The 3 Best Muzzleloader Scopes – 2025 Reviews

Muzzleloaders kick. Not the polite push of a .243 or even the honest thump of a .308. They deliver a rolling, forward-backward impulse that’ll punish cheap glass and remind you why eye relief matters when you wake up Sunday morning with a scope-shaped bruise. After testing dozens of muzzleloader scopes on my CVA Accura V2, I’ve learned that the typical 3 to 3.5 inches of eye relief that works fine on centerfire rifles isn’t enough here. You need closer to four inches, and you need glass that can handle the abuse.

The challenge with muzzleloader scopes isn’t just surviving the recoil. It’s finding an optic that addresses the specific demands of blackpowder hunting: reasonable magnification for typical 75 to 150 yard shots, fixed parallax that actually makes sense for those distances, and enough adjustment range to account for the rainbow trajectory of even modern saboted bullets. Too many shooters either slap a cheap scope on their inline and wonder why zero won’t hold, or they spend centerfire money on features they’ll never use.

I tested three scopes specifically for muzzleloader hunting on my CVA Accura V2 over this past fall and early winter. The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40 Muzzleloader came out on top, and it wasn’t particularly close.

My Top 3 Picks For Muzzleloader Rifles

Why You Can Trust My Recommendations

About fifteen years ago, I mounted a rifle scope with 3.2 inches of eye relief on a borrowed .50 caliber inline for a late-season whitetail hunt. The scope had decent glass and good reviews for use on .308 rifles. What it didn’t have was enough distance between my eye and the ocular lens when that muzzleloader went off. I got scoped hard enough that I spent the rest of that hunt squinting through one eye and explaining to my wife why I looked like I’d lost a bar fight.

That embarrassment stuck with me through my five years working the firearms counter at Bass Pro Shops. I saw the same pattern repeat: hunters would buy an inline for muzzleloader season, grab whatever scope looked decent, and come back frustrated when it wouldn’t hold zero or when they’d catch scope eye from insufficient eye relief. The recoil characteristics of muzzleloaders, that slower, heavier push, wreaks havoc on scopes not built to handle it. I started keeping notes on which scopes actually survived muzzleloader use and which ones customers returned after one season.

Since founding ScopesReviews in 2017, I’ve tested over 200 rifle scopes, including specific evaluation of muzzleloader optics using my CVA Accura V2. That firsthand experience with blackpowder recoil, combined with my NRA Range Safety Officer and Certified Firearms Instructor certifications, taught me what actually matters when choosing glass for an inline. The CVA became my test platform because it represents what most hunters actually shoot: a modern inline capable of 200-yard shots but typically used inside 150. If a scope works here, it’ll work on any comparable muzzleloader.

Side-by-Side Specs

These three scopes share the same 3-9×40 configuration, but the differences in eye relief and parallax settings matter more for muzzleloader use than the similar magnification ranges suggest.

---

The 3 Best Scopes for Muzzleloaders

---

1. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40 Muzzleloader – Best Overall

Why This Scope Won the Muzzleloader Test

The Leupold earned the top spot during the first range session when I realized I wasn’t thinking about the scope anymore. That’s unusual for me. I test enough optics that I’m constantly aware of what I’m looking through, cataloging eyebox behavior and glass performance. But after zeroing the VX-Freedom on my CVA Accura V2, I spent three shots at 125 yards just shooting rather than evaluating. The UltimateSlam reticle put the first PowerBelt AeroLite 250-grain bullet exactly where the holdover dot suggested it would. The generous eye relief meant I could settle into a natural shooting position without crowding the scope, even after the Accura pushed back with its characteristic rolling recoil.

What separates this scope from typical hunting glass is the 150-yard fixed parallax. Most rifle scopes default to 100 yards, which makes sense for centerfire work. Muzzleloaders shoot differently. Your effective range stretches from 75 to 200 yards for most hunters, and that 150-yard parallax setting sits right in the middle of where you’ll actually use the gun. I confirmed this during box testing at 100 and 150 yards. The image stayed sharp and the reticle remained stable against the target through reasonable head movement, while both the Burris and Genesis showed more parallax error at these distances.

Glass Quality and the UltimateSlam Reticle

The glass punches above what you’d expect at this price point. Leupold’s Advanced Optical System delivers what they promise: clean light transmission and effective glare control. I tested this during an early December morning session when heavy overcast dropped light levels enough that I question whether I should keep shooting. At 6:45 AM with the sun barely suggesting it might show up, I could still resolve a 6-inch target at 150 yards clearly enough to feel confident about shot placement. The Genesis struggled in the same conditions, and while the Burris performed adequately, the Leupold maintained better contrast.

The UltimateSlam reticle itself is well-designed for muzzleloader use. You get a center circle for quick target acquisition and precise aiming, with multiple descending holdover points underneath calibrated for 50, 150, 200, 250, and 300 yards. I zeroed the center crosshair at 100 yards using 100 grains by volume of Blackhorn 209 and ran confirmation shots at 50, 150, and 200. The holdover marks tracked accurately enough that I’d trust them in the field without additional verification, though I’d still recommend confirming with your specific load combination. The second focal plane design keeps the reticle the same apparent size regardless of magnification, which makes sense for hunting where you’re not using the reticle for ranging.

Eye Relief Where It Actually Matters

That 4.2 inches at low power might not sound dramatically different from the Genesis’s four inches, but when the CVA goes off, you feel the difference. I can mount this scope comfortably and know there’s buffer room between my orbital bone and the ocular lens. The eyebox at 9x tightens up compared to lower magnifications, which is standard for this design, but it remains forgiving enough that I never lost my sight picture during recoil. The Burris, with its shorter eye relief, required more careful positioning to avoid scope bite, especially at higher magnifications.

Build quality reflects Leupold’s reputation. After roughly 85 rounds through the Accura over six weeks of testing—including one session where temperatures dropped to 28 degrees and the scope got soaked in a November rain—zero held without adjustment. The finger-adjustable turrets provide positive clicks you can hear and feel, though I rarely needed them after establishing my 100-yard zero. The capped turret design prevents accidental adjustment when the rifle moves around in a vehicle or shifts in a tree stand.

The Parallax Setting Makes Sense

That 150-yard parallax deserves more attention than it usually gets. Most hunters shoot muzzleloaders between 75 and 175 yards. Fixed parallax set at 150 splits the difference better than the 100-yard standard on centerfire scopes or the 50-yard setting you’ll find on some muzzleloader-specific optics. When I tested all three scopes at multiple distances, the Leupold showed less parallax error across the useful range of the CVA than either competitor. At 150 yards, I could move my eye position slightly without watching the reticle drift across the target, while the Burris with its 50-yard parallax showed noticeable shift at anything past 100.

The VX-Freedom settled my long-standing skepticism about whether scope manufacturers understand how muzzleloaders actually get used. This isn’t marketing speak about muzzleloader-specific features. It’s a scope designed around realistic engagement distances with eye relief that accounts for the unique recoil impulse of blackpowder rifles. After testing budget glass alongside premium options, this is where I’d spend my money.

Field Test Data

Test Parameter	Result
100-Yard Zero Retention	Zero held through 85 rounds, no adjustment needed
Low-Light Performance (6:45 AM, overcast)	Clear target resolution at 150 yards in marginal light
Reticle Holdover Accuracy	First-dot holdover accurate at 150 yards with 100gr BH209
Parallax Stability at 150 Yards	Minimal reticle shift with head movement
Environmental Durability	No fogging or zero shift after rain exposure at 28°F

Tested on: CVA Accura V2 (.50 cal) | PowerBelt AeroLite 250gr with 100gr (volume) Blackhorn 209

Pros and Cons

PROS Generous 4.2-inch eye relief at low power prevents scope bite 150-yard parallax optimized for typical muzzleloader distances UltimateSlam reticle holdovers accurate with standard loads Superior glass clarity in low light compared to competition Lifetime warranty and made in USA

CONS Premium pricing compared to budget options Eyebox tightens noticeably at 9x magnification No illumination option for low-light reticle visibility

Performance Ratings

Learn more about how I test and rate scopes.

If you shoot a muzzleloader seriously enough to care about scope selection, the VX-Freedom justifies its position at the top of this price bracket. The combination of proper eye relief, intelligently set parallax, and reliable optical performance makes this the scope I’d mount on my own Accura without hesitation.

---

2. Burris Fullfield E1 Muzzleloader 3-9x40mm – Best Value

The Eye Relief Trade-Off

I mounted the Burris knowing its 3.4-inch eye relief sits on the borderline of what’s safe for muzzleloader recoil. During the first zeroing session, that concern proved valid. With the scope positioned where I naturally shouldered the CVA, my first shot with 100 grains of Blackhorn 209 put the ocular lens close enough to my brow that I backed the scope off another quarter-inch in the rings. This created a mounting challenge: move it back for safety, but maintain enough rail engagement that the scope stays secure. I settled on a compromise position that worked, though it required being deliberate about my cheek weld. If you’re not careful about consistent head placement, this scope will remind you.

That mounting consideration aside, the Burris delivers optical performance that outperforms its price point by a considerable margin. The Hi-Lume multicoating does legitimate work. When I ran the three scopes side-by-side during a late November afternoon with the sun dropping toward the tree line, the Burris maintained clarity and contrast nearly as well as the Leupold. The Genesis showed noticeably more image softening in the same conditions. For hunters who do most of their shooting in the first and last hour of daylight, this glass quality matters more than spec sheets suggest.

The 50-Yard Parallax Problem

Where this scope stumbles is the 50-yard fixed parallax. I understand the logic: muzzleloaders traditionally meant close-range shooting, so set parallax for short distances. Except modern inlines like the Accura regularly shoot to 150 or 200 yards, and that 50-yard setting creates problems. At 100 yards, I could move my head position slightly behind the scope and watch the reticle drift across the target. At 150 yards, the parallax error became significant enough that I worried about its impact on shot placement during anything other than perfect bench shooting.

I tested this by setting up at 125 yards and deliberately moving my eye position around the eyebox while keeping the rifle stable in sandbags. The reticle movement was obvious. For comparison, I ran the same test with the Leupold’s 150-yard parallax at the same distance. The difference was stark. If you’re hunting from a tree stand or shooting from field positions where perfect head alignment isn’t guaranteed, this parallax setting will cost you accuracy at typical muzzleloader distances. It’s fine if you’re shooting inside 75 yards. Beyond that, it’s a limitation you’ll need to work around.

Build Quality and Reliability

The Fullfield E1’s construction handles muzzleloader recoil without complaint. Burris’s double internal spring-tension system isn’t marketing talk. After approximately 75 rounds through the CVA, zero remained stable. The turret clicks are positive and distinct, though slightly mushier than the Leupold’s. The magnification ring requires more effort to turn than I prefer—not stiff enough to be a problem, but noticeable compared to the smoother operation on the VX-Freedom. In cold weather with gloves, this becomes more apparent.

The Ballistic Plex reticle provides holdover options through hash marks on the lower vertical crosshair (with cascading dots positioned left and right for wind drift compensation). I found these less intuitive than the Leupold’s UltimateSlam design, partly because the hold points require verification with your specific load combination, though Burris does calibrate this muzzleloader-specific model for typical sabot trajectories at 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 yards. They’ll work if you verify your specific load’s drops, but expect to do that verification work rather than trusting the reticle out of the box. The second focal plane design keeps the reticle consistent across magnification ranges, which I prefer for hunting applications.

Where Burris Delivers Value

The Burris Forever Warranty tips the value equation. It’s a no-questions, lifetime guarantee that transfers between owners. For hunters who put scopes through real use, this warranty coverage provides peace of mind that budget glass typically doesn’t offer. Combined with optical performance that competes with scopes at higher price points, the Fullfield E1 makes sense for shooters who prioritize glass quality and warranty support over optimal eye relief.

If you mount this scope carefully, understand its parallax limitations, and maintain disciplined shooting form, the Burris delivers. It’s not as forgiving as the Leupold, but it costs considerably less while providing glass that punches above its price bracket. For hunters willing to work within its constraints, that’s a reasonable trade-off.

Field Test Data

Test Parameter	Result
Zero Stability	Held zero through 75 rounds after initial mounting adjustment
Parallax Error at 125 Yards	Significant reticle movement with head position changes
Late-Afternoon Glass Performance	Good clarity and contrast, nearly matching Leupold
Eye Relief Safety Margin	Required careful mounting to prevent scope bite

Tested on: CVA Accura V2 (.50 cal) | PowerBelt AeroLite 250gr with 100gr (volume) Blackhorn 209

Pros and Cons

PROS Optical quality exceeds price point expectations Burris Forever Warranty with lifetime coverage Handles heavy recoil without zero loss Good low-light performance for dawn/dusk hunting

CONS Short eye relief requires careful mounting for safety 50-yard parallax setting problematic beyond 100 yards Magnification ring stiffer than preferred Ballistic Plex not calibrated for muzzleloader trajectories

Performance Ratings

Learn more about how I test and rate scopes.

The Burris offers solid performance if you understand and accept its limitations. Mount it carefully, stay aware of the parallax issues at distance, and you’ll get glass quality and warranty support that justify the compromise on eye relief.

---

3. Muzzle-Loaders.com Genesis 3-9×40 – Ultra-Budget Entry

What Missing Specifications Tell You

The Genesis arrived as part of a package deal from Muzzle-Loaders.com, already mounted on a customer’s CVA who asked me to evaluate it. I noticed immediately what the specification sheet confirmed: several key measurements aren’t published. No weight, no length, no field of view specifications. No total adjustment range listed. For a scope reviewer, these omissions raise questions about manufacturing consistency and whether the company stands behind precise specifications they’d need to guarantee.

That skepticism stayed with me through initial mounting and zeroing. The first surprise was that the Genesis actually delivered adequate eye relief. At four inches on low power, it provided enough buffer that I never worried about scope bite during testing. The eyebox proved reasonably forgiving, not as generous as the Leupold but functional enough that I could acquire a sight picture without excessive head positioning. For shooters on a tight budget who need basic eye relief safety, this scope clears that hurdle.

Glass Performance at the Price Point

The multi-coated optics deliver what you’d expect from budget glass. In good light conditions at midday, the Genesis provided adequate clarity for target identification and shot placement inside 100 yards. Push beyond that distance or reduce the light levels, and the limitations become obvious. During the same late-November afternoon session where I compared all three scopes, the Genesis showed noticeably softer images and reduced contrast compared to both the Leupold and Burris. By 6:30 PM when light started fading, I struggled to resolve target details at 125 yards that remained clear through the other two scopes.

The simple duplex reticle works for close-range hunting but offers no holdover references. You’re zeroing at one distance and estimating holds beyond that. For traditional muzzleloader hunting inside 75 yards, this isn’t a limitation. If you’re shooting the CVA Accura to its potential at 150 or 175 yards, you’ll miss the trajectory-compensating features of the Leupold’s UltimateSlam reticle. The thick outer posts help with quick target acquisition in brush, which matters more for whitetail hunting than precision holdovers.

Durability Questions and Practical Reality

I put approximately 65 rounds through the CVA with the Genesis mounted. Zero held without requiring adjustment, which suggests adequate internal construction to handle muzzleloader recoil. The turret clicks felt less distinct than either the Leupold or Burris, with some mushiness that made counting clicks during box testing less confident. The capped turrets did their job preventing accidental adjustment. The magnification ring turned smoothly enough, showing no excessive resistance that would cause problems in the field.

What concerned me was consistency between the scope I tested and what another customer might receive. Without published specifications for weight, length, and adjustment range, there’s no manufacturing standard being guaranteed. Budget optics often show unit-to-unit variation, and the lack of detailed specifications suggests the manufacturer isn’t committing to tight tolerances. The lifetime warranty provides some protection, but I’d rather see published specs the company stands behind.

The 100-Yard Parallax Compromise

The fixed parallax at 100 yards splits the difference between the Burris’s too-short 50 yards and the Leupold’s optimal 150 yards. At typical muzzleloader distances between 75 and 125 yards, parallax remained manageable. I tested this by shooting at 100 yards and deliberately shifting my head position while keeping the rifle stable. The reticle showed some movement against the target, but less than the Burris demonstrated at the same distance. At 150 yards, parallax became more apparent, though not as problematic as the Burris’s 50-yard setting at that range.

For hunters who keep shots inside 100 yards and need functional glass without spending Leupold money, the Genesis serves its purpose. It’s not a scope I’d recommend for serious long-range muzzleloader work, and the missing specifications concern me about long-term consistency. But if budget constraints are absolute and you understand you’re getting basic functionality rather than premium performance, it’ll get you hunting.

Field Test Data

Test Parameter	Result
Zero Retention	Held through 65 rounds, no adjustment needed
Effective Range for Clear Targeting	Adequate to 100 yards, marginal beyond
Low-Light Clarity (6:30 PM)	Struggled at 125 yards in fading light
Parallax at 100 Yards	Manageable, some reticle movement with head shift

Tested on: CVA Accura V2 (.50 cal) | PowerBelt AeroLite 250gr with 100gr (volume) Blackhorn 209

Pros and Cons

PROS Budget-friendly entry point for muzzleloader optics Adequate eye relief prevents scope bite Held zero through testing period Simple duplex reticle aids quick target acquisition Lifetime warranty coverage

CONS Glass clarity significantly below competitors in low light Missing key specifications raises quality consistency concerns No holdover references for distance shooting Mushy turret clicks reduce confidence during adjustments

Performance Ratings

Learn more about how I test and rate scopes.

The Genesis exists for hunters who need to get a scope mounted without spending Burris money. It’ll work for close-range hunting, but I’d save another month and buy the Burris if possible. The performance gap between budget and mid-tier glass is significant enough to matter in the field.

---

How I Actually Tested These Scopes

I tested all three scopes on my CVA Accura V2 in .50 caliber over a two-month period from early November through late December . The testing took place at a private range outside Dallas with distances marked at 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and 200 yards. Weather varied from unseasonably warm November afternoons in the mid-60s to a brutally cold December morning at 28 degrees with intermittent rain. I deliberately tested in marginal conditions because that’s when glass quality matters most.

Each scope received approximately 60-85 rounds of testing using PowerBelt AeroLite 250-grain bullets over 100 grains by volume of Blackhorn 209 powder. Total round count across all three scopes was roughly 220 rounds. I established zero for each scope at 100 yards, then confirmed performance at 50, 125, 150, and 200 yards. Box tests verified tracking, though I focused primarily on hunting-relevant performance rather than precision target work.

I rejected four scopes before settling on these three for the final review. A Simmons 3-9×40 lost zero after 15 rounds. A Tasco ProPoint showed significant image degradation at the edges. A budget Barska demonstrated inconsistent turret clicks that made reliable adjustments impossible. A Bushnell Banner that seemed promising initially fogged internally after exposure to temperature changes during a single range session. These failures reinforced why spending slightly more money on proven glass matters for muzzleloader use.

Testing also included durability evaluation. Each scope stayed mounted on the CVA between range sessions, experiencing transport in a vehicle over rough ranch roads and storage in an unheated barn where temperature swings exceeded 40 degrees between day and night. The recoil characteristics of the Accura with 100-grain charges provided real-world stress that revealed which scopes could handle extended muzzleloader use.

Get more information on how I test optics here.

---

What Shooters Get Wrong About Muzzleloader Scopes

Assuming Any Hunting Scope Will Handle the Recoil

Muzzleloaders produce a different recoil impulse than centerfire rifles. It’s not just about magnitude but the forward-backward rocking motion that stresses scope internals differently than a sharp push. I’ve watched hunters mount perfectly good .308 scopes on inlines, only to have them lose zero after a dozen shots. The double spring-tension systems and reinforced erector assemblies in muzzleloader-rated scopes exist for legitimate reasons. If the manufacturer doesn’t specifically mention muzzleloader or heavy recoil compatibility, assume it won’t survive a season.

Overlooking Eye Relief for Safety

Three and a half inches of eye relief that works fine on a .243 becomes dangerous on a muzzleloader pushing 100-grain charges. That scope bite scar above your eyebrow becomes a teaching moment about why four inches should be your minimum. The recoil velocity might be slower than a magnum rifle, but the total movement and duration creates more opportunity for the scope to find your face if you’re crowded too close. Mount conservatively and verify your head position before pulling the trigger on full-power loads.

Ignoring Parallax Settings for Typical Shooting Distances

The parallax setting matters more than most hunters realize. A scope with 50-yard fixed parallax might seem logical for traditional muzzleloader work, but modern inlines regularly shoot past 100 yards. That short parallax setting creates accuracy problems at distances where the rifle performs well. Look for scopes with parallax set between 100 and 150 yards unless you’re genuinely keeping all shots inside 75. Test this by shooting at your typical hunting distances and noting whether slight head movement shifts your point of impact.

Chasing Features That Don’t Matter for Muzzleloader Hunting

Illuminated reticles, side parallax adjustment, and exposed tactical turrets add cost and complexity for features you probably won’t use. Most muzzleloader hunting happens at ranges where simple duplex or BDC reticles work fine, and shots are quick enough that you’re not dialing elevation. The money spent on unnecessary features would be better invested in better glass quality or more generous eye relief. Match the scope’s feature set to how you actually hunt rather than accumulating capabilities that sound useful but gather dust in practice.

---

Your Questions Answered

Can I use a regular rifle scope on my muzzleloader?

You can if the scope is rated for heavy recoil, but it’s risky. Muzzleloader recoil characteristics differ from centerfire rifles in ways that stress scope internals differently. Scopes rated for .308 might handle the impact, but many will lose zero or fail mechanically. Verify the manufacturer specifically mentions muzzleloader or magnum rifle compatibility. Better to spend slightly more on a muzzleloader-rated scope than replace a failed rifle scope mid-season.

How much magnification do I really need for muzzleloader hunting?

The 3-9x range covers most muzzleloader applications well. Three-power handles close shots in thick cover. Nine-power provides adequate magnification for 150-200 yard shots if your rifle and load support that distance. Higher magnification reduces field of view and tightens the eyebox, making quick target acquisition harder. Unless you’re doing dedicated long-range muzzleloader work beyond 200 yards, stick with 3-9x or 2-7x configurations.

Does parallax setting really matter that much?

Yes, especially at distances beyond 100 yards. Fixed parallax at 50 yards creates noticeable accuracy problems at typical hunting ranges. Test this yourself: mount your rifle solid, aim at a target at 125 yards, and move your head around behind the scope while watching the reticle. If it shifts position on the target, that’s parallax affecting your shot. Scopes with 100-150 yard parallax settings work better for modern inline ranges.

What’s more important: glass quality or warranty?

Glass quality matters more for actual hunting, but a solid warranty protects your investment. Cheap glass with a lifetime warranty is still cheap glass that struggles in low light when you need it most. Prioritize optical performance first, then look for good warranty coverage as additional protection. The Leupold and Burris both deliver quality glass backed by strong warranties, which is the combination that makes sense long-term.

---

Which Scope for Your Shooting Style?

For the serious muzzleloader hunter who shoots to 150+ yards: The Leupold VX-Freedom is your answer. The 150-yard parallax, generous eye relief, and UltimateSlam reticle address exactly what modern inline shooting demands. You’re paying premium pricing, but you’re getting glass that won’t limit your rifle’s capabilities at distance.

For traditional close-range hunting inside 100 yards: The Genesis covers basic needs if budget is absolute. That 100-yard parallax and simple duplex reticle work fine for shots inside typical muzzleloader range. You’re sacrificing glass quality in low light and any distance-shooting features, but you’re saving enough money to buy powder and bullets for a season of practice.

For hunters prioritizing glass quality on a mid-tier budget: The Burris Fullfield E1 delivers optical performance that competes with scopes costing significantly more. Mount it carefully to account for shorter eye relief, understand the 50-yard parallax limitations at distance, and you’ll get glass that performs when light gets marginal. The Forever Warranty adds peace of mind.

For new muzzleloader shooters establishing their setup: Start with the Burris. It provides strong glass quality and warranty protection while you figure out how you actually hunt with a muzzleloader. Once you understand your typical shooting distances and whether you need specific features, you can make a more informed decision about upgrading to the Leupold or staying with proven mid-tier glass.

---

Disclosure

I purchased all three scopes tested in this guide with my own money for the purpose of this evaluation. The CVA Accura V2 used for testing is my personal rifle. This site uses affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links on this page. These commissions help support the testing and content creation that goes into these reviews, but they don’t influence my recommendations. I recommend gear based on actual field performance, not affiliate arrangements.

---

Final Thoughts

After two months of testing, and multiple sessions in conditions ranging from comfortable to miserable, the Leupold VX-Freedom earned its position at the top through consistent performance where it actually matters. The combination of generous eye relief, appropriate parallax setting, and muzzleloader-specific reticle design addresses the real challenges of blackpowder hunting better than generic hunting glass adapted to the role. Is it worth the premium over the Burris? If you shoot your muzzleloader seriously and hunt in marginal light, yes.

The Burris Fullfield E1 surprised me with glass quality that competes with more expensive optics. It’s not as forgiving as the Leupold, and that 50-yard parallax creates problems at distance, but for hunters willing to work within those constraints, the Forever Warranty and optical performance deliver legitimate value. If budget matters and you can mount carefully, the Burris makes sense.

The Genesis exists for hunters who need basic functionality at ultra-budget pricing. It’ll get you hunting, but the performance gap between it and the Burris is significant enough that I’d encourage saving another month to step up. The missing specifications and reduced glass quality concern me about recommending it except as an absolute last resort when budget allows nothing else.

Muzzleloader scopes get treated as an afterthought too often. Hunters spend money on the rifle, the powder, premium bullets, but then grab whatever cheap glass looks adequate. The scope determines whether you can actually use your rifle’s capabilities, especially in the dawn and dusk light when deer move and when marginal glass costs you opportunities. Invest appropriately. The Leupold represents where that investment makes sense for serious hunting.

If you’re building a muzzleloader setup or replacing failed glass, consider how you actually hunt and what your typical shots look like. Match the scope to that reality rather than chasing features or pinching pennies in ways that’ll frustrate you for seasons to come.