For precision rifle competitors, optic selection is not left to chance; it's a critical performance determinant. According to a recent survey conducted by precisionrifleblog.com of the top 200-ranked shooters in the PRS Open Division, elite competitors demand scopes that exhibit flawless tracking, steadfast zero retention under duress, generous eyeboxes, exceptional glass clarity in adverse conditions, and the capability to swiftly spot impacts and misses. These choices, precisionrifleblog.com notes, are driven purely by on-range performance and match-winning capabilities.
Zero Compromise Optics (ZCO) continues its reign as the dominant force among top PRS shooters for the second consecutive year, with 45 of the top 200 competitors fielding their scopes. ZCO boasts the largest share of shooters within the top 25 overall rankings. Leupold and Tangent Theta maintain strong representation within the top 50, while Kahles and Vortex hold meaningful market share deeper into the field, though neither brand saw representation in the top 10, and Vortex had no shooters in the top 25. Nightforce, despite a recent decline in overall presence, still narrowly leads in the top 10, edging out ZCO, Leupold, and Tangent Theta. This data underscores that a select group of premium brands overwhelmingly command the highest echelons of competitive precision rifle shooting.
Delving into specific models, all top 25 shooters utilized one of the popular models highlighted by the survey. The ZCO 5-27x56 stands out as the most popular scope model overall, trusted by 28 professionals. Introduced in 2019, this optic has a street price of $4,485. Its newer counterpart, the ZCO 8-40x56, released in 2022 and priced at $4,655, is gaining traction, already chosen by two of the top 10 shooters. ZCO scopes, precisionrifleblog.com reports, are lauded for their exceptional optical clarity, forgiving eyeboxes, precise tracking, and mechanical consistency—attributes vital for high-pressure match scenarios. A favored feature among pros is the optional 10-mil turret, offering 10.0 mils per full revolution. This facilitates more precise and confident dialing, particularly under tight time constraints, as competitors rarely need more than 10 mils of elevation in typical PRS matches; for instance, an 8.4 mil correction for a 6mm Dasher at 1,045 yards. ZCO scopes offer a total of 35 mils of elevation travel.
Leupold also commands significant representation, with 18% of top-ranked pros utilizing their optics, including two in the top 10. The Leupold Mark 5HD lineup is especially prevalent, with 23 shooters opting for the Mark 5HD 5-25x56 and 10 for the Mark 5HD 7-35x56. A primary driver of the Mark 5HD's popularity is its compelling value; at a street price of $2,199, it is roughly half the cost of many other high-tier optics. Additionally, the Mark 5HD 5-25x56 distinguishes itself as the lightest scope among the top contenders, weighing in at just 30 ounces compared to the typical 36-39 ounces of comparable premium optics. The Mark 5HD line delivers solid tracking performance, excellent reticle options, and optical performance deemed fully adequate for the highest levels of competition.
