This article presents a curated selection of the best 308 scope for deer hunting picks. These scopes have consistently earned acclaim for their performance in the field. The picks feature an array of features, from sturdy build quality to advanced reticle designs, ensuring that you have the tools to meet the demanding nature of deer hunting head-on whether you are in the open fields or dense woods. They have all you need to bring you close to the target with each shot.
Choosing the right optic for your 308 caliber rifle is an instrumental decision that dramatically determines whether time on the hunting ground is a hit or miss. As passionate hunters know, the pursuit of game demands gear that is reliable and finely tuned to the specific tasks at hand. The best 308 scope for deer hunting makes all the difference in achieving clarity, precision, and low-light performance.
Also Read
- https://outdoorandsurvival.com/best-vortex-low-light-scopes/
- https://outdoorandsurvival.com/best-elk-hunting-binoculars/
What Magnification Do You Need for Deer Hunting?
The best magnification is one that aligns with your specific hunting environment and individual preferences. If you primarily hunt in diverse settings, it is best to have a variable magnification that provides the requisite versatility to adapt to various scenarios.
If you are hunting in open fields, you need a scope with high magnification, like 4-12x or 4-16x. The same applies when shots are expected at longer ranges.
A scope with medium magnification, like 3-9x or 4-12x, works well in different shooting scenarios, including open fields or moderately wooded areas. It provides reasonable precision at moderate distances.
For areas with thick vegetation or dense woods where shots are typically taken at shorter ranges, a low to medium magnification like 2-7x or 3-9x, is adequate. It offers a wider field of view, making the target acquisition process quick.
What Is the Range Of A 308 Rifle?
For a majority of hunters under field conditions, the maximum effective range of the 308 is about 300 yards, and 400 yards would be pushing it. The terminal ballistic performance of a well-designed hunting bullet fired from the 308 is usually very good at these ranges.
Best 308 Scope for Deer Hunting
1)Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm riflescope is an excellent choice for the 308 rifle. It has a feature-rich design that meets the demanding conditions of deer hunting.
The scope features a second focal plane reticle that maintains a constant size across the entire magnification range. This makes sure that sub tensions remain consistent, offering a reliable point of aim in all zoom levels.
The scope is purposefully made to survive the rough and tumble of hunting, as it is completely waterproof and fogproof. This empowers you to hunt in any weather without worrying about moisture ingress.
The shockproof design ensures it can cope with the recoil produced by the 308 without affecting performance.
The lenses are fully multi-coated to optimize light gathering, enhancing image clarity. This feature ensures the scope performs well in low-light conditions, which is vital for dusk and dawn hunting.
Additionally, the turrets are capped and facilitate easy zero-resetting after making adjustments. This user-friendly inclusion makes tweaks a breeze and keeps your settings locked in even in the heat of the moment.
The fast-focus eyepiece facilitates seamless reticle focusing, enabling the hunter to acquire targets in a flash, especially in dynamic hunting scenarios.
Features
- Precision force spring system
- Hard anodized finish
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Mag-View fiber optic provides a visible reference point for magnification settings
- Capped reset turrets
- 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Single-piece tube
Pros
- Great overall feel of the turrets
- Impressive build quality
- Super image quality
Cons
- Some complications when sighting in
2)Burris Fullfield E1 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Another contender for the best 308 scope for deer hunting recommendations is the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9x40mm riflescope. The riflescope provides a combination of precision, simplicity, and durability to meet the needs of avid hunters who demand excellence in the field.
The Fullfield E1 adapts seamlessly to various scenarios, whether dense woods or open fields. It has a simple yet sophisticated reticle that guarantees pinpoint accuracy, allowing you to take shots with surgical precision.
Made with high-grade optical glass, the unit promises unparalleled brightness and clarity. This optical quality ensures a clear sight picture, leading to rewarding hunts with long-lasting durability.
The index-matched Hi-Lume multi-coating enhances performance in weak light and minimizes glare in bright conditions. This contributes to success in critical hours of sunrise and sunset.
Repeatable accuracy is an assurance thanks to the positive steel-on-steel adjustments. You can make adjustments with confidence and precision, rest assured that the settings will hold true after every shot.
The separated power ring and eyepiece design improves the aesthetic appeal of the riflescope and supports the convenient use of flip-up lens covers. This protects the lenses and also promotes ease of use.
The finger-adjustable windage and elevation turrets ensure a sleek profile. Once adjusted, the turrets reflect a precise change in the point of impact, facilitating quick and accurate adjustments on the fly.
Features
- Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses
- Windage and elevation turrets are adjustable with the finger
- Positive steel-on-steel adjustments ensure repeatable accuracy
- Nitrogen-filled tube
- High-grade optical glass
- Robust, stress-free, one-piece tube
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Eye relief of 3.1 to 3.4 inches
Pros
- Good price
- Clarity across all magnifications
- Light yet solid
Cons
- No lens cover
3)Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40mm is a five-star riflescope that merges state-of-the-art features to lighten your path of deer hunting. At the core of the scope is crystal-clear optics. The full multi-coating allows plenty of light into the unit, clarifying and brightening the target image.
The 3-9x magnification, coupled with the 40mm objective lens, provides a versatile field of view, allowing quick target acquisition of targets in various hunting situations.
It is built from aircraft-grade aluminum, which speaks of its durability. This means it will suffice in challenging conditions, ensuring your scope remains new even when faced with harsh conditions.
It is equipped with a fiber and tritium dual illumination system. This technology ensures a bright, clear aiming point regardless of the lighting situation. From the soft hues of dawn to the dimness of dusk, the scope ensures maximum visibility, which is necessary for precise shot placement.
It performs well in all weather conditions as it is waterproof and fogproof; thus, there is no risk of moisture penetration. Besides that, it is shockproof to deal with recoil and impact that can lead to damage of the unit.
Features
- Fiber optic/tritium technology
- 6061-T6 aluminum design
- Fully waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Second focal plane
- 3x to 9x magnification
- Mil-Dot crosshair reticle
- Matte finish
Pros
- Clear and bright glass
- Incredibly well-made
- Compact
- Works well even at dusk or on clear nights
Cons
- Eye relief at maximum magnification
4)Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm Riflescope
You can never go wrong with the Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40mm riflescope. As another option for our best 308 scope for deer hunting selection, this optic continues the long-standing legacy of quality and innovation that Vortex is known for.
It comes with the Dead-Hold BDC reticle specifically made for intuitive holdover and windage corrections, providing a straightforward yet effective solution for hunters. This addition eases the process of taking shots at different distances while eliminating the need for constant turret adjustments.
The Diamondback is forged from aircraft-grade aluminum, which is the best material as it is rigid and long-lasting. This construction is fortified by the hard anodized finish that provides additional protection against scratches and corrosion.
The pop-up dials promote easy and precise windage and elevation adjustments, producing loud enough clicks that are quick to count.
Vortex knows good hunting gets all the better with premium optics. This is depicted by the fully multi-coated lenses that heighten the light collection. As a result, the images viewed are bright, vibrant, and sharp, regardless of the lighting condition.
The riflescope has argon gas purging and o-ring seals that ensure weatherproofing. The shockproof feature is another dope inclusion that ensures the scopes survive the bruises and bumps of hunting expeditions.
Features
- The optical system is fully multi-coated
- Weatherproof
- Second focal plane
- Eye relief of 3.1 to 3.4 inches
- The magnification ranges from 4x to 12x
- Audible clicks that are easy and quick to count
- Hard anodization on the exterior
- One-inch body tube
Pros
- The clarity is very good
- Solid construction
- Excellent warranty
- Holds zero excellently
Cons
- The eye relief could be better
5)Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12x56mm Riflescope
The next winner that has won the hearts of many is the Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12x56mm riflescope. It features a large windage and elevation adjustment range, allowing precise and calculated adjustments. This wide range promotes accuracy over diverse distances and environmental conditions.
Turrets are capped to provide a secure setting for windage and elevation. The multi-turn design allows fine-tuning of adjustments. This allows deer hunters to get the perfect zero and adapt quickly to changing situations.
The 56mm objective lens allows as much light as possible to penetrate the scope, substantially improving the image quality. This is beneficial to low-light hunters when there is increased deer activity.
The T 6-layer transmission coatings on the lenses boost light collection, ensuring a lovely image. This enables you to spot and track deer with unequaled clarity.
The external lenses have LotuTec to protect against scratches and keep off moisture to ensure they perform at their best. Even in harsh conditions, you can continue your pursuit with no worry.
The parallax is fixed, ensuring the reticle stays focused across all zoom levels, guaranteeing a consistent and clear sight picture. This is vital for maintaining accuracy, especially when handling targets at various distances.
Features
- 100 MOA elevation adjustment
- 30mm tube constructed from sturdy aluminum
- Expansive windage and elevation adjustment range
- Lotutec external coatings
- The objective lens size is 56mm
- Capped turrets
- 5 inches of eye relief
- High-performance optical glass
- Fixed parallax
Pros
- Decent clarity
- Wide field of view
- Notable quality
Cons
- Low-light ability could be better for the price
6)NightForce SHV 3-10x42mm Riflescope
Last on our review of the best 308 scope for deer hunting picks is the NightForce SHV 3-10x42mm riflescope. Choose this amazing scope if you are looking for a compact, precise, and versatile unit for your escapades.
It has a 30mm body tube constructed from high-quality aluminum to withstand rough hunting conditions. Its structure ensures it maintains zero and performs unfailingly under challenging conditions, giving you the confidence to wade through anything.
The scope shines because of its optical prowess. It yields stunning, clear, and sharp images, enabling you to discern details so that you can place shots accurately.
The 3x to 10x magnification is versatile for different scenarios. A fast-focusing feature promotes swift reticle focusing. With this mechanism, you can rapidly acquire the target and make precise shots without delay.
The capped .25 MOA adjustments enable precise adjustments for windage and elevation. The caps shield against unwanted adjustments, ensuring an intuitive, stress-free user experience.
All these features ensure the SHV delivers a fantastic shooting experience.
Features
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Second focal plane
- .25 MOA adjustments
- Side parallax adjustment system
- 42mm objective lens
- Black matte finish
- 30mm tube
Pros
- Excellent craftsmanship
- Astounding clarity
- Fairly light
- Quick and sharp adjustments
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
Also Read,
- https://outdoorandsurvival.com/best-vortex-spotting-scope-for-elk-hunting/
- https://outdoorandsurvival.com/best-elk-hunting-binoculars/
Guidelines When Choosing the Best 308 Scope for Deer Hunting
Optical Quality
The best 308 scope for deer hunting should deliver bright, clear, and sharp images regardless of the time of day. This enables you to take a precise shot of the target. Go for a fully multi-coated scope to transmit maximum light and minimize glare in bright sun rays. It should constitute glass that is of high quality.
Magnification
Choosing the right magnification for your hunt to be fruitful is essential. Consider the typical shooting distance in your hunting environment. A variable magnification like 3-9x or 4-12x is often favorable for deer hunting, offering a balance between an expansive field of view and the ability to zoom in for precise shots at longer ranges.
Eye Relief
A good scope should have long eye relief, considering the substantial recoil the 308 generates. This helps protect your eyes and make your shooting comfortable. The best 308 content for deer hunting should have a minimum of 3.5 inches of eye relief.
Construction Quality
Ensure you get a scope that can wade through various hunting conditions without breaking or compromising performance. It should be built from high-quality materials like aircraft-grade aluminum for lasting durability.
Aside from that, the scope should have weatherproof features that allow it to navigate various weather conditions without affecting functionality.
Weight
Keep in mind that deer hunting entails moving through different terrains; weight is a factor that cannot be overlooked. A compact and lightweight scope is a good option as it is easy to handle.
Best 308 Scope for Deer Hunting FAQs
What Objective Lens Is Suitable for Low-Light Conditions?
A wider objective lens like 40mm or 50mm lets in more light from the surroundings. This enhances visibility in areas with feeble light. This is absolutely beneficial in the peak hours of dusk and dawn.
Are Capped Turrets Advisable for Deer Hunting?
Capped turrets are often preferred for hunting to inhibit unintentional adjustments in the field. However, some hunters prefer exposed turrets for swift adjustments on the go.
Why Is The 308 Considered One of The Best Hunting Rounds?
Many avid hunters consider the 308 to be suitable for medium to large size game. Its reputation as a capable medium to long-range has been stretched beyond 500 yards by many long-distance hunters with full confidence in the cartridge.
What Is The 308 Good For?
Aside from hunting, the 308 also excels at other applications including military sniping, target shooting, police sharpshooting, and metallic silhouette.
Conclusion
The best 308 scope for deer hunting should suit your specific demands and needs. There are plenty of options available to choose from. We hope this review has been an eye-opener and has helped you select a reliable ally to pursue your prey. Make a wide decision that enhances your accuracy, confidence, and success as you pursue your quarry.