Keep the odds in your favor when shooting with the .308 rifle by pairing it with a high-quality scope. If you are in the market for a scope for your .308 rifle then you are in luck. Today we will dive into the best Vortex scopes for 308.
The .308 Winchester has been around for almost seven decades and has made its reputation in the hunting scene, providing moderate recoil and an array of factory hunting loads.
To get the most out of your .308 however, you need to invest in top-notch rifle scopes and Vortex just happens to manufacture some of the best hunting rifle scopes.
What Makes a Great .308 Scope?
While the .308 is often used for tactical long-range shooting, hunting, and bolt action rifles it can perform in short and medium-range shooting too. It is thus pertinent that you get a rifle scope that matches your specific needs.
There are however certain key aspects that you want your .308 rifle scope to have whether it’s for long medium or short-range shooting.
First, a great .308 scope should have great optics starting with a fully multi-anti-reflective coating to increase light transmission on all air-to-glass surfaces ensuring optimum visual performance.
As part of optics too, a great .308 scope should have a magnification of at least 6x minimum magnification and 9x maximum magnification. This should give you a reasonably good field of view to help you be aware of your surroundings.
The scope should provide you with a forgiving eye relief of at least 3.4 inches. This ensures that you have a larger view as well as non-distorted edges through the scope. It also enhances the comfort of your head when looking through the scope.
Good illumination is also very important for your .308 rifle scope as it ensures you see especially in low-light conditions.
It should also be durable, that is, it should be made of sturdy material that will protect it from physical damage. Aircraft-grade aluminum is one of the best materials out there to ensure you don’t have to worry about a damaged rifle scope exterior.
Your desired .308 scope should also be fog proof and waterproof. A fog-proof rifle scope has a nitrogen-purging element that prevents internal fogging and enhances clarity. To ensure your scope is waterproof it should have an O-ring that protects it from not only moisture but also tiny solid debris.
5 Best Vortex Scopes for 308
Although Vortex scopes have not been in the market for that long, they can’t be ruled out as some of the best .308 scopes out there. They meet the perfect balance of advanced optical technology, key traditional elements expected of any optical imaging device, and affordability.
That being said let’s get right into the best vortex scopes for 308 rifles:
1) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x50mm SFP Rifle Scope
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Firstly, we have the vortex crossfire II 3-9x50mm SFP Rifle Scope. This scope gives your 308 an upper hand on the hunting grounds with a Bullet Drop Compensator reticle perfected for straight wall hunting. It also provides you with accurate holdovers and quick target acquisition.
With a 3-9X magnification coupled with a 50 mm objective lens diameter, making out your surroundings is quite easy with your .308 rifle. The lowest magnification gives you a 32 feet field of view and the highest a view of slightly more than 12.9 feet.
The objective lens diameter of 50 mm also ensures an eye relief of up to 3.8 inches, providing you with a perfect image at a reasonable distance away from the scope.
Crossfire II 3-9×50 Rifle Scope will deliver excellent brightness and contrast even in low light conditions. It will serve as an excellent hunting companion for dawn and dusk expeditions.
This vortex scope is also as durable as they come. It’s made of aircraft-grade aluminum ensuring a scratch-free nature and is also shockproof thus withstanding recoil and impact. Its lenses are also multi-coated.
At only 18.5 ounces, coupled with the weight of your .308 rifle, this rifle scope is considered quite lightweight and you can move around with ease.
Vortex Crossfire II 3-9×50 Rifle Scope provides a perfect blend of superb light transmission, robust construction, reliable performance, and great value for money. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best Vortex scopes for 308.
Features
- Straight-wall BDC reticle
- Capped turret style
- 1-inch tube
- 100-yard parallax setting
- Fully multi-coated lens
- Air-craft aluminum
Pros
- Affordable
- Illuminated reticle option
- Very durable
Cons
- Unreliable image quality in high magnification
2) Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50mm SFP Rifle Scope
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For long-range shooting, the Viper HS 4-16x50mm SFP Rifle Scope has to be one of the best Vortex scopes for 308 rifles. Whether it’s for gun range shooting or for game hunting the scope harbors all the critical features needed to deliver excellent results.
It is intended for open plains and vast expanses. It possesses an advanced optical system with a highlighted 4x zoom range giving you near-excellent magnification versatility.
This rifle scope comes with a highly visible fiber optic magnification viewer and a minimum 50-yard side parallax adjustment both of which adjust smoothly and consistently.
It has a great eye relief of up to 4 inches facilitated 50 mm objective lens diameter, this gets you on target quickly and easily with your .308 rifle.
It also has a smooth rubber ring on the eyepiece making it more comfortable as you aim. The fast-focus eyepiece is also really helpful in the event of a fast-moving target.
The Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50mm is extremely durable with its ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating that protects its lenses from oil and dirt.
It is also fully shockproof as a result of its rugged construction that helps it withstand recoil and impact. It is made of aircraft-grade aluminum giving it strength to endure physical damage of any kind.
Features
- Aircraft grade aluminum
- Low glare hard anodized finish
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Shockproof
- Ultra-hard scratch-resistant coating
Pros
- Fog and waterproof
- Speedy target acquisition
- Parallel side adjustment to maintain a sharp focus
- Fiber optic radius bar
Cons
- Quite heavy
- Relatively costly
3) Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm FFP Rifle Scope
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If extremely high precision over a long range is what you want then this might just be the best Vortex scope for your .308 rifle. It is engineered to meet the needs of both hunters and tactical professionals.
Whatever the environment you can be confident you will make your shot. It possesses a broad zoom range, a large objective lens, high-quality glass, and specialized optical coatings all of which work together to provide clear and bright images at all magnifications and lighting conditions.
This rifle scope provides a reasonably high field of view with a 37.8 feet field of view at 3x magnification and 6.3 inches at the highest magnification. This is one of the best Vortex scopes for 308 for hunting and moderate range shooting 500 to 800 yards.
The Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm FFP has an advanced first focal plane reticle that makes it easier when shots have to be taken quickly from any magnification. This gives you the flexibility you need to take precise shots from any distance.
The combination of an apochromatic lens made of high-density extra-low dispersion glass, optics like the broad range magnification and MOA-based ranging reticle and turrets, creates the perfect rifle scope for precise long-range shots on your 308 rifles.
Take the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50mm on your most demanding hunts and experience a redefined experience. Expect more brightness, accuracy, reliability, and relentless performance from this extraordinary rifle scope.
Features
- EBR-7C MOA Reticle (First Focal Plane)
- Illuminated duplex reticle (red LED)
- 34mm tube diameter
- 7-inch eye relief
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Good in low light conditions
- Durable
- Superior resolution
Cons
- Quite costly
- A durable build makes it heavy
4) Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm SFP Rifle Scope
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The Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm SFP rifle scope is the perfect balance between cost and function to complement your .308 rifle.
This scope ranks high as one of the best Vortex scopes for 308 for dawn and dusk hunting.
For a good hunt, high-quality optics are imperative and Vortex fitted this scope with anti-reflective coatings to increase light transmission on all air to glass surfaces coupled with its single-piece tube maximizes alignment and ensures optimum visual performance.
Construction of the Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm SFP is from solid block aircraft grade aluminum for strength as well as rigidity. It also has waterproof O-ring seals that protect it from moisture, dust, and debris making it reliable for performance in the harshest of environments.
This rifle scope also enhances the performance of your 308 rifles with its precision glide erector system that ensures the components in the zoom lens mechanism glide smoothly and cleanly through all magnification ranges. It also has a fast-focus eyepiece that allows quick and easy reticle focusing.
Features
- Hard anodized finish
- Capped reset turrets
- Precision glide erector system
- Aircraft grade aluminum
- Fully multi-coated
Pros
- Affordable
- Fog proof
- Waterproof
- Highly durable
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
5) Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56mm FFP Rifle Scope
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The Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56mm FFP is the scope of choice for your .308 rifle if you are into long-range shooting. This rifle scope features the EBR-7C reticle in the first focal plane, giving you fast reads from the lowest to the highest magnification as well as any light conditions.
This rifle scope has an extra-low dispersion glass that increases resolution and color fidelity resulting in high-quality images. Its lenses are also fully multi-coated, facilitating increased light transmission on air to glass surfaces.
This affordable yet high-quality rifle scope is waterproof on account of its well-fitted O-ring seals, which prevent not only moisture but also dust and other solid debris. It is also purged with nitrogen gas to prevent internal fogging over a wide range of temperatures.
Equipping your rifle with the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP Rifle Scope will transform it into a potent long-range weapon that will take down targets with incredible efficiency. The throw lever allows swift power changes for a seamless hunting experience.
Another positive attribute of this scope is the fast-focus eyepiece that facilitates quick target acquisition. The riflescope checks all the right boxes for a long-range optic and is a worthy companion for a .308 rifle.
Features
- Multi-coated lenses
- Glass-etched reticle
- Anodized matte finish
- Tactical locking turrets
- A fast-focus eyepiece
Pros
- Excellent eye relief
- Affordable
- High clarity
- Audible adjustment clicks
- Illuminated
Cons
- Unreliable for close-range targets
Further Reading
- Best Scopes for 450 Bushmaster
- Vortex Scopes for Elk Hunting
- Best Vortex Scopes for Air Rifles
- Long Range Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor
- Best LPVO for 308
Considerations when Choosing The Best Vortex Scopes for 308
When searching for a .308 scope you will be met with numerous options. Vortex manufactures an array of rifle scopes for all sorts of needs. For your .308 however, you will need to consider the following factors to find a perfect shooting companion for your rifle.
Glass clarity
First, consider the glass clarity, a great .308 vortex scope should have lenses made of high-density glass to ensure no blurriness or distortion as well as being fully multi-coated to eliminate glare.
Reticle
You also need to consider the type of reticle; the reticle should be illuminated with variable easily adjustable settings and have holdover lines to avoid guesswork while aiming. This is especially important in long-range low-light shooting.
Weight
Another consideration you need to make when buying a vortex scope for your .308 rifle is the weight of your scope.
Your vortex scope should be lightweight to give you ease of movement when combined with the weight of your .308. A weight of fewer than 5 pounds is ideal.
Parallax and Magnification
You need to also consider parallax and magnification of scope for your .308. The parallax adjustment knob should be easy to adjust. Parallax correction is important for long-range shots as it brings the target into focus to maintain precision and accuracy.
The vortex scope should have a wide magnification range and have clarity at all magnifications. There is no ideal magnification as the shooting needs vary from one person to another. Your shooting style and intended use of the scope will determine the magnification power for your scope.
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Why Choose a Vortex Scope for your .308 Rifle?
Vortex scopes have made a name for themselves in the rifle optics world and if you are wondering why you should a Vortex scope for your .308 rifle, here are some reasons;
Firstly, Vortex optics provides a lifetime warranty for all their products. This means that no matter how long you’ve had your rifle scope you can return it, in whatever condition, and have it fixed or even get a new scope. This further enhances the confidence you have in your vortex rifle scope when you buy it.
Vortex scopes are also a great choice for your .308 rifle because of the great quality of products that they produce, from the great optics enhanced by quality glass used on their lenses to the durability of the scopes made from aircraft-grade aluminum.
They are also shockproof on account of their rugged construction which makes them withstand recoil and impact. These scopes are also fog proof and waterproof to enhance visibility in harsh environmental conditions.
Finally, Vortex scopes are a great choice for your .308 rifle because for all this quality you don’t have to spend as much. Vortex scopes are considered some of the most affordable rifle scopes for such high quality.
Read: Best Vortex FFP Scopes
Essential Attributes of a Long-Range Scope
If you own a .308 then you are most likely a long-range shooter and to get the most out of your .308 then a great quality long-range scope is important.
So, what attributes do you need to look out for when purchasing a long-range scope? Here are some key attributes;
Magnification
First, the scope should have great optics starting with a variable magnification of about 3-18x range.
A scope of such a magnification range is most likely light and will give you ease of movement when shooting.
For scopes with extreme magnification like a 6-36X range, while it gives you better range, they tend to be too bulky and heavy and will limit your movement.
Reticle
Your long-range scope should also have a reticle in the second focal plane with hash marks for holding over your target and for compensating for wind.
A second focal plane reticle maintains precise and consistent size on all zoom levels this is unlike a First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle that may become too thin or thick on varying zoom levels.
Turret
Another essential attribute of a long-range scope is a dial-up turret that not only dials up and down but also has predictable consistency.
The internal mechanisms of long-range scope turrets need to be of great quality since long-range shooters run their turrets up and down constantly.
Objective lens
A large objective lens is also an essential attribute for long-range shooting. This is because the bigger the objective lens the brighter the images.
Large objective lenses also provide a wider field of view at greater distances making them ideal for long-range shooting.
Read: Best Vortex Scopes for 30-06
Conclusion
Vortex has cemented its name in the optics world by making dependable riflescopes for hunters. The best Vortex scopes provide highly precise and quick windage and elevation adjustments for perfect shot placement.
The scopes highlighted above are designed to deliver the needed optical quality for a rewarding hunting expedition. Vortex understands that quality glass leads to a good hunt and they leave no stone unturned to deliver the best quality in a rifle scope.
With a solid construction that can handle inclement weather conditions and vibrations from rifle recoil, you will have a reliable shooting solution for your .308 rifle when you invest in a Vortex rifle scope.
If you need a versatile scope for your hunting rifle, get a Vortex scope and see the difference high-quality glass makes.