.
Austin Orgain, one of the 2-time PRS Champions, explained his preference for the JTAC reticle:
“I’ve been running the JTAC reticle for about 2 years, and so far, I’ve always been able to find a way to run any stage without a problem at all. Sometimes, it gets a little advanced, but so far, I’ve always found a way to run a stage without having to hold off into space. There really aren’t a lot of holdover stages at matches, and most of the time, you’re not even that far from the center of the reticle. So we don’t really find that we need holdovers, and not having those holdover marks really opens up the reticle a lot and makes it easier to see trace and spot things through that reticle.”
Vortex Scopes: A Consistent Favorite
Vortex scopes have maintained a strong presence among this elite group of precision rifle shooters, accounting for 14% of the optics choices – a slight decrease from the 18% representation they held a few years ago.
The Vortex Razor HD Gen III 6-36×56: The Latest Favorite
The standout Vortex model among these top competitors is the recently released Razor HD Gen III 6-36×56 scope, which has become the preferred choice for 88% of Vortex users. This represents a significant shift from the previous generation Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27×56, which was only used by a single shooter in the top 50.
The Vortex EBR-7D Reticle: A Clear Favorite
When it comes to reticle selection, the Vortex EBR-7D design has emerged as the clear favorite, accounting for 80% of Vortex users in this survey. This reticle has proven to be a versatile and capable option for the demands of PRS and NRL competitions.
The Rise of Zero Compromise Optic (ZCO)
Representing 14% of the top shooters I surveyed, Zero Compromise Optic (ZCO) has made a notable entry into the precision rifle optics landscape. Established in 2018, this specialty scope company has quickly gained a foothold among the elite competitors in this space.
The Zero Compromise 5-27×56 model was the most widely adopted, with even some of the top 25 shooters opting for this optic. ZCO claims this scope offers one of the widest fields of view in the industry at 21 feet at 100 yards, along with impressive adjustment ranges of 35 mils of elevation and 20 mils of windage.
ZCO Reticle Preferences
The top ZCO shooters were split across a few different reticle options, including the X-1, XR-1, and X-2 designs. These reticles appear to offer a range of features and capabilities tailored to the needs of long-range precision shooters.
Nightforce Scopes: A Consistent Favorite
Nightforce scopes have maintained a strong presence among this elite group of precision rifle competitors, representing 12% of the optics choices. This is a decrease from the 27% representation they held a few years ago, but Nightforce remains a consistent favorite among the top shooters.
The Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56 F1: A Proven Choice
The Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56 F1 scope continues to be the top choice among this group, with shooters citing its legendary durability and performance as key factors in their selection.
Reticle Preferences: Mil-C vs. Mil-XT
When it comes to reticle choices, 55% of Nightforce users opted for the Mil-XT design, while 41% selected the Mil-C reticle. Interestingly, all 4 of the shooters in the top 25 who were running Nightforce scopes chose the Mil-C reticle.
2022 PRS Champion and current IPRF World Champion, Austin Buschman, shared his perspective on the Mil-C reticle:
“I have been running the Mil-C reticle for PRS matches for 3 years, and I think it is just about the perfect reticle. Over the past 3 years, I haven’t had a single stage in that time where I needed a Christmas Tree reticle. There was always some way around it. I really like that the Mil-C is exactly the same on the vertical and horizontal stadia/axis. I don’t like reticles that do their hash marks one way on the vertical axis and a different way on the horizontal.”
Kahles Scopes: A Consistent Performer
Kahles scopes, the tactical sister company to Swarovski, have maintained a strong presence among this elite group of precision rifle shooters, representing 8% of the optics choices.
The Kahles K525i 5-25×56: A Proven Performer
The Kahles K525i 5-25×56 scope was the most popular model, with 93% of Kahles users opting for this optic. One shooter in the top 25, Matthew Caruso, specified that he was running the Kahles K525i DLR variant, which is purpose-built for the fast-paced demands of PRS-style matches.
The SKMR 4 Reticle: A Favored Choice
When it comes to reticle preferences, the Kahles SKMR 4 design was the clear favorite, accounting for 60% of Kahles users. This reticle has evolved from the previous SKMR 3 version, offering a few minor refinements.
Other Notable Optic Choices
While the top 6 brands represented the majority of the optics choices among this elite group of precision rifle shooters, a few other notable brands and models made appearances as well.
- US Optics: 5 shooters, all using the FDN 25X 5-25×52 scope with the JVCR reticle.
- Bushnell: 3 shooters, with 2 using the Bushnell 6-36×56 Elite Tactical and 1 using the Bushnell 3.5-21×50 Elite Tactical, paired with the EQL and G4P reticles.
- Burris: 3 shooters, all using the Burris XTR Pro 5.5-30×56 with the SCR 2 1/4 MIL and SCR 2 MIL reticles.
- Schmidt & Bender: 2 shooters, both running the Schmidt & Bender PM II 5-25×56 with the H2CMR reticle.
- Trijicon, Maven, Apex, and Zeiss: 1 shooter each, using a variety of models and reticles from these brands.
The Rise of Simpler Reticle Designs
One interesting trend I observed was the growing preference among the top 10 shooters for simpler reticle designs that eschew traditional “Christmas tree” or holdover markings. 50% of the elite competitors in the top 10 rankings opted for reticles without these types of holdover features.
This perspective was reinforced by insights from 2-time PRS Champion Austin Orgain and 2022 PRS Champion Austin Buschman, who both expressed a preference for reticles that prioritize clean, uncluttered sighting solutions.
As Buschman explained, “Over the past 3 years, I haven’t had a single stage in that time where I needed a Christmas Tree reticle. There was always some way around it.” This sentiment suggests that the most successful competitors have found ways to effectively engage
