With my years of experience combing through the woods, aiming for the best kill, I have been able to figure out the best scopes for 308 for hunting. You know how hunting and target shooting can be, one wrong move and you lose your mark.
Like I always tell people, the secret to my success especially in the hunting scenario is my age long acquisition of 308 rifles.
A piece with a glorious past, so versatile, the military loves it, the hunters love it, one shot at the prancing bear and its dead, no question asked.
Alright, enough with the fan talk.
Here is a quick comparison table for the best scope for 308, or you can directly view all scope reviews here.
I’ve listed some of the best scopes for 308 rifle that you can get in 2021.
The 308 is Jack of All Trades and Master of Some
Here’s the deal, with so many capabilities the 308 has its limitations. The effective distance for the 308 is anywhere up to 800 yards, targeting further distances with the 308 becomes questionable.
The bullet’s projectile drops like a rainbow past 350-400 yards. Of course, I am not denying the fact that you can hit targets at 2000 yards too!
Now to get that 1 shot kill you need 3 things: A good load, skills and a good scope for 308.
Best Scope For 308 (Medium to Long Range)
Nikon M-308 4-16×42 Riflescope
The first on the list and worth it. Who doesn’t love the scopes by Nikon? As the name tells, the Nikon M-308 is specifically designed for .308 rifles.
Well-Engineered Build:
The Nikon M-308 is built with a one-piece aircraft grade aluminum alloy thus providing the optic a robust and a lightweight structure. A lot of thought has been given to the design of this scope, it is waterproof, shockproof and fog proof thus prevents any moisture or dust from hindering your view.
Amazing Clarity:
A 42 mm objective lens, 4-16x variable magnification along with Nikon’s Ultra ClearCoat Optical System which allows up to 95% light transmission makes this optic to produce bright, crisp and clear picture. The huge objective lens allows you to hunt and shoot even at low light conditions.
BDC 800 Reticle:
This means, if you’re aiming at a target at 600 yards, all you’ve to do is place the 600 yard point on the target and shoot!
Instant Zero- Reset Turrets:
The parallax adjustment (from 50 yards to infinity) along with the spring loaded instant zero-reset turrets in a budget is what a hunter would ever ask for.
The tactical turrets are well built and give the user a positive feeling. The maximum internal adjustment is 40 MOA while it provides ¼ inch adjustment per click.
Compatible with Nikon Spot On App:
As I always say, the Nikon’s Spot on Program is the greatest achievement after the moon landing. You can make accurate adjustments according to different loads right from the program.
1 shot and its dinner on your table.
Scope Testing:
- Scope Tested On
- Target Distance
- Aero Precision AR-10.
- Ruger SR-762.
- Sig Sauer 716.
- Remington 700 (Took out a deer at 600 yards with 175 gr.).
- LAR-8.
- M1A Standard.
Pros:
- Amazing Clarity.
- Clear image at higher magnifications.
- Turrets are tactical.
- BDC 800 Reticle.
Verdict
Nikon P-308 4-12×40 Rifle Scope
Just like its elder brother, the Nikon P-308 is the best budget 308 scope you can get for the money. Loaded with premium features, the Nikon P-308 is built specifically for 308s.
Comparing with Nikon M-308, the P-308 has everything apart from 16x magnification, parallax adjustment.
It has a 40 mm objective lens. The parallax is set at 100 yards as its intended for long range hunting/shooting.
The 4 inch eye relief is an advantage when using a harder kit and cartridge with 308.
The BDC reticle is calibrated to be used with 168 gr. Projectile at 26800 feet/sec. So, if you’re using something else, use Nikon’s Spot On software which allows you to pick specific loading thus increasing your accuracy.
The main difference is the glass and build quality. The P in P-308 means Prostaff and M in M-308 is Monarch. And the Monarch series has better glass and build quality and more features.
Tested On:
- LR-308.
- Remington 700.
- Troy 308 AR.
- PSA AR-10.
- Ruger Predator 308.
- Diamondback DB10.
Verdict:
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm
Especially designed for medium range shooting/hunting, the Leupold VX-Freedom is one of the best budget scope for 308 you can get in the market.
Equipped with a 40 mm lens coated with DiamondCoat lens coating, the Leupold scope provides a crisp and clear image quality.
Index Matched Lens System:
The Leupold VX2 boats Quantum Optical system along with Leupold exclusive index matched lens. The end result is, maximum light transmission, hence making it a great choice to hunt in even low light conditions.
Custom Dial System:
The CDS system with elevation dials provides precise bullet drop compensation, enabling you to make quick elevation adjustments to match your load, velocity and conditions.
Scope Testing:
The Leupold VX-Freedom has been tested on many rifles, here are some of them.
- Remington 700.
- Ruger American .308.
- Remington 600 Mohawk .308.
Pros:
- Value for money and super budget friendly.
- Good clarity and glass quality.
- Build quality is amazing.
- Lightweight and provides good eye relief.
- Lifetime Warranty.
Cons:
- Constructed with 2 piece tubes.
- Bit distortion around the edges.
- There’s a plastic feel to the turrets though it’s totally subjective.
Verdict:
Vortex Crossfire II 6-24×50 mm
If you’re just starting out hunting and don’t want to spend much, then the Vortex crossfire II can be for you. You’ll surely love the price and the value this scope provides. The image it produces is so clear and crisp as if you’re looking a spotting scope.
The scope is built with one piece aircraft grade Aluminum hence it speaks for its own robustness. A well-engineered construction makes it shockproof to those 308 recoils or impacts and the O-ring seals makes this scope waterproof and fog proof, hence preventing moisture and dust.
A 30 mm tube, 50 mm objective lens and a fully multi-coated lens along with adjustable objective lens produces crisp and clear images.
Amazing Clarity at 24x Magnification at 1000 yards.
With max. 50 MOA elevation and windage adjustments (15 MOA per rotation) provide a decent turning room while sighting in the scope. The parallax adjustment is from 25 yards to infinity.
The dead hold BDC reticle is on point to calculate bullet drops (while research it was tested till 300-400 yards). The hash marks work well for windage and holdover corrections hence making this scope a good choice for hunting or shooting at diverse range scenarios.
Pros
- Good Clarity (able to see bullet holes from 200 yards).
- Adjustable Scope.
- Long eye relief.
- Fast focus eyepiece.
- Holds zero well.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Loss of clarity at higher magnifications.
- Parallax adjustment isn’t on the side.
- Weight
Tested On:
- Aero Precision M5 .308 AR-10.
- Remington 700 tactical AAC & SPC (.308).
- Mossberg Patriot .308.
- FN FAL.
Verdict:
Bushnell MSR Optics 4.5-18x40mm Rifle Scope with BDC Reticle
Bushnell is another brand well known for its decent budget rifle scopes.
The Bushnell MSR 4.5-18×40 mm scope is again specifically built for .308 rifles. Its equipped with .308 BDC reticle along with duplex crosshair. It provides many premium features at a low price.
The BDC indicators are calibrated well out to 500 yards.
It provides a versatile magnification ranging from 4.5 to 18x, making it a good 308 scope for all scenarios.
The scope is built with a scratch-proof and corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, thus gives it a strong structure.
The minimum parallax adjustment for the Bushnell MSR is ¼ MOA and gives 15 MOA adjustment per rotation.
The Bushnell MSR 4.5-18X40 can be the best scope for for your 308 rifle if you will be shooting at medium ranges. It’s a good choice for entry level hunters who focus more on learning basic stuff first.
Tested On:
- AR 15.
- Ar 10.
- Ruger Precision Rifle.
Pros:
- Premium features at a low price.
- Good glass quality.
- Works well in low light conditions.
Cons:
- Unforgiving eye relief.
- Return to zero lags by 1 minute from the original zero.
- Turrets feel a bit mushy.
Best Tactical Scope for 308
When choosing a tactical scope for 308, you need to consider a scope that provides quick target acquisition at varying distances, unquestionable clarity, has a reticle that is designed mainly for combat/tactical scenarios. Generally tactical scopes can be pricey but the scopes shortlisted here are for all; be it an average hunter or a pro.
Trijicon TA55A ACOG 5.5×50
What’s in the name? Well Shakespeare didn’t hear about the Trijicon I guess.
Who doesn’t know about Trijicon, and the company that provides scopes to the US Army and Marine Corps, how would there be any questions asking about its quality?
The Trijicon ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) is a beast among all other 308 scopes. You can’t get anything better than this.
Amazing Clarity:
Its so crisp and clear that a 100 yard shot would like a 25 yard shot.
Generous Eye Relief:
The ACOG is a fixed scope for your 308 with a 5.5x magnification, therefore it provides you an eye relief of approx. 3 inches.
Rugged Design and Build Quality:
When the US army uses something, it must be damn good. The ACOG is well built for harsh conditions. The military grade aircraft aluminum alloy makes this scope virtually unbreakable and scratchproof.
Battery-Less Illumination:
Say goodbye to those battery powered fail prone scopes. The ACOG comes powered with a tritium-phosphor lamp that glows the reticle in low lights well up to 15 years!
Need more? The reticle’s brightness and contrast gets automatically adjusted according to the lighting, thanks to the Trijicon Fiber Optics.
Tested On:
- POF 308.
- Sig Sauer .308.
- M1A .308.
- PTR-91 FR 308.
Primary Arms 1-6x24mm Scope
If you can’t afford the ACOG but still need something like it, the Primary Arms 1-6x scope especially built for 308 rifles is what you need. The body is hard anodized and made of 6063 Aluminum type II thus making it a robust beast.
ACSS Reticle:
The ACSS reticle comes bullet drop compensated for 308 Winchester. This enables the shooter to aim quickly till 300 yards and super accurately from 400 to 800 yards.
It has a partially illuminated red reticle. Need more?
It has an etched reticle, that means you can still use the scope in case the batteries die out.
Inbuilt Rangefinder:
Yes! You get the ranging and target acquisition all in one! This makes the scope best for ranging targets at unknown distances, so no more guess work. Are you sitting, standing or running? You can still shoot like a pro!
What’s better?
At close range this Primary Arms scope works like a red dot, and at longer ranges (100+ yards) you use it as a scope.
Clarity:
The image produced is crisp and clear and you probably wouldn’t find something like this at such a price. The multi-coated lens allows maximum light transmission. The generous eye relief wouldn’t let your scope say hello to your brow.
Tested On:
- BCM AR15 ( at 250-326 yards).
- DPMS 308.
- VEPR .308.
Verdict:
You can’t complain much when you get headshots at 600 yards.
Nightforce SHV Rifle Scope (5-20x56mm)
Well I guess the name is enough. This premium scope by Nightforce is best for long range shooting and hunting.
Superior toughness, glass and functionality are a few reasons Nightforce builds are of the best rifle scopes on the planet.
Seriously, this piece of craftsmanship is overbuilt yet comes with an affordable price tag.
The SHV scope is built of 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum and the walls are typically twice a s thick as compared to other scopes. The thickness provides less stress and greater thermal stability.
The SHV is a second focal plane scope and comes with an illuminated or non-illuminated reticle in either of the MOAR or IHR (International Hunting Reticle).
A 30 mm tube and a 56 mm objective lens combined with Nightforce’s special recipe of glass coating makes this 308 scope a light transmitting machine.
With 80 MOA elevation adjustments and 50 MOA windage adjustments gives plenty of turning room when sighting in your scope. The side parallax turrets will fine-tune your target from 25 yards out to infinity. The exposed turrets which are to be lifted to set have an amazing build quality.
Tested On:
- Bergera B-14 HMR .308.
- Remington 700 Action.
- Lazzeroni Warbird (.308).
- POF 308.
Verdict:
308 Rifle Scope Buying Guide
As buying the best scope for 308 can be a bit complicated, here’s a quick guide on how to choose the best scope for the money. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced hunter/shooter, it will be really easy to understand. I have tried my best to explain the factors in really simple English.
There’s No Best Scope for 308
Scope Selection totally depends on the purpose. So when you say “I need the best scope for 308”, you need to ask these questions.
Will you use the 308 scope for hunting? If yes, is it at short, medium or at long range? What’s the terrain type? Hunting in the woods? Or are you in the mountains?
Or maybe you’re looking for the best 308 scope for tactical scenarios, where you have to be quick aiming at short and long distances.
Yes, this all can be overwhelming, but it’s not that complicated.
How to Choose the Best Scope for 308 Rifle
- Rear/Second Focal Plane: In traditional hunting, these are the most commonly seen designs. This means that the reticle is literally behind the magnification adjustment. This means when you change the magnification, your reticle size doesn’t change.
The advantage is that it’s easy to get on the target as you can see the reticle clearly. Therefore, second focal plane scopes are preferred for long range hunting and shooting as the reticle doesn’t cover the target.
The disadvantage is that if you happen to have trajectory compensation in your reticle design, those holdover values are only going to be accurate on only 1 magnification setting.
If you’re looking for the scope for hunting purpose, then you can get one with Second Focal Plane (although most of the hunting scope nowadays are SFP based).
- Front Focal Plane: It’s the opposite of the Second Focal Plane. It puts the reticle in front of the magnification adjustment. So when you increase or decrease the magnification, your reticle size will change along with your target size.
The advantage is that the trajectory marks are accurate on any magnification. FFP scopes are predominantly used in tactical shooting and precision rifle competitions. This is due to the fact, you have to quickly shoot at targets of varying sizes and all at diverse ranges.
The disadvantage is that on changing magnification, some of the fine detail marks can get hard to see. There’s a full glossary for the scope and optical terms.
You can mostly see FFP used a lot in competitive and tactical scenarios. So if you are looking for a scope for tactical shooting or precision shooting, you can choose First Focal Plane scopes.
- Dual Focal Plane: The latest on the plate, the Dual Focal Plane are hard to manufacture. It’s a hybrid of SFP and FFP.
The center point is in the rear focal plane, that means it won’t change its size while the crosshairs are in the FFP, i.e., they change with magnification. So holdover points are going to be accurate for that.
DFPs are an amazing choice for competitive shooting where you’ve to shoot targets at long and short distances quickly.
The eye relief is the distance that your eye needs to be from the lens to get a full picture. It’s important, especially for high recoil guns. Though not high, the recoil for a 308 rifle is still observable.
Generally, the eye relief decreases when the magnification is increased although an eye relief of 3-4 inches is adequate.
Bottom Line:
The definition of “Best scope for 308” totally depends on your purpose. As I have already explained, this will give you an idea.
Though I have done all the hard work for you and listed some of the best all-rounder rifle scope for the 308 rifles that you’ll be needing for hunting those whitetails, coyotes, and elks, or for competing scenarios.
In the end, you need to know your gun! Practice and keep practicing. Rifle scopes are really necessary for all aspects and the scopes will really enhance your game, but the more important thing that matters is your skills!
Last update on 2021-05-07
Thanks for the in depth info. Personally i am getting M308. Trijicon is on my list too!