The 4 Best DMR Scopes

The 4 Best DMR Scopes

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Designated Marksman Rifles or DMR are unique types of guns with the qualities of both a rifle and a sniper. It plays a particularly influential role in both police enforcement and the military. A DMR needs a good DMR scope, which has a few unique capabilities. This is a review of what I see as the four of the best ones for my rifle.

Best Budget Buy
UTG 3-9x32mm Bugbuster AO RGB Mil-dot
  • Lightweight and build quality
  • Tactical Range Estimating (TRE) Mil-dot reticle
  • 1-inch tube with multi coating
  • Limited eye-relief
$121 Shop NowClick to read my review
Burris Scout 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope
  • Up to 12 inches of eye relief
  • Great shock/fog/waterproof features
  • Anti-glare technology
  • Doesn’t seem to do well with low lighting
  • A bit pricey
$396 Shop NowClick to read my review
Top Pick
Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Riflescope
  • One of the lightest scopes available
  • Used by U.S. Marine corps
  • Requires low scope rings
  • Not night vision capable
  • View can be a little hazy in closer ranges
$229 Shop NowClick to read my review
Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm Rifle Scope
  • ACSS reticle with wide magnification range
  • Crystal clear optic with 4-14x magnification
  • Waterproof, shockproof and nitrogen purged
  • Not ideal for short to mid-ranges
  • Reticle is specifically designed for .308 or .223 only
$259 Shop NowClick to read my review

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Buyer’s Guide for Choosing the Best DMR Scopes

Magnification

Anything with a magnification of 4x or less is suitable for DMR. You will not need much more than that. The best DMR optics should allow the shooter to fire past 400 yards with accuracy. You’re good as long as your scope allows you to quickly acquire targets, and allow for close-range combat.

When switching between many targets, having a large FOV (field of view) is also beneficial. Magnification and field of view are strongly connected. When the field of view is smaller, the magnification of the scope is higher.

Reticle

Choosing the right reticle for your rifle scope is almost as crucial as choosing the scope itself. For your DMR scope, make sure that a reticle balances long-range precision with quick target acquisition. Further to that, the scope’s reticle is either in the first focal plane (FFP) or the second focal plane (SFP). The key distinction is that an SFP reticle remains the same size regardless of magnification. But with the FFP reticle, the size of the reticle appears to fluctuate when the magnification of the scope change.

There are numerous reticles to choose from ranging from BDC reticles to Mil-Dot. Simple crosshairs reticle rifle scopes are also available, and they work well.

A designated marksman scope also needs to have night vision capabilities for those who often perform in the dark or dim light settings.

Lightweight

DMR optics must be light to keep the rifle’s overall weight down. A heavy rifle with a bulky scope is difficult to maneuver. Thus, having a light DMR scope will make things easier. It will also be simple to stabilize your weapon for precise shots.

Durability

The DMR requires reliable optics to maximize overall effectiveness. It must be able to withstand harsh handling and can withstand extreme environments. They should be tough and durable, but light enough to not affect the precision and recoil of a DMR. Characteristics such as shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof are now standard on many DMR scopes. Some scopes also come with warranties that cover any damage that may occur while in use.

The 4 Best DMR Scopes

UTG 3-9x32mm Bugbuster AO RGB Mil-dot

Materials – The UTG Bugbuster is a rugged scope that is ideal for long-term use. If you want a scope that is both sturdy and well-made, this is the one to get. It can withstand the recoil of a rifle as well as common collisions, jolts, and scrapes. It comes with adjustable QD rings and a 1-inch tube with multi-coated lenses for optimal light transmission. For ultimate protection, the scope is also shockproof, rainproof, and fog proof. If you’re not aware, the UTG brand introduces mil-dot reticle optics as early as 2003. As a result, many hunters all over the world have tested their optics. We can’t get enough of the technology and the value it provides, and this DMR scope lives up to the brand’s reputation.

Performance – This UTG scope is a standard DMR scope that has a mil-dot reticle and good clear optics. We like that the scope is compact in size though has limited eye relief. The target turrets with 1/4 MOA on this UTG optic provide crisp, reliable, and accurate windage and elevation adjustments. You may not need to use the illuminated reticle feature with this one, and you’ll be assured that the scope works just fine. It is also a plus that the scope comes with two lithium batteries. You can rest knowing that you’ll be able to use it without difficulty in any situation.

What we say – This UTG 3-9×32 Bugbuster Scope is our Best Budget Buy on the list. Yet, inexpensive, this scope is full of great features to enhance your rifle’s accuracy. This scope is actually among the best when it comes to performance and innovation. Not to mention its unique Tactical Range Estimating (TRE) Mil-dot reticle which is present in almost all UTG optics. You may or may not find a lot of cons but I say with its price tag of $121, it is a great scope overall.

Pros
  • Lightweight and build quality
  • Tactical Range Estimating (TRE) Mil-dot reticle
  • 1-inch tube with multi coating
  • Comes with an adjustable QD rings
  • Shockproof, fog proof and rainproof
  • Good value
Cons
  • Limited eye-relief

Burris Scout 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope

Materials – The Burris Scout DMR optics is a nearly all-black scope that weighs only 13 ounces. It’s 9.7 inches long, and it provides 9-12 inches of eye relief. This DMR scope is multi-coated and has anti-glare resistance for different brightness levels. The Burris Scout designated marksman rifle scope is completely shockproof, fog-proof, and waterproof. It’s covered by Burris’s lifetime warranty and is optimal for M1A and M14 series rifles.

Performance – The Burris Scout DMR scope is incredibly small and light, compared to other DMR scopes. It perfectly embodies what both a scout and a designated marksman needs. The lightweight is perfect for the M1A and M14 series rifles, which can be difficult to find other scopes for. The mass amount of eye relief is perfect for those heavy recoil rounds. The anti-glare feature is fantastic, but we can’t say this scope would be ideal for use at night. The Burris Scout DMR scope seems to work well within a variety of ranges.

What we say – If you need a lighter DMR scope, the Burris Scout is definitely the best DMR scope for your best DMR rifle. We love the huge amount of eye relief this comes with, although we wish it was better with adjusting for lighting. As always, the shock/fog/waterproof element ensures this is a great pick. The Burris Scout scope goes for about $399, which is a bit expensive compared to other scopes on our list.

Pros
  • Lightweight and small size
  • Up to 12 inches of eye relief
  • Great shock/fog/waterproof features
  • Anti-glare technology
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons
  • Doesn’t seem to do well with low lighting
  • A bit pricey

Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Riflescope

Materials – The Leupold VX-1 is a very sleek, black scope that is perfect for an AR DMR. The inside of the scope is made with a Quantum Optical System with lead-free glass that has a Multicoat 4-lens coating. Leupold has its classic lockable eyepiece on this VX-1 scope with a 2 to 7 power optic. It weighs even less than the Burris Scout scope, coming in at under 12 ounces. The objective lens is only 33 millimeters long and requires only a 1” scope ring. This scope is great for aiming in ranges of up to 600 meters or more, and it is, of course, shock, fog, and waterproof. The Leupold VX-1 also comes with a lifetime warranty.

Performance – We are thoroughly impressed with the weight and overall performance of the Leupold VX-1 scope. The lightweight and eye relief make this scope perfect for your DMR AR 15 and M1A rifles. This DMR scope lets in a lot of light, and it can almost provide visibility in total darkness, but not quite. The view through the scope is mostly clear, but it can get a little difficult in closer ranges. We love that this scope only requires a 1” scope ring, which keeps your rifle from looking too bulky and will stay precise.

What we say – Leupold is one of our favorite brands for scope because they’ve been providing optics to the Marine corps for quite a while now. We give the Leupold VX-1 a thumbs up for its high performance as an M1a scope and one of the best optics for DMR AR15s. The lightweight is perfect for anyone, and the $299 price tag seals the deal.

Pros
  • Sleek look
  • One of the lightest scopes available
  • Used by U.S. Marine corps
  • Requires low scope rings
Cons
  • Not night vision capable
  • View can be a little hazy in closer ranges

Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm Rifle Scope

Materials – This scope, like the others on our list, is built to last, with aircraft-grade aluminum construction and you can handle it without care and you will not have to worry. Weighing in at 25 ounces, it’s a lightweight optic that you can bring in hunting or wherever you go. It is also shockproof, waterproof, and nitrogen purged. Plus, a three-year warranty covers flaws in components or workmanship.

Performance – This rifle scope is well-made and really useful. It performs admirably with 4-14x magnification that gives a wide range of distance shooting in crystal clear. The scope has top-notch accuracy and has enough magnification for long-range targets. It features an ACSS Orion reticle with wind holds of 2.5, 5, and 10 mph at each range, which improves accuracy. The wind holds function can be configured for deer, coyotes, and other similar-sized targets. Despite this being one of the best DMR scopes on the market, there is still some con to keep in mind. The scope isn’t ideal for short to mid-ranges and the reticle is specifically designed for .308 or .223 only.

What we say – The Primary Arms is a trustworthy brand that will not disappoint you. Their optics are highly durable and offer pinpoint accuracy. Many shooters will find this scope beneficial because it is a terrific optic for long-range shooting. And for a sub $300 DMR scope, Primary Arms SLX offers a lot.

Pros
  • Lightweight
  • ACSS reticle with wide magnification range
  • Crystal clear optic with 4-14x magnification
  • Waterproof, shockproof and nitrogen purged
  • Backed with 3-year warranty for defects
Cons
  • Not ideal for short to mid-ranges
  • Reticle is specifically designed for .308 or .223 only

Our Top Pick For The Best DMR Optics

Out of these four DMR scopes, we have to say our favorite is the Leupold VX-1 designated marksman scope. Not only is it great for M1A and AR15 models, but we can’t stop ourselves from liking it a little more because of its use in the U.S. Marines. It’s not the cheapest scope on the list, but still has some of the highest quality. We love the sleek look, and the small weight means anybody could use it. We’re perfectly content with the range of light the Leupold VX-1 works in, and it would suit any basic needs in hunting or combat.

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