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Looking for Best Scope for 300 Win Mag? The 300 WM as it is also called happens to be amongst the most popular caliber cartridges used by mainly big game hunters. The cartridge is designed in a way that allows shooters to fire swiftly with little vertical dip.
Now having the best bullet cartridge is only one part of the equation and incomplete if it isn’t paired with a quality scope. When you pair it with a quality riflescope, the .300 win mag becomes a highly accurate shooting machine.
In this article, we will explore the many factors to consider when buying a rifle scope, and we review the top 5 best scopes so that you can pick up one that best suits your style and budget.
Now before you dive into what to consider below is a list of our top picks with their detailed reviews soon to follow:
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As it so happens, there is no wrong or right choice for riflescopes for a 300 win mag. The important thing is to use it correctly. Ideally, you will want to choose a scope for your intended distance.
It is possible to use a long range scope you can buy with a 300 win mag rifle, but we tend to advise buying something within the medium range. One reason for us saying this is that the rile is accurate up to 200 yards. Anything beyond this like 700 yards and the bullet will hit five feet below or above the line of sight so you’ll need to be a seasoned expert to compensate for that amount of bullet drop if you hope to hit the target.
The best test of a scope is on the shooting range. The best way to test your scope is to fire three shot bursts and note where it lands. You will want to point the scope slightly higher and aim for 100 yards, then fire again at 200 yards dead center.
The critical factor here is to adjust your MOA so that it can quickly be adjusted for various distances. Continue to tweak the sight on the range until you find it’s a sweet spot, which we define as something you can effectively use at all distances.
One of the things you should consider when buying a scope is the quality of the image. Ideally, it should be bright, crisp, and clear regardless of the lighting conditions. While there is no guarantee that you’ll always drop the perfect game in the day, a scope that is clear at night can be invaluable to your effort.
Many of the 300 Win Mag scopes we’ve reviewed below have good light transmitting qualities which means that you’ll be able to hunt and practice at all times.
When buying a riflescope, you’ll always want one you can depend on. Sure you can buy a $50 scope made in China, but then it will have to be changed a few shots later because it isn’t manufactured to last very long.
When you’re using a scope on a .300 Winchester Magnum, it needs to have the chops to hold up to the recoil.
In layman’s terms, it is called a crosshair and is part of the scope that the shooter uses to figure out where the bullet should hit. Using the reticle is similar to using the iron sights but is much more accurate. However, there is no such thing as the best reticle because some may prefer generic crosshairs while others may want a BDC reticle. A BDC reticle is also called a bullet drop compensator while some may even prefer a high-tech red dot.
Magnification happens to be one of the most important aspects of a rifle scope. It is the range at which the scope is capable of multiplying what the naked eye can see, think of it as a zoom lens for rifles. One way to determine the power of the scope is to take a look at the model name.
For example, if you see 3-9x32mm printed on the scope that means that it has a 32mm wide lens which can magnify the target by 3x right up to 9x. This type of scope is termed a variable rifle scope. There is also a non-variable one where you’ll only see something like 9x32mm printed on it.
The magnification you choose is a personal preference. Though anyone who wants to shoot a moving target under a hundred yards will find that the 3-9x is a good choice. It is also a great choice for the .300 Winchester Mag rifle since this round has a 100-yard max firing range.
The objective lens is closest to the barrel of the gun. It allows light into the scope, consequently making the image clearer and brighter. So, the larger your objective is, the more light will enter, but the heavier will be the scope.
When it comes to weight it is important to think where the scope will be used most. If it is mainly going to be used at the shooting range and you’re behind sandbags or a bipod, then the weight isn’t a huge factor. So, you can get away with a scope that has a larger lens and consequently heavy.
If the rifle is to be used for hunting, then you’ll want to something lightweight. Stalking your prey with a rifle that’s top heavy is very difficult and unnecessary too.
The elevation and windage turrets are mainly used to adjust the reticle pattern of the scope in relation to the target. A well-honed elevation and windage adjustment ensure a direct hit because it means that the bullet will get very close to the center of the reticle.
You will always want to invest in a rifle scope that does not hurt your eyes despite showing a bright image. Glare is your biggest enemy as it can make good aiming near impossible in some lighting conditions. The use of optical coatings reduces the light reflected from the objective, yet at the same time, it transmits light effectively.
You will come across four primary types of coatings. One uses coated lenses whereby either the objective or the ocular lens is coated with one layer of anti-reflective film. The other type is fully coated, i.e. both the ocular and objective are coated. Then there is one that comes with a multi-coated lens where either the objective or the ocular lens has multiple coats. Finally, there is one that’s multicoated with the ocular and objective receiving multiple coats this happens to be more expensive yet the best out there.
Anyone serious about long range shooting should consider the Vortex Optics Crossfire II for many reasons. For starters, the riflescope comes with a host of features like eye relief, multi-coated lenses, waterproof design, etc.
Big game hunters will have perhaps the most to benefit from it. It is the perfect companion for the .300 win mag gun. Built with an incredibly sturdy design, it is fog and waterproof.
The use of a Dead-Hold BDC reticle makes it perfect for shooting across many different ranges. Having an adjustable objective means that you can easily adjust to remove parallax and focus on your target without anything obstructing the view.
The use of multicoated, anti-reflective lenses means that you’ll always see a bright image. Focusing it is smooth thanks to the quick focus eyepiece. Not to mention that it offers good eye relief.
During our time with the riflescope, we discovered that using the O-ring seal is what was the key to its waterproof claims, though we couldn’t see the nitrogen gas within the lens it was pretty clear that something was not allowing fog to build up. Plus, after firing multiple rounds with the gun, we are satisfied that this scope is capable of handling multiple and even extreme impacts from subsequent recoils.
The Athlon Optics Argos BTR makes it to our listing of the top scopes because it offers excellent value for money. Not only is it perfectly suited to the .300 win mag gun but can also be used on the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Built primarily from aircraft grade aluminum and the use of high-grade light transmitting lenses makes it perfectly suited for all types of shooting conditions. Plus, the waterproofing and excellent recoil resistance mean that you’ll be keeping this for years to come.
In the weight department, it is the lightest scope we’ve seen and used in a while. But it is lightweight without sacrificing durability or magnification.
The optics are so good on the Argos BTR that we recommend it for low light shooting. The multi-coated lenses are offer excellent light transmission across the board with accurate colors, and brightness.
Finally, the reticle that’s etched into it can withstand recoil from the rifle. Not to mention that if you do have problems with it, the company backs this scope with a lifetime warranty.
Vortex Optics is an established name in the riflescope industry with several popular scopes to their credit. The Diamondback is the company’s latest piece of optical technology that offers the same magnification as many it is competing against but at a smaller size. However, it still has a bit of heft to it.
The Diamondback offers minute and subtle adjustments to the extent that we were impressed with its accuracy. Every click of the turret translates to a ¼ MOA adjustment. Every 1/4th inch is a hundred yards. That’s how precise this riflescope is, and it is also one of its most significant selling points. Plus, it makes an easy return to zero once after a long range shot.
Finally, we won’t be doing the Diamondback justice without talking about its durability. It isn’t just waterproof but also shock and fog proof. The aluminum housing may not be as hardened as the aircraft grade aluminum on the Athlon Optics Argos BTR, but to us, it felt just as durable perhaps that boils down to the anodized finish. That said in our opinion and that of many others who have used it, this scope can withstand the elements and look good in the process.
Nikon is a well-known name in the optics industry, and so it comes as no surprise that their Buckmaster II has made it to our top 5. However, the riflescope isn’t without its shortcomings. That said it is still great for hunting big game in the medium to short ranges, and below is how we know this for sure.
To start the scope has excellent build quality, plus it is water, shock and fog proof, three features that every scope should have that’s because it can then be used in often harsh conditions. The multi-coated lenses ensure that light transmission is highly accurate and offers a bit of protection. The coating used allows 98% of light transmission making it suited for low light and normal lighting conditions.
Also featured are resettable turrets with a spring-loaded mechanism. They can be easily reset without any additional tools; all you need is to pull up and then rotate the turret’s top half to zero. The turrets are smooth and easily adjustable with your fingertips. Plus, they come with caps instead of locks which are quieter and more comfortable to maneuver in some types of conditions.
During our testing, we found the bullet drop compensator reticle very useful which, unlike other scopes, it isn’t dependent on the weight of the bullet, its caliber or the length of the barrel. The versatility with its magnification ensures that you can hunt just about anywhere regardless of if it is heavily wooded or in open prairies. Also, the built-in eye relief ensures that you can continue to hunt for an extended time while keeping your bow safe each time the rifle recoils.
The only thing that we missed and which is possibly a con for some people is the adjustable parallax. The factory setting is at 100 yards. Though not necessarily a deal breaker because most game hunting is done between 100-600 yards.
Hunters in search of a compact and powerful scope for their 300 Win Mag will find that the Redfield Revolution is perfect. Made in the US, it will more than satisfy those who love to buy America made and based scopes.
The riflescope has two reticle choices. You have the typical duplex reticle, and the other is the Accu-Range reticle. Both types are highly useful for shooters and hunters who have lots of experience hitting their targets at varying distances. The 3-9x magnification makes hitting targets at all distances easier.
The flexible variable scope is useful for shooters who are comfortable using a common magnification for different shooting conditions and distances. Another great feature is the 40-mm objective lens, which is ideal for the magnification that it offers.
We were very pleased with the eye relief, which makes it perfect for times when you’re uphill hunting or when you’re using a heavier recoil round. The well-positioned magnification ring also creates friction. So, you have a solid grip regardless of if there is sweat buildup or if it is raining.
There you have it, folks! If you own a .300 Winchester Mag Rifle, then by now you may already have your mind set on the right scope. Each product we mentioned above comes with their own pros and cons. However, if you want our hands down recommendation for the Best Scope for 300 Win Mag then get the Vortex Optics Crossfire II since it offers an excellent combo of features and price.
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