Best scope for 300 win mag
The .300 Winchester magnum that is popularly known as 300 win mag is a caliber cartridge that is famously used by big game hunters and target shooters. Hunters have attested to the cartridge being very versatile especially while hunting elk or bighorn sheep. It is also used in sniper rifles which means this cartridge is very powerful. This high-powered cartridge has long-range prospective and that’s why you need to get the best scope for 300 win mag. Hunting animals like elk or deer need the best rifle scopes for a successful hunt.
A good scope paired with a high-powered cartridge like the .300 win mag will boost your confidence to take precise shots even at moving targets.
There are a lot of rifle scopes currently in the market, but not all of them will work well with the 300 win mag. This cartridge has the potential to annihilate an entry-level scope due to its heavy recoil so getting the best scope to pair it with is important.
This is an honest buying guide to help you get high quality and affordable 300 win mag optics that will pair well with your rifle
The best scope for 300 win mag review
#1) NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
To start us off on our best scope for 300 win mag review is the NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope. This scope is from the highly renowned and respected Nightforce optics brand. If you are familiar with Nightforce optics, you know how great their optics are. This scope comes with high magnification which is ideal for shooting at extended distances with precision and accuracy that you can only get from a Nightforce scope.
The 56 mm objective lens diameter ensures maximum light is gathered therefore images are clear and bright. This is ideal for long-range hunters because images are still bright and clear even at extended distances. This scope offers high image contrast and images making images crisp and clear with no color distortion.
The NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope is constructed with durability in mind. This makes it possible to use it even under unfavorable conditions.
It is equipped with side focus parallax adjustment and the zero-reset technology that allows you to reset to your original zero regardless of the number of elevation adjustments you have made.
Features
- 56 mm objective lens diameter for maximum light transmission even under low light conditions.
- A 5x-20x magnification range ideal for shooting at extended ranges.
- Side focus parallax.
- Second focal plane reticle positioning is easy to see at all magnifications since the reticle size does not change with magnification changes.
- MOAR reticle that is non-illuminated.
- Tactical MOA turrets.
#2) Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56mm
The phenomenal optical clarity and quality of this scope is the reason it’s on our best scope for 300 win mag review. It works well with the .300 win mag.
Fully multi-coated optics combined with a 56mm objective lens diameter and an illuminated reticle ensures clarity and high image resolution. The large objective lens ensures maximum light transmission so the scope can be used even under low light conditions.
The glass-etched illuminated reticle has 11 illumination intensities while ensuring the accuracy of the subtensions.
This scope is equipped with the lockable L-TEC turret system that prevents elevation adjustments that are accidental. You can also keep track of turret revolutions due to the presence of a visual rotation indicator.
The Vortex Razor HD is constructed using aircraft-grade aluminum that makes this .300 win mag scope very durable. It is argon purged and o-ring sealed to keep moisture out and the inner parts of the scope moisture-free. The lenses are coated in Armortek coatings which ensure the scope remains oil, dirt, and scratch-free.
Features
- Water, fog, and shockproof.
- 56mm objective lens.
- First focal plane.
- A glass etched illuminated reticle.
- Fast focus eyepiece.
- L-tec zero stop system.
#3) Athlon Optics , Argos BTR, Riflescope, 6-24 x 50
This is a scope that comes with decent features but doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It is easy to use, durable and affordable.
It comes with a 50mm objective lens diameter that ensures optimum light transmission even in low light conditions while the lenses are fully multi-coated for bright and clear images which remain their true color. The reticle is positioned on the first focal plane which is ideal for use with a 300 win mag as long-distance shooters appreciate a reticle that adjusts with the magnification.
It is constructed using aircraft-grade aluminum that offers strength and mechanical integrity that will ensure this scopes durability. The one-piece heat-treated tube provides strength to the scope and also ensures moisture stays out of the scope increasing the durability of the scope.
It is waterproof to allow you to use the scope in unfavorable conditions and fog proof for utilization in cold temperatures. The eye relief is 3.3″ which might not be ideal for long-range shooting at higher magnification.
It is also lightweight allowing you to move around with it. This makes it very ideal for hunting.
Features
- Waterproof and fog proof.
- Argon purged to keep out the moisture.
- Fully multi-coated optics.
- Glass etched illuminated reticle.
- The reticle is positioned in the first focal plane
#4) Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Side Focus Riflescope
As one o the best scope for 300 win mag, this Leupold VX comes with a fire dot illuminated reticle that is ideal for low usage in low light conditions. The magnification range is between 3x to 15x which is ideal for both short and medium-range shooting.
This scope is equipped with the famous Leupold Twilight Max Light Management system that gives you an extra 20 to 30 minutes of light when light becomes unfavorable like at dawn or dusk. The system also helps in reducing glare. It is equipped with a special ZeroLock CDS Custom Dial System that secures in place preventing an accidental rotation to zero.
This scope is also fitted with a revolution indicator. A motion sensor is also fitted which allows the reticle to switch to standby mode it switches back on once the rifle is moved. This is an ideal feature that saves battery life hence prolonging the life of the scope.
Features
- Completely waterproof and fog proof.
- Environment-friendly lead-Free glass lense
- Twilight Max Light Management System
What makes the best scope for the 300 win mag?
The .300 win mag is a very popular cartridge among hunters, military, and law enforcement. It is a light round that balances power, accuracy, and precision very well.
The Remington 700 Chassis, Armalite 30-A1, and the Winchester XPR Model 70 Sporter Bolt Action Rifle are among the rifles that can chamber the .300 win mag.
A scope with a magnification of 3-9x or 2.5-10x is ideal for the .300 win mag. This is because of the fact that the cartridge can comfortably fire up to 250 yards. The best scope for 300 win mag will depend on what you are using your rifle for like if you are hunting, a scope that will help in acquiring a target and taking a kill shot is definitely what you want.
Factors to Consider when Buying the Best Scope for 300 Win Mag
There are several factors you should put into consideration when buying the best scope for 300 win mag.
Objective lens
The objective lens allows light through the scope for clear and bright images. The bigger the objective lens the more light is collected to the scope hence brighter pictures. This is an important factor to consider because a big objective lens will ensure you get bright images even under low light conditions.
A big objective lens will be ideal if you are at a shooting range than while out hunting. This is because a big objective lens makes the scope heavy and although it might be effective in spotting your target, the weight might be counterproductive.
Magnification
This is one of the most significant factors to consider when buying the best scope for 300 win mag. Magnification is the scope’s ability to enlarge a target’s apparent size.
A scope’s magnification range is described by numbers. Like for example, numbers like 5-20x56mm mean targets can be magnified by 5x up to 20x with a 56mm objective lens diameter. This is a variable scope that allows you to choose magnification ranges between 5 to 20. On the other hand, other scopes come with fixed magnification. Like for example, a 6x42mm scope means magnification is fixed at 6x.
A scope that has a magnification range will work well if you want to shoot targets from 300 yards and upwards and a scope with a 3-9x magnification will be ideal for targets under 100 yards.
Lens coating
Lens coatings make images appear clear and bright without glare. Scopes come in different lens coatings. Like for instance, when a scope is described as having coated lenses it means at least one lens surface is coated with one layer of coating. Fully coated lenses mean all lens and prism surfaces are coated with one layer of coating. Multi-coated lenses mean at least one lens surface has multiple layers of coating and fully multi-coated lenses mean all lenses and prisms are covered in multiple layers of coating.
The best scope for 300 win mag is fully multi-coated to deliver crisp, clear, and bright images.
Focal plane
Focal planes are of two types, the first focal plane, and the second focal plane. For the first focal plane, The reticle is placed in front of the magnification lens. What this means is the size of the reticle changes with the magnification. This is ideal for long-range hunters because it eliminates the need to calculate holdover points hence shots taken are very accurate and precise.
On the other hand, the reticle is placed behind the magnification lens so when you change the magnification the size of the reticle remains the same. If you are not into competitive shooting or long-range hunting, then a second focal plane scope will work for you. The second focal plane is cheaper and more widely used compared to the first focal plane.
Ease of use
Scope should be user-friendly and easy to use to enhance your experience at the range or when hunting. Get the scope with easy-to-understand and use features and design.
Weight
This is another factor that you need to consider when choosing a scope for the .300 win mag. If you mostly use your rifle at the shooting range then getting a scope with a big objective lens is not a problem. You will not be moving around with the heavy scope.
However, if you are a hunter moving around stalking prey while carrying a heavy scope might ruin your hunting experience.
Durability
The best scope for 300 win mag should be able to withstand unfavorable conditions. Scopes that are built to be waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof increase their durability. Scopes constructed using high-grade material are durable and can serve you a long time. Most durable scopes are constructed using high-grade aluminum.
Performance
A high-caliber cartridge like the .300 win mag should be paired with a high-performing scope. High-performing scopes come equipped with features that alleviate your performance while using your rifle. Like for example a scope that comes with a 3.5″ or more eye relief will protect your brow from heavy recoil preventing what is commonly known as a ‘scope eye’.
Conclusion
All scopes mentioned are great scopes and nothing great comes without its flaws. Choose the best scope for 300 win mag according to your budget and what your shooting applications are and remember for scopes, you get what you pay for.