The Must-Read Guide On How To Choose The Best Scope For 300 Win Mag

The quick list of best 300 win mag scopes

In this review list, we spend some time to collect the best scope for .300 Win Mag, each with exclusive features so that you can have some ideas added to your shopping list.

The .300 Winchester Magnum, short call is .300 Win Mag, is one of the most popular rifle cartridge ever used both in big hunting games and military. The bullet is best known for its versatility and has high muzzle velocity.

Not only for hunting, but the .300 Win Mag is also used widely in the army and shooting competition because it is perfect for long range shooting.

With all things considered, a high-powered round like this Magnum can damage any low-ranking scope in several shots.

Therefore, it needs a high-quality optic that can match the potential of the cartridge. That’s why today we are bringing you a helpful tip on how to choose the best scope for .300 Win Mag.

But before that, don’t skip our buying guide, we will make it short and straight to the point.

What makes the best scope for 300 win mag?

Magnification power

Magnification power is essential in shooting a rifle, especially, for hunting game with a long distance. Therefore, the more range option, the better.

A standard magnification for hunting is anything from 1.5-5x to 2-7x, and some optics can go even over 16x, but it will cost you a fortune. However, you will rarely have any needs for a scope like that.

To conclude, a scope with 3 – 15x magnification is ideal for the .300 Win Mag in long-range shooting, while one with 2 – 7x is suitable for a shorter distance.

Objective lens diameter

The objective lens is an eyepiece where the light gathered at the front of the scope to give you the image.

The amount of light enters the scope will depend on how large the lens diameter is. Therefore, to choose a suitable one, you should pick a larger objective lens if you use high magnification and a smaller one for low magnification.

Glass and lens coating

The high-quality optic lens require good glass and lens coating, especially with any scope that has a wide range of magnification. Because this will determine the quality of the image.

If you can afford for a high-end optic, consider things such as Extra Low Dispersion Glass (ED Glass), High-Density Glass (HD Glass) or Multi Coated lens which can reduce internal reflection.

Tube size

When it comes to long-range shooting, three factors that determine an accurate shot are windage, elevation, and parallax. This appears on your scope as in the three turrets, and the bigger the scope, the more adjustment you can make.

So if your intention is for long range shooting, any tube size from 30mm, 34mm or 35mm is good enough. However, larger tubes are usually not light and cost you more than smaller ones.

Things to consider when choosing scopes for 300 Win Mag

So now that you know what makes the best scope for .300 Win Mag. Before we come down to the product review, let’s take a look at the crucial factors that we need to consider when choosing a scope.

Shooting range

You cannot go hunting without knowing at what range you want to shoot. Therefore, this is the first thing you need to consider.

For a close-range shooting that up to 200 yards, a scope with 1-4x magnification is enough while longer distance would require any optic with at least 10x magnification.

Time of use

There is no guarantee that you will always go out hunting in the daylight, so a proper scope is the one that should be able to provide you with clear image and bright image in all light conditions.

You should make sure to consider all the possibilities and circumstances when picking a scope to avoid any visual issues. The scope chosen must be equipped with high-quality optics that allow you to shoot or hunt at any time during the day.

Durability

Unless you want to ruin your scope after one or two shots, otherwise you need the one with high quality and durable. A cheap optic not only gives you a bad image but also poses a risk of hurting yourself from the kickback.

For rifles using .300 Win Mag, your scope must be able to cope with the extreme recoil.

Reticle pattern

The reticle is only for reference when shooting, but if your intention is for long range shooting, we recommend that you should get the one with a measurement tool.

There are three main groups of reticle pattern including Simple, Mil-Dot or MOA (crosshairs) and BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation calibrated to particular rounds).

While Simple types such as dot, V-plex, Duplex is suitable for short range shooting, MOA and BDC seem to be the right candidate for long distance game.

Review top 5 best scope for .300 Win Mag

#1 Nikon Buckmasters II, 4-12x40mm, BDC, Riflescope

You are looking at one of the most trusted riflescopes among hunters, the Nikon Buckmaster II, highly suitable for rifles using .300 Win Mag.

This scope is equipped with the Patented BDC reticle that allows shooters to hold “dead-on” at target and offers flexible magnification range for varied type of hunting from short to medium.

When you are out scouting on preys in the cold forest, the Nikon Buckmaster II provides high-resolution images with extra brightness, and the fully multi-coated lens increases light transmission for better clarity.

For high powered cartridges like the .300 Win Mag, this optic gives you a generous eye-relief to avoid the hard recoil and protect your eyebrows from injury.

Additional features are including waterproof, fog proof and shockproof. To conclude, the Buckmaster II is your best choice if you are into hunting big deers.

Pros

• Price is affordable
• Reliability and versatile
• Specialise for hunting deers

Cons

• Parallax is not available
• Lack of tracking on turrets

#2 Athlon Optics, Argos BTR, Riflescope

Speaking of money value, it is a shame when we don’t mention the Athlon scope; an aircraft grade aluminum built optic that offers the first flexible focal plane reticle.

This feature allows you to fully utilize the crosshair as it grows or shrinks along with the target when you change the magnification, and if you are looking for a compact optic, the Athlon is one of the lightest and shortest scope we have seen.

Besides, you also don’t have to worry about hunting at dusk because the advanced fully multi-coated lens offers extra light transmission to enhance the color spectrum and optimize brightness in low light conditions.

The reticle etched on the glass is strong as much as the aluminum tube, and is exceptionally designed to endure with the hard recoil from rifles using .300 Win Mag.

Finally, if you run into any trouble with the product, you will be glad to know that Athlon Optics is a company with high credibility and commitment.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• High resistant to recoil
• Hold zero perfectly

Cons

• Glass quality looks cheap

#3 Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescopes

If you are shopping for the best scopes in the long range optic for .300 Win Mag, this Vortex Optics Razor Gen II should be your first stop, and it is ideal for advanced shooting games or even in practical operation.

This optic Gen II features the L-TEC turret system with a locking mechanism that prevents accidental adjustments, and the turret also includes a visual rotation indicator which allows you to keep track of the position with ease.

If you take your rifle out for long range shooting games, you will appreciate the glass-etched EBR-2C MRAD reticle with 11 illumination intensities to ensure you stay accurate at a long distance.

Zeroing is a plus on this scope when all you have to do is removing the top turret capped and then get access to the brass fitting straight away.

Pros

• Zeroing after sighting in with ease
• 6x room range offer magnification versatility
• User-friendly turrets designed with finger adjustable

Cons

• Heavy weight

#4 Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective, 30mm Tube, Second Focal Plane Rifle scopes

When looking for a long range shooting optic, people have lots of reason to consider buying one. The features come together with the scope are quite similar to each other, but what makes this Vortex different from the rest?

If you are about to go on a big hunting game or long distance rate, you cannot go wrong with this optic. The Vortex Optics Crossfire II will be your best assistant to go with the .300 Win Mag.

This scope is a combination of others into one, and it is not only built to withstand strong forces, but also offers waterproof, fog proof and anti-shock features.

Lighting condition won’t be an issue anymore if you have this Vortex optic mounted on the rifle. The adjustable objective provides focus and parallax removal to enhance accuracy, and the fully multi-coated lens with anti-reflective allows you to see the image brighter and clearer.

Besides, capped turrets are user-friendly designed with finger adjustable which help you to reset to zero with ease. Additional features are including waterproof, fog proof and shockproof to increase durability and last longer.

Pros

• Hold zero with hassle free
• Excellent anti-shock and weather resistance
• Good warranty policy 

Cons

• A bit heavy

#5 Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Second Focal Plane Rifle scopes

The Vortex Optics continues to uphold their reputation with the second optic in our list, the Viper PST Gen II.

This scope is made with incredible performance, and tactical features will be your best assistant during the game.

You will appreciate the etched laser turrets, adjustable parallax, which made of fiber optic while dialing for elevation and windage because it helps you to keep track of your turret position with ease.

The reticle on Viper PST Gen II is highly functional, intuitive and detailed; it also offers ten intensity levels with off position for optimal viewing.

Besides, the 3-15×44 second focal plane riflescope is extremely versatile and suitable for any shooting scenario.

When you are out hunting, you may be in tough environmental conditions that can cause damage to your equipment, but with Armortek coating technology, you will be glad to know the glass will be highly protected from external impacts such as scratches, oil, or dirt.

On the other hands, the Viper PST Gen II also has a fully multi-coated lens to enhance light transmission and low dispersion to increase color fidelity.

If you are looking for a high-quality optic that performs best in a long-range shooting game, this scope is for you.

Pros

• High quality, affordable price
• User-friendly turrets
• Laser etched for tracking 

Cons

• Not ideal for short range

Frequently Asked Questions

What size scope can you mount on a .300 Win Mag?

It depends on the size of what you are asking. If you mean the size of the tube, then I reckon you can either use the one with 30mm or one-inch diameter. You just have to use the right mounting ring.

On the other hand, if you are asking about the size of the objective lens, the answer will depend on your reference.

However, if you are planning for long range shooting game, make sure you pick the scope that has big enough objective lens to allow for more transmitting light.

How to sign in scope on a .300 Win Mag

Step 1: Mounting the scope properly

Scope installing is first and foremost the step where you need to make sure your scope fits the rifle appropriately. However, you should get a one-piece one and mount instead of the two-piece mount if you are the first time using it.

Step 2: Adjusting eye relief

After your scope is mounted, you need to adjust the eye relief which is the distance from your eyes to the tube so that you can avoid injury from the recoil

Step 3: Leveling the rifle

This step is also called sighting in your scope. At this step, you should place your rifle on a stable platform to secure the position

Step 4: Alight the crosshair

A crosshair is where you know the bullet will hit, if it is not aligned correctly, there is a high chance you will miss your shot. Therefore you need to align the reticle before zeroing it in.

Step 5: Test round

This step is when you shoot the first few rounds to find out how far your shot is from the target, and then you can adjust the windage and elevation turrets according to the result.

What kind of scope should I use with .300 Win Mag?

There is no wrong or right scope you can use with .300 Win Mag as long as you know how will you be using your rifle.

For example, if your intention is for big hunting games, it is best to go for a fog, waterproof one as you will spend a lot of time out in the humid condition to wait for your prey, and you don’t want your scope to get clouded from the fog.

How much should I spend on a scope?

Shooters are different in level and performance, therefore that should be one thing to consider when choosing a scope. If you are a starter, you cannot go wrong with an entry-level scope by Leupold.

However, for a high powered round like .300 Win Mag, I would personally recommend that you should not get any cheap scope unless you want a broken optic after several shots.

How do I know if the scope is for me?

I understand that it’s difficult when it comes to shopping, especially when you have to go down a long list with many possibilities. To make your life easier, we suggest that you should first identify your budget, then ask yourself what price range you are looking at.

Don’t go too low and skimp on quality; otherwise, you will get what you pay for. But you also don’t want to overpay. So better be patient and look around more, there is always something in between where you can get a mix of great features.

Conclusion

Finding the best scope for .300 Win Mag does not have to be difficult as it may seem. However, a .300 Win Mag scope is not cheap, so remember that don’t pay more than it’s necessary and less than you need.

Quality is the most crucial here, and it should mean both price and dollar for every cent you pay. A high-quality scope not only enhances your accuracy but only make your shooting game more fun. Now if you think that this article is useful and practical, why not help us share it around to your hunting mates. Please also feel free to leave any comment below, we would love to hear from you.

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