If you are looking for the best aiming solution for .308 you have come to the right place. Our focus is on the best budget scopes for 308 designed to increase your accuracy and overall shooting efficiency.
The .308 Winchester cartridge is a popular cartridge among hunters and shooters. Mounting an effective optic on your firearm will help unlock the full potential of this round.
When you need a high-quality rifle scope for .308, you don’t have to spend a fortune when acquiring one. Budget scopes for 308 provide the tools and functionality needed to hit your shots.
What Makes a Great Scope for 308?
The .308 rifle is an extremely versatile firearm that is good for a wide range of hunting and shooting activities.
It excels at close to long ranges, where it delivers incredible results in any situation. In addition to being powerful, this cartridge is accurate and very easy to shoot with.
When it comes to choosing a scope for .308, there are several things that you need to consider before settling on any specific model.
The scope must be as versatile and powerful as the rifle to provide superior range and accuracy on the hunting fields. Furthermore, it should be easy to use and be built ready for outdoor handling.
8 Best Budget Scopes for 308
There is a sea of scopes available on the market today, however, not all are compatible with the .308 Winchester. Selecting the best scope for 308 from the large pool is easier said than done.
We have done our homework and put together a list of high-rated scopes that effectively take the power of this rifle.
Additionally, we have attached a comprehensive guide with all the key things you need to consider when making your selection.
So, without any further delays, let’s jump right in.
1) Burris Fullfield IV 3-12×56 SFP Rifle Scope
If you want to dial in accurately and shoot with conviction, mount the Burris Fullfield IV 3-12×56 rifle scope on your .308 rifle. This is a variable power rifle scope that excels in close and long ranges. It is admirably easy to use for all users, including beginners.
The hallmark that makes Fullfield IV 3-12×56 one of the best budget scopes for 308 is outstanding low-light visibility. It boasts a large 56mm objective lens for better light-gathering ability. Even better, it has high-quality anti-reflective lens coatings to ensure high levels of light transmission.
Built on a 30mm body tube, the scope guarantees unparalleled strength and rigidity. The chassis is made from aircraft-grade aluminum which is durable enough to weather whatever abuse you throw at it.
In addition to the quality, the Burris Fullfield IV 3-12×56 SFP Rifle Scope is built waterproof and fogproof for use in all kinds of weather conditions. It also comes with a broad 100 MOA adjustment range to fine-tune accuracy and enhance your shooting experience in all terrains.
The experts at Burris know what it takes to make quality hunting rifle scopes and the Burris Fullfield IV hunting rifle scope is a testament to their dedication in providing the right tools to conquer the field.
Features
- Aircraft-grade aluminum housing
- 100 MOA adjustment range
- Second focal plane Ballistic E3 reticle
- 3-12x total magnification
- Waterproof and fog proof
- 1/4 MOA impact point correction
- 30mm main tube
- Large 56mm aperture
Pros
- Illuminated reticle
- Great light-gathering ability
- Easy to use
Cons
- Heavy
2) Primary Arms SLX 4-16x44mm Rifle Scope
Primary Arms SLX 4-16x44mm is your best 308 rifle scope if you are in the hunt for an optic that is developed for use in any environment. It packs an array of features in a lightweight body to enable easy maneuverability.
This rifle scope has gone through rigorous field testing during construction to be virtually indestructible. It holds zero well even with heavy recoil to deliver reliable performance. On top of that, it is fully waterproof, fog-resistant and shock-resistant to ensure unimpeded field use.
Another impressive thing about the scope is its superior optical performance. It features crisp clear glass elements that work in tandem with the anti-reflective lens coatings to enhance light transmission. This results in the production of bright and crisp image views.
The other essential features included are an efficient industrial design, a forgiving eye box and a removable power ring. Combining innovative features and ample magnification power for hunting cements the SLX 4-16x44mm rifle scope is among the best budget scopes for 308.
Features
- 30mm main tube diameter
- First focal plane reticle
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Robust aluminum housing
- Replaceable power ring fin
- Zero resettable turrets
- 4-16x magnification range
- Side focus parallax adjustment
Pros
- Lightweight
- Illuminated reticle
- Forgiving eye relief
- Efficient industrial design
Cons
- No drawbacks
3) Crimson Trace Brushline 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
Crimson Trace Brushline 4-12x40mm Riflescope is specially built for avid hunters who are seeking precise and rapid target acquisition in the fields making it one of the best budget scopes for 308. It delivers repeatable accuracy in all hunting environments and is very easy to shoot with.
This rifle scope is built with a variable 4-12x zoom power. It provides a wide field of view at close quarters and rapid acquisition of targets when you ramp the setting to 12x. Furthermore, its turrets are capped to ensure a consistent return to zero and prevent accidental adjustments in the field.
To ensure comfortable shooting with or without eyeglasses, the scope features a generous 4-inch eye relief that also encourages safe shooting when one is using heavy caliber rounds. Over and above that, it has a fully multi-coated lens that yields admirably bright and crisp image views from sunrise to sunset.
In addition to everything else, the Crimson Trace Brushline 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope is nitrogen purged and sealed to provide a lifetime of waterproof and fog proof capabilities. Mount the Brushline 4-12x40mm rifle scope and elevate your hunting experience.
Features
- Second focal plane BDC reticle
- Aerospace-grade aluminum housing
- Waterproof and nitrogen purged.
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- 4-12x total magnification
- 1-inch tube diameter
- 40mm objective lens
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Lightweight and robust make
- Crisp glass
Cons
- Non illuminated reticle
4) Hawke Sport Optics Vintage 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
Hawke Sport Optics Vintage 4-12x40mm rifle scope the perfect for both hunting and shooting applications. It is designed for mid to long-range use with a ton of functional features that make it highly reliable. The unbeatable versatility makes it one of the best budget scopes for 308.
Built on a 1-inch tube scope, this scope is lightweight, portable and very easy to install. Its housing compromises a rugged aluminum chassis that is anodized against scratches and rust. Moreover, the tube is sealed with O-rings and nitrogen-filled to be waterproof and fogproof.
The optical performance of this rifle scope is phenomenal. It employs a large 40mm objective lens that maximizes optical clarity in low light. On top of that, it has 11-layer anti-reflection fully multi-coated optics that guarantee superior light transmission.
When it comes to use and handling, the Vintage 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope has a fast focus collar and a generous eye relief of 3.5”. The scope is also built with 100 MOA windage and elevation adjustment range and an adjustable parallax from 10 yards to infinity.
Features
- 1-piece 1-inch main tube
- Fast focus collar
- Low-profile capped turrets
- Duplex crosshair reticle
- 4-12x zoom range
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Anodized aluminum alloy housing
- Waterproof and nitrogen-filled
- 100 MOA adjustment range
Pros
- Lightweight
- Generous and consistent eye relief
- Large field of view
- Quick focus
Cons
- Fixed parallax
5) Bushnell Prime 3-12x40mm SFP Rifle Scope
Bushnell prides itself in making top-grade optics and the Prime 3-12x40mm Rifle Scope is not any different. This is an unmatched value scope that includes virtually every feature a hunter needs to make their expeditions more competitive.
It features a variable 3-12x magnification built into a second focal plane reticle. The reticle maintains the same size through the entire zoom range and provides a simple point of aim for easy and accurate target acquisition.
Moreover, the scope is built with capped turrets which guarantees that you will never lose the turret position because of scrapes and bumps in the field. The EXO barrier lens coating provides an extra shield from dust and elements, while the IPX7 waterproof construction makes the scope operable in any environment.
Optically, the Prime 3-12x40mm Rifle scope boasts fully multi-coated optics that are responsible for enhancing light transmission and image brightness. Other than that, a side focus parallax adjustment is included to enable easy parallax correction.
Features
- Second focal plane reticle
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- IP67 waterproof construction
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Capped turrets
- EXO barrier hydrophobic lens coating
- 1-inch body tube
Pros
- Multi-turrets system
- Good eye relief
- Robust and quality construction
Cons
- Short mounting length
6) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x50mm SFP Rifle Scope
Crossfire II 3-9x50mm SFP Rifle Scope is another high-quality optic that is optimized for low-light use. It boasts an oversized 50mm objective lens that optimizes low-light performance by gathering a large volume of light inside the optics.
Vortex scopes are known for their resilience in the field and this model is not built any different. It is fully waterproof, fogproof and shockproof so you can carry it on your most demanding hunts. Additionally, it is crafted from aircraft-quality aluminum, a material that promises superior strength and durability.
Weighing just 18.4oz, the Crossfire II 3-9x50mm SFP Rifle Scope is light enough to not add unnecessary bulk to the rifle. It is also built with a generous eye relief of 3.8” which makes it eyeglass-friendly.
Features
- Anodized aluminum body
- Rear focal plane reticle
- 3-9x total magnification
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- 60 MOA windage and elevation adjustment range
- 1-inch main tube
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Capped reset turrets
Pros
- Manageable weight
- Long eye relief
- Great low-light performance
- Crisp glass
7) Athlon Optics Neos 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
Next on our list of the best budget scopes for 308 is Neos 4-12x40mm from Athlon Optics. This brand has built a name in the field of optics thanks to the competitively priced optics in manufactures and this model is not any different.
The scope is built to offer unmatched durability in the field. It has a housing that is fully waterproof and fogproof to be ready for anything Nature will have in store for it. In addition to that, the robust aircraft-grade aluminum housing is heat-treaded and shockproof to take in the beating.
Another impressive thing about this scope is the fully multi-coated optics. They provide bright and crisp image views to enhance your aim at any distance. Besides that, the scope features a glass-etched reticle that is illuminated to provide greater visibility in low-level light settings.
Features
- 4-12x magnification
- Heat-treated one-piece main tube
- Waterproof and fogproof construction
- Glass-etched SFP reticle
- 1-inch tube diameter
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- 25 MOA adjustment click value
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great build quality
- Bright and clear glass
- Reticle illumination
Cons
- Short eye relief
8) Sightron S1 Series 4-12x40mm SFP G2 Rifle Scope
Our last scope recommendation for the 308 is the Sightron S1 Series 4-12x40mm SFP G2 Rifle Scope. This is a classic hunting scope that is good for all users, beginners, intermediate and professionals.
The scope uses modern optical technology and manufacturing techniques to provide the best possible picture quality. This is irrespective of the lighting condition you will be hunting in. Furthermore, all-glass lenses have premium lens coatings to boost light transmission.
For maneuverability convenience, the scope is built compact and lightweight. And though lightweight, it does not cut corners on quality and durability. It is 1000G rated to be shockproof and impact-resistant.
On top of everything else, the Sightron S1 Series 4-12x40mm SFP G2 Rifle Scope is nitrogen charged and O-ring sealed to provide reliable performance in all weather conditions.
Features
- 4mm tube diameter
- Second focal plane reticle
- IPX-7 water resistant
- Fog-proof and shockproof
- Multi-coated glass lenses
- 4-12x magnification power
- Precision focus eyepiece
Pros
- Large field of view
- Crisp and high-quality glass
- Compact and lightweight
- Rugged and reliable construction
Cons
- Short eye relief at max power
Further Reading
- Best 308 Scopes for Deer Hunting
- Scopes for Ruger 308 Precision Rifle
- Best Leupold Scopes for 308
- Best 300 Blackout Scopes
Things to Look for in the Best Budget Scopes for 308
When filtering through the options in the market, there are several considerations to keep in mind to get the best optic for your individual shooting needs including:
Durability
The durability of a .308 scope is directly proportional to the materials it is crafted with. Even under a budget, you must pick a scope that is built with durability in mind.
With sturdy and robust construction, the scope will weather all the abuse you subject it to and withstand wear and tear. The best budget scopes for 308 should also be built waterproof, fog proof and dustproof.
Reticle
Get a scope that comes with a reticle that suits your shooting style. There are plenty of reticles available on the market and no specific one is better than the other.
All you have to do is get a style that is accurate, easy to use and illuminated if you purpose to use the scope primarily for hunting.
Read: Best 270 Long-Range Scopes
Image Quality
There are two determinants of image quality in rifle scopes; lens coatings and the quality of glass used. For the best budget scope for 308, we recommend that you get a scope that uses quality glass elements.
The scope should also have proper lens coatings to transmit as much light as possible and yield clear and bright images without glare or any distortions.
Magnification
Another important thing to take into account is magnification. Generally, how far you are going to be shooting dictates which magnification you get. For close to medium-range shooting/hunting, a scope with a zoom setting up to 9x will be adequate.
For long-range target shooting, you will need a high magnification of at least 12x as the higher the zoom power is the further away you will be able to shoot.
Read: Best Long-Range Deer Hunting Scopes
Best Budget Scopes for 308 FAQs
Q: How Far Can a .308 Shoot?
In most cases, 1000 yards is the furthest the .308 can shoot. However, the range depends on several things such as the load and barrel length, shooting skills and the angle from which you are shooting among others.
Q: How much eye relief do I need for .308?
3.5 inches and above. A scope with a long and forgiving eye relief of at least 3.5” enables comfortable shooting with or without eyewear. It also keeps your eye safe from getting hit by the scope when it recoils.
Final Shot
Hopefully, this article on the best budget scopes for 308 has been informative and helpful. When making your selection, be activity-specific and then focus on finding the scope that suits your need in the best manner possible. Whatever your budget and shooting needs are, there is scope out there for you.