Over the years, the technology used for making firearm sighting devices has continued to improve in leaps and bounds. Gone are those days when shooters had to rely on iron sights as their only aiming aids. The best scopes for .308 rifle are an excellent addition to almost any rifle. Nowadays, the .308 rifle has become one of the most used hunting tools in the entire world.
However, in order to be more functional and deliver perfect results in long-range shooting the .308 rifle needs to have the best rifle scope. Depending on what you want to do the best scope might differ. A rifle scope is a shooting accessory used to locate the target.
It is an essential part of any hunter’s gear and has advantages over the traditional iron sights present in all rifles. It makes shooting easier to learn than iron sights. Your target will appear closer and therefore easier to see, enabling you to place a more precise shot on your target, so it’s little wonder that they are so widely used on rifles today. For ease of use, we have included a list of the best .308 riflescopes available on the market, making your choice when selecting one a little easier. Compare them and find one suitable for your shooting needs.
Our Top Picks
| Product Name | Magnification | Objective | Eye Relief | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSI Sniper 6 | 6 - 25x | 50 mm | 3.3 inches | Check price on Amazon |
| Nikon M-308 | 4 - 16x | 42 mm | 3.7 - 4 inches | Check price on Amazon |
| Bushnell Elite 6500 | 2.15 - 16x | 42 mm | 3.9 inches | Check price on Amazon |
| UTG Compact | 3.12x | 44 mm | 3.4 - 4 inches | Check price on Amazon |
| Leupold Mark | 3 - 9x | 40 mm | 3.6 - 4.3 inches | Check price on Amazon |
| Nikon ProStaff | 3 - 9x | 40 mm | 3.6 inches | Check price on Amazon |
| Burris Eliminator III | 3 - 12x | 44 mm | 3.5 - 4 inches | Check price on Amazon |
| Vortex Viper PST | 1 - 4x | 24 mm | 4 inches | Check price on Amazon |
How It Works
The job of a rifle scope is to ensure accuracy when shooting at your target. The rifle scopes have been built to operate or rather work on the same principle that the telescopes work on. The light that passes through the objective lens is focused at some point present inside the scope. Light magnification is carried out through the ocular lens from the focal point. The magnified light is that image you see when you look through a scope.
Benefits of the Best Rifle Scope
There are many benefits for using a riflescope, especially if you own a .308 rifle. To enjoy the benefits of using a riflescope with your .308 caliber rifle, choosing a good scope designed for that specific cartridge is important. The benefits associated with rifle scopes include:
Longer shots
Taking targets from your iron sights won’t do you good at a distance and that’s when you’ll know you need a rifle scope. It brings the objects closer to you and possible for you to aim and take down far away targets.
Improved accuracy
This is the main benefits of using a scope with .308 rifles. Easily sighting the target and doing it faster, thus improved shooting accuracy. The confidence boost that you receive from the improvement in your shooting will end up leading you to become a better shooter.
Boosting of self-confidence
When you attached the rifle scope to your .308 rifle, you get the right mind frame to always hit the target. It really makes the target look close enough that you could reach out and touch it, thus letting you put your shot wherever you’d like. The scope gives you such a confidence that if you were in a competition, you won’t miss any target.
Features to Consider Before Purchase
Buying the perfect rifle scope can be challenging when you are looking for a scope, so it is important to think about your needs and figure out what you want first and what you will be able to afford. If you are in the market for a scope, here are a few things to look for when you are shopping for a scope. Once you’re done reading this guide, you’ll have a good stockpile of knowledge on rifle scope basics and all that you should keep in mind when you are on the hunt for the best scope for .308 rifles.
Durability
It is important to consider durability when buying firearm accessories. This is important because the more durable a particular product is the more reliable it is for the years to come. Therefore, the scope mounted on .308 rifles ought to have a solid construction that is designed to last for years.
Reticle
Reticle choice is very important when it comes to long range shooting. The reticle’s purpose is to aim the .308 rifle using the scope. The reticle also aids the shooter in estimating the range/distance as well as the wind range.
Ease of use
Good rifle scopes should be easy to use, simple to decrease or increase magnification and it shouldn’t take a lot of time to sight them in. You will also need to be able to easily read the dials, and be able to adjust them quickly and accurately.
Lenses
This is one of the most important parts of a scope. You want lenses that present a crystal-clear picture at both low and high magnifications. You need this high level of clarity to be able to help read the wind. You can determine if the scope has good lenses by looking through different optics for a side by side comparison. The .308 rifle scope must always be sealed against water and fog, and the majority of all scopes today come with coated lenses.
Magnification
This is the measure of how much larger objects will appear through your scope in comparison to what you see with the naked eye. Some scopes allow the shooter to view targets at variable magnifications and the power ring is used to adjust the magnification.
Rifle scopes with a variable power are usually preferred by professional hunters as they offer free hand shooting process. The .308 is a distance-shooting cartridge, so scopes designed for these rifles should be able to magnify targets from various distances. You should select a scope power that meets your needs and the .308’s maximum effective range.
Field of view (FOV)
This refers to the area visible through the scope from right to left. Field of view changes with magnification. When you have a wider FOV, you will get a lot better results. As you increase your magnification, your field of view will actually get smaller and vice versa.
Top Products on the Market
There are hundreds of scopes available in the market and only a few have been designed for the .308. In order to help sort through the confusion and hype that can surround buying a scope, this guide examines both the advanced and basic features of modern riflescopes and hopefully, it helps you to select the ideal scope for your particular needs.
By the end of this review, you should have an idea of a scope that will pair well with the hunting style and hunting situations you commonly encounter. Below are some few reviews to help you get started.
FSI Sniper Riflescope
Magnification: 6 – 24x
Objective: 50 mm
Eye relief: 3.3 inches
Weight: 26.2 oz
Specific features: Multi-coated optics, 6061 t6 aircraft grade body, ball and bearing windage/elevation adjustment, front ao adjustment with mil-dot reticle
Best use: Target shooting
The FSI Sniper Scope is a long-range rifle scope primarily designed for target shooting rather than hunting. It comes with an extended sunshade and the rings necessary to mount it. It is made of high strength aluminum and features ball bearing turrets designed for precision adjustment.
The illuminated reticle lets you see your reticle in low light conditions so it is perfect for fitting on a .308 hunting rifle. The downside of this riflescope is that it’s limited to light gathering capability and the included rings won’t always stay tightened and are too small for most rifles.
The directional marking on scopes turret appears to be kind of misleading which can confuse the novice shooter.
PROS:
- Looks great with included sunshade
- Handles recoil well
- Includes a nice set of rings
- Great price
- Adjustable objective lens and great for shooting a close range
CONS:
- A bit more eye relief to use with larger guns would be a nice addition
Related: Making the perfect shot when out hunting requires a steady hand. To help ease the weight of your gun and scope you can use the UTG Tactical OP Bipod to keep a steady hand.
Nikon M-308 Riflescope
Magnification: 4 – 16x
Objective: 42 mm
Eye relief: 3.7 – 4 inches
Weight: 19 oz
Specific features: Bdc 800 reticle, spring-loaded instant zero-reset turrets, ultra clearcoat optical system, anti-reflective device adr technology, water/fog/shockproof
Best use: Hunting
The Nikon M-308 Riflescope is one of the most advanced optic systems for your .308 rifle on the market today. The Nikon M-308 Rifle Scope is designed for long range precision and with the popular .308 rifle in mind.
The scopes have very good optics, a matte black finish, adjustable external turrets that should satisfy the “Tactical” desire in every shooter. It has a quick focus eyepiece that allows the shooter to instantly bring the reticle into sharp focus.
The multi-coated lens helps ensure the brightest possible image in the worst dawn and dusk lighting conditions.
This scope features high profile tactical style turrets which maybe not ideal for hunting in heavy brush, the high profile style is nice for easy maneuvering in open spaces where most long range shots are taken. Achieve long ranges shooting accuracy with the Nikon M-308 4-16x42mm Riflescope.
PROS:
- Suitable to use with bolt and gas guns
- Great image quality
- Durable
- Has a slim profile
- Lightweight
- Great value
CONS:
- Certain online shops does not sell the scope with an included mount
Related: As the scope does not include a mount you can buy the Nikon M-308 1pc mount with a built-in 20 MOA slope back.
Bushnell Elite 6500 Riflescope
Magnification: 2.15 – 16x
Objective: 42 mm
Eye relief: 3.9 inches
Weight: 17.3 oz
Specific features: Dry nitrogen filled, 100% waterproof/fog proof/shockproof, fully multi-coated optics, magnum recoil-proof construction, side focus 10 yards to infinity
Best use: Hunting
The Bushnell Elite 6500 Riflescope provides the globe’s most versatile riflescope. The Bushnell Elite Scope has an industry leading 6.5x magnification range making it ideal for shooters who want a scope that can be used in the brush as well as in the wide-open range.
The push/pull turrets of the Bushnell Riflescopes feature an extended 80-MOA of windage and elevation adjustment travel with 1/4 MOA fingertip click adjustments and a one-piece 30mm tube for outstanding light transmission with resettable zero, to make sighting-in easier than ever.
To deliver bright, clear, and true color images, the optics received a comprehensive treatment with multitude anti-reflection and protective coatings and to add an edge to your aiming accuracy, you have a side focus parallax corrector with a range from 10 yards to infinity.
Also, supplied with the scope is a 3″ sunshade that reduces glare from the sun as well as accidental damage to the objective lens. The downside of this scope is that it maybe a little too bulky for carrying through the brush but overall it is good for the .308 rifle.
PROS:
- Has a great FOV
- The side parallax adjustment found on the side of the scopes perfect
- Great glass
- Versatile
- Great price
CONS:
- A bit bulky to carry around with you through a bush
Related: If you want to mount this amazing scope to a Special Purpose Rifle you can look at the Weaver SPR 30mm optic mount.
UTG 30mm SWAT
Magnification: 3 – 12x
Objective: 44 mm
Eye relief: 3.4 – 4 inches
Weight: 23.1 oz
Specific features: 1/4 moa adjustment, zero-resetting and zero-locking target turrets, side-wheel parallax adjustment, 30mm diameter nitrogen-filled tube
Best use: Hunting
The UTG 30mm SWAT is one of the most popular Leapers rifle scopes that works well with a .308 rifle and has gained popularity among campers as it brings great convenience in their camping activities. The rifle is designed using the latest technology and comes with innovative features that make hunting convenient and fun.
The SWAT compact riflescope’s reticle is always very easy to see with 36 illumination color options, no matter the lighting season. The scope is rainproof, fog proof and shockproof, working even with the hardest recoil.
The UTG rifle scope has been manufactured to meet the requirements of accurate and effective firing at a longer distance.
However, the side focus knob is occasionally very tight, which might give you a hard time when you want to turn it but if you are looking for a reliable riflescope that is capable of long-range shooting, the UTG 30mm Compact Scope is the scope to buy.
PROS:
- Great value
- Clear glass for the price
- Holds zero well
- Has a great focus knob
- Great to buy if you are on a budget
- Includes the battery and scope rings
CONS:
- Has a thick reticle but still usable
Related: The UTG scope you can even use on a Picatinny rail with the Utg 30mm Qd Rings and for those of you finding the side wheel focus knob difficult to use – solve the problem with the Utg Add On index wheel.
Leupold Mark AR Mod 1
Magnification: 3 – 9x
Objective: 40 mm
Eye relief: 3.6 – 4.3 inches
Weight: 12.4 oz
Specific features: Argon/krypton waterproofing, one-inch main tube, mil-dot reticle with both horizontal and vertical scadia, anodized aluminum housing
Best use: Hunting
The Leupold Mark AR Mod 1 is designed for short-to-medium-range shooting and features Mil-Dot Reticle. This waterproof riflescope from Leupold won’t let the weather stand between you and accurate shooting.
To help you compensate for ballistic bullet drop and the wind drift, the scope offers 56 MOA elevation adjustment range and 52 MOA for windage with a 1/10 mil impact point correction.
The 4 lens coatings reduce glare from lenses, boost image quality by sending more available light to the shooters eye and also designed to hold up to the heavy recoil of a .308 rifle.
The scope sports a healthy 8.6 times maximum magnification. Leupold built this scope to satisfy the demands of the most exacting shooters, competitors, and hunters.
PROS:
- Quick and easy to install
- Clear optics
- The reticle has a bold mark and fire dot
CONS:
- Expensive
Related: After spending hundreds of bucks on a riflescope, you want to protect the lens. Here the Leupold Alumina Flip-Back Lens Cover Kit works well and comes with a standard EP 62990.
Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 Riflescope
Magnification: 3 – 9x
Objective: 40 mm
Eye relief: 3.6 – 4.3 inches
Weight: 13.7 oz
Specific features: Fully multicoated optics, versatile magnification range, nikon’s patented bdc reticle, zero-reset turrets, nitrogen filled and o-ring sealed for fog proof
Best use: Hunting
The Nikon Prostaff 3-9×40 Riflescope is an impressive series of scopes that are good for most budgets. It is an excellent choice for low-light, low contrast shooting conditions. The multicoated lenses allow 98% light transmission.
A consistent, generous eye relief is provided so aiming with the scope is easy regardless of the magnification setting. The Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle with hand-turn adjustments provides excellent alignment. The ¼ MOA tac-style turrets zero is fast and still, remains set in spite of frequent shooting.
The riflescope can be a little bit bulkier than expected and will probably need higher scope rings so that you can install it in your rifle properly. Eliminate the guess work and shoot with confidence with Nikon Prostaff 3-9×40 Riflescope.
PROS:
- Holds zero well
- The bullet drop app available on the Nikon site is great
- Great lifetime warranty
- Focuses and zooms easily
- Ample eye relief
CONS:
- May need higher scope rings
Related: For mounting this riflescope you may need to buy the following extra rings – the Accushot Picatinny/Weaver 1-Inch Rings and the Accushot Medium Profile 1-Inch Rings.
Burris Eliminator III Laser Riflescope
Magnification: 3 – 12x
Objective: 44 mm
Eye relief: 3.5 – 4 inches
Weight: 28.8 oz
Specific features: 1,200+ yards ranging capability, enhanced extreme range ballistic programming, ergonomic & ambidextrous activation buttons
Best use: Hunting
The Burris Eliminator III Laser Riflescope has been designed to be the most advanced riflescope on the planet. At 3x it’s basically a magnified scope with amazing ranging and ballistic capabilities. The updated ergonomic button designs and enhanced extreme range ballistic programming make this scope as simple and effective as possible.
The Eliminator III is about one inch longer than the Crossfire making it bulkier in girth but that does not affect the performance of the scope. It sports parallax adjustment from 50 Yards to infinity and an integrated inclinometer compensates for shots at any angle.
Shooters have gained confidence and extended their effective range with the Burris Eliminator.
PROS:
- The dot does not wash out when used in bright light
- The dot is not too bright when used in low light
- Can withstand recoil
CONS:
- Would be great if you could program different bullet types
- A remote control would have been a great addition
Related: When spending a fortune on one of the best .308 riflescopes you need to keep it protected against different elements. To be able to do this you can look at the Burris Waterproof Scope Cover that fits objective bell exteriors ranging from 48mm-61mm.
Vortex Viper PST 1-4X24 Riflescope
Magnification: 1 – 4x
Objective: 24 mm
Eye relief: 4 inches
Weight: 16 oz
Specific features: Illuminated reticle electronic, fast focus eyepiece, optically indexed lenses delivers optimum image brightness and sharpness
Best use: Hunting
The Vortex Viper PST 1-4×24 Riflescope delivers the performance and features tactical shooters demand at an economical price. The scope is fully multi-coated and delivers beautiful detail and color while transmitting 95% of available light.
Argon gas filling and purging prevent internal fogging, even in conditions of bitterly cold thermal shock. Argon gas, having larger molecules than nitrogen, helps to ensure against leakage. It is also waterproof thanks to the O-ring seals that prevent moisture, dust, and debris.
The turrets are adjustable to zero in 1/2 MOA clicks without tools. The reticle and turret equivalent measurements allow accurate shots. Get superior performance when you use the Vortex Viper PST.
PROS:
- Clear optics
- Can use it with both eyes open
- Versatile
- Durable
CONS:
- The zoom ring is a bit stiff and needs a throw lever
Related: For those of you who have cantilever rails you can buy the Vortex 30mm tube 2-inch ring mount to help fix the scope to the gun.
Final Thoughts on These Scopes
The .308 rifle is highly versatile and can be used in a variety of hunting and shooting situations. The best way to approach the problem of buying your rifle scope is being clear on the features you want and seeking them out. It makes sense to buy quality products and accessories that will last for years to come.
After reading this guide, we hope you are now equipped with enough knowledge to go through the market and find the right rifle .308 scope that’s best for your needs.
We would like to encourage you to let us know about your experiences with any of this scope and if you think we have missed any of you favorites, please comment in below section. Lastly, don’t forget to share this article out on social media as well.
