When you look for the best scope for 308 rifle, pay particular attention to the set of lenses.
The larger one is the objective lens, while the one closest to you will be the ocular lens.
The objective lens sends light to the ocular lens, and controls the amount of light entering the scope. You’ll also find a cross hair or reticle to indicate target detail.
At A Glance: Our Top 4 Picks for Scope for 308 Rifles
- Multi-Colored Reticle: UTG
- Hihg Level of Accuracy: Burris
- Most Durable: Vortex
- ATN X-Sight
Magnification is a key element when shopping for a rifle scope, since it determines how large the object will appear. Scopes may have fixed magnification or variable magnification, which will take a bit of practice to get the best results.
If you begin your viewing at a high magnification, your field of view is narrower and you have less light entering the scope.
Top 4 Best Scope for 308 Rifles (Summary)
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Multi-Colored ReticleUTG |
|
|
 |
Hihg Level of AccuracyBurris |
|
|
 |
Most DurableVortex |
|
|
 |
ATN X-Sight |
|
For more detailed and complete product reviews on benefits and features, keep reading.
The third major element to consider when shopping for the best scope for a 308 rifle is the field of view. Wider field is generally better, naturally. When you increase magnification the field of view gets smaller. As you search, keep in mind the ultimate purpose of a rifle scope is to make you feel you’re closer to your target. You should look for the best distance and clarity, along with quality construction for durability.
It’s best to spend a bit more to get best quality, of course. But you may find a suitable scope for your purposes without emptying your bank account in the process.
How to Choose the Best Scope for 308 Rifle
If you’re considering the purchase of the best scope for 308 rifle, you should start by asking yourself a few basic questions. It’s important to understand that the .308 rifle is one of the most popular items available, primarily because they are very accurate. (There are other reasons, too.) If you need to, make a few short notes so you can refer to them when you actually begin shopping.
First of all, think about the type of shooting you will be engaged in most of the time. When you think about this, focus on distance as a key factor. The rifle is designed to cover distance, so you’ll want to have a scope that works well with the .308. The scope should provide accurate viewing at 300 yards, 400 yards, even 500 yards. You will come across some scopes that will work with this rifle, but they might be excellent for short-range shooting. If you have a rifle that covers 400 yards, the best scope will be one that delivers great clarity at this distance.
You should also pay attention to how the scope is made. Look for solid construction and good sealing of the tube, along with scratch-resistant lenses. The best scope for 308 rifle will probably be gas-filled (nitrogen, argon) to prevent lens fogging. This also makes the scope more durable overall by protecting the interior. You’ll want shock resistance as well. Make sure you look for information about what material the scope is made of.
Clarity is a prime factor when you’re searching for the best scope for 308 rifle. Don’t accept any product that has even the slightest distortion at long distances. You should be able to see images clearly in both low-light conditions and when the lighting conditions are bright. Balance is important, especially with the higher-quality scopes, which tend to be a bit heavier. Long-distance scopes also tend to have a bit more weight.
You shouldn’t have to struggle to use your scope in real-life conditions, so it should be easy to increase or decrease the magnification. You shouldn’t have to spend a lot of time getting your scope set to use. Consider how easy the scope will be to “sight in.”
Finally, look for a good reticle, which helps you focus on target detail. You should also be able to use your scope without excessive eye strain. Using your scope should be comfortable and you should be able to make adjustments with ease. If you have difficulty tracking your targets through the scope, it’s not the right one for real-life activity.
Best Scope for 308 Rifles
1. UTG SWAT Compact Scope
The UTG SWAT is considered a compact scope that you’ll find works just fine with a .308 rifle. The tube is sealed-nitrogen and you benefit from the coated lenses and accurate reticle to determine bullet drop. This scope is resistant to shock, moisture, and fogging, which means it’s durable. For shoppers with a limited budget, this might be the right choice, since it delivers a lot of benefits.
You may have to re-center the reticle occasionally, which could be a problem for some. But, in general, you’ll find the UTG SWAT affordable and a good scope for all-around use.
Check Price and Rating on Amazon.com
2. Burris Scout Ballistic Plex Scope
The 2-7×32 scope from Burris comes with a lifetime warranty, and delivers shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof performance. The multi-coated lenses give you outstanding clarity and resist glare for maximum accuracy. The company is widely considered to have set the standard for rifle scopes with its Scout Ballistic Plex model.
Field of view is outstanding, of course, as is eye relief. One of the key benefits of this scope is its weight, at 13 ounces a bit lighter than some of the others in its class. You’ll benefit from lengthened eye relief and its ability to hold zero, even with the strong recoil of the .308. At 100 yards, for example, you should get groupings on your targets within a couple of inches.
Check Price and Rating on Amazon.com
3. Vortex Optics Crossfire
Vortex Optics Crossfire Rifle Scope is designed to provide high visibility performance and accurate target acquisition. It has a lot of useful features packed into its 2.2 pound frame.
It has adjustable objective settings which ensure the absence of parallax. This improves the focus and clarity of the image or target.
Its multicolored lens ensures that there is no loss of image quality regardless of distance and lighting. The eyepiece can be quickly focused for easy reticle focusing.
It is made of aircraft grade aluminum which ensures its durability. It is shockproof and water-resistant.
Check Price and Rating on Amazon.com
Pros
- Provides consistent clarity of targets
- Multicolored lens ensures high image quality
- Long lasting
Cons
- Lens might get cloudy or foggy
4. ATN X-sight
ATN X-sight Rifle Scope provides night vision in HD quality. It operates with a 20000mAh rechargeable battery pack that provides up to 22 hours of operation time.
It has an in-built smart rangefinder that helps you to calculate the distance between you and your target. This feature eliminates the need to carry extra equipment and ensures that you shoot on target consistently.
Equipped with an e-compass, you can easily know your location as you hunt. It has an e-zoom technology that allows for extensive magnification without loss of clarity.
This riflescope can be used in the day and night to take high resolution pictures and 1080p videos. It also has a feature that allows you to record your hunting expeditions.
Typo never had experience with a UTG rifle scope like ther price but r they worth it for hunting applications with a 308 and 3006 rifles
I have couple Leupolds a Nikon monarch several Nikon prostaffs even one prostaff5 but I use on my 3006 safari a very trusted Bushnell Legend Ultra hd3-9-50 this makes a very good combination on this rifle it such a dream to hunt with and shoot
Never had experience with utg but ther price is good if the quality will stand the test uno hunting rifles can really go through a lot in the field got to go with a little more trusted name in optics leupold is to much money for what I want in a rifle scope Bushnell and Nikon usually gets my dollars
First of all, thanks for such a great article about 308 scopes. It is very helpful for a beginner like me. After reading this post, I have decided to pick Nikon M308 from your list. What do you say about my choice?
I have several nikon rifle scopes love them all not a bad choice at all
Thanks for the reviews. I’m partial to the Leupold.