The SKS rifle, a timeless and reliable platform, deserves an optic that can match its rugged versatility. Whether you’re hunting in dense woods or across open fields, the right scope can dramatically improve your accuracy and overall experience. With so many options on the market, selecting the perfect one for your needs and budget can be a challenge.
This guide is designed to simplify your search by highlighting eight of the best scopes for the SKS in 2025. We’ve considered a range of factors including optical clarity, durability, reticle type, and value to provide a selection that caters to every hunter’s requirements. From budget-friendly choices to premium models with advanced features, you’re sure to find an optic that will make your SKS a more effective tool in the field.
Our Top Picks for SKS Rifle Scopes
- Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×50 Second Focal Plane
- UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope, AO, RGB Mil-dot
- CVLIFE 3-9×40 Optics R4 Reticle Crosshair Scope
- Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Mag Riflescope
- Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope
- Nikon ProStaff P3 3-9×40 BDC Riflescope
- Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Duplex Reticle Riflescope
- Primary Arms SLx 3X32mm Gen III Prism Scope
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×50 Second Focal Plane
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is a standout choice for hunters seeking reliable performance and excellent light gathering. Its generous 50mm objective lens pulls in ample light, making it effective during the critical low-light periods at dawn and dusk. The Straight-Wall BDC reticle is specifically designed for the trajectory of popular straight-wall cartridges, offering useful holdover points for longer shots.
This scope is built for real-world use, with a fast focus eyepiece for quick reticle adjustment and an ultra-forgiving eye box that helps you acquire your target rapidly. Fully multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission, providing a bright and clear sight picture. Backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty, this scope offers tremendous peace of mind and value.
UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope, AO, RGB Mil-dot
Compact and feature-packed, the UTG BugBuster is an ideal optic for the SKS, especially when a low-profile setup is preferred. Its built-in, flip-open lens caps and compact design make it easy to handle and store. A key feature is the adjustable objective (AO) which allows for parallax correction from 3 yards to infinity, making it incredibly versatile for both close-range and extended shots.
This scope includes a red and green illuminated Mil-dot reticle, providing flexibility in various lighting conditions and against different backgrounds. The included QD (Quick Detach) rings are a significant benefit, allowing you to easily mount and remove the scope without losing zero, which can be useful for maintaining the rifle’s iron sight capability.
CVLIFE 3-9×40 Optics R4 Reticle Crosshair Scope
The CVLIFE 3-9×40 scope represents exceptional value for hunters on a tight budget. It provides a versatile 3-9x magnification range suitable for most hunting scenarios encountered with an SKS. The 40mm objective lens offers a good balance between size and light transmission, while the R4 crosshair reticle is simple and effective for quick target acquisition.
This package is particularly appealing because it comes complete with 20mm scope mounts, providing everything you need to get your SKS outfitted and ready for the range or field. It’s a solid, no-frills option that performs reliably, making it a great starting point for those new to scoped rifles.
Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Mag Riflescope
Known for its affordability and reliability, the Simmons .22 Mag Riflescope is a proven performer that works surprisingly well on an SKA, especially for plinking and small game hunting. Its lightweight design doesn’t add significant bulk to your rifle, and the 3-9x magnification is perfectly suited for the effective range of the platform.
The scope features Simmons’ HydraShield lens coating that helps repel water, oil, and dust, keeping your sight picture clear in adverse conditions. With a simple and uncluttered reticle, it provides a straightforward aiming point that is easy to use, making it an excellent choice for beginners or as a dependable backup optic.
Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope
The Bushnell Banner series is built with one key advantage in mind: performance in low light. Its Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses are engineered to provide maximum light transmission during the times when game is most active. This makes it a strategic choice for hunters who frequently find themselves in the stand during the first and last hours of daylight.
Featuring a durable one-piece tube construction, this scope can handle the recoil of an SKS with ease. The Multi-X reticle is a classic and highly effective design, offering a fine center for precision and thick outer posts that help guide the eye to the target quickly. It’s a robust scope designed for serious hunting conditions.
Nikon ProStaff P3 3-9×40 BDC Riflescope
While Nikon has exited the riflescope market, their existing products remain highly sought-after for their legendary optical clarity. The ProStaff P3 offers brilliant, color-accurate images thanks to its fully multi-coated lenses and high-quality glass. The BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticle provides multiple aiming points to compensate for bullet drop at various distances.
This scope is nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed for reliable waterproof and fog-proof performance in all weather conditions. The spot-on ballistic match technology that Nikon offered made customizing the BDC reticle to your specific load incredibly easy, making it a versatile and intelligent choice for hunters who value precision.
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Duplex Reticle Riflescope
The Leupold VX-Freedom represents a step into premium optics, offering legendary American craftsmanship and reliability. It is incredibly lightweight and rugged, built to withstand harsh conditions and heavy recoil. The Twilight Light Management System is designed to provide extra minutes of shooting light in the morning and evening by maximizing light transmission and reducing glare.
With its scratch-resistant lenses and waterproof/fog-proof construction, the VX-Freedom is a true buy-once-cry-once optic. The classic Duplex reticle is fast and easy to use, making it perfect for the quick shots often presented in woodland hunting. Its reliability and crystal-clear glass make it a top-tier choice for the discerning SKS owner.
Primary Arms SLx 3X32mm Gen III Prism Scope
For hunters who prefer a more modern sighting system or have astigmatism, the Primary Arms SLx prism scope is an outstanding alternative to traditional scopes. The fixed 3x magnification is ideal for most engagements with an SKS, and the etched reticle means it will remain visible even without battery power.
This scope features the versatile ACSS-5.56-CQB-M reticle, which includes ranging, holdovers, and windage references tailored for common SKS ballistics. Being a prism scope, it is compact, lightweight, and has an extremely long eye relief, making it easy to mount and use. Its illuminated reticle options provide a clear aiming point in any lighting.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Scope for Your SKS
So, you’ve got an SKS and you’re thinking about putting a scope on it. I get it; the iron sights are classic, but a good optic can really open up your rifle’s potential for hunting. Before you just buy the first scope you see, there are a few things you need to think about, especially with a rifle like the SKS. It’s not your typical modern sporting rifle, and that means you have to choose your gear a bit more carefully.
First up is mounting. This is the single biggest hurdle with the SKS. You can’t just slap a Picatinny rail on it. Your main options are a receiver cover mount or a side rail mount that replaces the existing hardware. In my experience, receiver cover mounts can be a bit wobbly and might not hold zero perfectly. A good side rail mount is generally more stable and reliable, which is what you want for consistent shooting. Just make sure you get one specifically designed for the SKS.
Next, let’s talk about the scope itself. The 7.62x39mm cartridge, which your SKS fires, isn’t a long-range powerhouse. It’s fantastic for medium-sized game within 200 yards. Because of this, you don’t need a massive, high-magnification scope. I find that a low-power variable optic (LPVO) like a 1-4x or 1-6x is just about perfect. It gives you a wide field of view for quick shots up close at the 1x setting, and you can zoom in for a more precise shot at 100-200 yards. A fixed 4x power scope is also a solid, simple, and often more affordable choice.
Durability is non-negotiable. The SKS has a unique recoil impulse, and it’s not exactly a gentle rifle. You need a scope that can handle the shock. Look for scopes that are shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. Fully multi-coated lenses are also a must-have; they make a huge difference in light transmission, giving you a brighter and clearer sight picture during those crucial early morning or late evening hunts.
Finally, consider the eye relief. This is the distance your eye needs to be from the scope to see the full picture. A scope with generous eye relief, around 3.5 to 4 inches, is a good idea. It gives you a bit of a safety buffer to prevent getting “scoped” – when the scope kicks back and hits your eyebrow – which is never a fun experience. Keeping these factors in mind will help you find one of the 8 best scope for SKS hunting rifle – Hunting Mark 2025 that fits both your rifle and your hunting style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to mount a scope on an SKS?
This is the most common question, and for good reason. The best method for mounting a scope on an SKS, in my opinion, is a quality side rail mount. These mounts attach to the left side of the receiver, replacing the original pin. They are generally much more solid and reliable than receiver cover mounts, which have a reputation for losing zero due to flex. A good side rail mount provides a stable platform that will keep your scope where it needs to be shot after shot.
Is a high-magnification scope good for an SKS?
Not really. The SKS and its 7.62x39mm cartridge are best suited for short to medium-range shooting, typically out to about 200 yards for hunting. A high-magnification scope, like a 12x or higher, is overkill and will actually be a disadvantage. It will have a very narrow field of view, making it hard to acquire targets quickly at closer ranges. Stick with a low-power variable optic (1-4x, 1-6x) or a fixed 4x power scope for the best all-around performance.
Can the SKS’s iron sights be used with a scope mounted?
It depends entirely on the mount you choose. Most receiver cover mounts will sit high enough that you cannot use the iron sights. Some side rail mounts are designed to be quick-detachable (QD), allowing you to remove the scope and its ring base entirely to use the irons underneath. If having a backup sighting option is important to you, I would specifically look for a QD side rail mount system.
Will adding a scope make my SKS too heavy?
The SKS is already a fairly hefty rifle, and adding a scope, mount, and rings will definitely increase the weight. However, a modern, compact scope isn’t going to turn it into an anchor. You might add a pound to a pound and a half. It’s a trade-off for the significant improvement in aiming precision. If you’re concerned about weight, look for a lighter-weight LPVO model to minimize the added bulk.
What is a good budget for a scope for my SKS?
You don’t need to spend a fortune. Given the rifle’s capabilities and the fact that you’ll also need to budget for a mount, I think a sweet spot is between $150 and $300. In this range, you can find some excellent scopes that are durable enough for the SKS’s recoil and have the features you need, like good glass coatings and a reliable reticle. Spending more might get you marginally better performance, but it’s not strictly necessary to get a great setup for your SKS hunting rifle.
Are there any specific reticles that work well with the 7.62x39mm?
While any standard duplex reticle will work fine, a BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticle calibrated for the 7.62x39mm can be very handy. These reticles have holdover points that correspond to the bullet’s trajectory at different distances. This can help you make more accurate shots at varying ranges without needing to adjust your turrets. If you can find a scope with a 7.62×39 BDC, it’s a nice feature, but it’s not a requirement for a successful hunt within 200 yards.