When it comes to finding the best scope for 243 Winchester there are numerous options to choose from. In this guide, we will walk you the top-rated scopes for 243 Winchester, explain the basics about what makes a good scope and help you find a model that blends best with your particular needs.
The 243 Winchester is a highly popular sporting cartridge good for hunting small and medium-sized game. It has a ballistic design that gives it high velocity for high level of efficiency. Besides, it stands out from other hunting cartridges with its unrivalled killing range.
Finding a scope that is compatible with the .243 Winchester is important to making your hunting expeditions a success. For one, a quality scope will bring you closer to the targets no matter the distance. Also, it will fine tune your shooting accuracy even in the most unforgiving hunting environments.
What Makes a Great Scope for 243 Winchester?
A great scope for 243 Winchester should have all the features and specs that fit your shooting needs and preference. For one, the scope should have a sturdy and tough construction to withstand rough handling and guarantee longevity.
Furthermore, the scope should have premium glass elements to enhance resolution and color accuracy. It should also have multi-coated lenses to ramp up light transmission and enhance optical clarity.
The other important attributes of the best scope for 243 Winchester include
- Lightweight and portable design
- A housing that is fully protected from moisture, dust and other elements
- Sufficient eye relief
- A reticle that is uncluttered , accurate and simple to use
- Easy to install and simple to make the necessary adjustments
Best Scopes for 243 Winchester – Top Picks
1) Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
The Diamondback 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope is by far the best scope for 243 Winchester. It delivers all the magnification power you need for intermediate to long-range hunting in all types of environments.
The versatile 4-12x magnification is built in a second focal plane Dead-Hold BDC reticle. Across the entire zoom range, the reticle maintains the same appearance for easy and precision shooting. Furthermore, the scope features a broad 90 MOA adjustment range for maximum total travel.
Another thing that makes the scope stand out is quality construction. It is built from 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum which is tested and verified to be shockproof. Additionally, the tube is purged with argon gas and sealed to be fully fog proof, dust proof and waterproof.
Optically, the Diamondback 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope boasts fully multi-coated lenses that ensure high levels of light transmission. Over and above that, it features a lightweight design of 14.6oz only for easy portability.
Features
- 4-12x total magnification
- Aircraft grade aluminum housing
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Waterproof and argon purged
- 60 MOA adjustment range
- Second focal plane reticle
- 1-inch body tube
- Hard anodized finish
- 1/4 MOA impact point correction
Pros
- Lightweight
- Clear and bright optics
- Great value for the price
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Short eye relief
2) Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm is a premium quality rifle scope that is optimized for versatility. It is ideal for virtually all hunting applications at close and medium ranges where the .243 Winchester excels in.
This rifle scope is made with durability in mind. It has a lightweight yet durable aircraft grade aluminum housing that is able to withstand abuse, rough use and heavy recoil. Also, the scope is fully waterproof, fog proof and shockproof to guarantee uninterrupted performance in all environments.
The optical performance of this scope is phenomenal. It uses high transmission optics for high-quality image production. On top of that, the lenses have special layers of anti-reflective coatings to ensure exceptional light transmission.
Further cementing its quality, this rifle scope has an integrated eyepiece design for easy magnification adjustment. It also features positive steel-on-steel adjustment for repeated accuracy.
Features
- Solid 1-piece outer tube
- Waterproof, fog proof and shock proof
- Second focal plane reticle
- High0grade optical glass
- Durable, integrated-eyepiece design
- Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses
- 1-inch body tube
- 3-9x magnification
- 1/4 MOA impact point correction
Pros
- Crisp clear optics
- Lightweight design
- Durable and reliable construction
Cons
- The crosshair is a bit too fine
- Short eye relief at highest magnification
3) Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9×40 Riflescope
Bushnell is one of the leading brands in the field of optics. It has a broad line of high-quality and cost-effective optics and the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9×40 Riflescope is not any different.
This rifle scope is optimized for low light performance. It features Dusk & Dawn Brightness multi-coated lenses which maximize light transmission in low level light settings. As a result, you get bright, clear and color accurate image views.
Furthermore, the scope excels in close and medium ranges. The versatile 3-9x magnification power provide the best balance between spacious field of view and speedy target acquisition to help you achieve the most in the hunting field.
When it comes to construction, the scope features a robust mono-piece tube made from the most hardwearing materials. It is tough enough to weather abuse and whatever punishment nature throws at it. The scope is also 100% waterproof, shockproof and nitrogen filled to prevent buildup of fog internally.
Features
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Multi-coated optics
- 3-9x total magnification
- Multi-X rear focal plane reticle
- 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustment
- One-piece tube
- Waterproof and nitrogen filled
Pros
- Multi-platform friendly
- Lightweight design
- Excellent craftmanship
- Ease of use
Cons
- Short eye relief
4) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
Next in our list of the best scope for 243 Winchester is Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope. This moderately powered rifle scope harbors an array of quality features at a reasonable price to boost your performance in the hunting fields.
The highlight of this rifle scope is low light performance. It employs a Twilight Light Management System which enhances performance in dismal environments by providing more shooting light. Also, the scope is built with top-tier glass to enhance image brightness, clarity and sharpness.
Weighing a mere 12.2oz, the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope is lightweight, portable and easy to shoot with. It has a generous eye relief across the 3-9x zoom range for snug and safe glassing. Additionally, it boasts a generous depth of field for speedy target acquisition.
Construction-wise, the scope has a ruggedized 6061-T6 aluminum body that is fully waterproof, fog proof and shockproof. Moreover, the exterior lenses are scratch resistant to provide additional protection in the field.
Features
- Twilight Light Management System
- 3-9x total magnification
- 60 MOA adjustment range
- Scratch resistant lenses
- Waterproof and fog proof
- 1-inch body tube
- Second focal plane reticle
Pros
- Lightweight
- Generous eye relief
- Rugged and robust construction
- Great low light visibility
- Reasonably affordable
Cons
- Fixed parallax
5) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope offers the best balance between performance and value. It is an excellent sighting tool for hunting and tactical operations at close to medium ranges.
This rifle scope is outstanding in terms of optical performance. It is made with professional grade optics that enhance resolution, color accuracy and target detail. Additionally, it is built with fully multi-coated lenses which make it ideal for low light situations.
To complement the optical finesse, this rifle scope has an aircraft grade aluminum body that is able to take in any abuse. The quality construction coupled with waterproof, fog proof and shockproof construction make the scope ideal for use in all environments.
Furthermore, Vortex made this optic with ease of use in mind. It has a fast focus eyepiece for easy and quick focusing of the reticle, and a lightweight design for convenient carrying from one point to the other. The other essential features it is constructed with are capped reset turrets, hard anodized finish and an adjustable objective.
Features
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Second focal plane reticle
- Hard anodized finish
- Waterproof and fog proof construction
- Aircraft grade aluminum housing
- Capped reset turrets
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Variable 3x to 9x magnification
- 1-inch single-piece main tube
Pros
- Ease of use
- Lightweight design
- Generous eye relief
- Inexpensive
- Accurate and versatile
Cons
- Quality issues
6) Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40mm Rifle Scope
Another best scope for 243 Winchester in our list is Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40mm Rifle Scope. If you want to take your hunting to the next high level, this rifle scope is your ideal choice.
It delivers phenomenal optical performance in all lighting and weather conditions. This is thanks to the Elite Optical System which ramps up light transmission in the low light settings of dawn and dusk. Besides, the reticle is illuminated with seven adjustable brightness settings to ensure precision shooting.
Leupold optics are known for rugged construction and this rifle scope is not any different. It has a 30mm tube for strength and rigidity. The tube is made from 6061-T6 aluminum and has reliable waterproof and fog proof protection to outlast elements.
In addition to everything else, the Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40mm Rifle Scope has a lightweight and low-profile design so you don’t have to worry about it adding unnecessary weight on your rifle.
Features
- 30mm single-piece main tube
- Second focal plane reticle
- Waterproof, fog proof and shock proof
- DiamondCoat 2 lens coating
- 52 MOA windage and elevation adjustment range
- Non-reflective matte finish
- 5-10x variable magnification
- 25 MOA adjustment click value
- ZeroStop system
- 8 adjustable brightness settings
Pros
- Illuminated reticle
- Lightweight design
- Crisp and quality glass
- Outstanding durability
7) Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope
Our last scope recommendation for 243 Winchester is the Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope from Vortex. Using this scope for your hunting expeditions will give you an upper hand in every situation and make every expedition more competitive.
It features a versatile 3-15x magnification power suitable for close and long-range use. Thanks to the large 44mm objective lens, the magnification is useful even at the highest settings.
The reticle in this rifle scope is housed in the second focal plane. It maintains the same size across the whole 3-15x zoom range and aids in range estimation. On top of that, it is illuminated with 10 adjustable brightness levels to ensure confident aiming in all light settings.
What’s more is the Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope features a fiber optic rotation indicator for easy turret tracking. It also boasts ED glass that works together with fully multi-coated lenses to amplify light transmission and enhance optical clarity.
To top it all off, this rifle scope has a rugged aircraft grade aluminum body that is O-ring sealed and argon purged to provide a lifetime of reliable waterproof and fog proof performance.
Features
- First focal plane reticle
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- 10 adjustable brightness intensities
- Aircraft grade aluminum construction
- Adjustable parallax
- Fiber optic rotation indicator
- Waterproof and argon purged
- 3-15x total magnification
- Hard anodized finish
- Exposed tactical-style turrets
- Fast focus eyepiece
Pros
- Illuminated reticle
- Crystal clear view
- Unbeatable durability
- Accurate
Cons
- Narrow eye relief
See Also
- 7 Best Scope for 270 Winchester
- 7 Best Scope for Ruger 10/22
- 7 Best Scope for Marlin 336
- 7 Best 300 Blackout Scope Hog Hunting
What Magnification Do You Need?
When choosing a scope magnification for .243 Winchester, there are two things to consider; the distance you will be shooting at and the type of shooting you will be doing. With the right magnification power, you will have an easy time using the scope and acquiring targets accurately.
The .243 Winchester was developed for both short and medium range hunting. It has an effective range of about 500 yards. Going with the 3x rule at every 100 yards, you are going to need a scope with about 15x magnification for 500 yards.
However, the choice of magnification can be lower especially if its for small and medium-size game hunting at close and medium ranges of below 200 yards. For such a distance, a scope with up to 9x magnification power will be sufficient.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Scope for 243 Winchester
Glass Quality
The type of glass a scope is made with can either make or break your hunting with 243 Winchester. Scopes made with cheap glass elements yield dull and unclear images especially at the highest magnification level. This makes target acquisition difficult even in optimal lighting conditions.
Avoid such scopes and instead, go for a model that uses premium glass elements such as high-density or extra-low dispersion glass. The optical clarity in such scopes is outstanding in all lighting and weather conditions.
Eye Relief
Eye relief refers to the specified distance from your eye to the eyepiece of the scope. It is calculated in inches and varies from one rifle scope to the other.
Whether you wear eyeglasses or not, we recommend that you get a scope with the longest eye relief possible. It will be comfortable and safe to use from any shooting angle.
Durability
The next important thing to consider is durability. A rifle scope that is made with durable materials will withstand wear and tear, and give you many years of field use.
For the best scope for 243 Winchester, go for a unit that is made with either aircraft grade aluminum or magnesium alloy. The scope should also have a hard anodized exterior for added protection from scratches, rust and corrosion.
Weight
In rifle scopes, weight determines how portable and easy to use the scope will be. We recommend that you settle for a lightweight and durable scope that weighs less than 2 pounds.
Lightweight scopes are very easy to maneuver with in the field as you look for game. They also have an added benefit of scattering heavy recoil with ease for added durability.
Weatherproof Construction
Last but not least, ensure that you get a scope that is optimized for use in all kinds of environments. The optical tube should be filled with either argon or nitrogen gas to prevent fog formation. On top of that, the best scope for 243 Winchester should be sealed with solid O-rings to lock out moisture, dust, dirt and any other debris.
FAQs
- How accurate is the .243 Winchester?
The 243 Winchester is accurate out to 500 yards. It will ethically kill a deer or any other deer-sized game at this range.
- What is the 243 Winchester good for?
The 243 Winchester is an all-purpose hunting cartridge good for varmint and deer hunting. It excels at a variety of distances and hunting environments where it delivers a clean kill with accurate shot placement.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best scope for 243 Winchester is key to getting the most out of this versatile round. Keep in mind that the type of game you will be hunting plays a big role in determining the scope that you get. So, look at the attributes that make each scope the right purchase for your needs and choose accordingly.