The MK12 is a designated marksman rifle that is also used for plinking by civilians and hunting as well. The MK12 is capable of laying whitetail deer flat from a long range. It is also extremely accurate and the recoil helps a lot during recreational shooting or game hunting.
While the MK12 packs a huge punch and a long range, the gun isn’t equipped with anything optical. If you have plans of using the MK12 for anything longer than 20 yards, you will need an optic that can shoot accurately and synergize well with the MK12.
That’s why, I’m here to help you find the best scope for MK12. While you can just grab a long-range scope and call it a day, a lot of long-range scopes are barely worth it due to how bad their optical performance is.
That’s why, I have gathered some of the best long-range scopes on the market and will try to explain why they are good. Let’s start.
How To Choose a Mk12 Scope?
Now that you know what are some of the best scopes for MK12, how do you choose one from them? And why aren’t there any MK12 night vision scopes?
The answer to the second question is simple: people prefer fully automatic rifles or bolt-action rifles to hunt during the night. And in the night, setting up a DMR will take quite a bit of time and they are quite loud as well. Giving away your stealth to your target is an easy way to return with 0 games.
As for the first question, well you will need to find out what you want from a scope. Whether it’s high magnification, clarity, longevity, lifetime warranty, versatility, or something else. Depending on what you want from that scope and how badly you need it, your choice will vary.
You can also make the decision based on your budget. You need to take a mental note about the budget and fix up a limit on how much you are willing to spend.
1. Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50mm Tactical Rifle Scope
Steiner is known for making some of the best scopes on the market. Whether it’s for hunting or plinking, or even military uses, Steiner never lets down in terms of performance and durability.
The T5Xi is a high-end model from Steiner. The model is also available in different magnifications. You can choose a close-range scope with 1-5x magnification and an extremely long-range scope with 5-25x magnification.
For the MK12, the middle ground of the 3-15x50mm variant might be the better choice.
The scope is made out of high-quality aluminum and it’s a single tube design. The tube is purged with nitrogen. Making it immune to internal fogging and the lenses are sealed with O-ring as well. O-ring sealing Prevents water from going inside and makes the scope waterproof completely.
On top of that, the lenses are fully multi-coated. They are one of the best-performing lenses you will ever come across. Fluent magnification and distortion free vision.
What kind of warranty does Steiner provide?
Steiner provides a warranty called Heritage Warranty. The idea behind this was to support the optics for as long as you want. Steiner will repair or replace the scope for you at no charge for the lifetime of the product. Keep in mind, that they have some T&C that you will need to follow.
Where is this scope made?
While the Steiner T5Xi was engineered in Germany, the scope was proudly designed, machined, and assembled in the USA. So, it’s part of the Made In USA lineup.
Is the reticle on the second focal plane?
It’s not. The reticle is in the first focal plane and the reticle is extremely accurate. The range reading and bullet drop reading of the scope is extremely accurate.
2. Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm M1C3 FFP Riflescope
Leupold makes great scopes. Their hunting scopes are some of the best for the money. While the Mark 5HD is by no means budget, it’s still priced in a bracket where many scopes from other brands struggle to find a little bit of success.
Unlike those, the Mark 5HD has a lot of users and all of them are quite happy with their decision as well.
The Mark 5HD is an extremely long-range riflescope with an illuminated reticle. The scope features finger adjustable turrets on an aluminum cylinder.
The cylinder is purged with nitrogen to make it immune to internal fogging and makes it free of moisture. The lenses are O-ring sealed and they won’t move around from drops.
Speaking of lenses, they are fully multi-coated. The lenses are crafted from HD glasses. They are extremely bright and vivid. There is no color alteration or such issues present on the optic either.
The optic also features Leupold’s Twilight Max HD light management system as well. The low-light performance of the optic is phenomenal.
Does this scope come with mounting accessories?
No, it doesn’t. You will need to buy your own pair of rings. The scope tube is 35mm. Which is a bit thicker than usual. That’s why you will need to buy Leupold Mark 4 scope rings. They are available in 35mm diameter.
Where is this scope made?
From design to assembly, all of that is done within the USA in Leupold’s factory.
Does Leupold offer any warranty?
They do. They offer a full lifetime commitment. You will be able to claim a warranty from them as long as you have a Leupold product.
3. NightForce NXS C429 3.5-a15x50mm ZeroStop SFP Scope
Nightforce makes great hunting and tactical shooting scopes. Their NXS series is quite good for both and they are quite expensive as well.
This is where I need to play the card of “good things cost money”. It’s a really good performing scope with a justified price tag.
The scope is made out of extremely durable and lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum. The same type of aluminum that Nightforce uses in other high-end scopes as well. The tube inside is purged with nitrogen to make it immune to fogging and remove all leftover moisture from the machining process.
The lenses are fully multi-coated. They are bright and have no color related problems. They are also good at low-light performance.
If you are using your MK12 for hunting, this is one of the best hunting scopes for MK12. You will need some time to get adjusted to the reticle and learn to read it completely, once you master it, your hunting game skill will level up.
What’s the tube diameter of this scope?
The tube is 30mm thick and it accepts all standard rings. That includes rings like Vortex Precision matched and Hunter series.
Is the reticle illuminated?
Yes, it is. It’s a red illuminated reticle in the second focal plane. While the reticle would have looked better in the first focal plane, it is what it is.
Does this scope feature ZeroStop technology?
Yes, it does. Once you sight in your gun, you can set the ZeroSTop and create a positive mechanical stopping point where you desire. You can make as many adjustments as you want to make after. When you are done, turn the elevation knob down to ZeroStop and you are back to your roots.
4. Vortex Optics Viper PST 3-15×44 Gen II SFP Riflescope
The Viper PST Gen II is available in multiple configurations. Besides different reticles, you can also choose a different magnification while purchasing the scope.
You can choose for a long-range one or go with close to medium-range. My recommendation will be to go with the long-range 5-25×50 model.
The Gen II features a second focal plane reticle instead of the first. Which can be a deal breaker for quite a few and doesn’t matter to most. Shooters can dial in their compensations in the laser etched turrets.
There is a fiber optic rotation indicator present on the turret that indicates how much you changed your adjustments. Following it, you can easily head back to your previous settings.
The lenses on this scope are fully multi-coated and they are extremely bright. Their color accuracy is quite good and they don’t suffer from distortion or blurry vision while magnifying.
The zooming experience is flawless and pictures don’t appear pixelated. The optics field of view is quite good and it’s an excellent all-day hunter.
Is the scope waterproof?
It’s water, fog, and shockproof. The lenses are O-ring sealed. The inside of the scope is filled and purged with argon to make it immune to fogging as well. As for shock, your scope won’t move around on top of a sniper rifle.
Where is the scope made from?
The scope is manufactured in the Philippines. It’s not made in Japan, China, or the USA either.
Will this fit on a 30mm mount?
Yes, it will. The body tube of this scope is 30mm. So, you won’t have any issue fitting this on a pair of 30mm rings.
5. NightForce SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Scope
The SHV series has always been a good middle ground between NXS and NX8. While SHV is less expensive than both of the high-end models from Nightforce, it’s not behind their performance by any means.
The 14x smooth magnification of this scope sets a standard in the price bracket. Thanks to that, the competing products also had to provide good quality glasses and fill the scope with features. Competition has always been good for consumers and that remains to be true.
The scope is made out of aluminum through CNC machining. The processing had some leftover moisture inside, which Nightforce removed through purging.
The lenses of the scope are stellar. They are bright, vibrant, and have no color alteration or derogating vision at long-range. As there is no distortion in the magnification process, it’s simply an amazing and fluid experience all around.
Is this a good optic for hunting?
It’s excellent for hunting. All Nightforce scopes are great for hunting and they do the job excellently. Whether it’s big-game hunting you are planning on doing or some small-scales, doesn’t matter.
Does this optic come with mounting accessories?
No, it doesn’t. You will need to buy your own mounting rings for the scope.
Is the reticle in FFP?
Yes, the F1 model reticle is in the first focal plane.
6. Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope
The VX series from Leupold has always been a good option for beginners. The scopes are quite affordable compared to the rest and their performance in hunting and tactical shooting is spectacular. The VX-3HD is a mid-range scope with 10x maximum magnification.
The scope is available in Duplex CDS-ZL and Illuminated Firedot Twilight Hunter CDS-ZL reticle. The FireDot twilight hunter has a red dot illuminated reticle on the center of the scope. The reticle is bright enough to the point where it’s not distracting under sunlight.
The lenses are fully multi-coated and they are equipped with Leupold’s light management system. That makes the scope a viable option in low-light conditions and an excellent option for small game hunting.
What is CDS?
CDS aka custom dial system is a method to customize your turret with your exact ballistics and environmental condition. Once you install the custom dial, just range the target and dial to that number. Your aim will be dead straight.
Is this a good scope for hunting in cold areas?
It’s a good scope for hunting in any corner of the earth. Whether it’s harsh rainy weather or cold, doesn’t matter. The scope can work in any condition.
What’s the tube diameter of this scope?
The tube diameter is 1”. There is another model of the same scope that features the 30mm tube. But the one I mentioned here is the 1” variant.
7. Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44MM FFP Reticle Scope
The last MK12 optic I want to recommend is from Primary Arms. They are known to shove in high magnification for a not-so-high price tag. The SLX is equipped with a 14x magnification that is quite accurate in plinking and hunting.
The scope also has a partial red illumination reticle with 6 adjustable brightness settings. You can select from 6 adjustable brightness options.
The scope is manufactured to be durable under any weather. So, the scope is fogproof, shockproof, and waterproof as well. The tube is purged with nitrogen to make it immune to internal fogging as well. The lenses on the optic are also fully multi-coated.
They are extremely bright and visible throughout the day. That’s why, newbie hunters love this scope because of the versatility and how easy it is to use. The reticle is not hard to understand or master either.
Does Primary Arms provide a warranty on SLX?
They do. They offer a limited 3 years warranty on workmanship and materials on the scope.
Does the glass suffer from fishbowl vision in low magnification?
It doesn’t. The glass they used isn’t as bad as other budget stuff. That’s why it doesn’t suffer from distorted vision.
What kind of rings do I need with this?
You will need rings whose diameter is 30mm. 1” rings won’t work with this scope and 34/35mm rings will be too big.
Conclusion
The MK12 is a fun gun and it’s deadly to game targets, While the gun is quite good at stock it can always benefit from some little upgrades.
One of them being the scopes I mentioned today. A good MK12 optic will take your hunting and plinking to the next level and provide you with better control and accuracy on the gun.
With that said, that’s all for now. As always, I appreciate you guys reading this. I hope to see you on my next one. Till then, take care and have fun.
