If you are looking for long-range accuracy, .300 Winchester Magnum (.300 Win Mag for short) should be near the top of your list. Since it was first introduced to the public in 1963, this cartridge has gained serious popularity among hunters, long-range target shooters, and military snipers.
There is no doubt that a good optic will improve your shooting accuracy with this impressive cartridge. However, finding the best scope for .300 Win Mag is no easy task.
With the right optic and a capable shooter, this .300 Win Mag is capable of some pretty impressive feats of long range accuracy. However, .300 Win Mag demands a lot from an optic. You need a top-notch scope that is built to handle the tough recoil this cartridge produces.
If you aren’t sure what to look for, don’t worry. We’re going to break down the features this cartridge demands from a scope. We also share some of our favorite models to help you on your search.
If you don’t have time for the details, check out the list below for the best rated scope for .300 Win Mag:
- NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
- Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm Riflescope
- Primary Arms PLx 6-30x56mm
- Zeiss Conquest V6 5-30×50
- Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50
- Steiner PX4i 4-16×56
- Trijicon TR20 AccuPoint 3-9×40 Riflescope
- Burris Optics Veracity 5-25×50 Riflescope
- Swarovski Z3 4-12×50 Riflescope
- Sig Sauer Whiskey3 3-9X40 Riflescope
Table of Contents
- What to Look for in a .300 Win Mag Scope?
- Best Scopes for 300 Win Mag on the Market Reviews
- 1 NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
- 2 Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm Riflescope
- 3 Primary Arms PLx 6-30x56mm
- 4 Zeiss Conquest V6 5-30×50
- 5 Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50
- 6 Steiner PX4i 4-16×56
- 7 Trijicon TR20 AccuPoint 3-9×40 Riflescope
- 8 Burris Optics Veracity 5-25×50 Riflescope
- 9 Swarovski Z3 4-12×50 Riflescope
- 10 Sig Sauer Whiskey3 3-9X40 Riflescope
- Final Thoughts
What to Look for in a .300 Win Mag Scope?
.300 Win Mag is most commonly used for hunting big game. However, the cartridge’s flat trajectories and high velocities have also grabbed the attention of competition shooters and law enforcement personnel. Here are a few key things to consider when shopping for a scope for your .300 Win Mag rifle.
Magnification
To get the most out of the cartridge and your rifle, you’ll want a scope that can adequately reach longer distances. .300 Win Mag is capable of shooting distances beyond 1000 yards, however if you can’t see a target at that range, you aren’t likely to hit it.
To touch those 1000-yard targets, you’ll need a scope that provides ample magnification. 10x or more is a good place to start.
Hunting with the .300 Win Mag is less demanding in terms of magnification. A scope in the 3-9x range works well for most hunting ranges.
Durability
If you plan to take your scope with you to hunt the backcountry, it will need to be built strong enough to endure rough handling and adverse weather conditions. If your scope will rarely see daylight outside a modern gun range, these qualities may not be as important.
However, no matter what shooting application you prefer, your scope will need to hold up to the harsh recoil .300 Win Mag dishes out with every shot. Not only does your optic need to hold together, it also needs to hold its zero, otherwise you might as well just go ahead and make that 500-yard shot with your iron sights.
Look for a scope made with a durable housing. That housing should also be o-ring sealed and nitrogen or argon filled to hold up to shock and resist internal fogging.
Reticle Patterns and Designs
In the world of long-range shooting, simple crosshairs just won’t cut it. For best results on those distance shots, choose a scope with a reticle pattern that features BDC, MOA, or Mil-Dot markings. These more complicated patterns will help you make adjustments for holdover and windage on those tough long-range shots.
First Focal Plane vs Second Focal Plane
The reticle location within the scope is also an important thing to consider. A first focal plane (FFP) reticle will change size in proportion to the target when you zoom in or out. This reticle design allows you to effectively compensate for bullet drop and windage no matter which magnification level you are using.
A second focal plane (SFP) reticle remains the same size, even when you zoom in on your target. Because the reticle size is static, any BDC markings are only valid at one magnification. Although less effective for long-range shooting, SFP scopes tend to be considerably more affordable than their FFP cousins.
Best Scopes for 300 Win Mag on the Market Reviews
Here are a few of what we consider the top optic options for your .300 Win Mag rifle.
1 NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
NightForce is well-known for its precision long-range optics. In our opinion, the SHV is one of the company’s best offerings. Highly versatile, this variable power optic does a fine job on long range paper, steel, and big game targets.
The NightForce SHV has superb glass quality and an ample 56mm objective lens. These two features combine to provide some of the clearest, brightest images you’ll ever see through an optic. The contrast and resolution will knock your socks off, even when zoomed in to the highest magnification.
The SHV features an easy 25-yard parallax adjustment, tactical MOA turrets, and a convenient ZeroSet feature. ZeroSet lets you return to zero with a simple flick of a switch, no matter how many elevation or windage adjustments you’ve made.
2 Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm Riflescope
Leupold’s riflescopes are among the best in the world. Trusted by U.S. Army snipers and Navy Seals, these top-quality optics are durable, dependable, and feature some of the best quality glass on the planet.
The VX-3i LRP is built for long range accuracy. LRP stands for Long Range Precision, and this scope definitely lives up to its name.
Delivering match-grade accuracy in an ultra-lightweight package, the VX-3i LRP is perfectly capable of holding up to hard-use and punishing recoil, making it a smart option for your .300 Win Mag rifle.
This top-notch scope features an FFP reticle, target style turrets, and Leupold’s patented Twilight Max Light Management System. This unique system uses special lens coatings to eliminate glare, reduce color fringing, and maximize light transmission. Twilight Max is designed to extend your available shooting light at dawn and dusk by a full 20 minutes.
Whether you’re hunting elk in the backcountry or pinging steel at the gun range, this scope is a perfect pairing for your .300 Win Mag rifle.
3 Primary Arms PLx 6-30x56mm
This high-quality scope from Primary Arms combines premium Japanese glass and a massive 56mm objective lens to deliver bright images with crisp edge-to-edge clarity. The PLx features an FFP red mil-dot reticle that is night vision compatible. And with a 6-30x magnification range, this scope is ideal for reaching targets out to 1000 yards, even at night.
The PLx also features tactical turrets that provide audible, tactile clicks that help you make the most precise adjustments possible. The scope also comes with a handy sunshade, high-quality Butler Creek flip caps, and a lifetime warranty.
4 Zeiss Conquest V6 5-30×50
Zeiss produces some of the best quality riflescopes in the world. The Conquest V6 is one of their best offerings, featuring cutting-edge, high light transmission glass, T star six-layer multi-coatings, and fluoride lenses. The result of these superb components is razor-sharp clarity and high-contrast images, even when you’re shooting in low light.
The Conquest V6 also has a special LotuTec protective lens coating that repels water, fingerprints, and dust, so your images are always crystal clear.
Built for durability, the Zeiss Conquest V6 has a hard outer shell and a hard interior core. The housing is sealed to protect the optic from moisture, and the optic performs reliably, even in extreme temperatures.
The Zeiss Conquest V6 features an ultra-fine illuminated SFP reticle designed for minimal target coverage, even at the strongest magnification level. The reticle is finer than the thickness of a human hair and allows for extreme precision shooting, even on the smallest long range targets.
5 Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50
The Vortex Viper PST features extra low dispersion (ED) glass, fully multi-coated lenses, and special Amortek protective coatings to deliver crisp resolution and vibrant colors.
Long range competition shooters will definitely appreciate this scope’s laser etched turrets, adjustable parallax, and RZR zero stop. These tactical style turrets deliver crisp, clean, audible clicks with the perfect amount of resistance allowing you to make precision adjustments every time.
The Viper PST has a detailed illuminated FFP reticle that stays true through the entire magnification range. It also features clear BDC markings for incredibly accurate holdovers, ranging, and windage corrections.
6 Steiner PX4i 4-16×56
Steiner claims their PX4i is “the ideal tactical riflescope.” Engineered to perform reliably in rough conditions, this scope holds zero like there’s no tomorrow.
The main body is milled from a single piece of solid, high-grade aluminum. Because there are no seams or welds in the construction, the scope is one of the most durable scopes you’ll find on the market. It easily handles freezing cold temperatures, bumps against hard rock surfaces, and wet, muddy field conditions.
The windage and elevation knobs on the PX4i offer just the right amount of resistance for precision adjustments and sniper level accuracy. To help you keep track of your revolutions, the white circle turns green after one full rotation.
One of the best features on this long range scope is the illuminated reticle. Exclusive to Steiner, the SCR (Special Competition Reticle) is an FFP, etched-glass design with an extended illumination area that allows for easy target acquisition even in low light.
7 Trijicon TR20 AccuPoint 3-9×40 Riflescope
This durable riflescope from Trijicon is built for heavy use. If you’re looking for a rugged and reliable scope for deer hunting, this may be one of the best options out there.
It features all-weather durability with a tough aircraft grade aluminum housing. The exterior has a black matte finish to prevent any glare off the scope that could give away your position.
The AccuPoint also features Trijicon’s signature battery-free dual illumination. The scope uses fiber optic technology to automatically adjust the reticle’s brightness and contrast to maximize visibility in all light conditions.
For low light shooting, the scope has a tritium phosphor lamp that glows for easy target acquisition. The best part of this battery-free illumination is it is always on and ready to go. Plus, you never have to change the batteries.
8 Burris Optics Veracity 5-25×50 Riflescope
This lightweight rifle scope from Burris features top tier glass and fully multi-coated lenses. These features provide bright images with impressively sharp edge-to-edge clarity.
Built to handle rough hunting conditions, the Burris Veracity is completely waterproof and fogproof. The outer tube is milled from a single solid piece of aluminum, making it perfect for hard-hitting calibers like the .300 Win Mag.
While this scope was designed to push the boundaries of your effective hunting range, it works just as well on top of your precision long-range target rifle. It features multi-turn target knobs and a trajectory compensating reticle. You can also easily adjust for parallax from 50 yards to infinity with the ergonomic side focus knob.
9 Swarovski Z3 4-12×50 Riflescope
This sturdy optic from Swarovski was designed specifically for those who prefer hunting from a stand. With a magnification range of 4-12x and crystal clear glass quality, the Z3 is perfectly capable of stretching across open cropland, making it ideal for deer hunting with your .300 Win Mag.
The scope features a simple SFP Plex aiming reticle, a streamlined body design for easy maneuverability inside the deer blind, and a generous field of view.
The anti-reflective lens coatings provide maximum light transfer for clear images in low light, when deer are most active. For daytime shooting, the scope has an internal microstructure surface which prevents residual reflections for better clarity in bright sunlight.
10 Sig Sauer Whiskey3 3-9X40 Riflescope
While the Whiskey3 from Sig Sauer is definitely the budget option on this list, it’s still a high-quality choice for your .300 Win Mag rifle. It has a solid build that will stand up well in rough hunting conditions. Plus, it is plenty capable of handling repeated heavy recoil.
The Whiskey3 is made with low dispersion (LD) glass that is fully multi-coated for optimal light transmission, even in low light when you are more likely to see moving game.
The Whiskey3 is offered in several SFP reticle options, including BDC and QuadPlex designs.
This scope works so well, we have a hard time believing it comes with a price tag well under $500. The Sig Sauer Whiskey3 riflescope definitely provides the best value for the money of any of the optics on our list.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right scope to pair with your .300 Win Mag requires at least a basic understanding of the cartridge’s capabilities. No matter which model you choose, be sure to spend some time at the gun range practicing with your new rifle/optic combination. Even the best scope for .300 Win Mag won’t instantly make you an accurate shooter. Ultimately, proficiency with your rifle is your best weapon in the field.
Good job, Alice! A scope for everyone’s budget was included. I just bought a TC Compass in .300 Win Mag as a project rifle to see what I can do with a bottom budget rifle and wring-out all the accuracy I can get out of it with a trigger job, some stock work, and some reloading. An optic that costs two times the price of the rifle will round-out the package. I am thinking it will be a Vortex or Leupold scope. Night Force, Schmidt & Bender, and Swarovski are out of my budget range.
I mostly shoot a 7mm08 as it is adequate for whitetail deer in Minnesota and I just harvested a really nice black bear three weeks ago with it as well. The .300 Win Mag is just a fun project rifle and if I ever get out in the Rocky Mountains again, I will give elk hunting another try. I’m impressed that you shoot it. It’s recoil is pretty rough on the shoulder and it’s easy to develop a flinch.
I write a monthly newsletter for a 400 member gun club. I know how difficult writing can be.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks, Chris! Just because I CAN shoot it, doesn’t necessarily mean I ENJOY shooting it. LOL. You’re right about it being rough on the shoulder. My go-to deer rifle is actually a .30-06, which is much easier for me to shoot and makes me a lot less flinchy.
Hope you have a fun and successful hunting season!