The Designated Marksman Rifle aka DMR plays a transitional role in police and military operations. While not quite snipers, they don’t play a standard infantry role either.
The DM’s role fills the gap between regular infantrymen and sniper. This middle ground role requires different gear than
With precision shooting out past a few hundred along with close quarter engagement. The best DMR scope is going to offer both medium and close range precision.
What is a DMR?
DMR is the acronym for “Designated Marksman Rifle”. Used by infantries performing the Designated Marksman Role. DMR’s work much like a traditional sniper, but in a shorter less technical range. They generally fill the middle ground between regular infantryman and long range snipers.
Unlike sniper rifles designated marksman typically use a semi-automic rifle to allow for more rapid fire. With larger magazines, they can quickly lay down cover fire.
Not completely different than snipers, these rifles most often include a mid-long range scope. While they typically have an attached bipod it’s important to still have close quarter functionality.
What’s The Best DMR Scope?
- Premium Rifle Scope
- Fixed 4x Magnification(Other Options Available)
- Extremely Durable Waterproof Design
- Fiber Optic Illuminated Reticle
- Both Eyes Open Shooting
Trijicon’s ACOG is easily one of the best mid range scopes around. With both mid range accuracy and short range precision it’s perfect as a DMR Scope. Combat proven, Trijicon’s ACOG is guaranteed to last through anything life throws at it.
If you’ve experienced any time in the military you already know how effective an ACOG can be. You don’t have to choose between a fixed scope or red dot setup.
Thanks to the fixed 4x magnified lens it’s perfect for
Trijicon developed the idea behind the “Bindon Aiming Concept”, which allows you to keep both eyes open on a magnified sight. You’ll have a clear and bright sight picture every time, without having to worry about parallax or eye relief.
Choose between a wide variety of reticles all powered by the fiber optic tube on the top of the housing. You don’t have to worry about turning on the sight.
With a little bit of ambient
ACOG’s are tested to withstand extreme shock and provide a completely waterproof seal. Built to withstand the most dangerous places on earth, you can’t go wrong with the Trijicon ACOG.
2) Leupold Mark 4 Tactical 3.5-10x40mm Scope
Notable Features:
- Premium Rifle Scope
- 3.5-10x40mm Magnification(Other Options Available)
- Extremely Durable Design
- Lifetime Warranty
- Clear and Bright Sight Picture
Leupold’s Mark 4 Tactical scope is more along the lines of what people picture when they think of a DMR scope. Unfortunately just like the above ACOG, saying this scope is expensive is an understatement. That being said, you have to pay to get extreme combat ready quality.
If you don’t plan on going off to battle you might want to save some money and buy a more affordable scope on this list.
Leupold’s Mark VI Scopes are used by tactical units around the world. I can see why, with its durable design and crystal clear sight picture. Available in a wide range of magnifications from 1-6x all the way to 4.5-30x. The 3.5-10x40mm scope gives enough magnification to easily reach out a few hundred yards.
Leupold’s Mark 4 scopes are arguable some of the most dependable scopes in the field. Their rugged and absolute waterproof bodies will compete along side any other premium scope on the market.
Leupold’s Mil-Dot reticle was designed for the U.S. Marine Corps to quickly estimate distances. It provides aiming points for both wind and bullet drop compensation.
All of the exterior lens surfaces are treated with Diamond Coat 2 that works to prevent scratches while optimizing brightness, clarity and contrast. The match grade lead free lenses are crystal clear and bright even in twilight. Whether you’re hunting or working a tactical op, the Mark 4 scope is sure to meet your needs.
3) Leupold VX-R Patrol FireDot Rifle Scope
Notable Features:
- Moderately Priced Scope
- 1-4x magnification
- FireDot Illuminated Red Dot Reticle
- Durable Shockproof and Waterproof Housing
If you’re a weekend warrior and don’t need battlefield proven durability then give Leupold’s VX-R Firedot a try. At a fraction of the price of the Mark VI, the VX-4 Patrol scope offers a clear and very durable housing. With the illuminated Firedot you’ll have both long range accuracy and fast short range target acquisition.
Leupold did things a little differently when designing their VX-R patrol scope. With its 1-4x
Built to compete against Trijicon’s ACOG, the VX-R Patrol scope fills the short to medium range niche perfectly. While it’s not a true 1x magnification, it reminds me of a red dot on the lowest magnification level.
Motion sensor technology automatically turns on the illuminated Firedot over your standard reticle. The illuminated reticle features multiple aiming points for quick windage and elevation adjustments.
Known for making exceptionally clear glass, the Index Matched Lens system provides a crystal clear sight picture. Black glass outlines further improve contrast and image sharpness.
Finger adjustable turrets allow you to quickly adjust elevation and windage in the field. It’s not just a pretty sight picture. Backed by Leupold’s lifetime warranty, the housing is completely shockproof and waterproof. While the VX-R Patrol scope might not be used in battle, I’d trust it on my rifle any day.
4) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 1-4×24 Riflescope
Notable Features:
- Affordably Priced
- 1-4x24mm Magnification(Other Options Available)
- Illuminated Reticle
- Lifetime Warranty
- Shockproof and Waterproof Housing
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 1-4x24mm scope is another option perfect for any civilians AR15. Vortex has long been known for making high quality optics at an affordable price. With a ton of great features you won’t be dissappointed by this Crossfire scope.
Vortex Optics Crossfire lineup of scopes all offer a lot of bang for your buck. It might be a budget lineup, but they perform like expensive glass. With a ton of different magnification levels to choose from you’re sure to find a Crossfire scope to fill your needs.
One of my personal favorites is their illuminated 1-4x magnification scope. It has the perfect amount of magnification to carry out tactical shooting drills. You can quickly switch between short and long range shooting thanks to the fast focus eyepiece.
With multiple illumination
Vortex has long been known for providing very durable optics. Backed by a lifetime warranty, and the Vortex True Strength platform Constructed from durable Aluminum the housing is completely shockproof and scratch resistant.
Nitrogen purged and O-Ring seals provide a 100% waterproof and shockproof housing. It’s going to be hard to beat this Vortex Crossfire scope without spending a fortune.
DMR Scope Buying Guide
Sharing many of the same features as traditional scopes designate marksman have a completely different role. The split between infantrymen and sniper means you’re going to want a short to mid range scope. Acting where traditional red dots can’t get the job done.
- Durable: While you might not ever plan to take your rifle into battle the scope still needs to be built to last. Battle proven scopes all feature completely shockproof and waterproof bodies. Scopes like Trijicon’s ACOG were designed to handle everything life throws at them.
- Lightweight: You never know when you’re going to be able to deploy your bipod. Since you might need to use your scope in close quarter combat it’s going to need to be lightweight. You need to be able to stabilize your rifle without the help of a rest.
- Mid-Long Range Support: Since this scope fills the gap between sniper and short range optics it should have decent magnification. Trijicon’s ACOG is a very popular choice thanks to it’s 4x magnification and close range accuracy. Some units use longer range scopes like the Bushnell’s Elite Tactical Rifle Scope.
- Close Range Functionality: Since you never know what’s going to happen in battle a DM needs to have excellent close range functionality. At the very least your rifle should be semi-automatic and offer a lightweight frame. Some shooters prefer low magnifications like the above 1-4x scope with an illuminated reticle.