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It is undeniable that the best scope for 300 win mag will improve your accuracy, especially with a 300 Win Mag cartridge (introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1963). But finding the ideal scope for your 300 Win Mag isn’t a simple task. Luckily for you, I did my research before writing this article.
The Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope, in my opinion, is undoubtedly the best scope for the 300WM and I will tell you why later in this review. The 300 Win Mag (also known as .300 Winchester Magnum or 300WM) is a belted, bottlenecked magnum rifle cartridge most popular among hunters and rifle enthusiasts.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks For Rifle Scopes in 2022
- Best for Long Range: Athlon BTR Optics Argos Riflescope Gen 2
- Best Precision: Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24×50mm RifleScope
- Alternative #1: Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Riflescope
- Alternative #2: Burris Optics Veracity Riflescope 5-25x50mm
- Most Reliable: NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
I have been a big game hunter for the last decade, and I make sure to use the best scope for 300 win mag as my primary cartridges. I have hunted all around the world and have now gathered all my experience, knowledge, and research to bring you this article. I will talk about my personal favorite best scope for the 300 win mag and various other quality scopes you can buy for your 300 Win Mag.
The perfect scope will help you hit your targets flawlessly in no time, while the not-so-good ones will have you missing more times than you can count. That’s why I tracked down seven of the best scopes for the 300 win mag that you can buy online.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
---|---|---|
Best for Long Range | Athlon BTR Optics Argos Riflescope Gen 2
| VIEW ON AMAZON →VIEW ON OPTICS PLANET → |
Best Precision | Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24×50mm RifleScope
| VIEW ON AMAZON →VIEW ON OPTICS PLANET → |
Alternative #1 ![]() | Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Riflescope
| VIEW ON AMAZON →VIEW ON OPTICS PLANET → |
Alternative #2 | Burris Optics Veracity Riflescope 5-25x50mm
| VIEW ON AMAZON →VIEW ON OPTICS PLANET → |
Most Reliable | NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
| VIEW ON AMAZON →VIEW ON OPTICS PLANET → |
Here Are the 7 Best Scopes for 300 Win Mag – Tried & Tested
I have declared the Athlon Optics Argos as the winner and my absolute number one choice for 300 Win Mag scoping. My decision has come from years of hunting and target practice. However, I always urge my readers to take my advice as opinion and nothing more because, at the end of the day, it’s up to the buyer and their personal preferences. So without further ado, I present to you my seven absolute best scope for 300 win mag.
1. Athlon BTR Optics Argos Riflescope Gen 2
Athlon Optics has manufactured an amazing sniper-quality rifle scope with a 6-24x optic. It features a 50 mm objective lens with a reticle on the first focal plane.
This addition is ideal with a 300 WM because when hunting from a far distance, having the reticle to be able to adjust is important when it comes to magnification. The scope stays steady no matter how much you zoom in.
This scope includes a fully multi-coated lens for extra light transmission and optical quality, even at the maximum zoom setting. This incredible scope features a set of windage and elevation turrets that you can activate when needed using your finger. Furthermore, the side-mounted turret opposite the elevation turret allows you to compensate for parallax use.
This scope is manufactured from high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum. The mechanical toughness and excellent strength alter the scope’s weight, making the scope rather light, coming in at 15 ounces. The Argos BTR Riflescope scope works in any weather, even in a storm or fog.
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My favorite feature has to be the illuminated and glass etched reticle. This gives the reticle extra support, which allows it to stay completely stable whenever you fire with high power. On top of that, the illumination takes advantage of the rifle’s stopping power, especially in variable lighting conditions. An excellent addition for tactical sharpshooters is that you can easily adjust the illumination setting using a knob located next to the eyepiece.
Key Specifications
- Built-in illuminated reticle included
- The etched reticle on the glass compensates for parallax
- Extremely durable
- Lenses have amazing light transmission
Takeaway
This scope is a quality piece of professional gear, no matter how you look at it. It’s manufactured using the highest-grade materials, featuring multiple aspects that combine longer range hunting and target practice. If you’re looking for short-range scopes, then have a look at our reviews on the 6 best 1-4x scopes.
The Athlon Optics Argos BTR is a fantastic scope for your 300 Win Mag as it combines precision and accuracy for a fair price.
The Athlon would also be great for a .17 HMR Rifle. Check out other suitable scopes best for the .17 HMR Rifle.
2. Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24×50mm RifleScope
This Vortex Optics Viper rifle scope is perfect for a 300 Win Mag as it can magnify between 6x and 24x, allowing you to hit targets with great precision hundreds of yards away. This scope includes a precision glide erector system that makes magnification changes so they stay smooth no matter what.
Featuring a 50 mm objective lens, it can collect enough light to provide you with light gray color and smooth light transmission even at full zoom. Furthermore, this scope facilitates good visuals with multi-coated lenses, extra-low dispersion, and durability to resist damage even after continual use.
The Vortex Optics Viper is 15.5 inches long, and it’s made with military-grade aluminum for extra performance and durability without becoming too heavy to handle. This scope works in all kinds of weather, making it a great attribute for long and rough hunts out in the wild.
You can find the reticle on the second focal plane and use hash marks to assist you with hitting distant targets with accuracy, even at high zoom levels. The second focal plane style helps compensate quickly for animals or targets that move closer at faster speeds.
Target-style turrets are included with this scope. They are constructed so they can be used multiple times with only your fingers and offer clicking feedback every time you change the setting. The scope comes with a zero stop functionality to ensure a quick return to zero values after any adjustments. A parallax turret is included to reimburse for this effect at greater distances. Furthermore, rotation indicators are included in each of the turrets, which lets you know how far you have moved them at any point in time.
Key Specifications
- Turrets are well made and easy to use
- Durable and has an anodized finish
- Magnification settings are easy to use
- Reticle allows long-distance shots
- Lenses are incredibly durable
Takeaway
This scope is no stranger to the 300 Win Mag. It provides fabulous precise accuracy thanks to its unique turret design. Furthermore, its durability means it can withstand any extreme weather or environment.
3. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-5HD comes with various magnification settings between 3x and 15x, allowing you to take advantage of the long range of a 300 Win Mag rifle. Furthermore, this gives you the ability to tackle closer and smaller targets at closer ranges, effectively and precisely. This stylish scope has an illuminated duplex reticle that is great for low light conditions. The reticle in the scope is simple and doesn’t carry a lot of hash marks, which is ideal for hunters who like to focus on their target without busy reticles.
The scope shows clear innovation thanks to its built-in motion sensor, and the rifle scope offers clear innovation integrated into the reticle’s illumination circuits. The motion sensor will deactivate after five minutes of inactivity, to save the battery life. It also reactivates whenever you move. This feature is great for hunters especially.
Related Article: 7 Best Scopes for the .223 Bolt Action Rifle
The optic comes with a Twilight Max Light Management system, like all the Leupold optics. This gives you an extra 20 – 30 minutes of light and enhanced glare reduction. Basically, you are able to hunt at dusk or dawn, thanks to this built-in system.
The elevation dial can simplify long-distance shots and eliminate the need for ballistic calculations. Furthermore, it can be calibrated for 300 Win Mags.
Key Specifications
- Adjustment dials are very well manufactured
- Twilight Max Light Management System included
- Illuminated reticle and automatically turns off without movement
- Works in all kinds of weather
- Lens clarity and quality is brilliant
Takeaway
The Leupold VX-5HD is a top-quality scope for any rifle, especially with 300 Win Mag rifles, thanks to its collection capabilities and precision adjustment turrets. The illuminated reticle and lens clarity are awesome attributes to an already great scope.
4. NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
The NightForce scope includes a wide 56 mm objective lens, which is a larger and heavier type you can buy for long-distance scopes.
This attribute offers ideal light transmission, even at the maximum zoom setting of 20x. Targets far away appear as clear and colorful as those up close and personal.
The reticle is installed on the second focal plane, so it stays the same size no matter what magnification setting you pick. It’s non-illuminated, so it isn’t very busy and gives you more time to adjust your shot based on your distance to your target.
This scope includes holdover attributes for both windage and elevation to compensate for the stiffness an SFP usually provides. This reticle has been good with 300 Win Mag users that are mainly doing long-distance target practice or hunting.
The NightForce scope is waterproof and fog proof, which adds extra durability, even in the worst of weather. This scope does weigh a little more than most scopes on the market, at close to three pounds. However, it makes up for this fact with excellent sturdiness, strength, and recoil control. Despite its weight, pairing it with a 300 Win Mag would not affect the performance of the scope even after many years of practice.
Key Specifications
- Very compact and durable
- Lenses provide optimal light transmission
- Turrets are responsive with precision
- SFP reticle has a great design
- Works in all kinds of weather
Takeaway
The NightForce optic weighs more than others. However, it easily overcomes this negative point thanks to its groundbreaking turret adjustment system, amazing lenses that facilitate great light transmission, and reliable build.
5. Burris Optics Veracity Riflescope 5-25x50mm
The Burris Optics Veracity scope offers between 5x and 25x magnification, which makes this the ideal choice for long-distance shooting or hunting with 300 Win Mag. This scope includes a 50 mm objective lens, which collects light and provides an ideal sight image even out to about 800 yards.
This rifle scope has been manufactured to see up to 800 yards out of the box, making it an ideal partner with 300 WM rifles. It also boasts a windage and elevation adjustment turret system that allows you to adjust up to 15 MOA per rotation.
These attributes are very responsive, but they don’t come with many hash marks or indicator lines, so you’ll have to keep good track of how and when to change them. The parallax turret is much better in terms of effect and higher distances.
The scope includes high-grade optical glass for ideal brightness and clarity. The scope is 100% waterproof and totally durable. It’s one of the lightest scopes out on the market at just over 12 ounces.
Key Specifications
- Lightweight and durable
- Lenses are incredible
- Can see up to 800 yards
- Turrets are responsive and tactile
- Parallax turret is excellent
Takeaway
Burris Optics Veracity Riflescope is yet another quality product to use with a 300 Win Mag. It has many advantages including preset calibration for up to 800 yards, responsive turrets, and a set of great lenses.
6. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32
For those who use 300 Win Mag but are restricted by their budget, Vortex Crossfire II offers a more affordable option. until you gain the budget for any of the pricier scopes mentioned above.
The glass quality and lens coating are not as well manufactured as the other scopes mentioned in the article. With 6x-7x magnification, it is visibly less clear and blurry than its lower power performance. Images are low light and not very great. That being said, image quality is usable on the lowest zoom setting. I found the eye rest seemed to be rather small, and I found it hard to pinpoint my target.
On the other hand, the scope does provide a fairly wide field of view and the ability to hold zero with the .300 Win Mag, as long as you mount it correctly.
Turrets are easily adjusted with your finger and are zero resettable. The reticle allows you to choose between a BDC or a V-Plex. BDC is for further targets, while the V-Plex gives a crystal clear view.
Key Specifications
- Can handle high recoil rounds
- Lower budget option
- It can be used at a minimum zoom
- Good FOV
- Reliable warranty
Takeaway
Vortex Crossfire II is compatible with 300 Win Mag, but it is made in China. If you are on a budget, this is the best scope for 300 win mag money can buy, and if it does break, it’s backed by a Vortex Lifetime warranty, which is pretty reliable.
7. Burris 6-24×50 Fullfield IV Rifle Scope
If you are willing to spend a little more than the average amount for a scope, then look no further. The Burris 6-24×50 Fullfield IV includes Illuminated MOA scopes. With longer eye relief and wider eye rest, the Burris is an ideal pick for long-range scoping as one of the best scope for 300 win mag.
The Burris Fullfield IV 6-24×50 SCR Matte Riflescope is a reliable and lightweight addition for the long-range hunter. This scope offers an improved 4x zoom setting, premium multi-coated lenses for 100% clarity, and a huge 50mm objective for low light action.
This scope boasts a 30mm main tube filled with nitrogen and is completely waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof. This fantastic scope can handle heavy recoil in all applications including the 300 Win Mag. The turret switch allows easy finger-setting adjustments. The Burris 6-24×50 Fullfield scope comes with the Burris Forever Warranty, which is reliable by all standards.
The scope includes an illuminated MOA reticle, provides instant windage and elevation information, and is illuminated with up to 11 brightness levels for visibility in all lighting conditions. This scope is ideal for a long-range optic. However, there is a lack of eye relief, and the narrow eye box might annoy some hunters.
Key Specifications
- Turrets are responsive with precision
- Can handle high recoil rounds
- Reliable warranty
- Works in all kinds of weather
- Extremely durable
Takeaway
The Burris 6-24×50 Fullfield IV is a high-end scope for any rifle, especially with 300 Win Mag rifles, thanks to its unique design and accurate adjustment turrets. The scope provides illuminated reticle and lens clarity which is crucial to any knowledgeable hunter.
What Makes a Great .300 Win Mag Scope?
If you have no idea what makes the best scope for 300 win mag, do not worry. I will break down the most important features a good scope should include.
300 Win Mag is one of the most versatile rifle cartridges available on the market today. The 300 Win Mag has energy and muzzle velocity, which is why it is a favorite among hunters in North America. Sources state it is also the top choice for ammunition in Africa as records show Africa has purchased a huge amount of second hand guns from the US. in the last decade.
Besides hunting, the 300 Win Mag is an ideal long-range round for both military and domestic applications. High muzzle velocity and decent ballistics make relative trajectory possible.
An ideal scope to go with the 300 Win Mag should allow the shooter to fire at both short-range and long-range, between 50 to 1,000 yards accurately. Furthermore,the best scope for the 300 win mag must be able to hold zero during high recoil rounds.
Usual zoom settings for large game hunting are1.5 5x and 2-7x. However, magnification for long-range depends on the range and target size. Optics with magnification over 16x tend to require higher quality glass for similar image quality as there is never a need to go beyond 16x.
I recommend that 3-15x is the ideal standard for 300 WM scopes. That being said, I have to mention that scopes with wider range zoom usually carry a higher price tag.
Shooting long-range with 2-7x magnification might be a fun experience. However, if you desire accuracy for long-range shooting, it might be wise to invest in a long-range 4-16x optical zoom scope.
What To Look for in the Best Scope for 300 Win Mag?
A 300 Win Mag is primarily utilized for hunting big game. However, these cartridges’ flat trajectories and high power have also become popular with competition shooters and law enforcement. Here are a few key things to look out for when shopping for the best scope for a 300 win mag rifle.
The best scope for 300 win mag should have crystal clear lenses manufactured from high-quality glass. The scope lenses should be multicoated, with multiple layers of anti-reflective lens coatings.
Coatings ensure brilliant light transmission, which is very important for hunting or shooting in low light conditions. Excellent definition and color fidelity is ensured with these much-needed coatings.
A large objective lens helps optical clarity by permitting more light to enter the scope. You should also look out for a scope that has a reticle that you prefer and is well suited for your custom purpose.
Mil-dot and BDC (bullet drop compensation) reticles are ideal for long-distance target practice. They include marks that make holdover calculations really simple. Mil-dot and BDC reticles aren’t as popular, but professional hunters do prefer them.
I mentioned earlier the basic magnification range for best scope for 300 win mag. However, it also depends on what you intend to do with your scope. Generally, a higher magnification range for target practice ensures precision. But, hunting requires lower magnification because you need to maintain a large field of view.
Scopes can be expensive, especially for long-range shooting with the best scope for 300 win mag. You have to get what you pay for by making sure the scope has all the ideal features I listed earlier.
Make sure to pick a good warranty scheme such as a lifetime warranty, which will ensure that your investment is protected should something go wrong.
FAQs
The 300 Win Mag is a belted, bottlenecked magnum rifle cartridge most popular among hunters and rifle enthusiasts. These cartridges are bought and used for hunting and practice ranges.
You can mount a scope yourself without having to worry about damaging your gear. Mounting your scope is fairly easy in just a few simple steps.
If you are firing out to only about 300 yards, you do not really need to be concerned about parallax. However, if you are firing beyond 300 yards, then your best scope for 300 win mag should ideally have parallax adjustment to clear up your line of sight.
300 Win Mag cartridges are used in hunting, and it is one of the most popular ways to hunt, especially in North America.
Final verdict
All of the scopes mentioned here are compatible with 300 Win Mag, and they offer fantastic value. However, the Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope is the clear winner for multiple reasons.
Firstly, the unique design allows you to fully utilize reticles that shrink or enlarge along with your target as you zoom in or out. Secondly, the illuminated reticle provides much better visibility during dusk and dawn and other low ambient light environments. Both of these factors together makes this the ideal best scope for 300 win mag. Not many rifle scopes on the market utilize these technological advancements in their latest designs.
It is manufactured from a 6061T6 aircraft-grade aluminum tube, which is extremely strong and has great mechanical integrity. The Athlon optics Argos BTR also includes a built-in PZSS (Precision Zero Stop System). This system locks down your zero position to pinpoint and dials it back to a short and precise zero mark, even if you are operating in complete darkness. As I mentioned earlier, I have been a big game hunter for the last decade, using 300 Win Mag as my primary cartridges, and from my personal experience, these factors I mentioned make this scope superior and my number one choice for a 300 Win Mag rifle scope.