ColdBore's editorial team has analyzed the latest data from precisionrifleblog.com, which surveyed the top 200-ranked shooters in the PRS Open Division to identify their preferred rifle scopes. The study, first reported by precisionrifleblog.com, highlights the demanding criteria elite competitors apply to their optics: perfect tracking, robust zero retention under hard use, a forgiving eyebox, crystal-clear glass for challenging conditions, and the ability to spot impacts and misses efficiently under time pressure. This data cuts through marketing hype, showcasing the optics truly performing at the highest levels of the sport.
Zero Compromise Optics (ZCO) stands out as the dominant brand for the second consecutive year, with 45 of the top 200 competitors running their scopes, and claiming the largest share of shooters ranked in the top 25, including two in the top 10. According to precisionrifleblog.com, ZCO, founded by experienced Austrian optical engineers, has rapidly gained a reputation for exceptional optical clarity, extremely forgiving eyeboxes, precise tracking, and outstanding mechanical consistency. The ZCO 5-27x56 is the most popular model overall among pros, with 28 users. Its newer counterpart, the ZCO 8-40x56, chosen by two top 10 shooters, is steadily gaining traction. The ZCO 5-27x56 carries a street price of $4,485, while the ZCO 8-40x56 is priced at $4,655 as of May 2026. A favored feature among pros is ZCO’s 10-mil turret option, which provides 10.0 mils per full revolution. This design simplifies precise dialing under match pressure, as most elevation corrections rarely exceed 10 mils, even for cartridges like the 6mm Dasher engaging targets out to 1,045 yards. ZCO scopes offer a total of 35 mils of elevation travel.
Leupold maintains a strong presence, with 18% of the top-ranked pro shooters utilizing their scopes, including two in the top 10. The Leupold Mark 5HD lineup is particularly popular, with 23 shooters opting for the Mark 5HD 5-25x56 and 10 for the Mark 5HD 7-35x56. A significant factor in the Mark 5HD's popularity is its value proposition; priced at $2,199 in May 2026, it is approximately half the cost of many other premium optics, while still providing essential features and solid tracking performance. The Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 is also noted for being exceptionally light at 30 ounces, compared to the 36-39 ounce average for high-end optics.
Beyond the frontrunners, Tangent Theta remains firmly embedded among elite competitors, demonstrating strong representation within the top 50. While Kahles and Vortex hold meaningful market share deeper within the field, neither brand had shooters represented in the top 10 or top 25. Nightforce, despite a recent decline in overall presence, still narrowly holds the largest representation in the top 10, according to the survey. Overall, the data underscores that while numerous capable optics exist, a select group of premium brands overwhelmingly dominate the highest echelons of competitive precision rifle shooting.
