When you have a low-velocity, high-performing, quality cartridge like the 458 Socom, the last thing you want is a defective riflescope. So it’s very common for Socom users to want to know what the best scope for 458 Socom is. And this is exactly what we are going to address in this article.
The 458 Socom has come a long way since its adoption in the early 2000s by members of special operations, thus the name Socom (special operations command).
It was intended to make up for the limitations of the 5.56 rounds by accommodating larger diameter bullets with more destructive force. In other words, it is expected the cartridge would create more damages with the least amount of bullets compared to the 5.56 rounds.
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Today, the 458 Socom has become very popular among civilian shooters, especially hand loaders and AR lovers.
After much research and testing, we have rounded up the top five best-performing scopes for the 458 Socom. We’ve also included a detailed buying guide to ensure you get the ultimate low down on what would best suit your Socom cartridge.
Without wasting any more time, let’s delve straight in!
Best Scopes For 458 Socom Review
The market is filled with a lot of potential options for a 458 Socom scope. After carrying out our research, we were able to arrive at top five scopes. There are definitely other good scopes out there for Socom, but the ones reviewed here are a good place to start with.
1. Nikon 16383 X1000 Spotting Scopes
To kick off this list is one of the best Nikon scope in the market right now – the Black X1000. For the best performance when it comes to precision and optical clarity, you won’t go wrong with this scope.
Nikon has always been in the forefront when it comes to making high quality scopes that perform well in all aspects. It would be hard to imagine any list without a mention of the brand.
The Nikon X1000 comes with features you would only find in high end scopes. Some of these include full multi-layer coated lenses, high precision reticle, ergonomic turrets, consistent eye relief and more.
One of the things that stand out in this scope compared to many other similar scopes is its light transmission. The Nikon X1000 offers up to 95% light transmission, which obviously puts it among the top performers. It also comes with fully multi-coated lenses which provide bright and clear images every time.
We were also impressed with the lens size and magnification of the scope. In fact, the magnification is adjustable, making the scope versatile.
As indicated earlier, the scope also comes with a generous eye relief of 4-inches. This ensures that your brow is safe when the gun recoils.
Overall, the Nikon X1000 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a scope that will produce clear, bright images even for long shots. It might be a bit expensive, but you will get a lot of value for your money.
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Related Guide: Best 458 Socom Upper Review
2. Nikon Black FX1000
The Nikon Black FX1000 is another wonderful scope that embodies all that Nikon stands for. It is designed to provide you with the best optical experience. The scope has already attracted a lot of positive reviews even though it’s still relatively new in the market.
You will find the Nikon X1000 really useful for long range shooting. The precision and clarity it brings to the table is second to none. From our inspection, it is obvious Nikon put in a lot of work into the reticle and glass clarity. This is easily reflected on the quality of image produced by the scope.
The scope comes with fully multi-coated lenses which provide excellent light transmission. Thus, the images produced are very sharp and bright with good contrast. The image quality is maintained up to 1000 yards. You will hardly find something better that can get as far while maintaining precision.
In addition, the scope has an objective lens diameter of 50mm, which ensures it works perfectly well even in low light conditions. This makes it an excellent choice for hunting during dusk or dawn.
The scope also offers adjustable magnification, from 6-24x, making it useful for all conditions.
Of course, all these features without a good build quality would make the scope less useful.
Thankfully, as always, Nikon did very well in this area. The scope has a durable construction which is waterproof, shockproof and fog proof, making it suitable for harsh conditions.
Overall, it is an excellent scope that brings a lot to the table. You will be hard pressed to find something with better quality and precision for the price.
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Related Comparison: TRIJICON RMR TYPE 1 VS TYPE 2
3. Nikon M-Tactical 1-4X24 Matte MK1-MOA Scope
Next up is the Nikon M-Tactical which happens to be another wonderful long-range scope for 458 Socom. The scope excels highly not only in design, but also in quality and performance. It is one of those models that exemplify Nikon’s commitment towards producing innovative and high performance scopes.
The scope uses MK1-MOA reticle that gives you an estimation of the range and the size of the target at the chosen magnification. Thanks to its multi-coating technology, users get quality sight images with high contrast and brightness. As indicated earlier, the glass works well for long distance viewing.
When it comes to ergonomics, the M-Tactical also scores high. This is evident in the design and placement of its zoom rings and coarse turrets’ knurling.
The entire scope is built to survive in harsh conditions.
It is waterproof, shockproof and fog proof, so you don’t need to worry about a sudden change in the weather. All this contributes in extending the lifespan of the scope.
With this scope, you also get a generous eye relief and a quick eye focus which comes in handy for fast target acquisition.
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4. Nikon 16380 Black Force1000 Scope
For quick target acquisition, you need a scope with good light transmission. It also happens that Nikon scopes are good in this area. This is exactly what you get with the Nikon Black Force and even more.
The scope offers a variable magnification from 1 to 4x, which is quite impressive. However, this might not work well for hunters who shoot at long ranges. But for short to medium range, it is an excellent choice. The tactical performance is brilliant especially when shooting at close quarters.
You will also be impressed with the glass quality as it gives you clear and bright images. The objective lens diameter is 24mm, which is decent. It will still be possible to see through the scope in dim light.
That being said, this is not the scope for low light conditions. So, if you hunt mainly in the night or early in the morning, then you would do better to get a scope with a larger objective lens.
The scope also comes with multiple layers of coating to enhance the transmission of light thus, improving the quality in your images. It comes completely sealed for weather resistance.
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5. Burris 200437 MTAC 1-4 x 24 Illuminated Scope (Black)
To round off the list is another high-quality scope for Socom from a different company – the Burris MTAC. If you’re looking for a scope to engage in Close Quarter Battles (CQB), then you will not go wrong with this one.
This is the kind of scope we recommend in situations where seeing clearly and acquiring targets quickly is fundamental, like in defensive shooting and 3 gun competitions. You will find it most effective when used within 200 yards. For longer-range shooting, you will likely do better with some other scope.
We were impressed with the clarity of the image produced by the scope, especially for its price. Some users said they noticed a little distortion but that isn’t something to worry about. Resolving images is quick and precise. The color fidelity is good too.
This scope has a durable construction that holds up well in all conditions. It also offers variable magnification power and fantastic eye relief. The use of an etched reticle makes it possible to still use the scope even on a low battery. This is definitely a big plus, especially when compared to many similar scopes.
Overall, if you need an affordable scope that you can rely on for clear-quality images, then you won’t be disappointed with the Burris MTAC. It comes highly recommended.
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What to Look For Before Buying
If you’ve read the article up to this point, you should have an idea of what to consider when shopping for a scope. But just in case you missed that, below is a formal guide on how to find the right scope for your 458 Socom cartridge.
Magnification Level
This is probably the first thing you should look at when purchasing a scope, whether for a cartridge or something else. Magnification is simply what it says. It is the extent to which the scope “magnifies” or increases the size of the image. The level of magnification you need largely depends on what you’re using the rifle for.
However, with a low magnification, you will not be able to see far. For instance, if your targets are found within 100 yards from where you are, then you will need a scope with a magnification of 4 or more.
For hunting and other long-range shooting applications, a magnification of 10x is usually adequate. You can always go for something higher, however, that might mean paying extra.
Objective Lens Diameter
Another important thing you should consider besides magnification is the size of the objective lens. The objective lens captures the light entering the scope. Usually, the bigger the lens, more the light entering the scope.
So, a higher objective lens diameter is usually desirable as it makes the scope more useable in low light conditions. However, also bear in mind that a large objective lens makes the scope heavier and bulkier.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is another feature you want to look out for when shopping for the scope for 458 Socom, especially if you plan to use it at long distances. This is important for any cartridge, not just the 458 Socom.
Considering the recoil energy of 458 Socom, we recommend an eye relief of at least 3.5 inches or more. For long range shooting, 6-inches or more would be ideal.
Budget
It’s a good idea to buy a scope that fits into your budget. However, always put quality first and make sure the scope has what you need.
High-end scopes usually cost more but they come with more features that you may find useful or unnecessary, depending on what you intend to use the scope for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a quality scope?
For long-range shooting, you need more than a low-grade optic. Instead, you need something more reliable and this you can only get with a quality scope.
How much eye relief do I need?
The recoil produced by 458 Socom is relatively mild compared to some cartridges with higher recoil energy. So, eye relief isn’t much of an issue, although it’s still important. Anything from 3.5-inches above is good.
Should I choose fixed or variable (zoom) scope?
This depends on your specific needs but if you’re going to be using the scope at a particular distance, then a fixed scope would be ideal as it’s much easier to use. However, if you don’t have a specific distance in mind, a variable scope would be better.
Do I need parallax adjustment?
For short and mid range shooting, parallax isn’t usually an issue. However, if you plan to use the scope for long-range spotting, then parallax adjustment will be very useful.
Where can I get these scopes?
To purchase any one of these scopes, simply click on the corresponding product link.
Final Words
This is where we will end this review. It is our hope that you find the information here useful as you shop for the scope for 458 Socom.
The scopes above were chosen because they seem to stand out in terms of quality, durability and resilience. They hold up well against recoil and will survive in harsh weather conditions.
We have no doubt you will enjoy using them.