Top 10 Best Scopes for 308 Rifles 2023 – Reviews and Buyers Guide

By | February 8, 2023

Contents

If you are a gun enthusiast and have a lot of collections under your possessions or know a little bit about guns and rifles, you must have heard about the .308 caliber rifle at least once. This is one of the most popular rifles throughout the world and is used for various purposes, like practicing hunting or even in a few competitions.

The .308 Winchester rifle is especially famous among hunters for its clean shot and direct hit, just enough to penetrate deep into your target. But one of the major problems while using the .308 is its vast recoil. In any other ordinary hunting rifle, you can use a cheap scope, something bought from a local gun shop, and will quickly satisfy your need. But in the case of a .308, it is almost next to impossible to get a direct hit with any cheap quality scope.

To get a clean hit on an average or long-range target, you need to combine the rifle with a range designed for a .308 to get the experience of its awesomeness. Having the right scope attached to the gun will surely unleash its beast mode and make your shooting experience worth remembering. A proper scope will provide you with added benefits such as aerodynamic shooting, economic power consumption, and a clean hit. We guarantee you once you attach the right scope to a .308, you will become a fan of the combo almost instantaneously.

However, buying the proper scope might appear to be difficult, especially if you are a newbie in this field. No need to worry when we are here and bring you the top 10 best 308 scores you can buy to give yourself a combo to brag about.

Things to consider before you are buying a 308 Scope

  • Magnification

You need to decide what amount the magnification you want. If you are an occasional shooter and practice in your backyard, then there is no reason to buy a scope with maximum magnification power more than or nearly equal to 10 x. Medium range scope with a maximum limit of 2x to 4x would be the best for you. It is better to decide the maximum magnification that you need before buying a scope so that you don’t pay for the extra magnification you will never use.

  • Weight

Weight of scope must be taken into consideration if you want a light scope. You can go with low magnification ones, such as a scope with a maximum magnification of 9x. If you’re going to use your gun extensively for long-range targets, you need to buy a quiet massive scope, which might be troublesome for you to carry long distances.

  • Objective lens

The bigger the objective lenses, the brighter it will get inside and give you a more brilliant picture of your target. If you you are interested in shooting inside the Jungle or areas having low light, then you must consider buying a scope with a large objective lens so that it doesn’t get darker inside the tube as compared to the surrounding.

  • Parallax adjustment

Adjustment is a critical issue if you buy a scope with a high magnification power. In the scopes with low magnification, the control automatically adjusts itself, and you don’t need to do anything extra. Do you need a long-range scope? Consider buying a scope that has parallax adjustment. They will make your shooting experience smoother.

  • Weatherproofing

Some people love to get out with their guns during rain for hunting. If one of them consider buying a weatherproof scope that will give it a long life in rough weather conditions, the best scope is waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof qualities. However, if you are interested in shooting in JungleJungle and at tensed about smashing your scope accidentally with the tree, it is advised to buy shockproof one as it will save your scope from massive damage.

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Best 308 Scope a Quick Overview

Here is the list of the best 308 Scope picked by our team Qrossfire. The below list is picked by our team experts by keeping the quality and price meter.

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Let’s delve into the best 308 scope reviews one by one.

Best 308 Scope Reviews 2023

#1 – Primary Arms SLX

Primary Arms SLX Review
The Primary Arms SLX is a lightweight tactical riflescope with an illuminated reticle. The scope provides a magnification ranging from 1x to 6x and a 25 millimeters objective lens. Safety is taken good care of as an anodized Aluminium body gives it a strong build with an anti-glare feature.

As told earlier, the scope contains an illuminated reticle available with the six-position dial to control the brightness, thereby allowing you to comfortably shoot at any time or in any terrain. Whether you are shooting during the day or at night and a present in grassland or forest, it doesn’t care and is always standing on one foot to give you a clean hit. Weighing only 16 ounces, it doesn’t cause a significant problem in handling and storing and is designed to be as easy to carry as possible.

A disadvantage of this product is its magnification. Reaching above 4x, the score might appear somewhat blurry and cause a bit of strain in the eyes while shooting a long-distance target requiring a 4x zoom or more. If you are looking for a scope to shoot short or medium range targets and have a tight budget, this scope is what you are looking for and will be a perfect fit as per your requirements.

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#2 – Vortex Viper PST Gen II

Vortex Viper PST Gen II
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II is surely your catch if you are fond of medium to long-range shooting. The score provides a magnification of 4x to 16x with a 50 millimeters objective lens making it one of the most effective scopes available in the market, like the previous one in a list of the best 308 scores this one also has a body made up of durable anodized aluminum.

Because of its wide 50 millimeters objective lens, it allows enough light to get in, making it a bright scope and giving you a clear view of your target. Everything comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages; this scope also is not an exception. It weighs more than 2 pounds and has a maximum diameter of 3 inches, making it quite challenging to carry, install on a rifle, and store inside a safe with limited space.

This scope is extremely recommended for those who take shooting a bit seriously and even participates in some long-distance shooting competitions. If you decide to buy this one be ready to cash out a hefty number of bucks from your pocket.

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#3 – Nikon P Tactical 308

Nikon P Tactical 308
Nikon is one of the best-known names in the field of scope manufacturing. Every product rolling out of the Nikon manufacturing plant is guaranteed of quality and efficiency in every aspect. The Nikon P tactical 308 is designed around a one-inch tube and has a 40 millimeters objective lens.

The lens is quite significant to allow enough light to get in and give you a clear, bright view. The lenses are fully multi-coated, offering you a magnification starting from 1x and ranging up to 12x. Nikon’s product has an intelligently designed BDC reticle, which makes it stand apart from the rest of the crowd. It is lightweight, easy to install, and extremely convenient to use.

Other features of this scope are spring-loaded instant zero resets turrets, elevated Windows and elevated turrets waterproof, fog proof and shockproof, and generous consistent eye relief. We recommend the scope to an enthusiast who is fond of long-distance shooting and does not want a lot of features in the scope.

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#4 – NightForce SHV

NightForce SHV Review
The NightForce SHV is known for its sheer precision and sleek design and comes from the manufacturing plant of NightForce Optics, Inc. The American company is renowned throughout the globe for its high and Telescopic sides spotting scopes and mounting accessories.

Founded in 1992, this company has been doing wonders in this field since then and has been producing are the best scopes available in a market. This is for people who want to take their skills to a whole new level and are ready to spend a few more bucks if required. The zoom ratio of the scope is 4:1 and provides a maximum magnification of 20x with a 56 millimeters objective lens mounted on a 30 millimeters tube. Other features included in this scope are the fully multi-coated lens, waterproof, and foolproof tactical MOA turrets for easy adjustments, to name a few.

Are you a Shooter who wants maximum performance from his or her guns and accessories regardless of the price tag that comes with? If yes, then this product can get no better owner than you.

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#5 – Burris Optics

Burris Optics Review
The Burris Optics is the fifth item in our list of best 308 scopes available in the market. The article is about the best 308 ranges and without the Burris Optics, our list will never be fulfilled. This can be specially designed for beginners and those who are not that much acquainted with using a rifle gun or a scope. The 40 millimeters objective lens comes with an anodized Aluminium body and provides you a magnification of 3x to 9X.

From the above statement, it can be inferred that the scope is suited to be used in a medium range. The wide lens enables a lot of light to get in and gives a clear view of your target ahead of you. This is quite affordable and is extremely recommended for those who don’t have enough money to spend heavily on their rifle scope. The glass is quite bright compared to the rest of the entry-level scopes present in the same price range. They are keeping in mind usability. The manufacturer has made the scope lightweight, weighing around 16 ounces in total.

Other features included are scratch-resistant anodized aluminum tube, lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, and is made using the highest quality material to give it a long life. New to the field of rifle shooting? Buy the scope and attach it to your gun until you become proficient enough to buy a more complicated rifle scope.

CHECK THE BEST PRICEat Amazon.com

#6 – Leupold VXR

Leupold VXR
Here comes the sixth item in our list of the top 10 best 308 scopes that you can buy to give yourself a complete shooting experience. This scope is built for shooting close and medium-range targets and has a magnification of 1.25x to 4x; that stands for the statement as mentioned above. The customers can choose from four types of reticles available with the scope: FireDot 4, FireDot Duplex, FireDot wind plex, and ballistic FireDot.

It is also 100% waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof so that you can have a complete user experience. The radial is illuminated and is ideal to be used in low light conditions like in the dark or inside a forest. The objective lens is 20 millimeters and has a fiber optic Red Dot side in place of a traditional crosshair. The Red Dot side makes it easier to aim at a target and does help you to get a direct shot. The body is made up of high-quality aluminum and takes 30 millimeters mounting hardware.

It cannot be used for long-range and might appear to be expensive to be used to aim at the short-range targets. It has a tool-free adjustment that provides an easy installation package. This scope comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty to cover all unwanted damages and structural failures.

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#7 – Trijicon ACOG

Trijicon ACOG
This is a small compact scope much different from all other scopes mentioned above. It has a battery-free illumination, which means that it has a fiber-optic illuminated reticle that automatically adjusts the brightness according to the intensity of the surrounding light to give you a hassle-free aiming experience.

The body is made up of an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, which provides a stable build to the scope and makes it almost indestructible in front of any external force the manufacturing company. Trijicon is quite famous throughout the world and mainly in the United States, as is one of the largest suppliers of optics to the US military and other NATO Forces. This scope comes with a highly Effective BDC reticle with a maximum magnification of 3.5x having a 35 millimeters objective lens.

Although it is not one of the lightest ranges available in the market, it is undoubtedly one of the best qualified and will surely make your shooting experience smoother. This optic is specially designed for combat usage and might not be as cheap as compared to many other products on our list.

CHECK THE BEST PRICEat Amazon.com

#8 – Vortex Crossfire II

Vortex Crossfire II Review
Here comes the second vertex in our list of the top 10 best 308 scopes. The manufacturing company Vortex Optics produces optical equipment for hunting, bird watching, wildlife watching, outdoor recreational sports, and law enforcement. Founded in 2004, in the United States of America, the vortex products have made a name in the sector for their excellent build quality and awesome utility.

The Vortex Crossfire II is durable, scratch-resistant, and comes with a 3x to 9x magnification power. As is evident by now, it is quite useful for shooters aiming at long-range targets. The 40 millimeters objective lens allows enough light to brighten and has an anodized aluminum body like most of the items in our list to make the product more durable. The glass used is of very high quality and is multi-coated for scratch and dust resistant.

It can be a perfect buy if you want to have a scope for a medium or a long-range target. However, a problem with the scope is that beyond 5x zoom, it appears to be somewhat blurry and might not be a good idea to take it to 9 x and try to aim at your target. If you want to buy by a scope just for recreational shooting, you can give it a try and surely love it until you aim very far.

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#9 – Nikon M Tactical

Nikon M Tactical Review
After the Nikon P tactical, the Nikon M tactical is the second Nikon in our list. The ninth item in our list of top 10 best 308 scopes is the Nikon M tactical, specially designed to keep in mind military usage. The magnification power of the scope ranges from 4x to 16x and has a 42 millimeters objective lens.

The lens is fully multi-coated waterproof, fireproof and shockproof, making it one of the best scopes for rugged shooting and shooting in Harsh weather conditions because of its fine zooming capability. It is used for long-range hunting and target Shooting but is a simple one and doesn’t contain too many complications.

However, this scope is a bit expensive and consider buying it only if you are planning to take your shooting abilities to a test for a long-distance target. Other features of the Nikon M practical are tube spring-loaded instant zero resets, elevated windage and elevation turret, free eyesight, focus parallax adjustments, to name a few. It weighs around 2 pounds and is quite suitable to be installed on a gun for shooting.

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#10 – ATN X-Sight II

ATN X-Sight II Review
The ATN X-Sight II is the last item on our list of top 10 best 308 scopes and is also quite different from the rest of the others because it is a night vision scope. The magnification ranges from 3x to 14x and has a 40 millimeters objective lens. It is basically a hunting scope, and the objective lens is paired with an HD display to make your rifle suited the best for hunting.

As you have seen by now that many of the scopes producing high zoom get the slight blurred near the maximum, but in this case, it will never be a problem as every time it will give you a clear, bright image at any time during the day and in any terrain. The compact scope is equipped with a system that enables you to input the type of ammo and other details.

After you are done with that, the digital rangefinder will automatically adjust for the drop, making you have a perfect shot. It is quite expensive for newbies and is only recommended if you are too much fond of night hunting and require a scope that will enable you to have a perfect aim.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that the score takes up a lot of energy from the batteries, and you need to make sure that you take a lot of cells with you if you are out for long-time hunting. As an added advantage, you will also record a video of your shooting in 1080p through the scope to brag about when you reach home.

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Conclusion

We hope you have liked the article on the top 10 best 308 scopes which we can buy. The list incorporates a majority of the different types of scopes available in the market, depending on your needs and desires. Everyone has their own set of likes and dislikes. All you need to do now is to decide upon the environmental conditions you want to be in a while shooting and then choose the best item that suits you the most.

We have also kept 308 scopes of a wide range of price tags to get the benefit of the article regardless of whatever budget you have allotted towards buying scopes. Also, consider the storage space you have inside yourself and get a range according to the area so that you don’t need to store the scope somewhere else. As a pro tip, we would like to suggest you not to go after the best scope available in the market but to go after the best scope which you think will suit you the best.

What is best for others might not be suitable for you or what is best for you might not be ideal for others. Everything depends on the condition you are in, and you will be while you are out with your favorite rifle.

Frequently Ask Questions:-

Q – What’s the best scope for a 308 rifle?

Ans – We have already reviewed the top scopes for 308 rifles in this article along with their features, advantages, and disadvantages. Each scope is unique in features, quality, and price. Therefore, it’s up to you to decide which one is better for you. Here is a list of scopes you can choose from for your rifle.

  • Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II
  • NIGHTFORCE SHV
  • Nikon P-Tactical .308
  • ATN X-Sight II

Q – How far can a .308 shoot?

Ans – In deer, 308 yards equals 300 yards. Depending on the type of animal you are hunting, the 308 has a maximum range.

Prairie dogs could be killed from a mile away, but grizzly bears would need to be much closer. 300 yards is easily enough distance for the round to kill whitetail deer.

Q – What scope do U.S. Marine snipers use?

Ans – For its latest sniper rifle, the Marine Corps has selected the Nightforce Advanced Tactical Riflescope.