15 Best Scopes for 300 Blackout in 2024 | (Ranked by a Marine)

AR platforms utilizing a 300 AAC Blackout (300 BLK) system are becoming increasingly popular among sportsmen and hunters.

It is widely popular for its use cases with suppressed rifles and actually first saw duty when the Netherlands’ Dutch Maritime Special Operations Force (NL-MARSOF) ordered 300 Blackout compatible carbines to be used in operations where making too loud of an entrance was to be avoided.

Of course, we know the 300 Blackout to be a fun and reliable way to hunt while both increasing the lethality that the 5.56 NATO offers us by increasing the weight of the round nearly three-fold and offering similar ballistics as the 7.62×39. This makes the 300 Blackout especially useful in hunting with amazing knockdown capabilities under 300 yards, which is likely how the round became so popular in the first place. 

Furthermore, the 300 Blackout round requires only 9″ of barrel length to successfully end its powder burn, versus the 5.56 NATO requires a full 12″ barrel length to ensure the powder is burnt. This means you can pack more lethality into a smaller overall package, making the 300 Blackout ideal over 5.56 in hunting big game at short distances, CQB, and home defense.

Related Article: 15 Best Long Range Rifles (Ranked by a Marine Sniper)

Another important reason to switch to the 300 Blackout is its variable usage with flash hiders and suppressors. These rounds were originally designed to mimic that of the 300 Whisper which was designed to be used subsonic. Done correctly, a lot of people joke about the noise of the bullet hitting their target being louder than the report of the rifle!

Now that you have a very basic understanding of why people are allured into building a 300 Blackout, your next step may be to price out parts and create a build list. Fortunately, most parts from a standard AR-15 are compatible with a 300 Blackout system. The only things you need to pony up for are a barrel and a new muzzle brake. That’s it! The magazine, gas block, tube, lower, etc, are all compatible and usable on a 300 Blackout.

Aside from that, if you’re using optics with a ballistic calculator, windage, bullet drop compensation, etc, that are specially designed to operate with a 5.56, you’ll also need to find a scope that pairs well with 300 Blackout, which is what we’re here to discuss! Now, most scopes that you’ve thrown on your 5.56 rifles will probably suffice in a causal situation; however, if you’re looking to squeeze out the most efficiency and precision from your new (more expensive) 300 Blackout rounds, you’ll want to find scopes that are designed for the 300 Blackout ballistics, which are significantly different than the 5.56.

A lot of what applies to AR-15 scopes will also apply to 300 Blackout scopes. Both rounds have roughly the same levels of recoil which means that any scope capable of being mounted on an AR-15 will likely suffice when being used on a 300 Blackout as well, despite the 300 Blackout round having more power.

In this guide, we’ll pin down how to identify the best scopes for your 300 Blackout rifle’s job including top features to look for, important specifications, and of course, budgeting! After you gain a fair understanding of what you’re looking for, I’ll show you where to find my favorite 300 Blackout scopes and review them!

Choosing the Right Scope or Optic

Most of you are probably already familiar with the AR-15 and if you have one, it’s likely you also have a scope or two lying about. Now, scopes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and its likely that you may have a scope that is interchangeable between the two platforms that will simply “work”. However, we aren’t spending the extra money on a new rifle for it to just “work”. We are upgrading the AR-15 5.56 platform to the 300 Blackout because we want the most out of our rifle, increasing the range, effectiveness, and versatility that our rifle provides us.

With this in mind, and money already spent on upgrading, you likely don’t want a scope that just works. You want a scope that is built and designed to optimize the 300 Blackout system. If you’re like many other firearm enthusiasts and you’ve made the move from 5.56 to 300 Blackout, it’s quite likely that you’re looking for those increased bullet ballistics at further distances.

The reason we can’t just use any old 5.56 NATO optimized optics is that the two rounds actually perform differently due to their weight and ballistics. The 300 Blackout is far more similar to a 7.62×39 round than it is a 5.56 in that it carries less velocity over distance. The 5.56 NATO is the preferred round for longer distances due to its lower drag and higher muzzle velocities.  This means any scope designed to sit atop a 5.56 rifle will not be optimized or capable of providing the precision and accuracy you need to maximize the effectiveness of this bullet.

First and foremost, before hopping on to Bushnell’s, Sig’s, or Amazon’s website, you need a plan. Dial-in the scope of the mission you’ll be set on long before you even think about buying a scope. No scope will handle every job perfectly so really think about how you’re going to use this bad boy.

Home defense? Go ahead and stop reading here and instead pop over to our red dot sights guide as you won’t need a scope for good ol’ close quarter combat situations. The 300 Blackout is an excellent round for home defense and pairs well with red dots, reflex sites, and anything else offering a good field of view at 1x.

This Guide is for Those Going the Distance!

The 300 AAC Blackout round has an effective range of around 500 meters! In this guide, we will cover things you should know (if you don’t already) and think about when shopping for a scope for 300 blackouts. First, here is a good YouTube video that explains why the 300 Blackout is quickly gaining popularity.

Understanding What the Numbers Mean

The X’s and the MM’s: If you haven’t bought a scope before or you simply just haven’t paid attention in the past, all the numbers and such found in a scopes description can certainly be confusing! Without understanding these algebra looking equation things, you likely won’t find the perfect scope for your needs and may end up with far too much or too little magnification for your needs.

Example: 1-9x 40mm

The first numbers are the power of magnification. In our example above, this means targets will appear no larger than normal on its 1x setting. But wait, there are 2 numbers married together with a hyphen, what can that be?

Those numbers indicate a range of power. This example shows us the scope is capable of a minimum magnification power of 1x all the way up to a maximum power of 9x. Finally, the last number that is given in millimeters tells us the diameter of the objective lens. Here we have a 40mm objective lens, which is neither small or large but more so in the middle range.

The size of the scopes objective lens determines how much light it receives, making the image brighter and crisper. Having an objective too large, though, may result in heavier and harder to steady performance from the additional weight of the glass. Glass weighs a lot so I suggest finding an objective lens that will suffice for your lighting needs but isn’t significantly overkill.

Sometimes you may see an example that is simply just 4x 30mm. This means the scope will have a magnification level of 4 and cannot be adjusted. Scopes with fixed magnification levels are great if you know for a fact that you’ll be shooting at an appropriate range for that level of magnification but may cause the shooter some headache if they incur targets close up.

Effective Range

This guide is focused on rifles firing a 300 AAC Blackout which is slightly more effective and powerful than the .223 or 5.56 NATO rounds. This ammunition is not suitable for extremely long distances. Their effective range is roughly 500m and is usable up to roughly 800m. This means that buying scopes optimized for distances further than 800 meters is a terrible idea, both for your sanity and your bank account.

You’ll also want to consider your effectiveness at close range. Generally, scopes with high levels of magnitude cannot focus on targets close up. If you’re a hunter, this could be bad news if your trophy buck walks right past your deer stand!

Most people will be using their AR 300 Blackouts to take down targets within 500 meters or less. Make sure the scope you choose is suitable for this distance, or whatever distance your mission requires, so be it that the ammo can actually reach the mission’s specifications.

Scope Weight Considerations

Most rifles aren’t ridiculously heavy out of the box but they can become quite cumbersome when fully outfitted. Optics are arguably going to be one of the heaviest additions to your rifle and not all optics weigh the same!

Going back to what we talked about with the objective lens, you’ll want to ensure you find a lens that is small and thus lightweight enough to not throw off your balance or ability to hold the rifle steady while still offering the performance you need. Getting the right scope is tough and may take some trial and error to see what works for you. What I don’t recommend is loading up on the largest scopes you can find, because usually you won’t need the added performance and the weight is far more of a con than the scope is a pro.

Eye Relief

Eye relief on a scope is measured by the distance your eye can be positioned away from the edge of the ocular lens. Some scopes require your eye to be as close as one half an inch away from the lens, which is funny when the recoil slaps you in the face! Other, (typically more expensive) scopes allow for several inches of eye relief. Typically scopes with 6″ of eye relief or more are marketed as long eye relief scopes.

In short, further eye relief means a more enjoyable shooting process and less black eyes. No more making up stories about how someone punched you for outshooting them when in reality you just got KO’d by your own rifles kick!

Pricing: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck

If you had to sell the boat to build this bad boy, you better consider the van buy a scope for it. A scope should roughly match the quality (not necessarily price) of the firearm it will be married to. If your 300 Blackout rifle is decked out to the max for ultimate precision, sparing little to no room for improvement, the scope you marry it to better have the same standards! Putting a cheap scope on an expensive rifle is like putting off-brand street tires on a powerful supercar. You can do it, but you’re essentially throwing away performance and leaving just its exotic appearances.

Typically, you’ll find smaller objective lenses and tubes are significantly cheaper. This doesn’t always hold true, as there are many variables that play. Scopes that do not offer magnification or have fixed focal lengths also tend to be on the cheaper side.

Using your AR-15 for both 5.56 NATO and AAC 300 Blackout

Since a standard AR-15 only needs a barrel swap to fire a 300 Blackout, it seems only fitting to have mags filled with both 5.56 and 300 Blackout as you can use them both within just 30 seconds of barrel swapping. This is fine and dandy and may score some “time saving” points, however, if you accidentally grab a 300 BLK mag and throw it through a 5.56 barrel, you’re in for a very VERY bad day.

I HIGHLY recommend labeling them appropriately to ensure no accidents occur. You can even go as far as to purchase these nifty little bands on Amazon to identify which magazines have which rounds.

There is MUCH MUCH MUCH more that you can learn about scopes, but this guide should have gotten you up to speed on a basic level thus far. Without further a due, I’d like to show you the best scope for 300 Blackout systems at multiple price points. Keep in mind, these are scopes that I personally enjoy. Which scope you choose may depend on how tacticool you think one looks over another or your personal preference on features. There are HUNDREDS of options, so consider the ones I’ll show you but also take a look around for other possible options you may enjoy.

This list is mostly for those of you who would rather hit the range now instead of later while shoppers are stuck behind their computer screens reading about every single scope on the market. Remember, some AR-15 5.56 scopes may work just fine, while others may send your rounds far off target. Before buying, always ensure the scope will be usable with 300 Blackout ballistics.

Bargain Busters: Scopes Under $100

I don’t recommend buying a 300 Blackout scope in this price range. They will not provide you with the performance you deserve. We discussed earlier that your scope should match the quality of your rifle. There are no AR-15s or 300 Blackout rifles for sale anywhere near $100 unless you robbed someone. You can’t even convert an AR-15 into a 300 Blackout for under $100! These may be suitable if you just want a placeholder or something to plink paper with for fun, but they will not offer a great level of accuracy, versatility, or durability.

Also, when shopping for bargain buster options, please make sure the scope can handle the recoil of the firearm you’re placing it on. Not all scopes are built to withstand a multitude of force, which is exactly what they’re going to receive while on a high power rifle.

Some manufacturers make general usage scopes that are cheap and usable on things like airsoft rifles. These scopes, although sometimes marketed as being compatible with AR-15s and even 300 Blackouts, are generally not made to offer precision on a real firearm and may not be built to endure the constant shock that firing one of these rifles produces.

Here Are the Best 300 Blackout Scopes and Optics

15. Bush Banner Rifle Scope (Best Under $100)

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Magnification: 3-9x 40mm

My Review: For the money, this is a surprisingly durable scope that will work well and hold a zero on a 300 Blackout. The only real con with this scope is that it’s a little blurry at high magnification levels. I’ll attach a YouTube video below so you can see exactly what I’m talking about. This certainly isn’t the highest-quality scope on this list but if you’re just looking to get the most bang for your buck this is a great option.

Related Article: 23 Best AR-15 Scopes (Ranked by a Marine)

Here is a pretty good YouTube review on this scope. The guy who is reviewing it doesn’t speak English very well, but the information is on point.

Key Features:

• 3-9 40MM
• Works well in low light conditions
• Surprisingly durable for the price
• Fog proof
• Can withstand recoil from 300 Blackout
• DDB multicoated lenses
• 3.3″ eye relief

Pros

• 3×9 zoom
• Coated lenses
• Waterproof to 3 feet

Cons

• Inexpensive
• Fixed parallax

14. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective

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Magnification: 4-12x 40mm

My Review: This is an awesome scope considering it’s under $200. It doesn’t have any spectacular functions, but it does have a handy little BDC reticle and the most basic adjustments you’d need to have a little fun at the range. It is completely sealed and probably okay for a little run during a hunting trip. With this scope, you should have no problem using the medium-range capabilities of your 300 Blackout without a problem.

Key Features

• There are several versions of this scope allowing you to find the features and functions right for you
• Long eye relief and forgiving eye box
• Multi-coated lenses
• Fast focus eyepiece
• Capped reset turret
• Single piece tube construction at 1”
• O-ring sealed and nitrogen filled
• Waterproof and fog proof
• Dead-hold BDC reticle

Pros

• Moderate prices
• Vortex glass
• Vortex warranty
• Adjustable parallax

Cons

• None

13. Athlon Optics Talos Rifle scope

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Magnification: 6-24x 50mm

My Review: This is a pretty great little scope to have for medium ranges. It has no incredibly amazing features but it is relatively durable and will provide good consistency in the 100-200-yard range. This is the lowest score on the Talos line, which is known for its high-end scopes but this scope performs just as well at a lower price if you are shooting for fun.

Key Features:

• Multi-coated lenses for optimum light transmission
• True color brightness
• Etched reticle
• Heat-treated one-piece tube
• Nitrogen purged and completely sealed
• Aircraft-grade aluminum tube
• 3” eye relief
• 23oz weight
• Mil reticle

Pros

• Moderate price
• Foog proof
• Nitrogen purged
• Adjustable parallax
• Big zoom range
• Recticle choice

Cons

• Starts at 6x magnification

12. Primary Arms SLX 3x32mm Gen III

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Magnification: 4-12x 40mm

This scope has a “recommended” rating from the National Tactical Officers Association.

It has a lighted horseshoe reticle. This type of reticle is just now seeing more widespread acceptance, especially in tactical applications. The reticle provides a wealth of information once you learn to use it. That is a brief drawback.

The rest puts you on target fast and with the partial ring, you can get close in a hurry. In a situation where you need to throw a lot of lead in short order, that is exceptionally handy.

Better yet, the glass-etched ret does not need a battery to work. The light is good for low-light conditions.

The scope is roughly dialed in for supersonic rounds. If you shoot the 300 Blackout at distances past 100 yards, then you need lighter bullets. If you go subsonic, you lose the ranging ability quickly past 100 yards.

Related Article: 21 Best Red Dot Sight (Ranked by a Marine)

Key Features:

• 32 mm tube
• Red light reticle
• .25 MOA click value
• Waterproof
• 31.5 FOV at 100 yards
• 18.4 ounces
• AR height-riser included
• Pic rail on top
• CR2032 battery

Pros

• BDC reticle
• Rated to 600-yard shots with right loads

Cons

• Short eye relief – 2.72-2.92 inches
• Fixed focus
• Learning curve on the reticle

11. Primary Arms SLX 3X MicroPrism

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Magnification: Fixed 3x

My Review:  Primary Arms shows up several times in this list because the company has a directed effort toward getting dedicated or dialed-in scopes for the 300 Blackout platform. This is no easy feat as the 300 BO is designed to shoot light and fast loads up to heavy and slow loads. All of this also has to run out of a standard AR15 platform with a  barrel change to accommodate the 308 caliber bullet.

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This scope has an illuminated reticle with a brightness setting high enough to be useful in the middle of the day. It is too high at night, so you will dial it back a bit. The ret is etched on the glass so it does not need to be lit to work. The black version comes in red or green illumination. The flat earth is only in red.

The horseshoe reticle, explained above, is increasingly a tactical option for those in need.

This microprism scope is shorter than its brother above, which is something some shooters like. This one is better suited to a 45-degree angle mount than the one above.

It is night vision compatible. Coupled with the horseshoe reticle, this makes it an excellent choice for a hog hunter who can legally hunt wild bacon at night.

Key Features:

• 8 ounces
• .25 MOA click value
• CR2032 batter
• Riser for AR platforms
• 38 FOV at 100 yards

Pros

• 8 mounting heights
• Motion activated reticle
• Easy to use with both eyes open
• Night vision compatible

Cons

• Fixed 3x magnification
• Learning curve on the horseshoe reticle
• Limited eye relief, 2.7-3 inches

10. Primary Arms SFP GEN III (Best Under $300)

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Magnification: 1-6x 24mm

I attached a good video reviewing this optic below. I recommend skipping to 1:00 in the video.

My Review: Before we get started, I just want to make it clear that this scope comes in a variety of different flavors, both in different caliber specific reticles and also in different magnification levels. Before buying, ensure the reticle on the model you’ve selected is optimized for the caliber you’ll be using!

This scope is by far one of the most versatile systems on this list. It allows for CQB style operation with its wide field of view and 1x setting. Outside of CQB, the scope is an absolute monster when it comes to mid-range targeting. The reticle is crystal clear and the 11 illumination settings do well to mend with just about any kind of lighting situation you’ll find yourself in.

Going the distance, the 6x magnification and bullet drop compensation attributes of the 300 Blackout BDC reticle makes reaching the maximum range of your blackout rounds easy peezy! The scope is extremely well manufactured and comes fully waterproof. To me, it’s a perfect size as well. A lot of the scopes on this list are long and bulky and make the rifle feel top-heavy and fragile.

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If you don’t have clear expectations for your rifle or you simply know you’ll be facing targets at multiple ranges, I highly recommended this scope and I feel it is the best scope for 300 blackout rifles under $300. It has great versatility across the board and comes at a very reasonable price tag!

Key Features

• 11 illumination settings
• ACSS 300AAC Blackout Chevron reticle – One of the most intuitive BDC reticles for AAC 300 Blackout
• Powered by an included CR2032 battery
• 6063 aluminum construction with an anodized scratch-resistant finish
• Nitrogen purged
• 3.5” eye relief
• Water, fog and shockproof

9. Sig Sauer Bravo3 BTL with Horseshoe Reticle

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My Review: The BRAVO series by Sig Sauer absolutely encompasses everything you would want in a compact form factor hell-bent on offering the operator options and configurations well past the boundaries of a single optic. This particular optic is leading the way in terms of being reflex friendly, hosting Picatinny rails on all three exposed sides for use in co-witness with a red dot, reflex, or perhaps your favorite attachments such as a flashlight, IR strobe, laser, etc.

The first thing you’ll notice is how incredibly handy and well constructed these are without weighing very much at all. In fact, the total weight comes in at just 22 ounces and this is achieved by constructing the body of the optics out of magnesium – a very tough and durable but ultra-lightweight material. These are also built and designed under the Sig Sauer Stealth ID program which aims to break up the shape of an optic to reduce its visibility out in the field and reflect light at angles that keep your position covert to the enemy. This Stealth ID design in combination with the Mil-Spec anti-glare coatings makes these optics far more difficult to spot at a distance than your standard form factor.

Related Article: 15 Best Scopes and Optics for 308 Rifles

Something Sig Sauer really wanted to achieve with the BRAVO series was enhanced field of view specifically for applications in law enforcement and military use. They developed an optical configuration with regards to field of view dubbed “MEGAVIEW” that advertises up to 40 percent wider field of view. Now, it’s tough to know what they meant by this – do they mean 40 percent more than it would have been without this feature or is it 40 percent wider than their competitors? Well, we can’t test that first one but we can tell you that the BRAVO 3 does have an insane feeling field of view compared to other fixed 3x optics. That FOV comes out to a very respectable 10 degrees with a little under three inches of eye relief which I think is pretty good and hits their objective perfectly.

So the Bravo looks great and is light due to premium build materials but what about its performance in tactical situations? No problem, you’re getting a true IPX8 waterproofing rating which gets you all the way down to 13’ and a completely sealed up platform meaning they are resistant to fog. Going further for tactical situations is a mounting height that is perfect for use with NV systems at 1.535” off of a standard M1913 Picatinny rail. It’s clear that Sig covered every single attribute and fine-tuned them for the quick and tactical precision shooter.

Usually, I hit on optics first but there was so much to talk about that I almost forgot! The optical clarity is beautiful just as it is on most products from Sig Sauer. What you’re getting here probably sounds pretty familiar and that’s because they use the same optics in the BRAVO series as they do on their best optical products. This means you’re getting the coveted proprietary low dispersion lenses with the Sig Sauer HDX full light spectrum and high-resolution lens coatings. Of course, they’ve thought about how to protect those beautiful lenses too and have further coated them with their Sig Sauer Mil-Spec oleophobic LENSHIELD, which basically just means the lenses will shed off liquids and resist scratching. If you’re looking for a little more magnification, you can so also check out the Sig Sauer BRAVO 5 here. The BRAVO5 has 5x magnification and the BRAVO3 has 3x magnification. Personally, I’d go with the BRAVO3 because I prefer 3x magnification on a 300 Blackout and it’s usually cheaper.

I couldn’t find any great YouTube video reviews of the BRAVO3, but here is a pretty good review of the BRAVO5.

Functions and Features:

• The BRAVO3 is the optimized BRAVO series 3x24mm fixed magnifier with a horseshoe reticle optimized for the .300 Blackout
• Comes with Sig Sauers best optical coatings including LENSHIELD and HDX coatings
• Built under the Sig Sauer Stealth ID design program
• A massive 10-degree field of view with 2.93” of eye relief
• The shell of the optics is constructed from lightweight magnesium and hosts additional mounting points via Picatinny rails on its body

Pros

• Short
• Moderate price
• Pic rails on sides
• Waterproof to 3 meters

Cons

• Fixed magnification
• Fixed parallax

8. Aimpoint Pro Patrol

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Magnification: 1x

My Review: Aimpoint is a Swedish brand trusted on the lives of operators all over the world and for good reason. They measure battery life in terms of years instead of hours and have a long reputation of engineering some of the most versatile and durable products on the market that won’t exactly decimate your bank account.

Now, we have mostly focused on optics that use magnification and we have written many pages on red dots that you are free to check out, however, 300 Blackout platforms can be used for short-range applications just as well as they can be used for longer ranges and thus, having a reliable red dot to swap over to gives you so many more options!

Red dot sights are pretty much interchangeable and some people have brand preferences and that’s fine, however, we’ve chosen the Aimpoint Pro Patrol because of its insanely over-engineered build quality and ease of use. You’ll have 10 different light settings to choose from and, if you choose 7 or lower, you can expect up to three full years of continuous usage battery life which is a characteristic on its own that I would use to recommend this product.

Aside from looking great, feeling amazing, and lasting a very long time, the Aimpoint Pro Patrol offers 4-night vision settings that I know our nightly hog hunters can appreciate. Of course, since it is a true 1x red dot, it is virtually parallax free and in true Aimpoint fashion, you can beat, drag, smack, and submerge this thing all the way down to 150ft and it’ll still hold zero with that bright and shiny red dot.

If you’d like to reach up and grab something from the upper echelons of Aimpoint, the CompM5 would be a solid choice, that is if you have the extra money. Don’t get me wrong, the Aimpoint Pro Patrol is an excellent optic but the CompM5 is one of Aimpoints newer models and lasts up to 50,000 hours on a single AAA battery. The CompM5 is also very friendly with NV and can be found at the link here. The CompM5 is better than the Aimpoint Pro Patrol in just about every single way possible while maintaining a very similar appearance and form factor. In terms of value, the average enthusiast would likely be fine with the Pro Patrol, however, if you like to have the finest quality then I’d say the extra $200-$300 for the CompM5 is money well spent.

Key Features:

• 1x Parallax free red dot with up to 3 years battery life
• 10 total brightness settings including 4 NV friendly settings and an ultra-bright setting for use in direct sunlight
• Runs on a single 3V 2L78 or DL1/3N battery
• May be mounted with the spacer 1.5” off the rail or without the spacer sitting at 1.2” from the rail
• Constructed of airtight and purged anodized aircraft-grade aluminum with an anti-glare finish and includes 2 attached thermoplastic lens caps

Pros

• Compact
• 2 MOA dot
• Long battery life
• Easy replace battery
• Waterproof to 150 feet
• Night vision compatible

Cons

• Fixed magnification
• Fixed parallax

7. EOTECH XPS2-300 Blackout Holographic

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EOTech makes a LOT of red dot sights. This holo sight’s hoodis etched with the 300 BO on the side and a mockup of the reticle on the top.

Inside, the BDC reticle will let you set the zero using supersonic or subsonic rounds. You cannot do both with the same zero because the subsonics drop much faster than the supersonic.

Sight in the top dot on the two-dot reticle with your chosen ammo.  Now back up 50 yards and shoot again. See where the bullet impacts based on where the bottom dot is placed. Back up another 25, or 100 yards if you need to in order to get the bullet and the bottom dot to line up.

If you are shooting subsonics, 25 yards may be enough for the bottom dot to center, if you sight the top dot at 50 yards. Certainly, 50 yards more, for a 100-yard shot, is enough for the second dot.

Related Article: 15 Best Long Range Scopes (Ranked by a Marine)

Supersonic rounds will have a bigger distance between zero on the two dots. This is what makes this EOTech so great for the 300 BO platform, especially with subsonics. A 225-grain pill from the 300 has a huge drop even at 100 yards.

Key Features

• CR123 Battery
• Long battery life
• 9 ounces

Pros

• Unlimited eye relief
• Compact
• 10-year warranty
• 2 dots in reticle

Cons

• Fixed magnification
• Water resistant, not waterproof
• Must have working battery for reticle

6. Bushnell RXM-300 Reflex Sight

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Magnification: 1-4x 24mm

For getting on target, nothing is faster than a true red dot scope. Iron sights are fast, but you have to line up both sights and the target. A red dot gives you the dot and a generous window to look through with unlimited eye relief.

Find that dot and put it on the target. Pull the trigger. That’s everything.

Red dots are common on pistols and carbines. As the 300 Blackout performs best in a 10.5-inch barrel, it is either a short-barreled rifle (tax stamp needed) or a pistol.

This red dot has a 4 MOA dot, which is middle of the road. At 100 yards, that dot covers 4 inches, which is a lot of territory, especially if you are shooting at something the size of a groundhog or smaller. 

For hog hunters, that 4 inches is plenty. Shoot 300 BO with subsonics, that 4 inches are also plenty. Realistically, you can shoot past 100 yards with subs. 100 yards is considered the max effective range both because of bullet drop and kinetic energy loss.

Distance is particularly important with expanding bullets. Bullet construction has a lot to do with how fast it must move to reliably expand or mushroom. With the 300 BO and copper-jacketed bullets, subsonic ammo may not reliably expand once the bullet passes 100 yards. It is too slow to engage the hydrostatic expansion. This expansion does depend on bullet composition. Some 300 BO subs may expand at 200 yards.

Since you are distance-limited with subs, dot size is much less of an issue. If you were shooting 300 yards, that dot covers a full foot. 

Key Features

• 7.36 ounces
• RMR, low and high profile mounts
• Shake awake technology
• High drop rating
• Bushnell 5-year/lifetime warranty. Warranty depends on the part that breaks
• 4 MOA dot
• CR2032 battery

Pros

• Super big window, 28mm x 24mm
• Unlimted eye relief
• Great for co-witnessing
• Shake awake lets you choose settings, including turning it off
• Unlimited eye relief
• Long battery life
• Waterproof to several meters
• Glass coating sheds water

Cons

• Must have battery
• 4 MOA dot is big at 100 yards
• 1 MOA click value

5. Monstrum P330-B Marksman

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Magnification: 3x fixed

Monstrum started out as cope company few would trust because they had never heard of it. Over the past few years, the company has gained followers, including me. Monstrum makes scopes ranging from cheap to expensive. The P-330-B Marksman is a mid-range scope well suited for a 300 Blackout.

It is a fixed 3x magnification, which makes it good for carbine applications like an AR-15.

The reticle is visible without being lit. Dead battery is no problem.

Depending on which bundle you buy you can get your choice of 3-pick rails. One choice adds in a Monstrum red dot mounted on a 45-degree angle rail. This version does not come with a rail. The other two have rails. One is a permanent mount and the other is quick release. I am not a fan of quick release because that lever can get caught and pop your scope free in the middle of a situation.

The 3 MOA dot (covering 3 inches at 100 yards) is inside a 60 MOA circle. I do not have an opinion on dots and circles as a scope reticle. If it works for you, get it. It should not interfere with your shooting. It can provide a sense of the scale of your target if you know the range.

Key Features:

• Red or green dot
• 1/2 MOA click values
• CR2032A Battery
• Tube is machined from 1 piece of aluminum

Pros

• Monstrum lifetime warranty
• Choice of dot color
• Moderate price

Cons

• Limited eye relief, 3.5-3.9 inches
• Tube does not give you the same rapid target acquisition as a true red dot

4. EOTECH HHS I Hybrid Package – EXPS3-4 with G33 Magnifier

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Magnification: 1x or 3x

My Review: We all love the 300 Blackout platform because of its versatility at multiple different ranges and sometimes choosing an optic that encompasses a similar level of versatility can be difficult, especially for the 300 Blackout when optimized reticles aren’t as popular with the big brands as something like a .556 would be. You could just go with a nice EOTECH red dot, like the EXPS2-2, you could get yourself a magnified scope for a little long-range action, or you could get one of the most tactical looking versatile red dot and magnifier combos on the market, giving you and your 300 Blackout the ultimate versatility at the flick of your QD mount!

Yes I know, it’s expensive, but it is EOTECH and it is well built, so well built that it’s trusted by servicemen all over the world and has been tried and tested throughout countless combat situations. The EOTECH HHS II hybrid package is a very unique beast that fits the uniqueness of the 300 Blackout quite nicely. Many of us build 300 Blackout rifles for the fun of it and the truth is, no other optic package on the market gives such a fun and immersive experience than this one does.

If you haven’t seen these before, let me explain. EOTECH makes excellent red dots that come in the form of what’s called a Holographic sight. Technically, EOTECH is the only “original” holographic sight manufacturer and of course, there are some patents and legal stuff that holds this true, but what makes this package so unique is that you get the benefits of a high quality holographic red dot without sacrificing magnification, as you can simply slide over the EOTECH G33 3x magnifier into place right behind that beautiful red dot, giving you instant 3x magnification on top of your 1x red dot. This package completely changed the game and of course, many brands have since tried to follow in their footsteps, however, for the purpose of this guide and what we need it for, I believe this is still one of the best red dot and red dot magnifier packages on the market today.

By the way, the HHS II is also a great combo package as well, however, it does not have night vision compatibility like the HHS I package does. I know many people build their 300 Blackout for hog hunting and some use them at night, so that’s why I chose to talk about the HHS I, however, both are excellent choices for the 300 Blackout platform. The HHS II uses the EXPS2-2 while the HHS I uses the EXPS3-4.

Check out this nifty video of the combo in action:

Key Features:

• Seamless transitioning between 1x holographic red dot and 3x magnified red dot
• Included quick detach lever mount compatible with 1” Weaver and MIL-STD rails
• One of the fastest and most effective methods of switching between CQB and mid-range capabilities for the 300 Blackout
• Water-resistant down to 33’ and capable of operating even when heavily damaged
• 20 total brightness settings with NV compatibility, all powered by a single CR123 saucer battery
• Unlimited eye relief with the magnifier flipped off and roughly 2.5” of eye relief with the magnifier enabled

Pros

• Magnifier included
• Quick release on both
• Magnifier flips out of the way

Cons

• Fixed magnification
• Fixed parallax
• Sight requires battery; magnifier does not

3. Trijicon ACOG 300 Blackout Ballistic Reticle

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Magnification: 4×32

Note: You can get this Trijicon ACOG with a green reticle here.

My Review: It’s a Trijicon ACOG. Do I need to say more? This is one of the most legendary sights on the market today. Battle-tested and ready to roll with an innovative buy once cry once price and quality! Yes, it will likely destroy your bank account, but who cares? Your 300 Blackout rifle has an ACOG! This thing is meant for rapid deployment and tight groupings at medium range. You won’t be sniping things a mile away, but you will have the best tactical scope for 300 blackouts on the market. Buy this and never shop for a mid-range scope again. This is my favorite optic on this list!

Here is a good video reviewing this scope (except the scope in the video is nickel boron coated) and its reticle.

Potential cons:

Your wife might divorce you for spending such a ridiculous amount to see stuff far away

Key Features:

• Fixed 4x magnification
• Dual illuminated reticles. ACSS 5.56 in green
• Second focal plane optic
• Waterproof and shockproof
• Trijicon proprietary BDC reticle[/wpsm_box]
• Specifically designed and purpose-built for the AAC 300 caliber

Pros

• A top choice for the AR platform
• Batteries not needed
• Reticle has built-in 300 BO drop compensation

Cons

• Fixed magnification
• Fixed parallax
• Requires some light for fiber optics
• 1/5 MOA click value
• Cost

2. Sig Sauer SOT61008 Tango6

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Magnification: 1-6x 24mm

My Review: If you have the money, this scope is incredible. It’s durable and heavy, built like a bulldozer and just as strong as one. Using this scope will give you the freedom of close up engagements on 1x with both eyes as well as intense 6x magnification for medium to long range targeting.

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It’s really just another Sig product, need I say more? Yes, they’re pricey, but they are also of the highest quality in any category they release products in, scopes being no different.

Key Features:

• 3 gun reticle 0.5 MOA adjustment
• 107ft of view at 100 yards
• 3.8” eye relief
• Night vision compatible
• 11 brightness settings
• Sig Sauer Hex optical system
• Hellfire Fiber optic and glass etched illuminated reticles for first or second focal planes
• Lockdown zero system turrets with zero stop and reset
• Shoot with both eyes open on 1x
• Using 1x is just as good as having an exposed reflex and using 6x is just as good as having a full-blown scope. It’s the best of both worlds!
• Extremely precise MOA adjustments

Pros

• Good zoom range
• Night vision compatible
• Waterproof to 3 meters
• Designed with carbines in mind

Cons

• Cost
• Fixed parallax

1. Trijicon 1-6×24 VCOG

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Magnification: 1-6x 24mm

My Review: The Trijicon ACOG we talked about attracts a lot of hype and for good reason, it’s a solid optic, but the VCOG is not to be ignored, certainly not if you’re looking for a 300 Blackout optimized variable zoom scope capable of utilizing the close and long-range capabilities of your 300 Blackout rifle. In early 2020 Trijicon actually scored a contract for 64 million dollars after the VCOG was selected as the USMC Squad Common Optic. That means you’ll see this optic being used more and more by Marines.

First and foremost, please remember that the VCOG comes in many different flavors so make sure you choose one of the two versions optimized for the 300 Blackout platform. Furthermore, you can choose between either their BDC reticle model or the more universal MOA / MRAD reticles.

If you don’t already know, VCOG stands for Variable Combat Optical Gunsight and after extensive testing by some of our greatest freedom defenders, I think Trijicon has earned that self-proclaimed VCOG title. Throw this scope on a well-built rifle and be combat accurate from 10 to 300 yards instantly with little to no messing around or fine-tuning. The Trijicon VCOG is built to be ready to rock and roll right out of the box and since Trijicon is well aware of the versatility and popularity of its ACOG lineup, they’ve made sure the VCOG is compatible with the same spacers, mounts, etc.

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Given its price point, it’s hard to recommend the VCOG to a weekend shooting enthusiast because they could get a very nice scope or red dot that will get the job done for much cheaper.

This optic is top of the line and was made with combat at the forefront of its design, for when changing out optics and messing around with tuning isn’t an option. The VCOG is by far one of the most advanced optical systems you can slap onto a 300 Blackout platform and will give you the ultimate all-in-one versatility package.

Aside from versatility, Trijicon is also well known for how tough their products truly are. There are stories of ACOGs and VCOGs taking bullets and still operating enough to be usable, possibly saving the life of the operator. Drown them, drag them through the mud, smack them off of concrete, expose them to the shock of an IED, it doesn’t matter, the VCOG is there to provide you a clean and crisp reticle no matter the situation and that’s the reliability and dependability you’re paying for.

Here is a video overview of this optic by Trijicon:

Here is another good video review on the Trijicon VCOG if you’re interested in watching it.

Key Features:

• Trijicon proprietary fully multi-coated lenses on a variable 1-6x magnification range with some of the easiest and smoothest adjustment turrets on the market today
• In terms of 300 Blackout, the VCOG is available in two options with the differences being reticle options. You may also choose the package that includes a quick-release mount that I highly recommend
• MIL-STD-810G rated for durability and dependability by the Department of Defense. In layman’s terms, these are built to survive the harshest climates in the most brutal combat situations
• A unique brightness system that allows the user to turn it off between each of the 6 brightness settings

Pros

• Waterproof to 66 feet
• Red or green light
• Good zoom range

Cons

• Seriously expensive
• Comparatively short battery life
• Kinda heavy
• 1/2 MOA click values

FAQs

Wrap Up

I hope this guide has managed to teach you a thing or two about how awesome 300 Blackout rifles are and how to outfit them with the proper optics to fit your needs. If I missed one or something new comes out that I haven’t gotten the chance to review yet, let me know in the comments! Also, if you have any sick builds, feel free to send them in and I’ll feature them!