Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm M1C3 FFP Riflescope
- Build Quality: 4.5/5
- Optics: 4.5/5
- Battery: 5/5
Best on a Budget
Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescope
- Build Quality: 4.5/5
- Optics: 4.6/5
- Battery: 3/5
You can’t find the premium warranty anywhere else.
Check Price on Amazon Check Price on PSA Check Price on BrownellsBest Long-Range Scope for 300 Win Mag
NightForce ATACR 7-35x56mm F1 Precise Illuminated
- Build Quality: 4.8/5
- Optics: 4.4/5
- Battery: 3.4/5
A flat-shooting cartridge like the .300 Win Mag needs a versatile and reliable optic to unleash its full potential. Get ready to choose the best scope for your 300 Win Mag rifle. Here we go!
Not so fast!
First, let’s take these features into consideration so we can make an informed decision and not regret anything later.
Table of Contents
- Our Top Picks
- A Quick Look at the Best Scopes for 300 Win Mag
- How to Choose the Best Scope for 300 Win Mag
- 5 Best Scopes for 300 Win Mag
- Best Overall: Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm M1C3 FFP Riflescope
- Best on a Budget: Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescope
- Best Long Range Scope for 300 Win Mag: NightForce ATACR 7-35x56mm F1 Precise Illuminated Riflescope
- Athlon Optics Cronus BTR GEN2 4.5-29×56 Riflescope
- Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescope
- Conclusion
A Quick Look at the Best Scopes for 300 Win Mag
How to Choose the Best Scope for 300 Win Mag
| Category | Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm | Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II | NightForce ATACR 7-35x56mm F1 | Athlon Optics Cronus BTR GEN2 4.5-29×56 | Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II | Category Average |
| Overall Score | 3.22 | 2.84 | 2.92 | 3.2 | 2.84 | 3 |
| Ergonomics | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| Build Quality | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4 | 4.44 |
| Optics | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Battery | 5 | 3 | 3.4 | 5 | 3 | 3.88 |
| Value | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Magnification Range
Since the .300 Win Mag is designed for long-range shooting, it’s only right to pair it with a riflescope that has at least 16x magnification. If you plan to shoot at less than 200 yards primarily, you can get a scope with less magnification.
Build Quality
Build quality is all about how rugged and ready your scope is for action. Can it handle a drop? What about water, dust, or a sudden cold snap? A reliable scope could double as a club in a pinch and still hold zero.
Weight and Recoil Management
A well-built scope for the .300 Win Mag holds zero even after a thousand rounds. If you’ll be joining a PRS match, get a scope with just the right weight (not too light and not too heavy). You’ll want an optic that can handle recoil well but won’t slow you down.
How do we rate it?
Is it waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof? A high rating in this category means your scope is the tank of the optics world—reliable, tough, and ready for anything Mother Nature throws at it.
Optics
A great lens offers good contrast and maximum light transmission, especially in low-light situations. The more natural the sight picture, the easier it’ll be to focus on the target when aiming. If you’ll be shooting during the day, illumination won’t matter. But if you’ll be hunting at dusk, an illuminated reticle will be your secret weapon.
Your scope should also be fog-proof and can withstand daily wear and tear. It should also be protected with scratch-resistant coatings.
Field of View and Reticle
A wide field of view no matter how high the magnification setting is crucial for fast target acquisition. Also, choosing the reticle is critical as your accuracy and speed will depend on it. Will you need a thicker duplex for low-light conditions or a thinner, illuminated crosshair for precision? There are a variety of reticles tailored for each use case!
How do we rate it?
High marks go to scopes that offer excellent low-light performance and the ability to maintain a sharp, bright image under various conditions.
Battery
Another feature to consider is the battery since so many modern scopes are illuminated. Having a scope with a long battery life so it can last a long time even when left on during a hunt is critical. No one wants to worry about a battery going down in the middle of a hunt.
How do we rate it?
We give lower scores to scopes that require battery changes more often than you change your socks. High ratings go to models with efficient power usage and long-lasting battery life, ensuring you’re always ready for the shot, day or night.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics refers to how well the scope fits you and your shooting style. Can you make all the adjustments easily? Does the scope feel like an extension of your eye when you’re lining up a shot? If the answer is “Heck, yeah,” then you’re on the right track.
How do we rate it?
Is the scope’s weight balanced, or does it make your rifle feel like you’re lugging around a medieval weapon? A top-rated scope in ergonomics should feel intuitive like it’s an extension of yourself rather than an awkward appendage.
Value
Value is not only about the price tag, it’s also about getting the most bang for your buck. Sure, you could drop a small fortune on a scope, but is it overkill? A good scope should fit both your budget and your needs, offering the features you’ll actually use without the fluff you won’t.
How do we rate it?
A high rating in value means the scope offers the best blend of quality and features for its price point, striking that sweet balance between cost and functionality. Think of it as the difference between a deal and a steal.
Zero Stops
This last feature isn’t much of a necessity but is a nice addition because of the convenience it offers. A zero stop allows the user to dial out for longer shots and dial back to your zero even after you have aimed your rifle.
5 Best Scopes for 300 Win Mag
Best Overall: Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm M1C3 FFP Riflescope
| Category | Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Build Quality | 4.5 | 4.44 |
| Optics | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Battery | 5 | 3.88 |
| Value | 1 | 1 |
Score: 3.22/5
The Leupold Mark 5HD Riflescope lets you shoot from dusk ‘til dawn with Leupold’s proprietary Twilight Max HD Light Management System that guarantees edge-to-edge image clarity no matter how low the light is.
Images remain razor-sharp and clear even on the highest magnification setting. As customers say, you definitely get what you pay for.
It weighs less than other scopes so you’ll be comfortable throughout your hunt or your shooting practice. Windage and elevation adjustments are also made easy, thanks to low profile but reliable dials.
Pros
- Waterproof, fog proof, shockproof
- M5C3 Turrets with visual and tactile revolution indicators
- Illuminated reticle
- Second lightest pick (30 oz)
Cons
- Expensive
What Customers Say
“What else is there to say about it. Awesome scope, very lightweight compared to the competition. Very firm clicks on the dials and the glass quality is crazy clear. The CCH reticle is a bit busy when I started to use it, but now I really like the small gap in the hash marks. Takes a bit getting used to but now I’ve trained myself to focus on it. Works for me.”
Suman Palit
“This scope is amazing. I just used it this past weekend while I was doing barrel break in for my rifle. I have another rifle with a different scope (cheaper). The difference is like night and day. Leupold Mark 5 is awesome with very clear and crisp image – definitely worth the money. I am trying to figure out how I can get another one to replace the other cheap scope (if one can say $600 scope is cheap) I have.”
Sakir
Best on a Budget: Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescope
| Category | Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Build Quality | 4.5 | 4.44 |
| Optics | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Battery | 3 | 3.88 |
| Value | 1 | 1 |
Score: 2.84/5
Our next pick features an illuminated reticle, anti-reflective lens coating, and adjustable parallax. Its reticle is equipped with detailed hold points, 1/4 MOA click adjustments, and 10 brightness levels with off positions between each setting. That’s why it’s perfect for long-distance shooting.
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II is also constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum with a low-glare matte black hard anodized finish, so it’s extremely durable and shockproof.
This scope also includes a sunshade, lens cloth, and Allen wrench.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Waterproof, shockproof, fog proof
- Fast focus eyepiece
- High-quality glass
Cons
- Exposed turrets
- Heavy (31.2 oz)
What Customers Say
“25 MOA turrets, Zero Stop, Lifetime Warranty…all the features I want at a competitive price point. There are similar scopes available with comparable features, but to me, no other manufacturer has an FFP reticle this good at this price point. Very happy with this purchase.”
Fanch
“It’s a good FFP SCOPE for the price. It doesn’t have the quality of glass or reticle that my 5×25 Kahles but it cost 75% less. I love FFP scopes and this one is built solid and has a lifetime warranty. I am certain I will be happy with this scope for shooting coyotes with but it may fall short shooting PRS TARGETS at 1200 yards.”
B. McLauchlin
Best Long Range Scope for 300 Win Mag: NightForce ATACR 7-35x56mm F1 Precise Illuminated Riflescope
| Category | NightForce ATACR 7-35x56mm | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 1 | 1.2 |
| Build Quality | 4.8 | 4.44 |
| Optics | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Battery | 3.4 | 3.88 |
| Value | 1 | 1 |
Score: 2.92/5
The NightForce ATACR F1 riflescope guarantees precision and repeatability so it’s perfect for any long-range application like Precision Rifle Shooting competitions, or extreme long-range shooting.
This optic offers an incredible field of view across its 7-35x magnification range, so engaging and identifying targets will be easy peasy. Its super durable NXS titanium spring also delivers smooth windage and elevation adjustments.
Pros
- Solid construction
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- Smooth operation
- With zero stops feature
- 29 hours battery life
Cons
- Very expensive
- Small exit pupil at max magnification
- Heaviest pick (39.3 oz)
What Customers Say
This is my second NightForce scope. Nightforce makes an absolutely amazing product. None Better! The optics are amazing, the lighted reticle is great for early morning or late evening shots, and the Zero Stop feature is an engineering masterpiece.
David Feinberg
The quality of this scope is really second to none, the feel is amazing, the affirmative clicks on the dials is what you would want and expect, the glass quality is fantastic and clear. The only complaint I have is the exit pupil is pretty small at 35x magnification, this is somewhat expected, however I was hoping it would be better give the insane price tag.
Mark T.
Athlon Optics Cronus BTR GEN2 4.5-29×56 Riflescope
| Category | Athlon Optics Cronus BTR GEN2 4.5-29×56 | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 1 | 1.2 |
| Build Quality | 4.4 | 4.44 |
| Optics | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Battery | 5 | 3.88 |
| Value | 1 | 1 |
Score: 3.2/5
The Athlon Optic Cronus BTR has incredible glass clarity with no distortion at all magnification settings. The turrets in this optic are audible and tactile but stiff enough to prevent accidental adjustments so you won’t have to put caps on them.
The illuminated reticle is daytime bright. Its glass is crystal clear even in low lighting conditions as well as excellent contrast and generous eye relief.
Pros
- Wide field of view
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- Easy to zero
- Comes with a transferable lifetime warranty
- Illuminated reticle
Cons
- Expensive
- Finicky eye box at high magnification
- Heavy (35.8 oz)
What Customers Say
I bought this because i needed another optic and i had used one before. The paralax adj is very tight and the turret clicks are less refined than my ATACR, ZCO, NX8 and S&B PMII. that being said its half the price of 3 mentioned above. Great value and a solid choice when on a budget.
Jesse Livingston
This is easily the highest quality scope I’ve ever used. Definitely worth the money.
Matthew Stevenson
Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II First Focal Plane Riflescope
| Category | Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II | Category Average |
| Ergonomics | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| Build Quality | 4 | 4.44 |
| Optics | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Battery | 3 | 3.88 |
| Value | 1 | 1 |
Score: 2.84/5
We know we already picked a Vortex scope for our best budget option, but we just had to include the Razor HD in our list.
It features a glass-etched illuminated reticle that offers precision in any lighting condition. It comes with a visual rotation indicator for revolution tracking and an L-TEC turret system that has a special locking mechanism that prevents accidental adjustments.
Pros
- Comes with lifetime warranty
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- Built like a tank
- Lightest pick (21.5 oz)
- Illuminated reticle
Cons
- Low-quality lens covers
What Customers Say
Excellent scope, precision made, high quality, extremely accurate.
DJ S.
I really like the controls. They are well thought out. The reticle and the optics are fantastic. Only downside is the weight, but it feels like you could use it as a sledgehammer without damaging it!
John Embrey
Conclusion
Whether you’re getting your first riflescope or upgrading to a new one, all our picks above will complement the .300 Win Mag’s power, so you can look forward to more fun range time!
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Images from Amazon Product API