Are you looking for the best budget scope for 308? Look no further. Taking down targets with the .308 requires a scope that enhances your precision and in this article, we will walk you through the very best models that come at a price tag that is reasonably budget-friendly.
Whether you are a veteran hunter/shooter or a beginner, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality scope for your .308 rifle. The ever-advancing technology in the optics industry has made rifle scopes more affordable and it is now easier to find a quality and reliable optic for your budget.
We have scoured the market and put together a roundup of the best budget scopes for 308, considering factors like durability, reliability, optical clarity, and ease of use. These scopes will enhance your shooting precision in all environments and ensure that you get the most out of your shooting precision. But first, here are the attributes that make a great scope for .308.
What Makes a Great Budget Scope for 308?
A great budget scope for 308 is made of several attributes that include:
Versatile Magnification Range
First and foremost, the scope should have a versatile magnification range to cover targets at all the distances you will be shooting at.
High-Quality Glass Elements
It is also essential for the scope to have high-quality glass elements that yield bright, clear, and color-detailed sight pictures.
Long Eye Relief
Furthermore, a good budget scope for .308 should have ample eye relief distances to accommodate users with or without eyewear and ensure safe and comfortable glassing.
Weatherproof Construction
The interior of the scope should be sealed and filled with dry argon or nitrogen gas to provide a lifetime of dependable waterproof and fog-proof performance.
Crisp Reticle
Moreover, the best budget scope for 308 needs to have a crisp and easy-to-use reticle for precision aiming.
Best Budget Scopes for 308
If you are looking for a .308 scope for hunting, tactical shooting, or any other applications, here are the top-rated and budget-friendly models suitable for you.
Let’s have a look.
1) Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm Rifle Scope – Best Overall
The Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm Rifle Scope is a classic go-to hunting optic that is off the charts when it comes to performance and reliability. It is built with a plethora of modern and high-performance features that make the best budget scope for 308.
This rifle scope employs a Dead-Hold BDC MOA reticle housed in the second focal plane. When you change the magnification, the reticle maintains the appearance and is good for hunting and shooting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern.
In terms of construction, the scope is crafted with durability in mind. It has a solid one-piece tube body that is shockproof and durable enough to withstand abuse. Further, the interior of the tube is O-ring sealed and Argon purged to deliver a lifetime of waterproof and fog-proof performance.
Other noteworthy features included are metal or metal precision turrets, fully multi-coated lenses, and a fast-focus eyepiece.
Features
- Precision glide erector system
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- 5-10x magnification range
- Hard anodized finish
- Fully waterproof, dust-proof, and fog-proof
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Capped turrets
- 1-inch body tube
- Second focal plane reticle placement
Pros
- Lightweight construction
- Exemplary low-light performance
- Ease of use
- Holds zero well
- Crystal-clear optics
Cons
- Poor eye relief at max power
2) Athlon Optics Argos BTR Gen II 6-24X50mm APLR2 Rifle Scope – Best for Beginners
The Athlon Optics Argos BTR Gen II 6-24X50mm APLR2 Rifle Scope is your ideal option if you are just starting in the sports of competitive shooting. It is easy to use and well-made with quality features to hone your shooting skills.
The selling point of this rifle scope is its optical finesse. It has advanced fully multi-coated optics that effectively minimize reflected light and increase the transmission of light. This leads to bright and detailed images in virtually all light settings.
Furthermore, the scope is built in a 30mm main tube for strength and rigidity. The large tube size provides ample room for adjustments in the field for precision shooting in all terrains. Besides that, the scope is fully protected from weather elements for unimpeded field use.
To complement the solid construction, this rifle scope features an APLR2 reticle housed in the front focal plane. It stays true through the entire 6-24x magnification and is illuminated to enable confident aiming in low light.
Features
- Advanced fully multi-coated optics
- XPL lens coating
- Precision zero-stop system
- Rugged aluminum construction
- First focal plane reticle placement
- 30mm main tube
- 60 MOA adjustment range
- LED illumination
- Matte finish
- 6-24x total magnification range
- 25 MOA adjustment click value
Pros
- Lighted reticle
- Easy to use zero stop
- Sturdy and robust construction
- Tracks great
Cons
- Poor sight pictures at high magnification
- Short eye relief
3) Sightmark Citadel 3-18×50 LR2 Rifle Scope – Best Versatile
The Sightmark Citadel 3-18×50 LR2 Rifle Scope is situated on the high ground of close-to-long range optic performance. It is perfect for avid hunters, precision shooters, and multi-gun competitors looking to take their shooting to a higher level.
Built with a large 50mm aperture, this rifle scope enhances optical performance in low light and provides a large field of view for quick target finding. Besides, it boasts premium, fully multi-coated glass that is responsible for yielding bright and detailed target views.
Regarding construction, the scope is built in a 30mm single-piece tube with aircraft-quality aluminum. It is IP67 waterproof and dustproof to protect the optics from elements damage. On top of that, the optical tube is shockproof and fog-proof.
This rifle scope is equipped with a side focus dial for parallax elimination and fine focusing of the image. It also comes with finger-adjustable windage and elevation adjustments with audible clicks.
Features
- 30mm single-piece tube
- Exposed, low-profile locking turrets
- Red illuminated FFP reticle
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Side focus dial
- Versatile 6:1 zoom ratio
- Aircraft-quality aluminum housing
- Hard anodized finish
- Integrated sunshade
Pros
- Quality construction
- Value for money
- Illuminated reticle
Cons
- Heavy
4) Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x50mm Rifle Scope – Best Rugged
Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x50mm Rifle Scope marks our next pick of the best budget scope for 308. This rifle scope is built with the legendary Leupold ruggedness to endure the beating that comes with hunting and shooting.
It offers stunning dawn-to-dusk light transmission for quick and straightforward target acquisition. Besides, the elite optical system provides supreme glare reduction in harsh light to ensure that the sight pictures generated are rich in clarity and resolution.
Furthermore, the scope is designed and built with advanced sealing methods to withstand extreme temperatures, shock, and elevation changes. It is also impact tested and verified to survive the recoil of a .308 rifle and features scratch-resistant lenses for additional protection in the field.
Features
- Elite optical system
- Removable, low-profile throw lever
- Custom dial system
- Fully waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof
- 3:1 zoom ratio
- Scratch-resistant lenses
- 50mm objective lens
- Ruggedized aluminum construction
- Second focal plane reticle placement
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight construction
- Excellent low-light performance
- Durable and well-built
- Versatile
Cons
- Distorted views at higher zoom levels
5) Bushnell Trophy 6-18×50 Rifle Scope – Best for Long-Range Shooting
The Bushnell Trophy 6-18×50 Rifle Scope is your ideal .308 scope for long and extreme long-range shooting. It comes with an oversized 50mm aperture to complement the versatile zoom range and make it useful even at the highest settings.
This rifle scope is built to last on a 1-piece tube with integrated saddle. The chassis is crafted from durable aircraft-quality aluminum for ultimate longevity. Furthermore, it is fully waterproof, dustproof, and fog-proof.
As outstanding as the construction quality is so are the optical features. Firstly, all air-to-glass surfaces are multi-coated to deliver bright and high-contrast image views. Moreover, the large aperture gathers plenty of light inside the optics and enhances performance in low-level light settings.
In addition to all these features, this rifle scope brings to the table a fast-focus eyepiece for easy reticle focusing and 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments.
Features
- Waterproof and dry nitrogen filled
- Low-profile capped turrets
- Aircraft-grade aluminum main tube
- Fully multi-coated
- 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
- Side parallax adjustment
- Highly visible multi-X reticle
- Fast-focus eyepiece
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Vast magnification range
- Simple and accurate reticle
- Lightweight construction
Cons
- Durability issues
6) CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope 6-24×50 – Best for Hunting
Here is another illuminated gun scope ideal for .308. It comes with a ton of modern and user-friendly features that include a dual-illuminated reticle with a choice to choose between green and red illumination.
The scope offers reliable performance in all hunting fields. The variable 6-24x magnification makes target acquisition a breeze across vast ranges. Besides, the large aperture collects more volume inside the optics to enhance the image views of targets at extended ranges.
Whether you wear eyeglasses or not, this rifle scope is perfect for you. It has a long eye relief of 3.5 inches which stays constant throughout the entire 6-24x magnification range. Other than that, the scope has reliable windage and elevation adjustments and an adjustable objective lens for image focusing and parallax correction.
Above all, the CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope is a high-quality optic that is fully waterproof and weatherproof.
Features
- Adjustable objective lens
- Reliable windage and elevation
- Waterproof construction
- 6-24x magnification power
- 50mm objective lens
- Dual red and green reticle illumination
Pros
- Clear optics
- Easy to mount
- Accurate
- Lighted reticle
- Generous eye relief
Cons
- Stability issues
7) Primary Arms SLX 4-16×44 Rifle Scope – Best Value
The Primary Arms SLX 4-16×44 Rifle Scope marks our seventh and last recommendation of the best budget scope for 308. It is built for innovation, reliability, and value, making it an ideal choice for avid hunters and shooters.
This rifle scope goes through rigorous field testing during development to serve you best in any environment. It is built in a 30mm main tube to provide sufficient room for adjustments. Besides, the interior is fully waterproof, fog-resistant, and shock-resistant.
Regarding the reticle, the scope features a first focal plane reticle that stays true through the 4-16x magnification range. The reticle is illuminated to help you track moving targets with ease in all light settings. It is also etched into glass for permanency and better recoil resistance.
Well, that’s not all. The Primary Arms SLX 4-16×44 Rifle Scope is outfitted with zero resettable turrets and a replaceable power ring fin that can be positioned to user preference. It also boasts a side focus parallax adjustment for easy parallax correction.
Features
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- LED illumination
- 30mm main tube
- Waterproof, fog-resistant, and shock-resistant
- First focal plane reticle placement
- Sturdy aluminum construction
- 4-16x magnification
- Replaceable power ring fin
- Zero resettable turrets
Pros
- Illuminated reticle
- Relatively lightweight
- Sturdy and durable construction
- Crisp clear optics
Cons
- Stiff parallax knob
- Small eye relief at high magnification
What Magnification Do You Need?
When picking a scope for your .308 rifle, it is important to consider the magnification power relative to your shooting needs and preferences. With the right magnification, you will see the targets clearly at close, medium, or long ranges.
A scope with a moderate magnification of 3-9x or 4-12x is well suited for mid-range hunting and shooting. Such scopes help you see the targets clearly at a distance. They also provide a wide field of view that is essential when pursuing moving targets in dense timber.
A high-powered scope with more than 15x magnification on the other hand, suits you if you are into long-range hunting or shooting. Such scopes are suitable for long-range use in open fields where a wide field of view is not a must-have for the shooter.
How to Choose the Best Budget Scope for 308
Choosing the right scope for a .308 rifle involves understanding the trade-offs and picking the model that matches your shooting needs best. Here are the key things to take into consideration.
Optical Quality
The optical quality of a .308 scope can make or break your shooting. Choose a model that employs quality glass elements such as ED or HD. The best budget scope for 308 should also have antireflective coatings on the air-to-glass surfaces to boost light transmission and provide bright and high-contrast views.
Reticle Type
Choosing the right reticle for your .308 rifle plays an important role in how accurate you will be when finding and acquiring targets. There are a variety of reticle options available with BDC and Mil-Dot reticles being the most preferred. We also recommend that you get a scope with an illuminated reticle if you plan to use it for shooting in different lighting conditions.
Durability
Making sure that you settle for a scope is built with durability in mind. Even on a budget, you will want a sturdy and well-made scope that will last for years. Take a look at the nature of construction and opt for a model that is crafted with high-quality and hard-wearing materials. On top of that, the scope should be fully waterproof, fog-proof, and dustproof.
Eye Relief Comfort
It is also important to pay attention to the eye relief comfort the scope offers. Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the eyepiece of the scope. The strong recoil of the .308 calls for a scope with ample eye relief distance of 3.5 inches and above to prevent eye-related injuries and maximize glassing comfort.
Weight
When you are getting your .308 rifle ready for your hunting or shooting excursion, you will want it to be as light as possible for easy maneuverability in the field. This is where light rifle scopes come into play. The best budget scope for 308 should have a lightweight construction to not add unnecessary bulk to the rifle and to disperse recoil efficiently.
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FAQs
- What scope should I put on my 308?
The scope that you should put on your 308 is one that comes with all the features you need for your specific hunting or shooting needs. It should have clear optics, accurate and highly visible reticle, and adjustable windage and elevation.
- How far can a 308 rifle shoot?
About 850 to 1,000 yards. The maximum effective distance however depends on several factors like the weather conditions, quality of the rifle, and the shooter’s skills.
- How much should I spend on a 308 scope?
It depends on your needs and how much you are willing to pay. If you are looking for a scope with more specs and advanced features, be ready to pay more than $500. However, if you are on a budget, you can spend $100 to under $300 and get a decent quality scope for your needs.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, finding the best budget scope for 308 is important to hone your skills and enhancing your shooting experience. All the scopes we have revealed above stand out for their build quality, performance, and affordability. Look at the specs and features that make each scope a good buy and settle for one that complements both your .308 rifle and your specific needs.