Are you looking for the best scope for 308? You have come to the right place. Today’s spotlight is on the best 308 Winchester scopes that will help you unlock the capability of your .308 rifle. Accompanying the checklist of best scopes for 308 is a comprehensive buyer’s guide to further steer you in the right direction.
The .308 Winchester is a renowned hunting rifle used worldwide. It can effectively shoot at 800 to 1000 yards. It epitomizes accuracy, versatility, and effectiveness at various distances. It is a well-liked option for hunters, target shooters, and military and law enforcement officers. Pairing the rifle with a quality scope leads to extraordinary results.
What Magnification Do You Need?
The best magnification depends on the intended purpose and shooting condition. A scope with 3-9x or 4-12x will suffice for general hunting and shooting at medium ranges between 300 and 400 yards. This helps in fast target acquisition while maintaining accuracy.
A higher-magnification scope is needed for longer-range shooting and hunting. A magnification range of 6-24x or 5-20x is ideal for ranges between 600 and 800. This allows more accurate aiming and better detail.
The right magnification is essential for enhanced accuracy and success, regardless of your activity.
7 Best 308 Winchester Scopes
With a plethora of options to choose from, finding the right scope can be taxing. To eliminate the hassle, we have done the homework for you and compiled the best 308 Winchester scopes to help you exploit the rifle’s benefits. Here are the high-ranking .308 Winchester scopes:
1) Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 Scope
Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 Scope provides superior optical clarity and rapid target acquisition that avid hunters and shooters demand. The scope is feature rich and comes in a compact package. The state-of-the-art optical system and superior construction make this scope a front-runner among the best 308 Winchester scopes.
The first notable feature is the Bindon Aiming Concept which allows shooting with both eyes open. This increases situational awareness giving you an unfair advantage over the target. Combining rapid target acquisition and outstanding low-light performance makes the Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 rifle scope prime for hunters.
The second exciting attribute is the Trijicon Fiber Optics that adjust the illumination level and contrast of the reticle based on the prevailing light conditions. You have more odds of taking down your target in all lighting conditions without relying on batteries that are prone to failure.
Additionally, the scope has military-grade construction standards, forged from 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy, that guarantee long-term use. It is waterproof and filled with nitrogen gas for fog-free performance in all conditions.
Lenses are multi-coated and have anti-reflective compounds for exceptional brightness and clarity for distortion-free and low glares. The scope will not disappoint even when the sun suddenly comes out behind the clouds.
At less than 6 ounces, Trijicon Compact Scope is ideal for quick-moving tactical teams operating in confined spaces or speed-oriented competition settings. Mount a dependable rifle scope on your hunting and have an epic adventure.
Features
- Multi-coated with anti-reflective properties
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Forged aluminum construction
- Bindon’s Aiming Concept supports both-eyes-open shooting
- Trijicon Fiber Optics for automatic adjustments
- Battery-free operation
Pros
- Easy to set and re-zero
- Great optics
- Long eye relief
- Tough construction for long-lasting use
Cons
- Expensive
- Fixed magnification power
2) Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm Riflescope
The 308 Winchester is a round that begs a matching scope to deliver mind-blowing results. Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm is what you need to unlock its full capability. Harboring critical features for improving accuracy and performance, this Mark 5HD rifle scope is one of the best 308 Winchester scopes.
With the versatile 3.6-18x magnification, the scope shines in close, mid to long ranges encounters. The 44mm objective lens complements the powerful magnification by providing crystal-clear views at all zoom levels and a wide field of view that gives you more periphery awareness.
The Twilight Max Light Management System ensures that low-light hunting doesn’t stop the Leupold Mark 5HD from excelling. The coating lets in sufficient light and minimizes glare when shooting in bright light. You are certain of well-visible images as a result.
This long-range performer has a construction worth noting. It is made of aircraft-grade aluminum that will withstand the rigors of shooting and hunting. The lenses are scratch-resistant and are military grade for enhanced durability.
A fast-focus eyepiece keeps the reticle focused, making target acquisition a walk in the park. The reticle has a first focal plane position to enhance long-range accuracy. When you need a rifle scope to boost your accuracy and precision on your next hunt, get the Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18×44 rifle scope.
This is the ultimate scope for harsh weather, as its entire housing is waterproof and fogproof. You can have confidence knowing it will do the job accordingly, even when the weather takes a toll on you.
The side focus system supports parallax adjustment for easy and quick focusing, regardless of shooting position. The scope has nonetheless been punisher-tested for unrivaled durability and performance.
Features
- 5:1 zoom ratio
- Scratch-resistant lenses
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Punisher tested
- Side focus parallax adjustment system
- Long-lasting aluminum composition
- 5 to 3.8 inches of eye relief
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- 35mm main tube
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System
- Throw lever for fast zoom adjustments
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Super bright and crystal-clear glass
- Tough build
- Awesome turrets
- Good eye relief
Cons
- Expensive
3) Primary Arms GLx Series 4-16x50mm Riflescope
Another top-selling optic for the .308 is the Primary Arms GLx Series 4-16x50mm riflescope. The scope combines quality and superior optical performance, making it tough to beat. With unrivaled performance in all lighting conditions, this scope will transform your .308 rifle into a near-perfect shooting solution for hunting and target shooting.
Construction-wise, the scope boasts a 6061-T6 aluminum composition that provides many years of use. After all, you don’t want to change your scope every year due to wear.
It is also made with rough weather conditions in mind, as it is entirely waterproof and fogproof. Thanks to its rugged build, the scope is shockproof.
The scope incorporates high-quality glass that leads to superb image quality. The turrets have a well-executed design and deliver crisp and audible clicks with tough steel-on-steel construction that prevents wearing out.
When your zero is set, you don’t need to fret about bumps or the environment causing unintentional changes to your turrets since these locking turrets have a high-speed return to zero.
The sleek magnification ring features a cutting-edge, replaceable adjustment fin. The fin can be readily placed anywhere around the magnification ring to suit the shooter’s needs. The tip of the iceberg is you get all these exciting features without breaking the bank.
Features
- Locking turrets
- 5 to 3.6 inches of eye relief
- 6061-T6 aluminum housing
- Indicators for elevation rotation
- First focal plane reticle
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Matte finish
- 50mm objective lens diameter
Pros
- Good glass
- Affordable
- Illuminated reticle
- Crisp adjustments
Cons
- The magnification adjustment is a bit stiff
4) Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm SFP Riflescope
Vortex has a five-star rating when it comes to the manufacture of top-tier products, making the Diamondback 4-12x40mm one of the best 308 Winchester scopes. This riflescope provides a perfect balance of value and performance. It’s ideal for medium and long-range hunting applications with the .308.
This scope is affordably priced yet doesn’t cut corners when it comes to quality. It is very durable, which is one feature that makes it stand out from competitors. The tube is made of aircraft-grade aluminum conferring strength and durability for relentless performance for many years.
The scope is also purged with argon gas to deal with fogging. This is in addition to being waterproof, so not even rain will halt your shooting. You can depend on this rifle scope to get the job done when hunting in forests and mountains.
Another facet is the fully multi-coated lenses that allow maximum light to pass through, leading to admirably bright and sharp images. Using this scope will have you wondering how you ever shot without it.
This budget scope also has a fast-focus eyepiece that keeps the reticle in sharp focus, helping to quickly acquire the target. The reticle used is the Dead-Hold BDC, which many hunters favor as it helps in varying ranges where holdover estimation is an issue.
Better yet, metal-on-metal precision turrets allow for a zero reset after sighting in. A precision glide erector system guarantees accurate tracking and repeatability.
Features
- Argon purging and O-ring seals for weatherproofing
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Rugged aluminum constriction
- Precision glide erector system
- Second focal plane to maintain appearance at all zoom levels
Pros
- Easy on your wallet
- Includes a compatible sunshade
- Adjustable parallax
- Lifetime warranty
- Top-shelf construction
Cons
- Short eye relief
- Non-illuminated reticle
5) NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm SFP Riflescope
Providing exceptional precision at extended ranges, the SHV 5-20x56mm riflescope is one of the best 308 Winchester scopes for long-range shooting. This is one of the scopes you need to add to your hunting regimen to sharpen your hunting and shooting skills.
The scope features 5-20x magnification, making it easy to acquire targets at short to long ranges without hassle. The zooming offers excellent clarity, vivid colors, sharpness, and contrast at every zoom level.
The scope’s tube is a machine from 6061 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, which is built to last. The lens is coated for optimal light transmission. The lens is complemented by anti-reflective properties that lessen glare in bright sunlight resulting in high-quality images.
The side focus parallax adjustment allows the elimination of parallax for enhanced accuracy. The ZeroSet system supports a return to zero regardless of the elevation adjustments made.
All metal dials on this scope are housed in weatherproof caps for maximum protection from external elements that may cause damage.
Overall, the NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm is a powerful scope that can be used to make tight groups on the sheet as well as confront big games at close to extended range.
Features
- Second focal plane
- 56mm objective lens size
- Generous 5-20x magnification
- 5 inches of eye relief
- Side focus parallax adjustment system
- Aircraft-grade aluminum constitution
- ZeroSet system
- MOAR reticle with 1 MOA elevation and windage markings
- European-style fast-focus eyepiece
Pros
- Remarkable precision
- The image quality is extraordinary
- Sturdy build
Cons
- Heavy
- Limited eye relief
6) Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24mm Riflescope
Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24mm Riflescope falls under the category of Variable Combat Optical Gunsight (VCOG), which fosters quick target engagement. The scope has a well-executed design that enables lightning-fast and accurate target acquisition.
It will deliver accordingly whether you engage in close-quarter battles or long-range shooting. One reason the scope is a candidate for the best 308 Winchester scopes is its capacity to estimate the correct range quickly while simultaneously implementing the correct hold.
It features the Red Horseshoe reticle on the first focal plane position. The reticle has LED illumination, which is handy when shooting at various ranges and lighting conditions. There are six brightness settings to suit various scenarios.
Another facet of the scope is the superb glass quality, resulting in impeccable light-gathering power for distortion-free, high-brightness, and clear images. You can easily take down your target even when the light is not super bright.
Its durability is hard to beat. 7075-T6 aluminum is used in constructing the scope making it virtually indestructible no matter what nature throws at it.
Features
- The first focal plane remains true in all zoom levels
- 7075-T6 aluminum housing
- Astounding glass quality
- 1-6x magnification
- 24mm objective lens
- Waterproof to 66 feet
- The battery provides a continuous runtime of up to 700 hours
- 90 MOA of windage and elevation adjustment
Pros
- Easy mounting process
- Robust housing
- A-grade glass for superior image rendition
- Seamless target engagement
Cons
- Pricey
7) Meopta Optika6 3-18x50mm Riflescope
We round off our list of the best 308 Winchester scopes with the Meopta Optika6 3-18x50mm Riflescope. The scope will exponentially amplify the accuracy and efficiency of your 308 Winchester, resulting in a great experience out there.
It offers unbeatable clarity and powerful optics in a rugged package. The MeoBright multi-coating makes clarity possible, enhancing light transmission while reducing glare and reflection when shooting in broad daylight. You get stunning images as a result of this great addition.
The lenses are further fortified with a MeoShield coating that protects against scratches and abrasion. MeoShield’s sturdiness and surface hardness meet military standards. A matte anodized finish is another facet that enhances the scope’s toughness and resilience.
The Meopta MeoPro Optika6 3-18×50 Rifle Scope features a variety of reticles, and while FFP models have exposed turrets for windage and elevation adjustments, SFP models have capped turrets.
You can use the 3x magnification while shooting at short ranges and crank up the 18x to get detailed views of images that are far away.
Features
- Matte anodized finish
- MeoBright coating delivers crystal-clear and bright images
- Various reticle options
- Fogproof and shockproof
- Water-resistant
- 94 inches of eye relief
- Scratch and abrasion-resistant lens coating
- 50mm objective lens
Pros
- Easy-to-use turrets
- Versatile reticle design
- Great price
- Clear optics
Cons
- No zero reset
Further Reading
- Best Scopes for 400 Yards
- Night Vision Scopes for Hunting
- Best 500 Yards Scopes
- Vortex Scopes for Deer Hunting
- Best Scope for SCAR 20S
How to Choose the Best 308 Winchester Scopes
Eye Relief
Although the.308 doesn’t have much recoil, you should still consider having enough eye relief which is the space between your eye and the scope’s lens. A good.308 scope should have an eye relief of 3 1/2 to 4 inches.
Weatherproofing
Another imperative element when buying the best .308 Winchester scopes is weatherproofing. This is particularly crucial if you plan to go hunting. You will often be exposed to rain, thick fog, and other harsh conditions.
Ensure you get a scope that withstands anything thrown at it. It should be waterproof, dustproof, fog-proof, and shockproof to ensure the scope remains in good shape even after banging on trees and rocks.
Read: Best 350 Legend Riflescopes
Lens Coating
The lens coating is paramount as it allows maximum light absorption from the surroundings regardless of the lighting situation.
They minimize the amount of glare that makes it difficult to aim properly. The best .308 scopes should have either multi-coated or fully multi-coated lenses for the best performance in all lighting situations.
Weight
Most times, the lenses inside contribute to the overall scope’s weight. You need to strike a balance between the two. For example, a scope with a fixed 9x zoom with a 42mm objective lens would be ideal if you want a light scope.
Although it may not be effective for striking targets 900 yards or beyond, if you plan to use the scope for hunting, a scope that will not add extra weight to your gear will do.
Read: Best Nightforce Hunting Scopes
Best 308 Winchester Scopes FAQs
Q: What Is the Range of a .308?
The.308 Winchester cartridge is considered efficient for medium- to long-range shooting, usually up to a maximum distance of about 800 to 1000 yards.
The cartridge provides remarkable accuracy and power at distances up to 400 yards, making it a popular option for both tactical and target shooting and hunting large game like deer, elk, and moose.
It has the capacity for great accuracy and energy at long ranges of up to 1000 yards or more with the correct load and barrel length.
Q: Between The 207 And The 308, Which Is More Accurate?
A rifle cartridge’s accuracy is affected by several factors, including the rifle’s quality, the shooter’s skill, and the cartridge’s ballistic characteristics.
The.270 and.308 Winchester cartridges can produce good results because they are both renowned for their accuracy.
However, it is generally agreed that due to its flat shooting trajectory and less felt recoil, the 270 Winchester delivers more accuracy.
Q: Why Do Snipers Prefer The .308?
Snipers love the .308 because it is highly versatile and effective for long-range shooting. It has a flat trajectory and can take down targets up to 1000 yards. It is also widely available, making it ideal for snipers who need to rely on a constant supply of ammunition.
Besides, it has manageable recoil, which is beneficial for snipers as they need to maintain their accuracy and follow-up shots in a split second. This is vital in tactical scenarios.
Conclusion
The 308 Winchester cartridge has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the hunting grounds and on the range. For excellent results when using this cartridge, a rifle scope is an important addition to your rifle.
While there is no definite choice for the best scope for 308 Winchester, some scopes will help you unlock the full potential of this round. The best 308 Winchester scopes highlighted above are reliable, versatile and incorporate all the necessary features to help you make the most of the .308 round.
We hope you have found a model that best meets your needs and individual preferences.