How to Choose the Best Scope for .308 Rifle?

The .308 rifle was first introduced by Winchester in 1952 and has since gone to become one of the most popular rifles in the United States today. Minor modifications in this gun led to the 7.62 NATO, and there are minor differences between these two guns. These are two guns that have various similarities and a lot has been said about them but that’s a debate for another day.

Since it first came into the market in 1952, the .308 has remained a finely crafted hunting rifle with various semi-automatic versions. This is one gun you can’t miss from sniper rifles to military machine guns.

If you’re considering buying the best scope for the 308 rifle, then you’ve come to the right place. Even before we get into the basic considerations when buying a 308 rifle scope, there are a few questions you need to answer.

What type of shooting are you engaged in most?

This is a key factor to help you buy the best fit scope for your particular use and .308 rifle. The distance you shoot frequently is a crucial factor. The fact that most .308 rifles are designed to cover long distances means you will most likely require a scope that covers great distances.

What you’re looking for is a scope that will cover 300, 400 and even 500 yards. You might find an excellent scope working for this rifle but only covering short distances. This will be of no use since your rifle is ideal for long-range shooting at 400 yards. However, you need to consider what you will be using the scope for most of the time.

Your .308 rifle scope is one that delivers excellent clarity at long distances. So what do you consider next if all the scopes have excellent clarity at long distances?

Considerations when choosing the best scope for .308 rifles

1.Scope construction

The construction of the scope needs to be durable to withstand the bumps that come with hunting or any other outdoor activities. The best choice is a scope made of aircraft aluminum to withstand bruises. You also need to consider elevation depending on the task. Low profile designs are excellent for easy maneuvering in the wild while high profile elevations are excellent for tactical use. Overall, the best construction for a 308 rifle needs to be durable, waterproof and fog proof especially if you’re using it outdoors.  You don’t want to raise your rifle and only see fog.

2.Maintaining zero

The best scope needs to hold the zero calibration after shooting. .308 rifles are excellent and don’t have huge recoils. However, they do have a kick that can affect zero on your scope especially when using the heavy grain load or high powder.

3.    Variable or fixed power

There are two categories of scopes to choose for your 308 rifle. These are the variable and fixed scopes. Fixed scopes have a single magnification while variable scopes have different magnification settings. The choice usually comes down to where you will be using your .308 rifle.  This is a pretty versatile rifle that can be used in various shooting scenarios and there is no single best scope for it.

If you’re hunting in dense vegetation, then a fixed scope is your best pick. You will probably take short 100-200 yard shorts. Fixed scopes are also more durable and less expensive.

When thinking of long-range shooting at 500 yards, a variable scope is your best pick.

4.Generous eye relief

This is the distance between your eyes and the rim of the ocular lens. You need a generous eye relief of 3 or more inches due to the kick produced by .308 rifles.

There are several other minor factors to consider like reticles, but the four main considerations above should help you choose the best scope for .308 rifle. Make sure to visit OutdoorsBest and check out their list of the top rated .308 scopes out there!