Best Prism Scope for Your Survival Rifle: Top Picks

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By Joel Jefferson •  13 min read

My tactical rifle is used to hit moving targets. I’m not worried about grouping a quarter-inch at 100 yards. I want a one-shot kill. And I want it almost reflexively.

best prism scope for your survival rifle

That means I’m avoiding a traditional scope. But I don’t want the limitations of a red dot sight either. Thankfully, we now have the best of both worlds. The solution is using the best prism scope on your rifle. They’re lighter and have a much better field of view (FOV) than the traditional scope.

The drawback is the limitation of their range. Even at 5x magnification, they aren’t going to be much help beyond 500 yards, which is plenty for me. I don’t plan on using my AR-15 as a sniper rifle. It’s for close quarters.

I’ll show you what you need to know so you can make your own choice about what prism scope is right for you.

Best Prism Scope: My Top 5 Picks

Here are my top picks at a quick glance:

PRISM DETAILS
  • Etched reticle has five intensity selections
  • Adjustable mount
  • Solid Construction
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  • 36mm Objective lens.
  • Good eye relief.
  • Waterproof.
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1. Best Value – Vortex Spitfire 3X-30mm Survival Rifle Review

Vortex Optics Spitfire 3x Prism Scope - EBR-556B Reticle (MOA)

The Spitfire is versatile. It starts with fixed 3X magnification for medium to close target acquisition. To keep your scope working and looking good, the finish is hard-anodized matte-black and built with shockproof construction. Because Vortex uses Nitrogen gas purging with O-ring seals, you get also fog-proof and waterproof performance. When not in use, dust, dirt, and debris are kept out with a flip cap. The Multi-Height Mount System allows for 30mm and 40mm mounting heights. And dual rails mounted on the 3X allow the optic to be joined with an offset, auxiliary-reflex sight.

The DRT etched and illuminated reticle provides excellent image quality. To help you in lowlight situations, the 30mm lenses are fully multicoated with anti-reflective coatings. The eye relief is 2.8 inches and there are five intensity levels to choose from for the red reticle.

Flip caps keep lenses protected and free of dirt, dust, and debris. Uses one CR-2032 battery (included).

Pros:

Cons:

Altogether, this is one of the best prism scopes on the market thanks to its versatility and durability. Its mounting system is also exceptionally flexible. When combined with the excellent illuminated reticle, the scope truly impresses us in every category.

OPTICS DETAILS
Vortex Optics Spitfire 3x
  • Etched reticle has five intensity selections
  • Adjustable mount
  • Solid Construction
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2. Best Starter Prism Scope – Monstrum S330P 3x Prism Scope Review

Monstrum S330P 3X Prism Scope | Black

The Monstrum S3330P 3X is a great choice for target acquisition up to 300 yards. Its durable and compact body is five inches long and weighs 15 ounces.

The 30mm provides a bright and clear image, free of chromatic aberrations, thanks to the Multi-Layer lens coating. It features a black etched reticle that can be illuminated with your choice of red or green during low light conditions. The eye relief is a comfortable 3.0 – 3.5 inches. All Monstrum Tactical Rifle Scope products are backed by a one year warranty.

Pros:

Cons:

Customer Sentiment

All in all, this prism scope is a great choice to combine with a high recoil weapon thanks to its durability and its high amount of eye relief.

PRISMS DETAILS
Monstrum S3330P 3X
  • Very durable construction
  • Easy to mount to most rifles
  • Has 3+ inches of eye relief
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3. Largest Range Coverage – Burris AR 536 with Fastfire III Red Dot Sight Prism Scope Review

burris ar 536 prism scope

This rugged sight by Burris has you covered from six to 600 yards. The AR 536 comes with its popular FastFire III Reflex Red Dot Sight to ensure you’re quickly covered in close quarters. 5x magnification with a 36mm objective lens frees you to move from close quarters to open fields.

The AR 536 has a multi-coated lens, an adjustable diopter, an integrated lens cover, and three Picatinny rail mounting points. With an Eye Relief of 2.5-3.5 inches, the black reticle comes with a choice of red or green illumination and five brightness settings.

This 18.75 oz matte black beast is 5.8″long, completely waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof. They even include a sun shield to screw onto the end of the sight to reduce glare. The product is backed with the Burris 100% Forever Warranty. That means no receipt, no questions asked, and it’s transferable to each owner to cover damaged or defective scopes.

Pros:

Cons:

Customer Sentiment

Not only do you get a great 5X prism scope so you can reach out, but you also get an awesome red dot sight when you need to get in close. If that’s not enough, it’s backed with one of the easiest warranties in the world.

PRISMS DETAILS
Burris AR 536
  • 36mm Objective lens
  • Good eye relief
  • Waterproof
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4. Best System Integration – Burris T.M.P.R. 5X32 Survival Rifle Prism Scope Review

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Take advantage of the versatile T.M.P.R. (Tri-Modular Prism Riflescope) system for confidence at any range up to 600 yards.

When you put 5X magnification coupled with a 32 mm objective lens you get plenty of power and light-capturing capability. Add the FastFire M3 or the T.M.P.R. Laser Sight for a CQB (Close Quarter Battle) and you’re ready for action anywhere.

All T.M.P.R. components come with their own battery but can be powered by the prism sight’s high-capacity CR123 battery when part of a system.

The laser and the reflex dot sights mount to the base unit to keep things compact. In fact, the centerline of the sight is at 1.53″ above the rail. On top of that, they added a dual throw quick-release Picatinny/Weaver rail mount to make installation easy and repeatable.

There are seven illumination levels for the three colors – blue, red, or green, to provide you with targeting options. There are also three night vision compatible settings. The T.M.P.R. System ensures a quick response with a field of view greater than the AR-332 or AR-536.

The durable scope consists of a sealed, aluminum nitrogen-filled housing that is waterproof up to three feet. It’s dust- resistant and resistant to internal fogging. At six inches long, it weighs a hefty 19.1 ounces.

Pros:

Cons:

Customer Sentiment

The amazing combination of illumination settings makes it easy to find the perfect setup for everyone.

PRISMS DETAILS
Burris 300238 T.M.P.R.
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  • 24′ field of view at 100 yards
  • Night Vision compatible
  • Center illuminated horseshoe with center dot
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5. Best Prism Scope for Fast-Moving Targets – Primary Arms 3×32 SLX Gen II Scope Review

Primary Arms SLX Compact 3x32 Gen II Prism Scope - ACSS-5.56-CQB-M2

Perfect for hunting pigs or other fast-moving targets. The wide field of view (31.5feet) is much more generous than your average 3X scope. Combine the horseshoe reticle with leading points and BDC hash marks, you have everything you need to drop your moving target with one clean shot.

The SLX Gen II features etched Multicoated lenses and a mounting base that works with either Weaver or Picatinny-style bases. The fully illuminated reticle has 11 brightness settings. BDC (bullet drop compensation) marks are a nice addition. The body is anodized matte black, waterproof, and fog-resistant. Weighing in at only 16 ounces, the Gen II is a great compact and lightweight solution for your midrange targeting needs.

Lifetime warranty for manufacturer defects, materials and workmanship, and even normal wear and tear

Pros:

Cons:

Customer Sentiment

This is a fantastic scope on its own merits. The prism design, reticle, mounting system, and durable construction materials all speak to a high-quality piece of equipment that many hunters will love. The lifetime manufacturer warranty just seals the deal and makes things even better.

PRISMS DETAILS
Primary Arms SLX Compact 3x32
  • 32 mm Objective lens
  • BDC marks
  • IP67 waterproof and fog resistant
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What You Need to Know About Prism Scopes

Prisms – Basically, a prism is a glass or other transparent object the shape of a triangle with surfaces at acute angles to each other. Light is bounced off of the surface so that white light is separated into a spectrum of colors.

What Is a Prism Scope and how does it work?

Actually, considered to be a type of red dot sight, prism scopes are more like a traditional scope that magnifies and focuses light. What makes a prism scope different is how the light is handled.

Chances are you have binoculars that use a prism system. They’re the compact, straight-line type. That advantage comes from how light is focused by a prism system. Basically, light is reflected off a prism instead of having to go through a series of glass lenses. Prisms are smaller size and the weight is dramatically reduced.

Prism scopes have an advantage because they usually have an etched and illuminated reticle. That makes the prism systems ideal for tactical rifles such as AR-15s. ​

Key advantages of a prism scope over a red dot sight:

Disadvantages of a prism scope versus a red dot sight:


Prism Scope Buying Guide: What To Look For

Durability

A bugout situation is not like a day at the range. Dirt, water, bumps, and drops are going to happen. Your equipment needs to withstand as much punishment as possible.

Scopes with multi-coated reticles will help ensure you have chosen a quality product. That extra coating also gives you a brighter image. Look for anodized aluminum bodies. Look that the scope is anodized aluminum. Anodizing will limit damage from scratches. Finally, check that  nitrogen-purging is used so you have dust, shock, and fog protection.

Mounting Options

You should easily find a scope with universal mounting. You likely already know if you have KeyMod, M-LOK, Picatinny, or another type of rail. Most rifles will have the Picatinny rails which almost all prism scopes will fit.

Reticle Advantages

I suggest you choose a scope with reticles that are etched and illuminated. Make sure you have brightness settings. Most have five while others give you up to 11. I personally find that five are plenty.

Some scopes give you the option to switch your (red and green usually) illuminated reticle colors. That should be your smallest option. Others offer a choice between seeing a dot or a cross.

Always look for reticles that are etched and provide illumination. This will increase your accuracy and improve the value of the prism scope. The scopes below have both.

Look for BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) markings, especially for 5X scopes. You’ll find them standard for any decent quality scope.

Magnification

On Prism scopes, the magnification is fixed. Your choices are usually from 1X up to 5X with a few scopes that reach 6X. What level of magnification you choose here depends on how far out you have to shoot. Most people go with 3X so you can be confident out to about 300 yards.

Diopter Adjustment

People with astigmatism switch from traditional Red Dot sights to 1X prism scopes so they can have this feature.

Lenses

Here’s where the cost of any scope, binocular, or telescope is greatly affected. It’s also the feature that has one of the greatest impacts on your satisfaction. Your choice starts with coated or non-coated lenses, with colors. Always choose multi-coated. You can’t afford to skip here unless the scope is for a play rifle.

The next part of the lenses to pay attention to is the diameter of the objective lens. Look for lenses no less than 30mm. As the power of your scope increases, so should the size of the objective because that is what determines how much light gets in. I suggest nothing less than a 36mm lens for a 5X scope.


Prism Scope FAQs

Q: Can You Magnify a Prism Scope?

A: The majority of prism scopes do not have magnification, so you cannot magnify them. They will typically have a 1x fixed zoom, but there are some prism scopes that will have different levels of magnification.

Due to the fact that this magnification cannot be altered, you will need to ensure that you are choosing a scope with the right magnification for its intended purpose.

Different situations will require different levels of magnification. The standard 1x magnification is great for home defense or in competitions that require quick release. The illuminated reticle of the prism scope will make it easy for you to aim at your target, even in low-light conditions.

However, if you want to use the rifle for range shooting, you should look for a magnification that is between 3x and 5x. Additionally, prism scopes with a 5x magnification are perfect for plinking.

Q: How Does a Prism Sight Work?

A: A prism scope will function through the use of a prism to focus the light instead of using a lens. This means that it is a much more compact optic, and prism sights will typically have an etched reticle and an illuminated reticle.

Prism scopes will provide a big sight picture, which makes them ideal for modern tactical rifles. The prism that they feature will work to erect and focus the image, which is what allows prismatic optics to have more compact designs.

As well as this, the use of illuminated reticles with a prism sight will make them similar to red dot sights. However, unlike red dot sights, some prism scopes can be magnified up to an impressive 5x zoom.

So, this means that prism scopes are better by comparison. Even though some prism scopes have intense magnification, they are often used for close-quarter combat.


Verdict

Overall, any of the above prism scopes will be a great fit for a variety of users or situations. The compact size, great features, and lower price points make prism scopes an attractive option for a variety of survival rifles. And since they all come with mounts, they’ll also be easy to start using right away.

Joel Jefferson

Joel is one of the original founders of SurvivalCache.com. After college, he joined the USMC where he served as an (0302) Marine Infantry Officer. Joel is an avid outdoorsman and spends much of his free time in the mountains. Joel’s hobby is researching survival gear & weapons as well as prepping. Read his full interview here.