Your presence here indicates that you are looking for the best Vortex scope for 308 bolt action rifle. And you have come to the right place. This guide explores the world of the best Vortex scopes for .308 bolt action. The scopes are configured to meet the demands of gun lovers and enthusiastic hunters who want to hone their skills. Reliable, rugged, accurate, and state-of-the-art features are a few features that the scope bar of.
The .308 bolt action rifle is a staple among shooters and hunters because of its strength, reliability, compactness, and availability. If you are a proud owner of the rifle, you also know that it produces manageable recoil. The rifle is a hunter’s best companion with carbon-steel barrels and synthetic stocks.
Best Vortex Scope For 308 Bolt Action
Finding a riflescope to marry with this great rifle can be a puzzle because of the existence of a plethora of options on the market. Vortex manufactures an astounding lineup of scopes that qualify as a good pair for the .308 bolt action. Our aim is to help you solve the puzzle by amassing the best Vortex scopes calibrated specifically for the rifle.
Without much ado, let’s dive into the best Vortex scopes for .308 bolt action rifle;
1) Vortex Crossfire II AO 6-24x50mm Riflescope
The Vortex Crossfire II is the ideal scope for long-range shooters as it is equipped with a 6-24x highly versatile magnification. The riflescope is made with avid hunters in mind, as it delivers the highest performance level.
It uses a Dead-Hold BDC reticle, ideal for shooting or hunting at differing ranges with holdover estimation issues. Being on the second focal plane means the size remains static even with changes in magnification.
This is a solid and durable scope made with top-tier materials. The outer housing is built from aircraft-grade aluminum and has a hard-anodized finish for corrosion and rust resistance.
It suits various weather conditions as it is fully waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, thanks to the O-ring seals and nitrogen purging. A fast-focus eyepiece keeps the reticle in focus, while the long eye relief guarantees maximum safety and comfort.
When you look at the unit’s design, you will notice that the lenses are fully multi-coated to boost light transmission for brighter and clearer views. The lenses shield against harsh exterior elements for pristine performance.
Features
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Second focal plane Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- 30mm tube diameter
- Optics are fully multi-coated
- Made of aircraft-grade aluminum
- O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged
- Long eye relief of 4 inches
- Hard-anodized finishing
Pros
- Performs well in weak lighting
- Robust structure for a long lifespan
- Adjustable objective lens
Cons
- Distortion at top magnification
2) Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm Riflescope
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm is a multi-proof scope with requisite inclusions to make it survive in unforgiving conditions. It handles fog, moisture, and recoil pretty well so that nothing interferes with your activity.
The riflescope uses the EBR-2C MOA reticle on the first focal plane that has hash marks for windage and elevation correction. The windage and elevation turrets have a tactical design for easy adjustments.
The Rapid Zero Return halts the turret from dialing below sight in range and keeps away foreign materials even when setting the zero-stop position.
Also, the reticle is etched on glass for more robustness and reliability. It is illuminated with ten brightness settings that can be customized to accommodate various lighting situations.
The finish is anodized for corrosion fighting, while the lenses are treated with Armortek for shielding against impurities that can cause damage.
The lenses have XR multi-coating to amplify light collection and minimize glare. The extra-low dispersion glass enhances resolution and color fidelity resulting in crisper images.
The radius bar provides a highly visible and tactile reference point for turret rotations. The quick focus eyepiece amplifies the speed of target acquisition by focusing the reticle.
Features
- Armortek-covered lenses
- The outer is hard anodized for durability
- Multi-proof technology
- Tactical-style turrets that are exposed for speed and accuracy when making adjustments
- Precision glide erector system for smooth functioning of the zoom lens mechanism
- Single-piece 30mm tube
- The reticle is illuminated and etched on glass
- Fast-focusing design
Pros
- Sturdy build and craftsmanship
- Highly precise at long ranges
- The glass is super clear
Cons
- Bulky
3) Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56mm Riflescope
Mount the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56mm riflescope on your .308 Bolt action and expect unsurpassed image sharpness and brightness across all magnification ranges and lighting situations.
The scope has a 6x zoom range and optically indexed lenses to maximize the sharpness and brightness of the image from edge to edge. The XR plus full multi-coating increases light gathering for peak clarity from sunrise to sunset.
Further, the unit has HD elements on the optics to perfect color fidelity and great resolution. The tip of the iceberg when it comes to optical prowess is the Plasma Tech for unprecedented coating performance and durability.
Also included in the scope’s design is the side focus that deals with parallax issues and optimizes image focus. The first focal plane reticle is illuminated and glass-etched. There are eleven brightness settings with an off position between each level to increase convenience for making adjustments.
In addition, the L-Tec turrets have a locking technology to stop accidental adjustments. The turrets ensure fast and precise windage and elevation adjustments.
Durability-wise, the scope continues the tradition of hyper durability that Vortex scopes are known for. The entire housing is made from aircraft-grade aluminum for resilience and rigidity.
The exterior lenses have Armortek treatment that keeps off scratches, dirt, and debris from sneaking into the lenses. The hard anodized stealth shadow finishing is highly robust and eliminates glare for concealment of the shooter’s position.
Features
- L-Tec turrets
- Eyepiece has a quick focus design
- 34mm tube size
- Argon purged and o-ring sealed for weatherproofing
- The lenses have XR full multi-coating
- Side focus adjustment
- The glass comprises HD elements for greater resolution and color faithfulness
- Shockproof for impact and recoil shrugging
- Plasma tech application process for best-in-class performance and durability
Pros
- Tactile turrets with crisp clicks
- Impeccable glass quality
- Well-built for longevity
- Easy to use and focus
Cons
- Weighty
- The zero adjustment is mushy
4) Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44mm Riflescope
There are plenty of benefits that come with using this device as your go-to .308 bolt action riflescope. First, its optical performance is one for the books as the scope is engineered with fully multi-coated and extra-low dispersion optics that boost light transmittance and increase resolution and color fidelity, respectively, leading to high-quality images.
The images are clear with no distortion across all magnification ranges and lighting conditions. If you plan to shoot in the wee hours of the morning or late evening when darkness starts to creep in, the scope will not let you down.
Secondly, the scope facilitates easy adjustments. The ribbed magnification ring is designed to enable effortless power adjustments so as not to miss a shot. The quick-focus eyepiece helps to keep the reticle in sharp focus for fast target acquisition.
Additionally, the reticle has a glass-etched design to increase durability and reliability, while the turrets are exposed for matchless tracking performance.
The durability of the Diamondback is also worth noting. It is cast from aircraft-grade aluminum with an anodized outer to fortify durability and lessen glare that could betray the shooter’s position.
Features
- Precision force spring system for repeatability
- The exterior is anodized
- Raised rib for magnification transitions that are seamless
- Special coatings with anti-reflective compounds
- Glass-etched reticle
- Exposed turrets for excellent tracking
- Built like a tank with the aircraft-grade aluminum build
- 30mm tube diameter
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- 44mm objective lens size
- Variable 4-16x magnification
Pros
- The glass is crystal clear for great visibility
- Tough built
- Commendable performance in low light
- Easy to use
Cons
- No zero stop
- The magnification adjustment is stiff and could use a throw lever
5) Vortex Viper HS LR 6-24x50mm Riflescope
This incredible riflescope features a cutting-edge optical system highlighted with a 4x zoom system for flexibility at various distances. The scope is configured to help you maximize the power and capability of the .308 bolt action for a wild experience in the field.
It has a single-piece 30mm tube manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum for rugged performance. The scope is ideal for harsh conditions as it is built to be waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
The XLR first focal plane reticle doesn’t change in size even with zoom transitions and is kept in sharp focus by the focusing mechanism of the eyepiece. The side focus provides precise fine-tuning and eliminates parallax that could impede accuracy if not taken care of.
The riflescope is installed with fully multi-coated optics that boost light collection for peak clarity in all situations and extra-low dispersion glass for crisp images with perfect resolution and color fidelity.
Additionally, the Viper HS makes sighting and zeroing in on targets easy. You will never lose your zero as the Customizable Rotational Stop zero stop system is present to ensure so.
The outer part of the unit is anodized to counter corrosion, while the exterior lenses are protected from foreign materials by Armortek coating.
Features
- 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- XLR reticle on the front focal plane
- Tactical elevation turret
- Side focus for more precision
- CRS Zero Stop
- XR fully multi-coated lenses
- HD lens elements
- Precision force spring system
- Precision glide erector system
- 4 inches of eye relief
Pros
- Exceptional clarity in all lighting environments
- Accuracy and repeatability are guaranteed at all times
- The eye relief is generous
- Excellent reticle
Cons
- High-end price
6) Vortex Viper HST 6-24x50mm Riflescope
Vortex Viper HST 6-24x 50mm is the last contender on our list of the best Vortex scopes for .308 bolt action. Whether shooting in the vast wilderness, tree stands, or mountain tops, the Viper HST is the ultimate long-range riflescope that delivers mind-blowing results.
It is fashioned to withstand anything that comes your way with its aircraft-grade aluminum chassis. It is hard anodized for more durability and impact resistance.
The protection is further heightened by the Armortek covering on the lenses that shields against oil, dirt, dust, and scratches. The .308 bolt action scope will function seamlessly in all conditions.
This high-strength scope is made with fully multi-coated lenses that optimize light transfer from the surroundings to the scope resulting in more brightness and sharpness.
The extra-low dispersion glass has perfect resolution and color accuracy for crisp images.
The precision glide erector system facilitates easy power transitions on the fly, while the precision spring erector system maximizes repeatability and ease of adjustment.
The exposed tactical-style turrets ensure fast, easy, and precise adjustments for windage and elevation. The quick focus eyepiece focuses the reticle to enable rapid target acquisition.
Features
- CRS Zero Stop system
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Exposed turrets with a tactical design
- The body is cast from solid aluminum
- XR full multi-coating
- Precision force spring system
- Precision glide erector system
- 4 inches of eye remedy
- Hashmark-based reticle for more precision in long ranges
Pros
- The lens quality is top-notch
- Extravagant magnification range
- Ample amount of eye relief
- Clear glass
Cons
- Stiff parallax
- Heavy
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What is The Ideal Magnification?
The ideal magnification for the .308 bolt action rifle is hinged on the shooting application and individual needs and preferences. A scope with a magnification of 3-9x or 4-12x is suitable for general-purpose use. Such ranges are sufficient for close to medium-range engagements.
If your kill zone is at longer distances, you need a scope with higher magnification ranging between 5-25x or 6-24x. Such scopes are an extra eye to identify long-range targets more clearly and make more precise shots at extended ranges.
Ultimately, the best magnification comes down to preferences, shooting scenarios, and target distance. When identifying the ideal magnification for the .308 bolt action rifle, you should also consider your shooting skill.
Guidelines for Purchasing the Best Vortex Scopes for .308 Bolt Action
Parallax
Parallax occurs when your target appears off-focus when the crosshairs are not still. Parallax problems make shooting the target tricky. Most riflescopes are parallax free at a distance of less than 100 yards. You may need to adjust parallax to be able to hit the target if it is further away.
Glass Quality
The best Vortex scopes for .308 Bolt action should have a high-quality glass with XD or HD elements for distortion-free images with maximum resolution and color fidelity. The lenses should also be fully multi-coated to maximize light collection for brighter and clearer images.
Weight
A heavy scope will be difficult to tote around with. Ensure your intended scope is lightweight to facilitate balance and ease of movement when paired with your .308 rifle.
Reticle
The reticle is paramount as it provides precision aiming. Adjusting the reticles can help you get an accurate aim if you’re aiming at a long-range target. The type of reticle your scope should have depends on what you use your .308 for.
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FAQs on the Best Vortex Scope For 308 Bolt Action
1) How much eye relief is needed for the .308?
If you are using only one eye to shoot, you should have a scope with eye relief ranging from 3 to 4 inches. However, you should go for one with more than that if you want to shoot with both eyes open. Eye relief is an essential consideration as it determines the safety and comfort of your shooting experience.
2) Between a 50mm and 40mm scope, which is better for the .308 Bolt action rifle?
The 50mm scope is better than the 40mm counterpart because it facilitates more light penetration, better resolution, and has a bigger exit pupil. But the 40mm is still popular because of its high precision in long-range aiming.
3) What magnification do military snipers use?
Snipers usually use scopes with magnification ranging from 2x to 12x. This range is suitable for long-range shooting, so you can begin with that setting and adjust it as needed.
Conclusion
Vortex produces high-quality scopes for most cartridges, including the 308 bolt action rifle, and most expert shooters have given their stamp of approval. The scopes reviewed here are made with unmatched optical finesse, well-thought craftsmanship, extreme accuracy, and user-friendly features augmenting them as perfect for the .308 bolt action rifle. There is no doubt they are the best on the market.
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