Hunting Rifle Optics in Australia: What’s Good — and What’s Actually Worth Your Money
- West Coast Components
- Jan 13
- 5 min read
Choosing the right hunting rifle optic in Australia has never been more complex — or more confusing. With constant product refreshes, marketing buzzwords, and an ever-expanding range of manufacturers, it’s worth stepping back and asking an important question:
What actually matters to the Australian hunter?
The Evolution of Rifle Optics: Progress or Marketing?
In 2005, Leupold introduced the VX-III series, setting a new benchmark for hunting rifle optics in Australia. At the time, it delivered excellent low-light performance — critical for dawn, dusk, and spotlight hunting under halogen lights.
In 2009, the VX-III became the VX-3.
In 2016, it evolved again into the VX-3i, with incremental improvements in clarity and light transmission.
Today, we see the VX-3HD, following the brief appearance of the MK3HD.
Each iteration promised better clarity, better coatings, and improved performance.
But what did that really mean for the end user?
For most shooters, very little.
Are we genuinely able to perceive a 2% increases in light transmission?How often does marginally reduced glare justify a significant jump in price?
For the majority of Australian hunters, the answer is rarely.
Manufacturing Shifts: The Reality of Modern Optics
During this same period, the optics industry shifted heavily toward Philippines- and China-manufactured scopes. While this dramatically reduced costs, quality often suffered — even if you paid a premium.
Many of these so-called “premium” models struggled to match optics manufactured in Japan, the USA, or Europe.
Fast-forward to 2026, and the landscape is changing again. Chinese manufacturers are closing the gap, now using Japanese glass and modern coatings, producing scopes that are objectively better than ever before.
This doesn’t mean high-end optics are obsolete — far from it — but it does mean the old rules no longer apply.
Fit for Purpose: The Only Rule That Matters
The long-standing advice was simple:Spend as much on your optic as you do on your firearm.
That advice no longer holds up.
Modern mid-range optics deliver outstanding performance at accessible prices. The key is choosing a scope that is fit for purpose, not one that simply carries a premium brand name.
A Practical Example
If you spend $1,200 on a .22LR bolt-action for rabbits, plinking, and training:
Do you need a $1,200 optic?No.
You can spend several hundred dollars less and still end up with a scope that:
Exceeds the rifle’s practical requirements
Offers modern features
Leaves room in the budget for ammunition, accessories… and yes — cleaning gear.
That same optic, however, would be entirely unsuited to PRS-style competition, where tracking, turret precision, and reticle design become critical.
Different jobs demand different tools.
Common Scope Types for Australian Hunting
LPVO (Low Power Variable Optics)
Typically ranging from 1-4x, 1-6x, or even 1-10x, LPVOs excel in:
Thick scrub
Fast target acquisition
Pig and goat hunting
IPSC Rifle competition
Higher-magnification LPVOs are particularly well-suited to platforms like the Taipan or Wedgetail pump-action rifles.
While you’ll never achieve a true 1x, modern LPVOs are extremely close to a true 1x and very effective.
3-9x40 – The Classic All-Rounder
A proven configuration that remains more than sufficient for:
Rimfire hunting
Plinking
General field use
Simple, lightweight, practical and cost effective.
2-14x / 4-16x50
A versatile step up, ideal for:
Centrefire hunting out to ~200 metres
Shooters wanting more magnification flexibility
And if you want to run it on a rimfire—go for it. Some folks like a bit more magnification, and there’s absolutely no shame in that game.
5-20x / 5-25x56
Suitable for:
Long-range hunting
Precision shooting
If weight becomes a consideration, then looking at the higher-end optic lines tend to win in straights. These scopes often feature “tactical” reticles — and while they may look intimidating, those extra reference points are extremely useful once understood.
Red Dot Sights: For More Than Just Handguns
Red dots aren’t just for pistols. They can be valuable tools on rifles as well, particularly as:
A rapid sighting system for close targets
A way to quickly index onto target before settling into the main optic
For handguns, the market has stabilized, but lesser-known brands can still present reliability issues. Sometimes the gamble is worth it — if the warranty is solid.
All red dots fail eventually. The only unknown is when.
Mounting considerations are critical. Unlike rifle scopes tube sizing, red dots lack standardization, so ensure:
The optics footprint matches your slide or mount
Plates and mounting solutions are readily available
MOA Size: Personal Preference
Dot size is subjective, advancements in the diopters and emitters have made red dots incredibly crisp in the last few years. 6 MOA was once the standard preference, we often see now some of the Pro’s opting for smaller dot sizes. “Aim small, miss small” or something like that. Just remember that in rough term an MOA will be 1 Inch at 100 yards, so a 6 MOA dot will cover 6 inches at 100Yards, 3 inches at 50 yards and 1.5 inches at 25 yards.
ED and HD Glass: What Does It Actually Mean?
ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and HD lenses reduce chromatic aberration — colour fringing that softens image clarity.
In practical terms:
Below ~10x, the difference is minimal
At 15x and above, the improvement becomes noticeable
Recent discussions with major optic manufacturers suggest this threshold is shifting lower, with measurable benefits now appearing around 12–14x.
Why trust that data? Because it would be cheaper for manufacturers not to include ED/HD glass. These insights come from the makers themselves — the ones running the testing equipment, not just marketing the brand.
Illuminated Reticles: Useful, Not Essential
Illuminated reticles are now common and often add little to the overall cost. While not essential, they can:
Improve reticle visibility in low light
Help maintain target focus
Prevent losing the reticle against dark backgrounds
Red vs Green Illumination
Red Illumination:The most common option. Excellent in low-light conditions and less likely to affect night vision.
Green Illumination:Often more visible in bright daylight and offers higher contrast against certain backgrounds.
Both are effective — preference and application should guide the choice.
What Does SFP vs FFP Mean? Let's keep in simple
Second Focal Plane (SFP)
With an SFP scope, the reticle stays the same size when you zoom in or out.
Reticle doesn’t move
Holdover marks are only accurate at one specific magnification
Simple, familiar, and effective
For most hunting scenarios, SFP gets the job done.Set your magnification, put the crosshair where it belongs, squeeze.
First Focal Plane (FFP)
With an FFP scope, the reticle scales with magnification.
Reticle grows and shrinks as you zoom
Holdovers and windage marks stay accurate at every magnification
Designed for precision shooting and ranging
The reticle stays relative to the target — that’s the whole point.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose SFP if:
You’re primarily hunting
Shots are at known or moderate distances
You want a cleaner sight picture
You value simplicity and affordability
Choose FFP if:
You’re shooting PRS, NRL, or long range
You dial and hold at varying magnifications
You care about fast, repeatable corrections
You want your reticle to always be “right”
Dabbling in PRS or long-range shooting? You’ll absolutely kick yourself for not going FFP.
Final Thoughts
There is no single “best” rifle optic.
The right choice depends on:
Your rifle
Your intended use
Your budget
Your personal preferences
Modern optics offer more value than ever before. Choose wisely, match the tool to the task, and ignore the noise.
And who could forget the rise in Thermal and Night Vision optics.....but more on that later.
There isn’t a wrong answer — only what’s right for you.
If you need help selecting optic that is right for you, just reach out and we can point you in the right direction.
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